Letter to the Editor: True Marriage
To the Editor:I was dismayed to read in former council member Lonnie Rich’s Feb. 27 Commentary piece that after voting to add sexual orientation to Alexandria’s human rights ordinance, then councilman Mike Jackson was thereafter refused communion. The Catholic Church has long held that all persons deserve to be treated with dignity. Such an addition to an ordinance is in line with Catholic teaching and approving and/or endorsing it should in no way jeopardize access to communion. I hope that this error was corrected and councilman Jackson was able to receive again.As for the message in Mr. Rich’s piece, it too dismays me.
15th Annual Toast to Fashion
The Campagna Center’s Junior Friends hosted the 15th annual Toast to Fashion on Thursday evening, March 13, at the Belle Haven Country Club. Four service awards were presented to Junior Friends. Jeannine Ginivan received The Golden Halo Award for her fundraising efforts for the Campagna Center programs. Christine Stanton Lupo was awarded The Barbara Pratt Lee Heart of Gold for her leadership and personal dedication to the advancement of the Center’s mission.
Commentary: Neighborhoods
BIKE LANES NOT WANTED Darlene and Dick Johnson sat bravely until 1:30 a.m. at the TRCA meeting to discuss possible bike lanes on King Street. The general opinion seemed to be unwelcoming, but the final word will come from Council which will have a public hearing March 15 at 9 a.m. Everyone may attend. CANDIDATES GATHERJim Moran's announcement of his retirement has ensured much activity among Democratic candidates.
Beyer Wins Mount Vernon Democrats’ Straw Poll
Former ambassador Donald Beyer won the first straw poll battle for the outgoing U.S. Rep. Jim Moran’s 8th district seat on Saturday night, March 1 with 25 percent of the vote (105 votes). Community leader Lavern Chatman came in second with 20 percent of the vote, and Del. Patrick Hope of Arlington received 19 percent. 419 of those in attendance coast their votes in the primary straw poll and about 470 Democratic activists attended the event. Bruce Shuttleworth did not attend because of a previous engagement.
Hernandez Honored for Community Service
Giovanni Hernandez, a senior at Bishop Ireton High school, was presented with the Student Community Service Award by the Rotary Club of Alexandria at its Jan. 28 meeting at Belle Haven Country Club.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade Fun Dog Show
Dr. Katy Nelson and Capitol Heel co-owner Bobby Mahoney took the stage at Market Square on Saturday morning, Match 1, announcing the start of the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade Fun Dog Show. The canines were all registered and local Scout troops volunteered to escort the groups. Judging this year for people’s choice used an applause meter.
The Role of The American Legion
It was 95 years ago, on March 15, 1919, when members of the American Expeditionary Forces convened in Paris, France for the first American Legion caucus. The American Legion was born. The Legion evolved from a group of war-weary veterans of World War I into one of the most influential nonprofit groups in the United States. Today, our membership stands at over 2.5 million in 14,000 posts worldwide. In The American Legion, a veteran was a veteran regardless of whether they were enlisted or commissioned, black or white, male or female. In fact, women Legionnaires were able to vote for Legion national commander before they could legally vote for the president of the United States The American Legion focuses on service to all veterans, service members and communities. It is about principles, not politics.
Letter to the Editor: Valuable Compromise
To the Editor: Much has been spoken and written about the King Street Traffic Calming project with bike lanes, since city staff proposed an early concept at a June 12, 2013 meeting of the Taylor Run Civic Association Executive Board. Let's assume that our goal is to provide the safest, most convenient, and most attractive solution we can find, and generally in that order. I would love for there to be parking, bike lanes, medians between lanes with turn lanes and trees, wide sidewalks with utility zones, and four driving lanes for that matter.
Letter to the Editor: Healthy Eating At Hospital Cafe
To the Editor: With a vast number of choices for dining out in the nation’s capitol, gourmet restaurants and economical eateries abound. The region provides a chef’s paradise and a variety of tastes to please the palates of a diverse population. Often overlooked are the hospital cafeterias that have, in the past, been the unfortunate victims of consumer disdain. However, with the advent of a focus on healthy eating and nutritional diets in recent years, a local hospital has become attuned to the reality of putting into practicing good health and wise nutrition. Inova Alexandria Hospital is at the forefront of this movement.
Classified Advertising March 5, 2014
Read the latest ads here!
License to Chill
March came in like a lion, with Mother Nature dumping several inches of snow on the region March 3 as city governments and local schools closed in the wake of yet another storm that brought life across Alexandria to a crawl. “I am not a fan of this weather but thought I would try and get some enjoyment out of this last storm,” said @Home Real Estate and Design Center Realtor Christine Sennott. “My boyfriend and I packed on our winter gear and went for a walk about town. The streets were desolate with random residents shoveling walk ways and an occasional barking dog the only sound to be heard.” With snow totals ranging from 2.5 to 8 inches, the latest round of winter weather brought icy conditions and subfreezing temperatures to Alexandria just days after sunshine bathed the city's annual St. Patrick's Day parade.
SSA Speaker Series Highlights Things To Do
Spring is almost here! It’s time to think about getting out and exploring what our wonderful city has to offer in the way of recreation and cultural activities. There is something for everyone, especially for seniors. If you are curious about what’s out there, come to Senior Services of Alexandria’s next speaker series event to hear from Alexandria’s Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities and Alexandria Library about special programs for seniors. This free program will be held at Chinquapin Recreation Center at 3210 King St. on March 12 from 9:30 a.m. – noon. Light refreshments will be served and free parking is available.
Letter to the Editor: Impact On Parking
To the Editor: Parking spaces, parking spaces where have they gone? It seems that every time I say that parking in Old Town is becoming near impossible some uninformed member of one of our boards or commissions tries to tell me that that there are excess parking spaces in the Old and Historic District. Well, as all of you know that's not true. In fact, the parking situation is going to get worse as our esteemed transportation director continues to recommend to the council members that they take parking spaces away from us.The taking of the 27 parking spaces on upper King Street is a good lead-in followed by the taking of 66 parking spaces at the King Street Metro.
Commentary: Have You Scheduled Your Colonoscopy?
Colonoscopies save lives. Just ask Audrey Marcoe. The 83-year old Alexandria resident underwent a colonoscopy in December at Inova Alexandria Hospital due to a severe bout of anemia that left her exhausted and significantly underweight. Her doctors suspected she might be bleeding into her colon. The exam revealed a large cancerous tumor on her ascending colon that was likely causing her anemia. She would need surgery to remove it. “I was surprised at this, truthfully,” she said. “I just never thought I’d get it.” Cancers of the colon and rectum — part of the body’s digestive system — are unfortunately rather common, especially among Americans age 50 and older. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), colorectal cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer among men and women combined. It will cause an estimated 50,000 deaths this year alone. Fortunately, those numbers have been declining for the last two decades thanks to proper screening, increased disease awareness (remember TV anchorwoman Katie Couric’s colonoscopy on the “Today” show?) and advances in treatments and surgical techniques.
Making Mentoring Matter
It’s hard to believe that Erika Stratmann and Jenny have only known each other for a little over a year. Whenever they get together, they talk non-stop about everything and anything under the sun, from career opportunities to when Jenny’s going to be able to get her driver’s license. Jenny’s really excited to learn how to drive, even though she still has a few years to wait.
By George!
The questions were fast and furious as nearly 100 local Boy and Girl Scouts slated to march in Alexandria's Washington's Birthday Parade met with President George Washington (Alexandria re-creator Don De Haven) during a Feb. 16 reception at the Old Dominion Boat Club.
Letter to the Editor: Improving Public Safety
To the Editor: The stretch of what is now King Street from near the Metro Station and the Alexandria Train Station to Janneys Lane was originally used as a major road transporting farm commodities to warehouses in Alexandria. It was (Leesburg Pike) not built for cars or bikes, but instead for horse drawn wagons, and carriages. It was an early farm to market road promoting local transportation and commerce.
Chamber Hosts Business of Baseball Forum
The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce and the Washington Nationals hosted a sold-out breakfast Feb. 12, offering a behind the scenes look at the nuances of running a Major League Baseball team. Keynote speaker Marla Lerner Tanenbaum, one of the principal owners of the Nationals, highlighted the relationship the team has with the Dream Foundation and supporting the community immediately surrounding the stadium.
Letter to the Editor: Safety on King Street
To the Editor: At the February Traffic and Parking Board hearing, city staff presented a detailed plan that referred to the King Street Traffic Calming plan as nothing “cutting edge.” The plan implements standard and accepted practices for making a street safe. The common practices for King Street are part of the common practices in the city’s Transportation Master Plan. City staff is just following through.In its Pedestrian section, the city’s Transportation Master Plan (pages 2-7) states “Sidewalks along arterials should be wide and well buffered since these streets provide key transit access.
Letter to the Editor: Questionable City Budget Priorities
To the Editor: Any of us who thinks that Alexandria cares about its people is sadly mistaken. Just take a look at the 2015 proposed city budget and you’ll soon understand why this city’s priorities lie elsewhere. Look at the proposed cuts while the city continues rampant spending on a metro station, large legal and planning staffs, BikeShare program and premature waterfront landscape plans.