Generations of Families To Be Honored at Gala
Senior Services of Alexandria’s Generation to Generation Gala — highlighting families in Alexandria whose dedication and passion for giving back to the community are passed down from generation to generation — will take place on Saturday, March 29 at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center.
From Two Perspectives
The Alexandria Mentoring Partnership (AMP) was created in 2006 to ensure that quality mentors and mentor programs are available for Alexandria's youth and young adults in need.
School Board Votes For Longer SLEEP
Money saved from annual bus route review will be earmarked for implementation of later start times.
According to SLEEP, a local group advocating for later high school start times in Fairfax County, 72 out of 92 counties in Virginia have a high school start time of 8 a.m. or later.
Mental Health and Budget Items in Richmond
You most likely heard that my colleague, Sen. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath County), underwent a horrible ordeal last fall with his son Gus, who was suffering from severe mental illness. The Deeds family had realized that Gus needed urgent help and were doing everything they could to ensure his well-being, but a psychiatric bed could not be found for him when it was desperately needed. In a horrific turn of events, Gus critically stabbed his father and then took his own life.
An Unexpected Present
Not that I minded it in the least (in fact, I appreciated it in the most), but I received my first senior discount the other day. I was fast-fooding at my local Roy Rogers restaurant when the unexpected kindness occurred. Considering that I’m not at the age yet when such discounts are typically available, I certainly did not (do not) presume that my appearance somehow reflects an age which I am not. In truth, I don’t believe it does. So even though I didn’t ask for the age-related discount, I was offered/given it nonetheless. As the cashier tallied my bill, she then spoke the price and adjusted it downward 10 percent for my surprise "senior" discount. On hearing the lower price and the reason for it, I immediately responded: "Oh, you’re giving senior discounts to people over 40?" To which she replied, while looking me directly in the eye: "No. Over 30." Laughing at her quick-thinking quip, I thanked her again for the discount and commended her on her excellent answer/customer service.
Home Design: What the Pros Know
A look inside the homes of some of the area’s top builders.
Remodeling industry professionals spend their days helping clients create dream homes, adding quartzite counter tops and outdoor, stacked stone fireplaces, turning ideas and photos into functional, chic living spaces.
MATHCOUNTS Champions
The Northern Virginia Regional MATHCOUNTS competitions were held on Saturday, Feb. 1, at Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke and at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria. This year, because of the exceptionally large number of students participating, the Regional competition had to be split between two venues.
Fuse Box Lighting Up the Wammie Awards
Five teenagers from Alexandria up for Best New Artist at this year's Wammie awards Sunday, Feb. 16.
Among the eight acts up for new artist of the year at this year's Washington Area Music Association Wammie Awards, most won't have to worry about getting up for high school the next morning. Fuse Box, five talented musicians who discovered their love of music at a young age, have been playing together in some form or another for several years, and as a fully-fledged band for nearly four years.
Commentary: Speak Up for Pollution Restrictions
Virginia is not immune to the dangers of climate change. In recent years, we have seen the damage sea level rise and storm surges have caused in our lowland areas. The science is clear that we must cut carbon to the levels scientists say are safe to address these issues.
Classified Advertising February 5, 2014
Read the latest here!
Editorial: Pet Photos, Stories for Pet Connection
The Pet Connection, a bi-annual themed edition, will publish Feb. 26. We invite you to send us stories about your pets, photos of you and/or your family with your cats, dogs, hamsters, snakes, lizards, frogs, rabbits, or whatever other creatures share your home or yard with you.
TC Gymnastics Wins Conference 7 Championship
School’s first full gymnastics team since early 1980s produces title.
T.C. Williams has its first full gymnastics team since the early 1980s.
Editorial: For Nonpartisan Redistricting
Virginia is a purple state, gerrymandered to bleed red.
Consider that in statewide elections, Virginia voters have chosen Democrats in the last two presidential elections, for U.S. Senate, for Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General. Almost none of these elections was by a wide margin, but it’s clear that Virginia is a purple state leaning blue.
Scattering Low-Income Residents Across Alexandria
Public-housing authority considers redeveloping seven properties.
Uncertainty is hanging in the air for thousands of public-housing residents and their neighbors.
Alexandria School Board Considers Budget as Search Continues for Superintendent
Interim leader proposes spending priorities for a system in transition.
Alexandria City Public Schools is in a state of flux. School Board members are conducting a national search for the next superintendent as students are flooding into the city's classrooms. Meanwhile, interim superintendent Alvin Crawley is proposing a 3.3 percent increase over last year's budget, adding $8 million to the existing $235 million operating budget.
Nine Candidates Vying for Attention in 8th Congressional District Democratic Primary
Race to replace Jim Moran is expected to be competitive and expensive.
It's been three weeks since longtime U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8) announced that he would not be seeking a 13th term in Congress, opening up an epic primary fight that is now starting to take shape.
Obit: Gladys Seisler
Gladys Seisler, a retired elementary and special education teacher from Long Island, N.Y., and a 21-year resident of Alexandria, died on Jan. 28, 2014 after six years battling fourth stage breast cancer.
Bank Makes Donation to Police Foundation
$6,500 raised for Fallen Officers Memorial.
Officials from John Marshall Bank gathered Jan. 30 to present a check for $6,500 to Alexandria Police Chief Earl Cook and Police Foundation Chairman Willem Polak to go towards the building of a Fallen Officers Memorial at APD headquarters.
Senior Housing Options
One size doesn’t fit all.
Senior Services of Alexandria’s (SSA) Feb. 12 Speaker Series is about “Senior Housing: New and Innovative Solutions.”
From a Mentor’s Perspective
My journey as a mentor began in early 2010. I felt called to become more involved in the local community and I have always had a passion for helping kids in need.