Letter to the Editor: Tree Light Fund Reaches Goal
To the Editor: I am very pleased to announce that the tree lights on King Street will remain on this next coming spring as we have matched the contingency Council, led by Del Pepper, set aside to use for this purpose. They set aside $13,500. We had to match 1/2 of that by early in March 2014 to keep the lights on through June 2014. All of the money has been deposited with the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
Letter to the Editor: Safer for All Users
To the Editor: I am writing in response to the “Neighborhood” “Taylor Run” item in the Feb. 6 edition of The Alexandria Gazette Packet. I am a resident of Alexandria, living in the affected area — my home is one block off the at-issue stretch of King Street. I use this part of King Street as an automobile driver, a bicycle commuter, and a pedestrian, frequently walking to the King Street Metro Station or to Old Town.
Obituary: Caroline Stackhouse Weiner
Caroline Stackhouse Weiner, the school counselor at St. Bernadette School in Springfield, died unexpectedly on Feb. 4 at her home in Alexandria. She was 32 years old and wife to Justin Matthew Weiner and the mother of sons Brock, 5 and Cullen, 2; and 3-week-old daughter Caroline.
Letter to the Editor: Business As Usual
At City Council's meeting on Saturday, Jan. 25, council voted to uphold the resolutions for "What's Next Alexandria Civic Engagement" process and use these "tools" in order to foster better communication between city hall and Alexandria residents.
Letter to the Editor: Speak Up To Save Park
t appears that few Alexandrians are aware of the drastic changes planned for Chinquapin Park and Recreation Center. There is $17.5M in the city budget for 2014-2018 to build an indoor 50m Olympic size swimming pool at Chinquapin, while keeping the existing pool for recreational use.
Happyland on Edge: Quiet Suburban Neighborhood Rocked by Unsolved Murders
Residents worried that a serial killer may be on the loose.
The late Ellen Pickering used to call North Ridge "Happyland," a quiet suburban stretch of the city where neighbors knew each other and the most shocking crime that happens is when someone's car is broken into.
Community Mourns Loss of Ruthanne Giammittorio Lodato
When John and Debbi Kelly decided it was time for their two young children to study music, there was no question that their neighbor on Ridge Road would be the family's piano teacher. What they didn't realize was just how much that teacher would become a part of their lives — and their living room.
Livingood To Keynote Friendship Firehouse Breakfast
Wilson “Bill” Livingood, Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Representatives for 17 years until his retirement in 2011, will deliver the keynote address at the Friendship Veterans Firehouse Association annual breakfast to kick off the citywide series of events celebrating George Washington's birthday on Feb. 17.
TC Williams Girls’ Basketball Remains Undefeated in 2014
Titans continue winning after New Year’s resolution.
The T.C. Williams girls' basketball team is on a 13-game winning streak.
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
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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.