Civil Disobedience and Holiday Ordinance in Alexandria
Fireworks are illegal, but violating this particular ordinance has a long tradition.
Newsflash: Consumer fireworks are illegal in Alexandria. According to the city's fire-prevention code, use of fireworks is a class one misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail or a $2,500 fine.
Hybrid Outrage at the Department of Motor Vehicles
Two legislators vow to introduce effort to repeal new tax on hybrid vehicles.
Suzanne Cleary has owned a hybrid vehicle since 2006, making her an early adopter and a proselytizer to her friends and neighbors.
Alexandria School Notes
Alexandria School Notes
Students Design Greenovation Lab
James K. Polk’s Greenovation Lab, which reopened on June 13, showcases the school’s sustainable energy heating and cooling systems and explains to children how they work. Children across the school district will be able to tour the Greenovation Lab to learn such concepts as how to use ground air — which remains at a constant temperature of 56 degrees — to heat and cool classrooms, or how to harness solar power to heat water.
Out & About
Summer Bounty at the Farmer’s Market
Plump tomatoes, sweet corn, beets, cucumbers, spring onions overflow the tables at the Three Way Farm’s produce stall in the Del Ray Farmer’s Market. The market also features fresh cut flowers, herbs and flowers to plant, Amish cheeses, gourmet pickles, eggs, fresh baked good, organic meats, Hattie’s Pralines, Beth MacKenzie’s Fluffed Up Desserts and much more. The market is open weekly on Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon in the parking lot at Mount Vernon Avenue & Oxford in Del Ray. Additional Farmers Markets are located at Market Square in Old Town on Saturday and Sunday markets at 4109 Mount Vernon Avenue in Arlandria and the West End Farmers Market in the Ben Brenman Park.
Traveling Back in Time
Event at Fort Ward showcases life of soldiers during Civil War.
On Saturday, June 8, the Fort Ward Park Museum held its Civil War Fort Day, which involved what life was like for soldiers during the War at what was then a Union Army installation.
ACVA Bids Farewell to Merrie Morris
ACVA, business community bid farewell to Merrie Morris.
The Alexandria business community turned out in force at the Athenaeum June 20 to bid farewell to Merrie Morris, the longtime director of membership and public affairs for the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association.
Tiny Dancers Present Spring Recital
Before a packed auditorium at Bishop Ireton High School on June 2, several hundred young dancers from Tiny Dancers' Alexandria studio entertained family and friends in the annual Spring Recital.
Creative Flourish at Youth Arts Festival
Art displays filled the gym and overflowed down the sidewalk at George Washington Middle School for the annual Youth Arts Festival on Saturday, June 8.
He Preserved 200-Year-Old Legacy of Citizen Activism
Thomas Y. “Jay” Johnson, Jr. fought for volunteer firefighters.
Thomas Y. “Jay” Young Johnson Jr. hails from a long line of proud volunteer firefighters. His father and uncles were volunteer firefighters in Alexandria, where Jay was born, raised and educated. His early memories include doing his homework at the fire station. Now, 35 years after his father’s generation, he reflects on a distinguished history as president of the Alexandria Volunteer Fire Department. In addition to his family, a major influence in Johnson’s life was Mrs. Rigby, a teacher at T.C. Williams High School who arranged a part-time job for him at the Department of the Navy. He worked this job after school and in the summers, and parlayed it into a life-long career. He is now at the Pentagon as the deputy director of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, Human Resources and Enterprise Support.
Alexandria Calendar of Events
Summer Classes. Art at the Center, 2804 Sherwood Hall Lane. Children ages 6-10 can participate. Register at www.artatthecenter.org or 703-201-1250.
Letter to the Editor: Wake Up City Leaders
I own a business in Old Town. We are an advertising agency. We make TV commercials — the kind you like to hate, political. There are some 30 ad agencies in the cty like mine. But we have a problem that is not being addressed. The Internet in our town is too damn slow. (I am intentionally swearing for emphasis!) How did I discover this?
EagleBank Lands in Old Town
Newest branch opens at 277 S. Washington St.
More than 175 people from the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce and local business community joined EagleBank in celebrating the official opening of its latest branch with a ribbon cutting ceremony and reception on June 19 at the bank's facility in Old Town. “It's great to be back in Alexandria,” said EagleBank vice president and branch manager Ed Velarde, who returns to the area following 15 years of commercial banking experience with J.P. Morgan in New York.
Moss Named Rising Star
Jeremy R. Moss, an associate with MercerTrigiani law firm, has been named a 2013 Rising Star by both Virginia Super Lawyers and Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers. Moss was previously honored as a 2010 and 2012 Virginia Super Lawyers Rising Star, however, this is his first-time recognition by Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers
Giving Circle Sponsors Car Seat Workshop
The Giving Circle of Alexandria sponsored a car seat workshop on June 8 for families that participate in playgroups for low-income families. These playgroups enables The Giving Circle to reach children who otherwise might not receive any preparation for kindergarten.
Gerald Mann Becomes Director of Middle Schools
Gerald Mann has been appointed the new director of middle schools. He will begin his new job on July 1. Mann formerly served as principal of George Washington 1 Middle School. Previously he served as an assistant principal at George Washington, where he led the Special Education, English Language Learner and Middle Alternative Program for Students departments, and worked with department chairs to provide instructional support and develop strategies to implement school-wide initiatives.
Alexandria Bulletin
Tech Zoo Tuesdays. 3-5 p.m. at Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library, 5005 Duke St. Learn about the latest electronic reading devices or bring equipment for hands-on help. Call 703-746-1702.
And All That Jazz
Fostering the Future cruise benefits Fund for Alexandria's Child.
More than 225 people donned their finest Great Gatsby attire aboard the Cherry Blossom riverboat for the 10th anniversary of the Fostering the Future cruise June 27 to benefit the Fund for Alexandria's Child.
Alexandria Business Notes
Diane L. Webster was promoted to vice president, branch manager of the Prince Street branch of Virginia Commerce Bank.
Opinion: Clinical Trial Puts Inova Alexandria at PAE Forefront
A clinical trial at Inova Alexandria Hospital is showing positive results for men who seek a non-surgical option for relief from symptoms of an enlarged prostate. Ours is the first trial in the U.S. to test a procedure called Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE) and is attracting patients from across the country and abroad.