Latest stories

Picking A Pet

If we're honest, we can all admit we have a “type” as far as what we find attractive — in people and in dogs. Some of us go for big and brawny, others melt over dainty and petite.

Animal Welfare League Hires New Executive Director

Megan Webb to lead Vola Lawson Animal Shelter.

Megan Webb, an animal shelter professional with more than 15 years of management experience and extensive knowledge of both shelter and field operations, has been named the new executive director and chief executive officer of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. “Megan's knowledge and management expertise within the sheltering community will enhance the AWLA's growth and strengthen our relationships within the Alexandria community,” said AWLA board chairman Charlotte Hall in making the announcement.

The Coolest Cats

King Street Cats celebrates 10 years

The Alexandria-based no kill animal shelter King Street Cats has a lot to purr about in 2013. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the all-volunteer organization that services kitty lovers throughout the region.

Second Chances

AWLA's special funds help those most in need.

Many city residents are familiar with the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria and the life-saving work that takes place at the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter. Our generous donors and supporters are a testament to the compassion and generosity prevalent throughout Alexandria. Many animal lovers ask us how they can make the greatest impact and where our greatest area of need lies.

‘The Drawer Boy’

Canadian classic debuts at Port City Playhouse.

It was 40 years ago when a Toronto theater company crafted the basis of a play by sending a group of actors to live and work on the farms of Ontario. The experiment became a landmark in Canadian theater and was the inspiration for Michael Healey’s “The Drawer Boy,” now playing at Port City Playhouse.

Local Girl Scout Troops Celebrate World Thinking Day

Each year on Feb. 22, World Thinking Day, U.S. Girl Scouts honor their sister Girl Guides and Girl Scouts by taking time to give thanks for their international friendships and remember that Girl Scouts of the USA is part of a global community — one of nearly 150 countries that are members of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. The Girl Scout troops of Mount Vernon celebrated Thinking Day this year at Wesley United Methodist Church. Each troop represented a country of their choosing and shared what they learned with their fellow scouts.

Fun Dog Fitness

Hi! We are Teddy, Hobie, and Tessa (in that order) and live in Alexandria. Two years ago we all met down at ‘doggie beach’ by Ford’s Landing and immediately hit it off. Our mom’s were hanging out chatting, and we were having a ball chasing each other, roughhousing, and getting great exercise.

Classified Advertising Feb. 20, 2013

Read the latest ads here!

Column: Definition of “Slippery Slope”

Figuratively speaking, of course. That definition being: a late stage cancer patient/survivor previously characterized as “terminal” awaiting the results of their most recent diagnostic scan. A scan that will indicate whether the tumors have grown, moved or God forbid, appeared somewhere new. If your life hung in the balance before the scan, waiting for results of this however-many-months-interval-scan will most assuredly loosen your figurative grip on your equilibrium and your most literal grip on your sanity. This is a domain, unlike the one referred to in one of the more infamous Seinfeld episodes, that one cannot master. To invoke and slightly rework Dan Patrick’s “catch” phrase: You can’t stop it, you can only hope to contain it.

Choosing a Summer Camp

Region offers programs to tempt children with interests ranging from sports to drama to science.

While most of Washington is braving the winter weather, April Toman has been planning for summer. At the top of her list: choosing a camp for her two children, Claire, who is in fifth grade, and Will, who is a second grader. “I start thinking about it in January,” said Toman, who lives in Alexandria. “I talk to my kids about what they are interested in taking. There are so many options and the popular camps fill up quickly.”

Learning From the Past

What some area schools are doing to celebrate Black History Month.

The sound of steel drums vibrates through the air of a crowded auditorium in Potomac, Md. In McLean, elementary school girls share their understanding of the struggles of Rosa Parks. A group of second graders from Alexandria treks to downtown Washington to see the massive memorial statue of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

Alexandria Police Shield Information on Officer-Involved Shooting

Law-enforcement officials use exemption to withhold incident report.

Why did Alexandria police officers kill Taft Sellars?

Alexandria City Council Poised to Rezone Waterfront

City manager declines to talk about developers interested in the waterfront.

Can City Manager Rashad Young name any developer who is interested in the waterfront?

TC Girls’ Basketball Wins Patriot District Championship

Titans beat Woodson for first district title since 2009.

The Titans' season ends in regional quarterfinals.

MetroStage Garners 7 Helen Hayes Nominations.

Griffin named a “Helen’s Star.”

Theatre Washington has announced the nominations for the 2013 Helen Hayes Awards with Alexandria’s MetroStage Theater among the 25 theatre companies nominated in 26 categories.

Alexandria Gazette Packet