A Life Lesson in Giving Back
An immigrant’s son becomes state delegate and introduces the Virginia DREAM Act.
My father was born in a small town in the Andes mountains region of Venezuela. He was one of 22 brothers and sisters from the same parents. At the age of 19 he came to this country with $280 in his pocket and the dream of a better life. He worked as a bus boy and waiter, learned English, and went to school. He graduated from Northern Virginia Community College when I was 5 years old. He then took one class a semester at George Mason University every year, until he graduated from college one month before I graduated from Robinson High School in Fairfax. As a result of his achieving the American Dream, my father was able to change the lives of my entire family in Latin America.
Children of Inmates Receive Holiday Gifts, Winter Coats
Thanks to the support of Toys for Tots and Operation Warm, the children of more than 50 Alexandria inmates received a holiday gift and, if needed, a new winter coat this season.
The Way We Were
A look back at 2012.
Dominated by a hard-fought City Council race and the ongoing battle over the waterfront, Alexandria citizens had no shortage of topics to debate over the last year.
Pay Now, Bye Later
Contrary to last week’s column, if I do pay for it now (things I can’t afford), then I’ll be so in debt later that I may end up saying “bye” anyway--from the stress of it. And if that were to happen; dying with a smile on my face, so to speak, would I be truly better off now anticipating that later was not going to be my problem? Do I want to be a modern day version of George Raft, the American actor from the 1930s and 40s best known for his portrayals of mobsters, who said about his Hollywood money: “I must have gone through $10 million during my career. Part of the loot went for gambling, part for horses and part for women. The rest I spent foolishly.”
DASH-ing All the Way
Employees of the DASH transit system pose for a photo with Santa (aka DASH driver Charles Johnson) in front of the King Street Trolley Dec. 15 to kick off a day of free photos with Santa at Market Square.
Salvation Army-Bell Ringing
Santa (aka Charles Johnson) joins Pomeroy, a 12-year-old Pomeranian rescue, during the Alexandria Rotary Club's day of service Dec. 15 for the Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign in Market Square.
Bovine Intervention
Del Ray's Holy Cow, ACT partner for local charities.
With checkbook in hand, Bill Blackburn sat down Nov. 27 to write the first check payable to ACT for Alexandria as part of a partnership between the community foundation and the recently opened Holy Cow gourmet burger restaurant in Del Ray.
Neighbors
Taylor Run
ELECTION WRITE-INS A certain amount of dissatisfaction with our current political setup raised its head in write-in votes for the recent election.
Inova Dedicates Cancer Center
Facility named for supporters Joseph Viar Jr. and Bonnie Christ.
Inova Alexandria Hospital held a dedication ceremony Dec. 12 to officially name its cancer center in honor of longtime Alexandria residents Joseph Viar Jr. and Bonnie Christ in recognition of a $1.25 million Legacy of Life gift through Viar's estate.
Capitals at Blessed Sacrament School
Johansson Teaches Students about Hockey
Prior to becoming a Washington record holder in points and assists by a defenseman, Washington Capitals assistant coach Calle Johansson learned the basics of hockey playing the game in a parking lot with his father.
That's What Friends Are For
Firefighters and Friends annual toy drive to help 4,000 area children.
For 45 Head Start preschoolers, Christmas arrived a week early when they entered Penn Daw Fire and Rescue Station 11 Dec. 18 to select a toy of their choice from the thousands that had been collected as part of the 2012 Firefighters and Friends annual toy drive.
Column: When To Be Representative or Trustee?
Lessons #3 for serving and governing.
City Council members: What are you, representatives of the people or trustees for the people? Answer: You are both, but not at the same time; and only you can figure out the time to be one or the other.
Column: From Learning ABC’s …
Meeting Paola has been a life changing experience. I began working with Paola in February 2011 and it started out as mainly teaching her the English language.
Showing They Care
In response to the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Girl Scout Daisy/Brownie Troop 185 of Alexandria made cards during their troop meeting on Friday, Dec. 14.
Storage Village Donates Dinners
Storage Village said “Thank You” to its community by helping to ensure that each of its neighbors could enjoy a Thanksgiving meal.
Christmas Music at St. Elmo’s
Doris Justis, a part of the Metro D.C. folk scene for more than three decades, returns to St Elmo's on Dec. 22, to play Christmas songs, from 8-10 p.m. This will be a family friendly set and children are welcome.
Holiday Luncheon
Successful Aging in Alexandria hosted a festive holiday luncheon on Thursday, Dec. 13, for nearly 200 seniors at the First Baptist Church.
Titanic Success
T.C. teacher, student honored for community service.
The Titan pride of T.C. Williams High School filled the Dec. 11 meeting of the Alexandria Rotary Club as both a T.C. teacher and student were honored by the organization for their community service.
Legislators Are Not Gun Shy About Responding to Connecticut Shooting
Should access to guns be limited or expanded?
Last year's mass shooting at an elementary school in Connecticut has already prompted a heated debate about gun control in Virginia, where the upcoming session of the General Assembly is likely to feature a number of bills on both sides of the issue.
Immigrant Experience Guides Success
Delegate Mark L. Keam
Del. Mark Keam (D-35) is the first Korean American and the first Asian-born immigrant to serve in the Virginia General Assembly.