TC’s Girma, Brown Qualify for XC Regionals
Lake Braddock wins boys’, girls’ Patriot District XC titles.
The T.C. Williams boys' cross country team had two runners qualify for regionals.
Entertainment Brief: Refugees from Slavery: Contrabands in Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia
The National Park Service and the Office of Historic Alexandria will co-sponsor a program called Refugees from Slavery: Contrabands in Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012, at the Alexandria Black History Museum from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Alexandria/Mount Vernon Calendar: Oct. 31, 2012
Upcoming events and activities
Entertainment Brief: Upheaval at Target
In celebration of Fotoweek DC, the Target Gallery hosts a juried photography exhibition that explores the theme Upheaval, whether in our own lives or throughout the world.
Obituary: Ernest (Ernie) J. Colton
Ernest (Ernie) J. Colton, 96, of Springfield, died on Oct. 25, 2012 at Greensprings Retirement Community’s Renaissance Gardens.
Fighting for Public Housing Tenants
Dorothy Turner and Gwen Menefee-Smith have helped city progress from its early integration roots.
The two women, both public housing tenants themselves earlier in life, worked tirelessly to improve the quality of living for Alexandria low income and minority residents.
Dressed up for Halloween
Del Ray cancelled its 16th annual Halloween Parade but held the haunted house decorating contest this past weekend.
Alexandria Bulletin Board: Oct. 31, 2012
Upcoming events
Brief: Help Scouts Collect Food for Needy
A Scouting for Food collection will be held on Saturday, Nov. 10.
Alexandria Voters to Determine Direction of City Government
Growth, development, taxes and spending are the hot-button issues dividing candidates.
Are voters pleased with the recent direction of city government, which has dramatically increased the amount of density available to developers in recent years?
Refugees from Slavery: Contrabands in Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia
The National Park Service and the Office of Historic Alexandria will co-sponsor a program called Refugees from Slavery: Contrabands in Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012, at the Alexandria Black History Museum from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The program will consist of two parts. Initially, Professor Chandra Manning of Georgetown University will explain the history of the Contrabands, men and women who escaped slavery during the Civil War. Afterward, there will be further discussion about who the Contrabands were and how they can be remembered by a panel consisting of researchers, descendants, rangers, and local historians from across the region.
Calendar
Saturday/Nov.10 Preschool Fall Festival. noon-2 p.m. The Plymouth Haven Baptist Church Preschool Fall Festival will feature a chili and macaroni & cheese cook-off, hot dogs, chips, apple cider, coffee, cold drinks, and dessert for only $6 ($3 for children under 12). There will be raffles and drawings featuring goods and services from local businesses. There will also be an inflatable obstacle course, a hay ride, a bean bag toss, apple bobbing contest, old-fashioned sack race, face painting/tattoos, popcorn, and much more. All proceeds go to Plymouth Haven Preschools Scholarship and Enrichment Programs.
Upheaval at Target
In celebration of Fotoweek DC, the Target Gallery hosts a juried photography exhibition that explores the theme Upheaval, whether in our own lives or throughout the world. Visit on Thursday, Nov. 8, 6-8 p.m. for a reception to meet some of the artists and listen to a gallery talk by juror Brie Castell at 7 p.m. The exhibition will showcase 16 works by nine artists from across the country, including two local artists, Sascha Hughes-Caley (Great Falls) and Angela Kleis (Arlington). Other selected artists are Therese Brown (CA), Lisa
Obituary
Ernest (Ernie) J. Colton
Ernest (Ernie) J. Colton, 96, of Springfield, died on Oct. 25, 2012 at Greensprings Retirement Community’s Renaissance Gardens. He was the husband of Ruth Litten Colton who preceded him in death along with his parents, brother and other aunts and uncles. Survivors include his son David Martin Colton, daughter-in-law Cheryl Anne and granddaughter Alexis FuBao from Alexandria, and daughter Esther Joanna Colton from Berlin, Germany.
Right Policy
To the Editor: Let's face it — Alexandria is the loveliest jurisdiction of the entire Washington Metropolitan Area. I have lived here for half of my life. And in the course of this many years, "things happen." The city was always there when needed — whether it was a tornado hitting four houses on our street, ours included; the Fire Department ambulance staffed with an emergency physician when I fainted while jogging; the battle with "our" monopolist TV and high-speed internet provider; the city arborist to support our drive to re-forest our street (80-year old oak trees had either died a natural death or had been trimmed to extinction because of above-ground wires); the Recycling/Solid Waste Department's responsiveness to "special needs" recycling or simple oversights; our highly competent Police Department whenever "odd" occurrences were reported on our small street; the General Court Clerk when we needed procedural information; the Environmental Inspector as to noise pollution and flooding problems; the Tax Department for additional information and help. And so on. The list is long, and I am fully appreciative not only of what our city does but also of what it represents historically.
Inclusive Dialogue
To the Editor: This year, the local elections in Alexandria are particularly important for the future of our city. The choices are clear and stark. On the one hand, we may elect a Mayor and City Council that will continue to follow the closed, secretive, and divisive practices that have allowed development to run amok throughout the city. If we choose this path, we will condemn Alexandria to an uninspiring future of mediocrity, allowing it to develop into just another McCity with uninspiring architecture that could be located anywhere in the nation. On the other hand, we can choose new leadership that will encourage open, transparent, and inclusive practices that respect and preserve the unique, historic character of Alexandria. If we choose this direction, we can retain the best aspects of life in a city that has witnessed first-hand the most important and dramatic episodes in our nation’s history. These and our rich cultural heritage are the things that make Alexandria such a desirable place in which to live and which annually draw hordes of tourists to our city. Lose them and we lose our major attractions.
Who Knows Better?
To the Editor: Regarding the Freedmen’s Cemetery sculpture controversy: a card laid is a card played. After the final designs were chosen, I remember that the public was asked to vote for the winner. It seems that only after the Dwight submission was chosen did the Public Arts Committee decide it was inappropriate. Is this another example of a few people telling the public that we know better than you what is right for our city? If the religious symbols were not noticeable enough to disqualify the proposed statue originally, they should not be invoked as a reason to rule the choice ineligible now.
Voting for Clean Energy Economy
To the Editor: In November, young people have a choice: make our voice heard or continue letting others make decisions for us and our planet. No kid can wait to be an adult and run their own life. It’s time we take that responsibility to the voting booth and preserve our environment. President Obama has worked with auto manufacturers to save families $8,000 at the gas pump by increase fuel efficiency standards. These new standards will create and bring home many auto manufacturing jobs. At the same time, he has worked to increase investment supporting over 100 clean energy and energy efficiency projects and supporting over 91,000 clean energy and energy efficiency jobs in Virginia.
Proven Advocate
To the Editor: In less than a week, we head to the polls to elect our country’s president, as well as local leaders who represent our community’s interests in Congress, Alexandria City Council and the School Board of Alexandria City Public Schools. I’m proud to support Ronnie Campbell who is seeking a third term on the Alexandria City School Board. It was an honor to serve alongside Ronnie on the Alexandria City School Board in 2006-09. We worked closely together in many areas, especially in our mutual interest to close achievement gaps. With the support of teachers, the community, including Tenants and Workers United, Superintendent Sherman and fellow School Board members, we helped introduce Individual Achievement Plans (IAPs) which encourage students to take the lead in their own academic success. Today, IAPs are helping all students, especially social-economic challenged students as well as English Language Learners, get the help they need to succeed and prosper in our school system.
Stop More Tall Buildings
To the Editor: The question that should be asked every candidate or City Council or mayor is: What will you do to keep Alexandria from becoming Crystal City? The essence of Crystal City is tall buildings — office buildings, condominiums, hotels — that tower over people walking along narrow sidewalks below.