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Pumpkin Purveyor for Charity

2011 Living Legend of Alexandria Wendy McGann John.

The vestry approved and dedicated all proceeds to charity. That was a fateful decision. It allowed the ICOH Pumpkin Patch to become the second most successful patch among the more than 1,200 patches run by churches across the nation.

Be Part of Children's Gazette Packet

Call for student artwork and writing; deadline Dec. 3.

During the last week of each year, The Gazette Packet devotes its entire issue to the creativity of local students and children. The results are always remarkable. It is a keepsake edition for many families.

Dense Breast Tissue Should Not Be Ignored

New “Patient Inform” Law

Women in Virginia are becoming more aware of a health issue that can come to light during their annual mammograms. Thanks to the efforts of a committed group of breast cancer advocates that included a local breast cancer survivor, this July Virginia became the third state in our country to mandate that facilities and physician offices performing mammography services notify patients when dense breast tissue is found.


Senior Law Day: Alexandria for a Lifetime

On Saturday, Oct. 13, more than 150 people participated in the second annual Senior Law Day Program sponsored by Senior Services of Alexandria and the Alexandria Bar Association at the First Baptist Church in Alexandria.

Measuring Success in Alexandria City Public Schools

Learning, leadership, and liberty are important outcomes in education. When I speak to parents, community members, and business leaders, I often ask how they measure success. Most people measure the success of schools by test scores; after all, schools must be accountable for student achievement. So how do we measure success in Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS)?

A Lesson in the Virginia Way

I have suggested on several occasions that candidates and their professional minions take oaths ”to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.” And do so in public. This would certainly test the “honesty and veracity” of them all.


Alexandria Bulletin Board: Oct. 24, 2012

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Brief: Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy Receives HHS Grant

The Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy was awarded a three-year Personal Responsibility Education Program grant for $290,494 per year from the U.S.

Brief: Sanchez To Address Local NACCP Banquet

The Alexandria, Virginia Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is hosting its 79th Annual Membership and Awards Banquet, themed "Your Power, Your Decision - Vote", on Saturday, Oct. 27, at the Holiday Inn & Suites Alexandria - Historic District, 625 First Street, Alexandria.


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Express Lanes Move Closer to Opening

Express Lanes open new operations center in Alexandria, prepares for opening.

As the construction equipment and debris is cleared from the new two left lanes going both ways on the Virginia side of the Beltway, the 495 Express Lanes are coming closer to opening. The variable-priced toll lanes will run over most of the Virginia section of the Beltway, and the $2 billion project has included the new lanes, as well as the rebuilding of bridges and overpasses along the way.

Classified Advertising Oct 24, 2012

Read the latest ads here!

“Hey Beez; Beez, It’s Me”

It was my father all right – in a dream. Standing five feet away, approximately, in a well-lit, local convenience store with which I am extremely familiar. This was no case of mistaken identity. Besides, he was wearing those blue, terrycloth shorts of his that my mother always hated. So yes, I called out to him, surprised as I was to see him, locally as it were.


Mount Vernon Bulletin Board: Oct. 18, 2012

Upcoming events

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Keller Williams Holds White Elephant/Yard Sale

The parking lot at the Old Town Keller Williams office on S. Washington Street was transformed Saturday morning, Oct. 13 into a large White Elephant/Yard Sale.

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108 Sun Salutations

Dozens of children and their parents participated in the Fall 2012 YoKids Challenge at the Mount Vernon Community Center on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 14.


Classified Advertising Oct. 17, 2012

Read the latest ads here!

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Choice for Alexandria Voters: Insiders Versus Outsiders at City Hall

Growth, development, taxes and spending form dividing line between city candidates.

When they head into the voting booths on Election Day, Alexandria voters will be confronted with a choice: Do they like the recent direction of government at City Hall, where controversial planning decisions have divided the city and the average residential tax bill has nearly doubled in the last decade? Or are they looking for people who will work against the status quo?

Council Notebook

Private Virtue is a public good. That’s the result of a decision this week at the Alexandria Circuit Court, which is giving the green light to city officials who want to lease part of a public alley to a private restaurant known as Virtue.


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Artist Loses Freedmen’s Cemetery Commission Because He Used Religious Symbols

Traditional African symbols prompted rejection of winning design.

The Contraband and Freedmen’s Cemetery is no stranger to controversy. Now a new conflict has emerged at the final resting place for dozens of former slaves.

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TC Field Hockey Advances to Northern Region Tournament

Laychak, Jerakis score in 2-1 victory over Annandale.

The T.C. Williams field hockey team defeated Annandale, 2-1, in the first round of the Patriot District tournament on Oct. 15.