Islamic Saudi Academy Heads Toward End of its Lease on Richmond Highway
Controversial school to move next year; future of building to be determined.
July will mark the beginning of the end of the Saudi Islamic Academy’s lease on Richmond Highway, ending a long and contentious relationship with a school that opponents consider a training ground for terrorists.
Business Matters
Seating is now on the menu at Del Ray Pizzeria, where customers can order thin-crust pizza in a restaurant with thick selection of chairs.
Council Notebook
City Council members have taken a bite out of crime.
Arlington and Alexandria Agree to Move in Different Directions on Corridor
Street car to move forward in Arlington; its future is uncertain in Alexandria.
Some say time heals all wounds. For leaders in Arlington and Alexandria, it may also be the solution to a disagreement about how to move forward with a regional transit system.
Just the Beginning
Recently, the keynote speaker at Wellesley High School in Massachusetts delivered a profound message to its graduates: “You are not special.”
Betsy Ross and Free Speech
It's important to honor and revere Old Glory and not just on the day set aside as Flag Day. The official observance was yesterday, June 14. It didn't have to be a federal holiday, a day off, to be a proud flag waver.
News Briefs
The Alexandria Fire Department responded to a residence in the 300 block of North Fayette Street on Saturday, June 16, 9:09 p.m. for a reported explosion and flames on a patio with possible injuries.
Opinion
Reader input needed for community guides, Pet Gazette.
At the end of July, we'll print our summer “Pet Gazette,” and we invite readers to send in stories and photos of your pets, and any story ideas you might have. We love to have photos of you or other family members with your pets. Please include your name, pet's name, town name and contact phone number, and identify the people in any photos.
School Notes
Bianca Velez of Alexandria has earned a degree in electrical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta.
Column: Where To Begin?
I realize this admission may sound weird, but having cancer is boring. Don’t get me wrong, I’m lucky to be alive, and quite happy about it, too. But waiting for the other shoe to drop, i.e. some bad cancer news to appear (lab work, scan, advisory from my oncologist), is tiresome because it’s always so worrisome.
First County Shelter Becoming ‘Residences at Mondloch’
Mondloch House undergoes renovation, will include 20 affordable housing units.
Fairfax County’s focus on ending homelessness took a step forward this month when the county began renovating its first ever homeless shelter - Mondloch House - to increase housing opportunities for single adults.
Making the Most of Summer
Advice for planning warm weather activities for children.
"I’m bored, there’s nothing to do," is a phrase often uttered by children during the summer. The end of the school year leaves many parents scrambling for activities to keep their young ones active and stimulated. Experts say it is important to plan activities to keep children safe and out of trouble.
Editorial: Summer Projects
Reader input needed for community guides, Pet Connection.
The summer is in full swing at the Connection, with many interns and staff members focused on some light and some more serious summer projects.
Alexandria Home Sales: May, 2012
In May 2012, 213 Alexandria homes sold between $2,300,000-$94,000.
Alexandria Home Sales in May, 2012
Letters
Acting on Unfunded Mandates
On June 7, I joined Gov. Robert F. McDonnell at the Central Virginia Community College in Lynchburg, with others from his Task Force on Local Mandates Review, where he signed several bills that repealed over 20 burdensome mandates on local governments, a true milestone for the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Father's Day Photo Gallery 2012
We asked our readers to send in pictures in honor of Father's Day on Sunday, June 17. Here are their submissions.
Bubbles and Bluegrass
Annual event raises $25,000 for Give Back Alexandria.
More than 150 young professionals donned their best black-tie and boots attire for the 5th annual Bubbles and Bluegrass fundraiser held June 7 at the Carlyle House.
Women Judges Award Scholarship
The Virginia Association of Women Judges recently awarded its annual $500 scholarship to Dildora Rakhmatullaeva, a senior at T.C. Williams High School...
Postal Carriers Participate in Food Drive
Postal carriers from Union Branch 567 (Alexandria City and parts of southeastern Fairfax County) not only delivered mail, but also picked up non-perishable food items from every house where food was set out on Saturday, May 12. The drive resulted in 4,430 pounds of food for UCM — or about a two week’s supply of food for the organization’s food pantry.
8 Year Old's 9-1-1 Call Saves Mother's Life
Second grader Katie Lee commended by county.
Stratford Landing Elementary School staff and students gathered for an assembly June 6 to honor 8-year-old Katie Lee whose quick response saved her mother’s life.