Moderate Mutiny
With the sluggish economy at the forefront of voters’ minds this year, former Democratic Gov. Tim Kaine hopes to put fiscal issues at the top of his campaign to fill the seat vacated by Democratic U.S. Sen. Jim Webb. In an interview on Thursday, Jan. 19, Kaine said he hopes to promote a "talent economy" in Washington. It’s a reality the former governor says has become evident in the last few decades, when Virginia moved from being one of the lowest median income states to being one of the wealthiest.
Celebrating the Chinese New Year
Lunar Chinese New Year festivities continued this past weekend, attracting hundreds of thousands of shoppers and visitors to Fair Oaks Mall. Lunar New Year is the most important holiday of the Chinese traditional calendar, based on the phases of the moon and the solar year. The year is 4710 and celebrates the dragon, which is considered the luckiest sign of the Chinese zodiac, symbolizing strength, power and good luck.
Commentary: Dulles Rail Phase II: A Common Sense Approach
This spring the Fairfax and Loudoun County Board of Supervisors will be required to make a final decision to opt in or out of Phase II of the Dulles Rail project. Rail through Tysons past the airport and into Loudoun is the largest public works project in the history of the Commonwealth and it has significant financial implications to the counties, its residents and businesses, and especially to the users of the Dulles Toll Road. As the Dulles corridor and Tysons are the economic engines of the region and the Commonwealth the project also has telling implications on our future job growth.
Letter: Waste of Taxpayer Money
I recently received a "Richmond Update" from Del. Jim Le Munyon advising: "I have proposed an additional $400,000 in the state budget for the State Police to more effectively conduct background checks for individuals desiring to purchase a firearm. Recently, a constituent brought to my attention the significant delays some purchasers were experiencing in receiving the results of their background checks …"
Remembering Harry Heisler
Wife mourns husband of 28 years.
Ask Evelyn Heisler what made her husband Harry so special to her, and she answers without hesitation. "He had a razor-sharp wit and a brilliant sense of humor and he made me laugh every day," she said.
Fulfilling a Dream
Ahmadiyya Muslim mosque is almost completed.
Set back from the road, yet perched upon a hill, the mosque that will serve area members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community is nearing completion in Chantilly. Just off Walney Road and Eagle Chase Circle, the 7,200-square-foot place of worship is called the Mubarak mosque which, in Islamic, means "blessed tidings."
‘We’re Really Frustrated’
Homeowner’s insurance company seeks damages from WGL.
Leaving a recent meeting of the Brookfield Civic Association, Thuan Nguyen was not a happy man. After losing his home in a December 2010 gas explosion, he and his family carried on with their lives, but never received definitive answers regarding what caused the blast.
Prayer Schedule and Message of Peace
At the new, Ahmadiyya Muslim mosque in Chantilly, morning prayers will start before sunrise; evening prayers are said approximately 45 minutes after sundown. And the imam will be there to lead the congregation in prayer, seven days a week.
Kiwanis, UCM Award Pam Beggan
The highlight of the Mount Vernon Kiwanis Club’s holiday party on Dec. 21 was the recognition award ceremony when the club presented a plaque and made Pam Beggan an honorary member for 2012 thanks to her 30 years of dedication to collecting fresh produce at the weekly Farmers Market at the Sherwood Hall library's parking lot from May to November and delivering the hundreds of pounds of food to the UCM's Food Pantry for distribution to needy families in our community.
Move to the ‘Cloud’ Reaps Digital Cities Award
It appeared without warning, a deadly computer virus that was spreading quickly just as the 2011 Easter holiday weekend was approaching. Named Qakbot, it had already infiltrated the data of state and local agencies across the nation and was aggressively working its way through the City of Alexandria's IT system when it was discovered.
SCC vs. WGL: What’s Next?
State and gas company disagree over report.
The Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) determined that Washington Gas Company [WGL] committed 11 "probable violations" in regard to the December 2010 explosion in Brookfield. But the gas company believes otherwise.
Vandals Damage New Mosque in Chantilly
Windows smashed, property damaged.
The motto of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community is "Love for all, hatred for none." Its Web site is www.MuslimsForPeace.org.
"Vote Early, Vote Often"
Chamber Gala gives back to local nonprofits.
The 2012 Chamber of Commerce Chairman's Gala will for the first time serve as a fundraiser for five local nonprofit organizations through an online voting campaign through the Chamber's website.
A Fond Farewell
Reception honors Harry Covert's service.
The Alexandria Sheriff's department bid farewell to Public Information Officer Harry Covert with a Jan. 5 reception at the William G. Truesdale Detention Center that was attended by law enforcement and public safety personnel from across the city.
New Home for ACVA
Tourism group joins “Alphabet City” at 625 N. Washington St.
The Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association officially welcomed visitors to its new offices at 625 N. Washington St. with an open house reception Jan. 18. “It feels like home,” said ACVA president and CEO Stephanie Brown of the office space the organization now shares with the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP) and the Small Business Development Council (SBDC)
New City Manager Highlights Business Forum
The ABC’s of Alexandria
It happens to everyone and on the morning of Jan. 26, it happened to new Alexandria City Manager Rashad Young. “I got stuck in traffic,” laughed Young as he addressed the crowd that had been awaiting his arrival
'The World Is Our Market'
Palmieri to chair Chamber of Commerce
When Andrew Palmieri first moved to Alexandria in 1985, he and two roommates struggled each month to pay the rent on their West End apartment. "We were barely making ends meet," said Palmieri as he reflected back on his early years in the city. "I was in my second year of law school and since that
Column: ‘Staying Connected:’ Opportunities for Seniors
Program set for Feb. 14 at Old Presbyterian Meeting House.
A program on employment and volunteer opportunities for seniors is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 14 at Old Presbyterian Meeting House, located at 323 South Fairfax St. at 10 a.m.
Zumba Explosion
Running Brooke Fund raises $5,700 for local charities.
For Dave Lucchesi, it didn't matter that he was the only male on a dance floor that was otherwise filled with women. Instead, he saw it as a chance to try something new and raise money for a good cause at the same time.
Column: Punishment Without Rehabilitation
“Tough on crime” is a phrase in which elected officials delight. It means that the people they represent believe they are working hard to ensure the public safety.