Alexandria Gazette Packet

Fairfax County Facing More Budget Strain

County Executive and FCPS Superintendent present adverse forecasts.

Days before the traditional loosening of belts for Thanksgiving, Fairfax County officials discussed the need for tightening theirs.

Letter to the Editor: Two Ideas to Address Rape

To the Editor: As many of us recoil from the recent UVA sexual assault article in Rolling Stone, tremendous accusations are being thrown at the university and others like it across the country. While UVA is not innocent and its infamous privileged “party culture” is partly to blame, there are two clear pieces of the story that no one seems to be addressing.

St. Mary’s School in Alexandria Hosts Christmas Bazaar

St. Mary’s School held its annual Christmas Bazaar at the school on Green Street on Saturday, Nov. 22.

Hope for the Holidays in Alexandria

’Tis the season of giving: of gifts, of parties and of thanks. But what should be a time of hope and happiness too often can be a time of despair for Alexandria’s vulnerable and low income families.

Clarification

Last week’s story, “I Wanted a Better Life,” on the life of Nelson Greene Sr., should have included credit to Sarah Becker for her Living Legends profile of Mr. Greene which was incorporated in the Nov. 20 Gazette Packet article.

Six-Billion Reasons To Persevere in Alexandria

Mentoring

“Can you read me the answer you came up with?” “Six-million …” “Wait … look again.” “Oh yeah! Six-billion…” “Did you ever think you would be able to do a math problem that would have an answer in the billions?”

Commentary: Giving Thanks for Anti-Hunger Programs in Alexandria

Working to keep children fed.

When I was a kid, Thanksgiving meant stuffing myself beyond the point of comfort, flitting gleefully between turkey, casseroles, sweet potatoes, dinner rolls, and of course pie. The object was to eat to the point of needing to loosen the belt, and then wait a few hours until there was room to start all over again with leftovers.

Covert Matters: Alexandrians Can Be Thankful

Here in the Commonwealth of Virginia, just to pick an argument with our northern colleagues, the first Thanksgiving between the Pilgrims, colonists, settlers and Indians was held on Dec. 4, 1621 at Berkeley Plantation in Charles City County, Va.

Alexandria Domestic Violence Shelters Offer Relief Year-round

Local nonprofits Bethany House and ALIVE face challenges during holiday season.

“I thought if I loved him enough, he would change.” Jasmine Witcher, interim executive director for the Bethany House domestic violence shelter, says she hears these words all the time.

The Great Gadsby in Alexandria

A weekend at Alexandria’s Gadsby Tavern

Supposedly, The Hunt Ball at the historic Gadsby’s Tavern in Alexandria took place the evening of Nov. 22, 2014. But inside, there was nothing to indicate it was not Nov. 22, 1800.

Alexandria: Lawsuit Over Rezoning Hits City Council

Neighbors oppose change allowing restaurant.

A lawsuit against the City Council by local residents claims that the rezoning of a residence on Princess and Washington streets, allowing it to become a restaurant, deprived the residents of equal protection of the laws.

People At Work: Crafting a Floral Centerpiece in Alexandria

The art of flower arrangement

Scott Marchand puts hanging amaryllis in the green foam oasis rings. “See how it is giving it a kind of cascading look. I put my greens in first, “ he says. “This is going to be an open, airy floral arrangement in fall tones as a centerpiece for a table.

Alexandria Gazette Packet