Hollywood comes to Alexandria
Bringing a little taste of Hollywood to Old Town, the seventh annual Alexandria Film Festival kicks off Nov. 7.
It might be Patti North's favorite time of year, but it's certainly one of the most stressful. As chair of the Alexandria Film Festival, North has spent moths preparing for this year's event, pulling together movies ranging from a few minutes to an hour or more in length from around the world and helping to line up Q&A sessions with as many filmmakers as possible during the festivals' four-day run.
Above and Beyond
Four honored for volunteer service.
Volunteer Alexandria presented the 19th annual Evening in the Heart of Alexandria Awards Oct. 25 in a tribute honoring the exceptional volunteer service of four individuals.
Commentary: Keep Old Town Old Town
Driving through Old Town Alexandria on my way to City Hall in the early evening or on my way home after a night of meetings, the quiet streets of Old Town always provide an enduring sense of calm. There is a lasting beauty; the scenery gives me pause. I tell myself I must never take our historic preservation for granted.
Letter: Elections Have Consequences
Elections Have Consequences
I write in reaction to an article published in the Alexandria Gazette October 24 edition title “Conflict of Interest?” by writer Michael Lee Pope. The article discusses the hiring of the McGuire Woods law firm by the City of Alexandria to provide legal services in connection with the waterfront development.
Letter: Beyond Conflict Of Interest
Beyond Conflict Of Interest
When the Virginia journalism awards come out, I hope Michael Pope’s exposé of city hall using the same law firm as the waterfront developers gets an award for investigative reporting. Michael’s feature [“Conflict of Interest,” Oct. 24] is on par for the local level with what major dailies do on a national scale.
Letter: Focus on Economy
Virginia's abortion laws are unlikely to be any different four years after the new governor's inauguration from what they are on the day of his inauguration, no matter who is elected. The Democratic Senate would not allow any additional restrictions, and the Republican House would not go along with the relaxation of current law.
Letter: Move Forward, Not Slide Back
I am a woman with daughters and a granddaughter. The very idea that they could have their lives, and decisions about their health care, restricted by a governor and an attorney general who, because of their personal beliefs, would effectively punish women of many backgrounds, situations and beliefs, makes me very afraid.
Editorial: Halloween Party Safety Net
Make plans for a safe celebration; SoberRide safety net for those over 21.
Halloween is now a major holiday for adults, especially young adults, and also one of the major holidays each year that involve partying with alcohol and the risks of drinking and driving.
One Law Firm On Both Sides of Controversy Over Alexandria Waterfront
McGuireWoods defends city in zoning change as well as developers who seek to benefit from it.
Lawyers at McGuireWoods are on both sides of the controversy over the waterfront, defending Alexandria taxpayers in court while seeking approval from city officials on behalf of three separate developers at the same time.
Guidry Delivers Hat Trick as Saints Beat Episcopal
Senior has 23 goals this season, 48 for career.
The St. Stephen's & St. Agnes boys' soccer team is one win from finishing first in the IAC.
Half a Loaf, Sort of
City waives $1 million affordable housing contribution; council to consider restoring half next year.
Hidden in the margins of the incentive package Alexandria leaders offered to lure the National Science Foundation from Arlington was a million-dollar motivation. Officials at City Hall said they were willing to waive the $1 million contribution to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. City Council members later said they didn't know the incentive was part of the package until it was too late. Removing it might jeopardize the deal, putting City Council members in a difficult spot. "It was my oversight," said Deputy City Manager Mark Jinks. "I take full responsibility." Fixing the problem was difficult and divisive for council members. Some were willing to let the affordable-housing contribution go the way of floppy disk. Others wanted to see the full contribution. Councilman John Taylor Chapman offered a compromise motion to direct budget officials to earmark $500,000 worth of tax revenue from the property to affordable housing during the next budget cycle. Although he initially circulated a memorandum outlining a $1 million contribution, he ended up cutting it in half to make sure he had the necessary support. "To be honest, I didn't think I would the votes to pass it," explained Chapman of the million-dollar proposal. "Some folks were not behind that idea."
Denim Do-gooders Help Put Zip on Homelessness
Deltek hosts “challenge breakfast” to turn $5 into $25,000.
Casual Friday got a twist on Friday, Oct. 18, as thousands of employees throughout Fairfax County became denim do-gooders by throwing on a pair of jeans to help prevent and end homelessness. Deltek, Inc., the Herndon-based global software and information solutions company, kicked off the third annual Jeans Day in Fairfax County by hosting a fundraising breakfast. The company, founded in 1983 by Don deLaski and his son Kenneth, hosted one of the first Jeans Day events in Fairfax County. “We were excited to see Deltek host this challenge breakfast that welcomed businesses, nonprofits and other community leaders interested in helping to make jeans day a huge success this year,” said Dean Klein, director of Fairfax County’s Office to Prevent and End Homelessness (OPEH). “Even though we continue to have great support from longtime supporters, we also saw so much energy and enthusiasm from new partners.”
Difficult Choices for Schools
New superintendent says School Board needs to brace for $100 million worth of cuts.
Should class sizes be increased? Should school employees be laid off? Should students have to pay to take Advanced Placement and International Baccalauresate tests? These are some of the difficult choices before members of the Fairfax County School Board for fiscal year 2015. This week, Superintendent Karen Garza laid out about 50 potential spending items that could be on the chopping block. School officials need to close a $140 million shortfall. That means even if the Board of Supervisors and the General Assembly kick in more money, School Board members are going to need to make significant cuts. "I think it's still yet to be determined what that number is, although we know it's going to be extraordinarily high," Garza told School Board members during a work session Monday. "I think it's going to be at least $100 million." Garza, who joined the school system over the summer, was quick to point out that she was not making any recommendations. She described the list as "menu items" that School Board members could order to balance the books.
Pumpkin Carving Ideas
Local experts offer their best tips for creating your jack-o-lantern.
Whether your goal is to carve and decorate the best pumpkin on the block or simply use this fall gourd for Halloween inspiration, local culinary experts offer pumpkin ideas that will keep the season festive. Before embarking on a pumpkin carving project, take a look at the condition of your knives. “Generally speaking, a dull knife is a dangerous knife,” said Christine Wisnewski, a culinary instructor at Culinaria Cooking School in Vienna. “And a pumpkin, because of its size and shape, can be a challenge, even if you have good knife skills. If you use a knife, make sure it is sharp and work slowly.” Wisnewski generally advises eschewing chef’s knives for a pumpkin carving kit, usually found in supermarkets and craft stores. “The cutting tools may look less impressive than your best kitchen knife, but they do work well,” she said. “The small blades are deeply serrated and make quick work getting through dense pumpkin flesh.” Pumpkin carving kits are also a solution to the safety issue. “If the kids do want to carve, no one’s fingers are at risk with these little carving tools,” she said. “Our family has managed to get many years of use out of the tools that came with our first kits.”
Alexandria Home Sales: September, 2013
In September 2013, 181 Alexandria homes sold between $2,000,000-$84,000.
Alexandria Home Sales: September, 2013
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