Alexandria Gazette Packet

Alexandria Gazette Packet

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Week in Alexandria

What happens when you mix raw emotions and firearms? Sometimes people get injured.

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Alexandria Leaders Consider Lawsuit Challenging Takeover of Long-Troubled School

Unless courts intervene, new statewide division will take control of Jefferson-Houston next year.

Is Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell's effort to take over Jefferson-Houston School constitutional?

Building Classic Jewelry Wardrobe

Local style experts suggest investing in classic pieces.

From monogrammed pendants to leather wrap bracelets, a dizzying array of jewelry is on the market.

Petersen to Governor: Explain, Deny, Return or Resign

Petersen first Virginia legislator to suggest McDonnell resign over alleged wrongdoing in accepting gifts from prominent donor.

The tipping point for state Sen. J. Chap Petersen (D-34) was the $6,500 Rolex watch.

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Terry McAulife Launches Healthcare Platform at Inova Alexandria Hospital

Affordable Care Act is a key point of distinction between candidates for governor.

Democratic candidate for governor Terry McAuliffe found himself in the emergency room this week, but it wasn't because of a medical crisis.

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Civil Disobedience and Holiday Ordinance in Alexandria

Fireworks are illegal, but violating this particular ordinance has a long tradition.

Newsflash: Consumer fireworks are illegal in Alexandria. According to the city's fire-prevention code, use of fireworks is a class one misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail or a $2,500 fine.

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Hybrid Outrage at the Department of Motor Vehicles

Two legislators vow to introduce effort to repeal new tax on hybrid vehicles.

Suzanne Cleary has owned a hybrid vehicle since 2006, making her an early adopter and a proselytizer to her friends and neighbors.

Alexandria School Notes

Alexandria School Notes

Students Design Greenovation Lab

James K. Polk’s Greenovation Lab, which reopened on June 13, showcases the school’s sustainable energy heating and cooling systems and explains to children how they work. Children across the school district will be able to tour the Greenovation Lab to learn such concepts as how to use ground air — which remains at a constant temperature of 56 degrees — to heat and cool classrooms, or how to harness solar power to heat water.

Out & About

Summer Bounty at the Farmer’s Market

Plump tomatoes, sweet corn, beets, cucumbers, spring onions overflow the tables at the Three Way Farm’s produce stall in the Del Ray Farmer’s Market. The market also features fresh cut flowers, herbs and flowers to plant, Amish cheeses, gourmet pickles, eggs, fresh baked good, organic meats, Hattie’s Pralines, Beth MacKenzie’s Fluffed Up Desserts and much more. The market is open weekly on Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon in the parking lot at Mount Vernon Avenue & Oxford in Del Ray. Additional Farmers Markets are located at Market Square in Old Town on Saturday and Sunday markets at 4109 Mount Vernon Avenue in Arlandria and the West End Farmers Market in the Ben Brenman Park.

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Traveling Back in Time

Event at Fort Ward showcases life of soldiers during Civil War.

On Saturday, June 8, the Fort Ward Park Museum held its Civil War Fort Day, which involved what life was like for soldiers during the War at what was then a Union Army installation.

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ACVA Bids Farewell to Merrie Morris

ACVA, business community bid farewell to Merrie Morris.

The Alexandria business community turned out in force at the Athenaeum June 20 to bid farewell to Merrie Morris, the longtime director of membership and public affairs for the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association.

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Tiny Dancers Present Spring Recital

Before a packed auditorium at Bishop Ireton High School on June 2, several hundred young dancers from Tiny Dancers' Alexandria studio entertained family and friends in the annual Spring Recital.

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Creative Flourish at Youth Arts Festival

Art displays filled the gym and overflowed down the sidewalk at George Washington Middle School for the annual Youth Arts Festival on Saturday, June 8.

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He Preserved 200-Year-Old Legacy of Citizen Activism

Thomas Y. “Jay” Johnson, Jr. fought for volunteer firefighters.

Thomas Y. “Jay” Young Johnson Jr. hails from a long line of proud volunteer firefighters. His father and uncles were volunteer firefighters in Alexandria, where Jay was born, raised and educated. His early memories include doing his homework at the fire station. Now, 35 years after his father’s generation, he reflects on a distinguished history as president of the Alexandria Volunteer Fire Department. In addition to his family, a major influence in Johnson’s life was Mrs. Rigby, a teacher at T.C. Williams High School who arranged a part-time job for him at the Department of the Navy. He worked this job after school and in the summers, and parlayed it into a life-long career. He is now at the Pentagon as the deputy director of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, Human Resources and Enterprise Support.

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