Ringing in the Holidays
Fran Vaughan directed the advanced handbell choir at Browne Academy in a holiday concert on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 9, at the Beatley Library in Alexandria. The students performed a variety of holiday classics to a standing room only gathering. Students included Mustafa Beidas, Erika Walton, Hailey Chauncey, Kye Smith, Reese Gayle, BJ Ramkissoon, Danica King, Charles Nygeres, Isabella King, Jayla Muse, Madison Manning, Carson McKenzie and Cate and Ryan McGlynn.
Tree Lighting In Del Ray
Thousands of luminaries lit the walkways up and down Mount Vernon Avenue on Friday evening, Dec. 7. Neighbors and visitors gathered in the Del Ray Farmers Market parking lot at Oxford Avenue to watch Santa light the holiday tree. Kate Moran led those gathered in holiday songs. The tree was donated by Mike Anderson and thanks went out the Cathy Puskar for her help with decorating logistics.
Curtain Up
Everything old is new again at Old Town Theater.
For nearly a century, The Old Town Theater served as a venue for entertainment ranging from vaudevillian stage shows to silent films, puppet shows and contemporary Hollywood blockbusters. But after the marquee dimmed and the doors were boarded up earlier this year, the Alexandria landmark is once again ready for its close up.
Bazaar Benefits Kenyan School
English students at T.C. Williams High School, inspired by a presentation from the former headmaster of the Losengeli School in Kenya, John Isindu, held a fundraiser in the school cafeteria on Thursday afternoon, Dec. 6. The students chose to showcase an international bazaar featuring food, music, costumes and dance from their native countries.
Christmas in Camp
Fort Ward Museum & Historic Sites held its annual Christmas in Camp on Saturday afternoon, Dec. 8. The camp depicts army life during the winter of 1863. Historian and writer Kevin Rawlings appeared as the patriotic Santa depicted in an engraving by artist Thomas Nast.
Beauregard’s Human Rights Issue?
Upcoming zoning decision on Beauregard pits tenants against council.
As residents of the West End gathered this week to celebrate Human Rights Day, a spirit of defiance was in the air. Even though members of the Alexandria City Council have already approved the controversial Beauregard small-area plan, residents here are hoping that elected officials will hold off on rezoning the land until safeguards can be put into place to ensure low-income residents aren’t displaced by redevelopment.
Council Notebook
Saying Goodbye
Saying Goodbye They fought like cats and dogs. They pounded their fists of the dais at City Hall. On several occasions, they raised their voices at each other.
Rising from the Ashes
Seminary reaches compromise to retain ruins of historic chapel.
When God appears to Moses in the Book of Exodus, a bush is described to be on fire yet not consumed by flames. The same could be said for Immanuel Chapel at the Virginia Theological Seminary.
Bishop Ireton Boys’ Basketball Hoping to Surprise WCAC
Cardinals start season with wins against Episcopal, Fairfax.
The Bishop Ireton boys' basketball team defeated Fairfax, 73-53, on Dec. 3.
Immigration Assistance Organizations
A list of some local non-profit organizations that provide immigration assistance, also provided by Fairfax County at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/ell/organizations.htm.
Use of Food Stamps Skyrocketing in Northern Virginia
Program doubles in Arlington, triples in Fairfax and quadruples in Alexandria.
The use of food stamps is skyrocketing in Northern Virginia, and the spike isn’t just about the recession.
Failing Alexandria School Waits for Turnaround
After years of failing test scores, Jefferson-Houston to select external turnaround partner.
More than a decade of failing test scores and a revolving door of administrators have taken their toll on Jefferson-Houston School, which the Virginia Department of Education was identified as a “priority school” back in August.
A New Direction for the Alexandria School System
Seven new School Board members augur change.
The past few years have been chaotic at the Beauregard Street headquarters of the Alexandria City Public School system, which has struggled to cope with failing test scores as a parade of administrators have come and gone.
Should Fairfax County Create New Transportation Impact Fee?
Gridlock at Kings Crossing creates movement for solution.
Nowhere is the idea of a transportation impact fee more popular than the clogged Route 1 corridor, where the Wal-Mart at Kings Crossing has added to the gridlock that has long plagued the region.
Raw Politics: Alexandria Officials to Roll Out Sewer Master Plan
Proposal would fund fix to lingering problems as well as handle demands of development.
Lately, it seems that city officials have their minds in the gutter — literally.
Video
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