Alexandria Gazette Packet

Poetry

The following poems, submitted because April is National Poetry Month, are from Alexandria residents.

Building Upon Layers Of History

From Native American settlements to gentrified neighborhoods.

If you stand on the roof of a high rise apartment build in North Alexandria, you can get a sense of the extraordinary flatness of the Potomac Yard. You can see the Washington Monument and the Capitol dome across a skyline unbroken by anything but the occasional lifting off of a plane from Ronald Reagan Airport. To the left are the high rise buildings of Crystal City, but they are manmade break in the flat land which runs from the Potomac River south to below Old Town before a ridge of any significant height changes the contour of the country side.

Neighborhoods: Taylor Run

BROADWAY SUCCESS Nancy A. Gibbs, who formerly lived in our neighborhood on W. Taylor Run, has produced a new hit in New York. "Peter and the Starcatcher" is a prequel to Peter Pan. It explains how Peter and the Lost Boys attained their eternal youth, and why Captain Hook pursued them so relentlessly. The New York Times reviewed the show most enthusiastically. Janet and David Beckmann, of Park Road, went up to New York to the opening night, which they enjoyed tremendously. "Peter is a tour-de-force of the imagination," says Janet. " The audience could not have been more elated."

Walkathon Supports Project Discovery

The City of Alexandria hosted the 16th annual “A Walk in the Park … Strides Toward Success” Walkathon on Saturday, April 21, at the Fort Ward Park. Proceeds from the Walkathon benefit the Department of Community and Human Services’ Project Discovery-Alexandria — a program that helps low-income and/or first-generation students at T. C. Williams High and the Minnie Howard Campus to succeed in getting into and completing college. There are almost 100 students enrolled in the program this year. Since it’s inception in 1985 over 2,000 students have benefited from Project Discovery.

Miracle Leagues Begins Second Season, Prepares for New Field

The Miracle League of Alexandria began its 2012 season April 22 with a ceremony at the Lee Center field that included the presentation of several checks that will help fund a new Miracle Field.

ACT To Kick Off Spring for Alexandria Events

Gala to honor Ticer, Ariail family.

John Porter thinks big. As this year's group of events collectively referred to as Spring for Alexandria draws near, Porter has set some lofty goals for the May 2 kick-off online giving event Spring2Action.

Appreciates BZA Decision

To the Editor: Excellent reporting as usual by Michael Lee Pope in April 18 edition of Alexandria Gazette. We agree with the decision by Alexandria BZA that the City Planning Department ignored the plain language of its own zoning code and used creative interpretations "as a ruse to avoid public participation."

'God of Carnage' at Signature Theatre

It begins innocently enough: Two New York couples oozing affected politeness meet to discuss a playground scuffle between their sons. Painstakingly attentive to social niceties, they hope to talk things over in a calm, mature and rational way.

And Then there Was One

'Someone Who'll Watch Over Me' opens at Port City Playhouse.

It's been more than a quarter of a century since Irishman Brian Keenan, Englishman John McCarthy and American Terry Anderson were taken hostage in Beirut and held in a series of desolate cells throughout the city. Keenan was released after more than four years in captivity and went on to pen “An Evil Cradling,” a chilling account of his experience.

Botanicals

spring blooming on the walls of the Athenaeum

Taylor Run

Nancy A. Gibbs, who formerly lived in our neighborhood on W. Taylor Run, has produced a new hit in New York.

The Brainy Bunch

Alexandria teams head to national trivia championships.

Which U.S. president took early morning swims in the Potomac River? What were “poulaines” used to indicate in medieval Europe? What are the 10 least grossing Eddie Murphy movies?

Letter: Another Done Deal

It is no surprise to the residents of the Beauregard section of the West End that the Mayor/council and city staff are once again pulling another “done deal” in our neighborhood and that the push for a major redevelopment in this area is a result of the BRAC-133 and loss of property tax dollars.

Alexandria Gazette Packet