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Letter: Pedestrians As Targets

To the Editor: City hall is seriously considering turning Union Street into a “shared street” where automobiles, tour buses, and bicycles will comingle with pedestrians. Has city hall lost its marbles?

Letter: True Culprits Of Dysfunction

To the Editor: Former Councilman Lonnie Rich decries the long period it takes for council to vote on some issues [“Sometimes, Just Vote and Move on,” commentary, Nov. 29].

Letter: Not a New Problem

To the Editor: The only thing that Union Street unites is congestion due to the conflicts between pedestrians, motor vehicles and bicycles at the most constricted downtown intersection at the approach to the Alexandria waterfront.

Letter: Let’s Restrict Motor Traffic

To the Editor: As an Old Town resident with travel experience in Europe, I agree with the comment that the idea of vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians all sharing space hasn't worked in Europe and is fading out to near nonexistence.

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Boats Light the Potomac in Annual Parade

The 13th Annual Holiday Boat Parade of Lights lit up the Potomac River Dec. 1 as 40 boats cruised from the Washington waterfront to Old Town to compete in 11 categories in the traditional seafaring holiday display of lights.

Letter: Give Mason His Due

To the Editor: The Bill of Rights, one of the most important bulwarks of our freedoms, was the product of the wisdom and determination of George Mason IV of Gunston Hall, a proud native Alexandrian.

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Santa Paws

Old Town School for Dogs continues AWLA tradition.

As owner of The Old Town School for Dogs, Carlos Mejias can answer just about any canine question asked of him, save for one.

Alexandria & Mount Vernon Calendar: Nov. 29, 2012

E-mail announcements to gazette@connectionnewspapers.com. Photos and artwork are encouraged. Deadline is Thursday at noon.

Scottish Walk Weekend Events

The 42nd Annual Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend kicks off the holiday season Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.

Brief: Alexandria Black History Museum to Host Kwanzaa Celebration Program

The Alexandria Black History Museum and Culture Kingdom Kids will host a Kwanzaa Celebration program on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Museum. The cost of admission for this event is $5.

Letter: Lessons from School Board Election

In Alexandria you have to know the players to understand the scorecard. The city's campaign finance records reveal that Alan Hilburg contributed $500 to Helen Morris's successful 2009 School Board run. A year later, Mr. Hilburg was given a $12,000 a month consulting contract to advise ACPS on communications issues. Given ACPS’s many public relations gaffes in the past few years, the newly elected School Board may want to take a closer look at the school system’s use of consultants.

Letter: An Early Scottish Christmas Walk?

Advent is from Dec. 2 through Dec. 24. Christmas begins on Dec. 25. So why is the Scottish Christmas Walk on Dec. 1?

Letter: Focus on Jefferson-Houston

The Gazette Packet’s story [“New Direction for Schools,” Nov. 22] relied on the overquoted, yet curiously ignored public relations expert Alan Hilburg's recent editorial lament. Hilburg's letter to the editor expressed sadness upon hearing of School Board Vice Chair Helen Morris' electoral passing. Morris like several past and present Jefferson-Houston PTA presidents are the architects of the school's academic decline.

Letter: No Basis For Complaint

In response to the recent letter to the editor: “Sermonizing At Poll Site,” I am compelled to take issue with Ms. Downs who complained about a normal function in Blessed Sacrament Catholic Community. As precinct captain at Temple Beth El and a parishioner at Blessed Sacrament, there is absolutely no basis for this outrageous complaint.

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Mike Oliver: A Volunteer for All Seasons

Santa is in his blood, which he’s donated over 35 gallons.

One does not often get to sit down in a chair next to Santa Claus; the usual seat is in his lap. But Mike Oliver, who is Santa’s number one helper in Alexandria, took time during a respite after the busy Christmas rush to be interviewed about the numerous activities that led to his selection as an Alexandria Living Legend.

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