Alexandria: National Award for Police Officer
After tragedy, Evans works to transform his community.
Alexandria Police Officer Bennie Evans was one of 12 police officers from across the country to receive the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Services in Community Policing. Evans, a regular at any event where the community interacts with the city or police, was noted for his voluntary participation in police and local non-profit projects and for his successful de-escalation of numerous calls about violence and attempted suicide.
Alexandria People at Work: Shaping Her Life, Her Art
Renee Altman wedges off a large chunk of high-fired stoneware clay and puts it on the workbench. "It's like kneading dough. I usually do this 100 times." Altman owns The Clay Queen Pottery on Mt. Vernon Avenue.
Alexandria Snapshot: Pink Badges For Awareness
Sheriff Dana Lawhorne has authorized deputies to wear pink badges to show their support in the fight against breast cancer.
Alexandria Snapshot: Innovation Award
Port City Brewing Company founder Bill Butcher, center, accepts the Brewer Partner Marketing Innovation Award from National Beer and Wine Association president and CEO Craig Purser and NBWA Chairman of the Board Travis Markstein Sept. 27 at the NBWA convention in Chicago. Butcher founded Port City Brewing in 2011. The company employs 45 people and has grown to produce 15,000 barrels of beer annually. www.portcitybrewing.com
Alexandria Snapshot: Ethiopian New Year
Grammy-nominated, Ethiopian-born singer and songwriter Wayna served as mistress of ceremonies.
Alexandria Appetite: Mystery and History Mix in Port City-Gadsby’s Event
Port City Brewing, Gadsby’s Tavern, and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church commemorate 200 years since Female Stranger’s death.
Long before Alexandria’s current heyday, when the Port City was in the middle of becoming a port city, a mystery woman came to Gadsby’s Tavern with her gentleman caller, became ill, and died, her final resting place the St. Paul’s Cemetery. “To the memory of a Female Stranger,” the gravestone reads in part, launching two centuries’ worth of lore and theory about her identity, her companion, and her presence in Alexandria in the first place.
Alexandria Snapshot: It’s Official
Led by Mayor Allison Silberberg, dignitaries gathered Sept. 7 for the official ribbon-cutting at Vola’s Dockside Grill and Hi-Tide Lounge, located at the Alexandria waterfront. From left are Scott Shaw of Alexandria Restaurant Partners, Councilman Tim Lovain, McArthur Myers, Mayor Silberberg, Peter Lawson, Janet Barnett, Michele Evans, Councilwoman Del Pepper, Jim Moran and Sheriff Dana Lawhorne.
Alexandria Snapshot: Supporting MDA
The Fraternal Order of Eagles ALVA Auxiliary 871 of Alexandria presented a $3,000 grant to Tiffany Tillotsos on Sept. 28 to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Greater Washington summer camp program. Above are Tillotsos, Auxiliary President Bonnie Rathbone and Auxiliary Secretary Jean Oliver. See www.FOE871.com
Fall Driving: Be Alert for Deer
Autumn is approaching and white-tailed deer will be on the move. Fall is the breeding season for deer.
Senior Living: Planning for Multigenerational Living
Making room for older family members.
Planning for multigenerational living has been on the rise in recent years. With life expectancies increasing and early baby boomers entering their golden years, this trend is expected to continue. As with any remodeling project, there are a number of factors to consider when planning a renovation for a growing household.
Alexandria: Who Should Steer Torpedo Factory?
Artists Association proposes new management structure.
Starting in October, the City of Alexandria has taken over management of the Torpedo Factory. But even as the city starts its temporary control, the Torpedo Factory Artists Association (TFAA) has presented some different ideas for how the property should be run in the future.
Alexandria Lawyer Saves Innocent Man from Death Row
“It took a team of people hundreds of hours to save one life. If we hadn’t taken this case, he’d be dead.”
Alfred Dewayne Brown loves the Alexandria Waterfront. He enjoys visiting the shops and restaurants in Old Town and meeting the family of his Alexandrian lawyer, Brian Stolarz. Brown is closer with Stolarz than most clients are with their attorneys. The two are good friends and even have matching tattoos: scales of justice. Brown has the number “154” written above his, because Brown is the 154th inmate on death row to be exonerated. If it weren’t for Stolarz, Brown would be dead.
Alexandria People At Work: New Boutique Opens in City
Elizabeth Todd picks up the phone. "Hey, we just got in this great Veronica Beard classic jacket with a zip-in dickey — just your style. Do you want me to hold it for you?" Todd says she has a loyal client base and she calls to let them know what has just arrived. "I get to know who needs comfortable shoes to walk in on the Hill." Todd has just opened the Hive, described as a luxury lifestyle and clothing boutique, at 301 Cameron St.
Alexandria: Historic Christ Church Welcomes New Rector
From Atlanta to Alexandria.
Alexandria welcomed the Rev. Noelle York-Simmons, the 28th rector of the 243-year-old Christ Church, in September. She’s the first female rector, and among the youngest at 40 or under, in the church’s history of attending to the spiritual needs of U.S. presidents to the very poor and everyone in between.
Alexandria Living Legends: Their Leadership Preserved Gadsby’s Tavern
Foley and McNamara ensured Post 24’s historic gift to the city.
In the early 20th century, Gadsby’s Tavern and the adjoining City Hotel were in such a dilapidated condition that the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City made an offer to purchase some of the woodwork, including the ballroom, to preserve its history because the destruction of these buildings seemed imminent. The buildings were prominent in the 18th century as a meeting place for patriots of the revolution, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Each of the first five presidents of the United States was entertained there.