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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Week in Alexandria

After almost two decades as the chief prosecutor in Alexandria, Commonwealth’s Attorney Randy Sengel says he won’t run again in 2013.

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Annual JAMtech Inspires Students

Alexandria-based firm Carney, Inc. is showing local high school students interested in technology — including online gaming, graphics, computer programming and social media — how to turn their passion into careers.

Turkeys Needed for Holiday Distribution

250 gobblers needed for Rising Hope Christmas baskets.

Busy Sarah Heckman, sparkling with angelic calm as she goes about her duties at Rising Hope Mission Church, currently has no fears about her ability to distribute 350 Christmas turkeys to hungry Mount Vernon area families.

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LTA’s ‘A Christmas Carol’

Opening night of the holiday classic welcomes families from the Georgetown Hospital Pediatric Oncology Center

It’s a tale as old as time: The miserly Ebeneezer Scrooge is ethically and emotionally transformed after being haunted by visits from the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come in the Charles Dickens classic “A Christmas Carol,” now playing at The Little Theatre of Alexandria.

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Designers Decorate Christmas Trees to Raise Funds

A few local designers are using their talent to bring holiday cheer to some local pediatric cancer patients.