May Day at City Hall: Democratic Primary Puts Heat on Candidates
Recent unpopular decisions may mean trouble for two incumbents and two former incumbents.
Hector Pineda is one of thousands of residents who live in the sprawling series of garden apartments on the city’s West End, which has been one of the last remaining spots in the city for low-income residents.
Arlington and Alexandria Fighting for Limited Pool of Federal Funds
One wants federal money for Columbia Pike, the other wants funds for Potomac Yard.
Arlington County and the City of Alexandria are each vying for an increasingly limited amount of federal transportation funding, leading to a conflict between the neighboring jurisdictions.
Transforming a Vision into Housing, Commerce
Creating an urban development, one land bay at a time.
First in a three-part series about Potomac Yard development.
Historic Huntley To Open at Last
Hybla Valley villa to become Fairfax County’s newest public park next month.
After decades of waiting, Historic Huntley will finally open its doors to the public next month. Officials with the Fairfax County Park Authority are planning a May 19 launch, a long-awaited opening for a historic property built in the 1820s by Alexandria Mayor Thomson Mason. The old house has been boarded up since being purchased by the Fairfax County Park Authority in 1989, when county leaders set out to restore the villa overlooking Hybla Valley. Since then, county voters have approved two bond referendum ballot items worth $3 million.
Join in Mount Vernon CROP Walk
“Because they walk, we walk” is the theme of the 32nd annual Church World Services CROP Hunger Walk on May 6. Sponsored by area churches through Ventures in Community (VIC) and starting at St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church, 8531 Riverside Road, Alexandria, the CROP Walk winds through the local community for 1.5 miles. Registration begins at 12:30 at St. Aidan’s, and the Walk begins at 1:30.
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.
Botanicals
spring blooming on the walls of the Athenaeum
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?
Applause in the Form of $1,500
First Night donates to school music programs.
First Night Alexandria's board of directors voted unanimously April 19 to make monetary contributions to the music programs at T.C. Williams High School and George Washington and Francis Hammond Middle Schools.
State Award for Sherman
Dr. Morton Sherman, superintendent of Alexandria City Public Schools, is the recipient of the Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals 2012 Pathfinder Award.