Alexandria People

Community Rallies Behind Fire Victims

After a Mount Vernon High School student and family lost their home in a fire on April 14, principal Nardos King sent an email the following Friday morning to school staff and the Mount Vernon “Keep In Touch” contact list asking for donations to help the family start over.

Alexandria: Plaque Recalls Education Before Desegregation

Alumni of Parker-Gray High School gather.

Alumni and city officials gathered on April 16 for the unveiling of a plaque outside the Alexandria City Public Schools’ Central Office commemorating Parker-Gray High School.

Lyles Crouch Students Remember Abraham Lincoln

On the 150th anniversary of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, the students in the Lyles-Crouch After School Theater program presented an original play “Abraham Lincoln: And Now He Belongs to the Ages.”

People At Work: Spring Warms into Hot Market

It is spring and the real estate market is hot. Mary Moran puts her access card in the lock box, uses her own personal code, opens the front door and walks into the hallway. According to Mary Moran, Realtor for Long & Foster, in the spring the market picks up because of weather. Houses look better, snow is gone and they are easier to show.

Businesses Join Local Nonprofits for 24-Hour Charity Drive

Spring2ACTion emphasizes off-line community building.

Five years ago, ACT for Alexandria helped raise $100,000 for local charities at its first annual Spring2ACTion event. Last year, the organization raised over $1 million for 121 local nonprofits. At this year’s city-wide event on April 22, ACT for Alexandria’s Chief Program Officer Brandi Yee says the goal is to exceed 10,000 donors. Last year, the program had 7,516 total donors to the event, but this year Yee hopes a more public presence and greater involvement in the community can help bolster that number.

People at Work: Mind the Mat

Laugh, dance and sweat—yoga combines it all.

The door opens and a crowd streams out the door clutching mats as Pilates Boot Camp is over. Smiles line the lobby waiting to sign in for the next class. Katie walks to the desk and stops to say hello. Paige Lichens, yoga instructor at Mind the Mat in Del Rey says, "Her husband just started."

Honoring King through Service

Staff and students from two Alexandria City public schools gave up their time on Jan. 19 to give back to their communities in honor of Martin Luther King Day.

Cat in the Hat Encourages Reading in Alexandria

A life-size Cat in the Hat visited elementary schools across Alexandria City public Schools last month for read Across America Day.

Alexandria Students Help Replenish Food Pantry

The students of Grace Episcopal School in Alexandria helped feed those in need and the hungry in Alexandria by creating a gigantic, canned and boxed-food “Bountiful Basket” bunny on March 31.

First Family Visits Alexandria on Easter

First Family worships at Alfred Street Baptist Church.

Members of Alfred Street Baptist Church received an unexpected visit from the First Family at the 10:30 a.m. Easter Resurrection service.

Alexandria: Emma's Espresso & Wine Bar Opens

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee drifted through the breeze outside of the newly opened Emma’s Espresso & Wine Bar on Saturday morning, April 11.

Alexandria: Philanthropy Summit to Honor Local Leaders

U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-8), for decades known for his charitable works throughout the region, will keynote the 17th annual Business Philanthropy Summit honoring Alexandria’s top leaders for their service to the community. Sponsored by Volunteer Alexandria, the event will be held May 6 at the First Baptist Church of Alexandria.

Alexandria Gazette Packet