"how to keep one's financial affairs in order"

Crisis of Governance and Leadership

This is the third in a series of columns, coordinated by former council member Lonnie Rich, that includes other past city leaders writing on governance and politics. Alexandria’s reputation for good governance has been severely tarnished over the last few years in large part because there has been too little debate about issues of real concern to the community. There is absolutely no reason to believe that the situation will change for the better with the re-election of Mayor Euille and the election or re-election of six Democrats, the majority of whom seem to share Mr. Euille’s one-shoe-fits-all vision for Alexandria.

Multiple Benefits of Mentoring

This article was submitted by Leigh Hoyer and Luisa Reyes from Wright To Read, an educational program that promotes literacy through the tutoring and mentoring of elementary school students and through outreach to the Alexandria community. Mentee Roxana Lara spoke about the value of having a mentor: "Sometimes you can't find the right words to say, or maybe you just can't find the right way to say it. But I want to give thanks to someone who helped me so much in life. I am very grateful for Ms. Kathy's tutoring and mentoring. Now I am reading much better. I see things much differently than before, thanks to her."

Dallas, Not Washington

“Born and bred” in Alexandria, 70-year-old Elaine* loves the Del Ray home she has lived in for more than 50 years. Bought for $15,000 with her husband, it holds many great memories. Growing up, Elaine and her family lived in rental properties throughout the city, first on Powhatan, then Wythe, and finally on Walnut.

Holiday Revels with a Safety Net

A serious backup, but seriously, make a plan ahead of time.

There is a little life in the economy this year, and that is quite likely to allow some to be the life of the party. You know the drill, the five-to-seven or six-to-eight drop-in happy hour, you've been invited to five of them, and you could attend an infinite number of these between now and the second day of 2013.

ACVA’s 2012 Superstar Awards

Washington introduced as new tourism chief.

The Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association presented the 2012 Superstar Awards at its December Tourism Marketing Forum Dec. 7 at Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens, using the occasion to formally introduce Patricia R. Washington as the new president and CEO of the city's tourism agency. “I am excited to be in Alexandria,” Washington said.

What Labor Center Means to the Workers

Finding safety and security.

More than Centreville Immigration Forum members and local dignitaries participated in the Centreville Labor Resource Center’s one-year anniversary. The workers did, too, and were happy to be there.

‘We’ve Created a Community Here’

Centreville Labor Resource Center celebrates one-year anniversary.

When the Centreville Labor Resource Center (CLRC) opened a year ago, it was with high hopes that it would become a safe and successful place for local day laborers to meet with employers to obtain jobs. It started slowly, at first. But as people became more familiar with the center and the caliber of its workers, word spread and more employers came there — instead of to the streets — to hire them.

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.

Guilty Plea in Handyman’s Death

Second person convicted in May 2010 Centreville homicide.

Nothing will restore Jose Cardona to life or return him to his family. But his loved ones will at least have a measure of justice now that the second of the three men involved in his death has been convicted. In June, Reynard Prather was sentenced to 30 years in prison. And last Friday, Dec. 7, in federal court, Tasheik Ashanti Champean, 46, of Suitland, Md., pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery and use of a firearm in a crime of violence causing death.

‘The Food Was Fabulous’

Chantilly High team wins culinary challenge.

Five stars are given to America’s top restaurants, and at a recent culinary competition, a student team from The Chantilly Academy captured the top prize, the Five Star Award.

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.

Business Matters

Blinded by Science

Blinded by Science Two Alexandria landlords are vying for their properties to become the new home of the National Science Foundation, a prize the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership has identified as valuable goal for the city. But AEDP president Val Hawkins acknowledges it will be difficult battle.

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.

Robert E. Lee’s Portrait Re-Dedicated in City Chambers General R.E. Lee Camp #726 organized funding of painting’s restoration.

Ceremony At The Alexandria City Chamber

It is the portrait across the room from George Washington’s painting in Alexandria’s City Council Chambers. This handsome oil painting bears the likeness of Robert Edward Lee, a son of Virginia and that of Revolutionary War hero “Light-Horse Harry” Lee III, a West Point graduate and superintendent of that institution, who ultimately made one of the most crucial and most difficult decisions in his life as a colonel in the U.S. Army when he resigned his commission to serve as the general for the Army of Northern Virginia in the Confederate States of America during the Civil War.

Letter: Letters to the Editor-Conflict Not So One-Sided

To the Editor: In "Dodging Rockets from Gaza" (Arlington Connection, Nov. 27), George Meek describes his "fact-finding" trip to Israel/Palestine with Interfaith Peace Builders. While there, he volunteered with the International Solidarity Movement.

Decorating Trees and Fundraising

Georgetown Jingle supports MedStar Georgetown University Hospital’s pediatric cancer programs.

A few local designers are using their talent to bring holiday cheer to some local pediatric cancer patients. Arlington resident Allie Mann, a senior designer at Case Design/Remodeling, Inc., and Alexandria resident Allison Priebe Brooks, owner of Queen Bee Designs, were among the tastemakers selected to participate in the Georgetown Jingle, a fundraising effort for pediatric oncology programs at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington.

Making Spirits Bright 12/12/2012

FACETS helps children give presents to their siblings.

No matter people’s income levels, their children still want presents at Christmastime. So each year, FACETS holds Sibling Shops, enabling children to peruse a variety of toys, games and other items, select gifts for their brothers and sisters and have them wrapped.

Helping Those in Need

Local teen collects items for the poor and homeless.

In this season of giving, even the generous heart of just one person can make a big difference in other people’s lives. Westfield High junior Nick O’Connell knows this firsthand because he’s now in his fifth year of doing just that.

Arlington Officials and Army Leaders Negotiating Land Swap

Cemetery would get land to expand; county would get site for heritage center.

The ghosts of the Civil War are still haunting Arlington National Cemetery, where county government officials and the U.S. Army are negotiating a land swap that could save the long-planned Arlington Heritage Center.

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