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

‘Smiles for Life’ Supports UCM

Alexandria dentists Dr. James Geren and Dr. Zeyad Mady are participating in the Smiles for Life program, which will allow their patients to whiten their smile and help needy children at the same time. Running until the end of June, the dentists will offer professional teeth whitening services to the community at a reduced rate and donate 100 percent of the proceeds to support children in need. Half of these donations will go to United Community Ministries (UCM) to support the Bryant Early Learning Center, while the other half will go to national children’s charities.

Twice the Thrill for McLean Highlander Soccer Teams

Both the McLean girls’ and boys’ teams capture Liberty titles.

The athletic grounds within Madison High School’s Norman Bradford Stadium were, for one night at least, a Highlander Haven last Friday, May 18 as both of the McLean High varsity soccer programs – the Highlander girls’ and boys’ squads – earned Liberty District champion status for 2012 as a result of tournament finals victories.

McLean’s Mark Saunders works to keep the ball away from Langley’s Roddy Haight during Friday …

Brianna Nielsen – On Her Feet Again

McLean High senior soccer standout, with renewed health, has been a rock for the Highlanders.

One would never realize to watch Brianna Nielsen play soccer that earlier this year she could barely even walk. The McLean High girls’ soccer standout, on the field of play, looks as if she was born to excel in the sport, with her ability to maintain and control the ball in the midfield, her natural instincts and feel for the game which seem to always have her at the most opportune place to make a play, and her all out hustle and easily recognizable passion for the game.

Shooting Death in Springfield

Gray Alan Combs, Jr., 22, died after encounter with police.

Fairfax County police have released the name of the man who died after officers shot him on Saturday, May 19. Gray Alan Combs, Jr., 22, "of no fixed address" died after he was taken to a hospital, police said.

South County Students Correspond with President

South County Secondary students in Janet Dower’s middle school English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes learned a big lesson about communication, when they wrote a letter to President Obama and received a response from him.

Langley Boys Edge Robinson in First Round Region Lacrosse Playoffs

Saxons’ Adams tallies four goals in postseason victory.

The Robinson Rams punched at their weight and then some but came up just short in a valiant attempt to send off defending state title holder Langley from postseason play at the launch of the boys lacrosse Northern Region tournament competition on Wednesday, May 16.

Bulletin Board for May 24

To have a notice listed, e-mail gazette@connectionnewspapers.com gazette@connectionnewspapers.com. Call Steve Hibbard at 703-778-9412 with questions.

Calendar for May 24

E-mail announcements to the Gazette, gazette@connectionnewspapers.com. Photos and artwork are encouraged. Deadline is Thursday at noon for the following week's paper. Call Steve Hibbard at 703-778-9412 with questions.

Redskins Owner Backs Child Safety

Snyder’s commitment extends to locally-based center.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, a mixed private-government organization headquartered in Alexandria, has the enthusiastic support of Redskins owner Daniel Snyder.

Unleashed Creativity

Local artists test new material at Artomatic 2012

On Friday, May 18, an immense display of synchronized drumbeats and vibrant rhythms performed by Batala Washington hailed the grand opening of Artomatic 2012.

Letter: Where’s Data For New Trolley?

To the Editor: It’s time to take a closer look at the proposed free Del Ray trolley service to determine whether it’s politics or data-centric analysis that is driving this $700,000 project.

Letter: Stop Ignoring The Obvious

To the Editor: Last Friday night, the Alexandria Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) voted 6-1 to ask the city to provide them with independent legal counsel as they face the city's high priced legal team in court. The city government, led astray again by the City attorney, Mr. James Banks, is determined to fight both the citizens on the BZA and the citizens who correctly filed the petition which challenged city zoning actions on the waterfront. This is worth reviewing.

Letter: Bike Share Now Needs City Money

To the Editor: On May 14, I met with the other members of the Waterfront Commission. The city’s new bike share program headlined the docket. It seems that last October the City Council voted unanimously to authorize Alexandria to join the regional Capital Bike Share Network. Rich Baier’s pilot program was to be jump started using some $400,000 of federal grant funds so we wouldn’t ever have to pay anything. However, now we find out that on April 13, 2012 the Federal Highway Administration announced that federal funds could not be used for operating expenses associated with bike share programs. Therefore, the city intends to use $186,000 out of its Transportation Improvement budget to fund bike share’s operating expenses through Fiscal Year 2013. The actual cost of the bikes is $411,000 which is funded with two other grants. This latest information was not shared with the Waterfront Commission or anyone else for that matter until the Council Docket for May 22 was published. This total lack of transparency pales the imagination.

Letter: Best for Alexandria

To the Editor: I have been following with interest some of the letters and blogs about the various PACs that have been formed to endorse candidates for the June 12 Democratic primary for City Council (Disclosure: I am part of one of those PAC’s, Securing Alexandria’s Future). The genesis of these groups is the unprecedented nature of the election: (1) This is the first time in modern history that the general election will not be in May, but in November, which coincides with the presidential election and very high voter turnout; (2) It is the first time in my recollection that the contest to decide who become the Democratic nominees is being determined by a State-run primary, rather than a party-run caucus; (3) There has never been a contest for the Democratic nomination in which 14 qualified candidates have vied for six places on the ballot; and (4) The outcome of the Democratic primary will be highly determinative of who is likely to be serving on the next City Council (that is not a partisan comment, but it is one based on the political reality of the Alexandria electorate).

Letter: Add to City Greenery

To the Editor: There are many sites in Alexandria, especially in Old Town, which could benefit from the Congressional legislation urban Revitalization and Livable Communities Act. It couldn't come at a better time. There's a new sense of urgency to develop urban/suburban greenery, from pocket parks to miles-long green ways. This is a renewal of the 19th C. movement called "lungs of the City."

Letter: Moving in Right Direction

To the Editor: Imagine the perfect boyfriend (or whatever applies as your preference). Rich. Great family. Cultured. Shares your values. Educated. Treats you like a queen. The perfect boyfriend. Problem is, due to no fault of his own he’s not perfect for you right now. You’ve got problems that you need to resolve and as a result, you are not ready to receive him. This is my issue with the Beauregard Small Area Plan.

Letter: Greening of The Waterfront

To the Editor: Over the last week, the media and local activists have tried use an environmental group’s ranking of the Potomac as “America’s #1 Endangered River” as evidence against the City’s Waterfront Plan. To set the record straight: the Waterfront Plan comprehensively addresses the major threats to the health of the Potomac River. In fact, each of the Plan’s major initiatives will substantially reduce, not increase, negative impacts on the environment.

Letter: Learn How To Protect Children

To the Editor: Who could hurt a child? I don’t know, but many adults do hurt and exploit children for selfish reasons. Our children deserve our protection from predators and others who do not have their best interests at the forefront. Adults all share the common experience of childhood. Who among us has not felt vulnerable, alone, or betrayed as a child? Do you remember who hurt you as a child? Was it an adult or another child perhaps? How long did the pain linger in your heart and soul? I know that mine does to this day. Childhood hurts affect our adult behavior and may leave us under developed in body, mind and spirit. Childhood injury to body and mind can be minimized if adults use common sense and encourage children to take on the responsibility of personal safety. Children will grow into their own sense of personal safety with adults guiding and challenging them to think about situations, places, and people that are potentially harmful. Instead of not thinking about childhood personal safety, let’s empower them with courage and tools.

Letter: Working with Citizens

To the Editor: I appreciate the effort the Gazette has made to differentiate the four different slates that political action committees including Alexandrians for a Livable City support. You are doing the work that a local newspaper should do, educating the voters so that they may make informed decisions. I would appreciate your in-a-box list of how the candidates including incumbents stand on the disgraceful Beauregard Corridor Plan even more if you had put every incumbent in his correct box.

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