On Parade
The Taylor Run Citizens Association held its Annual Fall Halloween Party on Oct. 25. Residents enjoyed food, live music, children's activities, a visit from the Alexandria Fire Department and a children's
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Walk To Raise Awareness of Epilepsy
The Epilepsy Foundation of Virginia – Northern Virginia Chapter will be hosting its Annual Epilepsy Awareness Walk on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 9:30 a.m. at the South Lakes High School, located at 11400 South
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Living Legends of Alexandria Are Nominated
The following are names of Alexandria's Living Legends submitted by the community by Sept. 30: Chet Avery, Don Beyer, Martin Van Buren Bostetter, Jr., Rosalind Bovey, Kathryn A. Brown, Lynnwood Campbell,
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About the Tuskegee Airmen
Guests view the Tuskegee Airmen photo exhibit inside the Charles Houston Recreation Center on Sunday, Nov.8. The Olvin McBarnette private photo collection documents the story of America’s first black
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Running Against Multiple Myeloma
During a routine physical three years ago, Kent Wells was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cell. It is the second most common blood cancer and, with its incurable prognosis, Wells
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A Presidential Ballot
A four-to-three deadlock on the City Council over the issue of staggered terms has killed the potential for a charter amendment to reshape the city’s election — at least for this year. That means the
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Rearranging Government
In the last decade, city spending mushroomed from $288 million to $530 million — almost doubling during a time when revenues from residential property values were streaming into City Hall almost faster
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$43-million Hole
Declining revenues and rising costs have converged at City Hall, where City Council members are facing a budget season with the grimmest financial environment in recent memory. Although budget officials
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Presidential Park
Jack Ford grew up in Alexandria, attending MacArthur Elementary School and graduating from T.C. Williams High School in 1970. He was a summer park ranger at Yellowstone National Park between terms
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Council Notebook
A New Wall
Twenty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Alexandria is preparing to erect its own wall. This one will separate the Mirant coal-fired power plant from its neighbors in north
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A Class ‘ACCT’
The Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities is not allowing the recession to be the cause of ideas and dreams deferred. Instead, we are working together to enhance the programming provided
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Wesley Henry Schmidt Dies
CDR Wesley Henry Schmidt, USN (Retired) died on June 28, 2009, in Alexandria. He was residing in the assisted living section of Washington House in Alexandria for the past two years because of circulatory
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Margaret Taylor Weaver Dies
Margaret Taylor Weaver, former business manager of The Port Packet and later The Alexandria Gazette-Packet, died peacefully Oct. 27, 2009, at Alexandria Hospital after suffering a stroke. Mrs. Weaver,
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Local Author Enlivens History
Driven around Alexandria searching for a particular location, and wondered about the street signs? Who are the people whose names are attached to local buildings and landmarks? What’s their story and
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Planners Target Sex Shops
In the week since tonight’s docket for the Planning Commission was sent to members and posted on the Web site, at least one item under new business has generated e-mails, buzz and even visits by commission
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Voters Approve School Bond
Approximately 70 percent of Fairfax County residents who went to the polls Nov. 3 voted in favor of Fairfax County acquiring approximately $232 million of new debt through bonds to help pay for the public
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The Schools' Money Cruncher
A native of Congo, Jean Sina became the new chief financial officer for Alexandria City Public Schools on Oct. 1. He holds bachelor’s degrees in education and business from the University of Zaire,
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Life Plus Seventy
Rodney Eric Smith sat motionless at the defense table during much of the testimony at his three-day murder trial last week, his long hair tied into a tight pony tail hanging over a crisp white shirt.
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Coda for the Piano Man
Gordon Keller was a music lover who knew how to rip a piano apart and rebuild it better than before. He was a Renaissance man and a quick wit who loved music and life, a man who enjoyed traveling and
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Another Black Eye for Schools
It has happened again. Another lost student. Another bus driver dropping a Kindergarten student off with no adult there in violation of division policy. For school officials, another black eye.
"It’s
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2009 Election Returns
Follow the links below to view the Virginia Board of Elections updates:
To view precinct by precinct election results, all offices, all races, click
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Sportsmanship, Heart and Soul of High School Sports
When Mark Gjormand’s Madison High baseball team would meet up against local Vienna area rival Oakton in past years, the two squads would leave everything on the field. Both the Warhawks and the Cougars,
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Old Town
THE REALLY BIG SHOW DAWNS
'Towners, it's time! What I have called for years the biggest show in town is ready to hit the boards Thursday, Nov. 12 as the Historic Alexandria Foundation launches its annual
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Old Town
THE REALLY BIG SHOW DAWNS
'Towners, it's time! What I have called for years the biggest show in town is ready to hit the boards Thursday, Nov. 12 as the Historic Alexandria Foundation launches its annual
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Neighborhoods
BUFF GATHERING
The Lord Fairfax house on Cameron Street teemed with supporters of historic preservation on Sunday.
John Guy, president of Preservation Virginia, was there with wife Perry, who told me
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Bulletin Board
Ongoing
Annual 'Lights for Bikes' Safety Effort began Oct. 27. Volunteers from BikeWalk Alexandria, the City and three area bicycle shops will hand out free bicycle lights to cyclists as part
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Annual Del Ray Halloween Parade
The playground at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center filled up with children as the parade ended at the school yard.
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How Many in Dog Years?
The Canine (K-9) Unit of the Alexandria Police Department celebrated its 50th year of operation, Monday, Oct. 26, at its K-9 facilities at 1108B Jefferson St. Police officers provided a demonstration
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Bison, Alpaca and Yak, Oh My!
Danielle Romanetti was 7 years old when her grandmother taught her to knit. Her first project: a scarf for her Cabbage Patch Doll.
She didn’t keep up with her new skill back then. But in 2001 during
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Pumpkin Sale Benefits Charities
It all started with a cold call 16 years ago.
Pumpkin Patch Fundraisers contacted Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill in Alexandria with a proposition: Sell our pumpkins and get to keep 50 percent of the proceeds
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Pumpkin Sale Benefits Charities
It all started with a cold call 16 years ago.
Pumpkin Patch Fundraisers contacted Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill in Alexandria with a proposition: Sell our pumpkins and get to keep 50 percent of the proceeds
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Private School Search Timeline
EARLY FALL
* Finalize schools that you plan to inquire about.
* Request admissions and financial aid material by phone or online.
* Review admissions materials to determine which schools to visit.
*
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A Look at Trends in College Costs
Every year since 1998, the College Board has published a new edition of “Trends in College Pricing,” providing information on prices for tuition and fees and room and board at colleges and universities.
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If They Build It, Will You Come?
Many local private schools are in the midst of fundraising for or have recently completed a major construction project, though the private school officials have said they are not in an “arms race” when
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A Night To Decide D.C.’s Funniest Feds
John Quirk said he was absolutely terrified his first time. "I still couldn’t tell you what I said that night. I was blinded by the spotlight and vaguely remember hearing chuckles emerging from the darkness."
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Impact of Concussions
West Potomac linebacker Matthew Voltmer ended up on the ground on Aug. 14 and he doesn’t remember how he got there.
It was a morning session during two-a-day practices at the high school in Mount Vernon,
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Getting in to U-Va.
Like most elected officials in Northern Virginia, Del. Tim Hugo (R-40) expects to hear a lot of gripes from his constituents about local transportation woes.
But in late summer, as Hugo was beginning
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How Virginia Compares for Accepting In-state Students
Virginia’s most competitive public universities and colleges often accept fewer in-state students than other high-profile state schools. Here is a comparison of Virginia schools rankings according to
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Fairfax County School Bond 2009
In addition to choosing elected officials, voters will be asked to sign off on new debt in the amount of $232,580,000 for Fairfax County Public Schools’ construction projects Nov 3.
Residents are able
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Another Lost Child
On Monday, like most days, one mother of a Kindergarten student at Lyles-Crouch Elementary School walked to her neighborhood school bus stop at 2:55 p.m. to meet her daughter. But on this particular day,
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City Leads Region in Dropouts
One out of 10 high-school students in the class of 2009 was a dropout, according to a report recently released by the Virginia Department of Education. That’s 79 students at T.C. Williams High School
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Jury Deliberates in Murder Trial
Every morning, a black sedan picks up the chief of naval operations at his home and drives him to his office at the Pentagon. Waiting for him inside the sedan is a briefing book with highly classified
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Council Notebook
Ever since the lame-duck session of the City Council approved a five-to-two plan to ditch springtime elections in favor of November balloting, proposals and counter-proposals have been circulating around City Hall for a new election format. If council members do nothing, the next city election will be held in the midst of a presidential cycle in November 2012 — a possibility supporters of the move from May to November said they would like to avoid.
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Creating Her Own Space
When Deborah McDysan and her husband David were designing their home in Great Falls, one major component was to be the art studio where she would ply her trade. Now, products of the studio have spread
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Custom Dream House in Shades of Green
One sure way to acquire a house that knows everything about your needs is to build it yourself. Or, more specifically, to team up with an architect-- who scrupulously observes to how you live, is versed
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Celebrating Hispanic Heritage at T.C.
TC Williams and the Campagna Center’s Building Better Futures program sponsored a special Titan Pride: Hispanic Heritage Program for the students earlier this month. Five T.C. Williams alumni appeared
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A Reunion of Supporting Friends
Past and present Supporting Friends met on Thursday, Oct. 15, for a reunion in Alexandria. The friends are currently working on the annual Scottish Walk Parade and weekend activities scheduled for the
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A Reunion of Supporting Friends
Past and present Supporting Friends met on Thursday, Oct. 15, for a reunion in Alexandria. The friends are currently working on the annual Scottish Walk Parade and weekend activities scheduled for the
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Taylor Run
CHAMBER MUSIC
Some of the things which make our neighborhood so delightful are the frequent cultural events at the George Washington National Memorial.
Last week the Air Force Chamber Players gave a
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Seminary Valley
Kassie Benson, our Hammond High School Alumni "connection", wants you all to know that the group’s annual reunion luncheon is set for Saturday, Dec. 5 at the Stardust Restaurant in Old Town. The cost
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Neighborhoods
WITHER THE TORPEDO FACTORY?
That’s the question being mulled by many folks in our port city and, frankly, I’m worried about the future of this icon where downtown Old Town meets the river.
The Gazette
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People Notes
To have a People Note published in the Gazette-Packet, send an e-mail to gazette@connectionnewspapers or call Steve Hibbard 703-778-9412. Pictures encouraged.
Capitol Concierge Inc. honored Gerard
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Briar, Figer Married
John Preston "Jay" Briar, of Alexandria, and Alvin Jay Figer, of Norfolk, Va., and Cherry Hill, N.J., were married on Aug. 9, 2009 at The Villa in Calverton, Md. The Rev. Gregory Morisse performed the
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Conversions Complete
The parking lot at 613 Notebene Drive was taped off and filled with residents and neighbors for a ribbon cutting Friday, Sept. 25, on the recent affordable housing conversions of three garden-style apartment
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Honoring Businesses
The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce awarded the captains of local industry last week, issuing the organization’s annual Business Awards. Burke and Herbert Bank Chairman Charlie Collum was honored as the
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Alexandria Ballet Needs Funds
There will be no Sugar Plum Fairy twirling or Mouse King leaping for Alexandria children this holiday season. The Alexandria Ballet has cancelled the 2009 Nutcracker performances, another victim of the
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Bulletin Board
Ongoing
The City of Alexandria is in search of a Colorado Blue Spruce, Leyland Cypress or other well-formed evergreen tree, approximately 25 to 35 feet tall, to serve as the City’s official
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Honoring Firefighters
Callie Terrell sings America the Beautiful during the memorial service for City of Alexandria Fire/EMS career and volunteer personnel held Oct. 9 at Ivy Hill Cemetery.
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Marine with a Truck
A native of Memphis, Tenn., Baucom joined the Marines after graduating high school in 2002. He was part of the initial invasion from Kuwait into Iraq, later serving in Wasit Province. He moved to Alexandria
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Yes, We Have Few Bananas
With stimulus funds set to run out next year and the state budget revenues continuing to constrict, city officials are going to have one heck of a budget season facing them over the next few months. The
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Council Notebook
The old American Legion Hall on North Fayette Street has six months to find a buyer. Failing that, the 1940s-era building originally constructed as a nursery will be demolished to make way for an eight-unit condominium building planned by developer Bill Cromley.
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