Words About the Bus Go Round and Round
Several weeks ago, an Alexandria City kindergartner from my child’s school was accidentally boarded onto a school bus when he should have gone to aftercare. He was dropped off, without a parent present,
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Voters Not Paying Attention?
Voters in other parts of Virginia and the nation, as well as those Independents and Republicans in Alexandria, would no doubt be amused by Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille's trenchant political observation at a Democratic "victory" party on election night that his party maintains its stranglehold on local politics because Alexandrians, in contrast with other Americans, are "much brighter and more intelligent.…" Aren't we precious?
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Unfettered Density
To the Editor:
The City Planners have recently released their preliminary Waterfront Plan and have started "shopping" it around, much to the consternation of the Old Town residents and others. It
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Unintended Consequences
A year ago the U.S. economy and financial system were on the brink of collapse. The time period was to become a pivotal moment in our economy’s history — a true paradigm shift. Perhaps it was, but not
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More Intelligent?
To the Editor:
In the Gazette's Nov. 5 article "A Divided Election," Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille made an absurd statement. He claimed that, because the voters (not the populace) of Alexandria and some
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Honoring Veterans
To the Editor:
Ceremonies throughout many cities and states are honoring and celebrating all veterans — men and women — on Veterans Day.
With great respect, in remembrance of all veterans on Veterans
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Time for a Streetcar Network?
As former members of the Alexandria City Council and transportation buffs, we have become increasingly convinced that rail transit is the primary answer to our region’s congestion problems. Metro and
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Same Old Nonsense
To the Editor:
Well, here we go again with the Alexandria School District. New Superintendent, new School Board, same old nonsense. Recently, two Alexandria school children were not returned home following
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Column: A Big Shot I'm Not
I would have thought - or expected, that after nearly eight months since I received my cancer diagnosis and six months since I've been column-writing my thoughts on the subject, that I would (perhaps
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Editorial: Veterans Day
Family members say Bill Cahir had a kind of indomitable spirit, one that propelled him through difficulties toward accomplishing a goal, reported Michael Lee Pope earlier this year.
After 9/11, Cahir
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Seminary Valley
The Valley has its share of magnificent trees, but now they are losing their leaves. If you missed the Halloween rakeout, you’ll have another chance this coming weekend (Nov. 7) and again on Dec. 8. Do
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Working Against Dropout Rate
To the Editor:
In response to the Oct. 28 article, "City Leads Region in Dropouts:"
The epidemic of skyrocketing high school drop out rates continues to plague cities and towns across the nation. A
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Rise in Child Deaths
To the Editor:
Last week, a new report by the advocacy group Every Child Matters focused on the disturbing rise of child deaths in the United States due to maltreatment. Local reports earlier in the
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More Care Needed
To the Editor:
I am happy to read that the City of Alexandria council members are addressing the issue of the youngest children within the school system being left alone by the city school bus drivers.
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Column: A Non-Biting Commentary
For as long as I've been biting my nails (my entire life) and for all the unconfirmed underlying reasons, anxiety and nervousness must have, on some level, played a role. However, I was never counseled,
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Editorial: Time To Get Serious
The Potomac River provides a beautiful backdrop to so much of Northern Virginia, from the rugged areas of the Potomac Gorge from above Great Falls down into Arlington to the broad tidal Potomac from Alexandria,
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No Satisfactory Traffic Solutions
The following open letter was addressed to the mayor and City Council members.
A recent transportation study prepared for the City of Alexandria produced no satisfactory solutions for mitigating traffic
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Other Professionals Out There
To the Editor:
I must take exception to the generalized statement made by former marine Nick Baucom, that he "just couldn't find anyone that seemed like they would be professional and they would be on
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Supportive Of Business
To the Editor:
As an entrepreneur, I support Creigh Deeds as our next Governor. For a woman-owned or minority-owned small business, swimming with the big fish in the Commonwealth of Virginia can result
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Well Done Or Well Said
To the Editor:
In response to Dr. Morton Sherman's call to converse, rather than act, upon the matters which challenge students in Alexandria I would like to have a conversation (or spark a conversation)
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Column: Less Turns Out To Be More
Chronicling, as I have, my unexpected ride on the cancer train these past three months, I thought I'd acquaint you, in this column, anyway, with some of the unexpected benefits I've enjoyed, benefits
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Editorial: Vote Nov. 3
It’s all about turnout.
Statewide, voters in Virginia will pick a new governor and attorney general, vote for lieutenant governor, plus one House of Delegates seat. Turnout for these “off year”
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EDITORIAL: Really Scary
With Halloween falling on a Saturday night this year, and Halloween being the sort of holiday that young adults and others can embrace in the midst of a recession, it could more than live up to its reputation
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LETTER: Supervisors Back Deeds
To the Editor:
In these challenging economic times it is critical that Fairfax County has a leader in Richmond who understands our priorities. In Fairfax there are two major issues that stand above the
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Column: Ready, Willing, and Hopefully Able
Throughout my "consuming" life, I have often expressed a desire to be the consumer who appears in a commercial testifying, sincerely, as to the one-of-a-kind price and/or above-and-beyond-the-call service/benefit
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Answers for Transportation?
To the Editor:
As someone extensively involved in local and regional transportation issues, I have been following the Deeds versus McDonnell race for governor with considerable interest. One candidate,
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Reached By Mail
To the Editor:
We the voters should not ignore our voice for better leadership on Nov. 3. "I wish I had voted and or I should have voted" could be your words. So be counted.
One question we all have
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Alarming Stances
To the Editor:
When I learned about Bob McDonnell’s thesis, I knew that his anti-woman record didn't fall too far behind thus making him one of the most dangerous elected officials for women's reproductive
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Current Taxes Are Sufficient
To the Editor:
Your reporter has managed to produce an extremely biased, one-sided view of the gubernatorial election, such as only he can. Case in point, as quoted from his most recent story headlined
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Return To Basics
To the Editor:
I have had the opportunity to recently review various letters, articles and communications regarding [Superintendent of Schools] Morton Sherman’s plan to establish campus type schools
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Closing the Gaps
In Alexandria City Public Schools, our moral and educational imperative is to assure that each and every student achieves at high levels. By strengthening our partnerships with parents, community members
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It's Not Fun or Funny
The re-escalating price of gasoline is starting — or rather accelerating — its impact on my digestive system; that is to say, it's giving me more than indigestion. It's beginning to eat away at the layers of tolerance that I've built up over the years, and is likewise effecting, adversely I may add, my sunny disposition. In spite of the many suggestions one hears about driving to maximize one's use of gasoline as efficiently as possible (properly inflated tires; clean air filters; slowing down, generally, smoother accelerations and more gradual decelerations, etc.) the fact of the matter is, I wonder how much any of it really matters — in the big picture.
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Growing Pains
Oregano, thyme, rosemary, sage, basil, mint; some of the home-grown herbs and spices a few of our friends are growing/cultivating; with distinction, from what I’ve heard. And as I was listening to the ebb and flow of how their gardens grow, I could not imagine for a moment, why in the world I would ever undertake such an endeavor. Nevertheless, the passion and enthusiasm with which these friends were discussing their gardening gains — and losses, was so heartfelt, so filled with conviction, I couldn't help but be drawn into the conversation.
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Dying To Tell You, Sort Of
The question was posed by my co-worker, Big John Smith, one night as I arrived at the office after hours to do a little organizing: "Hey Ken, how are you doing?" My answer: "John, I'm in pretty good condition for the condition I'm in." And the "condition" to which I refer is cancer. Yup, cancer as in the dreaded, often terminal, disease.
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Chemo-Cocktailing at the Depot
Now that the cancer cat is out of the bag (see June 10th column titled, "Dying To Tell You, Sort Of"), I suppose it's reasonable to keep my readership (what there is of it) apprised of goings on. Today, as I sit and write, I am being infused (the medical profession has its own fancy word for chemotherapy) and attempting to write while I am being treated (it's not painful).
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