An award-winning journalist, Jeanne Theismann began her career at WTNH-TV in New Haven, Conn., where she was a news reporter and anchor as well as co-host of the daily “Good Morning, Connecticut” program. She went on to work for Seaway Communications, the first minority-owned U.S. broadcasting company before moving to Tokyo, where she spent several years working as a writer and editor for the Yomiuri Shimbun, the world’s largest daily newspaper.
During her time overseas, Jeanne traveled extensively, covering the third Indochina War between Vietnam and Cambodia as well as the Seoul and Sydney Olympic games. She began several relief projects for children and refugees and has personally delivered more than five tons of medical supplies to orphanages throughout the world. She serves as a visiting professor at the Ukrainian Catholic University, in L’viv, Ukraine.
Jeanne serves on the board of directors for First Night Alexandria, the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra and the Alexandria Sportsman’s Club. She is a member of the National Press Club, American Legion Post 24 and Rotary International, and is the media representative for the City of Alexandria’s Local Emergency Planning Commission. She loves travel, technology and trivia and dreams of one day writing headlines for the New York Post.
Recent Stories
Above and Beyond
Four honored for volunteer service.
Volunteer Alexandria presented the 19th annual Evening in the Heart of Alexandria Awards Oct. 25 in a tribute honoring the exceptional volunteer service of four individuals.
Lois L. Walker Dies at 73
Memorial service is planned for Oct. 26.
There was never any doubt that Lois Walker cared about the City of Alexandria, a place she called home for over 40 years. On Sunday, Oct. 13, the former City Council woman died in Kayseri, Turkey after contracting pneumonia while on vacation. She was 73.
Circle of Stars
USO honors top corporate donors.
The USO of Metropolitan Washington honored its top corporate sponsors Oct. 4 at the 10th Annual Stars and Stripes Night gala, naming 37 corporate donors to its 2013 Circle of the Stars.
Digging into the Future
Construction moves forward at The Exchange at Potomac Yard.
Mayor Bill Euille and U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8) joined City of Alexandria officials as the JBG Companies and MidAtlantic Realty Partners held a ceremonial groundbreaking Oct. 9 to officially launch The Exchange at Potomac Yard, a mixed-use development along the Route 1 corridor in Alexandria and Arlington. “Unlike the folks on Capitol Hill, we are moving ahead and keeping people working,” said JGB managing partner Matt Kelly, referring to the federal government shutdown. The first phase of the 19-acre development will include two multi-family communities with a combined 65,000 square feet of retail and nearly 400,000 square feet of office space. The Alric, with 323 residential units, broke ground last February with occupancy expected in September of 2014. “This project is about a future generation of Alexandrians and Northern Virginians,” said Moran, who also made a reference to the lack of productivity on Capitol Hill. “This will be part of a new community where residents can live, work and shop without having to deal with extended traffic interruptions.”
'Del-Ray-Geous'
DRA artists express spirit of Del Ray.
The Del Ray Artisans held an opening night reception Oct. 4 for its latest exhibit, “Del-Ray-Geous,” a members-only show of works that expresses each artist's impressions of the spirit of the Del Ray community. “I tried to capture the unique architecture and feel of the Del Ray community,” said artist Durell Hope, whose colored pencil drawing on display featured the Del Ray Café restaurant. “There is so much vibrancy to this community. It's a very special place and I hope my work reflects that.”
Healthy Advice — Free
Alfred Street Baptist Church’s community fair offers screenings, immunizations and seminars.
More than 300 people turned out Sept. 28 for the 2013 Alfred Street Baptist Church Community Health Fair, where free health screenings, immunizations and seminars were offered as part of an effort to increase and promote health awareness.
Review: ‘Come Blow Your Horn’
The American Century Theater dazzles with Neil Simon classic.
It’s been more than half a century since Neil Simon’s “Come Blow Your Horn” made its Broadway debut, launching one of the most successful playwriting careers in the history of the American stage. Filled with what would become Simon’s trademark wisecracking repartee, the autobiographical portrait of a young man leaving home to experience the swinging single lifestyle of the ’60s is performed to perfection by The American Century Theater at Gunston Arts Center Theatre Two in Arlington.
Review: A Stitch in Time
Powerful “Gee’s Bend” debuts at MetroStage.
It’s officially known as Boykin, Ala., with a population of 275. But the former slave plantation on the banks of the Alabama River gained prominence as Gee’s Bend, an isolated African American community known for the role its folk art quilts played in the struggle for Civil Rights.
Review: Mean Girls
"The Children’s Hour” at Port City Playhouse.
In 1809, a girls’ boarding school opened in Edinburgh, Scotland, closing a few months later amid rumors involving two of its teachers. The decades-long lawsuit that followed was the inspiration for playwright Lillian Hellman, who more than a century later penned the critically acclaimed “The Children’s Hour,” now playing at Port City Playhouse.
One Step at a Time
TC grad makes 3,600-mile run for veterans.
When Brendan O'Toole was in high school, he and his friends repeatedly watched “Forrest Gump,” with O'Toole joking that one day he was going to recreate the film character's run across the country. For most young men, the conversation would end there but for O'Toole, a 2007 graduate of T.C. Williams, it was just the beginning.