Mount Vernon Snapshot: George Washington’s Distillery and Gristmill
The fully functioning gristmill and distillery, located down the street from George Washington’s estate, has become a popular attraction for both tourists and residents of the area.
Mount Vernon: West Potomac Dance Team Earns Nationals Bid
The West Potomac High School Varsity and JV Dance Teams engaged in a three-day, nine-hour-per-day audition with the Universal Dance Association (UDA) that culminated on Aug. 10 with the Varsity team being awarded an invitation to attend UDA’s Nationals Competition at Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla. in February 2017.
Mount Vernon: Working To Reduce Erosion, Silting, and Flooding
Mount Vernon Country Club project includes using a hybrid Bermuda grass.
Members of Mount Vernon Country Club have been seeing more bulldozers than birdies during the past three months.
Mount Vernon: Estate Hosts Picnic for Friends
Promoting a sense of community.
Mount Vernon's Neighborhood Friends Picnic attracted hundreds of neighborhood friends and contributing members who live within the original five-farm estate of President George Washington.
Mount Vernon Brief: Join in Annual 9/11 Heroes Run
The Travis Manion Foundation will host the Alexandria 9/11 Heroes Run 5K race and 1 Mile Fun/Run Walk at 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 10 at Carl Sandburg Middle School, 8428 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria, and the Annapolis 9/11 Heroes Run 5K race and 1 Mile Fun/Run Walk at 2 p.m. on Sept. 11 at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md.
Alexandria: What’s Shaking Old Town?
Neighbors rattled by Robinson Terminal South demolition.
Robinson Terminal South is going through demolition, and neighbors say they can feel it. While developer EYA proved that the vibrations from construction work falls within the standard set by City Council, local residents argued that a stricter standard be put in place.
Expanding Scope of Alexandria’s Public Art Projects
“We’re looking at things like traffic boxes, but do we want to do more or look at other projects?”
Traffic Control boxes are metal containers. They help make sure the traffic lights run smoothly, but they’ve never been accused of being beautiful.
Upcoming Trials in Alexandria
Commonwealth Attorney's Office braces for a flurry of murder trials.
Fall 2016 and early 2017 are scheduled to be a busy time for the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office.
Alexandria Column: Neglected Dog Left to Die
Animal Welfare League offering reward for information.
On Sunday, Aug. 14, the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) was contacted by a couple who had discovered a dog abandoned in a crate under a bush on Patrick Street in Old Town Alexandria. The crate was dirty, containing feces and urine.
Alexandria: Old Dominion Boat Club Hosts Sailing Regatta
The Old Dominion Boat Club, drawing on its 135-year history, held its first ODBC Cup Invitational Regatta on Saturday, Aug. 20. The highlight of the races was the international division featuring crews from Great Britain, Australia, Canada and the United States. The USA sailboat won the four-race series on the Potomac.
Alexandria Letter: Missed Opportunity
Letter to the Editor
Your tepid response to letter writer Mark C. Williams' call (Aug. 18-24, 2016) to suppress opinion — "The Gazette Packet frequently publishes letters with which it disagrees" — missed an opportunity to address a larger issue, namely, the function of letters to the editor in a democratic society as a forum for the free expression of ideas and opinions.
Alexandria Letter: Ticket Cyclists?
Letter to the Editor
I am surprised that one person's proposed solution to the bicyclist "problem" in Old Town is to ticket cyclists for running stop signs.
Alexandria Letter: Flooding Unresolved
Letter to the Editor
Just recently, a great deal of interest has been shown in investigating the after effects of the flooding of Ellicott City, Md.
Alexandria Column: Officer Jim Bazzle – At Parade Rest
Commentary
I attended Maury Elementary School in the late 1960s. The neighborhood, the school, the people, were like a page right out of Mayberry.
Alexandria: Eyewitnesses to History
WWII veterans gather for V-J Day celebration.
At 91-years-old, Air Force Col. Kim Ching (ret.) was the youngster among World War II veterans who gathered Aug. 20 at American Legion Post 24 in Old Town to commemorate Victory Over Japan Day, otherwise known as V-J Day.
Alexandria: Gomez Memorial Service Planned
A Funeral Mass celebrating the life of Roland Branford Gomez has been scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 27 at 11 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 1427 W. Braddock Road. Gomez died Aug. 11 at the age of 86.
Alexandria Snapshot: Catching Scyther
Erik Laughlin, 10, shows mom Amy his capture of the rare Scyther while playing Pokemon Go Aug. 18 near Founders Park. The capture was worth 1,000 CP (combat points) to the duo, who had cycled to Alexandria from Falls Church to seek out new Pokemon Go locations. “We’re having a blast,” said Amy Laughlin. “This is a great way to meet new people.”
Column: Rio Shows Why Investing in Clean Water Is Necessary
Commentary–Alexandria Renew Enterprises
Recently, U.S. Olympic marathon swimmer Haley Anderson discussed with NPR her 6.2-mile open-water swim off Copacabana Beach at the Rio games. One point of discussion: swimming for more than two hours in heavily polluted water during which Anderson expected to swallow several mouthfuls of water.
Alexandria/Mount Vernon: Centipedes To Compete in Patriot Run
The George Washington Patriot Run, co-sponsored by Mount Vernon and the Alexandria George Washington Birthday Committee, will be held on Sunday, Sept. 11, and will feature an opportunity for entrants to run in teams known as Centipedes.
Alexandria/Mount Vernon: MSA Names New Board Members
Metropolitan School of the Arts of Alexandria recently expanded its Alexandria/Kingstowne campus to include its Academy and studio classes, upon closing its Lorton campus.