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Snapshot: Fishing

A family fishes in the Potomac at Jones Point with the Wilson Bridge in the background.

The Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association celebrates the launch of its blog at the Waterfront Market on June 17. Joining in the celebration are members of the Old Town Business and Professional Association. From left, in back, are Bill Butcher and Fred Parker. In the front are Meshelle Armstrong, Janet Barnett, Patricia Washington and Carol Supplee.

Commentary: State Budget, Federal Grand Jury and Court Challenges

The last two weeks in Richmond have been unusually busy.

First, ethics are back at the forefront. in the wake of the resignation of state Sen. Phil Puckett and change in control of the State Senate, the new state budget was written under one-party control. A $1.6 billion shortfall due to lagging income tax collections forced cuts which I detailed two weeks ago: K-12, higher education, affordable housing, healthcare, and funding for continued planning for improvements on U.S. 1 was removed from the budget.

Column: Year in Review for SSA

Senior Services of Alexandria gathered with its board, staff, and community supporters to celebrate accomplishments over the past year on behalf of Alexandria’s senior community.

Commentary: State Formula Hurts Public Schools

There’s been some commentary on Fairfax County school budget issues and a total misuse of the term “underfunding.” A recent Washington Post news story included the false claim that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors underfunded the school system. My reaction to this is more than academic — it’s personal. Not only am I a proud K-8 product of FCPS, but I’ve also got a daughter in our school system and a son just a few years behind.

Pets Can Suffer in Summer Heat

It can be very tempting to bring your dog along for your round of errands when he is staring at you with those big brown eyes. Unfortunately it can be very dangerous, and illegal, to leave your dog in the car while you shop.

Letter: Council Solves Another Problem

To the Editor: Bravo and congratulations to the Alexandria City Council for rapidly installing the King Street hill bike lanes. The time between a small group of activists pushing for the lanes, council approval, and the spreading of green paint with white markings was incredibly fast. Some people complain that government is unresponsive and gets nothing done. Nonsense.

Letter: A Light on a Promise

To the Editor: It has come to my attention that those who oppose stadium lights at T.C. Williams High School are being described as “racially motivated” by some proponents of the lights. The implication is that lighting opponents are wary of people of various ancestries playing on the field after dark, something that would be possible with a lighted stadium.

Letter: Sound and Light Show on Seminary Hill

To the Editor: Once again the “fear of change” putdown is being wielded by a small group of contentious promoters who want stadium lights installed permanently at T.C. Williams’ large athletic stadium. They propose that the sound and lights would be fully amplified and lit for a variety of year-round night activities, led by football. As this is a local election year, the timing is impeccable, and our mayor is gaining some press, while once again aggravating the people who vote … throughout the city.

Letter: Sickening Obstacles

To the Editor: Gov. Terry McAuliffe did the right thing with his line-item veto of the obstacles in the budget that legislators put in his way regarding Medicaid expansion. The idea that these legislators, who are probably quite well-insured, deny Medicaid coverage to low-income working people is — well, it is sickening.

Covert Matters: World's Still A Mess

The idea that every nation and peoples of the world should be like the United States has gotten out of hand a bit. It is unnerving the nation’s able diplomats and military men and women should try to enforce such nation building. This is somewhat foolhardy.

Letter: Election Indigestion?

To the Editor: I have monitored the proposal for a meals tax which apparently was initiated by Supervisor Hyland. The Board of Supervisors (BOS) organized a committee chaired by past Chairmen Tom Davis and Kate Hanley to provide the BOS the recommendation as to whether to seek a voter referendum. The committee provided the BOS its report which did not include any recommendation regarding whether to conduct a voter referendum but provided comments intended to guide the BOS in its deliberations.

Letter: Students Need Sleep, Not SLEEP

Letter to the Editor

Fort Hunt Youth Lacrosse Celebrates 25th Year

League flourishes as popularity of sport continues to grow.

For the last 25 years, youth in Fort Hunt have had the opportunity to play competitive lacrosse, and many have gone on to play in college and coach later in life due in large part to their success in Fort Hunt Youth Lacrosse. What used to be a little-known and played sport is expanding and becoming increasingly popular across the U.S. Fort Hunt Youth Lacrosse offers opportunities for girls and boys as young as 5 years old to play.

Digging into History

Alexandria Archaeology Museum to host archaeology camp for teens next month.

Madeline Francis wants to be an archaeologist when she grows up, just like her aunt Whitney.

In the Race for Children’s National

Alexandria family gets involved in Race for Every Child after son undergoes spinal fusion surgery.

After raising $712,000 last year, Children’s National Health System has set a goal of raising $1 million through the 2nd annual Race for Every Child in September. Ashley Husich, the race manager for the event, said that last year, the inaugural year for the race, surpassed expectations with 3,946 participants, and this year they are hoping to have 5,000.

Marshall High 2014 graduates told not to be afraid of rejection and ‘real world.’

Ryan McElveen knows something about second chances.

The Connection