Letter: Ending Fox Penning
To the Editor: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) applauds Virginia state Senator David Marsden (D-37) for his tireless efforts to pass legislation to crack down on fox penning, a brutal blood sport in which wild-caught foxes are released into fenced enclosures and made targets for packs of dogs in gruesome competitions. When the foxes are cornered and forced to fight for their lives, the dogs are also often injured. A bill to place a moratorium on fox pens – S.B. 42 – passed the Senate earlier this week, thanks to Sen. Marsden’s continued efforts to keep the issue of fox penning front and center to ensure that the foxes – and dogs – are protected against this vicious activity.
Alexandria Food Truck Task Force Prepares to Issue Recommendations
A movable feast through Old Town, Del Ray and Carlyle?
This spring, advocates for food trucks will engage in a battle with brick-and-mortar restaurants.
Money on the Shelves: Jurisdictions Take Variety of Approaches to Funding Libraries
Some have recovered from the recession, others are still struggling.
What is the future of the neighborhood library?
Letter to the Editor: Still an Idea Worth Pursuing
To the Editor: On Feb. 6, my letter in the Gazette made the suggestion that the county and state should recycle all of the sand we find in our street gutters that was spread to improve traction for vehicles during snowy weather. My letter apparently struck a nerve with my down-the-street neighbor Paul Siegel who replied in last week's Gazette. Mr. Siegel sarcastically characterized my suggestion as the "independent invention of recommended Action C1-2 in Chapter IV of the Little Hunting Creek Watershed Management Plan of 2004" that was adopted by the Board of Supervisors in 2005. He conceded that, 9 years later, recommended Action C1-2 has not been acted upon.
Obituary: Richard Alan DeMello
On Feb. 11, 2014, Richard died at Georgetown Hospital in Washington, D.C. He was a loving husband for 42 years of Sharon (Henault) DeMello; loving father of Shawna Dillon (James Dillon); cherished member of the Henault family; a friend to so many. Richard is survived by a brother, Leon and a sister, Karen DeMello. Richard was an electronics engineer in communications for the Department of Defense, Navy.
Winter Fun
Families, children, and teens took full advantage of the snow. Some took this time to build snow men in front of their homes. While others engaged in the other activities. A local mother and son chose to go sledding together.
Winter Landscapes
White Oaks Park in Alexandria offered quiet reflection after the snowstorm hit the area last week. Fallen leaves float in the ice-covered water. White Oaks Park is in the wooded area of Alexandria on Devonshire Road.
T.C. Williams Gymnastics Ends Season at Regionals
Cathey wins vault title, advances to states on bars.
One member of the T.C. Williams gymnastics team, Holland Cathey, advanced to states.
Robinson Wrestling Wins Third Region Title in Four Years
Rams send nine to finals, win seven individual titles.
Robinson has won two of the last three state championships.
Snow in Arlington
There has been some very unexpected weather in Arlington, Virginia. The has been extreme cold, wind, and lastly snow. Many Virginians have come to find their local public schools operating on two hour delays or completely closed. Commuting to and from work has been very difficult.
‘To Be Graceful and Fast’
Westfield High freshman Nicole Bachman isn’t an Olympian, but she is an accomplished ice skater. And on Feb. 27, she and Team Ashburn will compete in the Synchronized Skating National Competition in Colorado Springs. A resident of Centreville’s Virginia Run community, Bachman’s among five girls from Fairfax County on the 15-member team. They skate at the Intermediate Level — the U.S. Figure Skating Assciation’s most competitive level. And this is the first time an Intermediate team from the Washington Metropolitan area has made Nationals.
Eleven Candidate In Epic Democratic Primary to Replace Moran
Successful candidate could emerge with 10,000 votes.
The Democratic primary is shaping up to be the most competitive election in recent memory, one with an unprecedented number of candidates.
Just Chillin’ in the Snow
Two snowstorms, Feb. 12-13, brought 14 inches of snow initially, plus 4 more inches later, to the local area, bringing dogs and people out to play.
Women of Faith Discuss Peace
Concerned about unrest in the world and wanting to do something about it, the Women’s Auxiliary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community hosted an interfaith event. Held Feb. 8 at the Mubarak Mosque in Chantilly, it gave women from different walks of life the chance to discuss their perspectives on peace. The event was called “World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace.” And during its course, the women presented their ideas on: * How to save the world from destruction, * How to create true peace and harmony in the world, and * What’s the role of religion in promoting justice, freedom, human rights and peace?
Man Charged with Setting Home Fire
A Centreville man has been charged with arson in connection with a fire at the home where he was a renter. He is Giancarlo Deleon, 25, and the fire was at a single-family home on Scotch Run Court. Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units responded there last Thursday, Feb. 13, around 12:30 a.m. And despite heavy snow and dangerous driving conditions, firefighters arrived at the scene quickly. They encountered flames coming from the basement of the three-story house and spreading to a neighboring home.
The Old Town Parade
Many came to enjoy the Old Town parade. The animal welfare league marched in the parade with adopted pets. Boys Scouts and their leaders proudly marched in the parade. Families, residents, and visitors from Virginia and surrounding areas all gathered for the event.
Letter to the Editor: A Hobbled Democracy
To the Editor: I am troubled. I can't fathom whether our council members are aloof by design or by nature. Whatever the reason, apart from Silberberg, their collective disdain for the residents they purportedly represent strikes me as arrogance pure and simple. But they are not beyond detecting community discontent. To placate it, an enormous amount of city staff time and more of our money was used to concoct a manual explaining how we the citizenry can interact with them. What chutzpah.
Hayfield’s Overstreet Wins Region Title on Bars
Sophomore suffered concussion in January.
Hayfield sophomore Molly Overstreet will compete at the state gymnastics meet.
Letter to the Editor: Making Small Progress
To the Editor: Olin Studio’s third presentation of proposed waterfront landscaping was a community engagement session that showed some small progress in meaningfully engaging the residents of Old Town — those most affected by these changes. It gave small groups of people time to talk together about the two design options, with all tables sharing their opinions in our usual neighborly way.
Letter to the Editor: So Much To Celebrate
To the Editor: On Thursday evening, Virginia’s anti-gay-marriage laws were ruled unconstitutional. On Friday the world celebrated the holiday of love, Valentine’s Day. In two days, on Sunday, I will celebrate the 41st anniversary of the day I met the love of my life. We have been in a same-sex marriage for more than 40 years, although our church at the time had to call it a “Holy Union” to avoid running afoul of the laws of Georgia.