Obituary
John Jacob Krafft
Born in New York on Oct. 18, 1916, John Jacob Krafft moved with his family to the city of Alexandria at the age of 5. He was one of seven children of Jacob Martin and Augusta (Hiertrierter) Krafft. He grew up in Alexandria on the west corner of Cedar and King Streets across from the Masonic Temple. One of his favorite childhood memories was climbing on the scaffolding as the Temple was being constructed. He attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Alexandria and for high school he graduated from McKinley Technical School in Washington, D.C. In order to get to school, he walked to the streetcar in Old Town that took him to the bus in D.C. After graduating from high school in 1934, he attended George Washington University and studied mechanical engineering.
Fun Ways To Keep Learning in Summer
As summer vacation begins in a few weeks, some parents are scrambling for activities to fill the days for their children. Often that means summer vacations and trips to the pool or the park. Education experts say even in the midst of summer fun, it is important to ensure that children don’t lose the skills they’ve learned during the academic year. However, they say relaxing and having fun are equally important, and suggest a myriad of stealthy tricks that parents can employ for laid-back learning all summer long.
Flourishing After 55
Activities for those 55 and up.
Failing To Help J-H Students
To the Editor: West Old Town Citizens Association members were honored to have District A School Board members Bill Campbell, Karen Graf and Stephanie Kapsis attend a special meeting earlier this month to discuss Jefferson-Houston School’s academic dilemma. They were joined by Justin Keating, the District B Board member who serves as the School Board’s liaison to our PK-8 school. We appreciate their shared commitment of time.
Board Attitude Found Rude
To the Editor: On May 15, Amy Smith, a resident of the Nethergate community, located at the intersection of Bashford and Abingdon Roads, attended a meeting of the Board of Architecture Review (BAR) in order to petition the Board for a Certificate of Appropriateness, allowing her to retain the new windows she had installed which in part were made of vinyl. I attended this meeting and was stunned by the rudeness of this board.
A Soldier’s Story
Burke man honored for heroism in disrupting pivotal “Easter Offensive.”
In November, 1971, Captain Denis Gulakowski began what he thought would be a relatively “safe” tour of duty in Vietnam. The Cold War military conflict had escalated steadily since 1955, and reached a high of 500,000 troops in 1967. By late 1971, the number of American troops in-country had been greatly reduced as President Richard Nixon implemented his “Vietnamization” program to extract the United States from the war.
Parking Needs To Be Addressed
To the Editor: I would like to point out with the new Jefferson-Houston School project how horrible parking is in the city. At the groundbreaking ceremony there were many city and school officials there and some residents plus others. The school parking lot currently has 124 parking spaces. There was not enough parking space for those who attended the affair. People were actually parking on top of the basketball court. They were also parking in the streets where residents normally park, but because of this event residents could not park near their homes. This is just one more event that the city holds that does not accommodate people using and needing parking for.
Being a Warrior, Now and Then
Q&A with Lt. Col. Gulakowski: Reflections on Vietnam legacy.
Lt. Col. Denis Gulakowski of Burke is a retired Army officer who served more than 25 years. From November 1971 until November 1972, he did a tour of duty in Vietnam. While in Vietnam, he participated in several battles, one of which disrupted the North Vietnamese attempt to overrun areas of South Vietnam during the Easter Offensive (Nguyen Hue Campaign) of 1972.
Support Police Youth Camp
To the Editor: For over 60 years, the officers of the Alexandria Police Department have worked tirelessly to reach the children in the city by creating and maintaining the Alexandria Police Youth Camp (APYC). The APYC is a non-profit organization consisting of Alexandria Police Officers, who are committed to making sure that each child has an opportunity to build character, learn team work, and develop self-confidence.
Robinson Student Receives Scholarship
Maritza Villarroel honored by Hispanic Leadership Alliance.
Just 18, Robinson Secondary senior Maritza Villarroel plans to go to college and someday become a nurse. And thanks to a scholarship from the Hispanic Leadership Alliance (HLA), she’ll soon start her journey.
Summer Fun in Alexandria
Summertime and the livin' is easy in Alexandria, where the calendar from Memorial Day to Labor Day is filled with holidays and events that celebrate our city and culture — both American and for the traditions of some of the many ethnic communities that make up the colorful and diverse fabric of the city.
Letter to the Editor: What Would Jesus Do?
As a Catholic, I am offended and deeply disappointed in the leader of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington County, Bishop Paul Loverde’s statement that the Boy Scouts of America's vote would force the diocese to reconsider sponsoring troops in about 50 of its parishes.
‘Signs of the Tines’
Arlington astrologist and businesswoman pens astrological cookbook
Most people look to astrology when seeking a perfect romantic mate not the perfect meal. However, Arlington astrologer and businesswoman Joan Porte explores the connection between food and astrology in her 295-page cookbook called “Sign of the Tines: The Ultimate Astrological Cookbook.”
Rosslyn Brings Summer Fun with Outdoor Film Festival
Movies follow “summer school” theme.
Throughout the summer the Rosslyn Business Improvement District (BID) will be showing a free movie every Friday night at dusk for its annual outdoor film festival.
Bulletin Board
Information on events going on in Potomac.
Potomac School Notes
School notes on Potomac natives.
Don’t Be Among the Missing
Last time Virginia elected a governor, 1.7 million voters failed to vote after voting the previous year.
In 2008, 74.5 percent of Virginia’s registered voters turned out to vote in the presidential election. In 2009, the last time Virginians elected a governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and members of the House of Delegates, just 40.4 percent of registered voters came out to vote. That is to say that 1.7 million voters went missing in the Commonwealth.
Memorial Day Preparation at Alexandria National Cemetery
Preparations
Navy Commander Joe Cubba presented VFW Commander Bob Jones with a new flag to fly over the Alexandria National Cemetery on Saturday morning,
'Fair Winds and Following Seas'
Old Dominion Boat Club holds 133rd flag raising.
Dreary skies and weekend rains cleared as members, dignitaries and guests of the Old Dominion Boat Club gathered at the foot of King Street May 19 for the 133rd annual flag raising ceremony. “These flags symbolize the unity between the city, the state, the United States and the Old Dominion Boat Club,” said Mayor Bill Euille prior to the yearly tradition of hoisting new flags to kick off the official start of a safe boating season. “This ceremony is a tradition that has been passed down for 133 years to the young people of our community.”
Unconventional Camp Ideas
Suggestions for parents still searching for summer activities
Lauralie Kennedy has been knee-deep in frantic online searches. School ends next month and the Alexandria mother has yet to enroll her 6-year-old son and 8-year-old daughter in summer camp. “I just haven’t put together a plan yet,” she said. “I have a spread sheet with all of the things I’d like for them to do, but I haven’t done anything with it. I am hoping that there will be slots open somewhere.”