Letter: Working with Citizens
To the Editor: I appreciate the effort the Gazette has made to differentiate the four different slates that political action committees including Alexandrians for a Livable City support. You are doing the work that a local newspaper should do, educating the voters so that they may make informed decisions. I would appreciate your in-a-box list of how the candidates including incumbents stand on the disgraceful Beauregard Corridor Plan even more if you had put every incumbent in his correct box.
Letter: Mistaken Presumption?
To the Editor: As someone who has raised millions of charitable dollars, whose nonprofit management text The New York Times described as “one of the better,” I thank Rod Kuckro for his contribution to the Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club. He guessed wrong and payment is due.
Hershey’s Track & Field Meet
Hundreds of city children competed in the annual Hershey's Track and Field Program on Saturday, May 19 in the Parker Gray Stadium at T.C. Williams High School. The meet featured the 50, 100, 200, and 400-meter dash; 800 and 1600 meter run, 4 x 100 relay, softball throw and standing long jump. Winners can advance through District, Regional, State and National Competitions.
ALIVE! House Holds Sidewalk Sale
Volunteers arrived early at the ALIVE! House on South Payne Street on Saturday, May 19 to set up for the annual sidewalk sale.
At the Instrument Petting Zoo
The door of T.C. Williams High School opened Sunday, May 20 for the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra’s annual Children’s Arts Festival, Cosmic Quest. The Blackbox Theatre was transformed into an instrument petting zoo. The cafeteria offered art stations, reading centers, yoga and hand bell demonstrations. Two concerts were performed by members of ASO and featured selections from Holst’s Planets symphony. For more information about upcoming events visit www.alexsym.org or call 703-548-0885.
Gathering Highlights Waterfront
Annual Founders Park Community Association meeting attracts crowd.
Residents and concerned citizens gathered May 20 for the annual Founders Park Community association meeting to discuss issues affecting the park and the future of the Alexandria waterfront.
5k Race Raises Money for Field
Field to use rubberized turf safe for people with special needs.
The Kelley Cares Foundation hosted a 5k race May 19 to raise funds for a Miracle Field at the Nannie J. Lee Memorial Recreation Center.
Commentary: Making Progress: Transforming T.C. Williams High School
One thing that we all have agreed upon as a community, especially over the past few years, is that the success of T.C. Williams High School is a priority for our students and the City of Alexandria.
Commentary: A Day To Remember, Celebrate U.S. Heroes
When you walk down the ramp to enter Alexandria's American Legion Post 24 (at the base of the pole flying the American flag), a brass plaque to your left reads: “For God and Country. Erected to the memory of the Soldiers, Sailors and Marines from Alexandria, Virginia who gave their lives during the World War.” The names of the dead are listed.
Commentary: Continuing the Conversation
For the second year in a row, Alexandria is holding an unusual exhibit of art. Its purpose is both a celebration of creativity and the artist's own special vision, and an opening gambit to begin the conversation on what mental health is, what it means to have a mental illness and how those with intellectual and developmental disabilities see and deal with the world around them.
City Fire Department Celebrates EMS Week
May 20 to 26 is Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Week in Alexandria, emphasizing Learning Instructions For Emergencies or L.I.F.E.
Alexandria to Exceed Debt Limits
Officials say city is in no danger of losing credit rating.
Alexandria is on the verge of exceeding its own debt limit, and the city’s budget-advisory committee is warning that any additional borrowing could jeopardize the city’s credit rating.
Changes Coming to Penn-Daw
ow that comprehensive plan has been amended, development application is imminent.
Now that the county’s comprehensive plan has been changed to allow for higher density at the Penn-Daw Shopping Plaza, Lee District Supervisor Jeff McKay says he expects Combined Properties to file an application for redevelopment any day.
‘Reel Tributes’ Preserves Family Histories
Founder David Adelman believes that “Memories Matter.”
Most of us would like to leave a legacy of the history of our family — and of our personal lives for our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren — and into perpetuity. However, many never record their personal histories, let alone that of their families. The research, interviews, writing and organization are just too overwhelming, confusing and time-consuming. But now, a company called “Reel Tributes” will help with the planning and implementation — and will make certain the project is completed in a professional manner with a meaningful result — a video documenting the history, genealogy and special memories of a family or a family business.
Washington Folk Festival Is June 2-3
The 32nd Annual Washington Folk Festival will be held on June 2-3 at Glen Echo Park in Glen Echo. From noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, the festival will showcase more than 450 of the finest traditional American and international musicians, storytellers, dancers, and crafters who make their home in the greater Washington area. The festival is free to the public and held rain or shine.
Potomac Calendar May 23
To have community events listed free in The Potomac Almanac, send e-mail to almanac@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Thursday at noon for the following week’s paper. Photos and artwork encouraged. Call 703-778-9412.
Private Gardens of Bethesda on June 2
Garden Tour. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit some of the most fabulous private gardens in the Bethesda and Chevy Chase area at the height of the gardening season. Join Brookside Gardens for its second annual private garden tour for your only opportunity to visit several extraordinary, designer showcase properties — guaranteed to provide inspiration to the most avid gardeners and designers as well as garden hobbyists. Pre-register through www.ParkPASS.org. Visit one garden for $5, course # 202399, three for $15, course #202400 or all eight of the gardens for $20, course # 202401 on this exclusive tour, including one designed by Oehme van Sweden & Associates. Visit www.brooksidegardens.org or call 301-962-1402. Check-in location is McCrillis Gardens, 6910 Greentree Road, Bethesda.
Muslim Foundation Picnic Honors Volunteers
Organization receives “Exceptional Partner Award.”
More than 350 people gathered at Black Hill Regional Park to honor Montgomery County Muslim Foundation volunteers and to celebrate their “2012 Exceptional Partner Award,” presented by Giant Foods and Manna. County Executive Isaiah Leggett, County Councilmember George Leventhal, County Councilmember Nancy Floreen, Councilmember Phil Andrews and Kevin Gillogly, with U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin’s office, each praised the MCMF for their work and the difference the non-profit organization is making throughout Montgomery County.
Caregivers for Wounded Warriors Honored
“This country cares about you. We take pride in you and support you. You each have an inner strength which carries you through difficult times.” These words spoken by keynote speaker Annie McChrystal, wife of U.S. Army General (Ret) Stanley McChrystal, describe the emotion in the air at the second luncheon to honor caregivers of our injured servicemen and women.
Miriam Ostria Launches Biz Sports & Leagues
Encouraging fitness for companies’ employees.
Potomac resident Miriam Ostria has a vision that will change the Washington workplace — and improve the health, fitness, weight management and wellness of residents in the D.C. environs while promoting sports. She has just recently embarked on a mission with her new company Biz Sports & Leagues, LLC: "I want organized sports activities to be incorporated into every company’s wellness program as another form of intervention and Biz Sports & Leagues to be the driver of this process."