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Appreciates BZA Decision

To the Editor: Excellent reporting as usual by Michael Lee Pope in April 18 edition of Alexandria Gazette. We agree with the decision by Alexandria BZA that the City Planning Department ignored the plain language of its own zoning code and used creative interpretations "as a ruse to avoid public participation."

Potomac Calendar April 26

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.

The Tavern at River Falls Opens in Potomac Village

The long-awaited Tavern at River Falls is already a hit in Potomac. Finally opened after more than two years of work and determination by owner Jeff Grolig, the tavern offers a large U-shaped bar area, original photographic artwork and a menu that features tasty food created with the freshest of ingredients.

Chastain Promotes ‘The First Tee’

Luncheon raises funds, awareness for youth golf program.

“You can change a child’s life by being involved in The First Tee,” Brandi Chastain, celebrated World Cup soccer star, Olympian, author and coach told an audience of more than 200 golfers and The First Tee supporters who attended the 2nd annual golf outing and luncheon held at TPC Avenel on April 18.

Lancers Girls Lacrosse Readying for Districts

Lee, behind good senior leadership, competing hard in Patriot.

The Lee Lancers girls' lacrosse team is having a good season thus far. The team started out the spring with four straight wins during its non-district schedule. Over the past few weeks, the wins are not coming for Lee, which competes in the ultra tough Patriot District, but the team continues to play hard and, for the most part, good lacrosse.

Broadway to Wootton

ArtSpeak — a program to bring professional actors and actresses to high schools — is featuring two Broadway stars in a free event at Wootton High School. The program will highlight the talents of actress Christiane Noll and actor Brad Oscar. The performance will take place at 7 p.m. on May 3, in the Thomas S. Wootton High School auditorium.

When No Hydrant Is at Hand

Firefighters make use of alternative water sources.

While more summer-like temperatures over the weekend might have obscured the memory, last Friday, April 13, was a chilly day, in the 50s, with a significant breeze. So it was clear that firefighters in front of Cabin John Volunteer Fire Department Station 30 on Falls Road were not filling a pool to cool off.

Arlington's Mystery Tunnel

The forgotten 100 feet.

Everyone knows that Lee Highway in Arlington is Route 29. They also know that Old Dominion Drive is Route 309. That is correct, except for two-thirds of a mile from Quincy to Wakefield Streets.

Canstruction Returns

On display through April 28 are eight canstructions, made of canned and/or packaged foods, built by local architectural teams. This

‘A Delicious Bite of Knowledge’

More than 2,750 cupcakes made up the H-B Woodlawn eighth graders’ map of the world.

Labeling Energy Performance of Public Buildings

Buildings in Arlington are about to become green with envy. A new county program is now installing energy performance labels in the lobby of government buildings, and Arlington officials say they want to expand the program to private buildings. The pilot would be voluntary, potentially attracting companies that want to draw attention to buildings designed for efficiency. In the long run, though, the idea is that people would take a different approach to what kind of information is available to the public.

Orange Line Connection April 25

Saturday Nights at 11:01 11:01 Saturday Nights. Starts at 11:01 p.m. Late-night dance party. Tickets are $15/$12 students. At the Ballroom at Artisphere, 1101 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. Call 703-228-1850.

Arlington Calendar for April 25

Know of something missing from our community entertainment Calendar? Send it to The Arlington Connection, e-mail it to arlington@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is 2 p.m. the Thursday before publication. Call Steve Hibbard at 703-778-9412 with any questions. Photos are welcome.

'God of Carnage' at Signature Theatre

It begins innocently enough: Two New York couples oozing affected politeness meet to discuss a playground scuffle between their sons. Painstakingly attentive to social niceties, they hope to talk things over in a calm, mature and rational way.

And Then there Was One

'Someone Who'll Watch Over Me' opens at Port City Playhouse.

It's been more than a quarter of a century since Irishman Brian Keenan, Englishman John McCarthy and American Terry Anderson were taken hostage in Beirut and held in a series of desolate cells throughout the city. Keenan was released after more than four years in captivity and went on to pen “An Evil Cradling,” a chilling account of his experience.

Local PUT Fund-raisers

On Thursday, April 26, Glory Days Grill — at 13850 Braddock Road in the Old Centreville Crossing Shopping Center — will host a Bartenders Night from 6-9 p.m.

Growing Up in a Virtual World

The effects of today’s technologies on the lives of teenagers.

Until recently, we didn’t know that the average teenage girl sends or receives a staggering 4,050 text messages per month. That boils down to at least one message every seven minutes during her waking hours. This is a problem, said Dr. Leonard Sax, well-known author and psychologist, not just because of the amount of time spent, but because this and other research findings show that today’s teenage girl is hyper-connected to her peers; and she is more disconnected than ever from herself.

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