Neighborhoods
Seminary Valley
Hammond Middle Schools 1, 2 and 3 started off the new school year with 454, 453 and 493, respectively. Polk Elementary has enrolled 642 students, and 586 students attend Patrick Henry. Remember to keep an eye out for the children as they walk to school; although some of the kids ride buses, many of our neighbors walk or ride their bikes to school, and they are often accompanied by parents and siblings.
Letter: No Place Like Home In Mt. Vernon
Most people who read about the superbug that killed six people last year at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) probably reacted with fear and horror. My reaction was anger.
Letter: Focus on Issues
Every week the Gazette invites readers to send "views on any public issue." It is more informative to read letters addressing the issues, not individuals. I hope to see more letters like that from a range of writers in our newspaper.
Letter: Historical Significance
Having eliminated the two other Alexandria signs, the state of Maryland now directs us to "National" Harbor instead, not a geographic location but a commercial establishment erected by a hotel chain. How did this get on Maryland state road signs?
Letter: People’s Role In Democracy
Sept. 17 inaugurates Constitution Week; that document, adopted 225 years ago in 1787, established our federal republic and has been the model for the constitutions of many other nations. In that undertaking, Alexandrian George Washington was again the indispensable man. The conference he hosted at Mt. Vernon in 1785 set an example of how states could cooperate for their mutual benefit.
Letter: ‘Demolition By Neglect’
The Yacht Basin within Windmill Hill Park is decaying at a rapid rate. It is the second best example in this city, after the Beachcomber Restaurant, of “demolition by neglect.”
Letter: Democracy Not Debatable
Your coverage of the discussions about whether or not the two candidates running for the job as Mayor of the City of Alexandria should meet to debate is frustrating. The debate about whether to debate is not what many of the residents want to read about. We need to hear more about the vision that Andrew Macdonald and Mayor William Euille have for Alexandria.
Letter: City Police Deserves Kudos
As a criminal justice practitioner for many years and as an educator as well, I had the recent privilege and pleasure to ride along with Sgt. Nicholas Rugierro. I observed nothing but the best during the tour of duty.
Column: Trip Without a Fall
Recently, for the first time in nearly two years, I took a trip without having my car. Significant to me in that not “having my car” meant not being able to transport/have all my cancer things.
Commentary: What To Do Until Help Arrives
Teen-agers and adults take First Aid Courses at their local Red Cross or in adult education programs. Taking such a course doesn't make you a professional but it does mean you can provide emergency support until professional help arrives.
Letter: Loss of ‘Community’ On Bike Paths
Last week I took a hard fall on the bike path. At 5:45 a.m., as I entered the Mount Vernon bike path on my commute to the Pentagon, I misjudged the location of the ramp entrance and instead slammed into the curb. Though it was dark, I was equipped with proper lighting on front, back and helmet, reflective belt and eye protection to prevent and be prepared for possible mishaps. I had made this trek hundreds of times, so making the entrance should have been easy.
Letter: Tysons: A Monstrosity Of Staggering Imagination
In the history of cities and significant population centers over the millenniums, one aspect has most always held sway in determining their locations, patterns of growth and the ability of commerce and community to thrive—transportation. In its many forms, these modes of transportation include navigable rivers and waterways (the great cities of Europe come to mind), natural sea-going harbors, established land and trade routes, and, in the industrial age, the confluence or terminus of railway lines (think Atlanta).
Letter: Perfect Volunteer Group for Healthy Living
I have just read the very informative article on “Living Long, Living Healthy” by Marilyn Campbell, Connection publication Sept. 5-11, 2012. The “Advice on Healthy Living” made me realize that right here in McLean we have the perfect volunteer group to promote healthy living, The Woman’s Club of McLean.
Commentary: A Chance to Reexamine Brickyard School Site
On Aug. 12, Gov. Martin O'Malley sent a letter to County Executive Leggett and Board of Education President Shirley Brandman that begins with "I believe we are about to make a big mistake in destroying acres of productive organic farmland which could be a priceless asset to the education, health and well being of generations of Montgomery students." The letter went on to praise the vision and virtues of a Brickyard Educational Farm, already teaching school children about organic farming, looking to supply organic produce for school lunches, offering field trips and eventually a Beginning Farmer program.
Opinion: Remembering Those Lost on Sept. 11
Eleven years after terrorist attacks.
On Sept. 11, 2001, 9:37:46 a.m., American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon. The Pentagon's on-site firehouse responded immediately to the crash. Firefighters from nearby Reagan National Airport and Arlington County Fire Department arrived within minutes.