People

Protecting the Potomac

ASF program teaches community stewardship.

More than 300 students from T.C. Williams International Academy and Minnie Howard STEM Academy spent the morning of April 25 at the Alexandria Seaport Foundation participating in a hands-on program to celebrate community stewardship.

Donnie Wintermute: An Agent of Change

Her commitment to help others reaches across the community.

Donnan Chancellor Wintermute (known to most as Donnie) takes great pleasure in transforming lives, whether in her professional services as vice president of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage or in her many volunteer activities fueled by her sustained commitment to giving from the heart.

Help Control Invasive Plants

At a May 16 free workshop, the U.S. National Park Service will train volunteers in how to control invasive plants.

TC HostsTitan Expo

Pies were flying, along with rubbers chickens and baseballs, as the games got underway at the annual T.C. Williams Titan Expo...

Earth Day in Alexandria

The annual festival opened up last month in Ben Brenman Park at 10 a.m. with greetings and a showcase of Alexandria City Public Schools students displaying and performing their ideas on upcycling in the performing arts, literature and fashion.

Bowties & Belles

The Campagna Center hosted its annual Bowties & Belles soiree on Saturday afternoon, May 3, at the Belle Haven Country Club.

Column: Positive Approaches to Difficult Conversations

Senior Living

For many people, there comes a time when we need to become more involved in finding ways to address major obstacles confronted by the older members of our families.

Special-Needs Children Given Wings to Fly

Therapy and recreational center opens in Chantilly.

When Donna Shank’s son Ryan was diagnosed with autism eight yeas ago, she traveled throughout the Washington Metropolitan area to get treatment for him. “Most children with autism, and other children with special needs, require several different types of therapies, such as speech and occupational therapy and additional tutoring,” she said. “But it’s difficult to find all these services in one location. So my dream was to provide an all-in-one, integrated, therapy center.”

Face-to-Face with Arrests, Prison, Death

Parents, students learn substance-abuse dangers.

It’s one thing for people to warn others about the dangers of substance abuse. But it’s more powerful when they share personal stories of how drugs and alcohol affected their own families. And that’s what happened during the recent forum at Madison High. Called “Protecting Against the Realities of Substance Abuse,” it was put on by Parents Reaching Out To Educate Communities Together (PROTECT), a task force of the Unified Prevention Coalition of Fairfax County (UPC).

Working and Rebuilding Together

More than 600 volunteers separated into teams to rehab 38 homes in Alexandria on Saturday morning, April 26, at the First Baptist Church. Katherine Dixon, executive director of Rebuilding Together Alexandria, organized the event to help residents whose income is near the poverty rate — earning near or less than $27,000 a year.

Rooftop Worker

The students at Charles Barrett Elementary School celebrated SCA Spirit Day on Friday, April 25, at the school. The students were asked to dress in their CBES shirts or dress up in attire that reflected a future career choice.

'Spring Sweep' Set for May 2

Alexandria Crew Boosters, ODBC to host annual T.C. fundraiser.

The Alexandria Crew Boosters will host its annual fundraiser to benefit the T.C. Williams High School rowing program May 2 at the Old Dominion Boat Club.

Senior Living: ‘The 5 Senses and Aging’

We all know that as we age, so do our five senses. Knowing what to expect can help us take steps to continue to live independent and productive lives. That was the message from the April Speaker Series event co-sponsored by Senior Services of Alexandria, Inova Alexandria Hospital and Alexandria’s Successful Aging Committee. More than 100 seniors flocked to the Nannie J. Lee Center last Wednesday for a lively morning filled with valuable information and a Health and Fitness Fair. Participants tried their hand at belly dancing and tai chi, sampled delicious healthy recipes, had free blood pressure and hearing tests, and even enjoyed shoulder massages.

Mentor of the Month: Leigh Ann Smith

Leigh Ann Smith has been mentoring with Higher Achievement in Alexandria since spring of 2010. She takes the time each week to prepare a lesson for all of her scholars that will both teach them concrete skills and keep them engaged at the same time. On

Milestone for Arts Festival

The Youth Arts Festival has reached a significant milestone in the impending celebration of its 5th year in existence this June 7. The festival is a testament to the spirit of partnership and collaboration with Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority in partnership with The Alexandria Department of Recreation and Cultural Activities, the Alexandria Commission For the Arts, Alexandria City Public Schools, DASH Bus, Northern Virginia Urban League and The Campagna Center. New partners joining the festival this year are the Torpedo Factory and Joyous Events.

The Connection