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To the Rescue in Mount Vernon
Firefighters and Friends continue annual toy drive
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, in partnership with Firefighters and Friends to the Rescue, continued its annual toy drive with a scaled-down distribution day Dec. 15 at Penn Daw Fire Station 11.
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Landmark Deal in Alexandria
Hospital to relocate to site of old shopping mall in West End
In a landmark move that could have repercussions for generations to come, city leaders are striking a deal with Inova to relocate the Alexandria hospital to the site of the old mall on the West End.
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Needy Puppy Leads to a New Life
Stella Hanly begins tenure at Animal Welfare League of Alexandria just before the pandemic changes everything
Fifteen years ago, Stella Hanly worked as a software consultant for a global corporation.
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Surviving Christmas Day in Solitude
Ideas for coping with being alone on the holiday
While Christmas Day will be different and difficult for many this year, it will be especially difficult for seniors who live alone and will be in solitude because of COVID-19 risks.
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Opinion: Editorial: Merry Christmas
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
The pages of the Connection (including the Alexandria Gazette Packet, the Mount Vernon Gazette, the Potomac Almanac and the Centre View) are usually full of holiday spirit, beginning before Thanksgiving.
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There’s No Place Like Home in Fairlington
Affordable housing project breaks ground
Construction of The Waypoint of Fairlington officially kicked off Dec. 9 with a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the affordable housing development on the site of a former parking lot of Fairlington Presbyterian Church.
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Toys for Tots in Alexandria
Thousands of toys donated for local families
Alexandria Fire Chief Corey Smedley was on hand at AFD headquarters Dec. 10 to receive more than 2,000 toys collected as part of the U.S. Marine Corps’ annual Toys for Tots campaign.
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Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Leave Christmas Decorations Up
Christmas decorations around Alexandria look especially beautiful this year, with so many families at home this month.
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Candyland: Rocket Fizz Opens in Fairlington Centre
The phrase “excited as a kid in a candy store” took on new meaning as Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop opened its doors Dec. 11 among the shops in Fairlington Centre.
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‘Too Blessed to be Stressed’
Jim Henson dies of lung cancer at 84
Jim Henson was a man-about-town, known for his dapper dressing, infectious smile and engaging personality.
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‘The Miracle of Lights’
Hanukkah observed Dec. 10-18
Menorahs are lit, dreidels are spun and latkes are served as Jewish families across the city celebrate Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival that began Dec. 10 and runs through Dec. 18.
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‘The Audience Will Go on the Journey with Us’
Fairfax Ballet Company presents reimagined ‘Nutcracker’
The Fairfax Ballet Co. (FBC) presents an all-new holiday experience with its virtual performance, “Nutcracker: Dancing in the City.”
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‘We’re Better Off Because He Protected Our Country’
Fairfax City honors WWII vet with 100th-birthday parade
As the Knights of Columbus marched past his Fairfax City home last week, Marine Corps and WWII veteran Jim “Horse” Smith raised his arm and saluted.
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Lt. Laitinen Gives Sully Police Station Update
Warns residents to lock their cars to prevent thefts
At the Dec. 2 meeting of the Sully District Police Station’s Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC), Lt. Josh Laitinen, the assistant station commander, gave local residents an update on crimes in the community.
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Blacksmithing in Burke
It all started as a Boy Scout badge requirement and is now spitting out knives and swords.
Blacksmith in Burke
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Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Why Is the ‘Anglers Inn’ Parking Lot Access So Popular?
The congested parking along MacArthur Boulevard indicates the popularity of the Anglers Inn access to the C&O Canal and the Potomac River.
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Sharing MacArthur Boulevard
As more people flock to the C&O Canal National Historic Park during the pandemic, some vehicle/bicycle conflicts have had serious consequences.
Residents of the area of MacArthur Boulevard near Old Angler’s Inn have long been subject to traffic congestion, illegal parking and sharing the road with numerous bicyclists, all caused by enthusiastic visitors to the nearby C&O Canal.