Civic Association President Kathy Burns reminds you that this year’s Mile-Long Yard Sale is set for Saturday, Sept. 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is held rain or shine along the length of Taney Avenue. There are no "early bird" sales. Space is available on the grounds of Patrick Henry School if your neighbors on Taney are booked.
The fee for the sale is $5 for Civic Association members, $10 for non-members (including non-profit organizations) and $25 for commercial ventures, including food vendors. Proceeds from the event fund a Community Grant Award (last year’s recipient was the Burke Library.) For more information, or if you can help with publicity and money collection, call Desiree Jessimy at 703-461-0115. Desiree can also help match up sellers with Taney Avenue driveway owners.
Kathy also reminds anyone interested that the Civic Association will be putting together its slate of officers soon. No TV spots necessary for this election, folks! No debates! This year’s election for the one-year terms will be held on Oct. 23 at the Beatley Branch Library from 7 to 8:45 p.m. To nominate yourself or someone else, call Elizabeth Atkinson at 703-370-1866 or Suzanne Johnson at 703-823-7643. Nominees are encouraged to submit brief biographies for inclusion in the September newsletter (the deadline is Aug. 17). Nominations from the floor are always accepted. Following the election, the Association will hear from Susan Cumbey, director of the Fort Ward Park Museum.
Did you know that West End Alexandria has a farmers' market? The market, a pilot program sponsored by the City’s Recreation Department, will be held every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Ben Brenman Park, behind Cameron Station, located at the end of Somervelle Dr. This market will continue every Sunday until the end of October. The market already includes produce, fruit, cheese, yogurt, jellies, and baked goods. As it grows, the market will include meats, eggs, herbs, flowers, and much more.
Sometimes a soccer mom is more than a "soccer mom." Marie Zack, mother of 5, is a proud member of the Virginia Majestics, a local women’s soccer team. The team, as you may recall, took the Veteran’s Cup last year. This year, Marie and the Majestics traveled to Bellingham, Wash. and played teams from Washington, California, Oregon and Texas. They were victorious twice, tied once and lost in the semi-finals to California, who they met in the finals last year.
Last but certainly not least, congratulations are in order for Kathy Taylor, of Pickett Street, who was just named Principal of William Ramsay Elementary School. Kathy, a California transplant, started out as a substitute teacher and got hooked on special education. She moved to Virginia and started out with Fairfax County, but found that school system a bit large and impersonal. Luckily, she landed in Alexandria, at Minnie Howard and spent nine years in an administration position at Hammond Middle School. Kathy told me she is excited and honored to be Ramsay’s new principal and that she has nothing but praise for the hard work of the school’s staff, parents and students. Her vision is for all students to be excited about learning and to want to come to school every day.
— Mia Jones