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Jeanne Theismann

Stories by Jeanne

Obituary: Ray Cobean

Longtime ODBC, ASC member dies at 90

Ray Bell Cobean, a longtime member of the Old Dominion Boat Club and the Alexandria Sportsman’s Club, died Dec. 18, 2020, at the age of 90.

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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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To the Rescue in Alexandria

Firefighters and Friends hold West End toy drive, distribute toys to children in need

Firefighters and Friends to the Rescue continued its annual toy drive with a scaled-down distribution day Dec. 19 at My Father’s House Christian Church International.

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Delivering Smiles in Alexandria

Red Hill Garden Club delivers 200 arrangements to Meals On Wheels

Members of the Red Hill Garden Club delivered 200 handcrafted floral arrangements to Senior Services of Alexandria Dec. 17 to be included with meals for the city’s Meals On Wheels recipients during the holidays.

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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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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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‘Love Is All You Need’ in Alexandria

Mural celebrates KSMET businesses

Long before the trendy boutiques and celebrity chef restaurants came to town, upper King Street was lined with used car dealers and empty storefronts and considered by many a sketchy part of the city.

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Holiday Art Walk Kicks Off in Old Town Alexandria

Lamp posts adorned with work from local artists

From the river to the rails, King Street is adorned in its holiday best as lamp posts have been brought to life with a display of art work as part of the first Old Town Holiday Lamp Post Art Walk.

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For Whom the Bell Tolls in Alexandria

Red Kettle Campaign runs through Dec. 24

The familiar sound of holiday bells can be heard across the region as the Salvation Army continues its annual Red Kettle Campaign with new safety measures in place amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

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GenOn Site in Alexandria Sold

North Old Town site slated for mixed use development

The Potomac River Generating Station, a shuttered coal-fired power plant in North Old Town, has been sold to Hilco Redevelopment Partners and is slated for redevelopment in a move that city officials hope will provide housing, jobs and improved public space along the Potomac River.

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‘A Hard Year for Fundraising’ in Alexandria

Board of Lady Managers raises $30k for Inova Alexandria

The runway was dark this year as the Board of Lady Managers, known for its annual Fashion Show, Luncheon and Silent Auction, instead held what it billed as a “non-event,” raising $30,000 as part of an ongoing financial pledge to Inova Alexandria Hospital.

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Head of the Class in Alexandria

School board votes to change names of T.C., Maury schools

Following months of heated debate, the Alexandria School Board voted Nov. 23 to rename two city schools, including T.C. Williams High School of “Remember the Titans” film fame.

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Thanking Those Who Serve in Alexandria

SSA holds drive-through volunteer appreciation event

The warm temperatures and sunny skies of an Indian Summer day provided the perfect backdrop for Senior Services of Alexandria to hold its annual Meals on Wheels volunteer appreciation luncheon as an outdoor drive-through event Nov. 6 at the First Baptist Church of Alexandria.

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Remembering Harry Covert

Noted journalist, relief worker, dies at 80

Harry Covert was a proud, born and bred Virginian.

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Hometown Heroes

Veterans Day ceremony honors veterans, Gold Star families

It was the war to end all wars.

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Alexandria Shop Small Week Nov. 27-Dec. 6

Holiday promotion supports local businesses.

Small Business Saturday, a movement that began 10 years ago in an effort to drive holiday shoppers to small businesses on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, has expanded into the first Alexandria Shop Small Week.

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‘Honoring Those Who Have Served’

Commonwealth Academy honors veterans

Students at Commonwealth Academy paid tribute to veterans Nov. 11 by placing American flags outside the school in Del Ray.

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100 Miles for Hope

American Legion marks Veterans Day, celebrates virtual challenge

Members of American Legion Post 24 gathered Nov. 11 to mark Veterans Day and celebrate the completion of the 100 Miles for Hope challenge, a virtual 100-mile walk/run/ride that began Aug. 3 and ran through Veterans Day.

Giving Thanks in Alexandria

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Thanksgiving will look different this year from years past.

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Alexandria Turkey Trot Goes Virtual

Race continues to support ALIVE!

The 45th annual Alexandria Turkey Trot, a Thanksgiving Day tradition that draws more than 6,000 runners to the streets of Del Ray, is moving to a virtual format for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Operation Warm in Alexandria

Winter coats donated to families in need

More than 700 new coats and thousands of books were given to Alexandria children and families in need as part of the Firefighters and Friends to the Rescue annual coat drive.

‘We’ve Got to Unite This Country’

John Warner recalls WWII service, political career

Former U.S. Senator John Warner, a veteran of World War II and the Korean War, was the featured speaker at the Nov. 10 meeting of the Alexandria Rotary Club.

A Salute to Veterans in Alexandria

For more than 100 years, America has been honoring its veterans on November 11, marking the date in 1918 when the Armistice with Germany went into effect as the sound of artillery went silent along the Western Front in France.

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Coats for Kids in Mount Vernon

Firefighters and Friends give away 3,000 new coats

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Chief John Butler joined volunteers at Penn Daw Fire Station 11 Oct. 29 to organize and distribute thousands of new winter coats for children in need as part of the Firefighters and Friends to the Rescue annual coat drive.

Taste For Giving Set for Nov. 14

Fundraiser goes virtual to support local nonprofits

The Rotary Club of Alexandria’s Taste For Giving, an annual fundraiser that supports dozens of local charities providing crucial services throughout the city, will be held virtually this year due to COVID-19 restrictions on large social gatherings.

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Happy Halloween in Alexandria

A rare Blue Moon illuminated Halloween 2020, a quieter affair than in pre-pandemic days that saw families and neighbors mark the holiday with socially distanced gatherings.

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Paving the Way in Alexandria

Memorial Walkway celebrates legacy of Parker-Gray School.

The 100th anniversary of the founding of Parker-Gray School, for decades the lone place of education for Alexandria’s African American community, was celebrated Oct. 24 with the dedication of a brick Memorial Walkway on the grounds of its original site at the Charles Houston Recreation Center.

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Witchful Thinking in Alexandria

Ghouls still want some fun on Halloween.

Halloween will look different this year, with COVID-19 safety a priority as children and adults look for alternative ways to celebrate the ghoulish holiday.

Officer Shot, Suspect Dead in Old Town Alexandria Shooting

Second suspect in State Police custody

North Old Town was on lockdown for several hours Oct. 26 following a double shooting that left an Alexandria police officer wounded and a suspect fatally injured on the 600 block of First Street near the Old Town Holiday Inn.

Obituary: Dr. Nancy Durant Edmonds

Daughter of Dr. Oswald Durant dies at 92

Dr. Nancy Durant Edmonds, daughter of noted Alexandria doctor Oswald Durant, died unexpectedly at her home in Plainfield, N.J. at the age of 92.

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Oktoberfest Goes Virtual in Alexandria

SSA holds 9th annual fundraiser

Senior Services of Alexandria went virtual as it held its 9th annual Oktoberfest on Oct. 15 with supporters across the city hosting small in-home gatherings in support of SSA programs.

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Spooky Science in Alexandria

Mad Science Expo inspires STEAM learning

With social distancing measures in place, hundreds of future astronauts, scientists, mathematicians and engineers turned out Oct. 17 at The Watergate at Landmark for the fourth annual Spooky Mad Science Expo, an event to combine Halloween and science learning projects.

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Aw Shucks: Fish Market Takes Oyster Shucking Title in Alexandria

The competition was fierce, but in the end it was Gerson Baten of the Fish Market who took top honors at the first annual Oyster Week Oyster Shucking contest Oct. 17 at the City Marina. “I don’t have any secret,” said Baten, who has been shucking oysters for 8 years. “I just like shucking oysters fast.” Sponsored by the Old Town Business Association, the contest was the culmination of Oyster Week, which ran Oct. 12-17, with restaurants featuring oyster specials. Due to COVID, the planned Oyster Festival was downgraded to an Oyster Week. Representatives from local restaurants were judged on shucking speed as well as the quality of presentation. The event was sponsored by Guinness Beer and held behind Torpedo Factory Art Center.

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Obituary: Joe Shumard

“Mr. Parade,” volunteer organizer dies at 67

No name is more synonymous with Alexandria’s signature events than Joe Shumard.

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Obituary: Bernard ‘Bernie’ Cohen

Trailblazing attorney dies at 86

In 1963, Bernie Cohen was barely out of law school, practicing on King Street in Alexandria and doing pro bono work for the American Civil Liberties Union.

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Evelyn deLottinville, Local Business Leader, Dies at 64

Evelyn deLottinville, vice president and branch manager at the Duke Street branch of United Bank, died Sept. 28 after a brief battle with leukemia.

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Best in Business in Alexandria

INOVA Alexandria tops 2020 honorees

Campagna Center president and CEO Tammy Mann was honored by the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce as the Business Leader of the Year at the Oct. 1, 2020 Best in Business Awards.

40 Under 40 in Alexandria

Chamber to honor young leaders Oct. 29

The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce will pay tribute to the city’s young business and community leaders Oct. 29 at the fifth annual 40 Under 40 awards ceremony.

Mary Moran Dies at 65

Mary Moran, a longtime Alexandria resident who relocated in recent years to Leonardtown, Md., died Oct. 1 following a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.

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The Great Pumpkin Patch in Alexandria

Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill hosts 27th annual charity fundraiser

The corner of Seminary Road and Quaker Lane is once again ablaze in a sea of orange as Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill hosts its 27th annual Pumpkin Patch fundraiser for charity.

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Residents Protest Fairfax County Gun Ban

Open carry hike held in wake of new gun ordinance

A group of Fairfax County residents gathered Sept. 19 at the Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve for what was billed as an open carry hike along the Mount Vernon Trail in protest of the recent Board of Supervisors vote to ban guns on public property.

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Warner, Restaurateurs Meet in Alexandria

Questions abound on stalled pending relief

Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) met with area restaurateurs Oct. 5 for a discussion on how Congress can support the industry and its workforce during the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Getting Out, Giving Back in Alexandria

Opportunities abound to help community

As Alexandrians continue facing challenging times during the pandemic, individuals have rallied in their spirit of giving, whether it be in time, talents or resources with no shortage of opportunities to get involved.

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Getting Down to Business in Alexandria

Guide to navigating the ABCs of Alexandria, for newcomers and the rest of us

With Alexandrians living in the shadow of the nation’s capital, acronyms such as DoD, NSA and DHS are a part of the daily vernacular.

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There’s No Place Like Home in Alexandria

City adapts in changing times

Alexandria has for centuries been known primarily as the hometown of George Washington, attracting history aficionados from across the globe to its cobblestone streets and lively waterfront.

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‘Too Blessed to be Stressed’ in Alexandria

Walk-by parade held for Jim Henson.

Family and friends gathered for a socially distanced walk-by parade Sept. 27 to honor Jim Henson, who was recently diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer.

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‘Notorious RBG’

Vigil held to honor Justice Ginsburg

Generations of Alexandrians turned out Sept. 24 to participate in a candlelight vigil and walk in memory of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died Sept. 18 after a battle with cancer.