Jeanne Theismann | Stories

Back to profile

Jeanne Theismann

Stories by Jeanne

Tease photo

Alexandria: ‘Visionary Veterans’ Opens at USPTO

USPTO exhibit showcases veteran inventors.

More than 16 million Americans served their country in uniform during World War II. Some fresh out of high school, they left behind the farms and factories of their cities and small towns to sacrifice for the nation.

Tease photo

Alexandria: ‘Mercy Street’

Film Festival debuts PBS series.

Actresses and producers from the Alexandria-based PBS series “Mercy Street” walked the red carpet prior to a screening of the Civil War-era drama to kick off the Alexandria Film Festival Nov. 5 at the AMC Hoffman Theaters.

Tease photo

Alexandria: Veterans McNamara, Foley to be Honored for Service

World War II veterans William McNamara and Warden Foley will be honored with the Distinguished Patriots Award at the Chamber of Commerce Salute to Veterans breakfast Nov. 12 at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate.

Tease photo

Alexandria: Chamber Business Awards 2015

Grant Thornton’s Sastry honored as Business Leader of the Year.

Srikant Sastry, National Managing principal of Advisory Services for Grant Thornton LLP, was named the 2015 Business Leader of the Year as the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce honored the best of businesses across the city Oct. 21 at the George Washington Masonic Memorial.

Alexandria: American Legion Seeks Oratorical Contestants

Deadline for submissions is Nov. 8.

Alexandria’s Post 24 of the American Legion is seeking applications for the National High School Oratorical contest.

Tease photo

Arlington: Marine Corps Marathon Celebrates 40 Years

The Few. The Proud.

It was a cold and stormy night in 2013 when Stan and Melinda Crais were told that their son Jonathan would not survive the hours following a car crash that nearly took his life.

Tease photo

Rosslyn Unveils Marine Corps Marathon Drive

Local “groundpounder” readies for 40th MCM.

It is known as “The People’s Marathon” and 40 years ago, Arlington resident Al Richmond was one of 2,655 people lining up to participate in the first Marine Corps Marathon.

Tease photo

Alexandria: Remembering the Fallen

Ivy Hill ceremony honors fire and EMS personnel.

Alexandria’s fallen firefighters and EMS personnel were remembered by members of the city’s first responder and law enforcement agencies at a memorial service and wreath laying ceremony Oct. 9 at Ivy Hill Cemetery as part of the annual National Fire Prevention Week ceremonies.

Alexandria Sportsman’s Club to Host Redskins Night

Roy Jefferson is featured speaker Oct. 20.

Famed Washington Redskins wide receiver Roy Jefferson will be the featured speaker at the Alexandria Sportsman’s Club’s annual Redskins Night Oct. 20 at the Old Dominion Boat Club.

Tease photo

Alexandria: Preparing City for National Spotlight

Visit Alexandria plans for upcoming PBS drama “Mercy Street.”

Forget Lady Mary and the Grantham’s of Downton Abbey. A new PBS drama based in Civil War Alexandria will make its premier in January and Visit Alexandria is preparing the city for its close up in the national spotlight.

Tease photo

Alexandria: Sonoma Cellar Opens in Old Town

“We are passionate about bringing Sonoma County and Virginia wine to the D.C. area."

There is something new to “wine” about in Alexandria: Rick and Elizabeth Myllenbeck welcomed customers to Sonoma Cellar, a wine tasting room and bistro in Old Town, to celebrate its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception Sept. 30.

Tease photo

Alexandria Sportsman’s Club Honors Athletes of the Month

The Alexandria Sportsman’s Club continued its decades-long tradition of opening the year with High School Coaches Night Sept. 22 as the organization presented the Athlete of the Month Awards to three high school student-athletes.

Tease photo

Alexandria Celebrates Banned Book Weeks

Athenaeum Read Out celebrates the right to read.

The Athenaeum hosted a Read Out Sept. 29 as part of Banned Books Week 2015, an annual event designed to celebrate the freedom to read.

Tease photo

Raise the Roof: RTA Hosts Fundraiser

RTA hosts annual fundraiser.

A competitive cornhole tournament helped “raise the roof” as Rebuilding Together Alexandria held its annual fundraiser Sept. 24 at Port City Brewing.

Tease photo

Recalling Life of ‘Dr. Bob’ Wineland

WW II veteran Robert Wineland dies at 91.

When 20-year-old U.S. Army Medic Robert Wineland arrived in the village of Laudersfeld, the wooded countryside of far eastern Belgium was relatively peaceful, a quiet buffer zone disrupted only by occasional artillery fire and brief skirmishes between opposing infantry patrols.

Tease photo

Alexandria: Celebrating Constitution Week

DAR, students celebrate Constitution Week.

Students from across Alexandria gathered at City Hall Sept. 21 to participate in the signing of a proclamation to kick off Constitution Week, a week designated to promote the study and appreciation of the document sometimes referred to as “America’s birth certificate.”

Tease photo

Alexandria: Giant Opens in Potomac Yard

New store replaces Monroe Avenue location, which is now closed.

The location is new but be prepared to see many familiar faces at the Potomac Yard Giant grocery store, which opened for business Sept. 4.

Tease photo

Alexandria: 'Young At Art' Senior Exhibit Celebrates 29 Years

When artist Wilda Gadzik finally got around to taking a formal art class as a resident of Goodwin House, it wasn’t her familiar paintbrush she was told to reach for. Instead, the 87-year-old was handed a pencil.

Tease photo

Alexandria: ‘Building Better Futures’

Campagna Center receives $25,000 SunTrust grant.

Dan O’Neill, president and CEO of SunTrust Greater Washington/Maryland Division, presented a check for $25,000 on behalf of the SunTrust Foundation to The Campagna Center’s Building Better Futures program for at-risk teens. “Our partnership with The Campagna Center goes back ma

Tease photo

Alexandria Newcomers & Community Guide: Connect and Contribute

Business, service and civic groups lead community engagement.

It was Martin Luther King Jr. who said “Everybody can be great because anybody can serve.”

Tease photo

Alexandria: There's No Place Like Home

Alexandria: From the waterfront to the West End.

Most visitors to Alexandria know the city as the hometown of such notables as George Washington and Robert E. Lee. With cobblestone streets and a lively waterfront, the city attracts more than three million visitors every year.

Tease photo

'The Eagles': Alexandria F.O.E. 871 Continues to Soar

The sign outside simply reads “F.O.E.” It is easy to miss when traveling along Cameron Street in the middle of Old Town. But for 110 years, members of Aerie 871 of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles have gathered here in friendship, fellowship and to reach out to those in need in the community.

Tease photo

Alexandria Obituary: Friends Remember John K. Severson

Owner of Al’s Steakhouse dies at 73.

His name wasn’t Al. But he would answer to it and even sign autographs with the name so many assumed was his. He was Johnny Severson, and for more than 50 years he was the man behind the legendary cheesesteak sandwiches at Al’s Steakhouse in Del Ray.

Mount Vernon: ‘If You Believe’

Broadway concert to benefit cancer research.

Move over Julius Erving. There’s another “Dr. J” in town: international recording artist Negleatha Johnson, who hopes to slam dunk a benefit concert Aug. 16 following her sister’s diagnosis of a rare and aggressive cancer.

Tease photo

Alexandria: Luck O’ the Irish

Thousands attend Waterfront Park festival.

Thousands of attendees descended on Waterfront Park Aug. 8 for the annual Ballyshaners Irish Festival in Alexandria.

Tease photo

Alexandria: Luck Be a Lady(burg)

Ladyburg bath and body apothecary opens in Old Town.

For Crystal and Fred Wellman, there was never any doubt that Alexandria is where they were meant to be.

Alexandria: Harold John Berman, Local Dermatologist, Dies at 87

Active in the Alexandria Medical Society.

Harold John Berman, a dermatologist who practiced in Alexandria for more than 54 years, died June 28 at Suburban Hospital of respiratory complications. He was 87.

Tease photo

Alexandria: Mourning Loss of Sydney-Chanele Dawkins

Filmmaker, arts advocate dies at 47

Sydney-Chanele Dawkins, an award-winning filmmaker, film festival producer and former chair of the Alexandria Commission for the Arts, died July 8 at her home in Alexandria of complications from breast cancer. She was 47 years old.

Tease photo

Alexandria: City Celebrates 266th Birthday

ASO, fireworks highlight festivities.

The City of Alexandria celebrated its 266th birthday July 11 as more than 15,000 people enjoyed food, music and fireworks at Oronoco Bay Park.

Tease photo

Alexandria: ‘Don’t Judge Me’ Music Video Promotes Tolerance

Kids Empowering Kids debuts music video.

Their voices were timid at first, but one by one students at William Ramsey Elementary School spoke up when asked how they have been judged by their friends and classmates.

Alexandria: Best for Vets

Alexandria tops list of cities for veterans.

The Military Times has named Alexandria as the top mid-size community for veterans in its first Best for Vets: Places to Live feature article.

Alexandria: Helping Veteran-Owned Businesses

The Bunker@DC opens at Capitol Post.

The Bunker@DC, an incubator program for early-stage, veteran-owned businesses and veteran entrepreneurs, is accepting applications through June 30 for its first cohort of companies. Operating out of the Capitol Post’s co-working office space in Old Town, The Bunker@DC will support veterans in launching and growing a business in a peer- to-peer setting.

Tease photo

Alexandria: ‘For God and Country’

American Legion installs new officers.

Vietnam veteran Jim Glassman was sworn in for his third term as commander of American Legion Post 24 in Alexandria during a June 10 ceremony to install the organization's 2015-2016 slate of officers and board members.

Tease photo

Alexandria: Hadeed Marks 60 Years

Alexandria-based company founded in Del Ray.

For Joe Hadeed, it’s the only job he has ever known.

Tease photo

Alexandria: Wood To Run for City Council

Republican cites need for new ideas.

Alexandria native and retired Lt. Gen. John R. (Bob) Wood, filed paperwork June 3 to officially declare his candidacy for a seat on City Council.

Chamber CEO Retires

Search to replace John Long begins.

The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce released a statement June 1 announcing the retirement of President and CEO John Long. Long has been with the Alexandria chamber since March of 2012 and he retires after 25 years as an executive with chambers of commerce around the country.

Tease photo

That’s Amore

Carluccio’s makes U.S. debut in Old Town.

It was love at first sight as more than 175 people turned out for the grand opening celebration of Carluccio’s, an Italian restaurant and market making its U.S. debut in Alexandria.

Tease photo

Alexandria: 2015 Memorial Day in Old Town

Memorial Day ceremonies honor the fallen.

Alexandrians gathered from across the city May 25 to honor the sacrifice of America’s fallen service members in Memorial Day ceremonies held at Alexandria National Cemetery in Old Town.

Tease photo

Business Philanthropy Summit Honors Local Leaders

Nonprofits, businesses recognized for local initiatives.

Community leaders from across the city gathered May 6 for the 17th annual Business Philanthropy Summit to honor the 2015 nonprofit and business philanthropists of the year.

Alexandria: Former AEDP Chief Joins Foundation Board

Hawkins to focus on support for veterans.

Just weeks into his retirement from serving as president and CEO of the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, Val Hawkins has joined the Military Family Initiative board of directors of the Military Officers Association of America.

Alexandria: 'Faces Never Forgotten'

Search continues for photos of Alexandria Vietnam veterans.

The name Humbert R. Versace is inscribed on Panel 01E, Row 033 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington. But in his hometown, “Rocky” Versace’s sacrifice and that of 66 other Alexandrians is memorialized in a statue on Commonwealth Avenue in Del Ray.

Tease photo

Alexandria: Artfully Chocolate is Closing

Artfully Chocolate to close its doors May 27.

When Eric Nelson turned 50 in the summer of 2006, he “jumped off the cliff.”

Tease photo

Obituary: Remembering Civil Rights Activist, Architect Melvin Miller

Architect of affordable housing dies at 83.

For nearly 60 years, Melvin Miller was a fixture in Alexandria, known as a civil rights activist and the architect of affordable housing across the city.

Alexandria: 2015 Athletes of the Year

Angus King to keynote Alexandria Sportsman’s Club banquet.

Alexandria native Angus King, a former governor and current senator representing the state of Maine, will be on hand as the Alexandria Sportsman’s Club honors the city’s top high school athletes at its annual awards banquet May 19 at the Westin Hotel.

Tease photo

Alexandria: Chamber Honors Public Safety Personnel

The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce honored 16 public safety personnel for exceptional performance in the line of duty at the 29th annual Valor Awards.

Mount Vernon: JROTC Cadets Honored

Three JROTC cadets were honored by the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution during a ceremony held April 30 at Mount Vernon High School.

APD Officer Michael Nugent to Receive Gold at Valor Awards

16 officers to be honored at the 29th annual Alexandria Chamber of Commerce Valor Awards.

It was a cold and icy February morning in 2014 when Alexandria police officer Michael Nugent responded to an emergency call on South Patrick Street.

Tease photo

Firefighter McClain's Life of Service

Firefighter McClain retires after 34 years.

One of Alexandria’s longest serving firefighters has stowed his equipment for the last time. As of April 29, Capt. Thurston McClain officially said goodbye to emergency calls and 24-hour shifts when he retired after serving 34 years with the Alexandria Fire Department.

Got Food?

Stamp Out Hunger food drive set for May 9.

The 2015 Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, sponsored by the National Association of Letter Carriers and the U.S. Postal Service, will take place Saturday, May 9 throughout the City of Alexandria.

Tease photo

Alexandria: Philanthropy Summit to Honor Local Leaders

U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-8), for decades known for his charitable works throughout the region, will keynote the 17th annual Business Philanthropy Summit honoring Alexandria’s top leaders for their service to the community. Sponsored by Volunteer Alexandria, the event will be held May 6 at the First Baptist Church of Alexandria.