‘Extraordinary Alexandria’
ACVA unveils latest marketing campaign.
The Alexandria Convention and Tourism Association unveiled the latest addition to its “Extraordinary Alexandria” tourism campaign during its annual meeting where officials also released the latest figures on visitor spending.
For Those Who Serve: Groundbreaking for Alexandria Memorial
Alexandria Police Foundation breaks ground on Fallen Officers Memorial.
Alexandria police officer Eugene Yoakum was 31 years old when he was killed in the line of duty on Sept. 27, 1964. On the 50th anniversary of his death, his daughter Sharon joined other family members of slain officers at Police Department headquarters for the groundbreaking of the Alexandria Fallen Officers Memorial.
It’s All Relative
“Three Sistahs” returns to MetroStage.
It’s the third funeral in as many years for Olive, Marsha and Irene, sisters brought together by tragedy in “Three Sistahs,” a poignant tale of family relationships now playing at MetroStage Theatre.
Miracle League Opens Fall Season
Brayden Kemp was all smiles as he stepped up to the plate at the Kelley Cares Miracle Field Friday night. Wearing the colors of his newly adopted hometown Washington Nationals, the 8-year-old was taking his first at-bat as a participant in the Miracle League of Alexandria.
Alexandria: Inspiring Minds
Inventor of digital camera visits Camp Invention.
Steve Sasson was just 25 years old and beginning to work his way up at the Eastman Kodak Company when he got an assignment from his supervisor: build an electronic camera using a charge coupled device. The result — U.S. patent number 4,131,919 — earned Sasson induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame for what is known today as the digital camera.
Friendship Firehouse Festival Aug. 2
Historic firehouse celebrates 240th birthday.
Alexandria’s historic Friendship Firehouse will celebrate its 240th birthday Saturday, Aug. 2 at the annual Friendship Firehouse Festival.
'Service Above Self'
Rotary Club contributes $90,000 to local nonprofits.
The Rotary Club of Alexandria, in partnership with the Alexandria Day Nursery and Children's Home, continued its decades-long tradition of awarding grants to local nonprofit organizations with the presentation of more than $90,000 to 32 organizations at the annual Contributions Day luncheon June 17 at Belle Haven Country Club.
The Sound of Music
Alexandria Singers to present ‘Road Trip’ concert June 20, 21.
The year was 1975, when gas was $.57 a gallon, the top selling car was the Oldsmobile Cutlass and The Captain and Tennille’s “Love Will Keep Us Together” topped the Billboard charts. It was also the year that 16 Alexandria residents got together to form the group known today as The Alexandria Singers.
An Eyewitness to History
WWII Veteran Chronicled D-Day Invasion
"It was chaotic. Nobody was sure what the hell was going on. Nobody knew whether we were winning or losing, or what." Bill McNamara on his landing on Omaha Beach in Normandy.
WMP Concludes Season June 8
Lyceum Summer Music Series on tap.
Selections from Bela Bartok, Arthur Benjamin and George Gershwin will highlight the season finale performance of the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic Sunday, June 8 at T.C. Williams High School.
A Hero's Welcome
Quadruple amputee defies the odds.
In the weeks leading up to the 2014 GI Film Festival, the buzz was all about actor and veterans advocate Gary Sinise appearing at the May 23 Salute to Hollywood Patriots night at the Old Town Theatre. But by the end of the evening, it was Army Staff Sergeant and quadruple amputee Travis Mills that left everyone starstruck.
Hometown Hero
Salvation Army honors Gandee, ServiceMaster for community service.
ServiceMaster of Alexandria owner and president Jane Gandee was honored May 13 by the Salvation Army National Capital Area Command for her company's dedication and support as a community partner to the organization.
Fore Willie
ASF remembers tournament founder.
The Alexandria Seaport Foundation held its 8th Annual Paul Weeks II Golf Tournament May 12 at Pohick Bay in the Mason Neck area of Fairfax County. This year's tournament was held in memory of Willie Taylor, founder of the tournament and former president of the Robinson Terminal Warehouse where the ASF is located.
2014 Athletes of the Year
GMU's Hewitt to keynote Sportsman's Club awards dinner May 29.
George Mason Men's Basketball head coach Paul Hewitt will be on hand as 27 of the city's best high school athletes are honored for their academic and athletic excellence at the 58th annual Alexandria Sportsman's Club Awards dinner May 29 at the Westin Carlyle Hotel.
GI Film Festival 2014
VMI story told in “Field of Lost Shoes.”
A standing room only crowd packed the Old Town Theatre May 19 for the GI Film Festival’s world premiere of “Field of Lost Shoes,”
Alexandria to Host GI Film Festival
Sinise, Arquette set to honor troops.
Gary Sinise, David Arquette and Adam Driver are just three of the celebrities who will be in attendance as the GI Film Festival heads to Alexandria May 19-25.
Glory Days
BI alumni football games raises $25,000 for Sean O'Malley scholarship fund.
The helmets, pads and jerseys of years gone by were dusted off as 72 Bishop Ireton alumni suited up for a full contact football game April 12 to raise money for the Sean O'Malley Scholarship Fund. More than 500 people turned out at Fannon Field on the BI campus to watch players from as far back as the class of '68 take to the field for a game that also helped celebrate the school's 50th anniversary.
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.
Got Food?
Stamp Out Hunger food drive set for May 10.
he 2014 Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, sponsored by the National Association of Letter Carriers and the U.S. Postal Service, will take place Saturday, May 10 throughout the City of Alexandria.
T.C. Williams High School Alumni Baseball Game
The 3rd Annual T.C. Williams Alumni Baseball Game will be played at Simpson Field June 14 at 2 p.m. The game is open to anyone who has played high school baseball on an Alexandria team.
'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.
A Day of Local Giving
ACT for Alexandria hosts Spring2ACTion April 9.
On April 9, ACT for Alexandria is hosting Spring2ACTion, a 24-hour online giving competition to raise money for local nonprofits. In its fourth year, Spring2ACTion, the only citywide giving day in the region, hopes to raise $1,000,000 in 24 hours for 117 participating nonprofits.
Let the Music Play
In support of students enrolled in music classes throughout the city, First Night Alexandria announced contributions to the music programs at three Alexandria City Public schools. During a recent pyramid concert performed by the bands, orchestras and choirs of Francis Hammond and George Washington Middle Schools and T.C. Williams High School, First Night Alexandria presented contributions totaling $3,000 to support the music programs at the three schools.
State of the Art
Organizations make 2014 a year to celebrate.
Now known as The Old Town Theatre, the historic venue on King Street leads a list of more than 16 arts organizations celebrating milestone anniversaries in 2014.
Hog Wild
Sweet Fire Donna's opens in Carlyle neighborhood.
It took a bit longer than expected because of weather and permit delays but it was worth the wait as BBQ fans lined up Feb. 27 to sample the fare at the opening of Sweet Fire Donna's, the latest offering from "Mango Mike" Anderson, Bill Blackburn and Anderson's wife Donna.
Rotary Club Accepting Grant Applications
Deadline is March 31.
The Rotary Club of Alexandria is currently accepting applications for its annual grants to organizations that provide services to Alexandria's children, seniors and families in need.
High on the Hog
Pork Barrel BBQ Hosts Meat Week challenge.
Skinny jeans were nowhere to be found as five contestants bellied up to the bar at Del Ray's Pork Barrel BBQ Jan. 29 to compete in the second annual High on the Hog Challenge as part of Meat Week 2014.
Hog Wild
Sweet Fire Donna's opens in Carlyle neighborhood.
BBQ fans lined up Feb. 27 to sample the fare at the opening of Sweet Fire Donna's, the latest offering from “Mango Mike” Anderson, Bill Blackburn and Anderson's wife Donna.
Rotary Club Accepting Grant Applications
Deadline is March 31.
The Rotary Club of Alexandria is currently accepting applications for its annual grants to organizations that provide services to Alexandria's children, seniors and families in need.
Hernandez Honored for Community Service
Giovanni Hernandez, a senior at Bishop Ireton High school, was presented with the Student Community Service Award by the Rotary Club of Alexandria at its Jan. 28 meeting at Belle Haven Country Club.
By George!
The questions were fast and furious as nearly 100 local Boy and Girl Scouts slated to march in Alexandria's Washington's Birthday Parade met with President George Washington (Alexandria re-creator Don De Haven) during a Feb. 16 reception at the Old Dominion Boat Club.
Young Proposes $634.8 Million Budget
City Manager Rashad Young submitted his proposal for a $634.8 million General Fund Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2015 before City Council Tuesday, Feb. 25, reflecting an increase of 1.6 percent over last year's budget while maintaining current real estate and personal property tax rates. “Expenditures are growing at a faster rate than revenue,” said Young in detailing his proposed budget during a press briefing earlier in the day. “The challenge always is how to put together this big jigsaw puzzle to meet the needs of the different constituencies and stakeholder groups.”
Obituary: F. William “Bill” Bauers
F. William Bauers Jr. was just 18 years old when he joined the Texas National Guard with plans of getting an appointment to West Point. But he was called to active duty less than a year later, qualified for Officer's Training School and went on to get his pilot's wings before ending up in Europe in January of 1944 flying B-26 Marauders. “It was exhilarating to be a pilot back then, to be in Europe and to be part of a force fighting against what we perceived as the enemy,” Bauers would recall of his service during World War II. “The war created a sense of urgency because we never knew when we said goodbye if it would be our last time.”
Obituary: Peter C. Williams
Peter Carrington Williams, a prominent attorney and director of community service projects for the Alexandria Rotary Club, died suddenly Feb. 13 while helping a neighbor clear snow from a driveway on Collingwood Road. He was 67.
Community Mourns Loss of Ruthanne Giammittorio Lodato
When John and Debbi Kelly decided it was time for their two young children to study music, there was no question that their neighbor on Ridge Road would be the family's piano teacher. What they didn't realize was just how much that teacher would become a part of their lives — and their living room.
Wreathlaying Marks Reagan's Birthday
Passengers traveling through Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Feb. 6 joined in singing “Happy Birthday” to commemorate the 103rd birthday of President Ronald W. Reagan during a wreath presentation ceremony at the airport's statue of the former president.
Bank Makes Donation to Police Foundation
$6,500 raised for Fallen Officers Memorial.
Officials from John Marshall Bank gathered Jan. 30 to present a check for $6,500 to Alexandria Police Chief Earl Cook and Police Foundation Chairman Willem Polak to go towards the building of a Fallen Officers Memorial at APD headquarters.
‘Ella’ has Scatitude
MetroStage production runs through March 16.
Based on the book by Lee Summers and conceived and directed by Broadway royalty Maurice Hines, “Ella” takes the audience on a musical journey through the celebrated singer’s life.
Chamber Salutes New Chairman
United Way's Haggerty takes the helm for 2014.
The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce officially welcomed United Way Worldwide Chief Operating Officer Joseph V. Haggerty as its 2014 Chairman of the Board at the Chairman's Community Reception Jan. 23.
Bittersweet Gathering
Sherry Party pays tribute to founders Vola Lawson and Lois Walker.
More than 150 women from throughout the community gathered together Dec. 15 for the 43rd annual Women's Sherry Party, an evening made bittersweet by the recent passing of two of the event's founders. "It's hard to believe Vola and Lois are not here," said vice Mayor Allison Silberberg of Vola Lawson and Lois Walker. "I can still see Vola sitting in her usual chair and Lois checking everyone in at the door."
First Night Welcomes 2014
Fireworks and Fun Hunt highlight New Year's Eve celebration.
Revelers from as far away as Paris celebrated the New Year in Alexandria as a dazzling display of fireworks lit up the waterfront to signal the arrival of 2014.
Association of Retirees Elects Officers
Dutzman honored for 15 years of service.
More than 70 members and guests joined Police Chief Earl Cook and Fire Chief Adam Thiel in attending the annual Alexandria Retired Police, Fire and Sheriff's Association holiday celebration Dec. 12, where the 2014 officers were sworn in for the coming year.
‘Curtain Up!’
Edelen shines in Signature Theatre production of "Gypsy."
She was always more tease than strip, and ever since she first shared the stage with Tessie the Tassel Twirler in the 1920s, she was determined to be famous for more than feathers and falsies. She was Gypsy Rose Lee, the queen of burlesque, whose 1959 memoirs inspired the award-winning Broadway musical "Gypsy," now playing at Shirlington’s Signature Theatre.
Alexandria's New Book Shelf
DreamDog Foundation creates citywide literacy program.
Passionate about sharing the gift of reading, the DreamDog Foundation intends to get books into the hands of every child in need in the City of Alexandria through its new literacy program called Alexandria's Book Shelf.
Association of Retirees Elects Officers
Dutzman honored for 15 years of service.
More than 70 members and guests joined Police Chief Earl Cook and Fire Chief Adam Thiel in attending the annual Alexandria Retired Police, Fire and Sheriff's Association holiday celebration Dec. 12, where the 2014 officers were sworn in for the coming year.
Alexandria's New Book Shelf
DreamDog Foundation creates citywide literacy program.
Passionate about sharing the gift of reading, the DreamDog Foundation intends to get books into the hands of every child in need in the City of Alexandria through its new literacy program called Alexandria's Book Shelf.
Julie Crenshaw Van Fleet Dies at 61
Longtime Old Town resident Julie Crenshaw Van Fleet died Dec. 18, 2013 at her home in Alexandria.
Santa's Helpers
BFSPA makes holidays bright for area children.
BFSPA makes holidays bright for area children.
Firefighters and Friends collect more than 3,500 toys for area children.
Christmas came a few days early for more than 100 children from local Head Start programs as they picked out toys during the annual Firefighters and Friends to the Rescue toy drive Dec. 17 at Penn Daw Station 11.
New Year’s Eve
First Night makes Alexandria the place to be.
Billed as the largest family-friendly New Year's Eve party in the greater Washington area, more than 100 live performances will take place throughout Old Town as part of First Night Alexandria, a day-long event filled with entertainment and culminating with a fireworks finale over the Potomac River along the waterfront.