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Jeanne Theismann

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Spring for Alexandria 2013

Serving the community.

For three days, thousands of Alexandrians came together for the 6th Annual Spring for Alexandria, a citywide weekend of events that focuses on giving and service throughout the community. Co-sponsored by ACT for Alexandria, Volunteer Alexandria, the Alexandria Jaycees and the City of Alexandria, the series of events kicked off May 2 with the ACT Generations of Giving Gala at the U.S. Patent and Trade Office.

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Sengel Honored

SAR presents Law Enforcement award.

The George Washington Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution awarded the Law Enforcement Commendation Medal to Commonwealth's Attorney S. Randolph Sengel for his distinguished career enforcing the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Sengel was presented the award April 27 in a ceremony at Belle Haven Country Club. He has served as a prosecutor in Alexandria since 1979 and was first elected Commonwealth's Attorney in 1997.

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Honoring Those Who Serve

Ceremony pays tribute to fallen officers.

Dozens of active duty and retired law enforcement personnel joined Chief of Police Earl Cook and Sheriff Dana Lawhorne as they placed a wreath at the Police Memorial in Waterfront Park May 6 to pay tribute to Alexandria police officers and sheriff's deputies who have died in the line of duty. Cook read each of the 16 names inscribed on the memorial, dating back to Constable Elijah Chenault, who was the first reported officer killed in the city in 1823, and ending with Corporal Charles W. Hill, who was slain in March of 1988.

Changes Under Foot

Old Town Masterpieces closing after 35 years.

They grew up together in Iran, and in 1971, Ahmed Loghmanian and Hossien Garakyaraghi made the move to America to study at George Washington University. But it wasn't long before the pull of the family business back home beckoned them to open Old Town Masterpieces, a landmark Oriental rug store closing its doors after 35 years in business. “I think he met George Washington,” Loghmanian said in jest to Garakyaraghi, his lifelong friend and brother-in-law. “That's how long we've been here.”

Thomas M. Hughes Dies

Avid outdoorsman, devoted family man.

Tom Hughes wasn't going to let cancer rob him of his sense of humor.

Got Food?

Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive set for May 11

The nation's largest single-day food drive will take place on Saturday, May 11, when postal workers in Alexandria will join others across the country in the 21st annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.

‘Six Degrees of Separation’

Kevin Bacon is nowhere to be found. Instead, it’s Sidney Poitier that brings together friends and strangers in “Six Degrees of Separation,” now playing at Port City Playhouse. The popular “six degrees of separation” theory explores the premise that everyone in the world is connected to everyone else by a chain of no more than six acquaintances, and Port City Playhouse brings playwright John Guare’s smart dialogue to life in a thoughtfully-executed production that showcases a stellar ensemble cast.

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Residents Spring2Action For Local Charities

Online giving day generates $659,591 for local charities.

For the second year in a row, the afterschool program Casa Chirilagua was the top winner April 17 in Spring2Action, a 24-hour online giving day sponsored by ACT for Alexandria and ACTion Alexandria.

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Award-winning Chef To Head Del Ray's Sushi Bar

The tension was palpable. Only two chefs remained in the Hatsume Festival Master Chef competition in Delray Beach, Fla. Like the popular Iron Chef television show it was based on, competitors had one hour to prepare an appetizer, entrée and dessert using one common ingredient, in this case ginger.

Rotary Honors Lee Stewart

Lee Stewart, a senior at Episcopal High School, was presented the Community Service Award by the Rotary Club of Alexandria at the club's weekly luncheon April 16 at Belle Haven Country Club. A life-long Alexandrian, Stewart was recognized for her leadership with Martha's Table as well as her fundraising efforts to support EHS's partner school in Kenya. Additionally, she spearheaded fundraising efforts to build a partner school building in Palto, Haiti.

GW Parkway Classic

Amid heightened security, runners honor Boston, Laboy.

In the wake of the recent terror attacks at the Boston Marathon, security was stepped up April 21 as more than 6,000 runners took to the streets of Alexandria in the 29th annual GW Parkway Classic.

The Lyin' Tamer

ACVA hosts body language expert.

More than 90 people enjoyed a morning of motivation, education and comedy from best-selling author and NBC Today Show body language expert Janine Driver at the 5th annual Breakfast and Blossoms event March 27 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Old Town.

And the Winner Is….

MetroStage Receives three Helen Hayes Awards for ‘Jacques Brel’ production.

It’s billed as the largest cast party in town and on Monday, April 8, no one was celebrating more than Carolyn Griffin and the cast, crew and supporters of Alexandria’s MetroStage Theatre, which won three Helen Hayes Awards for last year’s production of “Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris.”

The Power of One

Spring2Action 24-hour online fundraiser set for April 17

Dawnielle Miller wasn’t sure what to expect. As co-founder and executive director of the nonprofit Casa Chirilagua, she was hoping to raise $15,000 during last year’s Spring2Action online giving day. She sent out emails and spread the word among supporters. And then she waited.

On Economic Frontline

McDonnell appoints Wood to Military Commission.

Gov. Bob McDonnell has appointed Alexandria resident Lt. Gen. John R. (Bob) Wood (ret.) to Virginia's newly formed Commission on Military Installations and Defense Activities. “I am most concerned about preserving jobs here in Virginia,” said Wood, a graduate of T.C. Williams High School and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

Networking for Good

WEBA Happy Hour raises funds for Laboy family.

The West End Business Association turned its April 4 monthly networking Happy Hour into a fundraiser for Alexandria Police Officer Peter Laboy and presented a check for $500 to Suzanne Laboy to kick off a year-long commitment to raise money for the injured officer and his family. “My family and I are overwhelmed at the generosity of the community,” said Suzanne Laboy after being presented a check from WEBA president Peter Baldwin at the Hawthorn Suites Hotel.

Saluting ‘Allies in Prevention’

Lori Morris honored for child abuse prevention work.

Alexandria's Lori Morris was honored by Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) at the 11th Annual Allies in Prevention Awards luncheon April 2 at Maggiano's at Tysons Galleria. Morris was one of five Northern Virginia individuals recognized by SCAN and its Allies in Prevention Coalition as a local hero for her commitment to prevent child abuse and neglect.

‘The Last Five Years’

From first date to final goodbye, Jason Robert Brown chronicles the emotional highs and lows of a young couple’s failed marriage in the award winning musical “The Last Five Years,” now playing at Shirlington’s Signature Theatre.

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Kids at Play

CFNC hosts Super Science Saturday.

The Child and Family Network Centers hosted a hands-on Super Science Saturday March 14 at the CFNC Birchmere headquarters on Mount Vernon Avenue.

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Gathering for Generation to Generation Gala

Donley, Greene, Swanson families honored.

More than 350 people turned out March 23 for the annual Senior Services of Alexandria Generation to Generation Gala to pay tribute to families who, through their service to others, have made significant contributions to the community.

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14 Honored as Living Legends

David Martin left “speechless.”

The 6th Annual Meet the Legends reception was held March 21 at the U.S. Patent and Trade Office where more than 250 people gathered to celebrate the 2013 Living Legends of Alexandria.

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Lyles-Crouch Students Raise Funds for Laboy

$4,000 collected for wounded officer.

Alexandria Police Chief Earl Cook visited Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy March 22 to accept $4,000 on behalf of Officer Peter Laboy, who is recovering from a gunshot wound to the head he suffered during a routine traffic stop just steps from the school's playground.

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‘Voodoo Macbeth’

American Century stages dark Orson Welles drama.

William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” considered by many to be one of his darkest tragedies, tells the story of a Scottish general named Macbeth who commits murder to become king and fulfill his ambition for power. In 1936, a young Orson Welles staged his own legendary adaptation of the play, “Voodoo Macbeth,” which is reimagined now by The American Century Theater.

Order in the Court

Ronald Lawhorne promoted in surprise ceremony.

For many , it was long overdue. But in a humor-filled ceremony inside the courtroom of Chief Judge Becky Moore, Deputy Ronald Lawhorne was sworn in March 5 as a lieutenant in the Alexandria Sheriff's Department by his younger brother Sheriff Dana Lawhorne.

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In the Line of Duty

Remembering slain officer Charles Hill.

As thousands of supporters poured into Virtue Feed and Grain restaurant March 10 for a fundraiser for Alexandria Police Officer Peter Laboy, one attendee quietly slipped away to pay a visit to an often-overlooked corner of a park that sits just steps away.

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Salute to Women 2013

11 honored for outstanding achievements.

The Alexandria Commission for Women held its 33rd annual Salute to Women Awards March 18 in a ceremony that honored 11 individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the community.

Party Animals

Mardi Growl raises $50,000 for AWLA.

Supporters of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria celebrated their own version of Mardi Gras with the third annual “Mardi Growl” bash March 8 at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. “This is an incredible evening,” said former City Manager Vola Lawson, for whom the AWLA shelter building is named.

Gaining a NICHE

Designation spotlights Inova Mount Vernon Hospital’s elder care.

Inova Mount Vernon Hospital recently earned the designation of being a NICHE hospital. NICHE, which stands for Nurses Improving Care for Health System Elders, is the only national designation indicating a hospital's commitment to elder care excellence. Inova Mount Vernon Hospital is one of the first hospitals to receive the NICHE designation in Fairfax County.

Thousands Gather for Laboy

$80,000 raised; Biden pays visit to APD.

One by one, more than 3,000 people from throughout the region slowly passed by the motorcycle of wounded Alexandria Police Officer Peter Laboy as they waited in line March 10 to attend an Old Town fundraiser that raised more than $80,000 on his behalf. “We were expecting hundreds and got thousands,” said Capt. Shahram Fard, a trustee with the Alexandria Police Association that co-hosted the event at Virtue Feed and Grain Restaurant.

Wonder Women

Salute to Women Awards to honor 11 civic leaders.

The Alexandria Commission for Women will hold its annual Salute to Women Awards Banquet March 18 to honor 11 individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the community. Honorees at the 33rd annual banquet, a benefit for the Alexandria Sexual Assault Center, will be recognized for their accomplishments in civic life and for the improvements they have brought to the well-being of Alexandria's women.

First Night Donates to Schools

$3,000 given to music programs.

For the second straight year, First Night Alexandria has donated a total of $3,000 to the music programs at T.C. Williams High School and George Washington and Hammond Middle Schools. “First Night Alexandria believes in promoting the artistic talents in the city's public school system,” said FNA board president Kerry Donley as he presented the awards.

Distinguished Service Award Given to Berg

Former ACPS superintendent honored for exceptional leadership.

Former Alexandria City Public Schools superintendent Herbert Berg was recognized for his exceptional educational leadership Feb. 23 with the Distinguished Service Award from the American Association of School Administrators. Berg, who lives in Alexandria with his wife Paula, was presented the award at AASA's 2013 National Conference on Education in Los Angeles, California.

Artrageous

City among top arts communities.

The City of Alexandria has been recognized as one of America's Top ArtPlaces, one of only 44 communities to receive the designation in 2013, as a new study revealed a $70.7 million economic impact generated by the local arts industry. In a March 5 event held at The Little Theatre of Alexandria, the City of Alexandria Office of the Arts and the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association announced the findings from the Arts and Economic Prosperity IV national study conducted by Americans for the Arts, a nonprofit arts advocacy organization.

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Music In the Air

ASO celebrates Kim Allen Kluge.

The Symphony League of Alexandria held its 26th annual Symphony Ball and Auction March 2, celebrating 25 years of Maestro Kim Allen Kluge at the helm of the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra.

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Thinking Big

Big Lots opens in West End, donates $1,500 to Samuel Tucker.

Closeout retailer Big Lots officially opened its newest store in Alexandria's West End March 1 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring Big Lots executives and local city officials.

Snow Denial

City spared from mid-Atlantic storm.

It was a snow day without the snow, or at least without any discernible accumulation for Alexandria despite predictions of up to 12 inches that led to the closing of schools throughout the city.

The Ballyshaner’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade

St. Patrick's Day Parade pays tribute to Vietnam veterans.

In what was perhaps the biggest turnout since its inception, Alexandria celebrated its Irish heritage March 2 and paid tribute to Vietnam Veterans in the 32nd annual St. Patrick's Day Parade. Sponsored by The Ballyshaners, the parade was founded by Pat Troy, who officially stepped down as organizer following this year's event.

How To Help

For anyone wishing to help the family of Officer Peter Laboy, the Alexandria Police Association is coordinating efforts for individuals and organizations to show support or donate to the family. “We have set up a Facebook page that will update everyone on Officer Laboy's progress and any specific requests of the family,” said APA board of directors trustee Capt. Shahram Fard.

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Witnesses Recount Feb. 18 Shooting

Chief Cook offers condolences to Sellers family.

Alexandria Police Chief Earl Cook offered his condolences to the family of Taft Sellers in a Feb. 25 press conference that detailed the investigative process in place regarding the city's first police-related shooting since 2009.

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Higher Taxes, Cuts in Services

Young proposes $626.6 million budget.

An increase in property taxes along with cuts in services to Alexandria residents are part of the $626.6 million General Fund Operating Budget proposed Feb. 26 by City Manager Rashad Young for fiscal year 2014.

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Silent Shakespeare

Synetic Theater makes a splash with “The Tempest.”

With more than 2,500 gallons of water and a lot of creativity, Arlington’s Synetic Theater transforms its Crystal City stage into Prospero’s magical island in “The Tempest,” the ninth production in the groundbreaking theater’s Silent Shakespeare series.

Animal Welfare League Hires New Executive Director

Megan Webb to lead Vola Lawson Animal Shelter.

Megan Webb, an animal shelter professional with more than 15 years of management experience and extensive knowledge of both shelter and field operations, has been named the new executive director and chief executive officer of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. “Megan's knowledge and management expertise within the sheltering community will enhance the AWLA's growth and strengthen our relationships within the Alexandria community,” said AWLA board chairman Charlotte Hall in making the announcement.

‘The Drawer Boy’

Canadian classic debuts at Port City Playhouse.

It was 40 years ago when a Toronto theater company crafted the basis of a play by sending a group of actors to live and work on the farms of Ontario. The experiment became a landmark in Canadian theater and was the inspiration for Michael Healey’s “The Drawer Boy,” now playing at Port City Playhouse.

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MetroStage Garners 7 Helen Hayes Nominations.

Griffin named a “Helen’s Star.”

Theatre Washington has announced the nominations for the 2013 Helen Hayes Awards with Alexandria’s MetroStage Theater among the 25 theatre companies nominated in 26 categories.

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Honoring the Greatest Generation

Post 24 veterans pay respects to Iwo Jima survivors.

Representatives of American Legion Post 24 in Alexandria visited with World War II veterans in Arlington Feb. 15 during a reunion of survivors of the Battle of Iwo Jima.

And the Winner Is …

Greener Cleaner voted 'Heart of Del Ray.'

The votes are in and Greener Cleaner has been named the 2013 “Heart of Del Ray,” an annual award presented during the Valentine's Day holiday by the Del Ray Business Association.

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Gadson Addresses Annual Breakfast

Janet Barnett receives Distinguished Service Award.

The Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association held its annual breakfast Feb. 18 at the Holiday Inn and Suites in Old Town in the traditional kick-off to the city's George Washington Birthday Parade celebrations.

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Uncommon Valor

Survivors reunite for 68th anniversary of Iwo Jima.

The morning of Feb. 19, 1945, dawned eerily quiet as Private First Class Carl Norton made his way toward the shores of the remote Japanese island of Iwo Jima. But in an instant, the 20-millimeter dual purpose guns buried in the side of Mount Suribachi exploded, erupting into one of the bloodiest battles in U.S. history.

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‘Shakespeare’s R&J’

Tragic tale debuts at Signature Theatre.

At first glance, they are the model of Catholic school conformity, trained to recite in unison as they learn their catechism. But then an illicit copy of William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” is discovered, disrupting the lives of four prep school boys in “Shakespeare's R&J,” now playing at Signature Theatre.

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'Catch the Wave'

Renner celebrated as chamber board chairman.

With a theme of “Catch the Wave,” the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce officially celebrated John J. Renner II as its incoming board chairman Feb. 9 at the annual Chairman's Gala.