Living Legends of Alexandria: Sister Act
Lindsey Swanson and Katey Halasz honored as Living Legends
When 18-year-old Kelley Swanson died just a few weeks after her graduation from T.C. Williams High School in 2005, her family wanted her spirit of giving and desire to help others to continue.
Alexandria Aces Advance to Championship Series
Brook leads 10-0 shutout of Thunderbolts
The Alexandria Aces have advanced to the finals of the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League with a two-game sweep of the Silver Spring Thunderbolts in the semi final playoffs.
‘Telling Our Stories’ in Alexandria
Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery is the first Virginia site added to African American Civil Rights Network
They were fleeing the bondage of slavery.
Blazing a Trail in Alexandria
Aces’ Hammond is lone female Ripken League coach
Jennifer Hammond may be the new kid on the block when it comes to the coaching staff of the Alexandria Aces, but she is no stranger to a baseball field.
40 Under 40 in Alexandria
Chamber honors young business leaders
Alexandria’s business community gathered July 15 at The Alexandrian Hotel to celebrate the Chamber ALX’s 40 Under 40 class of 2021 honorees.
Bryan ‘Bugsy’ Watson Dies at 78
NHL great opened Old Town sports bar in 1983
To anyone who knew him, Bryan Watson was larger than life.
Bon Voyage: Lloyd Retires After 20 Years With Visit Alexandria
For decades, Lorraine Lloyd has been a fixture in the City of Alexandria.
Lee-Fendall House Wall Collapses
Historic property seeks to raise funds to rebuild.
“We are a small nonprofit. Insurance is not going to cover this, so we are counting on the goodwill of the community to help us.”
A Fond Farewell in Alexandria
Officers, officials bid adieu to Chief Brown
Alexandria Police Chief Michael Brown was fêted as he made his final appearance at police headquarters June 25 to begin his retirement after 46 years in law enforcement.
On the Road Again in Alexandria
Safety protocols in place as trolley service resumes
After a more than a year-long pause in operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Alexandria’s King Street Trolley resumed service July 5.
Going for the Gold
Noah Lyles headed to Tokyo Olympics
Only a few short years ago, Noah Lyles could be seen warming up to the strains of James Brown’s “I Feel Good” as he trained on the track of Parker-Gray Memorial Field at what was then T.C. Williams High School.
Home of the Brave in Mount Vernon
‘Flags for Heroes’ on display at Cedar Knoll
The strains of Amazing Grace filled the air as a lone bagpiper stood among hundreds of American flags overlooking the Potomac River as part of the 4th annual Flags for Heroes display June 27 on the grounds of Cedar Knoll Restaurant.
Welcome Back to Alexandria
Old Town Arts and Crafts Fair makes 2021 return.
Following a one-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Volunteer Alexandria brought back the popular Old Town Arts and Crafts Fair held June 12 at Waterfront Park.
Alexandria Athletes of the Year
Sportsman’s Club awards $40,000 to high school seniors.
The Alexandria Sportsman’s Club has named its 2021 High School Athletes of the year, awarding $40,000 to 16 area high school student-athletes.
Show Me the Money
Twig donates $150,000 to Inova Alexandria
The Twig, the Junior Auxiliary of Inova Alexandria Hospital, presented a check for $150,000 to hospital president Dr. Rina Bansal and Inova Alexandria Hospital Foundation Board Chair Donald Simpson Jr. during the organization’s annual luncheon June 15 at the Potomac Riverfront home of philanthropist Joe Viar.
Journey to Freedom: Mount Vernon Commemorates Runaway Slave Ona Judge on Juneteenth Holiday
For years, the nation’s first couple, George and Martha Washington, pursued Ona Judge, a young woman who in 1796 escaped a life of slavery in the Washington household to live in freedom in New England.
Celebrating the Class of 2021 at T.C. Williams
Final commencement for T.C. Williams High School
It was a day of celebration as the T.C. Williams High School class of 2021 bid farewell to a year of quarantines, remote learning and canceled social and athletic events during the June 12 commencement ceremony at Chinquapin Park.
‘Thank You Dad’: Celebrating Father’s Day June 20 in Alexandria
Following a year of quarantines, limited travel and social distancing, families are looking forward to celebrating in more traditional ways as Father’s Day approaches on June 20.
Alexandria Police Chief Brown to Step Down June 25
Cites family commitments, pending move; hired in January of 2017
Alexandria Police Chief Michael Brown announced he will be stepping down from his position effective June 25, leaving the department just over four years after his appointment as Chief of Police.
Living Legends of Alexandria: There’s No Place Like Home
Donald Simpson Jr. carries on family legacy
For Donald Simpson Jr., Alexandria is the only place he has ever called home.
They’re Back! Alexandria Aces Open Season at Frank Mann Field
The Alexandria Aces took on the Gaithersburg Giants June 8 in the opening game at Frank Mann Field, losing to their Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League rivals 10-7.
Support for Survivors
Eagles donate $1,000 to sexual assault and domestic violence program
The Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 871 in Alexandria presented a check for $1,000 to Debbie Evans, Division Chief of the Alexandria Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Program, to help provide support to survivors of sexual and domestic violence.
Taste of Old Town North Alexandria
Summer pop-ups, farmers market in Montgomery Park
A pop-up farmers market was held June 6 in Montgomery Park as part of the Taste of Old Town North summer festival, which continues through June 21.
’Tis the Season in Alexandria
City opens pools, interactive water fountain
The Potomac Yard Park interactive water fountain opened for the summer May 29 and will operate through Oct. 15.
Home of the Brave in Alexandria
Remembering the fallen on Memorial Day
One by one, 68 names were read as Alexandria paid tribute to its local fallen and missing in action service members as part of the May 31 Memorial Day observance at the Captain Rocky Versace Plaza and Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Del Ray.
On Hallowed Ground: Biden, Harris Mark Memorial Day in Arlington
President Joe Biden honored the nation’s fallen military during a visit to Arlington National Cemetery May 31, marking Memorial Day by placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Alexandria Council Approves 2022 Budget
SROs removed against ACPS recommendation
The Alexandria City Council formally approved City Manager Mark Jinks’ proposed $770.7 million operating budget for 2022, which eliminates funding for School Resource Officers in Alexandria City Public Schools.
Play Ball! in Alexandria
Aces return as Fannon takes ownership
Summer baseball is back as the Alexandria Aces return for their 13th season as part of the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League.
Remembering Rose Berler
Longtime civic activist dies at 95
Gardening was a passion for Rose Berler, who won numerous awards for the Lincolnia Hills garden she first began tending in 1958.
Obituary: Steve Gresham
Noted architect, community leader dies at 70
Steve Gresham was known for many things: his intellect, his wit, his love of classic rock and the vast collection of his trademark bow ties.
Knock Your Stalks Off in Alexandria
Community gardens grow in popularity.
With warmer temperatures settling in across the region, gardeners have taken to the outdoors, with community gardens growing in popularity across the city.
Undaunted Valor: Story of Rocky Versace Unveiled on Armed Forces Day
With less than two weeks remaining in his second tour of duty, Rocky Versace was looking forward to returning home to Alexandria.
‘Thank You for Your Service’
Celebrating Military Spouse Appreciation Day
Spouses of active duty servicemembers gathered May 7 at the Starbucks Military Family Store at Penrose Square-Columbia Pike to be celebrated on Military Spouse Appreciation Day as part of Military Appreciation Month.
Women’s Clinic Opens in West End of Alexandria
Inova expands women’s health, sexual assault and trafficking services.
Elected officials from throughout the region gathered in Alexandria’s West End May 8 to celebrate the opening of two new Inova Health System community health clinics that will focus on women’s health and medical evaluations for sexual assault and human trafficking survivors.
Muslims Mark the End of Ramadan
Fasting, prayers and charity observed
Muslims around the world began marking the end of Ramadan last week with the arrival of the festival of Eid al-Fitr, a tradition that dates back more than 1,400 years.
Remembering the Fallen in Alexandria
Law enforcement honored as part of National Police Week
A somber crowd gathered at Alexandria Police Headquarters May 10 for a wreath laying ceremony to remember the fallen officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
Celebrating Mother’s Day in Alexandria
Spreading the joy of celebrating our mothers
Anna Jarvis was a well-known social activist and community organizer in Northern Virginia during the Civil War.
Alexandria City Council Approves Police Review Board
Civilian oversight group to begin July 1
At its public hearing on April 17, the Alexandria City Council voted unanimously to adopt an ordinance establishing a Community Policing Review Board, which will go into effect July 1.
‘A Long-Awaited Journey’ in Alexandria
Demolition begins at MacArthur Elementary.
After years of planning, demolition began April 26 at Douglas MacArthur Elementary School in preparation for a new school to open sometime in 2023.
‘Hanged by a Mob’
City remembers 1897 lynching victim Joseph McCoy
It was April 23, 1897, and the front page of newspapers across the region carried the news of the latest lynching in the area – the slaying of 18-year-old Joseph McCoy, who had been accused of assaulting the 9-year-old daughter of his employer.
Got Drugs?
City holds Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
Alexandria held its National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day April 24 with members of the Alexandria Police Department and Alexandria Sheriff’s Office staffing special collection sites across the city.
The Final Countdown in Alexandria
Spring2Action online giving day set for April 28
Spring2Action, Alexandria’s annual online day of giving, officially begins April 28 and will run for 24 hours to raise funds for nonprofits across the city.
The Great Outdoors in Alexandria
Warm weather attracts outdoor diners.
April showers are bringing out more than spring flowers.
The Heat is On
Candidates for governor make Alexandria campaign stops.
Candidates vying for both the Democratic and Republican nominations for Virginia governor have made Alexandria a stop on the campaign trail, signifying the influence of Northern Virginia in statewide politics.
Journey to Freedom
Holocaust survivor recalls flight from ‘Warsaw Ghetto’ and occupied Poland
Sam Ponczak was just shy of two years old when Nazi Germany invaded Poland on Sept. 1, 1939.
Departmental Progressive Club to Host Candidate Forum April 20
The Departmental Progressive Club will host a mayoral and city council candidates’ forum April 20th at 7 p.m. via Zoom.
T.C., Maury Schools Renamed
ACPS opens student contest to design new Titan logo
The Alexandria City Public School board voted unanimously April 8 to change the name of T.C. Williams High School to Alexandria City High School.
A Lasting Legacy: Former Fort Ward Museum director Wanda Dowell dies at 91
It was in 1965 that Wanda Dowell filled out an application to work for the City of Alexandria.
Earl Lloyd Statue Unveiled
Trailblazer broke the color barrier of the NBA
Under the glare of a national spotlight, Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier for Major League Baseball in 1947.
Biden Visits Alexandria Vaccination Site
Announces April 19 for expanded eligibility for all
President Joe Biden made a visit April 6 to a Neighborhood Health vaccination clinic at Virginia Theological Seminary, using the occasion to announce the expansion of COVID-19 vaccine eligibility.