The Power of Pink
Walk to fight breast cancer raises $90,000.
Still recovering from a double mastectomy in 1995, Lawson founded the city's annual Walk to Fight Breast Cancer, which celebrated its 17th anniversary Oct. 20 and raised more than $90,000 to fund mammograms and other diagnostic screenings for Alexandria women who are not adequately insured to obtain medical care.
Hog Wild
Manley presents ASC Athlete of the Month awards.
Former Washington Redskins defensive end Dexter Manley was on hand Oct. 16 to present the Alexandria Sportsman's Club Athlete of the Month Awards at the Old Dominion Boat Club.
A Fond Farewell
Women Mean Business group disbands.
For 12 years, they gathered in the early morning hours each week with the single purpose of helping in the city's fight against breast cancer. But after raising more than $100,000 for the annual walk and spearheading the inauguration of a new surgical fund, the members of Women Mean Business have decided to disband.
Oktoberfest Benefits Seniors
Port City Brewery hosts Meals On Wheels fundraiser.
The award-winning Port City Brewery hosted the inaugural Senior Services of Alexandria Oktoberfest tour and tasting fundraiser Oct. 16 to support the Meals On Wheels program for homebound seniors.
Art on the Avenue
Record crowds turn out for Del Ray festival.
An estimated 50,000 people took to the streets of Del Ray Oct. 6 for the 17th annual Art on the Avenue, one of Alexandria's premiere events and largest arts festivals in the mid-Atlantic region.
Community Mourns Loss of Becky Arnold
Realtor, community activist, arts supporter dies at 59.
A passionate supporter of the arts and member of the Alexandria Democratic Committee, Arnold was diagnosed earlier this year with cancer and died suddenly Oct. 3 after a brief stay at the Halquist Memorial Hospice in Arlington.
Charities Win at Half Marathon
Ndereba, Johnson win 13.1-mile race.
Dreary skies couldn't dampen the spirits of more than 3,000 runners who took to the streets of Virginia and Maryland Oct. 7 in the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon, won by Kenyan Samuel Ndereba in 65 minutes and 15 seconds with American Kellyn Johnson leading the women in 1:13:24.
‘Dying City’
Signature debuts Pulitzer-nominated play.
A year after her husband’s death in Iraq, newly-widowed Kelly is confronted by his identical twin brother in “Dying City,” now playing at Signature Theatre in Arlington.
Tour Cameron Station Homes
Oct. 6 tour to benefit Samuel Tucker Elementary School.
The distinctive homes of Cameron Station will be featured in the first Cameron Station Homes Tour Oct. 6 as a benefit for Samuel Tucker Elementary School.
Alfred Street Baptist Church Hosts Health Fair
Screenings, demonstrations highlight annual event.
Hundreds of attendees turned out Sept. 29 for the 2012 Alfred Street Baptist Church Community Health Fair.
Armstrong Makes D.C. Debut
Local chef creates menu for National Gallery of Art.
Alexandria Chef Cathal Armstrong debuted his latest signature dishes at the National Gallery of Art's Garden Café Oct. 2 in celebration of the new Masterpieces of American Furniture Exhibit.
‘Jekyll and Hyde’
Mills mesmerizes in Synetic masterpiece.
If a picture paints a thousand words, then Alex Mills has crafted a masterpiece with his performance in “Jekyll and Hyde,” playing now at Synetic Theater in Crystal City.
Festivals, Foliage and Fun
20 things to see and do this fall.
As the seasons change, so do the activities that keep us busy. With crisp air, apple pie and leaf-peeping upon us, we say so long to flip flops, air conditioners and barbeques. And while it may not always feel like it, the fall season is officially here and there is no better time to grab family and friends and see what the city has to offer.
‘Jekyll and Hyde’
Mills stars in Synetic’s wordless wonder.
“I was very anxious, excited and scared to first start working with Synetic,” said Mills, who stars in the title role in Synetic’s latest production of “Jekyll and Hyde.” “At the callbacks I attended I had no idea what to expect but I jumped in with both feet and never looked back.”
Serving Up Leadership
Armstrong to be honored as Business Leader of the Year.
He is a native Dubliner but for decades, chef Cathal Armstrong has made Alexandria his home, opening his signature Restaurant Eve in 2004 and creating The Eat Good Food Group with his wife Meschelle. On Nov. 13, Armstrong will be honored as the 2012 Alexandria Chamber of Commerce Business Leader of the Year at a reception to be held at Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Art Center.
Tres Bien!
‘Jacques Brel’ comes to life at MetroStage.
Though he was Belgian by birth, no one captured the spirit of the French troubadour tradition better than Jacques Brel, whose potent mixture of musical romanticism, cynicism and whimsy are brought to life in “Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris,” now playing at MetroStage in Alexandria.
‘Funny Money’
Laughs to bank on at LTA.
It’s another routine day at the office when Henry Perkins heads home from work thinking his briefcase contains paperwork and a half-eaten cheese and chutney sandwich.
Bidding Adieu to The Winery
Local wine shop to close Sept. 15.
The Winery, a fine wine and gourmet food shop known for the personal touch of owner Jane Cahill, will be closing its doors Sept. 15 after more than a decade of serving the Alexandria community.
'Look Before You Lock'
Campaign focuses on heatstroke deaths among children.
U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius joined Campagna Center CEO Tammy Mann and Alexandria City officials Aug. 17 to launch the “Look Before You Lock” campaign at a press conference held at George Washington Middle School.
Community Lodgings Facility Gets a Makeover
HomeAid, Pulte to provide $860,000 in renovations.
HomeAid Northern Virginia, in partnership with Pulte Homes, kicked off its largest project of the year Aug. 28 with a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the renovation of a 10-unit transitional housing apartment building for Community Lodgings in Alexandria.
School Daze
Overflow crowds attend first Back to School Family Night.
With the first day of school a week away, thousands of students, parents, teachers and community supporters converged on T.C. Williams High School Aug. 29 for the first Back to School Family Night sponsored by the Alexandria City Public Schools Family and Community Engagement Center.
Shear Fun
2nd Annual Cuts for Kids Day
More than 90 students from throughout the area were treated to free back-to-school haircuts thanks to Alexandria and Fairfax County firefighters who sponsored the second annual Cuts for Kids Day Aug. 27 at the Gum Springs Recreation Center.
Fore!
Wiygul Automotive wins Chamber Golf Classic.
More than 120 golfers came together to participate in the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce Golf Classic, held Aug. 27 at the Belle Haven Country Club.
Kids @ Play
Design Day drawings help create dream playground.
More than 40 Alexandria children joined Washington Capitals mascot Slapshot and Elliot Segal of the Elliot in the Morning Show at the Charles Houston Recreation Center Aug. 15 for Design Day, a day set aside for children to draw their dream playground for Old Town's Hopkins-Tancil Court area.
‘Best Little Whorehouse in Texas’ at Signature Theatre
It was known as The Chicken Ranch, a century-old “business” in La Grange, Texas, that earned its nickname for accepting chickens as payment for services rendered.
Connect and Contribute
Service and citizen's associations lead community engagement.
Alexandria is home to many diverse neighborhoods, each with its own traditions. As each neighborhood has developed, so have the service groups and citizens associations that provide more than just an opportunity to meet and greet your neighbors.
There's No Place Like Home
A look at what makes Alexandria unique.
As the hometown of George Washington and Civil War General Robert E. Lee, the city of Alexandria attracts visitors from near and far to enjoy America's historic main streets.
Sign Me Up
These clubs are anything but traditional.
In a tale nearly as old as time, Groucho Marx famously resigned from the Friars' Club in 1949, saying, “I don't want to belong to any club that would accept me as one of its members.”
Getting Down to Business
Navigating the ABC's of Alexandria.
The acronyms run from ACBA to WEBA and represent various business associations from the waterfront to the West End. Whether you are new to the city or a long-time resident, following is a primer that explains the ABC's of Alexandria.
$30,000 to Community Lodgings
Walmart funds after-school programs for teens.
No sooner had Community Lodgings Executive Director Bonnie Baxley been presented a check for $30,000 from Walmart store manager William Hunsucker, she asked for more. “Do you have any tents?” she queried.
Mayhem and Marathons
LTA performance raises $7,500 for local charities.
The madness and mayhem, not to mention the meat pies, were the theme of the night as Brooke Curran and ACT's Running Brooke Fund raised more than $7,500 for local charities including ACTion Alexandria, Community Lodgings, The Reading Connection, Child and Family Network Centers and Girls on the Run at a special benefit performance of “Sweeney Todd” Aug. 7 at The Little Theatre of Alexandria.
Journey of Hope
T.C. grad cycles 4,000 miles for disability awareness.
As the strains of Bruce Springsteen's “Born in the USA” blared out over crowd, more than 50 friends, family members and fellow T.C. Williams graduates gathered on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Aug. 5 to watch Alexandria's Louis Barnett cross the finish line in the 25th Annual Journey of Hope bike ride across America.
Glassman Honored as Legionnaire of the Year
Vietnam veteran first to win award in history of Post 24.
Lorton resident Jim Glassman walked into American Legion Post 24 on July 25 expecting the executive committee meeting he was attending to be routine.
In With the Old
Vintage Mirage celebrates new location.
After serving Alexandria for eight years at 210 N. Lee St., Elinor Coleman's Vintage Mirage celebrated its recent relocation with a wine and cheese reception July 26 at the new location on South Columbus Street.
Oh, What A Night!
National Night Out promotes police-community partnerships.
The enthusiasm was infectious across Alexandria as dozens of neighborhoods came together Aug. 7 to celebrate National Night Out, a program designed to promote neighborhood spirit and law enforcement-community partnerships in the fight against crime.
'Sweeney Todd'
LTA serves up Sondheim's macabre musical.
The story hasn't changed, the music is hauntingly familiar and of course the body count remains the same. But with The Little Theatre of Alexandria's production of “Sweeney Todd,” you will be seeing the macabre musical of Stephen Sondheim as if it were for the first time.
After the Storm
Port City Brewing's 'Derecho Common' beer to be tapped Aug. 3
When a derecho swept through the area June 29, downed trees and power lines left more than a million people without power during a record-breaking heat wave. Alexandria residents and businesses alike were left scrambling to salvage what they could of any perishable products. For Port City Brewing, that meant trying to save the beer.
Going the Distance
American Century Theater tackles 'Marathon '33.'
Inducing people to endure discomfort, pain and humiliation for the promise of cash prizes sounds like a season of “Survivor” or “Fear Factor.”
Rotary Installs New Officers
Petniunas takes reins as 85th club president.
The Rotary Club of Alexandria formally installed Raymond V. Petniunas as the 85th club president at the July 10 meeting at Belle Haven Country Club that also recognized the 2012-2013 slate of officers and board members.
The Eyes Have It
Brahm Opticians celebrates 25 years.
Nancy Benjamin was 16 years old when she decided that she wanted to be an optician.
Meet the Aces
Host families, sponsors celebrate Alexandria Aces.
The Alexandria Aces celebrated with their host families, coaches, corporate partners and fans at the second annual Meet the Aces dinner June 26 at Union Street Public House.
Setting Sail for Success
Seaport Foundation celebrates launch of the William Henry.
Shortly after Larry Sadler retired, a visit to a schooner moored along the waterfront prompted a friend to suggest that he consider volunteering at the Alexandria Seaport Foundation.
Meet the Aces
Host families, sponsors celebrate Alexandria Aces.
The Alexandria Aces celebrated with their host families, coaches, corporate partners and fans at the second annual Meet the Aces dinner June 26 at Union Street Public House.
Military Matters
American Legion hosts Kaine forum to address veterans issues.
Former Virginia governor and Democratic candidate for senate Tim Kaine met with veterans and active duty military members of American Legion Post 24 in Alexandria July 9 in a roundtable discussion focusing on unemployment and other issues facing service members and their families.
Legion Installs New Officers
Alexandria's Post 24 of the American Legion installed its 2012-2013 slate of officers and board members during a ceremony at the organization's headquarters in Old Town.
'Service Above Self'
Rotary Club contributes $92,000 to local charities.
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 $92,000 to 32 organizations at the annual Contributions Day luncheon June 12 at Belle Haven Country Club.
Praising Senior Services
SSA welcomes officers, new board members.
Senior Services of Alexandria held its annual meeting and luncheon June 21 at The Fountains at Washington House to formally elect the 2012-2013 slate of officers and board of directors.
All the World's a Stage
LTA holds Open House July 13.
The Little Theatre of Alexandria will hold an Open House reception Friday, July 13 at 8 p.m. to welcome the community.
Rappellers raise $60,000 for Special Olympics.
Rose Pleskow is not one to shy away from a challenge. The 23-year-old athlete competed in the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens, Greece, last summer, earned multiple medals in the 2012 Virginia Special Olympic Summer Games and recently competed in an 800-meter race in the waters around the Cayman Islands. But on June 22, she did something most people wouldn't dare: rappelling down the side of a 15-story building.
Over the Edge
Rappellers raise $60,000 for Special Olympics.
Rose Pleskow is not one to shy away from a challenge. The 23-year-old Reston resident competed in the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens, Greece, last summer, earned multiple medals in the 2012 Virginia Special Olympic Summer Games and recently competed in an 800-meter race in the waters around the Cayman Islands.