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Jeanne Theismann

Stories by Jeanne

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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.

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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.

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‘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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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‘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.

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‘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.

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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.

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The Great Outdoors in Alexandria

Warm weather attracts outdoor diners.

April showers are bringing out more than spring flowers.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Alexandria Sportsman’s Club to Host Sportswriter Shapiro

Virtual meeting to be held April 21

Len Shapiro, the Pulitzer Prize-nominated sportswriter, editor and columnist for more than 40 years for the Washington Post, will be the featured speaker for the April 21st meeting of the Alexandria Sportsman’s Club.

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Welcome Back in Alexandria

T.C. students resume in-person classes.

One year after classes were abruptly suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic, students at T.C. Williams High School returned for in-person studies March 16 with social distancing practices now the new normal at the King Street campus.

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Happy 90th Birthday, Charles Nelson

On March 11, it was official: Charles Nelson became a nonagenarian, celebrating his 90th birthday with family at his home in Alexandria.

Sheriff Lawhorne Announces Retirement

To end 43-year career in law enforcement

Sheriff Dana Lawhorne, a life-long Alexandrian with 43 years in law enforcement, has announced his retirement effective Dec. 31, when his current term expires.

Alexandria Police Foundation Scam Call Alert

Calls targeting residents on behalf of police youth camp

The Alexandria Police Foundation is asking residents to be aware of solicitation phone calls purported to be on behalf of the foundation’s youth camp.

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Victory Center in Alexandria Transformed for Vaccines

High-capacity Covid-19 vaccination site to open in Alexandria as the one-year mark in the pandemic passes

A large-scale vaccination center for Northern Virginia is slated to open by the end of March at the long-vacant Victory Center, with the ability to provide upwards of 6,000 doses per day of the Covid-19 vaccine.

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‘Better Than I Deserve’: Roy Gravatte Dies at 84

For most people, the cursory greeting “How are you?” elicits a cursory “Fine, and you?” But for Roy Gravatte, it was a chance to show his gratitude in life with his signature response to anyone who asked: “Better than I deserve.”

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Celebrating Purim in Alexandria

Observance marks the saving of Jews from execution in Persia.

Students at Agudas Achim Congregation donned their best costumes on Feb. 26 to celebrate Purim, the holiday marking the saving from execution of the Jewish people in 5th century BC in Persia.

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They’re Back in Alexandria!

ACPS begins return to in-person classes

After nearly a year of virtual learning, Alexandria City Public Schools began the process of returning students to the classroom with a hybrid learning plan that began March 2.

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Departmental Progressive Club Food Drive

Donations collected for Alive!, ARHA

Members of the Departmental Progressive Club held a food and gift card drive Feb. 20 to collect non-perishable items for local families.

Alexandria Police Department K-9 Czekaj Dies; Served from 2012-2019

Retired Alexandria Police Department K-9 Czekaj has died.

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Alexandria Council Approves the Heritage Project

Vote is unanimous on Old Town development.

The controversial Heritage at Old Town development project will move forward following unanimous approval by the Alexandria City Council at its Feb. 20 public hearing.

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Pawsitive Partners in Arlandria

Volunteers care for feral cat colony

Ever since Devon Cain was a young girl, she has loved cats.

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Heart of Del Ray

Dolce & Bean presented with 2021 award

The Del Ray Business Association presented Dolce & Bean with the 2021 "Heart of Del Award" on Feb. 12.

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Thinking Small in Alexandria

Bill Reagan helps local businesses flourish.

Bill Reagan is not a very good salesman.

Nominations Open to Celebrate Women in Alexandria

2021 awards to honor women on front lines of pandemic

Nominations are now open for the 2021 Alexandria Celebrates Women Awards.

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Alexandrians Have Heart

Food and clothing drive supports local charities

More than 50 people braved the ice and freezing temperatures Feb. 13 to participate in the 13th annual Alexandrians Have Heart clothing and food drive sponsored by former City Councilman Frank Fannon.

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Obituary: Charlotte Ross

Beloved crossing guard dies at 95

For 50 years, Charlotte Ross was a fixture at the intersection of Polk Avenue and North Pegram Street, shepherding generations of students to safety as a crossing guard at James K. Polk Elementary School.

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Sweet Home Alexandria

Alive! collects housewares for those in need.

Alive! collected dozens of boxes of new and gently used housewares during a drive-by donation day Feb. 6 at Fairlington United Methodist Church.

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From Mount Vernon High School to the NFL

ASC to host David Knight Feb. 17.

David Knight, a 1969 graduate of Mount Vernon High School who went on to play wide receiver for the New York Jets in the National Football League, will be the featured speaker via Zoom at the Feb. 17 meeting of the Alexandria Sportsman’s Club.

All You Need is Love in Alexandria

Couples share the secret of working together.

It takes a brave soul to go into business with your other half.

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CVS to Offer COVID-19 Vaccine

Limited locations to begin Feb. 11

Beginning Feb. 11, Virginians will be able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at select CVS locations across the state.

Obituary: Charles R. Hooff III

Real Estate developer dies at 80

Alexandria native and real estate magnate Charles Hooff III, principal broker of the firm that bears his name, died Feb. 1 at the age of 80.

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CVS to Offer COVID-19 Vaccine

Limited locations to begin Feb. 11

Beginning Feb. 11, Virginians will be able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at select CVS locations across the state.

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Alexandria Planning Commission Approves Heritage of Old Town

Redevelopment plan goes to Council Feb. 20

By unanimous 7-0 vote, the Planning Commission approved The Heritage of Old Town project, a 750-unit development in the Southwest quadrant of the Historic District of Old Town.

Alexandria City Parking Officer Bonds Dies from COVID-19

PEO was 21-year veteran

The Alexandria Police Department announced the loss of Parking Enforcement Officer Edward Bonds, who died Jan. 28 from complications of Covid-19.

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License to Chill in Alexandria

Residents enjoy first snow of the season

It wasn’t Snowmageddon, but when snow fell on the area Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, it was the most snow the region has seen since 2018.

‘We Are Still Here’

Nonprofits adapt during pandemic with virtual events and services, PPP loans, and ingenuity.

In the grip of the Covid-19 pandemic, nonprofits have provided a lifeline to Alexandrians across the city.

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Obituary: Julian Wilson Everly Sr.

Funeral home scion dies at 89

The Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home is one of the oldest businesses in Alexandria, dating back to 1849, when Benjamin Wheatley opened for business on the waterfront.

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‘We Are Devastated’ in Alexandria

Atlantis Family Restaurant closing after 38 years

Long before celebrity chefs invaded the local culinary scene, there were Bill and Jim Patrianakos, who opened an unassuming restaurant in 1983 in an effort to provide quality food at reasonable prices.