Commentary: Closing Healthcare Gap
As the General Assembly attempts to complete work in Richmond on the $90 billion state budget, the looming obstacle to an agreement is how to close the health insurance gap or cover uninsured Virginians. There are an estimated one million uninsured adults in Virginia today or about one in every eight Virginians.
Mount Vernon Rec Center Offers Spring Break Camps
With Spring Break for public and private schools coming up on April 14 and April 21, the Mount Vernon Rec Center at 2017 Belle View Blvd. in Alexandria offers spring break camps, spring classes in ice skating and ice hockey and many opportunities to have fun.
‘Mount Vernon Revisited’ Captures Community’s History
Whether a history buff or a photography enthusiast, local residents will find something of interest in the newly released “Mount Vernon Revisited.” Journalists Michael K. Bohn and Jessie Biele co-authored the book which features more than 215 photographs, paintings and maps covering 340 years of Mount Vernon’s history. The book is available at Mount Vernon retailers and bookstores and online book outlets such as Amazon.com. It is also available through Acadia Publishing at 888-313-2665 or http://www.arcadiapublishing.com/9781467121132/Mount-Vernon-Revisited. “Mount Vernon Revisted” is a part of Acadia Publishing’s Arcadia Publishing’s “Images of America” series.
Virginia Bluebells: Native Spring Beauty
Carpets of bluebells coming soon to a park near you.
The Virginia Bluebells are coming. In early Spring, these native wildflowers will burst into bloom profusely throughout much of the Washington area. Botanically named Mertensia virginica, one of a number of species of Mertensia, Virginia Bluebells can be found in many moist, woodland areas, especially along streams and rivers. Depending on the weather, they first appear in early April as light pink buds, and then open into several shades of pink, blue and even white. In some areas along the local rivers they bloom in stunning profusion, creating a veritable carpet of color.
‘Sea Surface Full of Clouds’
WMPA, NOVA Community Chorus to debut work of local composer.
At a recent rehearsal of the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic, composer Lawrence Edward Ries observed the orchestra as it performed his cantata “Sea Surface Full of Clouds.”
Wagner Ready for NYU
Come August right-handed power hitter David Wagner will be packing his bags and heading to New York University. “I’ve spent my whole life working towards earning a college baseball career. It was very rewarding to finally reach my goal and play for New York — my top choice. New York is the ‘coolest’ city in the world.”
Letter to the Editor: Amusings
George Washington had a brilliant mind and many interests. Among them was his love for words and, specifically, anagrams. As you know (or maybe not), an anagram is a word or phrase which is created by rearranging its letters to form another word or phrase. As an example, the word "horse" can be "anagrammed" into "shore."
‘Carmen’ Comes to Area
Virginia Opera brings "Carmen" to Center for the Arts.
Virginia Opera, the Official Opera Company of the Commonwealth of Virginia, will present Georges Bizet’s sultry tragedy about opera’s most famous femme fatale, "Carmen." The opera has enthralled audiences for more than a century and is one of the most popular. "Carmen" follows Don José and his ill-fated obsession with the alluring Carmen who tosses him aside for another man leading to jealous rage.
African American Heritage Tour Stops in Alexandria
“Welcome to Alexandria,” called out the Alexandria Town Crier as 200-plus visitors stepped out of four tour buses at the Charles Houston Recreation Center last month.
On to State Competition
The Odyssey of the Mind Regional Competition was held at West Potomac on Saturday, March 15. West Potomac was well represented by two teams, both of which qualified to compete at the state competition.
Kicking Off the 19th Annual Kick Butts Day
Nearly 30 members of the Influence Club at T.C. Williams High School participated in a walking tobacco audit of local stores on March 19.
‘Goal Is To Spot Kids in Crisis’
Police, others take suicide prevention training.
Although there have been four recent incidents of teen suicides in Fairfax County, the Police Department has planned to offer Suicide Awareness and Intervention Training for its officers since October 2013.
Obit: Elsie Taylor Jordan Dies at 87
Family, friends mourn community activist and leader.
Elsie Taylor Jordan (Ms. Elsie) died peacefully at the age of 87 surrounded by her family at the Birmingham Green long-term care facility in Manassas on Feb. 7, 2014.
March for Meals: Bringing Attention To Senior Hunger
Mayor Bill Euille, City Council members Del Pepper and John Chapman and a team of Senior Services of Alexandria volunteers delivered meals to homebound seniors as part of the Meals on Wheels Association of America’s “March for Meals” Campaign.
Charles ‘Tony’ Gee Joins LLA Board
When Charles "Tony" Gee’s appointment to the Living Legends of Alexandria board of directors was announced, LLA President Pam St. Clair told the board, “When Tony was called to say he had been selected as a 2014 Living Legend he said ‘Thank you’ in his first breath and ‘How can I help?’ in the second.”
Spring Fun: The Ninja Gym
Looking for something a step up from the traditional gym? Urban Evolution in Alexandria offers parkour classes for ages 6 and up.
Creating a Bridge to Employment
ServiceSource assists people with a range of disabilities.
He attributes his turnaround to ServiceSource, a non-profit organization that provides a range of support and opportunities for people with a broad spectrum of disabilities, including a program for wounded veterans.
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.
Celebrating Inclusion
Board of Supervisors Names March Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Inclusion Month.
The Board of Supervisors has designated March "Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Inclusion Month" in Fairfax County. Both those with disabilities and those without have their lives enriched when people with disabilities are fully included in the community. This special month seeks to help those with disabilities find ways to be involved in the community, and bring awareness to others of these engaged neighbors.
Mount Vernon Home Sales: February, 2014
In February 2014, 99 homes sold between $1,435,000-$117,800 in the Mount Vernon area.
Mount Vernon Home Sales: February, 2014