Success Grows Here

Posted on | December 5, 2013 | No Comments

By Holly Burnett

Visiting Greenstreet Gardens during this time of year is a family outing not to be missed. Gorgeous wreaths, holiday greenery mixed with holly, rows of freshly cut Christmas trees and 150 varieties of endless poinsettias greet you. It’s not only the sheer drama of it all, imagining you have just been plopped into a holiday fairyland, but it’s the smells – the pine, the pine, the pine! It is without question, the most beautiful holiday offering in town, courtesy of owner and grower Ray Greenstreet, and his wife, Stacy.

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The 2014 Living Legends Nominees

Posted on | February 11, 2014 | No Comments

Following are the 26 nominees for the 2014 Living Legends of Alexandria. Click here to view photographs of each nominee courtesy of Nina Tisara/Living Legends of Alexandria.

Mike Anderson’s philanthropic contributions to the community date back to the 1980s when his Shooter McGee’s “Alexandria Autumn 10K” raised more than $50,000 for Special Olympics. Today, in an innovative partnership with ACT for Alexandria, Anderson gives back to more than 75 local nonprofits by donating 25 cents for every burger sold at Holy Cow restaurant.

Char McCargo Bah has a passion for African American history and genealogy, most particularly in Alexandria. She had a pivotal role in the publication of African Americans of Alexandria, Virginia – Beacons of Light in the Twentieth Century, which she co-authored with four other volunteers.

Rose Berler served on the board of directors of the Alexandria Hospital Corporation from 1978-86, continuing her affiliation from 1986-97 with what became the Alexandria Health Services Corporation. The first woman appointed to the Alexandria Redevelopment Housing Authority, she served as vice chair from 1974-79 and as chair from 1979-83.

As a result of Glenn Eugster‘s efforts, Fort Ward Park is a better and more esthetically attractive site. The maintenance and horticulture facilities are gone, more than 60 unmarked graves and numerous cultural artifacts have been identified and a formalized commitment to a park management process is in place.

One of his many philanthropic activities, Lee Fifer joined the board of the Carpenter’s Shelter in 1994 when it was on the verge of going out of business. His first assignment was to lead a fundraising effort where, with the help of many others, he raised $600,000 in six months. He chaired the board for ten years and still serves to this day.

At the same time that he was building his own business, the Snack Bar Restaurant, Charles “Tony” Gee was encouraging other local businesses to get started and to grow. While at his King Street location, he helped organize 84 Alexandria business owners and became the founding president of the Old Town Business Association.

Richard (Rick) Glassco has served as treasurer of ALIVE! (Alexandrians Involved Ecumenically) for 23 years. Since its founding in 1969, ALIVE! has grown from an all-volunteer organization to one with volunteers from 40 faith communities, approximately 14 employees and a 1.3 million dollar budget.

Gila S. Harris’ volunteer work swung into high gear the year she retired in 1994 when the City Council appointed her to the Equal Opportunity Commission, Alexandria’s official anti-poverty agency. Harris is the longest serving member, having been there 19 years. At the same time, she became a significant fundraiser for the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria.

For over 30 years, Ramona K. Hatten has been involved in community service in Alexandria. She was an Alexandria Redevelopment Housing Authority (ARHA) commissioner from 1982 to 1990, and instrumental in the formation of the Alexandria Resident Council (ARC) to assure public housing resident input into ARHA decisions affecting them.

Wayne Hulehan has been active in civic affairs since moving to Alexandria in 1971, receiving the Tommy Thompson Award for lifetime service to Boy Scouts of the National Capital Area. Many of his charitable causes are related to the fight to cure cancer.

A member of the Alexandria Commission for Women from 1997 to 2013, Susan B. Kellom now serves on the board of the Friends of the Alexandria Commission for Women. She served on the Alexandria Youth Policy Commission from 1997 to 2003 and as a member of the Alexandria Human Rights Commission from 1985 to 1997, including two terms as chair.

As Music Director of the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra for 25 years, Kim Allen Kluge contributes to the rich cultural fabric of Alexandria through his outstanding artistic leadership and a strong connection to the local community. Passionate about music education, in 2003, he founded the Children’s Arts Festival.

Perhaps best known for her tenure on the Alexandria school board during 2002-03 and 2003-06 (when she became the first minority women to serve as vice chair), Gwendolyn Hubbard Lewis was widely admired for her ability to steer the board through critical educational and personnel issues.

A passionate “boater,” Lorraine Lloyd wanted to showcase Alexandria’s waterfront and seaport history. In 2000, she volunteered to create and organize Alexandria’s first “Parade of Lights” boat parade. Today’s Parade of Lights is one of Alexandria’s holiday hallmarks and has attracted regional and national media.

Gregory L. (Gregg) Murphy led the merger of Alexandria Hospital into the INOVA Healthcare System. This merger gave Alexandria Hospital the financial stability to fund a new cancer center, a cardiac rehabilitation facility, and an $80 million expansion of the out-patient surgery center and the Emergency Department, which now serves nearly double the 50,000 patients it accommodated annually in the 1990s.

Since 32 years ago when Gary Oelze opened The Birchmere in Arlandria, it has been at the center of business activity in the area. For the past 11 years, Oelze and the Birchmere have hosted the Carpenter’s Shelter Cook-Off.

Frederic “Fred” Parker was ahead of his time when he and his brother, Jim, founded the Hard Times Café in 1980 on upper King Street. It now serves as an anchor for what has become a very vibrant area of Old Town and draws chili lovers nationally and internationally.

Known best for revitalizing the Del Ray business community with her business partner Scott Mitchell, through the establishment of St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub, Nora Partlow is often thought of as the “Mayor” of Del Ray. Besides making St. Elmo’s a community gathering place, Partlow mentors her young employees and showcases and promotes local artists and musicians.

James S. (Jim) Roberts has been an indefatigable advocate for children’s literacy since 1996 when he joined with other members of Alexandria’s faith-based communities to create the Alexandria Tutoring Consortium. Roberts was instrumental in seeing that children who struggled to master basic reading skills were matched with caring, competent volunteer tutors. He has served as treasurer and president of the board, a position he still holds.

For over 30 years, Tricia Rodgers has been a volunteer with programs that help to improve the lives of Alexandrians. For the past three years, Rodgers has served as co-chair, and now chair, of the Alexandria Childhood Obesity Action Network (A-COAN), a group whose mission is to reduce the number of Alexandria children who are overweight and obese.

James B. (Jim) Singerling’s civic involvement in Alexandria has included serving on the board of the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association and two terms on the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce board. He’s served on the board of First Night Alexandria and held all officers’ chairs on the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra Board, where he is now a trustee emeritus.

Jodie Smolik, director of the Winkler Preserve, helped save the 44.5-acre sanctuary and living classroom from destruction. Working around the Thanksgiving holiday, Smolik rallied the school community, parents and children, to come out in force against the city council’s plan to approve a proposed ramp off I-395, which would have destroyed a third of the preserve.

Shirley N. Tyler worked to bring about what became the Four Mile Run Flood Control Project by the US Army Corp of Engineers. She was appointed to the Alexandria School Board in 1973 and, from 1980 to 1982, served as the first African American female chairperson. She was instrumental in creating racial harmony during the redistricting of Alexandria City Public Schools.

Converse (Connie) West successfully completed certification courses offered at the Alexandria Police Academy and now regularly gives eight hours a week. He has logged over 5,200 volunteer hours of service with the Alexandria Police Department, the equivalent of nearly three full-time years.

A veteran of World War II and a 34-year career with the CIA, William (Bill) Willis began volunteering at Carpenter’s Shelter in 1981 and continues to do so today at age 90. In 1981, he also began volunteer service with ALIVE! and served as its president in 1984-85.

Donnan (Donnie) Chancellor Wintermute’s philanthropic achievements have had a major impact on the quality of life in Alexandria. Along with currently serving as vice president of the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra board of trustees, she was the 2013 honorary chair for The Historic Alexandria Homes Tour sponsored by Twig, the Junior Auxiliary of Inova Alexandria Hospital.

William “Bill” Rivers: Spearheaded Miracle League of Alexandria

Posted on | February 11, 2014 | No Comments

By Melinda Sigal

Citizen activist William “Bill” Rivers is one of the original members of the Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission’s Youth Sports Advisory Board, established in 2002, and serves as the board’s secretary. For more than 25 years he coached youth soccer and recreational league basketball for the Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities, mostly at Mount Vernon Recreation Center.

Since retiring after 33 years with the General Services Administration, Rivers devotes full attention to his family and athletics, especially youth sports and coaching. His interest in coaching started in the early 1980s when his two daughters played team sports and their teams needed coaches. Now he coaches his grandchildren’s teams. Read more

January 2014 Kiwanis Korner

Posted on | December 16, 2013 | No Comments

Tuesday, November 19 was the 21st Annual Joint Service Club’s Luncheon hosted by Alexandria Kiwanis. Over 50 organizations supporting the Alexandria community were invited to receive the community’s appreciation for their efforts. Mayor Bill Euille provided the key note address, noting that the role of the service organizations is essential for our community and for society.

The Annual Barbara and Frank Becker Stocking Stuffer was held on December 12. The Kiwanis Family included Kiwanians, guests, and Key Club members from Edison, T.C. Williams and Lee High Schools. This annual event was started by the late Frank Becker almost two decades ago and is being sustained by the support of Barbara Becker. An enthusiastic and efficient crew stuffed 372 stockings that were delivered to preschools: ALIVE!, Hopkins House, Network Preschool, Domestic Violence and the Campagna Center’s Headstart Program. Additionally, the Alexandria Kiwanis Foundation distributed over $1,000 in gift cards to Community Partners for Children, Residential Youth Services and Sheltered Homes.

More about Alexandria Kiwanis can be found at alexandriakiwanis.org and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/KiwanisAlexandria. 

50 SHADES! THE MUSICAL: A Must See This Month

Posted on | December 14, 2013 | No Comments

With sold out audiences in Chicago and New York screaming for more, 50 SHADES! THE MUSICAL – THE ORIGINAL PARODY is coming to Washington, DC’s Warner Theatre, January 16-18, for four performances only. The Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy has shattered sales records around the globe with more than 32 million copies sold in the United States alone. A sexy, hilarious romp, 50 SHADES! THE MUSICAL is a laugh out loud night of fun that audiences won’t want to miss! The musical parody opens with a ladies’ book club deciding to read Fifty Shades of Grey. Through their interpretation of the novel, the audience is led on a hilarious roller coaster ride of the bestseller.

Tickets start at $32.50. To purchase, call 800-551-7328 or visit livenation.com, ticketmaster.com, local Ticketmaster locations or the Warner Theatre Box Office. For additional show information, visit 50ShadesMusical.com or warnertheatredc.com.

Hank’s Oyster Bar Expanded

Posted on | December 13, 2013 | No Comments

In early December, Hank’s Oyster Bar closed to undergo an expansion project that increased the size of the popular Old Town eatery to include 1026 King Street as well as 1024. In June 2012, the Alexandria City Council approved plans for the project, which consisted of the addition of 29 bar-style seats and service facilities on the first floor with storage, refrigeration and office space in the basement. The restaurant now offers a total of 89 seats.

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