Designed for those who live and work across cities, this exceptional one-bedroom plus den at Towngate North offers a seamless blend of style, comfort, and convenience. The open, light-filled floor plan features smart home technology and wide-plank Croft Oak Natural flooring throughout. The chef’s kitchen impresses with KitchenAid stainless steel appliances, two-toned cabinetry, Carrara Morro quartz countertops, and a large island ideal for entertaining or casual dining. Unwind on the rooftop terrace with panoramic views of Washington, D.C., its monuments, and the Potomac River—the perfect spot to relax or host friends after a busy week. Additional perks include two garage spaces, extra storage, and premier amenities such as a fitness and yoga studio, club room, dog spa, and bike repair station. Situated in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, Towngate North offers effortless access to the Metro, parks, restaurants, and boutiques—just minutes to Reagan National Airport, National Harbor, and downtown D.C. A refined, lock-and-leave lifestyle awaits
7701 Northdown Road
Spectacular contemporary with sweeping views of the Potomac River! This luxury home is approximately 7,500 sq ft of luxury living situated on a 21,995 sq ft lot. Six bedrooms, 7 full and 2 half baths, ELEVATOR and 2 car garage. Inspiring 180 degree views from this half acre water view lot adjacent to Mt Vernon Trail. Offering a beautiful & serene setting with so much sunlight and sparkling evening views of the Potomac River including National Harbor and the lighted Ferris wheel. This exclusive location is sited on one of George Washington’s original farms. Enjoy watching the abundant wildlife ranging from Bald Eagles to Red Tailed Hawks. Exceptional and convenient location just 20 minutes to the heart of Washington, DC, 10 minutes to National Airport and minutes to Old Town.
Delivery! TWO new semi-detached homes from Bluestone Builders! Located in Rosemont convenient to Braddock & King St Metros, Del Ray and Old Town this location is unbeatable! Each home is approx. 3,000 sq.ft.: 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths on 3 finished levels. Enjoy relaxing on the covered porches, yard with patio and off street parking Call for additional information.
418 1/2 N. St. Asaph Street
Rarely available and sought after LEE MEWS! The perfect pied-a-terre:1 assigned PS, blocks to shops, restaurants, the river, bike path and minutes to the airport & airport! Tucked away in the back of the mews this 1 bedroom 800 sq ft home w/ 2 fireplaces exudes all the charm of Old Town! Recently updated with new windows, paint, paper & mouldings, HVAC, fixtures and appliances.
11 West Cedar Street
Located in the shadow of the Masonic Temple in the heart of historic Rosemont. This home has undergone an amazing renovation with addition. Another Bluestone Builders project with custom finishes and appointments throughout. The home is approx. 5,100 sq ft on a 6,500 sq ft lot with ample off street parking! The home has 3.5 finished levels, to include 5 bedrooms, 6 full and 2 half baths, family room , recreation room and playroom! Gracious room sizes, open kitchen with island, family room w/ gas fireplace and french doors to patio and fenced yard. February delivery. Call for additional information.
Inside This Issue
PUBLISHER’S NOTE
As we close out 2025, this December issue carries special meaning for us. It marks the culmination of Zebra’s first fifteen years. When we published our very first edition in December 2010, we were a scrappy little paper with big ideas, plenty of determination, and a belief that Alexandria deserved a newspaper devoted to celebrating the good. Fifteen years later, that belief still guides everything we do.
This year, we’re celebrating milestone anniversaries with two Alexandria institutions that have shaped generations. Our cover story (page 40) honors the 50th anniversary of Chris Collins Dance Studio—five decades of movement, dedication, and thousands of young dancers whose memories are woven into the life of this city. And beginning on page 25, we highlight the 50th anniversary of the Olde Towne School for Dogs, where families have taken their puppies—and later their grandchildren’s puppies—for half a century. Alexandria’s story wouldn’t be complete without them.
Courtesy Photo
There are many other wonderful stories tucked throughout this issue—far more than I could list here. And honestly, I don’t want to list them. Part of the joy of December is discovery, and I hope you’ll unwrap this edition the way you unwrap a favorite holiday gift: slowly, with curiosity, delight, and appreciation. Consider this issue our December present to you, the readers who keep us going year after year.
As we step into our sixteenth year,
my deepest thanks go not only to our readers, contributors, and photographers, but also to our advertisers and sponsors. Without your support, none of this would be possible. You are the backbone of this publication and the reason we can continue delivering good news to a city we love.
We’ll take our customary January break and return with our next print edition in February. But Zebra never sleeps. Our online newsroom will keep publishing fresh stories every single day, so stay connected by signing up for our newsletters, following us on social media, and subscribing (it’s free!) at thezebra.org/ subscribe/.
Thank you for fifteen remarkable years. Here’s to year sixteen—and to the joy, connection, wagging tails, and bright lights awaiting in the months ahead.
Warmest holiday wishes,
DECEMBER ’25
Mary
Mulligan Fleischman
O’Flaherty
MacConomy
Pat Miller, Consultant Pmiller1806@comcast.net Sophia Hart Z-Newsletter Editor sophia@thezebrapress.com
Shenise Foster Special Projects shenise@thezebrapress.com
Mina Forsythe Rempe Paginator and Designer Electronic Ink
Linda Hill/CEO lhill@thezebrapress.com
Advertising Rick Cheetham VP of Sales rickcheetham321@gmail.com 703-261-3957
Kelli Goel kelli@thezebrapress.com
Mulligan
Mary Wadland Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
Mary Wadland
BELOVED 272-YEARTRADITIONWILL CONTINUE JUSTACROSSTHE STREET STARTING JANUARY 2026
BY MARY WADLAND
Alexandria’s iconic Old Town Farmers’ Market— one of the oldest continuously operating markets in the nation—is on the move. Beginning in January 2026 (exact date forthcoming), the market will temporarily relocate to the 100 block of North Royal Street and the courtyard at Tavern Square while Market Square and City Hall undergo significant renovations.
City officials say the temporary relocation is essential to ensure the market’s remarkable 272-year tradition continues without interruption.
The new setup—located just steps from its historic footprint—will offer all the same elements that genera-
tions of Alexandrians have come to love. More than
70 local vendors, including farmers, bakers, florists,
and makers, will continue to operate each Saturday from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m., rain or shine.
Shoppers can also expect several advantages at the temporary site, including a more spacious layout for easier browsing and improved access to nearby parking options while the Market Square Garage remains closed during construction.
The market is expected to operate at the North Royal Street/Tavern Square location for two to three years, depending on the length of the renovation project.
The City will release additional details—including the official start date—in the coming weeks.
How Veterans and Military Spouses are Turning Grit into Business Growth in Alexandria
BY LISA-HELENE LAWSON
Virginia Tech and the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP) hosted a dynamic networking event last month at the newly established Virginia Tech Institute for Advanced Computing. The event, “From Service to Startups: Veteran and Military Spouse Entrepreneurship in Action,” brought together veterans, military spouses, and local entrepreneurs to share experiences, forge connections, and explore opportunities in business.
Debbie Bradbard, Director of the Boeing Center for Veteran Transition and Military Families at Virginia Tech, opened the event by highlighting the region’s strengths. “Our mission centers around education, employment, entrepreneurship, and research. This vibrant region offers extensive support for veteran- and military spouseowned businesses, and today’s gathering aims to unify those efforts,” she stated.
Philomena Fitzgerald, Small Business and Entrepreneurship Manager at AEDP, underscored the importance of streamlined resources. “We
serve as a one-stop platform for local business support services, helping founders navigate the ecosystem here in Alexandria,” she explained.
A panel of three local entrepreneurs shared insights into how military service and family life influence their business journeys: Brad Halsey, CEO and Co-Founder of Building Momentum, and a Navy veteran; Kendra Peña-Collazo, owner of Movement in Science, and a military spouse and bodywork practitioner; and Laura Hatcher, owner of Laura Hatcher Photography, and a Navy veteran and former intelligence officer.
Throughout the event, the importance of networking was emphasized. Attendees mingled with representatives from the Virginia Small Business Financing Authority (VSBFA), SCORE DC, and other regional resources dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship.
The event served as a testament to the region’s commitment to empowering those who have served and their families, fostering a vibrant ecosystem where entrepreneurship and military service intersect to create lasting community impact.
Photo: Visit Alexandria.
Old Town Farmers’ Market.
Photo by Lisa-Helene Lawson
L-R: Kendra Peña-Collazo (Movement in Science); Debbi Bradbard (VT Boeing Center for Veteran Transition and Military Families); Laura Hatcher (Laura Hatcher Photography); Philomena Fitzgerald (AEDP); Brad Halsey (Building Momentum).
The Holiday Project Seeks Volunteer Visits
VOLUNTEERS BRIGHTENTHE SEASON FOR MILLIONS SPENDINGTHE HOLIDAYS IN HOSPITALSAND CARE FACILITIES
BY JANE COLLINS
This holiday season, The Holiday Project is once again spreading warmth, connection, and celebration by sponsoring volunteer visits to residents in hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted care facilities across the country.
Locally, holiday volunteers are still needed on December 20 to bring joy to residents of Regency Care of Arlington. “These visits bring the spirit of a holiday to people who otherwise would not have a celebration,” says Robin Wiley, President of The Holiday Project.
The Holiday Project, a national nonprofit organization, is powered by hundreds of volunteers who spend Christmas, Chanukah, and other special days throughout the year visiting individuals who are unable to celebrate at home. Each year, 1.5 million Americans spend their holidays in institutional settings—and more than two-thirds have no living relatives.
For these individuals, the
season can be a lonely and emotionally difficult time. Meanwhile, many people in the community are searching for ways to reconnect with the true meaning of the holidays. The Holiday Project offers the perfect opportunity—bringing joy to others while rediscovering the spirit of giving.
Volunteers often describe the experience as transformative. As one participant shared, “Now I have only to touch on my experience of The Holiday Project to have the holiday season be the way I always wanted it to be.”
Since the 1970s, Holiday Project volunteers have visited more than 1.5 million people nationwide, reminding them that they are remembered, valued, and not alone during the holidays.
To learn more about upcoming events, visit: http:// www.holidayproject.net/ events
To donate and support the mission, visit: http:// www.holidayproject.net/ donate
Photo: Mary Wadland
Nancy Parlett receives a hospital visit on Christmas Day, something she said she never forgot.
KIDS and
Old Town North’s Arts District Moving From Vision to Reality
BY JENNIE CHEN
As the end of 2025 approaches, Old Town North is filled with anticipation as four major development projects are in progress, featuring incredible arts and cultural components. Details on those constructions were shared by the Old Town North Alliance during the Arts & Cultural District Forum last month.
Tidelock: A New Waterfront Gateway for Arts, Dining, and Living
The Tidelock development is moving forward with two major residential components: The Residences, a 65unit condominium building, and Current, a 169-unit rental apartment project. Sales for both have already launched, with condominium delivery expected in April 2026.
The project dedicates 5,000 square feet to cultural uses, including a proposed Italian car museum that would be a signature draw for the Arts & Cultural District.
MetroStage: A Home for Local Theater and the Alexandria Film Festival
MetroStage—one of Alexandria’s most beloved arts institutions—is undergoing
LEFT: Rendering of the Tidelock Development of “The Residences” and “Current.” This image is displayed during the Old Town North Alliance virtual forum.
a full transformation and is poised to become the permanent home of the Alexandria Film Festival. With improved technical capabilities and expanded space, MetroStage is expected to become a corner-
Montgomery Center: Major Mixed-Use Destination Still Moving Forward Despite broader chal-
stone cultural venue in Old Town North.
BELOW: Old Town North’s new Italian car museum might be showing off classics like this 1959 Ferrari Spyder spotted at the Malta Classic Car Museum.
Courtesy photo
Photo by Allenthereturedpostman Flickr
Courtesy photo
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Your Definitive Guide to Alexandria Holiday Magic
BY MARY WADLAND
“Christmas in Alexandria has been likened to the set of a Hallmark movie,” one longtime resident says—and every December, the city proves it. From glowing trees and candlelit mansions to tartan parades and boats shimmering down the Potomac, Alexandria’s holiday events offer
December
at
a Glance
Dec 7 — Del Ray Tree & Menorah Lighting Dec 12–13 — Mount Vernon by Candlelight
Dec 19 — Mount Vernon by Candlelight Dec 20–21 — Christmas Illuminations Fireworks Dec 22–23 — Mount Vernon by Candlelight
Photo: Gayle Reuter
Typical turnout for Del Ray Christmas tree lighting and Chanukah Menorah viewing.
Lighting the Way: Alexandria’s Push for Road Safety After Dark
You closed your laptop, you left your office and walked out to your car Monday early evening. It hits you. It is dark at 5:00 pm. After the clocks turn back, commuters are plunged into darkness.
The week of the time change is a particularly challenging one on the roads. Commuters must adjust to that sudden shift to a darker rush hour. Everyone is commuting in the dark, and that includes bicyclists and pedestrians. Typically, the region sees an increase in conflicts involving motorists and those on foot, bicycle and scooter in the week of Daylight Sav-
All photos by Judtih Fogel
LEFT: Ashley Daniel exits the Potomac Yard Trail on her way home from work. The Air Force employee bike commutes round trip several days a week.
Zebra Book Club Explores Murakami’s
The City and Its Uncertain Walls
BY LISA-HELENE LAWSON
On Monday, November 24, the Zebra Book Club gathered at Aldo’s Italian Kitchen, eager to dive into Haruki Murakami’s intriguing novel, The City and Its Uncertain Walls. Members enjoyed a lively discussion led by Maureen Cooney, sharing their interpretations of the book’s surreal landscapes and complex themes.
The novel follows a nameless protagonist as he navigates a dreamlike city filled with uncertain boundaries and existential dilemmas. Club members enthusiastically debated Murakami’s signature blend,
a work of magical realism, reflecting on their interpretations of the novel’s themes: isolation, romance, and identity.
In the cozy atmosphere of Aldo’s, members dined on Italian food favorites while contemplating the symbolic walls that both separate and unite the characters in the story. As the discussion concluded, members unanimously agreed that Murakami’s work invites readers to reflect on the book’s complex themes, making for an enriching evening of literature and camaraderie.
The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 26,
Photos by Lisa-Helene Lawson
The Zebra Book Club enjoyed delicious Italian food at Aldo’s Italian Kitchen for their November meeting. Owner Emanuele Cognetti is holding the month’s book with the group.
Potomac River’s Health Rebounds, but Swimmers Beware
POTOMAC CONSERVANCY GIVES RIVERA GRADE OF“B”
BY JUDITH FOGEL
Despite decades of cleanup, the Potomac is stuck at a “B” - still too polluted for safe swimming and fishing. That’s what Hedrick Belin, executive director of the Potomac Conservancy, revealed to a gathering of reporters last month at DC Wharf.
“It certainly is a big turnaround from the dismal ‘D’ that it received in 2011, but it also means that progress is stalled. Now, it’s important because our river supplies drinking water to 5 million
isn’t reliably safe for swimming or eating fish. It’s been a remarkable comeback, hard fought over decades to get to this point.”
“The biggest threat to the Potomac is urban polluted runoff, the dirty mix of street oil, fertilizers, sediment, and trash that flows off of our streets, lawns and parking lots,” Belin elaborated. “And it flows into all our streams that ultimately go into the Potomac. Forest loss and extreme climate conditions are also making
this worse.”
There is some good news. The Potomac River is undergoing an impressive comeback and is entering a pivotal decade in its restoration. According to the new 2025 Potomac River Report Card, outdoor recreation in the Potomac River region surged 10% since 2020, and major infrastructure improvements are tackling urban pollution. But the river’s future is now in question and setbacks threaten to
Photo by Judith Fogel
Aquil Abdullah, first Black male US Olympic rower, stands on the balcony of Capital Yacht Club at DC Wharf. Abdullah was one of five speakers at the press conference.
Photo: Lauren Alozie/Potomac Conservancy Aquil Abdullah shakes hands with co-panelists Nico Forris, left, and Mike Nardolilli.
A History of Philanthropy in Alexandria
BY DANIEL LEE, OFFICE OF HISTORIC ALEXANDRIA
Did you know that many of the historical buildings you see in Alexandria today are thanks to the philanthropic nature of community members? The buildings, artifacts, and stories that have been saved can all be linked back to dedicated community members.
In the 1930s, after the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary closed its doors, Alexandria citizens partnered with private buyers to purchase the collection and archives. At the same time, the newly formed Landmarks Society purchased the buildings. Their actions preserved the collection that teaches medical history inside Alexandria and beyond. To this day, the Landmark Society, now called the Mortar and Pestle Society, has given over $200,000 to continue the preservation efforts of the Apothecary Museum.
Sometimes preservation is driven by an individual like Annie B. Rose, an advocate for African American history, housing, voting, senior rights, and education in Alexandria. Rose helped found the Alexandria Society for the Preservation of Black Heritage, opened the Black History Resource Center, today the Alexandria Black History Museum,
ABOVE: The Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary in 1928. BELOW: A 2015 reproduction of the 1928 image of the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary.
and worked to secure landmark status for the Freedom House Museum at 1315 Duke Street. Her grassroots organizing, fundraising, and civic leadership rescued stories and places that might otherwise have been overlooked.
Another Alexandrian who used philanthropy to preserve Alexandria’s historic buildings was Rebecca Ramsay Reese. In the early 20th century, women in upper-class families were known for championing causes that they believed benefited the common good. In Alexandria, Mrs. Rebecca Ram-
sey Reese embodied this spirit as a prominent activist in historic preservation. While the newspapers provide only occasional glimpses into Mrs. Reese’s life, her efforts touched many of the historic buildings that tourists are drawn to today: Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, Ramsey House, Christ Church, and the Old Presbyterian Meeting House.
Mrs. Reese used her influence in her social circles and organizations, especially the Mount Vernon Chapter of the Daughters of the Ameri-
can Revolution and the Alexandria Garden Club, to raise awareness and money for preservation projects around Alexandria. Her efforts allowed the American Legion Post #24, which had purchased Gadsby’s Tavern just before the Great Depression, to complete the restoration of the 1792 tavern.
Not only did Mrs. Reese help raise money, but she also personally oversaw the restoration effort. Mrs. Reese corresponded with Milton Grigg, an architect best known for his restoration work at Colonial Williamsburg and Monticello. She was determined to restore the building accurately, walking to the tavern from her nearby home multiple times a day to personally oversee the workmen.
As quoted in the newspaper, she believed “Alexandria must maintain its historic landmarks if it is to retain its character… [and not] become a mere suburb of Washington.” In the final years of her life, she advocated for permanent protection of the City’s historic character. Her advocacy resulted in the creation of the Old and Historic Alexandria District in 1946, which codified the protection of historic buildings by a Board of Architectural Review. Mrs. Reese, recognized as a prominent local preservationist, served on the board from 1946 until her death in 1955.
Friend groups, private donors, and other nonprofit organizations have funded everything from research to restorations, wayfinding signs, and collections care across many Historic Alexandria sites. The Alexandria Oral History Center also receives the gifts of stories that preserve the personal histories of Alexandria’s residents.
It is through this support, activism, and funding that Alexandria’s historic buildings and histories remain accessible. Alexandria’s preservation has always been a civic act: the community making gifts that together protect the places and people who made the city what it is.
All photos courtesy of Historic Alexandria (except where noted)
LEFT: The newly re-opened Freedom House Museum at 1315 Duke St.
Photo by Erik Patten
McArthur Myers, 73, Tireless Advocate for Preserving Alexandria’s African American History
Alexandria has lost one of its most passionate historians, advocates, and community stewards. McArthur Myers, whose life’s work helped ensure that the stories of African Americans in Alexandria would never be forgotten, passed away this week. He was 73.
A Living Legend of Alexandria and a steadfast force for social justice, community memory, and historical preservation, Myers dedicated his life to uplifting the city he loved. Guided by the belief that “the time is always right to do what is right,” he lived those words every day through service, mentorship, and an unwavering commitment to telling the whole story of Alexandria.
A Childhood Shaped by Courage and Firsts
Born in South Carolina, Myers came to Alexandria at 6 months old in 1952 and was raised during segregation. Myers experienced firsthand the challenges faced by Black children integrating previously all-white institutions. He and his sister, Lucille, were among the first African American students to attend Prince Street Elementary School. He later helped integrate both the Alexandria Boys Club and its Boy Scout Troop.
A graduate of T.C. Williams High School, Myers studied Administration of Justice at American University before embarking on a more than 40-year career
with the District of Columbia Department of Mental Health.
Inspired by Strong Women and a Lifelong Call to Serve
Myers often credited two women for instilling in him a drive for justice and service: his mother, Carrie Myers, a Civil Rights–era “Block Captain,” and former Alexandria City Manager Vola Lawson, whom he called his second mother.
“She helped me to become the man I am,” he said of Lawson. Through her, he learned to navigate human rights struggles, community organizing, and the responsibility to speak up for oth-
ers. His personal motto — “You got to step up and step in” — reflected both his approach to life and his invitation for others to join him in the work.
A Leader in Prince Hall Freemasonry
“I always wanted to be a Mason,” Myers told Jeanne Theismann in a video interview in 2020. “When I was growing up there were Masons all around. You knew ’em by their car, because they had the emblem.”
In 2012, Myers joined Universal Lodge #1, the oldest Prince
Hall Lodge in Virginia, where he quickly emerged as a dedicated historian and advocate. His petition to the Virginia Department of Historic Resources resulted in a state historical marker honoring the lodge in 2018.
He served as the 174th Worshipful Master and later became Grand Historian of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Virginia. In 2016, he became the first African American member of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association — a milestone he regarded as deep-
317 E Braddock Rd.
Charitable Foundation.
Photo: Steven Halperson/Tisara Photography McArthur Myers, 1952-2025.
Photo: Debby Critchley
In 1775, Prince Hall and 14 other free black men were initiated into the freemasonry brotherhood directly descended from the United Grand Lodge of England. This Virginia marker recognizes the historic significance of Universal Lodge No. 1, a chapter of Prince Hall Masonry, founded by three Alexandria men in 1845. McArthur Myers, center, stands in front of the new marker at 112 East Oxford Avenue in Alexandria, which was dedicated on Saturday, March 23, 2019.
ly meaningful. “My sister and I used to walk down to the Masonic Temple to look into it because it was such a huge place, ” he told Theismann. “What kid didn’t want to know what that was about?” Two years later, he organized the first Prince Hall meeting ever held at the Memorial.
Champion of Alexandria’s African American Story
Myers was a driving force behind the placement of nine historical markers acknowledging significant African American sites throughout the city, including a granite bench dedicated to Martin Luther King, Jr at the Masonic Memorial in 2023, Roberts Memorial UMC, Beulah Baptist Church, Third Baptist Church, and Universal Lodge #1.
He was integral in bringing the Freedom House Museum into the Alexandria Museum System and played a major role in developing the African American Heritage Trail, now being mapped along the Waterfront through historic communities such as Fishtown, The Berg, Canal, and The Hump.
“Walking through Alexandria, you hear all the stories–you hear George Washington, the Revolutionary War, the slavery story, John Gadsby, Gadsby’s Tavern, and then you wouldn’t hear the African American story, and I knew something wasn’t right, ” Myers said in the video interview. “And I looked around and said, the story is here, but we don’t have it visible. And that’s when I started. Tell the good, the bad, and the ugly. And you’ll find more beauty than ugly. This is our city. Tell the story.”
In 2019, the Alexandria Archaeological Commission honored him with the Ben Brenman Archeology in Alexandria Award for Outstanding Community History.
A Tireless Voice
for Confronting Racial Terror in Alexandria
Among Myers’ most deeply held commitments was ensuring that Alexandria never forgot the tragic death of Joseph McCoy, a 19-yearold Black Alexandrian who was lynched by a mob on April 23, 1897. Myers worked closely with the Equal Justice Initiative’s Community Remembrance Project, helping lead the city’s annual memorial gatherings that honor McCoy’s life and acknowledge the injustice he suffered.
He believed that telling McCoy’s story — and the truth about Alexandria’s era of racial terror — was essential to healing, accountability, and community understanding. Myers helped educate residents about the lynching site, supported soil collection ceremonies, and spoke often about the need to face this chapter of history directly, not quietly.
Through his efforts, McCoy’s name became known to new generations, ensuring he would not be erased from the city’s narrative.
Mentor, Advocate, and Bridge-Builder
Myers devoted more than 14 years to mentoring 15 young men, offering guidance grounded in compassion, patience, and lived experience. He served with numerous organizations, including the Alexandria Society for the Preservation of Black History, the Alexandria Black History Museum Board, the Alexandria Historic Resource Commission, and the Equal Justice Initiative’s Community Remembrance Project.
His life’s work created a roadmap for honoring the past while building a better future.
[Editor’s Note: Memorial Service details have not been released at this time, but when they become available, Zebra will share immediately on thezebra.org as well as on our social media platforms.]
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Old Town at Home: A New Look Inside Alexandria’s Most Storied Houses
AVISUAL JOURNEYTHROUGH OLDTOWN’S MOST CAPTIVATING HOMES—PASTAND PRESENT— BROUGHTTO LIFE BYAUTHORANNE METCALFAND PHOTOGRAPHER GORDON BEALL
BY LOUISE KRAFFT
After two years in the making, Old Town at Home: Historic Alexandria Today is hitting local shelves. In this richly photographed coffee-table book, longtime Alexandrian Anne Metcalf highlights 19 Old Town homes— each chosen for its distinctive décor, history, or architectural character.
A port city founded in 1749, Old Town Alexandria is known for its nationally designated historic district, brick sidewalks, cobblestone alleys, and remarkably preserved 18th- and 19th-century buildings. Today, its streets form an outdoor architecture museum—and a backdrop for one of the region’s most desirable residential neighborhoods.
Metcalf, who has lived in Alexandria for more than 30 years, is an architecture enthusiast who has restored several historic homes of her own. The idea for the book came unexpectedly.
“After attending a friend’s party, I left thinking: their house is so beautiful—someone should capture it at this moment in time,” she recalls. “I’ve seen many homes sold and their interiors stripped of original woodwork. Only a few have interior preservation easements. When I realized the last Old Town coffee-table book was in 1948— and in black and white—I decided it was time for a new one.”
Selecting the homes took months. Metcalf turned to respected local architect Bud Adams for guidance. Adams’s own residence is among the featured properties, and he also wrote the book’s foreword. Together, they narrowed an extensive list to 19 homes that reflect Old Town’s diversity of style, décor, and history.
“My overall aim was to showcase homes with a variety of stories,” Metcalf explains. “Most were built in the 1800s in the Federal style—this is Old Town, after all—but once you open their doors, it’s a different ballgame. That made it fun for Gordon Beall, the photographer, and me. I also looked for homes that touched on the history of African Americans in Old Town.”
OLD TOWN AT HOME
The final selection ranges widely: the home of George Washington’s physician, who heard the president’s last words; its nextdoor neighbor filled with bold contemporary art; a residence that hosted Marquis de Lafayette on his final American tour; a home where an African American doctor treated patients during segregation; a house with a rare collection of early American furniture and Peale portraits; a glass-and-steel condo reimagined inside the former Elks Club; and more.
“The concept of ‘home’ is deeply personal,” Metcalf adds. “Some people create a home wherever they are. Others seek a specific place and time—like a childhood home. This book tells the story of how people live in Old Town’s historic homes today. Some decorate in period style, some have carved out massive wine cellars, and some even have glass floor panels to light a basement gym. Every home had its surprises.”
Acclaimed photographer Gordon Beall collaborated with Metcalf throughout the project. Beall has photographed for many of the nation’s top shelter magazines—including Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, and Southern Living—and is known for his meticulous, light-rich interiors work. His book credits include The Inn at Little Washington: A Magnificent Obsession
Old Town at Home will be available at Patina on South Columbus Street, The Virginia Florist at Belle View Shopping Center, select pop-ups at Made in ALX on King Street, and on the author’s website at www.annelmetcalf.com
“Whether it’s wisteria bursting on garden walls in spring, boats sailing down the Potomac in summer, fall leaves papering cobblestone streets, or the holiday lights twinkling up and down King Street—it’s just a magical town,” Metcalf says.
Anne Metcalf Photographs by Gordon Beall
Metcalf
Old Town at Home: Historic Alexandria Today By Anne Metcalf Photographs by Gordon Beall
pages • $40
ABOVE: The interiors of the Adams home are the combined work of the couple and their friends, author James Archer Abbott and decorator Beverley Stinson. The home’s furnishings include Federal, Empire, 19th Century, and Biedermeier pieces.
The owners of the Chapman/Memery home began restoring the interior to its 18th-century character in 1997.
The owners opened the double parlors and added pocket doors, carved Federal mantels, and historically appropriate wallpaper.
The well-used
LEFT: An oasis of green
POTOMAC RIVER
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12
upend decades of progress, preventing the Potomac’s return to a fully fishable and swimmable river.
north, Point Lookout in the east, and Fairfax Stone in the West. It provides about 25% of the fresh water that flows into the Chesapeake Bay.”
The Potomac River is a central feature of Alexandria. The city sees a steady flow of visitors from the region and around the country who flock to the port city to stroll along its picturesque waterfront. One year ago, The Zebra met with Belin, just before he announced a major fundraising kickoff. Belin warned that without further progress, the river runs the risk of reaching the point of no return. At today’s news conference, The Zebra asked Belin if that danger still looms today.
“We could lose ground,” Belin responded. “One of the challenges compared to several decades ago is the impact from climate change. We’re seeing more intense storms delivering much greater volume of rainfall. Achieving a healthy river is in no way a guarantee.”
Just how large is the mighty Potomac? “To give you an idea, the Potomac River watershed is about the size of Switzerland,” explained Mike Nardolilli, executive director of Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin. “It goes from Staunton in the south to Gettysburg in the
Belin praised Alexandria’s AlexRenew project, comparing it to what DC Water has done on its side of the river. “Alex Renew captures polluted runoff before it goes into the creeks and streams. The revitalization of the Alexandria waterfront is going to draw more people to the city.”
Belin continued, “Not everyone has to swim in the Potomac. Not everyone has to fish, but it’s emblematic of a very healthy river. We want to try to be the first on the East Coast to be able to say that we’ve achieved an official swimmable river.”
Aquil Abdullah is a US Olympic rower. A DC native, Abdullah stressed the importance of a healthy river. “As the first African American male rower to represent the United States, clean water, access, and opportunity are very important to me.”
Abdullah relayed a story his aunt told him, about a little boy walking by the river. The child spotted Abdullah and asked his mom, “What’s that guy doing on the river?” And his parents replied, “rowing.” “There’s a little kid that saw a Black man rowing, and it sparked his imagination,” Abdullah recounted.
He continued, “My goal
CONTINUED ON PAGE 75
Photos by Gordon Beall
ABOVE:
open-hearth fireplace in the kitchen of the Adams home.
splendor in the back garden of the Adams home.
RIGHT:
ABOVE:
RIGHT: An artist’s studio in the former Elks Club on Prince Street was reimagined and renovated by the current owner to serve as a pied-à-terre for himself or friends visiting Alexandria.
Photo by Lauren Alozie/Potomac Conservancy
The panel of speakers at the Potomac Conservancy news conference. Left to right: Aquil Abdullah, first Black male US Olympic rower; Mike Nardolilli, executive director, Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin; Nico Forris, CEO, Boating in DC; Hedrick Belin, executive director, Potomac Conservancy; Dr. Moussa Wone, vice president, Clean Rivers Project, DC Water.
ABOVE: The Miller home on Cameron Street is nicknamed “Alexandria’s Alamo.” Two earlier houses were joined together around 1820 behind a crenelated façade resembling the then-owner’s ancestral Scottish castle.
LEFT: The wisteria blooming over the garden wall of the Chapman/Memery home draws countless visitors in the spring.
LIVING LEGENDS
Alexandria Honors Its 2025 Living Legends During an Evening of Inspiration
NEW CLASS OFTWELVE CELEBRATEDATTHE MASONIC MEMORIAL FOR SHAPING
THE CITYTHROUGH SERVICE,LEADERSHIP,AND HEART
BY LISA-HELENE LAWSON
The grand hall of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial was filled with applause and heartfelt moments on November 12 as Alexandria honored the Living Legends of Alexandria Class of 2025. The annual celebration recognized twelve residents whose leadership, service, and generosity have left a profound mark on the community.
Local leaders, family members, and longtime friends gathered for the ceremony, guided with warmth and humor by Living Legends Board President Mary Wadland, founder and publisher of The Zebra Press, who served as Mistress of Ceremonies.
First-time attendee Jasmine Haywood described the event as “inspiring,” adding, “I learned so much from listening to the honorees’ life stories. It gave me a deeper appreciation for the people who paved the way for many benefits we enjoy in the city today.”
Among the honorees was Olympic medalist and world champion sprinter Noah Lyles, the youngest Living Legend ever recognized. Lyles received a standing ovation for both his athletic accomplishments and his commitment to inspiring Alexandria’s youth. “I’ve always said Alexandria gave me my start,” Lyles told the crowd. “Being recognized by my hometown means more than any medal.”
Also honored were Mary Lee Anderson, Ana Bonilla-Galda-
CONTINUED ON PAGE 23
ABOVE: A highlight of the night: the oldest and youngest Legends Marilyn Patterson, 98, (Class of 2012) and 2025 inductee Noah Lyles, 28, sharing a moment.
Photo by Mary Wadland
ABOVE: Guests enjoyed a lively reception in the Grand Hall of the GW Masonic Memorial, mingling and toasting to the Class of 2025.
Photo: Allison Silberberg ABOVE: Meet the Legends program.
LEFT: The Alexandria Living Legends, Class of 2025.
Photo: Mary Wadland
Start a new family tradition at Mount Vernon’s Christmas Illuminations event: watch as a dazzling display of fireworks are launched over the Potomac River. Lady Washington welcomes you to her home during Mount Vernon’s annual Candlelight tours.
HOLIDAY MAGIC
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
some of the most charming and festive holiday moments in the region. Here’s your complete guide to what’s happening this month.
Del Ray Holiday Tree & Menorah Lighting —
Sunday, December 7 at 6 p.m.
Pat Miller Square transforms into a warm and glowing corner of Mount Vernon Avenue for one of the most heartfelt events of the season. Pat Miller describes it best: “It’s the kind of night where everyone feels like family—even if you’ve just met.”
Holiday at Mount Vernon — Candlelight Tours & Fireworks
Just a short drive south, George Washington’s Mount Vernon offers one of the most atmospheric holiday experiences in the region. The estate glows with lanterns, holiday décor inspired by the 18th century, warm fires, and spectacular evening programs.
Mount Vernon by Candlelight
Dec 12–13
Dec 19
Dec 22–23
Time: 5:30–8:30 p.m.
Guests take a guided candlelit tour of the man -
sion’s first and second floors while historic interpreters share stories of Washington family traditions and winter life on the estate. Costumed characters, fireside demonstrations, and lantern-lit paths bring the estate to life.
A repeat visitor describes it as: “Walking through history with only candlelight to guide you, like it was in George Washington’s day.”
Christmas Illuminations
Fireworks
Dates: Dec 20–21
Time: 5:30–8:30 p.m.
This signature event features fireworks over the Potomac River, holiday music, an artisan market, historic trades demonstrations, and visits with Aladdin the camel—a nod to Washington’s love of unusual animals.
Daytime Holiday Touches
All season long, visitors can enjoy:
• Holiday decorations inspired by 18th-century traditions
• A beautifully decorated tree in the orientation center
• Hands-on family activities
Seasonal treats and holiday shopping
Courtesy photo
A Lifetime in Focus: Alexandria Honors Lawrence Robinson’s 58 Years at the DPC
BY PAT MALONE
In a city that treasures its history as much as its people, few names carry the quiet weight and respect of Lawrence “Robbie” Robinson. On Friday night, the Departmental Progressive Club (DPC), an anchor of Alexandria’s African American civic life, was packed as generations gathered to honor his 58 years of service.
At 95, Robinson may move more slowly, but the room leaned in his direction. Family, friends, longtime DPC members, city leaders, and fellow members of the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World (IBPOEW) came not just to mark a retirement, but to celebrate a man who helped write key chapters of Alexandria’s story with his camera, his leadership, and his unwavering presence.
Robinson’s fingerprints are on nearly every major moment in the modern history of the DPC. Board member, adviser, youth sports coach, organizer—and, as one speaker noted, the man who “never met a community moment he didn’t think was worth remembering.”
For more than five decades, he served as photographer and unofficial historian for Alexandria’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration, chronicling every march, choir performance, speaker, and face in the crowd. He did not just take pictures; he preserved the city’s heart.
Everyone in Alexandria seems to have a “Robbie photo” tucked away somewhere: youth teams at old recreation centers, early community festivals, neighborhood leaders before they were leaders, church gatherings, family reunions, civic milestones, and the everyday triumphs that never made the news but mattered just the same.
Robinson never imagined a camera could be a bridge. But through decades of photographs, he watched generations grow and a community come together.
Lawrence Robinson with his wife, Evangeline (left), and their family at his retirement celebration at the DPC.
Lawrence Robinson and his wife of 70 years, Evangeline Robinson.
All photos by Lucelle O’Flaherty
Pat Malone, left, with Lawrence Robinson
L-R: Rosa Byrd, Lawrence Robinson, Mayor Alyia Gaskins, Vaughn Ambrose
Lawrence Robinson surrounded by his fellow DPC members. Alexandria City Councilman Canek Aguirre is on the far left.
Unseen Old Town by Governor Burke
The Remarkable History Behind 415 Prince Street
BY GOVERNOR BURKE
Our “Unseen Old Town” photo from last month featured a beautifully restored home in the 400 block of Prince Street. Longtime Alexandrians may remember that in the 1990s the property looked very different— then an aging apartment building rather than the elegant single-family residence we see today.
Its former owner, Elizabeth Elliott, and her companion, Karl Von Lewinski, lived next door at 413 Prince. Old Town was stunned in February 1984 when both were murdered by a disgruntled tenant, a tragedy that brought 415 Prince Street to the attention of many residents for the first time.
But the building’s significance goes far deeper than that moment in modern memory. In fact, 415 Prince Street was added to the National Register of Historic Places earlier this year for its important role in American history.
Built around 1807 as the original Bank of Potomac, the building played a key role in financing the Civil War. In May 1861, less than a month into the conflict, Union troops crossed the Long Bridge from Washington and occupied Alexandria for the duration of the war.
Seeking to re-establish Union control of Virginia, federal authorities installed Francis H. Pierpoint—a West Virginian elected governor in 1863—to lead the Restored Government of Virginia from offices inside 415 Prince Street. At one point, the Union even envisioned Alexandria replacing Richmond as the capital.
After the war, the property took on many roles: a bank, various municipal offices, an apartment building, and eventually a private residence. Today, its graceful restoration speaks quietly of a turbulent past—one that shaped not only Old Town’s history, but the history of the nation.
Have you noticed this around town? Where is it? What do you know about it?
To see more quirky photos and close-up angles of secret and not-so-secret spots in Old Town, Alexandria, and jump in with guesses, and comments, follow the discussion, and submit your own photos for consideration, join the Unseen Old Town Facebook group. As for the photo below, we will reveal what it is and where it is in our next issue, along with a new one for you to ponder.
Happy 389th Birthday!
BY DONNA REUSS
December 13, 1636, is recognized as the birthdate of the US Army National Guard. On that date, the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony ordered organization of three permanent regiments from the colony’s separate militias. All males between the ages of 16 and 60 were required to join one of the regiments, and assemble and train in military tactics for the common defense of the community and colony. Descendants of these regiments are today’s 181st and 182nd Infantry, 101st Field Artillery, and 101st Engineer Battalion, Massachusetts Army National Guard.
If you are familiar with our country’s early history, or you watched the Ken Burns documentary, The American Revolution , you know that the original 13 British colonies defended their territories with militias. A concept dating back thousands of years, the definition of “militia” has varied over time and context,
plined,” i.e., “in an effective shape to fight.”
but is generally accepted as meaning an organized group of civilians who provide protection and public safety for their community. These militias might augment a regular army or serve as first responders in an emergency. The Second Amendment to the US Constitution begins “A well regulated militia…” According to Jack Rakove, Stanford University professor with the National Constitution Center, the term at that time likely connoted “well-organized, well-armed, and well-disci-
OLD TOWN NORTH
lenges in the commercial financing market, plans for the Montgomery Center redevelopment remain active. Developers expect to break ground in late Q1 or early Q2 of 2026. The Old Town North Alliance expressed optimism that Montgomery Center will complement Tidelock’s arts offerings and further connect the neighborhood’s growing cultural ecosystem.
500 Montgomery Street: An International Arts Hub in the Making
A more intimate but
The Militia Acts of 1792 are recognized as the basis for organization of the National Guard. Passed in response to the need for a more effective national defense force after the US Army’s defeat in 1791 against Native American forces at the Battle of the Wabash, the Acts provided federal standards for the organization of state militias, and temporarily authorized the president to take control of these militias in times of national crises, with a federal judge’s certification. The 1795 Militia Act replaced this last provision, making the president’s power permanent and unilateral: prior consent from a federal judge or state legislature was no longer needed.
The Militia Act of 1903 was the first federal legislation to define transformation of state and local militias into the modern National Guard. The Act sought to improve militia readiness, standards, and training on a par with the regular army,
financed by federal instead of state funds, and to codify the circumstances under which the National Guard could be federalized.
National Guard units have fought in every American war from its founding to recent combat. Eighteen National Guard divisions bolstered the American Expeditionary Force in Europe in World War I; nineteen served overseas in World War II. National Guard readiness heightened for a potential conflict with the Soviet Union during the Cold War, and over 700 units – 37% of the Army National Guard – mobilized for the Korea War.
Vietnam proved a bit complicated. Popular perception was that men joined the National Guard to avoid the draft. However, more than 9,000 Guardsmen served in Vietnam, while many units performed duties in the states, such as responding to civil unrest. But incidences such as Kent State further tarnished the Guard’s reputation.
Post-Vietnam active Army downsizing, though, led to
greater reliance on National Guard forces in conflicts and humanitarian missions. The 1990 Total Force policy mandated that National Guard troops deploy alongside their active-duty counterparts for all future conflicts. National Guard members accounted for more than 1.1 million overseas deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and other locations since 9/11. This is in addition to disaster relief missions, such as responses to Hurricane Katrina and the COVID-19 pandemic. Today’s National Guard is stronger than ever!
If you are a veteran or know a veteran who needs help, go to Virginia Board Veterans Services at www. dvs.virginia.gov/dvs; or contact American Legion Post 24 Veteran Service Officer at VSO24@outlook.com. For crisis intervention and suicide prevention, dial 988 and Press 1, or text 838255, for the Veterans Crisis Line.
View of 500 Montgomery Street and Urban Design Advisory Committee
This visual was shown in the virtual forum, which featured a tour of the urban design advisory committee last week.
BELOW: Conceptual Rendering of the Montgomery Center. This image was displayed during the virtual forum, which provides a preview of the full-block mixed-use development.
equally exciting project is underway at 500 Montgomery Street, where 532 Yoga is partnering with NCO Creative & Arts Consultancy to create a new, international-focused arts venue.
A grand opening announcement is expected soon.
Courtesy image
Official logo of the Army National Guard.
LEFT:
Tour.
Courtesy photos
Hey Doctor Amy, The holidays are approaching, and I know I’m supposed to be excited. Alexandria looks like a Hallmark movie this time of year, but I’m dreading the stress of adult kids returning home, tense family dynamics, and the emotional overload of trying to keep everyone happy. How do I stay sane and actually enjoy the season?
– Trying Not to Lose It in Old Town
Dear Trying Not to Lose It, First, thank you for saying what so many people feel. You’re right – Alexandria in December is beautiful. The lights on King Street, the Scottish Walk, the boat parade. But even with all the charm, the emotional load of this season is real. Especially when family is involved.
Let’s start with what the brain is actually trying to do this time of year. Your nervous system, already juggling everyday responsibilities, now gets hit with travel plans, grocery lists, houseguests, unresolved tension, and emotional memories layered across decades. It’s no wonder your stress response kicks in. The part of your brain responsible for emotional regulation – the prefrontal cortex – can get hijacked by your amygdala (fight or flight) faster than you can say “pass the cranberry sauce.”
LIVING LEGENDS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18
mez, Charlotte Hall, David Mercer, Robyn Nichols, Patrick O’Brien, Kitty Porterfield, Adrienne Terrell Washington, Gerald Wanzer, Iburia Hall-Haynes, and Gerald File, representing fields from senior services and education to civic leadership, preservation, and military service. Created in 2007, the Living Legends program documents and honors Alexandrians whose contributions strengthen the city in lasting and meaningful ways.
Now, add adult children (and maybe their romantic partners) into the mix. Who forgot to tell us they multiply? Grown-up kids returning home often activate old family roles without anyone realizing it. The responsible one, the rebellious one, the peacemaker – these dynamics are deeply ingrained and show up automatically, especially under pressure.
So here’s what you can do, from a brain-based perspective:
• Name what’s happening. When stress rises, label it. We call that Name it to tame it. “This is tension.” “This is sensory overload.” Your brain calms down when it
A lively reception fol lowed the presentations, as guests reflected on the col lective impact of the honor ees. In the stately Masonic Memorial—a symbol of his tory and continuity—one theme stood out: the endur ing power of community. The 2025 Legends took dif ferent paths, but all share a deep commitment to ser vice and the belief that one person truly can make a difference.
knows what it’s feeling.
• Regulate before you relate. You don’t need to fix every awkward conversation or emotional flareup in the moment. Step outside. Breathe. Walk the GW Parkway. Come back when your system is more settled.
• Adjust expectations (and this is a BIG one). Nostalgia can be a powerful liar. Don’t expect this year to repair every rift or create a movie-worthy gathering. Focus on small, meaningful moments— one connection at a time.
• Create structure. Our brains love
[Editor’s Note: For unabridged version of this story and more photos, please visit thezebra.org/2025/11/14/ living-legends-of-alexandria-2025-celebration]
predictability. Set loose plans for meals, conversations, and breaks. Leave room for flexibility but reduce decision fatigue where you can.
And finally, be honest about your own needs. You don’t have to play host, therapist, and emotional cruise director. It’s okay to say, “Let’s take that conversation offline” or “I need a break.”
The real work of the holidays isn’t about performing joy—it’s about practicing presence. With yourself, with others, and with the emotional reality of where your family is right now.
You’re not doing it wrong if this season feels messy. You’re just being human in a very human time of year.
Warmly, Dr. Amy Local psychologist, mom of four, and brain-based family strategist who always brings an exit strategy to the holiday table.
Do you have a question about your family? Ask it herehttps://bit.ly/3T0SFSm
Christmas is a time when everybody wants his past forgotten and his present remembered.
— Phyllis Diller
iStock AaronAmat
Made in ALX Turns Five: The Pandemic Project that Became a King Street Must-Visit
FROM POP-UPSTOA BRIGHT STOREFRONT,THE LOCALLY LOVED SHOP NOW SHOWCASES 60+
A pandemic project designed to connect Alexandria residents with independent artists and makers just turned five years old— and it has become a King Street attraction for locals and tourists alike.
Made in ALX celebrated five years in business, along with its first anniversary in a bright, welcoming storefront on King Street, this November. The shop sells handmade goods from more than 60 local creators and
also offers crafting classes, pop-up markets, and special events from its home at 415 King Street in Old Town Alexandria.
Unique Finds for All Ages
The mix of items at Made in ALX changes seasonally as makers continually bring in new creations.
directly back to the maker.
In the winter months, top sellers include holiday ornaments, candles, and the beloved Todd Healy Old Town wall calendar. (Healy—an Alexandria art legend— joined Made in ALX in 2025 with framed prints, ornaments, and other pieces.)
In spring and summer, customers flock to locally made honey from Ambler Apiary, sourced from bees living in Chinquapin Park and nearby.
The shop also features:
• Original art and prints
• Glasswork
• Ceramics
• Textiles
• Books by local authors
• Soaps, lotion bars, and other self-care items
A dedicated children’s section offers locally made toys, craft kits, stuffed animals, and Tooth Fairy pillows. There’s even an area for pets, including treats from Pawfectly Delicious— with most proceeds going
Online Beginnings
The venture began entirely online. During the pandemic, when in-person markets shut down and national platforms like Etsy grew crowded, founders Lore Burek and Beth Lawton decided Alexandria’s smallest makers needed a local lifeline.
“Made in ALX launched as a curated, hyperlocal online marketplace,” says Lawton. “By late 2021, as restrictions eased, we began experimenting with pop-up markets, including a twomonth holiday pop-up shop along the waterfront near Virtue Feed & Grain.”
The pop-up drew strong community support, and Lawton began looking for permanent space in early 2022.
As Burek transitioned to a new role with the Nation-
ABOVE: Made in ALX hosts a variety of classes, including in watercolor painting, candle pouring, soap making, and resin jewelry.
ABOVE: Jewelry artist Alicia Montejo was one of the many artists that popped up at Port City Brewing Co. this summer at a Made in ALX market.
LEFT: Candles by veteran-owned Potomac Candle Co.
ABOVE: Masonic Temple ornament by Kellie Sansone Creates
RIGHT: Virginia pillows by textile artist Robin Collins of Blue Egg Designs.
Courtesy photos
Who’s a Good Dog?
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Olde Towne School for Dogs
BY SUSAN MCLAIN SULLIVAN
In 1973, Carlos met Sandy; they stood holding leashes but barely knew their canine charges.
Back then, Carlos Mejias worked as a professional dog trainer for both dogs and people at Captain Haggerty’s School for Dogs in Wallkill, New York. Nei-
ther Carlos nor Sandy were there for lessons with their own dogs, and they didn’t bond over a mutual affection for each other’s pup.
Q&A with Yubi Bilbao and Brad Huber, Co-Owners and Trainers for the Olde Towne School for Dogs
BY SUSAN MCLAIN SULLIVAN
Question: What would be the first step for a dog owner and prospective trainer from your staff?
Answer: The first step to any of our training opinions is to schedule a free of charge, no-commitment evaluation with one of our trainers.
Question: How do you settle on a training routine and what range of options do you offer?
Answer: We offer our Puppy Head Start program for dogs under six months of age, and our Day School program (in-house day training) and lessons for dogs over six months of age. We also offer Off-Leash training for selective dogs who have completed either of the on-leash courses.
Question: Can an old dog learn new tricks? In other words, can an owner expect training to take hold for an untrained or poorly trained dog?
Answer: Yes, dogs of all ages can learn new tricks! Training an older dog typically requires a bit more time and patience because they’ll be more so set in their ways.
Question: How often do you advise owners to seek training refreshers?
Answer: Although we aim to achieve self-suf
The course utilized unfamiliar dogs from the canine training program to assure the training was effective, and they both had signed on.
“Captain Haggerty gave a really excellent course, and I took it as a lark after I finished my English degree in Creative Writing,”
recalled Sandy, adding that the course was for both actual and aspira tional dog trainers.
“I had just graduated from college and was going to do something fun over the summer— they (dogs) were a pas sion for me but I didn’t think I would make it a
Photo courtesy of OTSFD
Before its current life as the Olde Towne School for Dogs, the commercial building at 529 Oronoco Street appears to have catered to “Groceries & Liquors” for the humans of Old Town.
ABOVE: Co-owners of OTSFD since December 2022, Yubi Bilbao and Brad Huber flank 50-year-owners Sandy and Carlos Mejias of Alexandria outside one of the store’s two entrances.
LEFT: The OTSFD crest.
Photo by Susan McLain Sullivan
Courtesy photo
Dec. 5-7, Dec. 12-14, and Dec. 19-21
Celebrate the Holidays in Del Ray
It’s the most wonderful time in Del Ray! The holiday season reflects the community’s reputation as a dining, retail, wellness, and arts destination in the region, along with its commitment to supporting Alexandria nonprofits year-round. Get in the holiday spirit on Del Ray’s main street:
Celebrate as a community: Kick off the holiday season with a community Christmas tree and Menorah lighting, carols, a visit from Santa, and more at the Del Ray Holiday Season Kick-Off on Sunday, Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. After the event, get an early start on holiday shopping and stroll Mount Vernon Avenue as it is lit with thousands of luminarias in honor of the late Nancy Dunning. In the spir-
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The Del Ray Docket
Del Ray Artisans’ 30th Annual Holiday Market
Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2 704 Mount Vernon Avenue
Del Ray Artisans’ Annual Holiday Market offers unique, handmade fine arts and crafts from local artists, including pottery/ceramics, photography, jewelry, fiber, paper crafts, and glass. Different artists will be featured each weekend. For more information, visit www. delrayartisans.org.
Dec. 6, 13, 20, 27
Del Ray Farmers’ Market
The Pat Miller Neighborhood Square, located at the intersection of Oxford and Mount Vernon Avenue
8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
This year-round market features fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, cheeses, breads, fresh pasta, baked goods, cut flowers, and more. Learn more at delrayfarmersmarket.com.
Dec. 7
Del Ray Holiday Season Kick-Off
The Pat Miller Neighborhood Square,
Oxford & Mount Vernon Avenues
6 p.m.
Kick off the holiday season with Del Ray’s tree and Menorah lighting. Participants are encouraged to bring toiletries and thermal wear (adult sizes S-4XL) for Carpenter’s Shelter and new, unwrapped toys for Operation Elf. Visit hand-painted holiday windows in storefronts and start your holiday shopping with a stroll down Mount Vernon Avenue, which will be illuminated by thousands of luminarias in honor of the late Nancy Dunning.
Dec. 11
Shops of Del Ray’s Holiday Sip & Shop
Along Mount Vernon Avenue
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Shop local and find the perfect gifts with extended shopping hours, special promotions and complimentary wine and refreshments at select Del Ray retailers. Complete details at visitdelray.com.
Dec. 12-14
Marché de Noël Gift Market
Le Jardin de Gustave Boulangerie
3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 5
p.m. Saturday & Sunday
Immerse yourself in a magical holiday experience at the Gustave Marché de Noël Gift Market, featuring artisanal holiday crafts and gifts from local makers, plus European-style holiday treats, and special activities each day, including a visit from Santa and pony rides. Learn more at tinyurl.com/GustaveNoel
Dec. 13
10th Annual Candy Cane Bar Crawl
Along Mount Vernon Avenue
12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Take a break from the bustle of holiday preparations and enjoy specials at top Del Ray restaurants during a neighborhood bar crawl to benefit ALIVE. Tickets are available at visitdelray.com.
Dec. 14
Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market
Mount Vernon & East Bellefonte Avenue
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Find your treasure! Visit over 70 vintage and thrift vendors at the intersection of Mount Vernon & Bellefonte Avenues. For more information, visit delrayvintageflea.com.
Photos Courtesy of DRBA
Del Ray Business Association President Lauren Fisher, Carlyle Council Executive Director Morgan Babcock, Compass Real Estate’s Elissa Laderach, and Del Ray Business Association Board Members Gayle Reuter and Darlene Duffett at a recent Candy Cane Crawl.
Let Them Eat Cake: Teen Nonprofit Makes Sure No Birthday Goes Uncelebrated
JUGGLING SPORTS,STUDIES,ANDA 501(C)(3),ALEXANDRIATEEN SHAAN NAGDA IS PROVINGTHAT ONE BIRTHDAY CAKE CAN CHANGEA DAYAND MAYBEA LIFE
BY SUSAN MULLIGAN FLEISCHMAN
Shaan Nagda is a busy senior at West Potomac High School.
In addition to advanced academic studies, he runs cross country in the fall, indoor track and swim in the winter, and outdoor track in the spring. And he’s also running something else: his own nonprofit, Cake A Difference.
As Nagda’s nonprofit website explains, “The mission at Cake A Difference is to provide joy and memories to chil dren dealing with food insecurity by providing them with a birthday cake. Every child deserves to be celebrated on their birthday regardless of circumstances.”
Nagda had begun volunteering in West Potomac’s food pantry as a freshman and realized how prevalent food insecurity was in the community. “I started doing some food drives, and worked with the school administration to revitalize the pantry. Seeing the difference that was making with food insecurity was really inspiring,” he said. “After speaking with some students who were directly feeling that insecurity, I wanted to extend
ABOVE RIGHT: Hollin Hall Pastry Shop has
the impact in a bigger way.”
One day Nagda saw a video of a birthday party for a child who had been adopted from Africa. “He was receiving a birthday cake for the very first time, and he was crying tears of joy. It was a really moving video,” said Nagda, who felt compelled to act.
Combining his volunteer work in food insecurity with seeing this boy’s emotional reaction to a birthday cake was an a-ha moment for Nagda. And Cake A Difference was born. “Obviously cakes aren’t meant to give nourishment like food,” said Nagda. “But if you’re dealing with food insecurity, you’re likely not enjoying a simple birthday cake. So those two things sparked the idea and I moved forward with it.”
ABOVE and LEFT: Neighborhood volunteers stepped up with gorgeous cakes for the nonprofit.
A family friend who works at a local school helped Nagda define and implement the mission of Cake A Difference (CAD). Nagda contacted local elementary schools, and the first school that used Cake A Difference was his alma mater, Waynewood Elementary School. That home
Photos by Cake a Difference
ABOVE LEFT: Shaan Nagda, left, with Waynewood ES Principal Katie Cachine.
generously donated some 30-40 cakes a year for Cake A Difference.
Belle View Goes to the Dogs (In the Best Possible Way)
BY SUSAN MULLIGAN FLEISCHMAN
Belle View Shopping Center has a new reason for tails to wag: the team behind Del Ray favorites Your Dog’s Best Friend and The Dog Store has opened a new shop in the neighborhood.
Pail Haire is no rookie in the dog world. “Your Dog’s Best Friend started 21 years ago, and The Dog Store opened in 2014,” he said. “Both of them began as community ventures. The neighborhood wanted a dog daycare, and I ended up creating it myself. Twenty-one years later, I’m having the time of my life running an amazing thing.”
The Belle View space used to be home to Pampered Pet, a grooming and pet care business that closed after a difficult stretch. Curious about what had happened, Haire came to Belle View af ter reading an arti cle about the closure. While he and his team were looking through the windows, a woman walked out and introduced herself as the property manager.
ball team) connection with Primo Restaurant owner Jimmy Nicopolous, Haire learned about and attended a Mount Vernon–Springfield Chamber of Commerce meet-
ing a few days later. He met Mount Vernon Supervisor Dan Storck and Fairfax County staff focused on helping small businesses open, including representatives from Fairfax Connecting Opportunities and Re-
sources for Entrepreneurs (CORE).
“Forty-eight hours after I applied for the nonresidential occupancy permit, they gave it to me,” he said.
“She explained the situation, and I realized this wasn’t about the concept failing,” Haire said. “It was a chance for a fresh start.”
Through a D.C. Divas (local women’s tackle foot-
Because the space was already built out for a pet business, Haire didn’t need a major renovation. It wasn’t exactly turnkey as it was full of old Pampered Pet merchandise but the basics were there. With some rent abatement to cover cleanup time, his team moved quickly.
Haire credits the smooth process to the cooperation between Fairfax CORE, the property manager, the Belle View Shopping Center administration, and the
CONTINUED ON PAGE 36
ABOVE LEFT: L-R: The Dog Store Staff: Anny Clapp, Annabell Bivens, Amanda Congialdi, Owner Paul Haire, Rich Daniel, CJ Butler, Kevin Sasfai, and Sarah Louise Chittenden.
ABOVE RIGHT: The Dog Store is packed with all the equipment you need for your sweet pup.
LEFT: The Dog Store is ready for the holidays in the Belle View Shopping Center.
Photo by Susan Mulligan Fleischman
Photo by Sarah Louise Chittenden
Photo by Susan Mulligan Fleischman
BY SUSAN MULLIGAN FLEISCHMAN
After earning her doctorate in physical therapy at GWU in 2011, Stephanie Stahr began her career focusing on wound care therapy in the hospital setting at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD. Her team shared space with
the pelvic floor therapy team, and she frequently heard interesting discussions about the field of pelvic health.
At the time, the specialty of pelvic floor PT was still a burgeoning practice. Little did she know it would become her chosen field in the near future.
As Stahr progressed in her career, going from the hospital setting into
home health, she saw firsthand the impact one’s pelvic floor health and function has on quality of life. Stahr recalled one homebound patient’s anguish when they became incontinent and didn’t receive any guidance from their providers, other than to just deal with it as part of their immobility and CONTINUED ON PAGE 33
Stephanie Stahr
The Cut Butchery Is on a Roll: From Turkeys to Tinsel-Time Treats
WITH FLEXIBLE PREORDERS,PERSONAL SERVICE,AND EVERYTHING FROM KELLYBRONZETURKEYSTO OYSTERSAND CAVIAR,THE CUT IS HELPINGALEXANDRIA FAMILIES HOSTTHE HOLIDAYSWITH LESS STRESSAND MORE FLAVOR
BY SUSAN MULLIGAN FLEISCHMAN
Things are moving at The Cut Butchery! In fact, they moved more than 100 KellyBronze turkeys for Thanksgiving, not to mention turkey breasts, beef tenderloins, and fresh hams. In the first
test of the new shop’s preorder system for a major holiday, they passed. The Cut team is now heading into December with momentum and a clear mission: make holiday hosting easier, fresher, and more personal.
Owner Alex Kilroy has no-
ticed a clear trend: Customers are choosing smaller, less time-consuming options instead of the traditional giant bird. “We’ve sold a lot of turkey breasts and a surprising number of hams,” he said. “People are opting for something that fits their sched-
The Cut Butchery
ule and their oven a little better.” The hams are a particular point of pride. Unlike mass-produced spiral-cut versions, these are whole-muscle, bone-in hams with fewer additives and processing.
One of the biggest selling points this season is the shop’s flexible preorder system. Customers can come into the shop and talk through their plans, order online through the website (www.thecutbutchery.com), or call in their requests (571-347-7775). Kilroy calls every online customer back within about 48 hours to confirm details, answer questions, and help finetune the order.
great product, but the service is key. A lot of people haven’t even been in the shop yet—they’ve just heard great things. That follow-up call really matters.”
If Thanksgiving was about turkey, then December is all about festive variety. In addi-
“It’s about service,” he said. “We know we have a
Photos by Susan Mulligan Fleischman KellyBronze turkeys were a big hit for Thanksgiving.
When Creating and Collecting Art Go Hand in Hand
BY SUSAN L. HAHN
Award-winning local artist Brent Erickson has channeled his lifelong love of fine art into curating a worldclass personal collection. Erickson has spent more than 30 years gathering and curating an amazing collection of representational art, which is based on realism.
A longtime award-winning oil painter, Erickson’s honors include Best in Show at The Art League gallery last November. His work will be featured in a solo show in October of 2026.
At a recent celebration of autumn at his Mount Vernon home, he unveiled many of his own new paintings as well as many art works in his personal collection.
“I have been into art since I was a child,” he said. “I tried many forms of artistic expression including drawing, painting, lithography, metal sculpture, and bronze casting. When I moved to Washington DC, my former boss’s wife and daughter held a special art show for a young emerging oil painter from Wyoming by the name of T. Allen Lawson.”
As a newly minted congressional staffer at the time, Erickson says he was barely able to afford one of Lawson’s paintings, a landscape of the Old Lyme Connecticut area. But he was so taken by it he decided to make the purchase.
This became the catalyst of two seminal things in Erickson’s life, he said. “It kindled my desire to collect
fine art, and it prompted me to begin the study of oil painting which I had never tried before.”
T. Allen Lawson is now one
Photo by Asa Orrin-Brown Artist and collector Brent Erickson.
Photo by Asa Orrin-Brown Brent Erickson and noted Arlington artist Teresa Oaxaca view Erickson’s fine art collection.
CUT BUTCHERY
tion to the standard holiday fare of ham and beef tenderloin, The Cut is also selling champagne and caviar for those who want to level up their celebrations. Charcuterie boards are another growing favorite. The shop already has about a half-dozen preorders for boards serving between 6 and 12 people. And there’s no shortage of items for gift-giving: pantry
favorites, hostess gifts, and notecards and calendars from Carland Collections.
One of the breakout successes this fall has been oysters. After inviting a local oyster farmer to the shop, oyster sales tripled. “There was definitely a connection to who he was, his story, and the chance for people to try the oysters,” Kilroy said. The shop now has standing oyster preorders, including customers who order multiple dozens at a time—and even one regular who gets two dozen delivered to his house
every week.
The shop also occasionally hosts impromptu in-store events. Neighboring Nepenthe Gallery recently curated an art show in The Cut that brought 20-30 people into the space on short notice. They put out cheese, roasted a turkey breast, and even picked up a few extra turkey orders along the way.
“You never know what’s going on in here,” Kilroy said with a laugh. “That’s kind of the fun of it.”
ART
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31
of the top painters in America, and his early painting is one of the stars in Erickson’s act collection.
Beginning his own art collecting with that first landscape, Erickson decided to start a collection based upon a couple guidelines.
A painting or sculpture had to be based on realism or representational art. Erickson had painted abstracts in college, but the Lawson painting drew him toward realism, and he turned his own painting toward this style as well.
Second, a work had to be “something I loved passionately and that would fit into my home’s decorative style.”
He focuses almost entirely on oil paintings.
“I have studied oil painting for more than 25 years. It is a wonderful and rewarding journey of never-ending learning,” he said. “This has helped me understand how artists create their art and it has enabled me to see things in paintings the casual observer may miss.” He added it has helped him appreciate and seek out those painters with extraordinary ability.
He is grateful to have some wonderful paintings in his home by masters that he can study and learn from
every day. “This also has informed my own painting journey.”
Nature offers inspiration in Erickson’s works. “I like to paint flowers from my own garden and to use my own antiques as still life props,” he said. But he is starting to paint people more. “Every aspect of light falling on the human form in all its variations is inspirational.”
“After 30 years, I have more than 100 paintings and a few bronzes,” Erickson said. “But I try to curate how the paintings are hung in groupings, so things do not get visually cluttered.”
Erickson offers this advice to new art collectors: start with what you can afford but really focus on quality and take your time. He also subscribes to top art educational magazines to study and learn about new emerging artists.
“Many younger emerging artists are fantastic painters,” he said, “and their work is more affordable because they are just starting out.”
He also suggests a collector visit as many galleries as possible. “Before making a purchase, ask yourself if you want to look at that piece of art every day. If the answer is yes, then go for it. Living with art we love makes every day better.”
Erickson’s oil paintings can be viewed at www.RBEricksonFineArt.com
The Cut offers charming gifts for those on your list.
Photo by Susan Hahn
Just a few of Erickson’s representational art pieces.
STAHR
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29
aging.
While pregnant with her second child in Germany, Stephanie experienced some pelvic floor dysfunction herself and was offered only a couple of suggestions from her provider. Even though she had been really impressed with Germany’s prenatal medical care, it seemed they also lacked awareness on the benefits of pelvic floor physical therapy.
Stahr was intrigued enough to learn more about this groundbreaking, specialized therapy. When she
returned to the US, she decided to become a pelvic floor PT and trained at the Herman & Wallace Institute. After a couple of years in larger PT practices working in outpatient orthopedics and pelvic health, Stahr wanted a quieter, more personalized environment with more one-on-one time with each patient. Her leap into private practice began when she met Sara Acheson, founder of Athena Wellness & PT. Acheson mentioned offering pelvic floor therapy on a neighborhood website, and Stahr reached out. They met for coffee, compared philosophies and goals, and
Stahr treats patients in her home clinic that is private, quiet, and stress-free.
Good Newz For Local Restaurants
We know restaurants come and go in the Alex andria area. A favor ite, IndoChen, has opened a new location in Reston. The restaurant started in Cameron Station with the name London Curry House. They were a big hit in the neighborhood and beyond. The restaurant morphed into IndoChen to embrace the Indian/ Chinese background of
Chef Ram Thapa. The cuisine reflects the migration of Chinese immigrants to Kolkata over a century ago. The flavors reflect Indian and Chinese techniques, spices, and ingredients. Their success brought about their second location in the Hilton Centric Hotel in Old Town after the pandemic. Although some-
MYSTIC BARAND GRILL HAS CLOSED ITS DOORS
Ralph Davis and son Matt Davis announced last month that they would be closing their doors at Mystic Bar and Grill after two years of operation. Ralph is a well-respected and wellknown restaurateur in Alexandria who opened RT’s over 32 years ago. He continuously honed his recipes over the years and received many accolades for his food. He also owned and operated several other restaurants in Old Town where you can still enjoy his famous she-crab soup and other Cajun and Creole recipes. Matt worked at his restaurants and became his partner at Mystic.
Mystic featured both time-tested Southern recipes alongside some of the best BBQ brisket and ribs in the area. Mystic won second place in the savory category and first place in the sweet category in the 2024 Carpenter Shelter’s Cookoff. Owners Ralph and Matt Davis posted their fare-
well message on social media: “We have made the difficult decision to close at the end of the month. Since opening almost two years ago, we’ve faced challenges, and unfortunately the last few months have become unsustainable. As of now, our final day of service is planned for Sunday, November 30.
“Thank you to everyone who has supported us— our friends, family, staff, and especially our customers. We’ve truly enjoyed our time here, being part of the neighborhood, seeing old friends, and making new ones.”
Photo courtesy of IndoChen IndoChen’s Tandoori Chicken
Photo courtesy of Mystic Bar and Grill
Mystic Bar and Grill featured the best crab cake in Alexandria.
Aldo’s Italian Kitchen
Opens a Second Location
A favorite of Alexandria, Aldo’s Italian Kitchen, has opened a new restaurant, Aldo’s Caffe, in McLean Va. Open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, the caffè offers the same delicious food that the Alexandria store is famous for. Owner Emanuele Cognetti grew up in Parma on a farm and operated a deli. He started his career by slicing prosciutto. He honed his skills and developed his menu by cooking all over Europe and with some of the most well-known chefs in the U.S.
The caffè can start you off with an enjoy-
able cup of coffee or espresso accompanied by delicious pastries or a breakfast sandwich, such as the Panino con Uova e Pancetta made with pancetta, eggs, and provolone on toasted ciabatta. Soups are made fresh daily and will warm you to your toes. An assortment of sandwiches,
pastas, pizza, and paninis provide a welcome lunch to eat in or take back to your office or home. Enjoy one of the best meatball parmigiana sandwiches around, made with homemade meatballs, mozzarella cheese, and marinara sauce. Grab a biscotti, gelato, or a cannoli for a sweet finale. And, they would be happy to cater your next event.
To quote Chef Emanuele, “Everything we serve is made with care—simple, fresh, and always delicious. At Aldo’s Caffè, we’re all about making your day a little better, one espresso, panini, or pastry at a time.”
Enjoy the Taste of Texas Smoke at Founding Farmers BBQ
Founding Farmers co-owner Michael Vucurevich and Chef Joe Goetze, Managing Partner for Culinary & Bakery are bringing the result of their exploration of Central Texas barbecue by opening Founding Farmers BBQ on November 3 at their Alexandria location at 461 Swann Ave. Chef Joe moved to Texas in 1991, and lived there ever since. He gathered his BBQ knowledge in Central Texas, from Austin to Dallas to Fort Worth and brings those slow-smoke techniques to Alexandria. Mike’s journey took him to Kansas City and then to Austin, TX. He learned the
culture and tastes of Central Texas BBQ smoky dishes.
And, according to Chef Joe, “The best BBQ places focus on delicious, quality meats
and simple sides. No frills, no extras—just authentic flavors that speak for themselves.” The meal is a testament to a year of creating the right rubs and sauces.
Available on Wednesdays, from 5:00 to 9:00 P.M., the meal feeds four people and includes non-alcoholic beverages. Reservations are required for the family-style meal. The meal can be eaten at the Alexandria location and can include a variety of items such as sausages, chicken wings, baby back ribs, brisket, and a variety of sides such as Cowboy Baked Beans and Mustard Potato Salad.
Photo courtesy of Aldo’s Caffè
One of the tasty sandwiches at Aldo’s Caffè.
ROBINSON
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20
His wife, Evangeline, and their family stood proudly as tributes rolled in. Married for more than 70 years, they have been a partnership rooted in faith, support, and service. Some speakers recalled his patience with every kid who ever picked up a basketball or baseball under his coaching. Others spoke of how he built bridges between generations simply by showing up year after year with his camera and his quiet conviction that Alexandria’s African American residents deserved to have their story told accurately and proudly. Robinson’s dedication extends far beyond the DPC. For more than seven decades, he has been an active member of Elks Lodge #48, part of the IBPOEW, where he served as State Di-
rector of the Virginia State Association, Education Department. “The lodge was a home away from home,” Robinson said. In a segregated era, the Elks offered fellowship, leadership, and community pride. Through the organization, he championed youth education and scholarship programs, mentoring students in oratorical contests that advanced to regional and national levels.
The DPC itself stands at the heart of The Hill, a historic African American neighborhood long known for resilience and community. Founded in 1927 by seven African American men—Jessie Carter, Lawrence Day, Clarence Greene, Raymond Green, Booker T. Harper, Jesse Pollard, and Samuel Reynolds, known as the “Secret Seven”—the club created space for fellowship, mentorship, and civic engagement when segregation limited opportuni-
BELLE VIEW
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28
Mount Vernon-Springfield Chamber of Commerce. “The message all along was, ‘We believe in supporting our tenants’ success,’” he said. Neighboring businesses also offered encouragement. “Every step of the way, there was somebody saying something that con-
RESTAURANTS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 34
what constrained by the requirement to serve many hotel-style entrees, they managed to meld the flavors of both to create the modern fusion they current serve.
Masti Indian Restaurant in the Hyatt Hotel in Reston Town Center is their newest offering. The location is large and can host large parties. The menu at Masti offers a both Indian classics and new dishes. Indian meals always include rice
ties for Black Alexandrians.
Robinson often reminds members that the DPC is more than a club; it is a living testament to history, resilience, and community. He believes every member has played a part in Alexandria’s story and that together they can carry the club’s legacy forward.
As the evening drew to a close, a long standing ovation invited everyone in the room to reflect on what 58 years of service truly means.
The Zebra salutes Lawrence “Robbie” Robinson for his lifelong contributions to his family, the Elks, the DPC, and the City of Alexandria. His lens may rest, but his vision continues—challenging Alexandrians to document, serve, and uplift their community.
vinced me to take the next step,” he said. “And we also have the strength of a known name—everybody knows The Dog Store and Your Dog’s Best Friend.” Now Belle View and surrounding doggies have a new place to sniff out treats, toys, and expert care. Stop in for a visit and check them out! The Dog Store is located at 1612 Belle View Boulevard in Alexandria.
and a variety of chaats which are fried dough snacks that originated in Uttar Pradesh, India, and often served as hors d’oeuvre or at roadside stalls or food carts. There are a variety of dishes that are known as curries but are actually are made from a variety of flavors and tandooi dishes. Other dishes reflect food from Indian’s neighbor, Nepal. Try the Chicken Sekuwa, Chef Ram’s interpretation of a Nepalese staple prepared with boneless chicken, Nepali spices, mustard infused oil, and cooked on a skewer
HOLIDAYS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26
it of the season, participants are urged to bring new, unwrapped toys for the Alexandria Sheriff Department’s Operation Elf; or travel-sized toiletries and thermal wear (adult sizes S-4XL) for Carpenter’s Shelter. The event is free and open to all.
Give back: Take a break from the bustle of holiday preparations and enjoy specialty cocktails, beer, and food specials at 20+ top Del Ray restaurants while supporting ALIVE! during the 10th Annual Candy Cane Bar
Crawl on Sat., Dec. 13, from 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m For more information and to purchase advance tickets, visit www. visitdelray.com
Shop local: Find the perfect gift from Del Ray’s small businesses and local artists. Shop local and enjoy special promotions while sipping wine during the Shops of Del Ray’s Holiday Sip & Shop
BIRTHDAY CAKE
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27
base offered a soft launch to work out operational logistics with just a few cakes. Waynewood Principal Katie Cachine recommended CAD to other elementary school principals, lending credibility for the fledgling program. Three schools responded, and Cake A Difference was on the rise. Now they needed lots more cakes.
Nagda sought advice from his parents, and they wondered if neighbors would be willing to volunteer. Sure enough, some parents, teens, and college kids started baking and delivering cakes. “Then I called local bakeries. Our biggest helper is Hollin Hall Pastry Shop – they have been making the cakes and donating them to us,” said Nagda. They’re averaging 30 to 40 free cakes per year.
“When Shaan asked if we’d consider donating celebration cakes to kids that didn’t have the resource, we
The annual lighting of the Christmas tree and Hanukkah menorah in Pat Miller Square always draws a festive crowd.
on Thursday, Dec. 11, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at select Del Ray boutiques. Finish your list and discover one-of-akind gifts at the Del Ray Artisans’ Annual Holiday Market, held each weekend, Dec. 5-21; Gustave Marché de Noël Gift Market, Dec. 12-14; and the Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market on Dec. 13. Make memories: Local artists will use the storefront windows in Del Ray as a giant canvas, hand-painting holiday-themed windows along
didn’t hesitate,” said Hollin Hall Pastry Shop Manager Crystal Hernandez. “We hope to bring a spark of happiness in each child’s life.” Nagda and his father completed the substantial paperwork to file for 501(c) (3) status. They always saw this as an official nonprofit for both the legitimacy and the possibility to expand the program. “I’ve had people reach out to start a similar program, even as far as Texas,” said Nagda. When he goes to college next year, he plans to run a new chapter wherever he lands. He already has the team in place to continue the program here in Alexandria.
How does Nagda feel about doing all this? “It just feels great. I did make one delivery to a student’s home, and it was a really wholesome experience to see the child’s reaction in person. I felt like what we were doing really mattered.”
To learn more about Cake A Difference, to donate, or to bake a cake for them, visit www.cake-a-difference.org.
Mount Vernon Avenue. Pick up a coffee or hot chocolate and a sweet treat at one of Del Ray’s coffee shops or bakeries and check out the windows. Participate in a holiday scavenger hunt available at the Pat Miller Neighborhood Square, located at the intersection of Mount Vernon & Oxford Avenues.
For complete details and a schedule of events, visit www.visitdelray.com.
A compromise is the art of dividing a cake in such a way that everyone believes he has the biggest piece.
QUOTABLES
MADE IN ALX
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24
al Breast Center Foundation, Lawton opened the first brick-and-mortar Made in ALX shop in Old Town North in June 2022. In November 2024, the business
moved into its current, more prominent space at 415 King Street—the former home of The Irish Walk.
Lawton, who spent more than 20 years working in journalism, now runs the pet-friendly store full time.
A Hub for Classes, Pop-Ups, and Creative Community
Made in ALX hosts a busy calendar of events, including the annual Old Town Books + Crafts Festival, frequent pop-ups at Port City Brewing Co., and a Holi-
Dec. 5 from 5–10 p.m.
The shop also offers hands-on classes for ages 12 and up—candle pouring, soap making, crochet, resin jewelry, watercolor painting, and seasonal workshops. No experience is required, and free craft mornings for kids pop up throughout the year.
Use your Smile to Change the World.
When you visit our office, your smile is our top priority. Our entire team is dedicated to providing you with the personalized, gentle care that you deserve.
We are a dental practice devoted to restoring and enhancing the natural beauty of your smile using conservative, state-of-the-art procedures that will result in beautiful, long lasting smiles!
Spring brings the popular Pysanky egg-decorating workshops with Stephanie Malm (Pysanky Steph), which help support a U.S.based Ukrainian nonprofit. Made in ALX also partners with groups such as Pawfectly Delicious, Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail, and Volunteer Alexandria.
A fan favorite remains the watercolor pet portrait class, offered monthly by artist Alexandra Schmeling.
STAHR
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33
Acheson simply asked, “So, when do you want to start?”
To date, her patients range in age from their early 20s to late 80s. Stahr sees women for a variety of reasons: pregnancy and postpartum, pelvic organ prolapse symptoms, urine and fecal leakage, menopause and perimenopause, and pain with intercourse, just to name a few. She is quick to point out that even symptoms such as chronic low back and hip pain can actually be due to pelvic floor dysfunction.
“I love when patients have that ‘aha’ moment realizing the pelvic floor is the source of their pain, and it can be treated,” she said. Although she specializes in pelvic floor dysfunction, she treats the whole patient and provides traditional PT services as well. This includes common musculoskeletal complaints like shoulder pain in the perimenopausal and menopausal population, or core weakness and general restrengthening for the postpartum patients.
Stahr uses a variety of methods in her treatments including curated exercises,
Parties, Events, and Maker Membership
The store hosts birthday parties, bachelorette gatherings, corporate appreciation events, Girl Scout crafting sessions, and book club activities. Girl Scout Cookie Booths will return to the store’s front walkway in early 2026.
To join Made in ALX, artists must have an Alexandria address (including Fairfax County areas served by the city). Items must be locally designed or made. While the shop is not accepting new makers for item sales at the moment, applications are expected to reopen in the first half of 2026. Made in ALX is located at 415 King Street. More information, including class registration, is available at madeinalx.com.
patient education, and soft tissue massage, and modalities like dry needling, electrical stimulation, and cupping. “Human touch has a significant therapeutic effect as does knowledge,” she said. “I aim to heal but also empower patients so they can take an active role in their healing and wellness long term.”
“What I wish more people knew is that pelvic floor PT can help and it doesn’t need to be intimidating,” Stahr said. Although symptoms like incontinence, prolapse, pelvic pain, and even pain with intercourse can be embarrassing to discuss, they are quite common. “But they aren’t normal and you don’t have to suffer! I’ve been told I make talking about these intimate topics feel approachable. There’s really nothing that is TMI.”
Located in Alexandria, VA, Athena Wellness Physical Therapy offers physical therapies for breast cancer, pregnancy/postpartum, peri/menopause, pelvic floor pain and dysfunction, and general women’s health. Call or visit the website to request a consultation: athenawellnesspt.com
Scene Around Town
Theresa Peterson at the Abigail Spanberger victory celebration at Pork Barrel
in Del
as
ABOVE: Robert Coontz (Groceries To Go Volunteer) flanked by Meals On Wheels Volunteers Zebra Foodie Editor Debby Critchley and Christel Swanner at a Senior Services of Alexandria Volunteer Appreciation event at Lost Boy Cider.
LEFT: Anita Carson celebrated her Halloween birthday at Home Grown Restaurant at The Archer Hotel.
Photos by Lucelle O’Flaherty except where noted
ABOVE:
BBQ
Ray. Spanberger made history
the first woman to be elected VA Governor.
ABOVE: Lauren Nery and Sophie Bockman handle everything at Intelligent Office at 2800 Eisenhower Ave.
BELOW: Tom Tyler and Kimberly Young at a chili cook-off with sibling churches Trinity UMC, Roberts Memorial UMC, and Washington St. UMC.
ABOVE: Ed Semonian celebrated his 92nd birthday on No vember 28 with his wife, Lorrie Fox Semonian. RIGHT: Rhonda Paul, Concierge Manager, at The Oronoco Condominium.
BELOW: George Washington Middle School 8th grader Everett Mercer (also MacArthur Voting Precinct Captain) with Mayor Alyia Gaskins after the election.
Photo by Julie Chapman
LEFT: L-R: Jens Hart, Greg Chapman, Maria Hart, and Julie Chapman enjoying the Commanders game in Madrid, Spain, last month.
RIGHT: Jerry File, recent Living Legend, with Teddy McBay as she hosted an At Home In Alexandria (AHA!) Happy Hour at The Oronoco Condo.
Chris Collins Devotes Millions Legendary Dance Studio Marking
BY SUSAN MCLAIN SULLIVAN
Chris Collins confesses he never had any doubt as to what he wanted to do when he grew up: the same thing he was doing at the age of 6 when he dressed in a satin suit and tap shoes. Dance!
“My two brothers and I used to perform
The award-winning
LEFT: Chris and Vickie Collins
RIGHT: A young show-stopper from the beginning, Chris Collins knew dance was in his future from an early age.
T.C. Williams High School), Collins studied dance at private dance studios and business at Northern Virginia Community College, and rented an empty room at the old Blessed Sacrament School’s location with the vision of a dancing Alexandria populace. The first small recital—Showtime 1977—of the Chris Collins Dance Studio was held at an elementary school, making use of black lights, stage scenery, a record player, and one speaker. That first Chris Collins Dance Studio Showtime laid the track for performances over
Chris Collins Dance Studio takes its first steps
Collins moved his operation to a one-room studio on Quaker Lane in Alexandria, and CCDS had its first real home. Collins planted
the roots of his family-oriented business here, which was supported by family members, including his mother Ruth “always at the front desk” while his father Bill was fitting shoes.
“I can remember to this very day, my parents being worried if I could make my rent,” he laughed wistfully. “If only I had that rent (amount) now. I was young and idealistic. I wasn’t making a fortune but I was making my dream happen. Little by little, it became my life,” Collins recalled matter-of-factly. “My teaching in area preschools and day care programs started getting my name out when I was new and young.”
Mandy Reeves was in Blessed Sacrament preschool when she first met Chris Collins, who was teaching creative movement. Reeves loved his instruction so much she joined his studio for
All Photos by Susan McLain Sullivan
ABOVE:
2024 Chris Collins Dance Company performers dazzled the competition all year.
Millions of Steps to a Marking 50 Years
“I can remember to this very day, my parents being worried if I could make my rent. If only I had that rent (amount) now. I was young and idealistic. I wasn’t making a fortune but I was making my dream happen. Little by little, it became my life.”
dance classes and remained there through her high school graduation. Reeves said, “Dancing gave me confidence to perform (and now speak) on stage in front of large audiences, taught me how to balance busy schedules, and gave me tremendous memories of performing and competing.”
Back in those early days, echoing the stories of many successful entrepreneurs, Collins confessed that he felt he could “make a go of it as I continued to work day jobs.” Enrollment grew and about two years later, he happily hired his first teacher to build the CCDS program. Then came a series of moves, not necessarily by choice. When his small Quaker Lane location was sold, he moved to Shirlington and then to the West End on South Pickett Street. Ten years later, he landed in the Van Dorn Station Shopping Center, and in 2003, the studio settled into its current Eisenhower Avenue location.
“This was just cinder blocks and concrete, not a wall or partition anywhere,” Collins explained, as he walked a visitor through the stylish reception area, large office, homework study room, and three extra-large dance studios—each ringed by mirrors, covered with padded gray Marley or sprung-wood flooring, and equipped with dance bars and equipment for various dance classes and musical theater. In total, the studio comprises some 4,000 square feet of dance space in a bright and inviting atmosphere.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 44
For Chris — 50 Years of Magic
For fifty years you’ve led the way, With heart and joy in every day. A second home where dancers grow, A place of light where friendships flow. You built a studio filled with grace, Where every child can find their place. A dance-strong family, tried and true— All shaped with love and led by you. Thank you, Chris, for all you do, For dreams you spark and lives you renew. With gratitude that’s deep and wide, Your Dance Company stands by your side.
With love and gratitude, Your Chris Collins Dance Company Family
The Act May Have Split Up But You’re Still Going Strong
DANCE STUDIO
Keeping it in the family at Chris Collins Dance Studio
“I am really proud of how many next-generation students I have from people who want their children to enjoy some of the same experiences they had,” said Collins, who currently has some alumni dancers returning—estimating the number around 25—who are “back taking classes while their offspring are dancing with their little peers.”
Mandy Reeves is living proof of that continuity. “Fast forward to the present: my daughter is now in her ninth year at the studio and loves it just as much as I did,” she said. “It has been an absolute joy to watch her thrive and have many of the same experiences I had, including learning to tap with Chris!”
Collins said, “The funny thing is this is known as a very transient area. I’m proud of how many people who have moved from here and keep on dancing elsewhere—and how
many graduates from here who have become teachers themselves.”
As the years unfolded, Collins saw the demand to
expand offerings to include acro, contemporary, musical theater, and hip hop. He also noted that the graded Cecchetti Ballet Program (a graded syllabus and technique program) has greatly benefitted his students and is very popular. His ballet teacher, Jennifer Meyer, is on the Board of Directors of the Cecchetti Council of America, and she also instructs other teachers. According to Collins, the Cecchetti method is more academic and requires out-of-state examiners to come in for evaluations. Millions of dance steps later, Collins has helped five decades of dancers from the greater Washington area achieve their own lifelong pleasure and satisfaction in pursuit of their passion. While himself still a devotee of tap, Collins professes a deep affection for all the methods of dance taught in his studio.
“Fifty years ago, I was the only teacher—and now I have about 10 certified teachers doing the teaching with me, and many of them grew up and trained here.” Many other former students are teaching elsewhere in the county.
“All CCDS students are invited to be part of our yearly recitals. They are held every June with three separate performances with the youngest students in the morning, and the old-
er dancers in the afternoon and evening shows,” Collins said.
Students who are interested in pursuing more have the opportunity to audition for the Chris Collins Dance Company, which offers them the chance to perform and dance competitively. They have won many awards and other honors throughout the years in competitions, and have performed locally as well as in Disney World and many other places.
Celebrating 50 years of rehearsing, performing, and competing – and building confidence
Next year, on June 20, 2026, the 50 th Anniversary Showtime recital will feature “50 Golden Years of Memories and Music,” he said, adding that he is currently working with a group of performing alumni for the program, in addition to the studio’s current dancers.
In addition to the children of previous dance students, among the dancers throughout the years have been Collins’s own children (he has four) and his grandchildren (there are eight). A widower at the time, Collins met his wife Vickie at the studio more than 20 years ago when she was the parent of one of his dancers. Vickie “does everything behind the scenes,” he noted, such as managing the stage, the costumes, and produc-
tions, as well as welcoming people at the front desk. His daughter Tiffany and niece Allison also teach at the studio.
Alexandria families sing the praises of Chris
Collins Dance Studio
Seeing her daughter’s level of confidence grow during her elementary school years of dance lessons, Alexandrian Susan Hahn said Chris Collins deserves credit for his professionalism and patience. “The studio provided excellent and fun recital opportunities for our daughter, Margaret,” Hahn said. “She’s now an adult in a public affairs role and she definitely gained confidence that has carried through to adulthood because of the caring and public presentation opportunities that are part of the performing arts.”
Mandy Reeves said she and her daughter Riley “are so blessed to be back here for the studio’s 50th year.”
Noting that Collins has fulfilled his mission over a couple of generations within her family, Melissa Poretz Riddy said, “Chris was my dance teacher when I was a kid, and now my own children dance with him—my mom and sister did, too. It’s remarkable to see how many generations he has inspired. I’m so grateful that he continues to share his passion and talent with Alexandria after all these years. It’s truly a gift to our community.”
Chris Collins in one of his studios with specialty flooring and walls of mirrors that provide the necessities of a world-class studio space.
Chris Collins holds on to a towering trophy—one of numerous around the studio—in the welcoming front reception area.
The Cecchetti Program of graded instruction is available for competitive ballet dancers.
career after college,” Sandy said. “I had trained all my own dogs as a kid,” she continued, and was hired by the captain to be a dog trainer following the course. “Much to my parents’ disbelief.”
Carlos and Sandy hit it off and soon began to dream of running their own business. “My dad was instrumental in helping Carlos and me get our business off the ground. My dad was a Harvard Business School graduate and a comptroller with the Army, who had just retired,” she said, adding his support was invaluable.
Two years after that fateful dog training class, Carlos and Sandy opened the Olde Towne School for Dogs (OTSFD) in Old Town Alexandria, with a shared dream of training “every dog in Alexandria,” Carlos said. Their love story (they married in 1977 and had four children) is inseparable from their mutual love for dogs and dog training.
Carlos and Sandy Mejias operated a doggie day care with a pick-up bus and grooming shop. “Everybody laughed at us. We had a little doggie day care bus (to get to training appointments at the OTSFD) and nobody did that back then. You either sent your dogs away or took them to a kennel.”
“People thought we were nuts to have a doggie day care and day care training in particular,” Carlos said, adding that he drove the bus himself. Back in the 70s, while grooming and retail operations went largely unchanged, training methods and programs began to evolve.
“The early dog training was much more heavy-handed, and there wasn’t as much positive reinforcement and motivation methods. For the most part, dogs really do want to work with you… once they understand there is a relationship building,” Sandy explained. “I think dogs (and dogs’ roles) have changed since the 1970s, and there are so
many more activities and things you can do with your dogs now. We taught a wide variety of methods, but positive reinforcement and relationships are what we actively encourage and teach.”
Although the popularity of various breeds has changed during their tenure, some attentive breeds such as Golden Retrievers and Border Collies remain popular for receiving training for competitive events, she noted. The OTSFD has also been sought out for its grooming of Portuguese Water Dogs—counting among its clients two from a recent White House family.
“Over the years, people became much more connected to their animals, and you could feel the change in attitude as lifestyles changed,” Sandy said. They saw a big change in the late 20 th century and then again after the 9/11 tragedy, noting the change in companionship roles and the inclusion of dogs in daily family life. The “more than a pet” lifestyle emerged for canines and other animals who began to travel every-
where with their people.
“After 9/11, people really turned to their pets,” continued Sandy. “There was a definite surge in dog ownership and people wanting to do things with their animals.” She also noted many breeds were created to address allergies and prevent shedding for people with those concerns.
Fifty years after opening its doors at 529 Oronoco Street, the OTSFD has tripled in size—from only 30 x 30 feet for the entire building to its current 7,000 square feet. Despite the building dating back more than 100 years, the Mejiases set out to expand the shop through a courtyard and an old carriage house, creating what is now their current 30 x 100-feet doggie boutique.
The front section of the shop has well-organized shelves of dog apparel, leashes, and a range of gear. The back is lined with an extensive stock of dog food including a large inventory of specialized diets. In the middle, the service desk is abuzz with trainers greeting customers holding dogs
the Mejiases took with “how visible they are in the community. This is a unique facility because we mainly use Old Town as our training facility.” OTSFD trainers are often seen doing training throughout the parks and streets of Old Town. He said he also valued the original owners’ view to not “underestimate your dog’s intelligence.”
Co-owner Bilbao said that she and Huber “share the same work ethic” and was pleased when Huber approached her with an encouraging proposal to co-purchase the OTSFD, saying, “We can do this!” Bilbao agreed to take on the business, saying she felt invested in the approach taken with the store’s customers.
who eye the icing-covered dog treats that are hard to distinguish from fresh pastries that humans love. “Any of these not for dogs?” someone asks.
Over the years, the Mejiases saw a burgeoning demand for services and hired enthusiastic staff who they trained in canine caring, grooming, and training. Two of those new trainers began to see their future careers unfold over the years as the Mejiases grew closer to retirement, which officially took place in 2022.
Alexandria native Brad Huber joined the staff in May 2012 after studying at the University of Kentucky. Huber jumped at the chance to purchase the OTSFD in 2022 with Yubi Bilbao, who had been there since May 2007. The new co-owners share many traits—an immediate rapport with dogs, amiable personalities, and a documentable history of success in dealing with dog owners and training a full variety of dogs.
Huber said he was initially attracted to the OTSFD because of “the approach”
“We do balanced training, depending on the breed and where they came from,” Bilbao said. “We have to be honest with the client and the client with us so we can achieve good results. That way the outcome will be beneficial for them and for us at the end of the day.”
The OTSFD recently hosted a “Thank You Event” for its 50 th Anniversary Celebration with a sidewalk party featuring grilled hot dogs and treats for doggie guests and two-legged companions. Free bandanas flew around furry necks at the three-hour event featuring local vendors Pawfectly Delicious, Teddy’s Turmeric Tamer, Annamaet Pet Foods, OC Raw, and Operation Paws for Homes. Proceeds from the anniversary party were earmarked for the foster home/rescue operation of “Operation Paws for Homes.”
Finally, when quizzed about the old adage of whether one can teach old dogs new tricks, co-owners Bilbao and Huber agree that’s a myth—as well as ageism speaking. “It’s never a bad idea to bring them (dogs of any age) in for a little refresher—a day or a week,” answered Bilbao. “They never forget but sometimes it needs to be reinforced at home—or sometimes for the owner. It makes a huge difference.”
LEFT: Long-time client Jeanne Hamilton, owner of Alice, Codie, Goldie, Buffy, Abby, Penny, Daisy, and Lucy among others, shares a laugh with Yubi Bilbao.
BELOW: Carlos Mejias checks the inventory levels along the store’s shelves.
ABOVE: Brad Huber gives a welcome to one of his canine customers as the owner stands at the store counter.
RIGHT: Sandy and Carlos Mejias, co-owners of OTSFD for over 50 years, could be observed around Old Town training their canine customers.
Photos by Susan McLain Sullivan, except where noted.
Courtesy photo
Toys Needed For 700+ Alexandria Children Now
BY MARION BRUNKEN
Each year, the need for toys and essential items grows—and this year, the need is greater than ever. Many families in our community are struggling toprovide food and gifts for their children, and we are calling on our caring neighbors to come together and lift these families up during this season of giving.
The holidays are a time to show kindness, compassion, and connection. When we volunteer, we don’t just help others—we strengthen our community and nourish our own hearts, minds, and spirits. Volunteer Alexandria (Vo-
lALX) is offering many meaningful ways to spread joy this holiday season. Visit www.VolunteerAlexandria.org/ holiday-activities to find out how you can make a difference.
Our nonprofit partners are seeking volunteers to visit sick or lonely residents, bring cheer to children through holiday parties, collect toys, walk in parades to raise awareness, and support Alexandria’s First Night celebration. Every act of service, big or small, brings comfort, hope, and warmth to someone who needs it.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 74
Did You KNOW?
that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) lists the 2024 median income for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD HUD Metro FMR Area for a four-person household as $46,400 for Extremely Low Income (30% of median)?
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Other Engagement Opportunities can be found at www.VolunteerAlexandria.org:
Saturday, December 6, Help at the 2025 Scottish Christmas Walk Parade — Help with various roles, including banner carriers, vehicle lineup, and more.
Saturday, December 6, Join Volunteer Alexandria, Friends of Mt. Vernon Trail, and Alexandria Tutoring Consortium in the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade Help promote volunteerism and civic engagement by walking with Volunteer Alexandria. Families of all ages are welcome!
December 11-13 Toys4ALX — Help at our Toy Drive by spreading some holiday cheer with a variety of tasks, including creating gift bags, assisting at the kids’ corner, setting up toys, decorating, and more! Bilingual volunteers are strongly needed.
Be A Snow Buddy this Winter — Help a senior or person with a disability by removing snow or ice on their property during the winter months.
AniMeals on Wheels Delivery Volunteer — Volunteers pick up pet food and pet supplies from the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria and deliver food.
Volunteer Reception Center (VRC) Training - Mobilizing Volunteers In Disaster. VolALX mobilizes volunteers in a disaster and seeks trained volunteer leaders to quickly register, train, and deploy new community volunteers. This helps support disaster response and recovery efforts safely and efficiently. VRC training gives you the knowledge and tools to be part of the operations staff of the VRC when it is activated after a disaster.
CALL 2ACTION: Our community is in desperate need of tutors and mentors to help children learn and grow! Literacy changes a child’s life. The Alexandria Tutoring Consortium still has seven children who need a volunteer reading tutor at Ferdinand T. Day School (T, W and/or Th, 12:401:10) and John Adams school (T and/or Th, 10:45 - 11:30 or M-F, 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.) No experience is necessary.
If you would like to help a child, register at https:// www.volunteeralexandria.org/mentoropps
All photos courtesy of VolALX
DECEMBER PUZZLERS
Jack-tar
“Como ___ usted?’
Poseidon’s domain
Spanish appetizer
Related maternally
Hollywood favorite
___ Martin (cognac)
Melee memento
Rum-soaked cake
Half a polynesian island? 128 Zodiac symbol
Siberian river
McGregor of “Trainspotting”
Black cuckoo
Beer barrel
Noisy trains
Hanoi holiday
Sustainability Is Good for Business
BY JULIE CHAPMAN
The business case for why sustainability is good for business in Alexandria has been reconfirmed by a leading and local Virginia expert in the field.
In an era where environmental and social responsibility are no longer optional, Alexandria’s vibrant business community stands to gain immensely from embracing sustainability. A groundbreaking updated report from national sustainability leader Steve Rochlin, CEO and Founder of Impact ROI, LLC, solidifies this theory.
“Project ROI: Determining the Competitive and Financial Advantage of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability 2025” draws on a decade of rigorous research to deliver compelling evidence.
“When done well, sustainability absolutely drives superior financial and competitive performance,” declares the report’s key conclusion. This isn’t mere rhetoric–it’s backed by data from hundreds of companies across industries. For Alexandria businesses, from boutique shops on King Street to tech startups in the Carlyle district, adopting sustain-
ability practices translates to tangible wins.
The report highlights how sustainability practices boost a company’s brand reputation, increase consumer interest in products and services, reduce employee turnover, mitigate other market risks, and much more.
This report provides insights to help small and large businesses make the most of their sustainability impact. Download a free copy at ImpactROI.com. https:// www.impactroiglobal.com/project-roi/
Green Holiday Hosting Tips
As the winter holidays arrive in Alexandria, let’s embrace a green celebration season! Here’s how:
Eco-Friendly Feasts
Start by sourcing seasonal, local produce at Alexandria farmers markets—think brussels sprouts, root vegetables, and winter greens from nearby farms. This reduces transport emissions of fruit and vegetable carbon output. Fresher flavors yield nutrient-rich dishes like roasted parsnips or kale salads, supporting local economies and biodiversity.
Ditch disposables for zero-waste feasts. Opt for cloth napkins, reusable plates, and beeswax wraps. Compost scraps into stock—bones and peels become hearty broth. Send leftovers home in guests’ jars; freeze extras for post-holiday soups.
Upcycled Decor
Elevate decor with DIY ornament swaps from recycled materials. Transform toilet paper rolls into angels, old CDs into shimmering stars, or
egg cartons into poinsettias—fun, free crafts that repurpose household waste. Check out the Alexandria nonprofit, UpcycleRC, for crafty and economical supplies of all kinds.
Host a swap party: Trade handmade baubles from wine corks, puzzle pieces, or fabric scraps for a tree bursting with stories, not landfills. For special finds, visit secondhand stores like Evolution Home, the Twig Thrift Shop, and many others.
Thoughtful Gifts
To support Alexandria’s business community, consider gifts from our city’s thriving vintage clothing stores, Encore and Mint Condition; sustainable stores such as Ten Thousand Villages or Patagonia; or gift cards from businesses supporting sustainability like Port City Brewery, The Dog Park, Hanks Oysters, Ms. Moxie’s Moon Shop, and many more.
Check out the Eco City Business Program for a complete member listing of companies embracing sustainability practices: https://www.alexandriava.gov/EcoCityBusiness
Send ideas for the Sustainability Column to our volunteer organizer, Julie Chapman, Founder of the ALX Dog Walk, a nonprofit that educates about plastic-free and sustainable living: ZebraPress@alxdogwalk.com.
Courtesy photo
Steve Rochlin, CEO and Founder of Impact ROI, LLC
Photo by Susan Mulligan Fleischman
Stay green this holiday season by shopping local farmers markets. This cuts down on emissions and supports small businesses. Win-win!
The Art of Ethical Gifting: How Fair Trade Empowers Communities and the Planet
BY YASMINE ROBINSON
Are you looking for meaningful gifts this holiday season? High-quality, well-made items that will delight your friends and family, and serve them well for years to come? Maybe you’re looking for gifts that are not only functional but also have an interesting story behind them. If any of the above sounds like you, you’re looking for fair trade! What is fair trade? Fair trade is a global economic movement that prioritizes helping people and the planet over profit. Fair trade groups ensure that their producers receive an equitable, living wage and have access to safe working conditions. Organizations reinvest in local communities to create sustainable, long-lasting partnerships that promote community development. It also entails using sustainable materials and processes that protect the environment.
When you buy fair trade goods, you’re buying gifts that give back. The World Bank estimates that over 800 million people worldwide currently live in extreme poverty. While this is due to a multitude of factors, one unfortunately common component is that artisans and producers are often not paid a fair price for the items they create. By choosing to buy from reputable suppliers who pay their artisans fairly, you’re helping to break a vicious cycle of poverty.
The positive impacts of fair trade can change an entire community. Take the example of Palam Rural Centre, a soapmaking artisan group in Tamil Nadu, India. Artisans have invested the profits from their work into starting a school for their children. By investing in a fair trade gift, you’re investing in the upward mobility of future generations.
While Palam Rural’s soap may be one of a kind, their story is one of many. It’s just one other factor that sets fair trade products apart: every item comes with an incredible true story about the lives you’re helping to change. The fair trade process creates a more interconnected way of doing business; a process in which producers become real people rather than just an abstract concept.
Fair trade isn’t just about helping people, it’s also about helping the planet. Artisans combine cultural traditions with upcycled
and sustainably sourced materials to create one-of-a-kind masterpieces with smaller carbon footprints. From the glassblowers of Hebron Glass, who use recycled glass for their art, to the basket weavers of Prokritee, who create baskets out of upcycled saris, fair trade artisans are experts at turning one person’s trash into someone else’s treasure.
As the author Anna Lappé once said, “Every time you spend money, you’re casting a vote for the kind of world you want.”
This holiday season, why not cast a vote for
a world that works better for all of us? With fair trade, you can find gifts you feel great about giving—for all the right reasons. Not sure where your nearest fair trade store is? I recommend Ten Thousand Villages in Alexandria or Trade Roots: Fair Trade Gift Store and Coffee & Wine Bar in Arlington. The best part? Both stores are local businesses, so you’re also supporting your community.
Photos courtesy of Ten Thousand Villages.
A large basket wrapped in strips of fabric from upcycled saris, a type of garment traditionally worn in South Asia.
A Phoenician glass goblet (left) and a Phoenician glass candleholder (right), both made from recycled glass.
New Habitat Restoration Project at Four Mile Run Park
BY DERETH BUSH
The City of Alexandria’s Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities (RPCA) has teamed up with the Alexandria Beautification Commission (ABC), Arlington Regional Master Naturalists, and the Four Mile Run Conservatory Foundation to launch a new habitat restoration pilot in Four Mile Run Park.
For this pilot program, two sections along the park’s forest edge have been set aside as Habitat Restoration Areas (HRAs)—places where nature will be given space to thrive. The project will use both natural regeneration and hands-on planting to restore native plants, improve wildlife habitat, and strengthen the park’s ecosystem.
Four Mile Run is an important part of the Potomac River watershed. Its wetlands and wooded
buffers help filter stormwater, provide corridors for birds and wildlife, and add to the park’s beauty. As nearby development grows, this project will help protect these vital
natural areas for the future. City staff and volunteers will work together to plant natives, manage invasive species, and create educational signs, so visitors
Members of the Alexandria Beautification Commission (ABC), Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities (RPCA), Arlington Regional Master Naturalists (ARMN), and the Four Mile Run Conservancy Foundation gather for a habitat restoration event at Four Mile Run Park. Kneeling (left to right): ABC & ARMN member Alisa Wong and Four Mile Run Conservancy Foundation President Kurt Moser. Standing (left to
Natural Resource Manager Raychel Frye; ARMN members Bill Browning, Edie Juno, and Susan Berry; ABC Chair Eleanor Trice; ARMN Vice Chair Liz Gelfer; and Alexandria Natural Resource Manager Katrina Napora.
can learn about the restoration process.
For more information, contact RPCA Natural Resource Manager Raychel Frye at 703-746-4651.
Tree Planting at Lynbrook – Something New
BY RUSS BAILEY, ABC COMMISSIONER
On Saturday, October 11, trees provided by the City of Alexandria were planted at Lynbrook Apartments. This was the first
ABC Commissioners, Tree Stewards of Arlington and Alexandria, Boy Scouts, and community members planted beautiful hackberries, oaks, and dogwoods—adding shade, beauty, and long-term impact to the community.
time that the City provided a substantial number of trees for planting on private property as part of its effort to fulfill the City’s tree canopy goals.
The idea of providing City trees for planting on private property, including neighborhoods with housing serving residents with low and moderate incomes, was conceived as part of a Tree Equity initiative by the Alexandria Beautification Commission (ABC).
“We want to ensure every neighborhood in the City benefits from healthy tree coverage, including the West End,” said ABC Chair Eleanor Trice. “It’s hard for Alexandria to meet its canopy goals and address urban heat
right):
Courtesy ABC
All photos courtesy of ABC
UpCycle Creative Reuse Center Announces Opening of New Materials Center in Alexandria
BY KATHERINE AMBERG
UpCycle Creative Reuse Center is thrilled to announce the opening of its new materials center this month at 2397 S Dove Street in Alexandria. A one-of-akind community resource, UpCycle is a nonprofit dedicated to rescuing usable materials from the waste stream and repurposing them as creative supplies for artists, makers, and educators.
The opening of this new location follows the unexpected loss of UpCycle’s former space on Eisenhower Avenue earlier this year. “Losing our space was a tremendous setback,” said Executive Director Kathryn Amberg. “But sometimes things happen for a reason, and now that our new space is finally coming to life—it feels like this was meant to be.”
For more than 13 years, UpCycle has served as Alexandria’s only creative reuse center, offering low-cost materials to teachers, families, artists, students, and environmentally conscious community members. Its material center serves as the organization’s headquarters, where the community is welcome to shop for creative supplies and drop off
TREE PLANTING
islands if trees only go on public land.” By investing in tree equity, we can ensure all communities, regardless of income or demographics, have access to the cooling, air quality, and aesthetic benefits of urban greenery, thereby fostering a more beautiful, healthier, more sustainable, and equitable city for all residents.
Twenty-five native canopy trees were put in at Lynbrook. Members
of the Tree Stewards of Arlington and Alexandria oversaw the plantings. Scout Troop 129 members provided much of the planting power, aided by other community volunteers. In two and a half hours all the trees were put in their new homes, watered, steadied by stakes, and mulched.
ABC Vice Chair Elizabeth Gelfer, who with commission member Russ Bailey organized the event, expressed ABC’s hope that the public/private effort will expand to other properties. “We’d like to continue in the West End at least
to start, as there are several ideal spots along the Beauregard corridor where property owners welcome new trees,” said Gelfer. She also pointed out the native trees that are being put in—oaks, sycamores, persimmons, hackberries, and dogwoods—are consistent with the older trees in the neighborhood and will best support the local birds and other wildlife.
The results of the Lynbrook planting show that the public tree on private property plan is off to a good start.
donations by appointment.
“People travel from all over to shop at our materials center and to bring us their donations,” Amberg noted. “We’ve received so many inquiries about our reopening—it’s clear the community has missed us. And we have certainly missed them.”
In addition to its retail shop, UpCycle offers sustainability-focused programming for adults, children, and educators. The new Dove Street location includes a dedicated program space—a first for the organization—as well as expanded square footage and improved accessibility so that all visitors may access and experience UpCycle’s retail space and programming with equal enjoyment.
Details for the organization’s grand opening celebration in January will be shared soon. Learn more or subscribe to the monthly newsletter at www.upcyclecrc.org , and follow @UpCycleCRC on social media.
LEFT: UpCycle’s new space is being painted in their signature colors, one of the final touches before construction is complete.
Courtesy photo
Courage and Faith Ease Final Journey
On December 11, 2006, Maureen Rose Morley passed away, surrounded by her loving husband, cherished family, and friends. She had lost her battle with breast cancer. But that wasn’t the end of the story; that’s where it began. You see, Maureen left a disarrayed collection of writings from the time of her diagnosis until she was unable to write.
“Maureen and I shared a love of literature and writing,” said her sister, Barbara Leary. “When she knew she was dying, she told me she was leaving her writings to me and hoped I might be able to publish some of it. I told her I would. It felt like a sacred duty, but it took me almost 20 years to feel ready to take it on.” Leary fulfilled Maureen’s wish, sharing the emotions and deepest feelings of her fi- nal journey. Leary continued, “So much of the writing was in bits and pieces—in digital files, in boxes, in notebooks—and I couldn’t figure out how to knit it together. And part of it was that reading her work was just so painful. I still miss Maureen every day.”
The Storms As They Roll In, posthumously published, is a powerful assemblage of essays, reflections, and prayers written by a young woman, documenting her final journey upon learning she had Stage 4 breast cancer. Morley didn’t write about death, but rather about life, love, courage,
and vulnerability when confronting the unknown. How does someone so young do this? “Faith,” said Steve Morley, a pastor in England and the love of Maureen’s life. He added, “Faith gave her a center and identity located outside the cancer. Living with cancer was really hard at times, but Maureen never let it define who she was. She’d come back from treatment or support group meetings and say, ‘I don’t know how people who don’t have a faith get by when facing cancer’.” Maureen bared her soul about faith’s role in providing strength while she was dealing with daily highs and lows. Steve added, “You can see that God brought her during the three years of treatment
to a place where she no longer feared death but was able to accept its coming. That was a God-given blessing. Not all deaths are so easy.”
Whether Maureen possessed the indomitable spirit of a seeker, was an adventurer, or had divine intervention, the fact is she quit a terrific job, left her Warrenton, VA, home and traveled three thousand miles to attend Regent College in Vancouver, BC. Leary added, “By the time we arrived, I was convinced it was the right move. We didn’t share the same views of faith and God, but, as the book reveals, it truly was as if divine intervention guided her … everything she ever wanted was waiting for her there.” That’s where she met Steve.
A native of Annandale, Virginia, the ninth of ten children, Maureen graduated from Virginia Tech and continued her studies at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. After a brief internship at a New York City VA hospital, she returned home.
The Storms As They Roll In is a raw, deeply personal journal about life after a devastating prognosis. Don’t just read, absorb Maureen’s musings that cover things from chemo and hospital stay drudgery to the quiet moments of pain and joy. Her work is a testament to the power of deeply rooted love and a caring support system. And a faith that enabled her to accept death, not fear it. This work provides powerful insights from someone with limited time who chose to spend it reflecting, connecting, and giving. 5 Zebra Stripes
Ralph Peluso
Review: The Storms as They Roll In, Anchored by Faith
Publisher: Finch and Squirrel
Author: Maureen Rose Morley
Reviewed by: Ralph Peluso, Literary Edito Zebra Rating: 5 Stripes
Wednesday, Dec. 3, 6-9 p.m.
Thomas Dann Book Event-Interview (Midnight in Memphis)
Saturday, Dec. 6, 12-3 p.m.
The Writers of Chantilly Holiday Party
Wednesday, Dec. 10, 6-9 p.m.
Author’s Guild Holiday Party
Thursday, Dec. 11, 6-9 p.m. (MWA Members Only)
Mystery Writers of A.M.erica Holiday Party Thursday, Dec. 18, 6-9 p.m.
Sean Hagerty Book Event-Interview (Cabal)
JANUARY 2026:
Thursday, Jan 8, 6-9 p.m.
AdA.M. Lovinger Book Event-Interview (The Insider Threat)
Saturday, Jan. 10, 8 a.m.-4p.m. (Ticketed)
John DeDakis Writing Seminar
Sunday, Jan. 11, 12-3 p.m.
Monisha Longacre Book Event-Interview (Practical Productivity)
Thursday, Jan. 15, 6-9 p.m. Lynda Allen Book Event-Interview (Live Wilde Mysteries)
Sunday, Jan. 18, 12-3 p.m. Puja Guha Book Event-Interview (The Ahriman Legacy Series)
Elaine’s
Courtesy photo
Maureen Rose Morley with her husband, Steve Morley.
Art Market 2 Market: Holiday Shopping We Will Go
BY KELLY MACCONOMY
‘Tis the season to be giving! Art makes the perfect gift for loved ones and friends. Port City galleries and artist studios in the Torpedo Factory Art Center are a jolly good place to shop. Buy small, y’all! Small business, that is…. Celebrating their 30th anniversary tradition of purveying fine art and artisanal craft curation, Del Ray Artisans on Mount Vernon Avenue is the place to start. Check off just about everything on your wish lists, perusing handmade gifts galore—for both home and body— among the intimate indoor gallery market setting. Vendors change
Art NewZ&
By Kelly MacConomy Arts Editor
each of the first three weekends of December beginning Friday, December 5, and ending Sunday, December 21.
Shopping local is made easy at DRA, where veteran holiday market artisans, gallery members, and new-2-U vendors represent a diverse and unique selection of high-quality gifts across various mediums, including painting, printmaking, photography, fiber/ textiles, mosaics, mixed-media, pottery/ceramics/polymer clay, glass, paper craft, jewelry, sculpture, wood, wreaths, and ornaments. AND MORE! Something
A CREATIVE PARTNERSHIP IN A SEASON OF GIVING
Alexandria art devotees got a big jump on giving the gift that truly lasts at Alexandria Living Legend Nina Tisara’s Serenity Gallery last month. A mosaic artist and photographer, Nina celebrated her own birthday by generously hosting a Partners in Art fundraiser benefiting Del Ray Artisans. Nina founded 54Living Legends of Alexandria in 2006.
Nina’s mosaic artistry and the unique photographic art of Steven Halperson’s Garden Series were on exhibit with 20 percent of all sales during the event, as well as online sales, donated to DRA. Many of Nina’s most popular mosaics and photographic images are available on mugs and notecards. Steve’s Garden Series images are also available as unframed prints and notecards. Steve is not only Nina’s son and
CONTINUED ON PAGE 75
Photo Steven Halperson of Tisara Photography. Lord of the Mountain mosaic art by Nina Tisara on exhibit at the Serenity Gallery.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 75
Photo Tisara Photography
Three Living Legends Gathered to Celebrate Nina Tisara’s Birthday in Creative Partnership with Del Ray Artisans: Kathryn Brown (far left, seated), LLA founder Nina Tisara to her left, and Frank Fannon IV (back row, third from left.) DRA President Dawn Wise Hurto kneeling to the right.
WHAT'S ONSTAGE IN THE DMV - DEC/JAN 2025-26
Broadway at the National
• Some Like It Hot – November 25 – Dec 7
• Water for Elephants – Dec 9
• Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical – Dec 30 www.TicketMaster. com
Workhouse Arts Center
• Into the Woods Dec 20 – Jan 25 www.WorkhouseArts.org
Folger Consort Concert Series
• Resplendent Joy: Christmas Traditions from Spain and Portugal Dec 5 – 14 www.Folger.edu
Everyman Theatre
• Deceived Nov 30 – Jan 4 www.EverymanTheatre.org
Shakespeare Theatre Company
• Guys and Dolls – Dec 2 – Jan 4www.ShakespeareTheatre.org
1st Stage
• Birthday Candles Dec 4 – Dec 21 www.1stStage.org
Voices Festival Productions
• Imperfect Allies: Children of Opposite Sides Dec 11 – Dec 14 www.VoicesFestivalProductions.com
Signature Theatre
• Fiddler on the Roof through Jan 25
• In Clay Dec 9 – Feb 1 www.SigTheatre.org
Ford’s Theatre
• A Christmas Carol through
Dec 31 www.MyFords.org
Arena Stage
• Step Afrika’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show Dec 5 –Dec 21 www.ArenaStage.org
Creative Cauldron
Keegan Theatre
• An Irish Carol Dec 11 – 28 www.KeeganTheatre.com
Olney Theatre
• Hello Dolly! – Nov 6 – Jan 4 www.OlneyTheatre.org
IN Series
• The Delta King’s Blues Dec 6, 7, 12 & 13 www.INSeries.org
By
• Madeline’s Christmas Dec 5 –21 www.CreativeCauldron.org
MetroStage
• A Christmas in Wales Dec 16 and 17 www.MetroStage.org
Silver Spring Stage
• A Christmas Carol Dec 12 –Dec 21 www.SilverStage.or g
Adventure Theatre
• Frosty the Snowman Nov 28 –Jan 11 www.AdventureTheatre-MITC.org
NextStop Theatre Company
• Under the Tree – A Furry Take on the Nutcracker Dec 5 – 14 www.NextStopTheatre.org
Studio Theatre
• Mother Play: A Play in Five Evictions through Dec 21 www.StudioTheatre.org
Theatre J
• Chanukah in the Dark Dec 6 –Dec 25 www.EDCJCC.org
Port Tobacco Players
• Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Nov 21 –Dec 14 www.PTPlayers.com
Woolly Mammoth Theatre
• Ho Ho Ho Ha Ha Ha Ha through Dec 21 www.WoollyMammoth.net
Jordan Wright
Photo Jeremy Daniel
The touring company of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical.
Irish Carol via Keegan Theatre
Imperfect Allies: Children of Opposite Sides via Voices Festival Productions
Madeline’s Christmas via Creative Cauldron
Chanukah in the Dark via Theatre J
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 54
The Hippodrome Theatre
• A Christmas Carol Dec 6 – Dec 21 www.TheHipp.org
Gaithersburg Arts Barn
• Best Hanukkah Show Ever! Nov 28 – Dec 14 www.GaithersburgMD.gov
Colonial Players
• A Christmas Carol Nov 28 – Dec 14 www.ColonialPlayers.org
Toby’s Dinner Theatre
• Elf through Jan 4 www.TobysDinner Theatre.com
Imagination Stage
• The Snowman and the Snowdog Nov 22 – Jan 4 www.ImaginationStage.org
The Little Theatre of Alexandria
• A Christmas Carol Dec 6 – Jan 4 www.TheLittleTheatre.com
Round House Theatre
• Rules for Living Dec 3 – Jan 4 www.RoundHouse Theatre.org
Providence Players of Fairfax
• A Sherlock Carol Dec 12 – 21 www.ProvidencePlayers.org
Mosaic Theatre
• A Case for the Existence of God through Dec 14 www.AtlasArts.org
Kennedy Center
• Monty Python’s Spamalot Dec 16 – Jan 4 www.Kennedy-Center.org
The Puppet Co.
• The Nutcracker Nov 28 – Dec 31 www.thepuppetco.org
If you carry your childhood with you, you never become older.
QUOTABLES
– Tom Stoppard
A Christmas Carol via The Little Theatre of Alexandria
A Case for the Existence of God via Mosaic Theatre
NOVEMBER 28DECEMBER 23
Mount Vernon by Candlelight 5:30-8:30 p.m.
George Washington’s Mount Vernon 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy
Join a candlelit guided tour and learn about holiday traditions in 18th-century Virginia, shared by costumed actors portraying George Washington’s family, friends, and enslaved or hired staff.
At the Revolutionary War Encampment, discover what it was like to be a Continental Army soldier stationed outside of Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1775 as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of that historic year. Explore the historic area, enjoy 18th-century music and dancing, and meet Aladdin, the Christmas camel.
CURRENT THROUGH DECEMBER 31
Aboard Ship with the Jack-Tars of the Union Navy
Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site
4301 W. Braddock Rd.
DECEMBER
3, 10, 17
Noonday Noëls
12:05 p.m.
Old Presbyterian Meeting House
323 South Fairfax St.
“Aboard Ship with the Jack-Tars of the Union Navy” focuses on the U.S. Navy during the Civil War, and is being held in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Navy on October 13, 1775. The Federal Navy, which began as a small and unprepared force at the outbreak of the Civil War, quickly expanded to succeed in blockading over 3,500 miles of Confederate coastline, securing the South’s major waterways, and engaging in a number of significant combat operations. By the end of the war in 1865, the U.S. Navy was the world’s largest naval force and a key factor in the North’s eventual victory. The strength of the U.S. Navy would not have been possible without the service of the thousands of sailors, or “jack-tars,” who manned the ships.
A typical ship’s crew included men and boys of various ages and ethnic backgrounds, including a significant number of Black seamen who served on integrated crews. The exhibition features examples of the tools, equipment, clothing articles, weapons, and personal items used by Union sailors from Fort Ward Museum’s Civil War collection.
Attend the three-week series of Noonday Noels, a longstanding holiday tradition at the Meeting House. Dr. Bryan Holten kicks off the series on December 3 with a program of seasonally themed jazz piano. December 10 will feature a local brass ensemble playing festive holiday favorites. On December 17 listen to the Annandale High School Choir and Chamber Singers led by Patrick Vaughn. Each event begins with a short liturgy and a hymn, followed immediately by a half-hour concert. Join the light lunch reception to top it all off.
DECEMBER 4
Holiday Wreath Making Workshop 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Gunston Hall
10709 Gunston Rd.
This workshop is perfect for all skill levels. Plus, enjoy the charm and history of our stunning venue while you design your wreath using fresh
CONTINUED ON PAGE 57
December
greens, seasonal decorations, and a dash of holiday magic! They will show you how to create your own wreath and fill/decorate it with a mix of locally grown greens and foliage along with dried flowers and grasses from QBR. You will walk through how to make stunning, showy bows to use throughout the holiday season. Tickets include light refreshments and a holiday themed 18th century cocktail and mocktail.
DECEMBER 6-7
The Alexandria Singers present “Unwrapped” 2025 Holiday Pops Concerts December 6 at 7:30 p.m.
December 7, at 4:00 p.m.
The George Washington Masonic National Memorial 101 Callahan Drive
The holiday show is a variety event promising a mix of “surprises, sparkle, and spirit,” where every song is presented as a different “gift”—from mischievous to magical. Tickets: Prices range from $20 to $35. A Livestream of the Sunday, December 7, 4:00 pm performance is available for $25 per viewing household.
DECEMBER 6
Community Touch-a-Truck
3:00-4:00 p.m.
2723 King St.
Meet firefighters and police officers, explore their amazing vehicles up close, and watch as the fire truck ladders reach high into the sky! It’s a fun, family-friendly event that’s sure to delight kids (and grown-ups!) of all ages. You’re invited to bring diapers to support ALIVE! Food Hubs and toys to share with Volunteer Alexandria’s holiday drive—a simple way to spread some extra joy this season. No donation required to attend.
DECEMBER 6
25th Annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights Sponsored by Amazon Parade starts at 5:30 p.m.
Dockside festivities 2:00-8:00 p.m.
Old Town Alexandria Waterfront
Old Town Alexandria’s historic waterfront shines as dozens of brightly lit boats cruise along one mile of the Potomac River shoreline. Enjoy dockside festivities in Waterfront Park including a pop-up beer garden from Port City Brewing Company, food, activities, and more.
DECEMBER
7
4th Annual Holiday Makers’ Market
9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Four Mile Run Farmers and Artisans Market
4109 Mount Vernon Ave.
Visit the largest market of the year with 40+ artisans, live music, great food, and kids’ activities. Fun! Festive! And Family and dog Friendly!
DECEMBER 13
Winter Crafts & Carols 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Lee-Fendall House 614 Oronoco St.
Experience the joys of the winter season where you can create, craft, and carol in this fun and festive commu-
nity event. The Adult Music Student Forum will be hosting sing-alongs and seasonal music each hour. Tickets: $10 per adult and $5 per child. Children under 2 are admitted for free.
DECEMBER
13
Holiday Concert-Alexandria Baroque 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Carlyle House Historic Park 121 North Fairfax St.
Join Alexandria Baroque for sounds of the season, Baroque-style. Michael De Sapio (Baroque violin) and John Armato (theorbo) perform Biber’s “Annunciation” Sonata and early Christmas carols alongside Biber’s amusing Sonata representativa (repCONTINUED ON PAGE 71
The Long Run: Filming in Stephen King’s Dystopian World
BY KELLY MACCONOMY
Just as Lionsgate submitted the cast of The Long Walk for the inaugural 2026 Best Casting Oscar consideration, along with a gamut of 14 other nominations in categories including Best Picture, Paramount Pictures dropped their own Stephen King dystopian action-adventure adaptation property for Glen Powell, The Running Man . Powell, the 2020s wannabe Tom Cruise, brings an action-hero antidote to King’s deconstruction of the psyche that’s far more prevalent in The Long Walk
The 2025 remake of King’s The Running Man , unlike the 1987 adaptation starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, is closer to King’s original 1982 novel, published under the pseudonym of Richard Bachman. Despite a strong supporting cast with standout performances by Colman Domingo (Sing Sing) and Josh Brolin (Dune 1, 2, and 3 {due out next year}) as well as Emilia Jones of 2021’s Best Picture CODA and HBO’s compelling must-see series Task , The Running Man fails to command the haunting gravitas of The Long Walk
The Long Walk, based upon King’s first novel
(also under the nom de plume Richard Bachman) has become a serious dark horse Oscar contender. Reaping high praise as being the best King adaptation unto itself, The Long Walk benefits from veteran dystopian world creators from the Hunger Games metaverse.
Director Francis Lawrence, along with Alexandria native Cameron MacConomy, Roy Lee (The Departed), and horror genre master Steven Schneider, delivered a nostalgic feel harkening back to old-school filmmaking. Filmed in sequence from start to finish, without special effects, The Long Walk is miles apart from slick and stylish The Running Man .
CONTINUED ON PAGE 59
This space made possible by The Hoffman Town Center
Courtesy photo
ABOVE: Brother Versus Brother, directed by and starring four-time Sundance alum Ari Gold, is a single-take musical following twin magicians through the streets of San Francisco in search of their missing father.
Photo Randy McCracken AFF vice chair Chris Colligan presenting the Audience Award for Kemba to the film’s subject, Kemba Smith, along with Director Kelley Kali and AFF chair Jill Ray at Ted’s Montana Grill.
Courtesy photo
In 2025 there were six Stephen King adaptations, including The Running Man remake, with 25 more movies and TV shows in the pipeline.
Courtesy photo
Comparsa, winner of the Best Foreign Language Film at the AFF, documents how a Guatemalan youth community creatively protests gender violence.
Making Music To Help Those Who Need It
STEVIE NICOLE SINGSABOUT HER OWN MEDICALWORLDTO HELPTHOSEWHOARE LIKE HER
BY STEVE HOUK
Since she was a child, Alexandria/Del Ray resident Stevie Nicole has had her fair share of challenging health issues. When she was in her early 20s, she was officially “diagnosed” and since then has been in and out of medical remission, as it affects her life and her stability.
But amidst all of that, Stevie not only has become a longtime nurse, but she has also developed into a very special and talented singer/ songwriter, releasing her first album, “Rise,” in March 2025, which is chock full of superb acoustic songs, all of which she wrote and performed during her challenges.
But there’s something even more special about what Stevie does with her music. She wrote a unique slew of songs that relate to her and other people’s health issues, and as a result has received a steady flow of highly complimentary messages. People feel she is more than just a wonderful singer; she has literally helped them deal with their own health problems by writing about grief as well as resilience, and sharing her medical journey and her emotions. It is obvious that the music makes them feel “seen,” as evidenced by one comment on our Living On Music With Steve Houk interview together on YouTube: “Thank you Stevie for the music, it has done things for me that I may never begin to express in words, I’m so honored to be able to listen to you sing, and call you my friend.”
The entire acting ensemble of The Long Walk has been submitted for Oscar consideration. Its stellar casting is reminiscent of 1983’s The Outsiders, directed by Francis Ford Coppola and starring a 20-year-old Tom Cruise. Not surprisingly, Apocalypse Now, also directed by Coppola, is director Francis Lawrence’s favorite film.
The Running Man isn’t a film of this caliber. It doesn’t pretend to be. Sometimes a film is simply fun. A good
“I think that society as a whole is made uncomfortable by people with chronic illnesses,” Stevie said, “and a lot of people who haven’t intersected with other people with chronic illness don’t have a way to cope, and so we all deal with it silently on our own. But I think a lot of the people who are finding my music have lived that experience, they’re used to not having the freedom to talk about it, lest they be labeled a negative nelly. But with my music and with me, they are finding a place where they can be open, and they can feel what they’re feeling about these diagnoses. They usually don’t have that permission.”
Stevie wrote almost the entire album’s songs in three months, finding ways to reach out to those in common with her, and even using some
first-date film. A fantastically futuristic film. A film that transports you to a different world. Glen Powell’s dimpled grin and blue/green eyes deliver on a promise to entertain. Sometimes that’s more than enough!
THE BEST of the FEST
Speaking of award-winning filmmaking, the 19th annual Alexandria Film Festival returned last month to sold-out screenings and record attendance, with complimentary tickets for federal workers and a showcase salute to our military. Sixty-two films submitted by independent filmmakers
from around the world were screened. Half were from the DMV.
This year the AFF featured films that premiered at top fests such as Sundance, SXSW, and Tribeca. Coexistence, My Ass, directed by Lebanese filmmaker Amber Fares and shot over five years of ongoing conflict following Israeli activist-comedian Noam Shuster Elias, is an Oscar contender.
Twelve films were given awards and half of those were to local filmmakers. Seventy percent of the films screened premiered at the AFF, including 15 world and US premieres as well as 14
of her own medical moments to come up with some of her music. “The song ‘Medicine’ is track 3, which is specifically about chronic illness. I actually wrote it during an infusion because my IV pump started alarming, and I heard that rhythm of the IV pump and had the thought of, ‘I wonder what key this is beeping in?’ So when I got home, I figured out how to emulate the IV pump beeping on the piano, and then wrote the whole song about medicine and treatment, and living with this. And people have really bonded with it.”
Stevie is, and should be, proud of what she has created, which is not only solid new music but also helpful to people as well. She does have one favorite on “Rise” that really gets to her, and has also gotten positively to many others.
“My personal favorite on the whole album is probably ‘Countdown.’ It was actually the last song that I wrote for that album, it was written on New Year’s Eve 2024 incorporating the NYE countdown. But the theme of the song is about moving into the new year or a new season, but also leaving someone else behind – (she lost one of her best friends to illness not long ago) – so you’ve still got that grief of who or what you’ve lost, and here’s a new year anyway. So it’s that kind of bittersweet feeling (when) the fireworks are about to go off and everyone’s about to celebrate…but I’m still sad.”
Watch Stevie Nicole on Living On Music With Steve Houk: https://youtu.be/qqWU-G5xt9s?si=synTTkgwBNgUCMuF
DMV premieres, elevating the festival’s founding mission as a platform for emerging, homegrown filmmaking. Spotlighting women’s voices has been an imperative focus at the AFF. This year six films presented a diverse feminine perspective via stories about and by women in both short and feature-length screenings. Notably the Spanish language film Comparsa , in its Virginia premiere, was an inspiring telling of youthful female resistance and resilience standing opposed to adversity and repression in the guise of giant puppets,
fire, and demonstrably powerful, artful protest performance.
The all-volunteer work begins now for the 20th annual Alexandria Film Festival celebration in concert with the United States semiquincentennial anniversary soirée to end all soirées. As the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film studio motto goes, “Ars gratia artis” (art for art’s sake). The AFF embodies fabulae gratis artis—stories for art’s sake. At Z MovieZ can’t wait for the AFF 2026 storytime!
Courtesy photo
Stevie Nicole.
Signature Theatre’s Fiddler on the Roof
Is
Joyful, Fiercely Funny, and Robust
BY JORDAN WRIGHT
As you enter the MAX theatre, you’ll note a massive wooden table which fills nearly the entire stage for this production. Small benches surround it. There are no backdrops. No actual scenery. A wooden door claims a single corner. Soon you’ll come to realize it is a clear symbol of these smalltown villagers – solid and ordinary. A sturdy table for gathering becomes a metaphor for their day-to-day
lives as it changes form – reconfiguring in a myriad of clever ways to adapt to each scene. The musical opens as the large family enters, covering its bare wood with a large, white linen tablecloth. Winner of nine Tony Awards, Fiddler on the Roof is a tender and uplifting musical inspired by the Yiddish stories of Sholem Aleichem who wrote them at the turn of the 20th century. In this funny, wise, and sweetly endearing folk tale set in the fictional Russian Jewish shetl Anatevka, we meet Tevye, a milkman; his homemaker wife, Golde; their five daughters; the rabbi, the ultimate authority on Jewish tradition; and Yente the Matchmaker, the Dolly Levi of arranged marriages, who has the final say on the bachelors the young women of the village will wed. Alas, poor Tevye. Conflicted by the changing times, he faces a terrifying political climate and a cruel Czar, looming pogroms by the invading Nazis, Russian sol-
Photo: Christopher Mueller
The cast of Fiddler on the Roof.
Photos: Daniel Rader
ABOVE: Douglas Sills (Tevye) with Lily Burka (Hodel), Beatrice Owens (Tzeitel), Mia Goodman (Shprintze), Rosie Jo Neddy (Chava), and Allison Mintz (Bielke) in Fiddler on the Roof at Signature Theatre.
LEFT: Lily Burka (Hodel), Rosie Jo Neddy (Chava), and Beatrice Owens (Tzeitel).
Z-THEATRE
diers taking over the town, and the stringent religious laws laid down by the rabbi. Fiercely traditional in a paternalistic society, he struggles to rationalize his daughters’ unorthodox marital choices by speaking to God – his preferred pastime. “On the other hand, look at my daughter’s eyes,” he muses, justifying the adoration he sees for their unorthodox choices.
Unfortunately, his daugh-
ters’ love interests have not been determined by Yente, the unchallenged matchmaker for the women of the village. And in his conversations with God, Tevye vacillates between keeping tradition and pleasing his beloved daughters. “Without tradition our lives would be as shaky as the fiddler on the roof,” he warns as the haunting violin strains from the fiddler test his mettle.
In “Tevye’s Dream,” a nightmare sequence featuring the ghost of Fruma-Sarah, Lazar Wolf’s late wife,
Celebrating Realism
Douglas Sills (Tevye), Jeremy Radin (Lazar Wolf), and the cast of Fiddler on the Roof.
WORSHIP DIRECTORY
ANGLICAN
Christ of the King Church
1801 North Quaker Lane, Alexandria, VA 22302 (703) 535-6815
ONLINE: Prayer Services: Sundays at 9 a.m. via Sermons page or Facebook Live
Daily Morning Prayer: Weekdays at 8 a.m. via Zoom
Weekly Study: Wednesdays at 7 p.m. via Zoom
IN PERSON:
Worship in the sanctuary at Convergence Sunday at 9 and 11 a.m. Via sign up online starting Tuesday.
BAPTIST
Cherrydale Baptist Church
3910 Lorcom Lane, Arlington, VA 22207 (703) 525-8210
Sunday Worship available at 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. either online or register to attend in person. Online via Church Website or Facebook Live.
Check out the church’s online weekly schedule for more events and services.
Commonwealth Baptist Church 700 Commonwealth Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22301 (703) 548-8000
Services:
Sunday Bible Study for ALL ages at 9:45 a.m.
Sunday Worship at 11 a.m. via Facebook Live or Conference Call at 571-446-0476
First Baptist Church of Alexandria 2932 King Street Alexandria, VA 22302 fbcalexandria.org
Sunday Worship: Identical Services at 9:30a & 11a
Sunday Groups: 9:30a & 11a
Sunday Livestream: 11a at fbcalexandria.org or on Facebook
You are welcome here!
CATHOLIC
Catholic Diocese of Arlington
200 North Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22203 (703) 841-2500
Mass by Bishop Burbidge is uploaded to the church’s website.
Vatican News Live Strea.m. of Pope Francis’ Masses available daily via YoutTube
Go online to find Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception online mass, Sundays at noon.
EPISCOPAL/ANGLICAN
Christ Church
118 North Washington Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 549-1450
Sunday Services: Sundays at 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., and 5:00 p.m.
livestream of 10:00 a.m. service available Wednesdays at Noon (chapel)
Morning Prayer weekdays at 7:30 a.m. via Facebook Live Compline on Wednesdays at 9:00 p.m.
More details can be found on church website
Meade Memorial Episcopal Church
322 N. Alfred Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 703-549-1334
Sunday Worship Service 10:00am in-person and zoom Wednesday Bible Study and Prayer Fellowship - 7:00pm via zoom Zoom log-on contact admin@meadechurch.org
(Monday thru Friday 10:00 am – 1:30pm)
This historic and predominantly African-American Episcopal Church has been serving Alexandria and surrounding communities for over 150+ years.
St. Martin de Porres Episcopal Church
6744 S. Kings Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22306
703-765-3949
Join us for Lenten Services, Holy Week and Easter.
Sunday Worship Services:
8 am in-person without music at Olivet Chapel 6107 Franconia Rd, Alex VA 22310
10 am in-person and zoom with music at St. Mark’s Campus 6744 S. Kings Hwy, Alex VA 22306
More information can be found: Website, Facebook, and YouTube.
St. Pauls Episcopal Church
228 South Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 549-3312
Sunday Services: Sundays at 8:00 a.m.,
DECEMBER ANSWERS
9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 5:00 p.m.
Live stream of 11:00 a.m. service available at www.stpaulsalexandria.com
Ministry of the Word with Sermon, watch at your leisure: Can be found online on church’s website
An Order for Compline: 7 p.m. every Wednesday live via Facebook Virtual Prayer: Faith@Home available daily on church’s Facebook page
Sunday Worship: Videos posted on church’s Facebook page, YouTube, and website
Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill
3606 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA 22304 (703) 370-6555
Sunday Worship Schedule
8:00 am | Eucharist, Zabriskie Chapel
10:30 am | Eucharist with music, at Immanuel Chapel, Livestreamed 1:00 PM | Outdoor Eucharist, behind Zabriskie Chapel
Weekday Worship Schedule
Tuesday 10:00 am | Morning Prayer, at Zabriskie Chapel
Wednesday, 6:30 pm | Holy Eucharist Rite II, at Zabriskie Chapel Friday 8:30 Pm | Compline on Zoom
INTERDENOMINATIONAL
National Community Church 205 F Street NE, Washington D.C., 20002 (T) 202-544-0414 (F) 202-417-3980
Services:
Saturdays: 8 p.m.
Sundays: 9 a.m., 11 a.m. online
Facebook Worship Watch Parties: Sunday at 10 a.m. hosted by NCC Ballston Sunday at 11 a.m. hosted by NCC Cap Hill
JEWISH
Beth El Hebrew Synagogue
3830 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA 22304 (703) 370-9400
Shabbat Services: Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 10:30 a.m. via Facebook Live Prayer Book can be found online
Shabbat Social Hour: Friday at 7 p.m. via Zoom
Table Talk: Friday at 8:30 p.m. via Zoom
Torah Study: Saturday at 9 a.m.
Visit the synagogue’s website for a detailed list of more special events coming up.
Agudas Achim Synagogue
2908 Valley Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302 (703) 998-6460
To attend virtual services, please register online.
Community Ma’ariv & Havdalah Service: Saturdays 8:30 p.m.
Daily Minyan via Zoom: Morning Minyan (Shacharit), Weekdays at 7:30 a.m.
Evening Minyan (Ma’ariv), Sundays –Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.
Shabbat via Zoom:
Kabbalat Shabbat, Friday at 6:00 p.m.
Shabbat Morning, Saturday at 9:30 a.m.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 63
Havdallah, Please refer to the online Synagogue office for weekly worship times
LUTHERAN
Immanuel Lutheran Church
1801 Russell Road, Alexandria, VA 22301 (703) 549-0155
Online: Divine Service: Sundays at 10 a.m. via Facebook Live
Access Sermon podcasts online. Weekly prayer guide available online
In-Person: Check church website for frequent updates for in-person service, as well as sign up sheets.
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
100 West Luray Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22301 (703) 548-8608
Sunday Worship: 9:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
Morning Prayer: Weekdays at 9 a.m. via Zoom
METHODIST
Alleyne A.M.E. Zion Church
1419 King Street Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 548-3888
Worship Service: Sundays at 11 a.m. via Conference Call Line at 571446-0476 or Facebook Live
Beverley Hills Community United Methodist Church
3512 Old Dominion Boulevard, Alexandria, VA 22305 (703) 836-2406
Sunday worship services are posted on church website every week. Sunday Worship 10:00 am Music playlists made by the church are available on Apple Music and Spotify. A short Lenten Devotional is available on website.
Del Ray United Methodist Church
100 East Windsor Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22301 (703) 549-2088
Sunday Worship via Facebook Live: Children’s Worship at 9:30 a.m.
Traditional Worship at 10:30 a.m. Online Worship at 11:30 a.m.
Fairlington United Methodist Church 3900 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22302 (703) 671-8557
fairlingtonumc.org
Sunday Morning Worship 11 AM in Sanctuary & Online
Trinity United Methodist Church 2911 Cameron Mills Road, Alexandria, VA 22302 (703) 549-5500
Sunday Worship at 11 AM: Online and in person on our website www.trinityalexandria.org.
Washington Street United Methodist Church
109 South Washington Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 836-4324
Sunday Service at 10 a.m. can be found online
PRESBYTERIAN
Alexandria Presbyterian Church (PCA)
1300 W Braddock Rd Alexandria, VA 22302 (703) 683-3348 alexandriapres.org
Sunday Worship Services at 9am and 11am with nursery available, or online via our website
Sunday Evening Ministries for adults, youth, and children from 5-7pm
Westminster Presbyterian Church 2701 Cameron Mills Road, Alexandria VA
wpc-alex.org
Join us for Sunday worship: Memorial Day-Labor Day
10:00 AM In-Person & Online at wpc-alex.org/worship September-May
8:30 AM In-Person
11:00 AM In-Person & Online at wpc-alex.org/worship
Old Presbyterian Meeting House
323 S. Fairfax Street Alexandria, VA 22314
703-549-6670
Sunday worship at 8:30 and 11:00 AM, in person and online at opmh.org
Childcare available All Are Welcome!
ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN
All Saints of America Orthodox Christian Church
5903 Mt. Eagle Drive #115, Alexandria, VA 22303 (703) 417-9665
Church has in-person services, however, attendance is limited, and sign up/ schedule for services can be found on the church’s online website. Updated frequently.
Mount Vernon Unitarian Church
1909 Windmill Lane, Alexandria, VA 22307
703-765-5959 - info@mvuc.org
Work for justice. Care for the earth. Build the common good. Worship with us Sundays at 10:00am in person or on YouTube. See mvuc.org for news about upcoming services and events!
Alexandria City High’s Theogony Wins National Courage in Student Journalism Award
STUDENT NEWSPAPER HONORED FOR LEADING FIGHT FOR PRESS FREEDOMAND STRONGER STUDENT MEDIA POLICY INACPS
Theogony, the student newspaper at Alexandria City High School, is the winner of the 2025 Courage in Student Journalism Award. The Student Press Law Center (SPLC) and the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) made the announcement earlier this month.
Theogony students drew national attention when they pushed back against proposed changes to Alexandria City Public Schools’ student media policy that would have allowed district staff to approve stories expected to generate a “high level of interest.” The students publicly highlighted the proposal as a
form of prior review and a step toward censorship.
The conflict arose after Theogony ’s investigative reporting on issues such as transportation delays and the removal of popular administrators. Those stories sparked community conversation and, in some cases, change—while also drawing scrutiny from district officials.
Working with the Student Press Law Center, Theogony leaders drafted and introduced their own policy proposal, “Voices Unbound,” modeled after the nationwide New
Meet the Teen Behind Swype AI, the GestureControl App Winning National Awards
FROM HELPING HIS GRANDPARENTS INITIALLYTO GLOBAL RECOGNITION,TJ JUNIOR DHANVIN GANESHKUMAR IS BUILDINGTHE NEXT GENERATION OFACCESSIBILITYTOOLS.
BY MIGUEL TSANG
It all started with a click.
After noticing his grandparents’ motor impairments left them unable to successfully use their computer, Thomas Jefferson High School junior Dhanvin Ganeshkumar spent the weekend at his computer attempting to concoct a solution.
“It originally started as me coding in my bedroom
one weekend after seeing a problem I faced and could make a solution to,” Ganeshkumar said. “I then found a co-founder who was also my friend at my school, and also he himself had family who had suffered motor disabilities.”
This joint effort between him and classmate Zoeb Izzi led to the founding of Swype AI, an accessibility software which recently took home $2,500 from this
year’s SXSW Student Impact Challenge.
Ganeshkumar said he takes pride in Swype’s straightforward setup, which is all based around a webcam.
“You can customize which gestures and voice commands [correspond] to actions like opening apps, scrolling or typing,” Ganeshkumar said. “Once it’s
Courtesy SPLC.org
The staff of Alexandria City High School’s newspaper, Theogony.
Ganeshkumar at his computer
Courtesy photo
BY MARY WADLAND
[PUBLISHER’S NOTE: The Zebra is proud to publish the following article written by 8th grader Cece Baker, whose Girl Scout Silver Award project shines a compassionate light on the needs of homeless animals in Alexandria. Her story is presented below in her own words.]
Paws for a Cause
WRITTEN BY 8TH GRADER CECE BAKER
As a child, I have been fortunate to have a wonderful puppy called Max. I have watched him grow up and love him very much; he is like a best friend to me. Having a love for animals and enjoying visiting the zoo a lot made me think what could I do to give back to them.
Last year I planned my Girl Scout’s Silver Award proj ect around want ing to help build awareness about the plight of ani mals and the need for adoption. There are many animals in our communi ty who do not have a home, which means they do not have food or some one to love them. Many of these ani mals end up in shel ters and those shel ters can become overcrowded and overflow with too many animals to care for.
I chose this proj ect because I am very passionate about ani mals and have a strong love for them. I want people to know that pets also have feelings and if they don’t have a family to love them, they can become lonely. Spreading awareness about animals can help people get more engaged. Someone might think twice before buying a pet when they know they can adopt one from the shelter.
Alexandria 8th Grader Leads Heartfelt “Paws for a Cause” Project to Help Homeless Animals
CECE BAKER TURNS HER LOVE OF PETS INTO A MISSION TO SUPPORT SHELTER ANIMALS—AND INSPIRES HER COMMUNITY TO GET INVOLVED
So why are there so many homeless animals?
One of the most important root causes is the lack of spaying and neutering, a surgical procedure
that prevents animals from reproducing. This leads to overpopulation of pets. Another cause is the surrendering of the pets by their owners. One big reason that owners surrender pets is due to stereotypes about certain dogs who people think are aggressive. There is another big problem as some shelters might not have room for more animals because of their size and need for certain medication. I worked with the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria and met their executive director and interviewed her. According to Isabelle Alexi, “build-
ing awareness about spaying and neutering is a big need for their shelters. It is harder for older animals to be adopted. Their toughest issue is surrendering pets, taking in wild animals for treatment but putting them back into the wild.” I asked her how I can help and make a lasting change, and she said that “towel and blanket drives can make a big difference.”
So I decided to host a towel drive at my school, Alexandria Country Day School. I collected over 30 towels and gave them to the Alexandria Animal Welfare League shelter. The reason why towels are important to donate is because
they can help animals feel clean, warm, and they can help animals with cancer when they lose their hair.
If you want to help and make a change you can visit animal shelters and read to pets so they don’t feel so lonely. You can also foster a dog for as long as you want and give them the best life you can. Little things like these can really impact the animal and how they feel. If you ever see an abandoned animal you can always take it to a shelter nearby and have them cleared. For more information, please visit: https://alexandriaanimals.org/
Cece Baker’s dog, Max, looks back at her during a walk.
Photos: Baker Family Collection
LEFT: Cece Baker arrives at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria with a wagon full of towels she collected—each to help keep shelter pets warm, clean, and cared for.
Seasonal Gift to Parents & Caregivers: Tips for a Stress-Free Holiday
BY MICHELLE SMITH HOWARD, PRESIDENT & CEO OF KIDS’ FIRST YEARS
The holiday season is underway and calendars are filled with festive events featuring food, fun, and family time. However, the hustle and bustle of this busy time of year can cause parents with young children to feel stressed and anxious instead of calm and peaceful.
To help families in Alexandria embrace the holidays with a maximum of love and a minimum of stress, Kids’ First Years reached out to one of its community partners, the City of Alexandria’s Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS)/Early Childhood Services, for some tips to share with parents and caregivers when time-crunched schedules threaten to derail the holiday spirit.
to lean on them when needed throughout the year, but especially –and sometimes more – during holiday time. For many families, this is the time of year that extended family members visit. If they are available and offer to step in and lend a hand, Ms. McDade recommends that parents and caregivers be willing to accept the help, so that they can get some rest or time to do other things that they don’t usually get the chance to. It is okay to take some time for yourself and not feel guilty.
Below are some excellent tips from LaShonda McDade, MS, a Team Leader and Local System Manager for the DCHS Parent & Infant Education Program (PIE):
• It’s important for families that have a support system or “village”
• McDade also recommends that all parents and caregivers practice self-care for themselves. For those who may not have a “village” that can help as mentioned above, this is even more important. Even a moment of meditation or a few minutes of breathing or stretching exercises every so often can help alleviate or reduce the feelings of stress or anxiety that tend to creep up during the busy holiday season.
• It’s critical for parents
of infants and toddlers with special needs to plan strategies to implement when things don’t go as expected during family outings, holiday travel, or a big family dinner. Think about the child’s current routine and how the holidays will undoubtedly result in changes to the daily schedule. Plan in advance for how the child might respond to events with large groups of people, including visits from family members and traveling to various gatherings. Talk through concerns with the child’s therapists to get additional advice in managing the holiday hoopla.
• Have fun during the holidays! Young children learn from their daily interactions and engagements with others. Engaging them in their family’s seasonal traditions and customs helps shape them as individuals, as well as helps them learn about their own culture, family, and expectations. This engagement also provides the opportu-
All photos courtesy of Kids’ First Years
The New Normal: How Homebuyers Are Redefining Priorities in Northern Virginia
BY LYSSA SEWARD
As 2025 winds to a close and Northern Virginia begins to sparkle with twinkling lights, many of us are reflecting on what home truly means. Over the past few years, we’ve seen lasting shifts in how people live, work, and connect — and those changes continue to reshape what buyers are looking for in our local real estate market.
At The Seward Group, we’ve spent another bustling year helping clients navigate this “new normal,” and one thing is clear: today’s homebuyers are thinking differently.
Location Still Matters — But in New Ways
With flexible and hybrid work arrangements now a fixture for many professionals, buyers are prioritizing lifestyle convenience over sheer proximity to an office (notwithstanding that the federal workforce has been called back to the office and traffic is a real challenge in our metro).
Neighborhoods that offer a blend of tranquility, community spirit, and easy access to local shops and green spaces—like Old Town, Rosemont, Del Ray, Belle Haven, and parts of Mount Vernon and Fort
Hunt—continue to draw steady demand (always property dependent). Walkability, trails, and a sense of connection remain high on everyone’s wish list.
Outdoor and Multi-Use Spaces Shine
Another continuing trend: buyers want versatility. We’ve seen strong interest in homes that offer flexible layouts — spaces that can adapt to the rhythm of daily life. Outdoor living areas, screened porches, and backyard “nooks” have become extensions of the home. Even modest
upgrades, like fire pits or outdoor heaters, are allowing residents to enjoy their spaces through all four seasons.
Wellness and Comfort Take Center Stage
A subtle but powerful change has taken root — homeowners now place equal value on how a home feels as much as how it looks. Natural light, air quality, and quiet have become key decision factors. Energy-efficient systems and smarthome features that enhance com-
fort are increasingly important for buyers who see their homes as personal sanctuaries.
Inventory Challenges, Lasting Strength
Despite ongoing inventory shortages and fluctuating mortgage rates, the Northern Virginia market has remained remarkably resilient in 2025. Buyers continue to seek value, not just in square footage but in livability. Sellers who have thought-
MR Custom Homes built this stunning 5-bed/4.5-bath beauty in 2024, and it’s ready for a new owner. It offers over 4,500 square feet of luxury living, a screened porch, paver stone patio, fully fenced yard, and two-car garage. From the designer kitchen to the spacious layout and gorgeous finishes, every detail shines. Prime location in National Landing/Crystal City near Amazon HQ2, Metro, the Pentagon and Washington D.C.
637 21st St S | Arlington, VA 22202
Built in 2024
4,554 SF | 2-Car Garage www.Arlington22202.live
$2,399,000
For more information, call Melody Abella at (703) 371-9219.
The Seward Group Left to right, Melody Abella, Anita Edwards, Laura Catron, Carly Seward, Lyssa Seward,
McCall
Courtesy photo
SENIOR LIVING It’s Time to Share the Love
BY MARYANNE BEATTY
It is time for this year’s Share the Love Campaign! Beyer Subaru of Alexandria and Senior Services of Alexandria (SSA) are coming together to bring attention to food insecurity for older adults. SSA is proud to be named Beyer Subaru of Alexandria’s “hometown charity ” for this year’s campaign.
Over the past 17 years, Subaru and its retailers have helped the Meals on Wheels network provide more than 5 million meals to seniors in need across the country! We also know that our job isn’t done because 1 in 2 seniors living alone lack the income to pay for basic needs, and about 13 million seniors are threatened by or experience hunger.
The campaign kicked off November 20 with a blanket drive for Meals on Wheels clients. From now until January 2, 2026, if you wish to donate a blanket, you can drop it off at the Beyer Suba-
Beyer Subaru of Alexandria Names Senior Services of Alexandria as its “Hometown Charity”
ru dealership located at 7416 Richmond Highway, or at SSA’s office at 206 N. Washington Street, Suite 301, in Old Town.
If you are looking to buy a new car, consider a Subaru! Beyer Subaru will donate to the charity of your choice including Meals on Wheels.
If you donate a blanket, you can receive a discount.
To learn more about the great work Subaru does through its Share the Love campaign, visit mealsonwheelsamerica.org/ sharethelove. If you are interested in learning more about SSA’s Meals on Wheels and other programs, or wish to volunteer, go to www.seniorservicesalex.org
SAVETHE DATE: SENIOR SERVICES OFALEXANDRIA’S SPEAKER SERIES
Resilience and Renewal: Caregiver Workshop Wednesday, January 21, 2026, 10 a.m. Beatley Library, 5006 Duke Street, Alexandria
Senior Services of Alexandria (SSA) will present its annual event for caregivers. This is an opportunity to talk to experts in the field of caregiving and learn about the many resources available for those who are caregiving for loved ones, as well as programs for those needing care. If you are a caregiver, you won’t want to miss this event. More information will be available on SSA’s website at www.seniorservicesalex.org
Courtesy photo Courtesy image
Do You Have Two Hours a Month?
If you can spare two hours each month to drive an older neighbor to an appointment, we welcome your participation!
www.athomeinalexandria.org
aha@athomeinalexandria.org
703.231.0824
Providing practical, social and emotional support to our Alexandria neighbors ages 55+
Senior Services of Alexandria Celebrates Its Volunteers!
ABOVE: The gang from Woodbine and Alexandria Rehabilitation won the 2025 Silver Service Award for all they do to help Senior Services.
Senior Services of Alexandria (SSA) volunteers, staff, and community leaders gathered at Lost Boy Cider for an afternoon of fun and celebration last month. Volunteers are the backbone of SSA; it could not provide the programs and services for older adults without them.
We would like to rec-
Z REAL ESTATE
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fully maintained and updated their homes continue to see strong activity — even through the typically slow winter season. Of course, pricing and presentation are going to determine seller success.
As we look ahead to 2026,
ognize our volunteers of the year: AniMeals on Wheels - Marcie Kavanaugh; Friendly Visitor - Wayne Patterson; Meals on Wheels - Alexandria Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center and Woodbine Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center; Groceries to
we anticipate these lifestyle-driven preferences will remain at the forefront. Alexandria’s blend of history, community, and innovation continues to make it one of the most desirable regions in the country.
A Note of Gratitude
As the year comes to a close, our team at The Seward Group would like
Go - Dan Roth; and Senior Ambassador - Elisa Demorizi from ALIVE!. SSA is grateful to everyone who supports older adults in our community.
to take a moment to thank our clients, colleagues, and community partners for another wonderful year. Our belief is that home is truly where life’s best chapters unfold.
From our team to you and yours, we wish you a joyful holiday season and a bright, healthy New Year filled with warmth, connection, and — of course — a place you love to call home.
Photos by Lucelle O’Flaherty
RIGHT: Alexandria Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley, SSA Executive Director Mary Lee Anderson, and Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire at the appreciation event.
set up, you can simply wave your hand or just speak a command and Swype AI takes care of the rest.”
Ganeshkumar said Swype’s voice commands weren’t part of its original programming, but were added after his team spoke with an array of accessibility organizations.
“There’s Parkinson’s, which can allow fine movement and specific fingers, while other diseases like muscular dystrophy can only permit broader, slower movements, and even in some severe cases, users can’t move their hands at all,” Ganeshkumar said. “And that really pushed us to make Swype AI as flexible and customizable as possible.”
As of now, around 5,000 people have been able to test out Swype through beta-testing workshops hosted throughout this year by Ganeshkumar and his team.
Being a high school student, Ganeshkumar said the main roadblock of putting Swype AI on tour was getting skeptics to look past his age.
“I’d say what really was instrumental in helping us scale Swype AI to where it is right now is finding a mentor,” Ganeshkumar said. “We’ve worked with Jen McDonald
KIDS FIRST YEARS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 66
nity for young children to bond with their family members and learn about others, while creating positive experiences surrounding family security and the importance of family values. If you don’t already have rituals in place, invite your children to create new family traditions that they’ll look forward to each year.
Some examples of age-appropriate jobs that preschoolers can do to help get ready for holiday meals or celebrations include:
• Pouring already measured ingredients into bowl when baking
• Helping to knead dough for pie crust
• Using plastic cookie cutters to cut dough and place cookies on the pan prior to baking
• Helping to stir/whisk cake mix
Pelletier at the Center for Accessible Technology, and she’s really been helpful in bringing Swype AI from the ground up.”
Ganeshkumar said his creation of Swype AI has helped bring him closer to others with a passion for accessible technology. His advice for other young creators is to surround oneself with people who have “been in [his] shoes” when it comes to startups.
He said he plans to fully launch Swype through an app that will be available to download from the App Store and Google Play within the coming months.
In the meantime, the app con-
prior to baking
• Helping to decorate for the holidays (decorations that are lower and not glass or dangerous) for front door/tables/floor/bottom of Christmas tree, etc.
• Making gingerbread houses
• Making homemade ornaments or greeting cards
A final tip is for parents and caregivers to manage their own expectations to deliver the best holiday for their children. With social media, television, and societal expectations, it can be hard to not compare themselves to others. Making a budget and allowing themselves some peace of mind can be one of the biggest gifts parents can give themselves during the holiday season.
NOTE to Alexandria parents: If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s development, please reach out to the PIE Program at 703-746-3363.
Bonus Tip: Sign Up
tinues to kill it with awards, with Ganeshkumar becoming a top 50 finalist in the Chegg Global Student Prize Challenge, selected from a pool of 10,000 applicants.
Even with all the accolades, Ganeshkumar said he remains grateful for the simple but effective help Swype AI offers.
“After seeing the tool help my grandparents navigate their screens more easily for the first time, it really opened my eyes and gave me this moment of realization that this tool could transform the lives for millions of others with motor disabilities, just like them,” Ganeshkumar said.
for Basics Insights
Basics Insights is a free text messaging tool that provides two texts each week tied to one of The Basics principles. Below are some examples of texts that align with The Basics Principle #1 – Maximize Love, Minimize Stress. To sign up, visit https://kidsfirstyears.org/basics/.
• Think about what really matters and what doesn’t. Let your child wear the shirt backwards if that will make life easier while you’re involved in a holiday task.
• Your child is always watching you and modeling your behaviors. Make a point of demonstrating actions of kindness or being a good listener while your child is watching.
• Spend some time each day thinking about the things that make you thankful, especially over the holidays. Studies show that this can increase your happiness, which can reduce your stress level as a parent.
CALENDAR
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 57
resenting numerous birds and animals) and mellifluous sonatas and variations by Walther, Corelli, and Bonporti. While enjoying the concert, sip on a holiday mocktail included in the ticket price. Concert will be held in the Bank of Alexandria next to Carlyle House. This program is non-refundable unless the museum cancels the program.
DECEMBER 14
OTNCP Annual Holiday Market 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Old Town North Farmers Market 901 N. Royal St.
Family-friendly, pet-friendly celebration of the holiday season with samples of holiday goodies, shopping with over 25 local vendors, live music, and activities for all ages.
DECEMBER 20-21
Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon 5:30-8:30 p.m.
George Washington’s Mount Vernon 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
Join Mount Vernon for a family-friendly celebration of the holiday season with an enchanted evening of Christmas Illuminations. Watch stunning holiday fireworks over the Potomac River and enjoy the atmospheric setting of an 18th-century winter encampment. Greet General George Washington, visit with Aladdin the Camel, and take a tour of the Mansion illuminated in the evening. Plus, shop at a winter market featuring vendors that produce 18th-century wares and crafts.
DECEMBER
21-22
Handel’s “Messiah” in Concert December 22 4:00 p.m. December 22 5:30 p.m. 323 S. Fairfax St.
The Meeting House Choir, Festival Choir, and Staff Singers welcome you to a performance of George Frideric Handel’s famed oratorio Messiah, Part One. Dr. Mark Helms, director of the William and Mary Choir, will conduct a fifteen-piece orchestra accompanying the choir and soloists.
Ganeshkumar presenting at an SXSW conference
CHAMBER CORNER
Cheers to an Unforgettable Perfect Pairings!
BY MARIA CIARROCCHI
The Chamber ALX Professional Women’s Network closed out the year in style last month with its much-anticipated Perfect Pairings: Wine + Chocolate, Women + Business event. Guests enjoyed an evening of exceptional food prepared by the talented Goodwin Living dining services team, perfectly complemented by a hand-selected wine menu curated by Wine Gallery 108. The night was filled with lively conversation, new connections, and the unmistakable energy that defines this dynamic community of local professionals.
Hosted by Goodwin Living, Perfect Pairings was more than just a networking event—it was a celebration of collaboration, flavor, and the spirit of Alexandria’s business community. The Chamber ALX extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who made the evening a success, especially the hosts and sponsors who brought it to life.
Be sure to check our calendar at www.thechamberalx.com/pro-
gram/professional-womens-network for The Chamber ALX Professional Women’s Network events
coming in 2026—you won’t want to miss what’s next!
Find Your Christmas Oasis on King Street with the Sisters of Pauline Books & Media
BY SR. MARGARET TIMOTHY SATO
Are you looking for an oasis on King Street in Old Town?
A quiet place away from all the noise and chaos of the holiday shopping?
In the rush of the weeks before Christmas, it’s easy to turn the season into a checklist of gifts. Yet at its heart, Christmas is about relationship—relationship with one another, with family and friends, and also with God.
Standing at the corner of King and Henry Streets is Pauline Books & Media, a book and gift store run by Catholic sisters, the Daughters of St. Paul. But there’s something more there. When you stop in, you discover that you feel right away at ease, at home. It’s the welcome they extend to everyone.
Sr. Julia Mary said, “You’re only strangers till you’ve said hello. After that, you’re family. That’s how God sees you. That’s how we see you. And these simple, ordinary relationships can be the start of something huge.”
So, take a refreshing pause. Stop in to chat
with the sisters or just say hello. The sisters are always there. “And the best part is the chapel tucked away on the second floor above the book store,” Sr. Joan Paula said. “It’s open to whoever wanders in and wants to have a chat with God or just to sit for a while and absorb the peace.”
“Sometimes we can think the world turns on big, momentous events,” Sr. Julia Mary reflected, “when actually, life-changing events happen very simply—like finding your next best step. Sometimes it’s an inspirational gift. Sometimes it’s that connection you make with another person. Sometimes it’s just an ordinary step you take that is the start of something huge.”
The sisters at Pauline Books & Media are at 1025 King Street in Old Town Alexandria. Find out about their Coffee & Conversation events, Birthday Party for Baby Jesus on December 13, and other events for children throughout the year at pauline.org/alx.
“So if you’re ready for an oasis, come in and say hello.”
All photos courtesy of The Chamber ALX L-R: Melissa Riddy, Morgan Babcock, Marilyn Patterson, Catrina DiPace
Sr. Joan Paula Arruda at Pauline Books & Media on King Street in Old Town.
Courtesy Pauline Books & Media
Menopause Care and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors
NOVEMBER FDA RULING SHINES BRIGHT LIGHT ON NEW FINDINGS,NEWTREATMENTS, AND NEW PROMISE FOR SAFER RELIEF
BY BEN HERRING
In a milestone decision, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced November 10 that it is recommending the removal of black-box warnings, the agency’s highest warning for prescription medications, from all hormone therapies used to treat symptoms from menopause and perimenopause.
“This is a huge win for women,” said Adrian Thompson, a local physician assistant specializing in women’s healthcare. “This finally allows for more open, informed conversations about hormone therapy. Breast cancer survivorship is about so much more than just surviving ,” she added. “It’s about quality of life.”
Even as up to 90 percent of these survivors develop sexual health problems, however, often due to treatment-induced menopause, most are told that estrogen and other hormone treatments are never an option, she said.
“So many of these patients are becoming cancer-free these days, but then they really struggle with things like libido, joint pains, pain with sex, hot flashes, and night sweats. I have women who tell me they haven’t had sex in years because it feels like shards of glass,” Thompson continued.
“Many are simply unaware that we have a whole new universe of safe and inexpensive, FDA-approved topical vaginal hormones that treat only vaginal and bladder
tissues and don’t increase their overall hormone levels, and we also have FDA-approved non-hormonal options.”
“They simply feel like themselves again.”
The bottom line? After modern hormone treatments, “so many patients tell me they simply feel like themselves again, and that is so deeply rewarding.”
How did Thompson become so confident on this issue? It didn’t happen overnight. She was already a Certified Menopause Society Provider, yet when the first breast cancer survivor came to her asking about hormones, Thompson recalled, “I gracefully referred her to an appropriate
clinician and began a new phase of advanced education and certification focused on menopause in breast cancer survivors and ‘previvors’—women at higher genetic risk for developing breast cancer.”
She completed “Managing Menopause After Breast Cancer with Confidence,” a course led by Dr. Corinne Menn, a board-certified OB/GYN and nationally recognized expert in menopause and breast cancer survivorship.
The 2002 Women’s Health Initiative — and What We Know Now
Concerns over hormone therapy safety date back to 2002, said Thompson, when the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) suggested that combined estrogen and pro-
gestin therapy increased the risk of breast cancer and stroke. Those early headlines fueled decades of fear—but later reviews revealed a far more nuanced story.
“Follow-up studies showed the data were largely misinterpreted,” said Thompson. “Women in the estrogen-only arm actually had a 24 percent lower risk of breast cancer, while the tiny increase in the combined group wasn’t statistically significant—and there was no rise in breast cancer deaths. Both groups saw fewer hip fractures, less diabetes, and those within 10 years of menopause had decreased risk of cardiovascular disease.”
Even more encouraging, she noted, the WHI studied women using oral estrogen, which passes through the liver and can increase clotting risk. “Today, we use transdermal estrogen—patches, gels, sprays, or rings—that bypass the liver and are far safer for most women.”
The Bottom Line? Patient Education
“Education is so important,” said Thompson, who emphasized the importance of working with your own healthcare providers to “understand what you’re being prescribed, what your risk is, and what your options are. Go through every option and work together to figure out what’s best for you— and always, especially when dealing with cancer, consider a second opinion.”
Photo by Ben Herring
The Zebra recently spoke with Adrian Thompson, PA-C, MSCP at Junction Bakery and Bistro in Del Ray.
Photo by Patrick Jimbo Balagot. Adrian Thompson, PA-C, MSCP, and her two medical assistants, Olive and Reggie.
ings Time.
A July 2025 study, published in the Journal of Safety Research, investigated fatal crashes in the United States in the five weeks before and after Daylight Saving Time. It found fatal pedestrian and cyclist crashes increased 13 per cent after the fall change, with “light condition” listed as a “key determinant” of the impact time changes have on serious accidents.
Enter Operation Illumination, an annual city event, which focuses on helping pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users stay safe during the darker hours by providing free lights and safety equipment.
On Wednesday evening November 5, Go Alex set up two booths between Arlandria and the Braddock Road Metro to hand out freebies and educate bicyclists and pedestrians on road safety.
“This is a very important time of year for us to be out here promoting safety for pedestrians and cyclists,” Katye North told The Zebra . She is Division Chief for Transportation & Environmental Services (T&ES)/ Mobility Services. “It’s hard to see them, so we’re trying to make sure that they have the gear that keeps them reflective, keeps them lit up so that people in vehicles see them and can adjust their driving habits accordingly.”
North was “womaning” one of the two stations at the south end of the Potomac Yard Trail, just down the street from the Brad-
TOYS NEEDED
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We are also asking individuals, families, and groups to help collect toys for our Annual Toys4ALX Donation Drive. This year, more families than ever need support to help make the holidays magical for their children. We are col-
dock Road Metro. She greeted commuters who choose alternative modes of transportation, and handed out freebies. She said many bicyclists and pedestrians stopped by and appreciated that the city has their back.
“This is such a great location. We’re catching people off the trail, off the Metro, off the bus, which is exactly what we want. You want people in Alexandria to feel safe walking and biking throughout the city, and we are thrilled that we can be here to help them do that.”
Go Alex also set up a table of free giveaways in Arlandria at the corner of Mount Vernon and West Reed Avenues.
You could not miss Ashley Daniel. The 43-year-old Air Force employee was in a neon yellow reflective jacket, lights blink ing and prominent
ly displayed on her clothing and bicycle. Coming off the Potomac Yard trail, she
stopped to talk to The Zebra
“I try to bike commute at least a couple of days a
lecting new, unwrapped toys, books, and balls for children ages 0–10. Our goal is to brighten the season for more than 700 children— and to do that, we need at least 3,500 medium-sized gifts, ensuring each child receives four special items. This effort is made possible with the heartfelt support of Alexandria & Company, Gilbane Building
Company, Alexandria Singers, IBM, Elizabeth Murphy, Richard Merritt, and Potomac Yard Center.
A list of drop-off locations can be found at www.VolunteerAlexandria.org/toydrive.
Toy suggestions for children ages 7–10 include:
Magnetic tiles constructor
sets
Chemistry Station science experiment kits
Solar robot toys
Arts and crafts kits
Sports balls and flying orb balls
Remote-controlled waterproof stunt cars
LEGO sets
Dolls of all colors
Please note that we are unable to accept used gifts,
week,” Daniel shared, as the Metro rumbled overhead. “You know, people are busy and distracted, especially in an area like this, so I try to be as bright and visible as possible. I always have lights on the front, lights on the back, and as much gear as I can fit on myself to be reflective.”
Daniel stressed that you have to plan in the morning for your afternoon commute. She reminded like-minded commuters that even if you leave work at 4:00 pm, you are still going to be riding in the dark. “So you need to be thinking about it when you leave in the morning and it’s light out. You have to make sure you’ve got all the things with you.”
“I just think it’s really important to be as visible and obnoxious about it as possible,” Daniel laughed.
To learn more about Alexandria’s efforts to improve road user safety, visit Vision Zero | City of Alexandria, VA
toy guns (including Nerf or dart blasters), or ANY clothing for children.
Donate to help us serve children at bit.ly/VolALXgive or scan this QR code
In Arlandria, off Mount Vernon Avenue, Go Alex team talked to eight-year-old Abraham Romero and his dad Jose about lighting up in the dark to avoid getting hit by a car.
Katye North, Division Chief, T&ES/Mobility Services, and Stephanie Peterson of the Go Alex team handed out free bike lights by the Braddock Road Metro, at the south end of the Potomac Yard Trail.
ABOVE: Father and son stopped by the Go Alex table in Arlandria to learn all about walking in the dark safely.
LEFT: Ashley Daniel in the reflective jacket as she bike commutes to and from work. In the deep dark, this is what motorists see when their car lights shine a light onto Daniel’s jacket.
special for everyone at prices that please.
Hours: Fridays, 6-9 p.m. Saturdays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The market is free and ADA accessible. For additional information and to see which artists and artisans are present for which dates, go to delrayartisans.org/event/ holiday-market-2025
for the third weekend of the Del Ray Artisans 30th Anniversary Holiday Market.
PARTNERSHIP
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managing partner at Tisara Photography but he also joined DRA one month after its founding in 1992.
Del Ray Artisans President and graphic designer/artist Dawn Wise Hurto thanked Nina for her art advocacy in Alexandria, her tireless support for DRA,
POTOMAC RIVER
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is now to inspire those who have small dreams. I want to help them expand what it is they think they can accomplish by seeing that, hey, this guy did it and you know, I can do it!”
The 2025 Report Card is the fifth “B” level grade in a row. Potomac Conservan-
Nepenthe Gallery has decked the walls to floors to ceiling with spectacular artwork beckoning you to “take me home!” DMV-area art icon Lenny Campello has made Nepenthe the 18th of the 19 venues to proudly host the Women Artists of the DMV survey exhibition. To date, over 700 fabulously female artists have participated in the first and most expansive curation of regional women artists on exhibit both nationally and internationally. Lenny has
been imagining this exhibition for almost 20 years. The next and 19th exhibit space will be Falls Church Arts beginning January 10, 2026. Nepenthe is proud to have Lenny select the following artists for this showcase, on view at Nepenthe through January 2026: Jenny Davis, Sarah Ernst, Cathy Hirsh, Michal Hunter, Kristina King, Phyllis Mayes, Dora Patin, Judith Peck, Eve Sandmeyer, and
and for inspiring out-ofthe-box exhibits and philanthropic opportunities by creating an alternative in-home space for her Creative Partnerships at Serenity Gallery. Also present was founding member and Living Legend Kathryn Brown, who is currently Director of Archives at DRA and the longest-serving Board member at the 33-year-old nonprofit art space.
cy hopes to raise $8 million for its Clean Water, Healthy Communities campaign. The fundraising push closes on December 31. Potomac Conservancy is the region’s leading clean water advocate, fighting to ensure the Potomac River provides clean drinking water, healthy lands, and vibrant communities. “That’s why this is the decisive decade,” Belin concluded.
Barbara Fee Sheehan.
Don’t miss the Nepenthe Christmas Marketplace on Sundays, December, 7, 14, and 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Celebrate the season with holiday music, wassail, and cookies. Explore the new artwork each week inside the Christmas Box. Sundays bring extra special cheer when all the artwork inside the box is 20 percent off!
Meet master photographer Renée C. Gage Thursday, December 11, while celebrating George Washington’s Mount Vernon, the
jewel in the crown of Alexandria’s historic places. Enjoy talking with Renée during the opening reception of her fine art photography from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
The last but not least soirée of the season at Chez Nepenthe is Thursday, December 18, when local bluegrass group Dogwood Hollow rock the holiday blues jamming at the gallery beginning at 6 p.m. They’ll jingle your Kris Kringle with a diverting style that would put a smile on even the grinchiest humbug!
The holidays are coming. So let’s get shopping! But keep in mind that this is also the season of giving for those in need. Giving to others less fortunate can be the greatest gift you can give—and get—for yourself. The gift of time shared with another is the greatest gift of all! Whatever you do, give art this year. One size, large or small, fits all! And the parking is EZ!
Around the World With Zebra
“Ramses II built Abu Simbel to show off Egyptian power. We can’t compete— but we can proudly show off The Zebra Press and its own impressive power in Alexandria.”
—MaryBeth and Bob Powers in Abu
Send us your photos from around the globe, and we will publish them in the upcoming issue. Next time you take a trip, domestic or international, snap a pic and send to editor@ thezebrapress.com with ZEBRA AROUND THE WORLD in the subject line, along with a descriptive caption.
Simbel, Egypt
Photo Nepenthe Gallery
Jingling those “Christmas Bells” all the way ~ The Christmas Box is baaaaack at Nepenthe Gallery!
Photo The Artist Raven of Crafty Colanah returns as a vendor
Photo Nepenthe Gallery
Night Bloom (Cereus) by Michal Hunter, part of the Women Artists of the DMV survey exhibition curated by Lenny Campello.
King Street Cats is proud to be the only all-volunteer, cat-exclusive, no-kill rescue facility in Alexandria, Va. Because we are a free-roaming facility, you can come visit with the “cat-friendliest cats” in town. To meet a King Street Cat, please
ACHILLES
Male, Age 1
Sweet, plush, slightly shy boy from Baghdad loves quiet attention.
KATIE
Female, Age 1 year
Sweetest little girl loves humans, will be your “one and only” love bug.
PAUL & SUKI
(bonded sibs, adopt together)
Male and female, Age 7 months
We’re loving pair dreaming of a quiet home; twice the joy is in store for you.
SPOT
Male, Age 1 year
Confident young lad would thrive as “one and only” or with a quiet little sister to boss around!
HUBBARD
Male, Age 4 months
(needs to be adopted with kitten sibling)
Foster mom says these are the sweetest kittens ever! Adopt this baby with a sibling!
NOVA
Female, Age 4 months
(must adopt w/a sibling kitten)
Shy enchantress will capture your heart once she knows she can trust you!
KIRA
Female, Age 7 months
(quiet home w/ older kids only)
Bundle of sweet snuggles with tiny little voice is gentle + affectionate.
KING STREET CATS
25 Dove Street • Alexandria, VA 22314 www.kingstreetcats.org
January Is International Train Your Dog Month
BY SANDY MODELL
Kick off 2026 by joining the global International Train Your Dog Month! The Association for Professional Dog Training International’s (APDT) annual celebration is more than an event—it’s a call to action for dog lovers worldwide to recognize the importance of professional training. Together, we can create a community dedicated to strengthening bonds, reducing behavioral issues, and improving family life everywhere.
Launched by APDT in 2010, the Train Your Dog Month initiative raises awareness of the importance of training and socialization, emphasizing positive methods that are both effective and rewarding, while enhancing the human-canine relationship. It’s become a powerful movement promoting dog-friendly, science-based training techniques and responsible pet ownership.
Training Your Dog: Do’s and Don’ts
Over the past 25 years, pet parents have become more educated and savvier on dog training methods. Studies done in recent years show how dogs think, how they learn, and how reinforcement drives behaviors. Here are a few do’s and don’ts that can help you and your dog on your training journey:
Do’s: Things To Remember and Do More Of…
• All living things will repeat behaviors that are rewarding and avoid behaviors that are not. Reinforce
the behaviors that you want. Also, reward them for good behavior even if you didn’t ask for it. It’s called “capturing” good behaviors.
• Think about what you want your dog to do. It’s easier to reinforce the behaviors you want than to correct the ones you don’t. We want to teach our dogs a repertoire of good behaviors to replace the ones we don’t like.
• Consistency is key. Dogs learn best through repetition and consistency, and they learn better with short training intervals and integrating that training into their everyday lives. All family members must be on the same page with cues and rewarding the same good behavior.
• Dogs are a different species – they don’t come into
your home knowing how to behave. Behaviors such as jumping, barking, digging, and counter-surfing are normal, self-reinforcing behaviors, but not appropriate in our human homes. This is why it’s essential to use high-value rewards to train the behaviors that you want.
• Be kind and patient with your dog. Training takes time. If you’re having difficulty teaching your dog a behavior, go back to the basics, make it easier, raise the value of the reinforcers, train in a less distracting environment, or take a break.
• Start training inside the home where your dog is comfortable. Proof those behaviors in non-distracting environments first and add distractions slowly to
Photos: Courtesy photos
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set your dog up for success.
Don’ts: Things You Should Avoid
• Don’t use your dog’s name in a negative way or in association with things your dog doesn’t like. Their names should be associated with good things, so they always want to respond to it. Remember, their name is half of the recall.
• Avoid repeating cues or calling their name too often; this is known in psychology as “learned irrelevance,” where it becomes background noise and they ignore it. Add the cue after the dog learns the be-
JACKS
Emily R. captured this moment of her kitten, Jacks, discovering what every cat eventually learns: Amazon boxes are the real treasure.
havior and avoid repeating a command endlessly.
• Don’t give your dog attention and inadvertently reward bad behavior. Sometimes this means interrupting (kissy noise, puppy puppy), redirecting, and reinforcing a good behavior instead. If your dog jumps on you, walk away from them. At the same time, teach them that keeping four feet on the floor is more reinforcing.
• Don’t use aversive techniques such as choke chains, prong collars, and shock collars. Old-fashioned punishment-based correction training is unnecessary and, unfortunately, leads to other behavior concerns.
Unfortunately, untrained dogs often end up in shelters due to behavior that
could have been prevented with proper socialization and training. Train Your Dog 2026 promotes a strong, rewarding, and life-long relationship with our canine companions. So, get on the training wagon for a dog that’s a joy to live with. You’ll both be happier and healthier for it.
Sandy Modell, CPDT-KA, is the Founder, Owner, and Head of Training of Wholistic Hound Academy, Alexandria’s award-winning, premier canine training and learning center. Visit www.wholistichound. com to enroll in our programs, like us on Facebook. com/ wholistichound, and follow us on Instagram at Instagram.com/wholistichound.
BOOK CLUB
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2026, at Cooper Mill restaurant, where the group will discuss another thought-provoking read: The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers. You can join the Zebra Book Club on Facebook. If you do not have a Facebook account, you can use the club’s Gmail account (zebrabookclub@ gmail.com) to RSVP. New members are always welcome; the only requirement is to please read the book in advance of the meeting. The Zebra Book Club wishes Happy Holidays to everyone,
especially our sponsor, The Zebra Press, and its founder, publisher, and editor, Mary Wadland.
If you find your cat in a boxy predicament, send us a photo and we’ll publish it online and in our print edition. Send photos, and your contact information to info@ thezebrapress.com with CAT IN A BOX in the subject line.
he finds a way to explain his quandary to Golde by how they can get around Yente’s choice of husbands for Tzeitel’s planned wedding to Lazar, the crusty, old butcher. Fruma-Sarah wouldn’t approve, he claims. “I realize we are the chosen people,” he tells God, “…but sometimes couldn’t you choose someone else.”
You’ll revel in “If I Were a Rich Man,” “Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” “Miracle of Miracles,” the tender “Do You Love Me?” and “Sunrise, Sunset” plus thirteen more numbers – all time-tested
CAT IN A BOX
tunes we have come to love.
Just don’t sing it out loud, though it’s tempting when you know all the words.
This endearingly embraceable story is further uplifted by the original choreography of Jerome Robbins drawn from authentic folkloric dances to include the joyful “bottle dance.”
You’ll witness a very different Tevye from Zero Mostel’s well-known full-blown, over-the-top character. Played wonderfully here by Douglas Sills as Tevye who evokes a more cerebral, subtler yet bolder Tevye with a wry comedic touch, his performance is a triumph.
I nearly passed on reviewing this production since I’ve
seen it a dozen times or more with numerous family members in leading roles. Yet, with its intimate staging and superb direction by Joe Calarco, plus a cast seamlessly in sync, I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.
Highly recommended whether you’ve seen it once or a hundred times. Joyful, touching, and robust, winner of nine Tony Awards, Fiddler is the classic that appeals to every generation.
Through January 26 at Signature Theatre in Shirlington Village, 4200 Campbell Street, Arlington, VA. For tickets and information, call the box office at 703.820.9771 or visit www.SigTheatre.org
THEOGONY
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Voices movement to protect student press rights. When district staff rejected all 12 of their recommendations, the student journalists launched a five-month advocacy campaign. Their efforts have helped move the conversation at the local level. The Alex-
andria City School Board’s Governance Committee recently introduced a proposed policy that incorporates many of the students’ recommendations.
“We cannot begin to express what your support has meant to us,” the Theogony staff wrote. “Theogony will continue to speak truth to power, and we hope student journalists around the globe will join us in doing so.”
The selection for January is The Love Songs of W.E.B Du Bois by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers. The Zebra Book Club meeting will be held at Cooper Mill on Monday, January 26.
Don’t miss the jingle & mingle in the heart of Del Ray! Wander through Del Ray’s enchanting streets, marvel at the festive splendor of hand-painted holiday windows, and shop & celebrate local.
