Archive for 'Columns'

My View: Developing Potomac Yard without cyclists in mind would be a mistake

By Jonathan Krall I often hear that the future of Alexandria depends on transit. Indeed, our 2008 transportation master plan sets a goal of successfully integrating walking, biking and other transit options. This plan — we [...]

HoJo’s made inroads in Alexandria for a time

HoJo’s made inroads in Alexandria for a time

Located at 825 N. Washington St. — within eyesight of the Hot Shoppes, Becks Iced Custard stand and Little Tavern (which were discussed in this column over the past several weeks) — stood the local branch [...]

Small businesses can, and should, take advantage of mobile technology

It should come as no surprise that more and more of us are attached at the hip, literally and figuratively, to our smartphones. Nationally, more than 50 percent of the population carries smartphones around with them [...]

Hobie and Monk: It’s time to put the cell phone down

Hobie and Monk: It’s time to put the cell phone down

Dear Hobie & Monk, My daughter has been taking horseback riding lessons for close to two years at a riding school about a half-hour from our house. Increasingly, it seems the instructor is more interested in [...]

Early fast-food joints made North Washington Street home

Early fast-food joints made North Washington Street home

This week we continue the discussion of North Washington Street’s rapid evolution into a center for what we now call roadside culture in the late 1930s and 1940s. This area, centered within the 700 to 900 [...]

Monthly Chat: Interview with 
Kristina Arriaga de Bucholz

By Denise Dunbar Monthly Chat is an interview that runs on the Times Opinion pages. Look for this space each month to see conversations between Times Publisher Denise Dunbar and leading Alexandrians. This month’s conversation is [...]

Feeling lonely? Why not make a new friend

Feeling lonely? Why not make a new friend

Alexandria is a wonderful place to be a senior. The city has a wealth of activities and services that keep older residents active and involved in the community. As health and mobility become more of an [...]

OpEd: Quick Takes

OpEd: Quick Takes

Thumbs up to Alexandria’s vibrant arts community. There is now statistical evidence to support the long-held belief that our city’s creative elements not only boost our aesthetic quality of life, but also provide a tangible economic [...]

When polar bears overlooked North Washington Street

When polar bears overlooked North Washington Street

The curious sculpture of a waving polar bear seen in front of the Hot Shoppes in last week’s column was actually one of a pair that stood at 901 N. Washington St. from 1939 until 1963. [...]

Pet Matters: Landlords should worry about bad pet parents, not bad pets

Pet Matters: Landlords should worry about bad pet parents, not bad pets

By Isabel Alvarez I am in the process of moving. Between my small home business, my dogs and my many hobbies, I have officially outgrown my one-bedroom condo. I started the process of finding a slightly [...]