What matters to you when you cast your vote in a local election? Does how much money a candidate raises and where it comes from factor into your decision? Which is more important to you? Donations are one indication of the level of support a candidate has in the community. A candidate with hundreds of donors would seem to have a wider base of support than one who raises money from a handful of large donors. Donors can also provide a window into the priorities of a candidate. Our story, “First quarter fundraising reports released,” is full of interesting details about the three mayoral candida ..read more

By Danielle Reynolds, LCSW In the energetic world of modern psychology, where talk therapy dominates the setting, a quieter revolution has been stirring – one that speaks directly to the body’s wisdom in healing. As a therapist navigating the complexities of anxiety, work stress, depression and grief with my clients, I found myself increasingly drawn to a holistic approach that honored not just the mind but also the body’s role in emotional well-being. This journey led me to somatic therapy, a profound methodology that has reshaped not just my practice but also my understanding of how we heal ..read more

By Caitlyn Meisnercmeisner@alextimes.com Although we are slowly springing into summer, apple crisp is a classic dessert that can be made any time of year. I make it anytime I have some extra apples lying around, have some time to spare and want to make a fun dessert. I first made this dish with my mother when I was about 12 or 13 and wanted to get “serious” about baking: I was watching a lot of Cake Boss at the time. It was an easy enough dish that my mother could hand off to me at times – and not important enough at Thanksgiving or Christmas to ruin things if I messed up, because there would ..read more

To the editor: Alexandria prides itself as a bastion of human rights, and our Council members constantly remind voters of their commitments to equity and justice for all. I therefore find it ironic and incredibly disappointing that City Council has made no effort to respond to the statement passed by its own Human Rights Commission on March 20, without opposition, in support of a ceasefire resolution. Not one Council member made a public statement in support of Palestinians or Palestinian-Alexandrians. Council won’t allow a resolution on the agenda, despite a ceasefire recommendation from the ..read more

By Bill Rossello In a couple of weeks, early voting will begin for the Democratic primary for mayor and City Council. The field is dominated by six incumbents, two of whom are running for mayor. Only the current mayor is sitting this one out. Three councilors are running for a second three-year term, two are running for a third term and John Taylor Chapman is running for a fifth term. The big question for voters: Do they all deserve another term? Let’s look at Council’s record over this timeframe when most of them followed the urbanist ideology to a tee and largely ignored the obvious prefere ..read more

By Rev. Ian Markham Data shows that pets are good for us. Naturally, different pets bring different benefits. But, at a minimum, we learn how to care for a living creature – and often the pet brings much-needed companionship. But there is much more: Our pets are incredible and just knowing a little bit about the pet opens entire alternative worlds. Maddie the labradoodle, who lives in the Markham household, will be my focus. There has been a dramatic growth in canine science in recent years, which is seeking to understand the dog world. We now know that dogs primarily see in blues and greens ..read more

By Jacinta Greene I am a native Virginian and a proud graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University. I am running for City Council to build a stronger Alexandria for us all. I have lived in Alexandria for 21 years and served on the Alexandria City School Board since 2018. I am extremely proud to call Alexandria my home, where I have established strong roots and a commitment to our community. In search of ways to make a difference, I got involved in volunteer opportunities that I was passionate about, including fighting for women and children. This dedication led me to serve as a commissioner a ..read more

Discerning readers will notice that we are several weeks into running candidate profiles on page 1 of our paper, and “Why I’m running” commentary pieces on our opinion pages. We have offered every candidate running in the Democratic primary the opportunity to be the subject of a story and to share their platform on our pages. We will offer Republican and Independent candidates the same opportunity once they have all declared their candidacies. In addition, we will be running our endorsement editorial in the May 23 issue of the Times. In this piece, we will reveal our preferred slate of candid ..read more

By Mary Ellen Rotondo As the real estate market continues to evolve, homeowners and agents are constantly evaluating the best time to sell a property. Two popular seasons for selling a home are spring and fall, each offering unique advantages and disadvantages. Understanding the pros and cons of selling in these seasons can help homeowners make informed decisions when it comes to listing their properties. The spring market has historically been the busiest time for real estate activity for many reasons: 1. Curb appeal: Spring is known for its blooming flowers, lush greenery and sunny weather ..read more

By Mark Edelman Simon Godwin’s estimable production of “Macbeth” has taken DMV audiences by storm, securing Shakespeare Theatre Company’s position as one of our community’s cultural treasures. Landing leading actors like Ralph Fiennes, an Academy Award-nominee for “Schindler’s List” and “The English Patient,” along with “Game of Thrones” star Indira Varma was no mean feat. Getting great performances out of these gifted actors and a remarkable ensemble bodes well for Godwin’s trajectory as a more than worthy successor to STC’s first artistic director Michael Kahn. The excitement of this produc ..read more