Potomac River's Majesty on Display at Beatley Library

F11, a group of women photographers, has put together an exhibit of photographs showcasing some of the many views of the Potomac River.

F11, a women’s photography collective based in the Washington, DC area currently has an exhibit on display at Alexandria’s Beatley Central Library and it’s all about the pulse of the Potomac River.   Collective member Christine Bernstein of Old Town said the group was “initially drawn to the project because of the river’s extraordinary beauty despite the decline of water quality and the effects of construction along its four-mile course.”   At the Beatley exhibit, nine photographers showcase 22 images of the river, paying homage to its many facets of beauty – nature, bridges and industry, including pollution. For more Alexandria arts news, sign up for the Old Town Alexandria Patch free, daily email newsletter.   Some of the group’s members…

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Photo Gallery: Holiday Boat Parade of Lights

More than 40 illuminated boats participated in the 13th annual Potomac River event.

The 13th annual Holiday Boat Parade of Lights glided past Alexandria’s waterfront on Saturday night featuring more than 40 illuminated boats on the Potomac River. The parade’s Best in Show award went to Summer C’s, a catamaran featuring light-show animation of a Christmas tree set to festive music. Wii Fish, decked out to resemble Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer with tall antlers and red nose in lights, snagged Best Powerboat. The complete list of 2012 winners: Jody Manor of Bittersweet Cafe and Catering, Ann Dorman of Meetings and Events of Distinction, Barbara Brecher of Brecher Design Group and Dee Beresford from the Old Dominion Boat Club Board of Governors served as judges. The parade was emceed by WTOP’s Bob Madigan.

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Green and Simple

Green and Simple: Making Memories Along the Mt. Vernon Trail

A recent rendez-vous with a friend conjures memories of our family's connections with various sites along the Mt. Vernon Trail.

During the school year, I had a standing date with a friend who I met 10 years ago at a new mom’s group at Alexandria Hospital. I had just had my first child and was in full-scale panic mode, fearful that every decision I made would scar my weeks-old baby. A recently broken-in, clear-headed new mom friend with a daughter less than a year older than my newborn, swooped in and whisked me and child off to the new mom’s group where I gained a little perspective.  As the newbie moms circled the room sharing our fears and concerns (some rational, some not), I was embarrrasingly surprised to find that my issues were not unique or complex. I almost instantly began to feel more grounded as we all shared our stories and discovered how much we had to…

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UPDATE: Body Recovered from Potomac River

Police: Little information available at this point in the investigation.

UPDATE (5:20 p.m.): A spokesman for the Maryland State Police said a body found in the Potomac River south of Alexandria Thursday is believed to be a person who committed suicide earlier this week. Spokesman Greg Shipley said an individual jumped off the Woodrow Wilson Bridge earlier this week. Police found the person's car, but no body.   ORIGINAL STORY: Police have recovered a body from the Potomac River in the area east of Alexandria. Cpl. Rodney Gause with the Prince George’s County Police Department said the body was pulled from the water at 10:15 a.m. Thursday. It was not immediately clear where the body was found, although an initial alert about the body mentioned the Alexandria area and Hog Island. Hog Island is located just east …

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Potomac Named a 'Most Endangered' River

American Rivers' annual list puts Potomac River at the top, citing concerns about whether Congress will weaken the Clean Water Act.

The Potomac River is one of “America’s 10 Most Endangered Rivers,” according to an American Rivers list released Tuesday. “The Potomac is threatened by agricultural and urban pollution that will only get worse if Congress rolls back national clean water protections,” reported American Rivers, a national non-profit conservation organization. American Rivers receives nominations for its America’s Most Endangered Rivers report from river advocacy and conservation groups and residents nationwide. It chooses its annual 10 Most Endangered Rivers based on: The Potomac River has made significant improvements in cleanliness since the 1960s and 1970s. “Today, however, the Potomac is still threatened by pollution from agricultural and urban runoff …

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Nonprofit Releases Plan to Retire Coal Plant, Redevelop Land

American Clean Skies Foundation announces $450 million plan that would retire the controversial GenOn coal power plant and create residential, retail and commercial space.

The American Clean Skies Foundation took steps Wednesday toward the transformation of the north end of Old Town and its waterfront. As part of an ongoing endeavor to retire the 62-year-old coal-fired electricity plant, the Washington, D.C. nonprofit released a $450 million plan that would reconstruct the site by around 2017. “Ambitious, but possible,” ACSF Chief Executive Greg Staple told a group of reporters at the National Press Club. The plan, called the Potomac River Green, includes residential, retail and commercial space, as well as a “21st century energy museum,” Staple said. The museum would be a micro-generation plant and support the building’s energy needs through geothermal, solar, fuel cell and micro-hydro power. The GenOn …

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Potomac River Home to Solar-Powered Buoy, New Tool for Pentagon

CEO of Intellicheck Mobilisa company behind buoy is based in Alexandria.

Drivers on U.S. 301 crossing the Gov. Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge in Maryland might have noticed a yellow buoy, bobbing in the Potomac River. Since October, the new solar-powered buoy has been sending signals to Intellicheck Mobilisa, a developer of identity and wireless security systems. Vital information about the river is then passed on to federal agencies including the Department of the Navy and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), among others. The buoy is one of only eight of its kind currently in use. The other seven are stationed on the Puget Sound. They collect environmental and security data and use the company’s Wireless Over Water (WOW) technology to transmit the data to the shore Network Operations …

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Pepco Slow to Respond to Oil Spill, Officials Say

GenOn, Pepco couldn't access response equipment

The response to the Pepco oil spill that sent approximately 4,000 gallons of mineral oil into the Potomac River in January was loaded with errors from the company as well as from GenOn, owner of the Potomac River Coal Plant in north Old Town, according to City of Alexandria officials. During last week’s City Council meeting, Alexandria Fire Department Battalion Chief John North said Pepco and GenOn both had response equipment to react to the spill but personnel with both companies “didn’t know where it was or how to access it.” North said his department along with representatives from City Hall recently met with Pepco and GenOn to discuss the spill. Both companies agreed to keep the Alexandria Fire Department informed and involved in staff…

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