March News & Updates from Living Legends of Alexandria
March 2019
In this edition:
Mulitple

Top Attendance at 2019 Meet the Legends Reception



















E mceed by NBC4's bureau chief Julie Carey and sponsored  by Living Legends of Alexandria , the March 14th induction ceremony ( photos here ) at George Washington Masonic National Memorial  for the 2019 Living Legends was seen by a record crowd. Presented with a  proclamation from Alexandria City Mayor Justin Wilson, this year's Living Legends and guests were feted with mouth-watering food from Sweet Fire Donna's (and served personally by 2014 Living Legend "Mango" Mike Anderson!) and Alexandria Cupcake . You can see Living Legends video interviews , and read the stories of the 2019 Living Legends - Ronal Butler, Brooke Sydnor Curran, James Henson, Jane King, Capt. Eugene "Red" McDaniel, Lawrence "Robbie" Robinson, and Loren & Jason Yates.

FounderNina
April 23rd: Living Legends City Hall Portrait Presentation

On April 23rd beginning at 5:30 pm, the official 2019 Living Legends portraits will be presented officially at the Market Square Lobby of Alexandria City Hall, made possible by sponsor  Dominion Energy . All Living Legends and Living Legends of Alexandria supporters are invited to this (free) event, but we are looking forward to especially seeing all 2019 Legends there.
 

Living Legends President, Jenn Ayers, will deliver opening remarks that describe why these portraits serve as important chronicles of improvements made to the City. Mayor Justin Wilson is being asked to offer comments and the entire City Council will be invited to attend.
 
Following this brief ceremony, the video that debuted at the March 14th Meet the Legends Reception will be shown, where refreshments will be served by Pure Perfection Catering . No need to RSVP, but we certainly hope to see everyone there.

FerdinandDay

Spring2Action Wednesday, April 10th

 
A 24 hour day of giving, Wednesday's Spring2Action serves as a single platform for those who support City of Alexandria nonprofits. So, when you are deciding which nonprofits you plan to support, please include Living Legends of Alexandria as one of them. You can do that here  and we very much appreciate your supporting Living Legends of Alexandria's mission with your donation.

JackTaylor

Living Legends Award Winners


Multiple Living Legends or their businesses were selected by the public as Zebra 2018 Readers' Choice award winners, the full story of which can be found on the Zebra's website .




BBQ

Pork Barrel BBQ (2014 Living Legend Mike Anderson)

Burgers

Holy Cow (2014 Living Legend Mike Anderson)

Chili

Hard Times Café (2015 Living Legend Fred Parker)

Hospital

INOVA Alexandria (2016 Living Legend Gregg Murphy orchestrated the merger of the-then Alexandria Hospital with INOVA health system)
 
Artisan Jewelry

Gold Works by David Martin (2012 Living Legend David Martin)

Fine Jewelry

Gold Works by David Martin (2012 Living Legend David Martin)

Attorney

Lonnie Rich (2013 Living Legend Lonnie Rich)

Photographer

Tisara Photography (2015 Living Legend Nina Tisara, founder of both Tisara Photography and Living Legends of Alexandria)

Dog Trainer

Wholistic Hound Academy (2017 Living Legend Sandy Modell )

Legendsinnews

Legends' News

NAIOP Award to Ferdinand T. Day Elementary School
On November 15, 2018, NAIOP Northern Virginia  (a commercial real estate development association) held the  Best of NAIOP Northern Virginia Awards, recognizing and celebrating significant new contributions to Northern Virginia by the commercial, industrial and mixed-use real estate community. The newly-christened Ferdinand T. Day Elementary School is named after 2007 Living Legend Ferdinand Day.
 
Award of Excellence - Building Adaptive Re-Use
Ferdinand T. Day Elementary School
Black History Recognition
"I was appointed to the Alexandria School Board in 1964 . . . the Secret Seven was responsible for my entry and I walked on Nelson Greene's shoulders to get there. And so it is for most of us. We walk on the shoulders of others to reach new heights. The Legends teach us that we can make a positive difference." 2007 Living Legend , and first African American member of the Alexandria School Board, Ferdinand Day, speaking of his friend and 2010 Living Legend Nelson Greene, Sr.
 
Alexandria's Black History Museum will be sponsoring an exhibition, on Saturday, April 20, 2019, which runs through July 2019. The exhibition highlights the work of African American men and women who have made important contributions to the growth and productivity of the City of Alexandria, many of whom are Living Legends, whose portraits will be on display. More information can be found here as the opening date approaches.

Nina Tisara Highlighted
An enlightening profile of Living Legends of Alexandria founder and 2015 Living Legend Nina Tisara can be found in the April edition of the Old Town Crier. The article describes Nina's pioneering initiatives as a photographer and KSMET leader, as well as the catalyst behind Living Legends of Alexandria and her recent "reinvention" with mosaic artistry.
You can read the entire story here).  

Char McCargo Bah New Book Launch

2014 Living Legend Char McCargo Bah launched her first book signing for her new book, "Alexandria's Freedmen's Cemetery: A Legacy of Freedom," at the Alexandria Black History Museum, on February 9, 2019. Two places where Char's book can be purchased are  here from the publisher or here
on Amazon.com.

Board

10 Years for CCNA


Plan to attend the 10th anniversary gala of the Concerned Citizens Network of Alexandria on April 18th between 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Led by 2018 Living Legend Gwen Lewis, CCNA hopes to raise both awareness and funds to support its mission of improving academic success of students attending City of Alexandria schools. More information about this celebratory event can be found here .
 
Sharing is Caring
If you have Living Legends news that you would like to share, please email us at  [email protected].

The mission of Living Legends of Alexandria is to identify, honor and chronicle the lives of individuals who have contributed to the community in an exemplary and lasting way that has significantly impacted the quality of life in Alexandria and serves as an inspiration to others. For information, to volunteer, become a sponsor or nominate a future Legend, visit www.AlexandriaLegends.org or contact [email protected]
Living Legends of Alexandria Partners