Thursday, December 29, 2011

Jeanne Theismann joins Living Legends Board

 
 
Award winning journalist Jeanne Theismann joins Living Legends Board.  Courtesy Photo
The board of directors of Living Legends of Alexandria is pleased and proud to announce its new member, Jeanne Theismann, whose three-year term will begin on January 1, 2012.

Jeanne Theismann is an award-winning journalist with more than 25 years of experience in broadcast, print and online media.

She began her professional career at WTNH-TV in New Haven, Conn., where she was a news reporter as well as co-host of the daily Good Morning Connecticut program. She went on to work for Seaway Communications, the first minority owned broadcasting company before moving to Tokyo, where she spent several years working as a writer and editor for the Yomiuri Shimbun, the world's largest daily newspaper. 

During her time overseas, Ms. Theismann traveled extensively, covering the third Indochina War between Vietnam and Cambodia as well as the Seoul and Sydney Olympic games. She began several relief projects for children and refugees and has personally delivered more than five tons of medical supplies to orphanages throughout the world.  She has worked with organizations such as Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity, the National Defense Council Foundation and Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu's St. George's Cathedral Foundation.

For the last nine years, Ms. Theismann has served as a visiting professor at the Ukrainian Catholic University, teaching at the Institute for Nonprofit Management in L'viv, Ukraine, and implemented the first ever Executive Leadership Exchange program between Ukraine and the United States.

Ms. Theismann has served on numerous boards, including Stop Child Abuse Now, the Washington, D.C. area chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America, and Goodwill Industries of Greater Washington. Ms. Theismann currently serves on the board of directors for First Night Alexandria, the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, the Salvation Army and the Alexandria Sportsman’s Club. She is a member of the National Press Club, American Legion Post 24 and Rotary International, and is the media representative for the City of Alexandria’s Emergency Planning Commission. In addition, she served as the Executive Director of the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremonies in Washington, D.C.

Ms. Theismann is presently the Special Assistant to the Publisher of The Connection Newspapers, a group of locally-owned community newspapers serving the Washington, D.C. region with a total circulation of 120,000. This includes the Alexandria Gazette Packet, the longest continuously published newspaper in America. She continues her work in Ukraine as an advisor and guest lecturer at the new L’Viv School of Journalism.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Legends of 2012 Announced

Living Legends of Alexandria announced the selection of the Legends of 2012:  Robert Calhoun, Al Grande, Harry "Bud" Hart, Wendy John, Bill Kehoe, Allen Lomax, Jimmie McClellan, Pat Miller, Michael Oliver, Lillian Patterson, Joe Shumard, the Steuerle Family and the team of Dorothy Turner and Gwen Menefee-Smith.

Director Nina Tisara said the Board is proud to add these names to the roster of 124 individuals and teams who have been chronicled in the 5-year history of Living Legends.

 "Some have expressed concern that we will run out of qualified nominees. Maybe one day, but this has not been our experience. There were a large number of excellent nominees this year and the selection process was especially difficult.  Additionally, our town has lost a number of folks this year who met the Legend criteria but were never nominated."

Also nominated this year were Duncan Blair, Suzanne Brock, Diane Charles, the team of Elizabeth Chimento and Poul Hertel, Bernard Cohen, Brooke Curran, Allison Cryor DiNardo, Michael Hadeed, James Henson, Lori and Nigel Morris, Patrick O'Brien, William Rivers, James Singerling and the team of Fay Slotnick and Joyce Woodson.      

"It is often said that it is an honor to be nominated," said Tisara.  "This is particularly true of Living Legends of Alexandria.  Each of the nominees will be introduced and honored at the Meet the Legends reception on March 22 at the Patent and Trademark Office.  A photograph and profile of each nominee will be published in the Meet The Legends catalog that is donated to the Alexandria Library, collected by the Library of Virginia in Richmond and available at the U.S. Library of Congress."

Now completing its fifth year, Living Legends of Alexandria is an ongoing 501(c)(3) photo-documentary project to identify, honor and chronicle Alexandria's Living Legends.  The project was conceived by Tisara to create an enduring artistic record of the people whose vision and dedication make a positive, tangible difference to the quality of life in Alexandria.  The 2012 Legend profiles will begin being published in January. 

For information about ways you can be part of the project,sponsorship opportunities and/or a list of past Legends, visit www.AlexandriaLegends.com or email AlexandriaLegends@ninatisara.com.



  

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Living Legends at Center for the Arts Opening

The Alexandria Center for the Arts hit the stage running with a grand offering of performance art in the T.C. Williams High School Auditorium on November 30th.  Shawn Thorpe, Academic Principal on Assignment, mc'd the program which included performances by  the TC Wind Ensemble, the GW Middle School Band, the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, the TC Williams Choir and much more. Alexandria's Arts groups showed off their work to parents, children and educators in the cafeteria before the performances.

Living Legends of Alexandria had two tables, one focusing on Family Legend actvities.

Book Artists Sushmita Mazumdar shows books to students. 



Tinkerbell Forever

Tinkerbell magic for the little angel in your life.  Thanks to the generosity of Tinkerbell Collector Frances Mohr, Living Legends is offering her Tinkerbell Forever collection including a 3 foot star Tinkerbell rug, Ceramic trashcan, 20 inch stocking, tiara, magic wands, cloisonne earrings,  comb and brush set, wash cloth, school supply bag for 3 ring binder, personal journal, 6 pencils, painted wood note/recipe holder, 4 rubber stamps, small pillow, and bag of magic dust. Collection value:  $150.  Buy Now price - $119. Funds support Living Legends.  First call to 703-625-2330 gets it in time for holiday giving.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Living Legends Portraits at Prudential PenFed Realty

Despite the day-long rainstorm and high winds, about 50 people attended the reception honoring the Living Legends of Alexandria.

Tisara (right) surrounded by Board members Mary Anne Weber, Joe Shumard and Jane Collins and past year's Legends Fran and Gant Redmon, John Porter, Melvin Miller and Arlene Hewitt holds up the Living Legends catalogs.  The annual catalog with stories and photographs of the year's Legends and nominees is donated to the Alexandria Library, collected by the Library of Virginia in Richmond and available at the U.S. Library of Congress.

Vice Mayor Kerry Donley (left) and Prudential PenFed Realtor Becky Arnold.  Arnold organizes the art exhibitions at the Prudential PenFed Offices.
 
Photos by Steven Halperson/Tisara Photography
 
Three years of Living Legends of Alexandria portraits are currently being exhibited at the offices of Prudential PenFed Realty, 300 N. Washington St., Suite 100. 
 
In her review of the exhibition, Trudi Van Dyke, Independent Fine Art Consultant, wrote  "...Artist Nina Tisara is representative of the many historical photographers and painters who see beyond the subject of the "head shot" and present the soul and personality beyond the likeness.

"Capturing the essence of each person is the key to making the black and white portraits of the legends come to life. The viewer of this exhibition is treated to meeting each of the legends in a way that brings their individuality to the forefront. The careful composition, lighting, and unpretentious appearance allows the viewer to virtually interact with the subject.

"...I encourage citizens of Alexandria in particular to visit this outstanding art exhibition before it closes on January 27 and get insight through art into the people who make Alexandria a great place to live and work. The Prudential PenFed Realty office is open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday-Friday."

Now in its fifth year, Living Legends of Alexandria is an ongoing 501(c)(3) photo-documentary project to identify, honor and chronicle Alexandria's Living Legends.  The project was conceived by Tisara to create an enduring artistic record of the people whose vision and dedication make a positive, tangible difference to the quality of life in Alexandria. 
 
Major 2011 sponsors are Club Managers Association of America, Erkiletian Real Estate Development, Inova Alexandria Hospital, John McEnearney, Renner & Co., Rotary Club of Alexandria, the late Douglas Thurman and the Alexandria Commission for the Arts.
 
The Legends of 2012 will be announced by the end of December.  For more about the project and a list of past Legends see www.AlexandriaLegends.com or contact Nina Tisara, AlexandriaLegends@NinaTisara.com.  For information about art exhibitions at Prudential PenFed, contact Becky Arnold, becky.arnold@penfedrealty.com, 571-345-6175. 
 
 

 

Monday, December 5, 2011

Scottish Walk

It was a perfect day for the Scottish Walk.  The Living Legends banner was carried by Board President Rose Gentile and Gianna.  Nina (in the plaid cape) is holding the leash of Sandy (AKA Bubbie), one of the family chihuahuas.  Little Bubbie who was the hit of our group is not visible in this photo.

Photo by Steven Halperson/Tisara Photography

Friday, November 25, 2011

Family Legends - The Stories

The first class of Family Legends at the William Ramsay Rec Center finished their books last week.  The 5 week class on handmade storybooks was led by writer, book artist and educator Sushmita Mazumdar.  Contact Center Director Harold Little, Harold.Little@alexandriava.gov, for information about the next class at Ramsay Rec Center.







 

 






  
Contact Nina Tisara at AlexandriaLegends@ninatisara.com if you have a suggestion for another class location.

Photos by Nina Tisara/Living Legends of Alexandria

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Living Legends Featured in The Zebra

Living Legends of Alexandria is featured in the November edition of The Zebra. Go to www.thezebra.org and click on the paper at the top of the home page to download the pdf of the issue.  In addition to the cover and feature about Living Legends, there are two Legend profiles and a spread on the Volunteer Alexandria reception.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Evening in the Heart of Alexandria

Volunteer Alexandria recognized Nina Tisara and Brooke Curran at their 17th Annual Evening in the Heart of Alexandria, a dinner gala event at the Carlyle Club on December 10.

City of Alexandria Town Crier Benjamin Fiore-Walker called guests to dinner.






Brooke Curran received the Joan White Grassroots Volunteer Award presented by Jane Collins.






The Carlyle Club provided an excellent venue for the event.

Nina Tisara received the Marian Van Landingham Lifetime Service award presented by John Chapman.






Congressman Jim Moran, event chairperson Vola Lawson (left) and Donna Walker James, 
Program Manager, Volunteer Alexandria.

Photos by Steven Halperson/Tisara Photography

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Give to the Max

We're late leaving the gate, but Living Legends of Alexandria  has signed on to participate in Give to the Max day,  a one-day fundraising event on November 9, 2011 (today) that will unite local Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC communities to support nonprofits serving the area.  The goal is to get tens of thousands people to support their favorite regional charity, raising millions of dollars in donations and grants in just 24 hours! 

If you haven't made your year-end donation to Living Legends, (or your other favorite good causes) this is an easy way to do it.  Just go to http://give2max.org  and follow the prompts.  Deadline is 11:59:59 tonight.  You'll find us listed under Living Legends of Alexandria.   

Read more in today's Local Kicks article by Jane Hess Collins.    

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Family Legends Workshop at Ramsay Rec Center






The Family Legends workshop taught by Arlington-based writer, book artist and educator Sushmita Mazumdar at the Ramsay Recreation Center has a week to go. The students, all girls, have created wonderful stories and accompanying illustrations. Two other workshops are planned through the beginning next year. At the completion of the series there will be a special exhibition of the books.



The workshop project, an outgrowth of Living Legends of Alexandria, is funded in part by a generous donation from John McEnearney. Living Legends is funded in part by generous grants from the Alexandria Commission of the Arts and the Dominion Foundation.

Photos by Nina Tisara/Living Legends of Alexandria




Living Legend Portraits at Prudential PenFed Realty

The Washington Street offices of Prudential PenFed Realty is hosting an exhibition of Living Legends of Alexandra portraits through January 2012. Three years of Legend portraits are included in the exhibition, 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2010.



Prudential PenFed Realty is located at 300 N. Washington Street, Suite 100. The office is open Monday through Friday, 9-5. For information, contact Becky Arnold, 571-345-6175, becky.arnold@pcrmove.com .

Prudential Pen Fed Realty, a full service real estate company, is recognized year after year among the top real estate companies in its service area. Ranked in the top 1% of Prudential affiliates nationwide, with 35 offices and over 1100 world-class sales professionals, Prudential PenFed Realty offers complete service coverage in Northern Virginia as well as Maryland, DC, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, North Carolina and Texas in the fine homes, new homes, relocation and commercial real estate arenas.




Thursday, October 27, 2011

Lifetime Service Award


I am deeply honored to be receiving the Marian Van Landingham Lifetime Service Award from Volunteer Alexandria on Thursday, November 10 in recognition, in part, for my work in creating Living Legends of Alexandria.  Brooke Curran, Founder of the RunningBrooke Fund will receive the Joan White Grassroots Volunteer Award.  Please see the press release for details.

Hope to see at the Carlyle Club on November 10.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
Donna Walker James
cell: 703-928-0619, Office: 703-836-2176

Volunteer Alexandria Announces 2011 Awardees for the 17th Annual Evening in the Heart of Alexandria

 A Gala Dinner event honoring Nina Tisara of Living Legends and Brooke Curran of the RunningBrooke Fund 

Event will be held Thursday, November 10, 2011 from 6:30-9pm at Alexandria's Carlyle Club.

 

Alexandria, VA-  Volunteer Alexandria's annual Evening in the Heart of Alexandria is a tribute to all who give from the heart to volunteer time and talent.  Each year Volunteer Alexandria recognizes members of the community who carry out extraordinary service, impacting the city as a whole. 

Evening in the Heart 2011 Chair Vola Lawson
2011 event chair is Vola Lawson, Alexandria's former City Manager and a Living Legend, initiator of Alexandria's Walk to Fight Breast Cancer and namesake of Alexandria's animal shelter who, along with a committee of volunteer champions, is dedicated to honoring fellow Alexandrians and making this an evening to remember.

Vola Lawson and Volunteer Alexandria are excited to announce this year's awardees:


Evening in the Heart 2011 Awardee Nina Tisara

Nina Tisara, Director of Living Legends will receive the Marian Van Landingham Lifetime Service Award. Nina's love of photography and Alexandria led her to develop a photo history of local visionaries who became legends in their own time. The Living Legends project both chronicles and celebrates the personal contributions of the nominees to improve lives in Alexandria. A member of Alexandria's Chamber of Commerce Board for 6 years and a founding member of KSMET (now OTBPA), Nina has been awarded for her art, business and service achievements, but not yet for her much-lauded photographic archival work with Living Legends. Vola Lawson and Volunteer Alexandria are proud to bring Nina from behind the camera and into the spotlight to receive this honor she so richly deserves!

Evening in the Heart 2011 Awardee Brooke Curran
Brooke Curran, Founder of the RunningBrooke Fund will receive the Joan White Grassroots Volunteer Award. Brooke's love of running provided her with her own unique way of giving back by donating the proceeds from marathons she runs worldwide to Alexandria nonprofits supporting personally inspiring causes. Brooke has raised and donated over $80,000 since establishing the RunningBrooke Fund in May of 2009, contributing to nonprofits benefiting at-risk youth & their families. For this one evening, we invite Brooke to stop running and enjoy a dinner with friends, in her honor!

Join Volunteer Alexandria at Evening in the Heart of Alexandria as 200 attendees honor two remarkable women who serve voluntarily in unique, original ways inspiring us all.

Evening in the Heart of Alexandria serves as Volunteer Alexandria's end of year fundraising event with attendees and contributors showing their support not only for the celebration and honorees, but also for the continued volunteer matching services provided by Volunteer Alexandria to the community. Sponsors are signing up now with BB&T Bank and Chris Marston in the lead.

Sponsorships allow Volunteer Alexandria to continue a 31-year legacy of fostering volunteer connections within the community. More information about sponsorships can be found on Volunteer Alexandria's Razoo profile page: www.razoo.com/story/Evening-In-The-Heart-Of-Alexandria. Tickets are $100 per seat and can be purchased on the same webpage.

For information about the event, available sponsorships, contact Donna Walker James, 703-836-2176 or djames@volunteeralexandria.org.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Nominate A Living Legend for 2012


Nominate A Living Legend for 2012

Deadline: November 15

Who do you know whose vision and energy has improved life in Alexandria? Living Legends of Alexandria is seeking nominations in order to recognize Alexandria's Living Legends through 2012.

There are two nomination categories:
(1) Those who have contributed at least one tangible improvement to the quality of the city's life that would likely be missing without this person's vision and energy; or
(2) Those demonstrating exemplary service to the city over ten years or more, especially service on Boards, Commissions, Committees or Service Organizations that improve the quality of life in Alexandria.

Nominees must live or work in Alexandria. Those currently running for or holding political office are not eligible for consideration. The contributions of City employees must be beyond the responsibilities of their jobs.

You may submit your nomination on-line from www.AlexandriaLegends.com. or mail to Living Legends, P.O. Box 10485, Alexandria, VA 22310.  Email is preferred.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Family Legends Workshop at Ramsay Rec Center


Sushmita Mazundar leads the first Family Legends workshop at the William Ramsay Recreation Center.  In this class the students have chosen to write about a family member's Civil Rights experience, a legend about a possible relationship to the Queen of England, family in Sierra Leone and Holi, the Indian festival of color celebrating Spring.  They will make their stories into one-of-a-kind books with photos and drawings.  

For information about future classes contact Center Director Harold Little, Harold.Little@AlexandriaVa.gov or Sush, sushmaz@comcast.net.   

This workshop is made possible by a generous contribution from John McEnearney.  

Photos by Nina Tisara/Living Legends of Alexandria


 



Sunday, September 25, 2011

Del Ray Artisans Photo Exhibition

Nelson A. Green, Sr., Photo by Nina Tisara
H. Stewart Dunn, Jr., Photo by Steven Halperson
Four Living Legends portraits were accepted in the Del Ray Dozenz Photography Show, November 4-27, at the DRA Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue.  The photographs are of Living Legends H. Stewart Dunn, Jr. Nelson A. Greene, Sr.,  Jon Liss and Donald Ferdinand Mela.  The Del Ray Artisans Gallery is at 2704 Mt. Vernon Avenue. The gallery is open Thursdays noon-6 p.m., Fridays, noon-9 p.m, Saturdays, 10 a.m.- 9 p.m. and Sundays:  noon - 6 p.m. 

Jon Liss.  Photo by Steven Halperson      





Donald Ferdinand Mela - Photo by Nina Tisara
The public is invited to the Opening Reception, Friday, November 4, 7-10 p.m.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Nominate A Living Legend for 2012

Living Legends of Alexandria
Call for Nominations
Deadline: November 15

Who do you know whose vision and energy has improved life in Alexandria? Living Legends of Alexandria is seeking nominations in order to recognize Alexandria's Living Legends through 2012.

There are two nomination categories:
(1) Those who have contributed at least one tangible improvement to the quality of the city's life that would likely be missing without this person's vision and energy.
(2) Those demonstrating exemplary service to the city over ten years or more, especially service on Boards, Commissions, Committees or Service Organizations that improve the quality of life in Alexandria.

Nominees must live or work in Alexandria. Those currently running for or holding political office are not eligible for consideration. The contributions of City employees must be beyond the responsibilities of their jobs.

Copy and paste the nomination form into an email and send your nominations no later than November 15th to AlexandriaLegends@NinaTisara.com or mail to: Living Legends, P.O. Box 10485, Alexandria, VA 22310.  Email is preferred.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

2007-08 Legend Portraits at St. Elmo's Coffee Pub


 Photos by Nina Tisara/Living Legends of Alexandria

We installed (Steven Halperson did the hanging while I watched) the twelve 2007-08 Legend portraits at St. Elmo's Coffee Pub, 2300 Mt. Vernon Avenue, this afternoon. Pictured are William B. Hurd, Carolyn Griffin, Debra Roepke, Stephen Rideout, Vola Lawson, Patsy Ticer, Joe Youcha, David Cleary, Gladys Seisler, David B. Martin, Ferdinand Day and Marian Van Landingham.

Our sincere appreciation to owner Nora Partlow for making the space available to us. The exhibit will be on view through September.

Stop by to see the photos and while you're there, have a cup of coffee and a treat, and thank Nora and her manager, Will Nichols for opening the space to the Arts in Alexandria.

Collaboration

Great News! This will soon be posted on the Alexandria Legacies website.  Alexandria Legacies is the City of Alexandria's Oral History program.
 

'Alexandria Legacies & Living Legends 'Collaboration"
Living Legends is a A 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 2007 that identifies, honors and chronicles the living legends of Alexandria, Virginia.  Honorees have included several Historic Alexandria volunteers and staff, along with other prominent members of the community.  Alexandria Legacies and Living Legends have joined forces in a collaborative effort to record oral histories of Living Legends nominees. Additionally, Family Legends of Alexandria is an outgrowth of Living Legends and a new initiative where (for example) kids interview their grandparents to capture their history. The goals are to foster artistic creativity in children and to help them develop an appreciation of and skill in photojournalism and storytelling. With these efforts, the reach of Historic Alexandria's oral history program will be expanded to children and families.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Family Legends Achieves Lift-Off


Family Legends has achieved lift-off!

Thanks to Ramsay Recreation Center Director Harold Little, Family Legends will offer the workshop, “Tell Your Story, Make Your Book” led by Sushmita Mazumdar. The 4-session workshop will be offered to 12 children per class, ages 7-12 in October, January and March.

Little was enthusiastic about offering the program at Ramsay saying he knows first-hand that art can change lives. His love of music is attributed to an early mentor. “Art is in one's soul...it can be a stepping stone to anything,” he said.

Friend of Living Legends John McEnearney has pledged support for two of the workshops.

The Family Legends workshop is part of the Living Legends of Alexandria Project. In this workshop, children will research and record the story of a legendary family member. The participants will learn how to interview people and how to write the stories. Then they will learn to turn the stories into a handmade storybook complete with illustrations, photos and maps.

Completed Family Legend Storybooks will be exhibited for the community to read and enjoy and published in Living Legends of Alexandria News.

Sushmita Mazumdar is an Arlington-based writer, book artist, and educator. She teaches art education programs for children and adults encouraging storytelling and the sharing of cultural heritage. She has conducted workshops at museums, schools, and arts institutions in the Washington DC area. She participated in the Smithsonian Folklife Festival 2010 Asian Pacific American Program: Local Lives Global Ties. 

Living Legends of Alexandria is an ongoing, not-for-profit project to identify, honor and chronicle people making current history in Alexandria.

For workshop information, see www.HandmadeStorybooks.com. For information about Living Legends of Alexandria, see www.AlexandriaLegends.com

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Douglas Thurman Alley

The Living Legends Board of Directors has unanimously and enthusiastically endorsed the request of the Old Town Civic Association to name the alley behind his home in honor of the late Douglas Thurman.

Doug was a founding Board member and an ardent supporter of the project. He gave not only financial support, he gave us ideas to increase our visibility, for example participating in the Scottish Walk and the St. Pat's Parade. He arranged for an information table at last year's Irish Festival and for an Alexandria City Band piper at the opening reception of the Living Legends photo exhibition at the Del Ray Artisans. He gave all this generously despite his failing health.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Legends at Lee Center

The 2010 Living Legends of Alexandria portraits will be exhibited at the Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson Street, beginning August 9 through October 2011.  The 2010 Legends are Chet Avery, Rosalind Bovey, V. Rodger Digilio, Nelson A. Greene, Sr., T. Michael Miller, the team of Linda Odell and Alice Merrill, John Porter, Joan and John Renner, David G. Speck, Pat Troy, Lois Walker and Betty Wright. Read their stories in the 2010 Living Legends Catalog.