To our readers…

Local Kicks Publisher Shariff Elsheikh announces this week a new team at Local Kicks.

Welcome John Arundel, Susanne Seidman, Steve Houk, Kiki Obadal, and Stephanie Green.

You can look forward to seeing more news, entertainment, dining, style, and fashion. Our great local offers and shopping directories will be growing also. Also expect to see new articles, events, and deals on daily basis. Here's how we're changing and who's on board.

Veteran Alexandria newspaper editor John Arundel brings his wealth of expertise in the news business as a freelance Executive Editor and dynamic writer.

As former Executive Editor, Publisher, and Founder of The Alexandria Times, Arundel built a successful news outlet from the ground up and still maintains an ownership interest the publication. Arundel will be writing on Virginia politics and the impact of Northern Virginia's five million voters on the November presidential contest in his new column, "The New Dominion."

"As local consumers of news, information and advertising messages increasingly gravitate to online platforms, this convergence represents an exciting opportunity for me to get in on the ground floor of a sea change in how news, features and opinions are disseminated," said Arundel, who's live in Alexandria for 11 years. "Particles of information are racing at lightening speed, so it's vital to not only be first but to be right."

Susanne Seidman, formerly a columnist at the Alexandria Times, joins Local Kicks as the Style Editor.

Along with her clever and personal snapshot in time column "Style in the City," Seidman will bring style tips and tricks and a blow by blow of the season's looks to you. Find out where, when, and with whom the fashionable are shopping, sipping, supporting, and saving in Alexandria and greater Washington, DC.

An entrepreneur, community volunteer, mother of two "minis", and self-admitted professional shopper you'll laugh out loud and root for this up and coming stylist through her adventures and misadventures about town.

"Whether you love to shop or struggle to find just the right fit I can help readers find bargains and love their look," Seidman said. "After over 10 years in Washington I've heard all the style excuses in the book. It's time to have a little fun and look fantastic doing it. Alexandria is the perfect place to start. After all, we've all got to get dressed in the morning, and I'm just the one to voice an opinion. Trust me, we'll all look and be our best."

Other local columnists Steve Houk, Kiki Obadal, and Stephanie Green have joined as free-lance contributors. Steve Houk, an established local musician and music writer, will be writing a music blog, "Midlife Rocker." Kiki Obadal will be sharing her acclaimed column, "Meanderings." Stephanie Green will cover local features

Continuing contributors to Local Kicks include the Vino Vixen "Mari Stull", the Beermonger "Nick Anderson" and Cindy McCartney with the "Chronicles of Diva".

"We wanted to mix things up for you our readers, and with our new team and plans to enhance the look and feel of the site, we are well positioned to take Local Kicks to the next level" Elsheikh said.