News

New Residential Building Promises Daycare and Retail in Braddock Area — “Right now, that property is primarily garage and warehouse space for a variety of auto and other businesses.” [Alexandria Living]

Van Dorn, Eisenhower Metro Stations Reopening June 28 — “Several stations and stops were closed in March, in an effort to conserve cleaning supplies during the early stages of the pandemic.” [Zebra]


News

With summer officially in full swing, Alexandria City Public Schools is working to reopen its playgrounds to the public.

On Monday, the playgrounds at Patrick Henry Elementary School, Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School and Jefferson Houston School reopened, according to an email that was sent to parents.


News

City Councilman John Taylor Chapman never learned Alexandria’s real African American history in school, and now he’s teaching everyone who will listen. After a coronavirus-related hiatus, his Manumission Tour Company is officially back on track with in-person tours of Alexandria’s Black historical sites.

“I did not feel that I knew some of the stories that I’m telling now when I was growing up,” Chapman told ALXnow.


News

There are now 2,236 cases of COVID-19, an increase of nine cases since yesterday, according to the Virginia Department of Health. The last fatality due to the virus was reported on Saturday and the death toll stands at 49.

The news comes as the city released Phase Three guidelines for reopening yesterday. Under the new rules, limits on social gathering will increase from 50 to 250 people; swimming pools will be allowed to open at 75% occupancy; gyms and fitness centers can open indoors at 75% capacity and recreation and entertainment venues can open at 50% capacity. Summer camps, however, will stay closed.


News

Alexandria Realtors Predict Strong Summer — “The first few months of 2020 were very strong in the local real estate market. Contracts slowed significantly in the second half of March and in April, said Dave Hawkins, COO of McEnearney Associates, before the rebound started in May. June should be even stronger for local real estate activity.” [Alexandria Living]

St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School and Goodwin House Embark on Senior Companion Program — “They talk like old friends, but they have never met in person; three months ago, they didn’t even know about each other.” [Washington Post]


News

While new COVID-19 cases are on the decline, local organizations are still working to ensure that residents have access to resources as Alexandria slowly reopens. Here are the next free food distributions in the city today and through the weekend.

There will be a free food distribution at Casa Chirilagua (4109 Mount Vernon Avenue) today (Thursday) from 5 to 7 p.m. People are asked to wear face masks and to bring carts to take food home.


News

The number of coronavirus patients being treated at Inova Alexandria Hospital is now in the 20s — a far cry from the more than 90 patients at the facility during the peak of the virus.

Still, that doesn’t mean residents should throw caution into the wind, hospital President Dr. Rina Bansal told ALXnow.


News

Large Income Disparities in Alexandria — “White Alexandria is pulling in significantly more money than Hispanic workers and African Americans, according to numbers from the United States Census Bureau. A look at average income shows non-Hispanic whites make more than $85,000 a year. That’s more than three times the average income for Hispanic workers, $24,000, and more than twice the average income for black workers, $37,000.” [Gazette]

Water Taxi Returns to Old Town — “A face mask requirement and other safety measures are in place for the limited water taxi service.” [Patch]


News

On Monday, The Silver Parrot opened its doors after three months of being closed. The jeweler at 113 King Street is now open seven days a week, has updated its website for online sales — but the staff is a little concerned about the closing off of vehicular traffic on their block.

“It’s nice to be around people again,” store manager Megan Vail told ALXnow. “I live on my own, so it was like three months of talking to myself and my cats.”


News

ACT for Alexandria’s ACT Now COVID-19 Response Fund has now raised more than $1 million, and $910,000 has been given in grant funding to other city nonprofits.

ACT for Alexandria Executive Director Heather Peeler says that even though COVID-19 numbers are going down, the community needs are still great. The nonprofit has paused its grant request process for the month of June while it maps out its fundraising strategy for the rest of the year.


News

COVID-19 has meant the cancellation or postponement of a number of events and services, and Senior Services of Alexandria has finally canceled its most popular event of the year.

The Senior Services of Alexandria gala, which was initially supposed to be held in March, has finally been canceled. The gala usually accommodates hundreds of guests to honor a few select Alexandrians who help the senior community.


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