Ricasso, known to his friends as Rico, made international headlines for his tail painting antics and has raised enough money that all adult adoptions at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) are currently free.
“All of our adult animals have their adoption fees waived, so that’s nearly 35 who are available right now,” said Gina Hardter, spokesperson for AWLA. “That number can change based on animals adopted and new animals coming into the shelter through the end of the year.”
Freedom House to Expand — “An expansion of the Freedom House Museum and renovations to the historic building it is in are in the works. Earlier this year, the Northern Virginia Urban League put the historic townhouse at 1315 Duke St. it owns up for sale for $2.1 million, after going through a difficult period keeping up payments on the property.” [Alexandria Living]
Former NFL Cheerleader Opens Salon — “From a loft-like space off a busy street in Alexandria, Stephanie Prinzbach runs the one-woman-show that is District Chic Hair Co., providing hair styling to over 115 customers spanning from Washington, DC to Richmond.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
(Updated at 3:45 p.m.) After 20 years of planning, work has started on the Potomac Yard Metro station.
Officials past and present came together at 2 p.m. today (Thursday) at the future Potomac Yard Metro station, currently the parking lot of Regal Potomac Yard movie theater.
Just a few blocks away from where some local residents are incensed about a road diet, others are begging the city to do something about frequent collisions on their street.
W. Taylor Run Parkway connects Duke Street and Janneys Lane, two major east-west routes through Alexandria. The two-lane street is bordered by a creek on the eastern side and a row of homes on the right.
Port City Brewing Company is preparing to re-launch an ale celebrating one of Alexandria’s most enduring mysteries.
Long Black Veil, a black India pale ale, is a spooky black beer inspired by the legend of the Female Stranger.
(Updated at 11:55 a.m.) A two-alarm apartment fire at 250 S. Van Dorn Street drew a large emergency response Thursday morning.
The fire was reported on the top floor of a four-story apartment building in the Landmark area, across from the Van Dorn Plaza shopping center, around 10:30 a.m. Smoke could be seen coming from the roof area, according to initial reports.
Alexandria’s Winter Restaurant Week is coming back next month with a handful of new eateries to sample.
For 10 days across two weekends, 70 restaurants across Alexandria will offer specials on meals. The event is put together by Visit Alexandria and is scheduled to run from Jan. 17-26.
Water Skiing Santa to Return — “A little cold weather doesn’t stop one of Alexandria’s Christmas traditions: a waterskiing show on the waterfront. Santa and his helpers will return for the 34th year at 1 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 24.” [Patch]
Alexandria Sets Holiday Closures — “All City government offices, libraries and recreation centers will be closed Dec 24 and 25. Regular trash/recycling collection on Dec 24, but not on Dec 25. Collection normally scheduled for Dec 25-26 will be delayed by one day.” [City of Alexandria, Twitter]
(Updated at 4:25 p.m.) Herman Boone, the T.C. Williams High School football head coach for the school’s 1971 state championship-winning team, has died at 84 years old.
Boone was famously memorialized in the 2000 biographical film Remember the Titans, where he was played by Denzel Washington. The film dramatizes the Titans’ famous 13-0 season after Alexandria’s high schools were integrated.
(Updated 2:20 p.m.) It’s been a week of ups and downs for the Safeway next to the Bradlee Shopping Center.
A couple days ago it was robbed at knifepoint. But tomorrow it will host a group of Washington Redskins cheerleaders as the Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB) receives a large food donation.
Tucker will direct the city’s race and social equity programs and build a framework for policies that help eliminate racial and social inequality, according to a press release from the city.
“Jaqueline is an innovative, compassionate, inclusive leader,” said City Manager Mark Jinks. “Through her dedication to civic engagement, law and policy, and her experience working with all levels of government, she has demonstrated the mindset and skills integral to helping our community make progress toward meaningful equity.”
