Crime, hazardous weather, debates over city transportation policy: it’s another week down in Alexandria.
With courts being back in session, news coverage of trials and convictions is back in full swing with the sentencing of a local teen who murdered a young couple that gave him a ride to southern Virginia and a pastor’s wife who had money laundering added to earlier fraud convictions.
Buying an existing business can be easier than starting from scratch.
The latest listings on BizBuySell show a number of businesses for sale in and around Alexandria. Many are restaurants, which have been heavily impacted by the pandemic.
How calmly can you sit in a tub of ice water for three minutes?
Bob Soulliere’s goal is to make you cold, wet and happy. During the winter, most folks like to layer up and get cozy next to the fire with a hot cup of cocoa, but every Saturday you’ll find Soulliere and his clients at The Loop in Old Town doing breathing exercises, taking ice baths and meditating.
In a Board of Architectural Review meeting earlier this week, local historic preservation consultant John Sprinkle shared some research from an upcoming book about the intersection — and sometimes fiery conflict — between the city’s efforts at historic preservation and the Civil Rights movement.
“From Historic Preservation to Neighborhood Conservation: Displacement, Urban Violence, and Architectural Survey in Alexandria, Virginia” details how, over the last fifty years, the city’s efforts at historic preservation have sometimes been at odds with efforts at preserving affordable housing in and around Black neighborhoods.
Alexandria teen Mohamed Aly received a sentence of four consecutive life sentences after pleading guilty to the first degree murder of Joel Bianda and Ayanna Maertens Griffin in February.
According to a press release from Halifax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Tracy Quackenbush Martin, Aly “willfully, deliberately and with premeditation” killed Bianda and Griffin, who had been doing Aly a favor in picking him up to drive to Danville to see a friend.
Old Town Lamp Posts Decorated with Holiday Art — “Dec. 5 marked the official kick-off of the first Old Town Holiday Lamp Post Art Walk sponsored by the Old Town Business Association in partnership with The Art League and the The Torpedo Factory Office Building.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]
Del Ray Farmers’ Market Helps Raise $1,000 for ALIVE! — “Shlagel Farms, a longtime vendor at the Del Ray Farmers’ Market, celebrated the Giving Season last week by offering customers a Giving Box. Chock full of fresh produce, each box cost $50, of which the farm donated $10 to local nonprofit ALIVE!” [Zebra]
Three years after opening on Mount Vernon Avenue in Arlandria, Pet Valu will close its doors by Dec. 29.
The Canada-based pet store chain announced last month that it was shuttering its 358 locations in the U.S. due to the impact of COVID-19.
Christmas tree looking a little sparse? The Alexandria Commons Shopping Center at 3233 Duke Street is hosting a pop-up on Saturday (Dec. 19) that will include a free ornament decorating kit.
“Celebrate the holidays by decorating your own holiday ornament!” the center said on its Facebook page.
St. Andrews United Methodist Church (845 N Howard Street) on Seminary Hill is seeking Planning Commission approval to demolish and rebuild its church on a smaller lot.
The church is headed to the Planning Commission on Tuesday, Jan. 5, seeking permission subdivide its current lot to reconstruct the church on one part of the property closer to the street and sell the rest to St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School.
In a report headed to the School Board tonight, staff at Alexandria City Public Schools have pinpointed racial disparities within the school division’s Talented and Gifted (TAG) program.
Overall, staff found that in 2019 while white students only account for 28% of the school population, they comprise 62% of the TAG programs. Black students, who make up 25% of the overall student population, represented only 15% of the TAG program. The highest disparity was Hispanic students, who comprise 38% of the student population but only 13% of the TAG program.
Alexandria Cupcake owner Adnan Hamidi likes to wash his hands so much that he just bought a natural soap company.
Hamidi’s got big plans for his Scentual Soap Co. and envisions eventually opening a brick and mortar location in Old Town.
