What a week full of news in Alexandria.
With city offices closed due to Veterans Day on Wednesday, there were still a number of big stories.
News
There will be no high school sports this year in Alexandria unless they can adhere to 10-foot distancing as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to Alexandria City Public Schools Superintendent Gregory Hutchings, Jr.
As of Friday, ACPS was determining which sports will be allowed in the school system, and a decision is expected to be released in ACPS Express on Monday.
Alexandria Restaurant Partners has filed a special use permit request to buy the old Charlie’s on the Avenue restaurant in Del Ray and turn it into a concept called “Joe’s Kitchen.”
The SUP was sent in to the city on Nov. 5, and the last day for public comments is Nov. 26.
Sometimes buying an existing business is easier than starting from scratch.
We took a look through Alexandria listings of the website BizBuySell and found a number of businesses for sale. Many are restaurants, which have been heavily impacted the last several months due to the pandemic.
Outdoorsy supply store Patagonia has opened in Old Town, according to signs on the door.
The new location opened inside the historic Old Town Theater at 815 King Street. The store was originally scheduled to open in the spring before… well, you know.
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Unlike many of his Latino neighbors in Arlandria, Realtor Brett Rice has had a solid year and is giving back in a big way. On Wednesday, Nov. 25, which is the day before Thanksgiving, Rice and Alexandria Restaurant Partners will give away 500 meals worth about $35,000 to the community.
“The pandemic hasn’t been bad for everyone, and people are buying second homes and vacationing, and I just want to do something that will help the community,” Rice told ALXnow.
Elderly resident rescues dog walker pinned under 500-pound headstone — “When Suzanne Dalton went out to walk her dog in Bethel Cemetery… one fall afternoon, the last thing she expected was to have a literal brush with death. After a headstone fell on her arm and pinned her to the ground, Charles Nelson, an 89-year-old Alexandria resident, came to her assistance and lifted the 500-pound stone up just enough for her to escape.” [Alex Times]
Beyer Says Trump is Being ‘Theatrical’ — “Refusing to initiate a peaceful transition of power in the middle of a deadly pandemic because he’s being theatrical.” [Twitter]
As you park at home and head inside after getting back from a flea market or cat cafe, maybe check one more time to make sure you’ve locked your car.
At a City Council meeting earlier this week, Mayor Justin Wilson said a spate of recent car thefts have mostly targeted unlocked cars.
Tank always makes sure to put his toys away after he finishes with playtime, and the three-year-old Pit Bull Terrier is also looking for a new home through the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.
“Tank’s favorite place to be is in his cozy bed full of blankets and toys,” said AWLA spokeswoman Audrey Alessi. “He’s looking for a best friend who can relate!”
The Halloween spooky season isn’t quite over. Tomorrow is Friday, Nov. 13, and Mount Purrnon Cat Cafe and Wine Bar (109 S. Alfred Street) wants you to spend the unlucky day watching House on Haunted Hill with a black cat.
“Black cats and popcorn are the only way to celebrate Friday the 13th,” the cafe said on its Facebook page. “Watch House on Haunted Hill and spend some time with our resident kitties. Popcorn and soda (or tea, coffee) included in ticket price!”
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People tend to fall into familiar patterns, and Alexandria Psychologist Dr. Eleni Boosalis wants her new podcast to help folks get unstuck.
“The pandemic has caused about half of people in the U.S. to have symptoms of anxiety and depression that are pretty severe,” Boosalis told ALXnow. “We also don’t have the benefit of social connections, or routine and predictability. It just seems like from moment to moment we don’t know what’s gonna happen, so everyone’s just in this perpetual state of anxiety right now.”