News

A memory care assisted living facility in Alexandria just got approval to increase the number of beds by doubling up the occupancy with “companion rooms.”

City Council, on Saturday, approved Silverado Memory Care‘s request to increase beds at their facility at 2807 King Street from 66 to 9o. The vote was 5-2, with City Council Member John Taylor Chapman and Vice Mayor Amy Jackson voting in opposition.


News

The City of Alexandria is soliciting public feedback on plans to revivify one of the city’s most underutilized parks as the project heads into a design phase starting next year.

The City is hosting a series of meetings — including one tonight at 7 p.m. at Patrick Henry Recreation Center (4643 Taney Avenue) — about long-awaited plans to fix up the city’s fairly underwhelming John Ewald Park.


Sponsored

Many people who look into estate planning ask, “What is the difference between wills and trusts?” While both wills and trusts deal with estate planning, they serve different purposes. In this post, the legal team of PJI Law, PLC, estate planning lawyers from Fairfax, VA, outline the key principles of wills, trusts, and their role in asset protection.

Wills and Trusts in a Nutshell

Here are the basic features of wills and trusts:

A Will

  • Only comes into effect once the will maker is deceased
  • States who will receive the decedent’s assets
  • Appoints an executor to carry out the decedent’s wishes
  • Is potentially contestable and must go through probate, a legal examination by the court

A Trust

  • Can take effect immediately after its creation
  • Allows a person or an institution (a “trustee”) to hold assets for beneficiaries
  • Can distribute property before or after the trustor’s passing
  • Can be irrevocable or revocable/changeable
  • Assets in trust generally avoid probate

While we recommend that everyone have at least a will (whether or not you also have a trust), trusts aren’t strictly necessary for all individuals. Trusts are particularly helpful for individuals who have assets that are potentially going through probate, own property across several states, or have minor children.

Wills: the Basics of Estate Planning

A will, also known as a last will and testament, is a legal document specifying how the will maker wishes to handle asset distribution and other affairs after their death. A will typically includes all of the principal’s assets, such as real estate, vehicles, and other property, and usually a list of debts. A will may also provide directions for a funeral or memorial service.

Usually, every will must go through a probate court before execution. In some states, it may be possible to avoid probate under specific conditions. Certain assets, such as insurance policies and retirement accounts, may, if planned properly, pass directly to named beneficiaries without probate. (more…)


News

For anyone looking for last-minute Christmas gifts: Del Ray Artisans’ 29th Annual Holiday Market is coming to a close this weekend.

The market, which also ran for the last two weekends, is held at their 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue headquarters from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday.


News

TD Bank is moving to a new King Street location in Old Town by 2025.

On Saturday, City Council unanimously approved a special use permit allowing the bank to operate with 37 feet of street frontage at 515 King Street. The decision was previously backed 5-2 by the Planning Commission, which went against a staff recommendation to deny the project.


Event

Come celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s War for Independence with renowned music historians David & Ginger Hildebrand for performances of special period music. The Hildebrands will don period attire to discuss and perform music associated with Alexandria’s sister cities: Caen, France; Dundee, Scotland; Helsingborg, Sweden; and Gyumri, Armenia. Scottish music was especially influential in the American colonies, and once the French joined the Revolutionary cause there were musical celebrations for Generals LaFayette, Rochambeau and other French leaders. This concert event is part of the “Alexandria commemorates America’s 250” campaign. David & Ginger specialize in researching, recording, and performing early American music. Since 1980 they have presented concerts and educational programs throughout the country and abroad at museums, historic sites, schools and universities. Mount Vernon, The National Gallery of Art, The National Archives, and Colonial Williamsburg are among their many past sponsors.

Tickets are $20.


News

After being empty for more than 20 years, a major development for the Victory Center property at 5001 Eisenhower Avenue just got approved.

On Saturday, and without discussion, City Council approved sweeping plans for the first phase in the redevelopment of the 10-acre site. The plan calls for the conversion of the 11-story Victory Center building from office to residential.


News

Good Monday morning, Alexandria!

🌧️ Today’s weather: Rain is possible before 1pm, followed by a slight chance of showers after 4pm, accompanied by patchy fog before 10am. Expect a cloudy day with a high near 51 and calm winds turning south at 6 mph in the afternoon. The likelihood of precipitation is 40%. For Monday night, rain is likely with a low around 48, south winds between 7-13 mph, gusts up to 18 mph, and a precipitation chance of 60%. New precipitation amounts may range from a tenth to a quarter of an inch.


News

One person is dead after a fire at a homeless encampment near Holmes Run Park in Alexandria’s West End.

The Alexandria Fire Department discovered the fire under an overpass in the 4600 block of Duke Street, near the entrance to Holmes Run Park and the Shoppes at Foxchase. The Friday night fire was reported at around 10:45 p.m. by a resident in a nearby apartment building, according to AFD dispatches.