News

Eries Interiors, a new shop focusing on interior design and home decor, is opening today in Old Town.

The new shop is at 101 S. St Asaph Street just south of King Street, between Bluemercury and Madame Coco. The store is named after the Erie Canal near where co-founders Jessica Moak and Elena Rall grew up.


News

Good Friday morning, Alexandria!

🌥️ Today’s weather: Cloudy skies can be expected with temperatures reaching a high of 76 and south wind speeds of 3 to 6 mph. As we head into Friday night, isolated showers and thunderstorms are predicted before 11pm, followed by occasional showers between 11pm and 2am. The night will remain mostly cloudy, with low temperatures around 62, accompanied by light and variable winds. The overall chance of precipitation for the night is 20%.


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

A new head spa just opened on King Street in Old Town.

Meraki Head Spa soft launched last week at 320 King Street. Owner Kathleen Le has held onto the space since moving her beauty parlor Salon Meraki to 1101 Queen Street in 2021, and started renovating the 900 square-foot space in August. She added eight beds, seven staffers, ambient music and turned off the lights.


News

After lead exposure shut down Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School last week, the Alexandria Health Department (AHD) is offering walk-in blood lead level testing today (Thursday) and tomorrow (Friday).

According to Eve Elliott, communications officer for AHD, testing is being offered today from 1-6 p.m. and Friday from 1-6 p.m. The testing is free and available to all students, staff, faculty and volunteers. The Alexandria Health Department will not check class or faculty lists.


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

Here’s a roundup of all the events, live music, and entertainment happening around Alexandria this weekend, Friday, October 4, through Sunday, October 6, 2024.

Are you organizing an event? Submit events to ALXnow.


News

Francis Deonte Rose was sentenced today to 58 years in prison for the 2022 shooting deaths of two construction workers in the West End.

A jury found Rose guilty in May of killing Adrian Dejesus Rivera Guzman, 48, and his stepson, 24-year-old Juan Carlos Anaya Hernandez, on the morning of July 16, 2022 in the northern section of the former Assembly Alexandria apartment complex in the 200 block of Century Place.


News

A plan to substantially overhaul a portion of King Street near the Bradlee Shopping Center is headed to City Council review next week.

The preferred concept would turn the access road closest to the Bradlee Shopping Center into a one-way street with a lane dedicated to public transit. The plan would also add a two-way bike path on the southern side of the street.


News

Good Thursday morning, Alexandria!

🌥️ Today’s weather: Expect cloudy skies to gradually transition into mostly sunny conditions with a high near 75. A calm southerly wind will pick up to around 5 mph in the afternoon. As for Thursday night, partly cloudy weather will persist, accompanied by a low temperature around 62, and a light southeast wind.