News

Alexandria’s brand-new, year-round indoor pool in the new Minnie Howard Campus (2795 West Braddock Road) is now open to the public.

The new facility features a 25-meter competition pool, diving boards, a training pool and more.


News

Good Thursday morning, Alexandria!

⛈️ Today’s weather: Expect showers and potential thunderstorms after 2pm, mostly sunny skies, and highs near 90°F with a 6-10 mph east wind. A 60% chance of precipitation brings about a tenth to a quarter-inch of rainfall, with higher amounts in thunderstorms. Thursday night has showers and possible thunderstorms until 2am, followed by scattered showers and thunderstorms until 5am and scattered showers afterward. The night will be cloudy with lows around 70°F, an east wind at 8 mph, and a 60% chance of precipitation, with a quarter to half-inch of new rainfall possible.


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

On the eve of an annual report on the city’s economy from the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, ALXnow sat down with AEDP CEO Stephanie Landrum to discuss the future of development in three areas of the city: Carlyle, Potomac Yard and Old Town North, and the Landmark-Van Dorn corridor. These will be broken up into a multi-part series covering each location.

Potomac Yard and Old Town North are two of the major hubs of upcoming development in Alexandria, but some of the city’s ambitious plans for the neighborhoods have both hit stumbling blocks in recent years.


News

Alexandria Democratic leaders met today on a Zoom call to discuss proposals from Vice President Kamala Harris to address the housing crisis.

A lack of housing, particularly affordable housing, has been a major talking point in Alexandria for years. Last year, the City Council approved a suite of new zoning changes aimed at creating new housing, though those changes are still in a lengthy court battle.


News

Dozens of volunteers stuffed 500 backpacks with food for local Latino youths at the Coca-Cola Consolidated facility (5401 Seminary Road) in Alexandria’s West End this morning.

Volunteers from Coke and Giant Food filled the bags with drinks, Rice Krispies Treats, Ritz crackers, apple sauce, cereal and more.


News

ALIVE!, an Alexandria nonprofit dedicated to providing housing, is bringing back its annual walkathon this fall to raise funding for neighbors in need.

The walkathon is scheduled to return on Sunday, Oct. 20. The walkathon is an optional 5k or five-mile walk through Alexandria starting at First Christian Church (2723 King Street). The walk is followed by snacks, live music and a raffle.


News

Two developments that could further transform Alexandria’s Mark Center area will be unveiled next month.

The Beauregard Design Advisory Committee will get a first glimpse on Sept. 9 of the multi-use developments at 1900 N. Beauregard Street and 4880 Mark Center Drive. The meeting will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. at Patrick Henry Recreation Center (4653 Taney Avenue).


News

Good Wednesday morning, Alexandria!

☀️ Today’s weather: Expect a sunny and hot day with temperatures reaching close to 100 degrees and heat index values as high as 104, accompanied by a west wind blowing at 6 to 9 mph. As for tonight, there’s a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms, primarily before 2am, followed by partly cloudy skies and temperatures dropping to around 74 degrees. The west wind continues at about 7mph and shifts to a northerly direction after midnight.


News

On the eve of an annual report on the city’s economy from the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, ALXnow sat down with AEDP CEO Stephanie Landrum to discuss the future of development in three areas of the city: Carlyle, the Landmark-Van Dorn Corridor, and Potomac Yard. These will be broken up into a multi-part series covering each location.

The Carlyle neighborhood is in a tough spot.