World War II was at its peak when Charles Barrett Elementary School first opened 80 years ago. In recognition of the anniversary, on Wednesday students and school officials gathered in front of the school, planted a baby oak tree and sang the school song.
The tree was donated by the North Ridge Citizens’ Association.
“There are so many people who have made our school community the awesome place for learning that is today,” said Principal Loren Brady, who has been at the school for four years. “Charles Barrett has the deep roots in the community that has helped to support us with useful energy.”
The school was built to accommodate the children living in the ParkFairfax development, which was built to relieve a wartime housing shortage, according to Alexandria City Public Schools. It opened with four teachers and 40 students.
“The school opened on Oct. 25, 1943, with desks and chairs borrowed from other schools,” according to ACPS. “Three weeks after classes began the Alexandria School Board voted unanimously to name the school after Major General Charles Dodson Barrett of the United States Marine Corps, an Alexandrian who was killed in the South Pacific on Oct. 8, 1943.”
The school expanded over the decades and now has 544 students.
“I’m so excited for you in your school community on this big moment,” School Board Member Ashley Simpson Baird said at the tree planting. “I know that Charles Barrett will be here for many, many more years to come and we look forward to all the great work you continue to do.”
Brady said that the school will celebrate the anniversary all year, and that school history is included in this year’s curriculum.
Old Town was packed on Monday, as thousands of revelers and marchers celebrated the George Washington Birthday Parade.
More than 2,000 freemasons from all over the country marched in the 100th annual parade, which is the largest annual celebration of Washington in the world.
This year’s event saw a rare route change for the parade, which is traditionally held east of Washington Street near City Hall in the Old Town Historic District. This year, the parade made its way from Old Town North to King Street and near the George Washington Masonic National Memorial at King Street and Commonwealth Avenue.
This event commemorated the construction of the Memorial in 1923, which saw then-President Calvin Coolidge, Chief Justice William Howard Taft and Virginia Governor E. L.Trinkle lay the cornerstone.
Alexandria’s next parade is the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Old Town on Saturday, March 4.
ACPS opens contest for students to design new logo for renamed T.C. Williams High School — “T.C. Williams was named after Thomas Chambliss Williams, ACPS superintendent of from the mid-1930s until 1963. Williams was a known segregationist who argued that Black and white students learned differently and should remain in separate schools.” [WJLA]
The Old Town Shop Celebrates Four Years — “Over the past four years, the store has introduced a variety of Virginia goods, including the world-famous Hubs peanuts. More locally, the shop features a variety of local, curated artisan items that are normally offered only at the Alexandria Farmers’ Market. Featured vendors include Truly Life (bath and body items), Capital Candles (soy candles), Watermelan Designs (jewelry), Together We Bake (granola and trail mix) and Napier Farms (jams & jellies).” [Alexandria Living]
Metropolitan School of the Arts to give virtual performances of ‘The Sleeping Beauty’ — “ALEXANDRIA, VA-Tchaikovsky composed “The Sleeping Beauty” from 1888 to 1889. It is the longest of his three ballet scores. Based on the Charles Perrault fairy tale, Disney adapted the work for an animated movie released in 1959. The Metropolitan School of the Arts (MSA) in Alexandria will showcase their own adaptation from 12 a.m. on May 8 to 12 p.m. on May 9.” [Zebra]
Today’s weather — “Partly cloudy skies (during the day). Slight chance of a rain shower. High around 65F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph… A mostly clear sky (in the evening). Low 43F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.” [Weather.com]
New job: Group fitness boxing instructor — “An Inner Champion lives inside us all at every fitness and skill level. It’s just waiting to be released. Mayweather Boxing + Fitness – Old Town West in Alexandria, VA will offer an authentic experience for those who want to learn from Floyd Mayweather’s techniques and training regimens, while getting in the best shape of their lives in a high-intensity group fitness setting.” [Indeed]
Officer Celebrates 25 Years with Police Department — “A special time for one of our officers. Officer Bennie Evans officially received his commemorative clock representing 25+ years of service with the Alexandria Police Department. We thank you for all you do.” [Twitter]
Beloved Bishop Ireton Faculty Member Dies — “It is with sadness but also with great faith in our Lord that we share that Brother Rick Wilson, a beloved faculty member at Bishop Ireton for more than three decades, passed away last night on March 3, 2021. He is now at peace with our Lord and has most assuredly opened a Word Write Shop for all the writers in paradise. He loved Bishop Ireton. In his last conversation with Head of School Kathleen McNutt, he reiterated his great love of teaching, his love for Bishop Ireton High School, and his desire to do God’s will. He shared with passion, ‘God put me on this Earth to teach. Bishop Ireton is my home.’ Let us pray for the repose of Brother Rick’s soul; for his family who mourns his loss; and for his beloved Bishop Ireton family who will always remember him. May choirs of angels receive him into everlasting life.” [Facebook]
Sheriff’s Office Warns Against Scam — “ALERT! Scammers are at it again! If you get a phone call from someone saying they are with the Sheriff’s Office and that you have to pay money, HANG UP! Real law enforcement agencies in Virginia will never call you and demand money or credit card info” [Twitter]
Alexandria Libraries Open March 15 — ” Each branch will have limited hours under the third phase of the Library reopening plan. A number of safety measures will be in place to guard against the spread of COVID-19.” [Zebra]
Today’s Weather — “Sunny (during the day). High around 70F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph… Partly cloudy (in the evening). Low 51F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.” [Weather.com]
New Job: Assistant Director of Fleet Maintenance — “DASH is looking for an Assistant Director of Fleet Maintenance and Facilities to join our Maintenance team! We strongly encourage anyone interested to apply: bit.ly/3kZOtQe.” [Twitter]
New Job: Fitness Instructor — “New Coaches Start with Guaranteed Hours. Free Protein Bars, Energy Drinks, and Coffee. Free Open Gym and Fitness Classes. Flexible hours (work as many hours as you like)” [Indeed]
Beyer Praises U.S. Rejoining Paris Climate Agreement — “Excellent news. At last!” [Twitter]
Alexandria library Launches Mobile App — “Library access is now available everywhere you go. Alexandria Library today launched its new mobile app, making their whole catalog and more available on your smartphone.” [Zebra]
Windsor of Old Town Celebrates 40 years in Business — “When Donna Windsor opened her shop on Valentine’s Day in 1981, she couldn’t have known that by the time 2021 rolled around she’d be celebrating 40 years operating Windsor of Old Town, outlasting scores of nearby businesses that opened and closed in the process.” [Zebra]
Fire Chief Participates in EMS Training — “Fire/EMS Chief @SmedleyCorey goes through an EMS scenario in our simulation lab with Firefighter Fiera Givens and Medic Beth Honaker during advanced life support training earlier today.” [Twitter]
City Offering Free Webinars on Medicare — “DCHS is offering a series of free virtual workshops about Medicare for residents who are new to the health care coverage or a caregiver for a Medicare beneficiary. Next workshop: Original Medicare, March 2, 10-11 am. Register at alexandriava.gov/Aging.” [Twitter]
Today’s Weather — “Rain and snow in the morning changing to rain late. Some mixed winter precipitation possible. High 41F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Snow accumulations less than one inch… A few clouds (in the evening). Low 33F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.” [Weather.com]
New Job: School Portrait Photographer — “The oldest school picture company in America is seeking photographers in the Fairfax County and surrounding Regions for the upcoming 2021 Spring school photography season.” [Indeed]
Carlyle barbecue joint Sweet Fire Donna’s is celebrating its six-year anniversary with a ’60s throwback party.
The party is scheduled tomorrow (Saturday) from 6 p.m.-midnight at Sweet Fire Donna’s (510 John Carlyle Street).
“We’re turning back time to celebrate our 6th year anniversary!” the restaurant said on an event post. “Pull out your swankiest sixties garb and get ready to groove. We’ll also be featuring a Tap Takeover with Two Roads Brewery!
Sweet Fire Donna’s is a barbecue restaurant that offers a selection of BBQ meat along with classic southern sides like cornbread and key lime pie.
The posting also noted that prizes will be awarded for the best ’60s costumes.
Photo via Sweet Fire Donna’s/Facebook
It may not be as “old” as the medieval tavern that preceded it, but Village Brauhaus is celebrating one year in business this Saturday (Feb. 22).
The German beer hall will celebrate with food and beer specials all day long, according to the event post on Facebook. A keg of Austrian ale will also be tapped into during the festivities.
“Polkastar” Johnny Koenig is also scheduled to perform with his band from 3-7 p.m.
The restaurant opened early last year and features a variety of Austrian and German dishes. It’s located at 710 King Street in Old Town.
Photo via Village Brauhaus/Facebook
The Beatley Central Library is turning 20 this weekend and is celebrating with a birthday party.
The Beatley Birthday Party is planned for Saturday, from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library (5005 Duke Street). The party is listed as “all ages” but most activities are aimed at children.
The event will start with opening remarks at 10:30, according to the library website, followed by activities like a “birthday card project,” a panel about the historic Alexandria library sit-in, and glitter tattoos. Food trucks will be on hand from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
A Washington Post article from 1999 called the library an “unlikely architectural wonder” designed by influential architect Michael Graves. The library is named after Charles E. Beatley Jr. who served a mayor from 1967-1976 and from 1979-1985.
Happy birthday Beatley Library! #library #beatley #happybirthday #pizza #dc #slices #birthday #party pic.twitter.com/sCfe1IhGKQ
— DC Slices (@dcslices) January 31, 2020
Staff photo by Jay Westcott
In just one year, local bar Hops N Shine has become a staple in Arlandria/Del Ray area and this weekend, the business is scheduled to host a celebration of that success.
The bar and beer garden sits at 3410 Mount Vernon Avenue at the intersection of Mount Vernon Avenue and E. Glebe Road. It is frequently packed, particularly on the weekly Wednesday night trivia events (where, full disclosure, at least one ALXnow reporter is a regular).
The celebration is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1, with a special menu combining some past favorites and debuting new items according to a Facebook post. The event is scheduled to include complimentary hors d’oeuvres from 8-9 p.m., free gifts for the first 50 attendees, live music at 8:30, and a moonshine ice luge.
Hops N Shine has a selection of 52 draft lines and claims to have the widest beer and whiskey selection in Alexandria. It also has an extensive selection of moonshine and moonshine cocktails.
The event will be dog and kid-friendly as well, the post said. Free tickets for the event are available online.
Photo via Hops N Shine/Facebook
MOMs Shopping Center Set for Redevelopment — A “D.C. developer filed preliminary plans with Alexandria earlier this month for the project, looking to completely overhaul a Mount Vernon Avenue shopping center near Four Mile Run Park, now called Del Ray North. It’s currently home to a MOM’s Organic Market, but has seen a variety of retail vacancies recently.” [Washington Business Journal]
Port City Planning 9th Anniversary Celebration — “Time to celebrate 9 awesome years of brewing with the only way we know how: a COLOSSAL release! For our ninth anniversary we are introducing COLOSSAL IX a Weizenbock to the COLOSSAL lineup.” [Port City Brewing]
Sephora Now Open in Old Town — “Cosmetics store Sephora is opening a store in Old Town Alexandria on Friday, Jan. 24. The store is located at 810 King Street, the former site of home furniture store Random Harvest. That store moved to 814 King Street.” [Patch]
Possible N. Va. Coronavirus Case — “The Virginia Department of Health says it is investigating three people, including one in northern Virginia, who ‘meet both clinical and epidemiologic criteria’ for coronavirus.” [Fox 5, Virginia Dept. of Health]
