children | ALXnow

Morning Notes

Published May 18, 2020 at 9:00AM

Group to Sue City for Pollution Near Recycling Center — “After a 7 On Your Side Investigation aired about the amount of Styrofoam piling up along the banks of the Potomac River in Alexandria, Virginia, organizers with Advocates for Clean & Clear Waterways, a new non-profit, has informed the City it plans on suing.” [WJLA]

DASH Bus Requiring All Riders to Wear Face Masks — “Based on guidance from the Alexandria Health Department, the Alexandria Transit Company (DASH) will require all passengers to wear face coverings while using DASH buses beginning Monday, May 18, 2020. The measure will help protect DASH employees and passengers from contracting the COVID-19 virus and is consistent with the actions of the agency’s regional transit partners, including WMATA, Frederick Transit, Montgomery County and Prince George’s County Transit. This precaution will remain in effect until further notice.” [DASH]

News

Alexandria Little League Raises $15.5K for ALIVE! and Feed The Fight Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published May 12, 2020 at 4:30PM

Even though Alexandria Little Leaguers won’t be knocking the covers off baseballs this season, their organization has raised $15,850 so that local nonprofits can provide emergency food assistance in the city.

Alexandria Little League raised the money in a GoFundMe campaign, and funds were divided between ALIVE! and Feed The Fight Alexandria, which gives food to local hospitals. The organization also received some help from a local church.

News

ACPS Opens Two Food Distribution Pop-Ups, Asks for Shutdown Feedback

By James Cullum

Published May 6, 2020 at 10:30AM

Alexandria City Public Schools has added two more mobile pop-up breakfast and lunch distribution locations for “grab and go” meals for children over the age of two.

The new locations are The Fields of Alexandria at 4309 Duke Street and Bennington Crossing Apartment Homes at 441 North Armistead Street.

News

Local Indoor Play Facility Pivots to Online Story Time During Pandemic

By Vernon Miles

Published May 4, 2020 at 4:40PM

Local indoor play facility Scramble may be closed, but the facility is offering story time every Tuesday and Thursday to help families quarantined as home get through the pandemic together.

The books are live-read at 11 a.m. and include small craft activities that participants can do at home.

News

Alexandria Little League GoFundMe Raises $5,800 to Feed Hungry Alexandrians

By James Cullum

Published May 1, 2020 at 5:15PM

An Alexandria Little League home run. (Photo via Alexandria Little League/Facebook)

Their season might be over, but Alexandria Little Leaguers and their supporters still have something to cheer about during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The nonprofit has raised $5,795 in a GoFundMe campaign to provide food for ALIVE! and Feed The Fight Alexandria, which gives food to local hospitals.

News

Bellies & Babies Owner Reinvents Herself, Stays Upbeat During Pandemic

By James Cullum

Published April 29, 2020 at 5:40PM | Updated April 29, 2020 at 5:56PM

Lee Raynes, owner of the Bellies & Babies consignment shop on Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Lee Raynes says she’s got this one. There’s no dampening of her spirits, because the new owner of Bellies & Babies is on a spiritual journey and the pandemic is just a bus stop.

Raynes bought the Del Ray consignment shop from owner Dawn Luepke last fall and took over at the beginning of the year. She had two months of a mild winter’s worth of business before COVID-19 effectively shut down foot traffic along Mount Vernon Avenue and limited the number of customers she could let into the shop.

News

Online Activities for Adults and Kids in Alexandria This Week

By Vernon Miles

Published April 28, 2020 at 3:15PM

Social distancing got you feeling a little stir crazy? A few Alexandria businesses are hosting quarantine-friendly online activities to help keep you connected to your neighbors and favorite local establishments.

Hops N Shine, a Del Ray bar with an ongoing fundraiser for laid-off employees, is hosting a virtual beer tasting on Thursday (April 30). The tasting, hosted by Hops N Shine on Facebook live, will feature the Ashburn-based Old Ox Brewing Company and four beers — the Festival, Hoppy Place, and two more yet to be named.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published April 28, 2020 at 9:00AM

Teacher Runs 20 Miles to See Students — “My daughter really misses school and interacting with her friends and teachers, so when Ms. Shannon surprised her Ellie was overwhelmed with excitement. She couldn’t believe that it was actually Ms. Shannon in person.” [Zebra]

T.C. Williams Class of 2020 Making Documentary — “The class of 2020 is making Titan history. Across the city of Alexandria, Titan seniors will be recording their stories all on the same day, May 1. Here’s how it will work: On May 1, anytime between 12:00AM-11:59PM, seniors will answer these questions in 3 short videos of up to 60 seconds each: What do you love? What do you fear? What do you hope for?” [ACPS]

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published April 17, 2020 at 9:00AM

View of the U.S. Capitol from Rivergate City Park along the Potomac River in Alexandria. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Victory Center Property Sold to Townhouse Developer — “Winchester Homes plans to build 138 townhouses ranging from 1,700 SF to 2,600 SF on the site. Winchester has built over 20,000 residential units across the Mid-Atlantic, including six communities that have opened in the last year. The deal comes after the Alexandria City Council in May approved a rezoning of the site’s 7-acre eastern parking lot that allows for a mix of uses. Two weeks later, Stonebridge acquired the property from PGIM Real Estate for $43M.” [Bisnow]

Alexandria Woman Arrested for Breaking Quarantine in Hawaii — “Kauai police arrested 31-year-old Desiree Marvin of Alexandria and 36-year-old Hawaii resident Adam Schwarze after they ignored orders to immediately self-quarantine.” [Alex Times]

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published April 9, 2020 at 9:00AM | Updated April 9, 2020 at 10:18AM

Southern Towers Residents Prepared to Strike Over Rent — “Their goal is 1,000 signatures from the 2,300 total units. They want management to cancel rent until one month after the pandemic ends, address safety and cleaning concerns, and create a sliding scale for future rent payments based on income.” [WAMU]

Less Than Half of Alexandrians Will Get Full Stimulus Checks — “SmartAsset estimates that full stimulus check would go to just 49.57% of households in the City of Alexandria, and 65.92% would get some level of stimulus check. The full check of $1,200 would be sent to individuals with an adjusted gross income (AGI) of up to $75,000 and a reduced benefit would be sent to individuals earning up to $99,000, at which point it phases out completely.” [Alexandria Living]

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published April 3, 2020 at 9:00AM

Police Shooter Bashir Takes Insanity Defense for Alleged Stalking/Arson — “[Kashif] Bashir is charged with felony counts of arson, attempted arson, and making a false statement on a consent form to purchase a firearm, as well as nine counts of misdemeanor stalking, unauthorized use of an electronic tracking device, and possession of a firearm by a person acquitted by reason of insanity.” [WTOP]

Residents Cope With Cabin Fever — “Next week puts a little more pressure on me, because when my kids don’t have structure, then they do a lot of fighting.” [Alex Times]