(Updated 10:30 a.m.) Your Christmas tree was beautiful, but it’s 2020 and it’s time for the tree to go.
Starting today (Thursday), Christmas trees placed on residential streets will be collected by the city. Pick up will run until Friday, Jan. 17.
APD Celebrating 150th Anniversary — “Starting January 1, 2020, we begin celebrating the 150th Anniversary of APD. Officers have been authorized to wear the anniversary badge pictured below.” [City of Alexandria, Twitter]
Photographer’s Old Town Xmas Snap Goes Viral — “This picture of Old Town awash in holiday colors is fast becoming Alexandria’s most shared Christmas photo. It went viral almost immediately when amateur photographer Chris Bridner posted it to his Instagram page.” [Zebra]
Some Alexandria residents scheduled for a Thursday curbside recycling pickup had their bins collected today due to a post-holiday rush at the place where the recycling is dropped off.
“The City of Alexandria is experiencing temporary curbside recycling service delays due to heavy volumes and wait times at the recycling facility following the holidays,” the city said via email Thursday. “The delays may affect some customers who have curbside recycling collection scheduled for today.”
‘Legendary’ Local Merchant Family Retiring — “When members of the Dove family first started bringing their produce and flowers to Alexandria’s Market Square at 301 King Street, the clippity clop of their horses’ hooves provided the soundtrack on the trip to and fro… Saturday, December 21, 2019 was the end of the era. The Dove Family retired, selling their last boxwood tree and bits of seasonal holly at the Old Town Farmers Market on a sunny morning [after] nearly 200 years of entrepreneurship.” [Zebra]
Christmas Tree Safety Reminder from AFD — “Unattended Christmas trees can become a fire hazard if not watered regularly. @NFPA reports that each year, an average of 160 home fires start with Christmas trees. Show your tree a little love to prevent fires this holiday season.” [Twitter]
Parking at metered spaces will be free throughout the city on Christmas Day this week.
The police will not be enforcing parking restrictions at metered spaces, residential permit parking districts, and other areas with parking time limits on Wednesday (Dec. 25), according to the city’s website.
Water Skiing Santa to Return — “A little cold weather doesn’t stop one of Alexandria’s Christmas traditions: a waterskiing show on the waterfront. Santa and his helpers will return for the 34th year at 1 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 24.” [Patch]
Alexandria Sets Holiday Closures — “All City government offices, libraries and recreation centers will be closed Dec 24 and 25. Regular trash/recycling collection on Dec 24, but not on Dec 25. Collection normally scheduled for Dec 25-26 will be delayed by one day.” [City of Alexandria, Twitter]
Alexandria Among Most Festive Xmas Cities — Thanks in part of the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade and the annual boat parade, Alexandria has made Wall Street 24/7’s list of the Most Festive Christmas Cities in the U.S. [24/7 Wall Street]
City Warns of PCP Overdoses — “The City of Alexandria has responded to eight overdoses related to suspected phencyclidine (PCP) use in the past two months, one of which was fatal. City officials are concerned about the potency and deadly nature of the PCP being distributed and used in the region.” [City of Alexandria]
A sing-along celebration this weekend will feature a live band backing up you — the audience — as the chorus.
Alexandria’s 2019 Holiday Sing-Along, hosted by the Del Ray United Methodist Church at 100 Windsor Avenue, is a free holiday concert presented by the Alexandria Citizens Band.
On Wednesday, Dec. 18, Waters is scheduled to return to the Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Avenue) for an event titled “A John Waters Christmas: Filthier & Merrier 2019 Tour” with the tagline “It’ll Stuff Your Turkey.”
Tickers are $55 and the show is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m.
The waterfront will sparkle tomorrow (Saturday) as dozens of ships decked out in Christmas lights cruise along the shoreline.
This year is the 20th annual Holiday Boat Parade of Lights. Festivities are planned throughout the afternoon and early evening, from 2-8 p.m. Planned activities include a pop-up beer garden from Port City Brewing Company, a bookmark-making station from Old Town Books and holiday music from 97.1 WASH-FM.
Slaughterhouse Lawsuit Dismissed — “Alexandria Circuit Court Judge Lisa Kemler ruled on Nov. 27 to dismiss a lawsuit filed against city council’s decision to approve a live poultry butcher shop at 3225 Colvin St. The hearing was in response to a complaint filed by 10 plaintiffs… Kemler ruled to dismiss the case, concluding that the alleged harms were ‘too speculative.'” [Alexandria Times]
Photos With Santa and AFD — “Get your holiday pictures taken with Santa! @IAFFLocal2141 Helping Hands Fund will host its Photos with Santa event at Fire Station 201 (317 Prince St.) from 11am to 3pm Sunday, Dec. 8 and again on Sunday, Dec. 15. Photos are $10 & proceeds benefit the IAFF Local 2141 Toy Drive.” [Twitter/@AlexandriaVAFD]
