Del Ray | ALXnow

Morning Notes

Published May 6, 2020 at 9:00AM

‘Le Refuge’ Restaurant Founder Passes Away — “Jean-Francois Chaufour was born in born in Tavers, France June 7, 1952. He and his wife, Francoise, both hailed from the Loive Valley area and came to the United States together in 1976 and started working as servers in the metropolitan area. After many years of hard work and saving, they pursued the American dream of opening their own establishment.” [Zebra]

Beyer Provides COVID-19 Updates — “I’ve compiled a series of summaries of financial assistance (direct payments, unemployment, paid leave, & more), plus housing, food, and small business resources.” [Twitter]

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published May 4, 2020 at 9:00AM

Mayor, Sheriff Hand Out Diplomas to High School Seniors — “Yesterday, we announced three more deaths [from covid-19]. We have 26 deaths in the city. Every day, it’s another shoe falling. But this, this is something so positive.” (Washington Post)

Alexandria Economic Development Partnership Creating Local Business Grant Program — “AEDP will pull $2 million out of its ‘Alexandria Investment Fund,’ local incentive cash for retaining and attracting businesses, and then pair that money with federal funding the city received through the CARES Act.” [Washington Business Journal]

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published May 1, 2020 at 9:00AM | Updated May 1, 2020 at 10:48AM

Tenants & Workers United Rent Protest Today at 4:30 p.m. — “Join our Caravan or take Action from home this Friday at 4:30PM. The caravan will be from 5pm and will go though Arlandria-Chirilagua to send the message to FREEZE RENTS in VIRGINIA. Don’t have a car?? You can take action from your window/balcony by: Wearing Red or swinging any red cloth; Make a sign with a message to the property managers to cancel rent; Make noise with your pots & pans! Take pictures or videos and use #CANCELRENTVA on social media.” [Facebook]

Inova Nurse Recruitment Team Gives Thanks With Photo Collage — “Our Inova Careers Nursing Recruitment team wanted to show support to our frontline workers who are making an incredible sacrifice to keep us all safe!” [Facebook]

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published April 30, 2020 at 9:00AM

T.C. Senior Wins $40K Scholarship — “What does it feel like to get a SURPRISE ZOOM CALL from U.S. Senator Mark Warner, Lisa Collis, and daughters Gillian, Eliza & Madison…telling you that you are the first recipient of the Collis Warner Family Scholarship worth $40,000? Just ask T.C. Williams High School Senior Foziya Mohammed! Mohammed received the call this afternoon…’I am shocked and excited! I was nervous I thought this was a call about some kind of problem with my scholarship application. I’m not nervous anymore! Thank you so much. I would tell all of the younger students at T.C. that hard work pays off!'” [Facebook]

Police Respond to Domestic Violence Service Call — “The Alexandria Police Department is investigating a weapon violation in the 1400 block of South Highview Lane. A helicopter is assisting and expect police activity in the area.” [Twitter]

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

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published April 29, 2020 at 9:00AM | Updated April 29, 2020 at 9:39AM

Tenants and Workers United Organizes Rent Protest in Arlandria Friday — “Join our Caravan. THIS FRIDAY at 4:30 P.M.” ️[Facebook]

Here’s an Updated List of Alexandria’s Nonprofit Needs — “This list is updated on a regular basis, so check back regularly to see the latest items needed to support our most vulnerable populations during this critical time. Thank you for caring for our community!” [Volunteer Alexandria]

News

Together We Bake Reopens Kitchen in Time for Mother’s Day

By James Cullum

Published April 28, 2020 at 2:00PM | Updated May 2, 2020 at 2:32AM

Together We Bake, the local nonprofit dedicated to providing comprehensive workforce training and personal development for women in need, just reopened its kitchen just in time for Mother’s Day.

“We figured that we could resume operations in our kitchen and maintain six feet of distance,” Together We Bake Co-Director Elizabeth Bennett-Parker told ALXnow. “The deadline for Mother’s Day orders is this Sunday.”

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

Supporting Del Ray Businesses Becomes a Game of Bingo

By Vernon Miles

Published April 27, 2020 at 2:00PM

The Del Ray Business Association has turned supporting local businesses during the coronavirus pandemic into a game.

A bi-weekly bingo series that started today (Monday) fills a 5×5 card with ways to support local businesses in Del Ray. The goal, according to the association, is to “wear a face mask, maintain social distance, and play for the chance to win $50 in Del Ray Dollars,” which are redeemable at some businesses in Del Ray.

News

Casa Chirilagua Gives Meals to More Than 1,000 Families, Needs Face Masks

By James Cullum

Published April 24, 2020 at 4:45PM | Updated May 1, 2020 at 3:59PM

Casa Chirilagua gave out more than 1,000 meals to families in Chirilagua on Thursday, and needs food, cash and face mask donations for Alexandria’s vulnerable Hispanic population.

Casa Chirilagua works with more than 120 families living below the poverty line, and so far nonprofit has also paid more than $25,000 in rent and utilities for families impacted by COVID-19.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published April 24, 2020 at 9:00AM | Updated April 24, 2020 at 9:29AM

The Four Mile Run Stream in Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Restaurant Partners Reopening Two More Locations in May — “Alexandria Restaurant Partners will reopen two of its restaurant concepts, Riverside Taco Company and Vola’s Dockside Grill, on May 5.” [Patch]

Del Ray Cafe Gets PPP Loan, Hiring Back Employees — “Our PPP loan came through and we’re bringing back our employees! Starting tomorrow, Friday, April 24th, we will be offering Brunch for carryout every day from 9am-2:30pm. Order from our modified Brunch menu on our website www.delraycafe.com.” [Facebook]