Del Ray | ALXnow

Jazz Musician Jack Kilby Feels Fine, and He’s Really Busy

Published April 8, 2020 at 5:15PM

Del Ray's Jack Kilby in his home studio, Crab Shack Music. (Photo via Jack Kilby/Facebook)

These days, Del Ray jazz musician Jack Kilby is so busy in his home studio that he can hardly leave the house, which is convenient during a pandemic.

The 30-year-old award-winning bandleader, musician and arranger is working on three sound projects for clients at his Crab Shack Music studio and teaching music students privately and for Rock of Ages Music. Kilby, who was raised in Alexandria and graduated at T.C. Williams High School before attending the University of Virginia, plays piano, drums and trumpet.

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published April 8, 2020 at 9:00AM

Running along the Alexandria waterfront with the Tall Ship Providence in the background (staff photo by James Cullum)

Asthmatic Champion Sprinter Noah Lyles Cautious Amid Pandemic — “Professional athletes can seem superhuman, but some like US sprinter @LylesNoah are having to take extra precautions to protect themselves during the Covid-19 crisis.” [Twitter]

The Majestic Menu Available Only For Easter Sunday — “We’re so hoppy to be back 🐰 The Majestic is back for one day only and offering a chef curated, prix fixe Easter menu for four. To pre-order, call us today at 703.997.5300. All Easter meals must be picked up at Mia’s Italian Kitchen located just .5 miles from The Majestic.” [Facebook]

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These Alexandria Music Schools are Offering Online Courses

By James Cullum

Published April 7, 2020 at 5:15PM

A studio at Rock of Ages Music in Del Ray. (Photo via ROAM/Facebook)

Alexandria’s music schools have adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic and are offering their classes online.

“Going online seem to be working out pretty well,” Rock of Ages Music owner John Patrick told ALXnow. “Generally speaking, it seems as if people are happy to at least have something for their kids to do that’s fun and educational.”

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These Alexandria Eateries are Also Selling Groceries

By James Cullum

Published April 7, 2020 at 4:30PM

There are a few Alexandria restaurants and cafes currently selling groceries as a way to boost sales and minimize outdoor trips.

Here is a list of establishments that are also providing groceries at this time:

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Business Booming at Let’s Meat on the Avenue in Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published April 6, 2020 at 3:15PM | Updated April 7, 2020 at 3:15AM

Amber the butcher weighs bacon at Let's Meat on the Avenue. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

A majority of Alexandria businesses are feeling the pain from COVID-19, but Del Ray’s butcher shop Let’s Meat on the Avenue is limiting the number of items customers can buy.

“It’s just a different animal now, because people are buying in mass quantities because they’re eating at home for their three meals a day,” shop owner Donna Welch told ALXnow. “Now customers can only get two dozen eggs at a time, you can only get two pounds of ground beef at a time, because people were coming in and buying 10 pounds of ground beef and dozens and dozens of eggs.”

Alexandria’s Clay Queen is Paying Rent Just by Selling Her Pots on Facebook

By James Cullum

Published April 3, 2020 at 3:15PM | Updated April 4, 2020 at 12:04AM

Del Ray’s pottery queen Renee Altman has nearly sold enough of her work to pay next month’s rent.

“Support your local potter and buy your Christmas presents now,” Altman told ALXnow. “Everybody’s worried about the restaurants and there’s other small businesses that also need support, like that yarn shop fibre space, and kiskadee and Silver Parrot and all kinds of places.”

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Del Ray Bicycle Co-Op Closes but Business is Booming for Bike Shop in Old Town

By Vernon Miles

Published April 3, 2020 at 2:00PM

Coronavirus is shutting down one Alexandria workshop, but the bike business is booming across town at a local store.

Velocity Bike Co-op (2111 Mount Vernon Avenue) in Del Ray announced yesterday that, after a period of trying to make do with reduced hours, the non-profit, volunteer organization would be temporarily closed

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]

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published April 2, 2020 at 9:00AM

Landmark Mall Redevelopment Uncertain — “An official from Howard Hughes Corp., a Texas-based company that owns the 51-acre property and has been working on redevelopment plans for several years, said in response to email inquiries from Alexandria Living Magazine: “Sorry, no update for now, but we’ll let you know when we have a good update.” [Alexandria Living]

Volunteer Alexandria Needs Volunteers — “For those who are eligible to volunteer, we encourage to take measures and bring their own sanitizer, wipes, and keep distance from other people.” [Volunteer Alexandria]

News

Local Doctors Struggle with Helplessness and Supply Shortages

By Vernon Miles

Published March 31, 2020 at 3:15PM

There’s nothing more frustrating than knowing you could be helping and being unable to. It’s a plight doctors like Del Ray’s Matthew Haden are experiencing with the coronavirus pandemic.

“It’s been extremely frustrating,” Haden said. “We feel sidelined. We’re trained to help for something like this, but we can’t. It’s extremely frustrating to know we can only help virtually, which often means not being able to help those in need.”

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published March 30, 2020 at 9:00AM

ALIVE! Hands Out 20,000 Meals — “More than 500 cars lined up until supplies ran out. Volunteers say they’ll be back at it again, in the same place and time- next week.” [WUSA9]

Fire Department Saves Dog — “With help from Alexandria Animal Control, some of our first responders rescued a Border Collie from a vault in a pond on Seminary Rd. today after the dog decided to have a little fun with some geese. The pup sustained minor injuries & was transported to a vet by the owner.” [Facebook]