With spring and summer on the horizon, tourism-troubled Alexandria has gone full steam ahead with public events.
City Council, on Tuesday, unanimously approved a waiver to the Special Event Policy to allow for programs and events on consecutive weekends in Old Town.
The Alexandria Wedding Showcase is back to being an in-person event.
This year’s event will be held at The Alexandrian (480 King Street) in Old Town and feature a VIP champagne brunch with Alexandria resident Monte Durham, host of TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta”and owner of Salon Monte.
For 50 years, crossing guard Cora Reed has helped students get safety to Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy (LCTA). Later this week, Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) is hosting a ceremony to honor her work.
ACPS said the meeting will include presenting Reed with a certificate from a statewide program.
(Updated 11:50 p.m.) Alexandria will honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in a virtual program on Friday, Jan. 14. It’s the 49th annual celebration commemorating the civil rights leader, and speakers will include U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, Mayor Justin Wilson and retired City Councilwoman Del Pepper.
Monday is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day — a national holiday all across the country — and Alexandria has recognized the fallen civil rights leader every year since 1973.
The Campagna Center is hosting the 50th annual Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend with the iconic parade scheduled for Saturday, Dec.4.
The parade is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. and will be marshaled by Sen. Mark Warner. The event is planned to start at St. Asaph and Queen Streets and end outside City Hall.
Arlandria music venue The Birchmere has a jam-packed schedule for the holiday season, with a few notable big names and old favorites returning.
Coming up later this week is musician Chris Isaak, best known for his 1989 single Wicked Game.
After COVID shut it down last year, the annual Alexandria Turkey Trot is gobbling up parts of Del Ray later this week.
The Turkey Trot is scheduled for Thanksgiving Morning (Thursday, Nov. 25) at 9 a.m. The event is put together by DC Road Runners and the Del Ray Business Association. The five-mile run/walk is scheduled to take trotters through Del Ray, starting and ending at George Washington Middle school. Dogs and strollers are allowed and will have their own starting area separate from the runners.
Forget a cookie or a sticker: donors at a blood drive next week in Old Town can get a $10 Starbucks gift card for giving blood to Inova Blood Donor Services.
The blood drive is scheduled for 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 24, outside City Hall (301 King Street). Those interesting in donating can book an appointment online. Inova also has an eligibility checklist available online.
Bondsman in Karla Dominguez case charged — “The bail bondsman in the Karla Dominguez murder case has been charged with criminal contempt of court and faces trial in January in the Alexandria Circuit Court.” [Alexandria Times]
Yard waste collection shifts to today — “Yard Waste collection… will be collected Friday, October 8. Please accept our apologies for any inconveniences caused by this temporary suspension.” [Alexandria T&ES]
Alexandria Symphony to provide live soundtrack for six short films — ” The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra (ASO) and the Alexandria Film Festival (AFF) are teaming to bring a special, immersive experience to audiences. On Saturday, Nov. 6, ASO will perform at Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center as six original films play onscreen.” [Zebra]
Local documentary explores ‘The Pits’ before it was Kingstowne — “For me, the gravel pits behind Hayfield Secondary School was the local fishing hole – at age 10, in 1972, I’d grab something out of my mom’s refrigerator to use as bait, and head on up there on foot or on bicycle and fish for hours. Usually, I’d catch a bunch of bluegill fish, maybe hook a snapping turtle or two, and head home. If I was lucky, I had some change in my pocket or find a few returnable bottles, and I’d stop at 7-11 for a Slurpee.” [Zebra]
If you’re looking to stay busy for a good cause, there are dozens of available volunteer opportunities in Alexandria.
Here’s Volunteer Alexandria’s list of new and upcoming opportunities.
