Alexandria’s history with slavery makes Juneteenth a particularly important holiday.

June 19 recognizes the emancipation of slaves in the United States, and the date is expected to soon be a federal holiday, even though Alexandria has recognized it since 2019.

But because June 19 falls on a Saturday this year, the City is also recognizing Friday, June 18, as a holiday.

“We should all be looking at ways that we can help our community, especially in the context of a pandemic which has particularly ravaged communities of color,” said Audrey David, executive director of the Alexandria City Black History Museum, in a recent blog post, “Start by exploring the Black History Museum’s Preserving Their Names online only exhibition, released to coincide with the one-year anniversary of George Floyd’s murder, which features images of objects and digital photographs from the new Black Lives Remembered Collection.”

The Alexandria Black History Museum is also presenting a virtual performance on Saturday with the Washington Revels Jubilee Voices.

The holiday means most, but not all, City employees will have Friday off. Parking restrictions will also be lifted at legal parking spaces throughout the city, however Alexandria City Public Schools will be open.

What’s open

City-run facilities and services that will be open include:

• The Torpedo Factory Art Center (105 N. Union St.) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday
• Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe St.) and the Chinquapin Park Recreation Center & Aquatics Facility (3210 King St.) will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All other City recreation centers and the Jerome “Buddie” Ford Nature Center (5750 Sanger Ave.) will be closed
• The Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum (201 S. Washington St.), Gadsby’s Tavern Museum (134 N. Royal St.), and the Alexandria Archaeology Museum (105 N. Union St., Suite 327) will all be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. All other City museums will be closed
• The Alexandria Transit Company DASH bus service will operate on its regular weekday schedule
• The Potomac Yard Park Interactive fountain
• The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (4101 Eisenhower Ave.) will be open June 18 and 19, by appointment only. To make an appointment, visit AlexandriaAnimals.org/Adopt-By-Appointment or call 703-746-4774.
• All emergency hotlines will be operational, including the Child Protective Services hotline at 703-746-5800; the domestic violence hotline at 703.746.4911; the emergency services for mental health or substance abuse crisis hotline at 703.746.3401; the adult protective services hotline at 1.888.832.3858 (1.888.83ADULT); and the sexual assault hotline at 703.683.7273.

Closures

The following City services are closed Friday:

• The Alexandria Health Department, including the Flora Krause Casey Health Center (1200 N. Howard St.) and the Teen Wellness Center at T.C. Williams High School
• Libraries
• The City’s impound lot
• The Alexandria Courthouse (520 King St.)

It’s Memorial Day weekend in Alexandria, and it’s also a short work week for ALXnow.

Yes, we’re taking a quick breather by taking off most of tomorrow (Friday, May 28).

Not to worry. We’re still covering tonight’s mayoral debate between Mayor Justin Wilson and former Mayor Allison Silberberg at 7 p.m. This will be the fourth and final candidate conversation hosted by the Seminary Ridge Civic Association, and our story will be published on Friday morning.

Our top post this week is about Hilco Redevelopment Partners, which is planning to host guided tours of the Potomac River Generating Station (PRGS) site in Old Town North. The tours will be held on June 4 and 5, and the property is being planned for a mixed-use development.

On a sad note, former Virginia Senator John Warner passed away this week at his home in Old Town. He was 94, and is being recognized around the country as a conservative icon from a bygone age of political cordiality. Also, on Sunday, former Alexandria Delegate Richard R.G. Hobson died.

And local businesses are adapting to this Friday’s easing of COVID restrictions throughout Virginia. In Alexandria, the Health Department is launching the new ALX Promise Gold accreditation program for businesses to complete in the days ahead.

Election stories

• City Council candidate Sarah Bagley wants to be a voice for Alexandria women
• City Council candidate Kirk McPike says he wants to bridge divisions with community conversations
• City Council candidates talk Seminary Road Diet, transparency and ward representation (Part 3)

Important stories

• Homegrown Restaurant Group gives employees raise to $15 an hour, will ease COVID restrictions at 6 restaurants
• Ownership of Landmark’s streets could make a big difference down the road
• Poll: Do you agree with adding a pool to the city’s high school expansion?
• Alexandria private school to temporarily move into Old Town church
• Alexandria makes a splash with aquatics reopening announcement
• New private academy in Old Town headed to Planning Commission
• Alexandria juveniles arrested for gun possession

Top stories

1. Developer offers tours of abandoned Alexandria power plant before demolition
2. Amazon Fresh supermarket planned for former Shopper’s Food Warehouse in Potomac Yard
3. Photos: More than half of the Potomac Yard Metro Station is complete
4. School Board says swimming pool colocation a form of ‘reparations’ for Alexandria
5. Go-go music star-turned Alexandria teacher ‘Sugar Bear’ in the spotlight after Oscars shoutout
6. Here’s a list of restaurants and other businesses for sale in Alexandria
7. Here’s a preview of what’s ahead for Alexandria’s post-pandemic economic development
8. Catholic Charities hopes to turn vacant Carlyle restaurant into workforce training kitchen
9. Here’s the order that City Council candidates will appear on the ballot for the June 8 democratic primary
10. Former Alexandria Delegate Richard R.G. Hobson dies
11. Alexandria Police investigating knife fight, prostitution and drugs at West End hotel

Have a safe weekend!

All Alexandria government offices will be closed on Memorial Day.

The holiday will also see free parking all around the city, a Sunday-like operating schedule for DASH buses and the opening of the Potomac Yard interactive fountain from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The festivities begin with the sold-out 43rd annual Alexandria Jazz Festival on Saturday, May 29.

The city and Visit Del Ray calendars do not, however, include the formerly annual Memorial Day Ceremony at Rocky Versace Plaza and Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial in Del Ray. The event was also canceled last year due to the pandemic.

Below is the city’s list of what’s open and closed on Monday, May 31.

Resource Recovery: Residential refuse and recycling will not be collected  May 31. Collection services will be delayed one day during the week to account for the Monday holiday. Visit Resource and Recovery for more information. The Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Collection Center (3224 Colvin St.) is now regularly open on Saturdays and Mondays; however, it is closed May 31.

Animal Shelter: The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria will be open May 31, by appointment only. To make an appointment, email [email protected]org or call 703.746.4774.

Health Department: The Alexandria Health Department (4480 King St.), the Flora Krause Casey Health Center (1200 N. Howard St.) and the Teen Wellness Center at T.C. Williams High School (3330 King St.) will be closed May 31.

Historic Alexandria: All City museums will be closed May 31. For more information, visit alexandriava.gov/Historic or call 703.746.4554.

Hotlines: All emergency hotlines operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including the child protective services hotline at 703.746.5800; the domestic violence hotline at 703.746.4911; the emergency services for mental health or substance abuse crisis hotline at 703.746.3401; the adult protective services hotline at 703.746.5778 and the sexual assault hotline at 703.683.7273. For immediate police, fire or emergency medical assistance, call or text 911.

Libraries: All Alexandria Library branches and the Alexandria Law Library (520 King St.) will be closed May 31. Visit Alexandria Library for more information.

Parking: On May 31, the Alexandria Police Department will suspend enforcement of parking restrictions for metered spaces, residential permit parking districts and other areas with posted parking time limits. This suspension of enforcement applies only to the restrictions at legal parking spaces and does not permit parking in any location normally prohibited, including no parking zones, loading zones or spaces for persons with disabilities. Temporary no-parking signs will be enforced May 31.

Impound Lot: The City’s Impound Facility (5249 Eisenhower Ave.) will be closed May 31.

Recreation, Nature and Arts Centers: On May 31, Charles Houston and Patrick Henry Recreation Centers, and Chinquapin Park Recreation Center & Aquatics Facility, will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All other City recreation, nature and art centers will be closed.

Outdoor Pools: All City pools will be open starting June 26.

Schools: All Alexandria City Public Schools and administrative offices will be closed May 31.

Courts: The Alexandria Circuit Court; the Clerk of Circuit Court; the Alexandria General District Court; the Alexandria Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court; and the Court Service Unit (located at 520 King St.) will be closed May 31. Visit alexandriava.gov/Courts for more information.

Department of Motor Vehicles: On May 31, all Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offices will be closed. All Virginia DMV locations in Northern Virginia (including 2681 Mill Road) remain closed to the public until further notice. Many DMV services are available online.

Transit: On May 31, regular DASH bus service will operate on a Sunday schedule. Service on the free King Street Trolley remains suspended until further notice. For more information, visit dashbus.com.

Presidents’ Day, or George Washington Day as it’s called in Alexandria, will come with some closures.

All city offices will be closed. Parking enforcement will be suspended that day for metered spaces and residential permit parking districts. Other closed facilities include:

• Trash and Recycling — will not be collected on Monday. Collection services will be delayed one day during the week. The Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Collection Drop-off Center at 3224 Colvin Street will be closed on Monday as well.
• Health Department — The main Health Department building, along with the Flora Krause Casey Health Center (1200 N. Howard Street) and the Teen Wellness Center (3330 King Street) will be closed.
• Impound Lot — The impound lot will be closed on Monday, and fees will not be accrued on Monday.
• The Torpedo Factory Art Center — The art center will be closed on Monday.
• Schools — All ACPS schools and offices will be closed.
• Alexandria Courts — the Alexandria Circuit Court Clerk’s Office, Alexandria Circuit Court, Alexandria General District Court, Alexandria Juvenile Court, Domestic Relations District Court and Court Service Unite will be closed.

Some facilities have limited Monday hours. Alexandria’s Animal Welfare League will be open from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. by appointment.  The Chinquapin Park Recreation Center & Aquatics Facility, the Charles Houston and Patrick Henry Recreation Centers will be open from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

The Alexandria Transit Company (DASH) will operate on a Saturday schedule, and the King Street Trolley remains suspended.

The Department of Motor Vehicles is open by appointment only due to the pandemic.

Next week is a double-hitter in terms of holidays, with Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday and Inauguration Day on Wednesday.

As with many holidays, all government offices will be completely closed on both days, but other services around the city are operating on different schedules:

• Residential trash and recycling will not be collected on Monday, with pickup delayed by one day throughout the week. Monday collection will be on Tuesday, Tuesday on Wednesday, and so-on. The hazardous waste center at 3224 Colvin Street will be closed on Monday.
• The animal shelter will be open be open from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. by appointment only
• Schools will be closed on Monday, but virtual classes will be held on Wednesday.
• All library services will be closed on Monday and Wednesday.
• The Alexandria Police Department also announced that they will suspend enforcement of parking restrictions at metered spaces and residential permit parking districts on Monday and Wednesday, though parking in normally prohibited zones is still subject to fines or towing.
• DASH bus service will operate on a Saturday schedule on Monday but will run regular service on Wednesday. The trolly remains suspended until further notice.

File photo

Bilbo Baggins Now for Sale — “Longtime Alexandria restaurant and pub Bilbo Baggins has closed its doors for good. The cozy eatery, which opened in 1980, closed in the spring when COVID-19 first struck. Since then, the family-owned restaurant has not reopened and the nearly 4,000-square foot property is now for sale for $2.8 million.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

Reminder: Illegal Starting Jan. 1 to Hold Cell Phone While Driving — “Starting January 1st, the ‘Hands-Free’ law will go into effect. The law makes it illegal to hold a cell phone while driving.” [Twitter]

Goodwin House Residents and Staff Receive Vaccine — “Earlier today, some residents and staff at Goodwin House Alexandria received the vaccine. Before the end of 2020, it is estimated that 125 residents and employees will be vaccinated.” [Zebra]

What’s Open and Closed on New Year’s? — “A week after Christmas, residents will get another holiday with the arrival of 2021. Some services in Alexandria will be closed or modified for the New Year’s holiday.” [Patch]

Staff photo by Jay Westcott

City of Alexandria facilities will be closed in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 20.

All public offices will be closed, parking restrictions will be eased and trash will not be collected.

Here is the city’s full list of openings and closures for Monday:

Resource Recovery: Residential refuse and recycling will not be collected on Monday, January 20, and collection services will be delayed by one day that week. The Household Hazardous Waste & Electronics Collections Drop-off Center (3224 Colvin St.) will also be closed.

Animal Shelter: The Vola Lawson Animal Shelter will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with animal visitation beginning at noon.

Health Department: Alexandria Health Department services at 4480 King St. and at the Flora Krause Casey Health Center (1200 N. Howard St.) will be closed. The Teen Wellness Center (3330 King St.) will also be closed.

Historic Alexandria: All Historic Alexandria facilities will be closed with the exception of the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum (201 S. Washington St.), which will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hotlines: All emergency hotlines will be fully operational, including the child protective services hotline at 703.746.5800; the domestic violence hotline at 703-746-4911; the emergency services for mental health or substance abuse crisis hotline at 703-746-3401; the adult protective services hotline at 1-888-832-3858 and the sexual assault hotline at 703-683-7273.

Libraries: All Alexandria Library branches will be closed on Monday, January 20. The Alexandria Law Library (520 King St.) will be closed on Friday, January 17, and Monday, January 20.

Parking: The Alexandria Police Department will suspend enforcement of parking restrictions at metered spaces, residential permit parking districts and other areas with signed parking time limits.

Impound Lot: The City’s Impound Facility (5249 Eisenhower Ave.) will be closed.

Recreation, Nature and Art Centers: Chinquapin Park Recreation Center & Aquatics Facility will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Charles Houston and Patrick Henry Recreation Centers will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and the Torpedo Factory Art Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. All other City recreation and nature centers will be closed.

Schools: All Alexandria City Public Schools and administrative offices will be closed.

State Offices: The Alexandria Circuit Court Clerk’s Office, Alexandria Circuit Court, Alexandria General District Court and Alexandria Juvenile Court and Domestic Relations District Court (520 King St.), will be closed. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Office (2681 Mill Road) will also be closed.

Transit: The Alexandria Transit Company (DASH) bus service will operate on a Saturday schedule. The free King Street Trolley will run during its regular operating hours, every 10 to 15 minutes, from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., between the King Street Metro Station and waterfront.

Photo via Pixabay

As Alexandrians are getting ready to celebrate New Year’s Eve tonight, be aware that some city services will not be available on New Year’s Day.

Trash will be picked up today (Tuesday), but will not be picked up tomorrow (Wednesday). Trash collection services scheduled for Wednesday through Friday will be delayed by one day.

Libraries will close at 5 p.m. today and libraries, recreation centers, and the Torpedo Factory Art Center will all be closed on Wednesday, according to the city website.

As on Christmas, there’s no need to feed the meters on New Year’s Day. Metered parking restrictions will be lifted throughout the city, though this only applies to legal parking spaces and parking in no parking zones, loading zones, or spaces for persons with disabilities is all still prohibited.

DASH will operate its regular schedule today and will operate a special trolley service between the Durant Center (1605 Cameron Street) and the George Washington Masonic National Memorial (101 Callahan Drive) from 5:30-11 p.m. tonight for First Night activities.

DASH buses will not be operating tomorrow, but the King Street Trolley will run on its regular schedule.

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.

This only applies to restrictions on legal parking spaces, so prohibited places like loading zones or spaces for persons with disabilities will still be restricted. Temporary no-parking signs will also be enforced.

Bus riders are less lucky, though. DASH buses will not be running on Christmas.

On Tuesday (Dec. 24), the regular weekday schedule will be in effect, but service will end at 7 p.m. On Wednesday (Dec. 25) there will be no DASH service, but the free King Street Trolley will operate on its regular schedule. The trolly will run every 10-15 minutes from 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. between the King Street-Old Town Metro station and the waterfront.

Meanwhile, most other city services in Alexandria will be closed:

• Alexandria Library: all branches will be closed tomorrow (Tuesday) and Wednesday, (Dec. 25)
• Recreation Facilities: all recreation facilities will be closed on tomorrow (Tuesday) and Wednesday (Dec. 25).
•  The Torpedo Factory: the art fac ility will be open tomorrow (Tuesday) from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. but closed on Wednesday (Christmas)
• Animal Shelter: the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter will be open from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Tuesday, December 24, with animal viewing beginning at noon. The Animal Shelter will be closed on Wednesday, December 25.

Staff photo by Jay Westcott

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]

Residents Weigh in on Appomattox Statue — “People in Alexandria have long discussed what to do with a Confederate statue standing smack in the middle of an Old Town intersection. Over the weekend, a driver crashed into the statue, knocking it off its axis. Some residents are worried it’s a safety hazard.” [NBC 4]

Environmentally-Friendly Local Gift Guide — “This week, we are featuring environmentally responsible gifts available around Alexandria… With so many green gift options at your fingertips, there is no reason not to take advantage of them. After all, it is the only way to ensure future generations have an abundance of Christmas trees and don’t see Frosty melt away for good.” [Alexandria Times]