New Foodie Businesses in Alexandria

There are a number of new restaurant or "food" businesses that have either just opened, are opening soon or expanding in Alexandria. 

Here are two new new businesses: 

Olio Tasting Room
fresh olive oils.  fresh balsamics
1223 King Street
(703) 909-8196
www.oliotastingroom.com


Olio is a tasting room where customers can sample and learn about the highest quality and freshest olive oils and aged balsamic vinegars from around the world.


"The tasting room is modeled after similar rooms across the Mediterranean where olive farms abound, and is filled with dozens of Italian-made stainless steel barrel-like containers called "fusti". Each of them will house a different variety or flavor of olive oil or balsamic vinegar from around the world for which patrons can taste in the store. After tasting, we will bottle, cork and seal your favorites on the spot" 

MomMe Meals

balanced nutrition for moms and moms-to-be

www.MomMeMeals.com 

Currently available at the Del Ray Farmers Market 

" Our products are made with the finest farm fresh ingredients, ripe with all the benefits and flavors that nature has to offer. Free of preservatives or additives, and packed with vitamins and minerals, momme meals™ are ready to eat in just minutes, making them a quick and easy solution to healthy eating.

Two that are coming soon: 


Del Ray Cafe,  
205 East Howell Avenue
by co-owner Margaret Ticer Janowsky


Happy Tart Bakery
a gluten free patisserie

Happy Tart will be moving in the Fall to 

307-A Mount Vernon Avenue
(the space behind the state farm insurance agency) 


The Happy Tart will offer bread, cakes, tarts, pastries, cookies, and cupcakes, all gluten free of course.    

"We hope to be open by the end of September.  I will have a website up and running soon, then you can go there to check out any new developments" 

And some favorite restaurants that are expanding: 

Cheesetique: 

2411 Mt. Vernon Avenue

703-706-5300

http://www.cheesetique.com/

Cheesetique is expanding the Wine and Cheese bar to offer more dining room seating.  

La Strada: 

1905 Mt. Vernon Avenue

703.548.2592

http://www.lastrada-ontheave.com/


La Strada will be adding a small lounge next to the current restaurant. The small lounge will be called Osteria 1909.

North Ridge Citizens Association Tree Sale Survey

FROM NRCA PAST PRESIDENT TIM AHERN: 


*****ONLY RESPOND IF YOU ARE A RESIDENT OR MEMBER OF THE NORTH RIDGE CITIZENS ASSOCIATION 


Dear NRCA Members/Neighbors:

We have a couple of decisions to make in the next week or two regarding a
fall tree sale. We would appreciate your input and feedback by return email
to me (tahern@imagine-one.com), or via our NRCA account
(info@northridgecitizens.org), by Friday, July 29. 

1. Please let us know if you think we should hold one of the following:
Y/N and option (below)

a. A hardwoods sale (Custom orders for such as
American Elm, Red Maple, Northern Red Oak, White Oak, Scarlet Oak, Tulip
Poplar, Sweet Gum, Chestnut Oak and Chinqapin Oak)

b. "Tree and shrub/plant sale" with the city. (With a
mix of available plantings from Dennison Nursery with the city Arborist
office)

2. If we elect to hold the hardwoods sale, we may have to meet a minimum
order quantity. Are you interested in purchasing more than one tree, and if
so, how many trees and which species are you interested in purchasing?

3. If we proceed with a tree sale event, several NRCA members have
expressed an interest in offering an opportunity to purchase "memorial"
trees to remember loved ones/friends and/or "Scholarship" NRCA purchased
trees for planting along public rights of way. If you are interested in
this idea, please let us know and we'll make sure you get the details as
they become available.

The North Ridge Citizens Association has conducted a fall tree/shrub sale
for the last 3 years, the first two in conjunction with the city Arborist
Office. Last year we had a hardwood tree canopy restoration project to
assist in recovery from the August 5th storm, offering wholesale hardwoods
purchased from South Riding Nursery. This survey will help us assess
whether there is enough interest to continue with this event.

In addition, we would appreciate your feedback and interest in other
activities, such as block parties, block tree plantings between sidewalk and
curb (flowering trees), community yard sales/swap meets, a fall festival at
the Pit, or other events that would foster community spirit in the North
Ridge community.

As always, your ideas and input mean a lot. We also appreciate your help in
getting the word out to your friends and neighbors. We look forward to
hearing back from you soon. 

** This email is sent to all board members and bcc'd to all NRCA members
whose Email addresses we have on file. All responses appreciated. 

Thanks,

Tim Ahern

Past President

Alexandria Library conducting Survey

The Alexandria Library is conducting a satisfaction survey now through August 
7. 


You can complete the survey online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/8QM9BDZ. 


Or you can take a paper survey which you can complete at any of the branches: 


Charles E. Beatley, Jr.
Central Library
5005 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22304-2903
tel:  703-746-1702



Kate Waller Barrett
Branch
717 Queen Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-2420
tel:  703-746-1703



Ellen Coolidge Burke
Branch
4701 Seminary Road
Alexandria, VA 22304
tel: 703-746-1704



James M. Duncan
Branch Library
2501 Commonwealth Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22301
tel: 703-746-1705





The Library will use the results from this survey for its strategic planning. 

City of Alexandria's Warwick Pool Temporarily Closed

FROM THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA: 

The Warwick Pool has been temporarily closed.  The closure is due to a telephone outage at the pool facilities (health department guidelines stipulate that the pool cannot operate without a working landline phone system). City staff are working to correct the problem and the pool will be reopened once it is resolved.

For other City pool locations, visit alexandriva.gov/Pools.

Alexandria Police Release Additional Photos of Virginia Commerce Bank Robbery Suspect

FROM ALEXANDRIA POLICE: 

Alexandria Police Detectives have released additional surveillance photos of the suspect wanted in the robbery of the Virginia Commerce Bank that occurred on Tuesday, July 5.

Anyone recognizing the suspect in the pictures or with any additional information about this robbery is asked to call the Criminal Investigations Section of the Alexandria Police Department at 703.838.4444 or the Crime Solvers tip line at 703.838.4858.

Detectives would like to remind witnesses that they can remain anonymous. 

Investigate Bank Robbery at Virginia Commerce Bank Located on
Prince Street

Alexandria Police are investigating a bank robbery that occurred at the Virginia Commerce Bank, located at 1414 Prince Street.  Around 12:28 P.M., a man entered the bank, displayed a handgun and demanded money.  The teller relinquished an undisclosed amount of cash and the suspect fled the area on a silver mountain bicycle.  No one was injured.

The suspect is described as a black male, 30 to 40 years-old, approximately 6’1” with a thin build.  The suspect was wearing a yellow construction helmet, a black sleeveless shirt overtop of a white long sleeve shirt and blue jeans.

Anyone recognizing the suspect in the picture or with any additional information about this robbery is asked to call the Criminal Investigations Section of the Alexandria Police Department at 703.838.4444 or the Crime Solvers tip line at 703.838.4858.

Detectives would like to remind witnesses that they can remain anonymous.

Thefts from Cars on the rise

I've been seeing a lot on the neighborhood list serves about car break-ins and thefts from cars.

Here are a few tips (reminders) to help reduce your risk:

• LOCK your car doors
• keep outside lights on
• Don't leave anything of value in your car
• keep your glove compartment locked
• don't leave valuables in your trunk - once someone is in your car they can easily pop the trunk open

Stay safe! 

ACTion Alexandria helping the Center for Alexandria's Children

FROM ACTion Alexandria Community Manager, Tracy Viselli


This week on ACTion Alexandria, we are helping the Center for
Alexandria's Children to  collect 50 toys for their playgroups that provide critical 
developmental support to young children and parents in Alexandria. The
CAC is a great local nonprofit dedicated to eliminating child abuse in
the City of Alexandria. They also run a successful developmental
playgroup program.

By providing a social environment with developmentally appropriate
activities, the CAC developmental playgroups

http://centerforalexandriaschildren.org/index.php?s=services#playgroups\


help address the gap in development of young children for some of
the most vulnerable and underserved families in Alexandria.

Visit ACTion Alexandria to donate toys to the playgroup kids at the CAC
today!

http://www.actionalexandria.org/action/week-support-center-alexandrias-\
children-developmental-playgroups

You'll be sent to ACTion Alexandria's action page for the CAC's
playgroups 
http://www.actionalexandria.org/
Click on the Take Action button and select donations from the CAC's Amazon Wish List.
These toys and materials have been selected specifically for the
developmental playgroups.

The RunningBrooke Fund, our favorite sponsor, is matching donations up
to a total value of $500!
Don't miss your opportunity to make a lasting impact in the lives of
local children.

Thanks you! 

City of Alexandria Reminds Residents to Exercise Caution During Extreme Heat

FROM THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA: 

City of Alexandria Reminds Residents to Exercise Caution During Extreme Heat

For Immediate Release: July 20, 2011

• Temperatures expected to rise to upper 90s to around 100 degrees
• Residents can “beat the heat” by visiting City pools, recreation centers, and libraries

More Information

• Alexandria Health Department
• Alexandria Library
• Recreation Centers
• City Pools 

The Washington DC Metropolitan area will be undergoing a prolonged period of excessive heat this week, with temperatures forecast to range from the upper 90s to around 100 degrees. Heat index values are forecast for up to 111 degrees.
Residents are advised to use caution in these extreme temperatures and to stay indoors. If you must be outside, be sure to stay hydrated and in the shade as much as possible. Consider visiting Alexandria’s libraries, recreation centers, and pools as a way to “beat the heat.”

Tips for Staying Cool

• Limit strenuous outdoor activities and exposure to mid-day sun. If possible, stay indoors, ideally in an air-conditioned area.
• When outdoors, stay in the shade and wear loose, light-colored clothing.
• Do not leave infants, children, people with fragile medical conditions or pets in a parked car.
• Check on people around you, including coworkers, neighbors, and friends, for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Visit people with fragile medical conditions at least twice a day. For information on heat related illnesses, visitalexandriava.gov/Health.

Drink Plenty of Fluids - Drink 2 to 4 glasses of cool fluids each hour. Be sure to provide plenty of fresh water for your pets, too.

Wordless Wednesday - How HOT will it get?

A friend shared this picture with me.

So, I'm wondering, how hot it will get today.......

Excessive Heat Watch

National Weather Service issued Excessive Heat Watch for Thursday.



National Weather Service issued Excessive Heat Watch from Thursday afternoon 
through Thursday evening, for the Metropolitan Area (including District of 
Columbia). Temperature will be in the upper 90s to around 100 degrees and the 
Heat Index Values will be from 105 to 110 degrees.

Alexandria Fall Park & Recreation Activity Guide Available 8/8

FROM THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA: 

Fall 2011 Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities Program Guide Available Online Monday, August 8

Subscribe by July 29 to Receive Program Guide by Mail
Subscribers to the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities will receive the Fall 2011 Recreation Program Guide by Monday, August 15 and the guide will be posted online Monday, August 8. Registration for Fall 2011 classes begins on Wednesday, August 17 for City residents and Friday, August 19 for nonresidents.
As part of the City of Alexandria’s Eco-City Initiative, the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities has reduced the number of printed program guides and no longer automatically mails them to all households. Only individuals who have subscribed will continue to receive the program guide by mail.


To be added to the mailing list for the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities’ Program Guide, individuals may request a free subscription online or by telephone. Requests must be received by Friday, July 29 to guarantee receipt of the Fall 2011 Program Guide by mail. 

The program guide will continue to be produced three times each year: Fall Programs (August); Winter Programs (December); and Spring & Summer Programs (March).
By August 15, printed copies of the Fall 2011 Program Guide will be available to the public at City Hall, recreation centers, and public libraries located throughout the City. 


Individuals can also download a free copy online at www.alexandriava.gov/recreation.
www.alexandriava.gov/recreation or call 703.746.4343

Alexandria Police Sobriety Checkpoint Results

FROM THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA:

Alexandria police conducted a sobriety checkpoint in the 5700 block of Duke Street to deter and apprehend intoxicated drivers from 10:00 P.M. on Saturday, July 16, to 6:00 A.M. on Sunday, July 17. Vehicles were stopped and drivers were checked to assure that their abilities to drive had not been impaired by alcohol or drugs.

During the checkpoint, two arrests were made for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) and 13 summonses were issued for miscellaneous traffic offenses.

Six Alexandria police officers, two parking enforcement officers, one emergency communications technician and two Alexandria Sheriff’s deputies participated in the checkpoint