Center for Alexandria Children & Families Holiday Sharing Program

The Center for Children and Families needs help with their Holiday Sharing Program.

Sponsor a family, senior citizen, or a disabled resident and provide them with appropriate gifts this holiday season.  


You can register on line by December 2 and receive the "wish list" for that resident.  


Donations may be dropped between December 13 - 15 at the Center for Children and Families, 2525 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria.  


If you aren't able to sponsor a resident, consider volunteering to deliver gifts. 


For more information contact suzanne.kratzok@alexandriava.gov
or www.alexandriava.gov/holidaysharing

Holiday Book Fair Benefit

The Lyceum is hosting their annual Benefit Book Fair on Saturday, December 3, 2011 from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.  

The Children’s book publisher, Usborne, will be presenting book selections focusing on social studies and other educational areas for children of all ages.  

Shoppers can donate books  to the Alexandria Tutoring Consortium.  

A portion of the book sales will benefit educational programs at The Lyceum.  

Old Town Boutique District Black Friday

Thanksgiving Holiday Trash & Recycling Collection

FROM THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA: 

Residential trash and recycling will be collected on the regularly scheduled day during the week of Thanksgiving, including Thanksgiving Day, November 24. On Thanksgiving Day, trash and recycling collection will begin at 6 a.m. in order to clear routes early for the Annual Turkey Trot.

Update on Leaf Collection Schedule

Due to heavy rainfall that that led to a larger volume of leaves out for collection, City crews are currently operating one day behind the publicized leaf collection schedule. Leaf collection for Area 2 should be completed by November 22, and leaf collection in Area 3 is expected to begin on November 22. Leaf collection in Area 5 is ongoing, and residents are encouraged to report heavy volumes on their block where collection is needed. On November 23, leaf collection trucks will also be clearing all leaves along the route for the Turkey Trot.

Leaf bag collection remains on schedule. Leaf bags are picked up one day after trash collection in your neighborhood.  Call the City's Leaf Collection Hotline at 703.746.LEAF (5323) to report a problem or visithttp://alexandriava.gov/LeafCollection to get more information on the leaf collection schedule or obtain service updates. 

Alley Recycling Collection Begins Monday, November 28

The City of Alexandria’s Department of Transportation and Environmental Services (T&ES) reminds residents beginning Monday, November 28, residents who receive alley pickup for trash collection will now also receive recycling collection in their alley, and should no longer place recycling bins or carts at the curb. Collection service for all other City customers will remain unchanged.

Residents should place both their trash and recycling bins out for collection in the alley (after 5 p.m. the evening before collection, or before 6 a.m. the day of collection). Report any missed trash or recycling collections to the Solid Waste Division by calling 703.746.4410. 

This service change will allow more residents who had space constraints around their home to take advantage of recycling cart collection service. If you are interested in upgrading your small yellow recycling bin for a larger blue recycling cart with wheels and lid as a result of this service change, you can request a new bin by calling 703.746.4410. View the list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for more information about this change to collection service, or visit http://alexandriava.gov/RecyclingatHome.

Small Business Saturday 11/26

Please support all the wonderful small businesses in Alexandria this Saturday! 

Occupy Marchers in Old Town 11/22

FROM THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA: 


Occupy Marchers to Hold Rally in Market Square on November 22


The City of Alexandria advises the community that on Tuesday, November 22, marchers from the Occupy movement will hold a rally from noon to 3 p.m. in Market Square, followed by a march to Washington, D.C. Members of the Occupy movement may be in the City as early as today. Residents should expect to see an additional police presence around Market Square and in the area, and may experience traffic disruptions. 
Parking on the 100 block of North Royal Street will be restricted beginning at 9 p.m. tonight, Monday, November 21.
The City of Alexandria supports the constitutional rights of the Occupy movement to peacefully assemble and rally in Market Square. The Alexandria Police Department will protect the public and property of Alexandria, as well as protect the rights of the marchers to assemble and rally. 

Alexandria Police Investigate Assault on Jogger in Del Ray

FROM THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA: 

Alexandria Police are investigating an assault that occurred Monday, November 21, at 6:00 A.M. in the 200 block of E. Del Ray Avenue.  A female was jogging when she was grabbed from behind by a man.  The suspect inappropriately touched the victim.  She screamed and the suspect pushed her to the ground and fled on foot.  He was last seen running towards Mount Vernon Avenue.  The suspect is described as an unknown race male wearing a black puffy, thigh length coat, a black skull cap and dark pants.

Anyone with information about this incident or who might have been in the area is asked to call Detective Kevin Thomas at 703.746.6273 or the Criminal Investigations Section at 703.746.6711.
Detectives would like to remind witnesses that they can remain anonymous.
The Alexandria Police Department would like to remind joggers to remember these important safety tips while out running:

o Avoid running with headphones
o Run in well lit areas
o Try and run with a partner when possible
o Keep a cell phone with you at all times
o Let people know what routes you plan to take.




For more information please call the Public Information Office at 703.746.6600.

FREE Parking in Alexandria on 11/25

Alexandria Offers Free Parking at Meters and City Garages on Black Friday, November 25

Alexandria is rolling out the red carpet for shoppers on Black Friday, November 25, one of the biggest shopping days of the year. The City of Alexandria is offering free parking at parking meters and in all City-owned garages and parking lots as a special incentive for shoppers to visit Old Town to make their holiday purchases.

These City-owned garages and lots are opening early and will offer free parking for patrons:

• Market Square Garage, 108 North Fairfax St., Open 6 a.m. Friday – 6 a.m. Saturday
• Courthouse Square Garage, 111 South Pitt St., 6 a.m. – 3:00 a.m.
• Thompson’s Alley Garage, 10 Thompson’s Alley, 6 a.m. – 11 p.m.
• North Union Street Garage, 220 North Union St., 6 a.m. – 2:30 a.m.
• South Henry Street Lot, 112 South Henry St., 6 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Cameron/St. Asaph Street Lot, 210 North St. Asaph St., 6 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Dozens of Alexandria’s independently owned shops are offering deep discounts with early and extended hours on Black Friday. Shop as early as 6 a.m. and warm up with a hot beverage and breakfast from some of Old Town's favorite cafés. Holiday shopping becomes a charming one-of-a-kind experience on Alexandria's historic streets.

After shopping all day, stay to enjoy the City of Alexandria Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at 7 p.m. on the picturesque and historic Market Square. As the official kick-off to the holiday season in Alexandria, you’ll enjoy a performance from Santa’s Frosty Follies, a special visit from Santa Claus, and community caroling.

Then, visit Santa throughout the season in Old Town. Starting the Saturday after Thanksgiving, November 26, Santa will be available for photos every Saturday and Sunday until December 18 at 210 South Union Street. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Special parade day schedule is 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, December 3.

For more information on all the Black Friday festivities, free parking, participating shops, and many more holiday events in Alexandria, go to www.VisitAlexandriaVA.com.

City of Alexandria Services for Thanksgiving

FROM THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA: 

City of Alexandria Announces Schedule of Services for the Thanksgiving Holiday
Thursday, November 24, and Friday, November 25

All City of Alexandria government offices will be closed on Thursday, November 24, and Friday, November 25, in observance of the Thanksgiving Day holiday.



Refuse Collection: Residential trash and recycling will be collected on the regularly scheduled day during the week of Thanksgiving, including Thanksgiving Day, November 24. On Thanksgiving Day, trash and recycling collection will begin at 6 a.m. in order to clear routes early for the Annual Turkey Trot.



Health Facilities: The Alexandria Health Department (4480 King St.) and the Flora Krause Casey Health Center (1200 N. Howard St.) will close at noon on November 23 and remain closed on November 24 and 25. The Teen Wellness Center (3701 W. Braddock Rd.) will be closed on November 24 and 25.



Historic Alexandria: All museums will be closed on November 24. The Alexandria Black History Museum and the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum will also be closed on November 25. The Alexandria Archaeology Museum will be open from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on November 25; all other museums will be open on a regular schedule on November 25.



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, 703.746.4911; the emergency services for mental health or substance abuse crisis hotline, 703.746.3401; and the sexual assault hotline, 703.683.7273.



Libraries: All Alexandria Library branches will be closed on November 24 and 25.



Parking: The Alexandria Police Department will suspend enforcement of parking restrictions at metered spaces, as well as time restrictions in residential permit parking districts and other areas with signed parking time limits, on November 24 and 25.   



Recreation Centers: All City of Alexandria recreation centers, including the Chinquapin Recreation Center, will be closed on November 24. The Chinquapin Recreation Center will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on November 25. All neighborhood recreation centers will open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on November 25. The Jerome “Buddie” Ford Nature Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on November 25.



Schools: The Alexandria City Public Schools will be closed from November 23 - 25.



State Offices: The Circuit Court, General District Court, the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, and the Department of Motor Vehicles Office at 2681 Mill Road will close at noon on November 23, and will remain closed on November 24 and 25.



Transit: Alexandria Transit Company’s DASH bus service will not operate on November 24.

For more information, contact Jennifer Harris, Communications Officer, Office of Communications, at 703.746.3961 or jennifer.harris@alexandriava.gov

Alexandria Police DWI Checkpoint results

FROM THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA: 

Alexandria Police DWI Checkpoint Results

Alexandria police conducted a DWI checkpoint in the 600 block of South Patrick Street from 10:00 P.M. on Friday, November 18, to 6:00 A.M. on Saturday, November 19.  Vehicles were stopped and drivers were checked to assure that their abilities to drive had not been impaired by alcohol or drugs.

During the DWI checkpoint, approximately 861 vehicles passed through and nine arrests were made for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI).  In addition, 20 summonses were issued for miscellaneous traffic offenses and two people were charged with possession of marijuana and one person was charged with underage possession of alcohol.

Eleven Alexandria police officers, one Alexandria Sheriff’s deputy, two Parking Enforcement Officers and one Emergency Communications Technician participated in the DWI enforcement effort.

For further details, please call the Public Information Office at 703.746.6600.

Did you see these events in the area

Check out these events throughout Alexandria with Port City Brewing Company 

Tuesday, 11/29 - Beer Dinner at Del Ray Pizzeria 

Saturday, 12/3 - Beer Tasting at Cheesetique 

Monday, 12/5 - Pungoteague Oyster & Port City Beer Dinner - 5 beers & 5 courses at Hank's Oyster Bar