Bees in the neighborhood

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Alexandria Police to Conduct DWI Enforcement

On July 10, Alexandria police will conduct a DWI enforcement effort to deter and apprehend intoxicated drivers. The DWI checkpoint will begin at 9 P.M. on Friday, July 10, and continue until 5 A.M. on Saturday, July 11. Motorists will be stopped and drivers will be checked to assure that their abilities to drive have not been impaired by alcohol or drugs.

Chief of Police Earl L. Cook reminds drivers that the maximum penalty in Virginia for the first conviction for driving under the influence is 12 months in jail, a $2,500 fine and a 12-month suspension of driving privileges. In addition, there are mandatory jail terms associated with these offenses, depending upon the blood alcohol content of the driver. Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles administrative fees may apply as well.

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

City Schedules Chinquapin Park Recreation Center Geotechnical Work

For Immediate Release: July 8, 2015

Contractors for the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities will be on site beginning the week of July 13 to obtain soil samples at 3210 King St. The public will see specialized vehicle-mounted equipment and temporary survey flags and stakes with colored ribbons as part of the survey work. Work will occur during daylight hours and, weather permitting, will take approximately 10 to 12 business days to complete.

For safety reasons, the work may require areas of the site to be closed for short time periods. To minimize impacts to the community and to expedite the work, survey flags and stakes should not be disturbed or altered.

Soil sampling is a part of conducting a geotechnical assessment of the site and adjacent hillside. In addition, these tasks are steps of planning analysis related to the future of the facility.

For additional information or to report concerns about the fieldwork, contact Ron M. Kagawa, Division Chief, Park Planning, Design and Capital Development at ron.kagawa@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.5489. 

Alexandria Live Music Week

First-Ever Alexandria Live Music Week
10 Days of Live Music at More than 30 Venues

July 10 – 19, 2015

Alexandria, VA – From July 10-19, 2015, music fans can take part in the first-ever Alexandria Live Music Week, with 10 days of live music at more than 30 restaurants and venues hosting musical performances. Live Music Week will feature more than 100 acts ranging from jazz to bluegrass, Irish, folk rock, country and more at venues including the legendary Birchmere music hall, waterfront newcomer Blackwall Hitch, Daniel O’Connell’s Restaurant & Pub, Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub, John Strongbow’s Tavern and the Torpedo Factory Art Center.

Live Music Week’s kick-off weekend includes the Alexandria/USA Birthday Celebration on Saturday, July 11, featuring performances by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra and fireworks over the Potomac River, with the second weekend culminating with The Bacon Brothers at the Birchmere on July 16, 17 and 18.

LiveMusicWeek.com is the information hub that will roll out the week’s schedule and more details as the event approaches, with updates shared on Visit Alexandria’s social media channels with the hashtag #LiveMusicWeek.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Port City Brewing Co. celebrates Live Music Week’s kick-off weekend with live music and food at the brewery on Friday, July 10 and an Old Town Alexandria pub crawl on Saturday, July 11
• Alexandria/USA Birthday Celebration honors Alexandria’s 266th birthday with fireworks and performances by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, July 11
• The Birchmere hosts various rock, blues and country acts including Southside Johnny, Toad the Wet Sprocket, and The Bacon Brothers throughout Live Music Week
• Blackwall Hitch complements its brand-new waterfront dining experience with daily performances by local, regional and national acts including Lovebettie and The Cheaters
• Daniel O’Connell’s features daily Irish music and rock, plus surprise performances. Acts include award-winning singer-songwriter Áine O'Doherty and DC-based rock band Judge Smith
• Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub, John Strongbow’s Tavern and The Light Horse Restaurantpresent 10 days of live Irish, Celtic and rock music including The Fighting Jamesons
• Bilbo Baggins hosts a jazz-themed wine tasting featuring Rico Amero and a Grateful Dead-themed 35th anniversary party featuring the Scott Fallon Experience
• Nick’s Nightclub features country music performances including national act The Josh Phillips Band
• Torpedo Factory Art Center hosts Nomadic Jazz featuring tenor saxophonist Elijah Jamal Balbed, previously a resident at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Strathmore

WHAT:         Alexandria Live Music Week

WHEN:         10 Days – July 10 – 19, 2015

WHERE:       Venues throughout Alexandria, Virginia

HOW:           Admission varies by venue

WEB:           www.LiveMusicWeek.com; #LiveMusicWeek

Alexandria Live Music Week is presented by Visit Alexandria to showcase the live music scene that takes place year-round in the city. From top names in music performing at the Birchmere to intimate performances nestled in independent restaurants, Alexandria offers an authentic music experience.

Connect with Us!
Web                     www.LiveMusicWeek.com ; www.VisitAlexandriaVA.com
Blog                     blog.VisitAlexandriaVA.com
Facebook            www.facebook.com/VisitAlexandriaVA
Twitter                 www.twitter.com/AlexandriaVA
Instagram            www.instagram.com/VisitAlexVA
Hashtag                #LiveMusicWeek, #ExtraordinaryALX

City of Alexandria Provides Information About Drainage Issues From Recent Heavy Rains

For Immediate Release: July 6, 2015

June 2015 was the second-wettest month on record for Alexandria. Multiple storms produced rainfall faster than storm drains could handle flow, resulting in some ground flooding and sewer backups.  The City of Alexandria has worked to resolve issues as soon as possible when they involve City infrastructure.  However, many issues on private property are simply the result of too much rain. The City urges residents to take necessary precautions to prevent flooding and sewer backups when possible. 

If untreated sewage discharges from the sanitary sewer system, report it immediately by calling 703.746.HELP (4357).  Remember to avoid contact with overflow discharges, and keep people and pets away.

Drainage Problems

• Drainage problems may include roadway or structural flooding, clogged or failing underground pipes and culverts, stream bank erosion and stormwater pollution affecting a stream.
• Help prevent drainage problems by ensure that gutters and downspouts are clear of debris, sump pumps are working properly, grading slopes away from homes and buildings, and outdoor driveway and stairwell drains are free of debris and possible blockages.
• If rainwater is draining from an adjacent property, call 703.746.HELP (4357) and a City inspector will investigate.

Sewer Backup

• Sewer backups can be caused by pipe failures; blockages (e.g. grease, rocks, sticks, toys); excessive flows that exceed system capacity (typically due to significant rainfall); damage by contractors; power or mechanical failures at sewer pump stations; and settlement or movement of the soil adjacent to the pipe.
• To prevent a sewage backup during a storm: 1) Install a backflow preventer and ensure that it is in working order and closed as necessary; 2) Stuff a rag, softball or other material into floor drains to stop the flow into basements; 3) Cover floor drains with mats and weigh them down; 4) Place a heavy object on the closed cover of basement toilets; 5) Restrict the use of plumbing as much as possible until rains subside, including dish and clothes washers, showers and toilets.
• Wear waterproof boots and gloves to prevent exposure to contaminated water. After the rain stops, if sewage has come through a floor or plumbing drain, open the drain to allow as much water to drain out as possible. Use buckets, a sump pump or other means to remove as much of the contaminated water as possible.
• If the backup occurs only when facilities (such as toilet, tub, washer or sinks) are used, it is possible that you need a plumber. If you have sewage backing up when you are not using any of your facilities, it is possible that there is a problem with the City’s main line.
• If the City line is operating normally, indications are that your private building sewer lateral is the cause of the sewer backup, and you will be advised to contact a plumber. Residents and businesses are responsible for backups caused in private sewer lines, and for the installation, maintenance and inspection of backwater valves. Check your insurance policy to determine if damages related to sewage backups or water damages are covered. This type of coverage may be an optional coverage and can generally be added to a policy if requested. The cost for this optional coverage is inexpensive, and it is advised that property owners with below grade fixtures investigate this coverage.  

For media inquiries, contact Andrea Blackford, Senior Communications Officer, at andrea.blackford@alexandriava.gov, or 703.746.3959.