Pedaling Away: Bike to Work Day in Alexandria

City hosts three pit stops for bicycle commuters coming into, out of and through Alexandria.

Alexandria hosted three pit stops Friday as part of the region’s Bike to Work Day, giving commuters a chance to pick up free food and coffee, enjoy live music, receive free bike tune-ups and enter prize giveaways on their way to work. “It’s a great way to show support for a healthy lifestyle,” said Jim Durham of Alexandria’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, who was overseeing the bicycle block party in Carlyle. “Bicycle commuting in Alexandria has tripled in the last 10 years. … I’ve been pleased with the work the city has done in regards to riders.” Cyclists slid into to Carlyle from as far away as Oakton and Fort Belvoir to enjoy the festivities. At Market Square in Old Town, Councilwoman Del Pepper touted the city’s investment…

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City Announces Spring and Summer Concert Series

Series officially begins May 21 at Market Square.

Alexandria will launch its free summer concert series later this month, featuring music from flamenco to jazz and pop rock to barbershop. Local school groups also will perform. The performances are free and held outdoors. The season begins May 21 at Market Square, 301 King St., and will feature the St. Rita’s, St. Francis of Assisi and Linton Hall combined school bands at 12:15 p.m. Highlights include the 36th Annual Jazz Festival on May 27, Canal Center Plaza concerts and Carlyle Music at Twilight concerts. For a complete list of Spring & Summer Concerts, visit www.alexandriava.gov/Concerts. Concerts will be cancelled in the event of inclement weather. For up-to-date information, call the city’s Special Events Hotline at 703-746-5592.

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SNAP Expands to Farmer's Market in Old Town Alexandria

Participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps, will now be able to purchase select foods at the farmer's market.

The Old Town Farmer’s Market is now participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps. The new program at the market will allow eligible customers to purchase fresh vegetables, meats, fish, baked good, jams and other items beginning April 27. The city received a $1,200 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to purchase technology allowing the program at the market and to cover the cost of transaction fees during the first year, according to city Director of General Services Jeremy McPike. “It’s a great opportunity to open up more access to healthy foods, and we’re going to do everything we can to help provide that access,” McPike said, adding that the city worked with the local …

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Photos: Classic Car Show

Cars from the decades were on display Saturday before Alexandria's St. Patrick's Day parade.

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Photos: Fun Dog Show

Dogs in green took over Market Square Saturday as part of the day's St. Patrick's Day festivities.

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The Lindybots Swing Out in Market Square

Northern Virginia swing dancing group met up in Market Square Saturday for some dancing fun.

The Lindybots think Old Town's Market Square is the cat's pajamas. The Northern Virginia swing dancing group meets up once a month, usually in an outdoor venue, to Lindy Hop and three step its way through the day. The group met Saturday in Market Square for a little on-the-spot fun. The meetings are usually organized by Adrian Munteanu, who told Patch that Market Square is one of their favorite spots to dance. "It's fun, outdoors and Alexandria is a great place," he said. He organizes the events through the Lindybots' Facebook page. Munteanu also was busy teaching newcomers basic steps by the side of the stage. Another dancer said the swing-dancing scene in the area is so vibrant that "anyone who wants to could go to a swing dancing event …

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City Seeks Holiday Tree

Tree will stand in Market Square during the holiday season, which opens with a tree lighting ceremony on Nov. 23.

The city arborist has begun the search for a tall evergreen to grace Market Square during the upcoming holiday season. Alexandria seeks a Colorado Blue Spruce, Leyland Cypress or "other well-formed evergreen tree," approximately 25 to 35 feet tall, to serve as the city’s official 2012 holiday tree. The city will remove the tree from the donor’s property in mid-November and grind the stump at no cost. The lighting of the tree officially opens Alexandria's holiday season. This year, the tree lighting ceremony will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 23, at Market Square. The ceremony will feature Santa Claus, along with entertainment and caroling. Area residents who are interested in donating a tree should call City Arborist John Noelle at 703-746-5499 or …

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City Hosts September 11 Remembrance Ceremony

Event will be held Tuesday evening in Market Square.

Alexandria will host a 9-11 remembrance ceremony on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in Market Square. The purpose of the commemoration is to remember those who died, and pay tribute to those in the community and in uniform "who responded on 9-11 without fear, acted without hesitation and gave their lives to save others," according to a statement by the city. The ceremony will feature remarks from Mayor Bill Euille, Alexandria Undersheriff Tony Davis, Police Chief Earl Cook, and Fire Chief Adam Thiel. The tribute includes the “Return to Quarters” bell-ringing ceremony and a musical tribute. After the tribute, Alexandria City Council will begin its regularly scheduled Tuesday meeting at 7 p.m. in City Hall.

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Alexandrians Honor Holocaust Survivors and Their Legacies at Remembrance Day Ceremony

City Council, members of the Jewish community and others pay tribute to Holocaust survivors during a Tuesday afternoon event in Market Square.

Alexandrians and others turned out Tuesday afternoon to pay their respects to victims of the Holocaust, but also honor their legacies during the Days of Remembrance ceremony hosted by the City of Alexandria. Bryan Spoon, an aide to U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8th), said it's a time to reflect on genocide of the past, but also current genocide such as that going on in Sudan. Moran, who initiated the city event 25 years ago, was unable to attend although has spoke in past years. The issue of ongoing genocide and society's responsibility to address it was also brought up in speeches by an eighth-grader from Gesher Jewish Day School, Rabbi Brett Isserow of Beth El Hebrew Congregation and Austrian Ambassador Hans Peter Manz. Rabbi Isserow said to …

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City to Continue Vendor Cart Program; Councilmembers Want Food Trucks

Alexandria will open its vendor cart program to more than just Old Town restaurants.

Alexandria will continue its vendor cart program and members of City Council want to bring the region’s popular food truck scene to the city. Council received a staff report on the vendor cart program Tuesday night. While only two Old Town restaurants consistently participated in the program allowing food vendors in Market Square, city staff considered the trial a successful first step and look to expand the program in the future. Vice Mayor Kerry Donley said he thinks the program has done a good job of enlivening Market Square by adding tables and chairs with umbrellas for customer use. Staff recommended purchasing more lawn furniture for the square. “I am disappointed with the number of vendors,” Donley said. “We put a lot of staff on …

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