Date: Sunday, February 19th, 2012 from 3:00 to 8:00
Place: Pat Troy's
Details: Ballyshaners Parade Fundraiser. A fundraiser for the 2012 Alexandria Saint Patrick's Day Parade, sponsored by The Ballyshaners. Live and silent auctions, music by Pat Garvey and the City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums. Visit the fundraiser page of the Ballyshaners for more information.

Date: Tuesday, February 20th, 2012
Place: Bilbo Baggins
Details: Spend Fat Tuesday with Big Mike, The usual great selections of beer and wine,tasty menu items and BEADS

Date: Tuesday, February 20th 2012 from 11:30AM - 12:00AM
Place: Chadwicks
Details: Cajun food, drink and tradition. $4 hurrican drinks, green, gold and purple beads, King Cupcakes.

Date: Tuesday, February 20th 2012
Place: Jackson 20
Details: Serving New Orleans favorites, Abita beer, Hurricanes, Hand Grenades for drinks and gumbo, red beans and rice, and a few more NO classics from the culinary team. Live bayou band performing 8-11pm for those that bring their dancing shoes.

Date: Thursday, February 23rd 2012
Place: La Bergerie
Details: $19 Date Night Dinner. Shad Roe with a Caper Anchovy Sauce

Date: Friday February 24th
Place: La Bergerie
Details: French Wine Country four course dinner featuring five Vineyard Brands wines from the Loire Valley, Burgundy, Alsace, Rhone, and Champagne is $95 per person inclusive. Limited seating, reservations required.

Date: Tuesday February 28th
Place: The Lighthorse
Details: Bell's Beer Dinner. 7:00. $70 per person, not inclusive of tax or gratuity.

Date: Wednesday February 29th
Place: Jackson 20
Details: $0.29 beer and bites! That’s right, $0.29 beer from 11am until close to celebrate the 29th day of February!

Date: Wednesday February 29th
Place: TJ Stone's
Details: Leap Year Belgium Beer Dinner

Date: Saturday, March 10th 10:00pm until 1:00am
Place: Chadwicks
Details: DJ, Dancing, (the infamous Jello shots) drink specials, Raffle & of course fun! Wear your wacky tacky Hawaiian shirt and get a free raffle ticket.

Date: Monday, March 12th
Place: Bastille
Details: Famille Perrin Wine Dinner. Dinner with wines $119, Dinner without wines $60 (Taxes & gratuities not included)

Date: Saturday, March 17th
Place: Rustico
Details: Beer Academy

St. Patty's Day Parade two weeks from this weekend:

Media Advisory – 31st Annual Alexandria St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Alexandria, VA – The 31st Annual Alexandria St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at 12:30 PM in the heart of Old Town Alexandria.
The parade will start at the corner of King St. and Alfred St., and proceed East down King St. to the corner of King St. and Lee St. “Our Alexandria St. Patrick’s Day Parade falls very early in March this year, and we know it will be a wonderful way for the thousands of spectators who view the parade every year to kick off their celebrations of Irish American Heritage Month” said Pat Troy, Ballyshaners Chairman and Parade Master of Ceremonies.
This year’s parade will be lead by co-Grand Marshals Tom and Melinda Mooney, who are the proprietors of the Murphy’s Grand Irish Pubs in Alexandria, Washington, DC and Virginia Beach. The Mooneys are long time supporters of Irish-American activities in the Northern Virginia area. As always, the parade will feature more than 100 units, including groups celebrating their Irish heritage, marchers from the military services, Irish dancing schools, bagpipe bands and other Alexandria community groups.
In addition to the parade, festivities will include a Classic Car Show, held on Pitt St. between King and Cameron Streets beginning at 10:00 AM, and a Fun Dog Show held in Market Square, beginning at 10:30 AM.
All events are free to the public. Parade organizers suggest using Metrorail to the King Street Metro stop, and walking 10 minutes East on King Street to the Parade Route. All events are sponsored by the Ballyshaners – Gaelic for “Old Towners”. A not-for-profit group, the Ballyshaner’s goal is to promote and preserve Irish heritage through sponsorship of the Alexandria St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the Alexandria Irish Festival, held every summer.
###

Fish Market and The National Multiple Sclerosis Society are teaming up for a Mardi Gras event:

LOCAL RESTAURANT TO HOST NINE-DAY MARDI GRAS FUNDRAISER FOR MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Fish Market restaurant in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia is holding a nine-day Mardis Gras Masks for MS fundraising event to benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society, National Capital Chapter (Federal Tax ID #: 53-0237585) from Monday, February 13, 2012 – Tuesday, February 21, 2012 (Fat Tuesday). Their New Orleans-style celebration will feature a special menu of cajun cuisine, seafood gumbo, jambalaya, steamed crayfish, shrimp etouffee, fried catfish po’ boy sandwiches, and blackened “catch of the day.” Funds will be raised by the sale of Mardi Gras masks and beads for $1 each. The proceeds from this event will support local programs and services for people affected by MS, research initiatives to find a cure, and raising general awareness about MS.

Fish Market is a strong supporter of the National Capital Chapter. Since late 2009, they have raised nearly $30,000 through different events to support the MS movement. They will be seeking support from individuals and businesses that care about their community and making an impact in the lives of those living with MS.

About Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis interrupts the flow of information from the brain to the body and stops people from moving. Every hour in the United States, someone is newly diagnosed with MS, an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are moving us closer to a world free of MS. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with more than twice as many women as men being diagnosed with the disease. MS affects more than 400,000 people in the U.S., and 2.5 million worldwide.

Studies show that early and ongoing treatment with an FDA-approved therapy can reduce future disease activity and improve quality of life for many people with multiple sclerosis. Talk to your health care professional and contact the National MS Society at www.MSandYOU.org or (202) 296-5363 to learn about ways to help manage multiple sclerosis and about current research that may one day reveal a cure.

About the National Multiple Sclerosis Society

MS stops people from moving. The National MS Society exists to make sure it doesn’t. Locally, the National Capital Chapter provides a wide range of vital services in the areas of counseling, education, employment, information and referral, public policy development and advocacy, and financial assistance to the many thousands of people with MS and their families who live in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. For more information about MS or the National Capital Chapter, please call (202) 296-5363 or visit www.MSandYOU.org. For those interested in sponsoring their own MS event please visit our “Do it Yourself” site at www.MSandYOU.org/DIY .
###

Jackson 20 is ready to kick of Mardi Gras festivities:

Celebrate Mardi Gras at Jackson 20
Jackson 20 brings Bourbon Street to King Street with Gumbo Carts, Hurricanes and Live Music

What:
For Washingtonians who can’t make the trip to New Orleans, Jackson 20 in Old Town will bring a taste of Bourbon Street to King Street for a Mardi Gras celebration complete with quintessential ‘Big Easy’ drinks and dishes. Guests can enjoy Hurricanes, a “Brandy Alexandria,” a lineup of Abita beer and Dixie Lager, as well as a special menu of Creole-inspired fare created by newly installed chef, Brian McPherson. Chef McPherson has created a menu that pays homage to New Orleans’ famous street food, including alligator, rabbit, andouille sausage and catfish gumbo, King Street cake, and more. Jackson 20 staff will channel the famous “Gumbo Man” with a tableside gumbo cart, while the Dixie Power Trio will play authentic New Orleans jazz all evening.

The full menu and details are below.

A Taste of New Orleans:
Alligator, rabbit, andouille sausage and catfish Gumbo ($12)
King Street Cake ($9)
Brandy Alexandria ($9)
Red Beans and Rice ($12)
Fried Chicken ($15)
Country Ham Hush Puppies ($12)

Cocktails:
Hurricanes ($7) – A Bourbon St. classic, made with light and dark rum and fruit juices.
Crescent City Fizz ($7) – A refreshing sipper made with Southern Comfort, Stoli Vanil, peach and sparkling water.

Abita Brewing Company Beers:
Abita “Mardi Gras” Bock ($7) – traditional post-winter, spring beer
Abita Purple Haze ($7) – slight grape flavor, light and refreshing
Abita Restoration ($7) – full flavored beer that pairs well with food

Dixie Brewing Company Lagers:
Dixie Lager ($7) – smooth and tasty
Dixie Blackened Voodoo Lager ($7) – slightly roasted aroma with a caramel malt flavor

When:
Tuesday, February 21st at 5 p.m.; live music starts at 8 p.m. Reservations for the dining room are suggested, but the bar will be available for walk-ins. Visit www.jackson20.com or www.facebook.com/jackson 20 for more info.

Where:
Jackson 20, 480 King Street, Alexandria, VA. 22314. The restaurant is adjacent to the Hotel Monaco Alexandria.
# # #

Had the pleasure of seeing this guy at King Street Blues this past Saturday. If you like Johnny cash, close your eyes and you'll never know the difference.



We'll post a video of his later. Hilarious and awesome live.

Also, anyone know anything about this:

"you guys know of any bars in Old Town doing an viewing party for the Oscars on the 26th? I'm in a "Oscar pool" with a bunch of other film nerds and it would be cool to watch it out somewhere. I know that Nellie's in DC throws one along with the Arlington Cinema & Draft House but I don't know of anything in Alexandria."

Street & School Closures on February 16 During Funeral Service for Paramedic Joshua Weissman

On Thursday, February 16, firefighters from across the nation will convene in the City to honor fallen Alexandria paramedic Joshua Weismann.

-If possible, residents are encouraged to avoid travel or expect significant delays near event areas during the time when memorial events and funeral services on Wednesday February 15 & Thursday, February 16.
-Traffic and parking in the vicinity of the Everly Wheatley Funeral Home at 1500 West Braddock Road is expected to be significantly affected Wednesday afternoon and evening beginning around 4:00 p.m.
-Traffic is expected to be substantially impacted between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Thursday as the following streets will be closed intermittently for the funeral service. We ask that community members avoid these areas if possible and be patient with delays during this event.
-The memorial processional and services are expected to bring more than 200 fire vehicles and more than 2,000 people into Alexandria. Community members should avoid these areas if possible and be patient with delays during this event.

Street Closures & Potential Traffic Impacts

From time to time during the day, the following streets will be closed to facilitate movement of the funeral procession and the participants:

-Janney’s Lane from King Street to Quaker Lane
-Seminary Road from Quaker Lane to Van Dorn Street
-Van Dorn Street from Seminary Road to Braddock Road
-Braddock Road from Van Dorn Street to King Street
-King Street from Braddock Road and Quaker Lane to Russell Road

School Early Dismissals

-Alexandria City Public Schools will alter dismissal times to ensure that students can safely leave school and be transported to their afterschool destinations in the midst of road closures and unprecedented traffic.
-George Washington and Hammond Middle schools, Minnie Howard School, ---T.C. Williams High School and Douglas McArthur Elementary will dismiss at 12:35 p.m.
-All remaining elementary schools will dismiss at 1:20 p.m.
-The City has coordinated with Campagna Center after care programs and Power-On /Power-Up after care programs at City recreation centers to provide child care for families currently enrolled in these programs. In addition, recreation centers at Charles Houston, Cora Kelly, William Ramsay, Patrick Henry, Mount Vernon, Charles Barrett, Nannie Lee, and John Adams will be open immediately following the early dismissal.

The City of Alexandria would like to thank the entire Alexandria community for their patience and flexibility as the Alexandria Fire Department pays tribute to Paramedic Joshua Weissman.

For additional information, visit: alexandriava.gov/LODDJWeissman.


Great to see the respect they're giving for Mr. Weissman in this situation as the community comes together to pay tribute to one of our local heroes.

Alexandria Paramedics lost a member of their family last week. [Alexandria Times]

A women's basketball coach has used her passion to help channel the pain of losing her daughter. Great read. [Alexandria Times]

Eminent domain isn't exactly out of the picture when it comes to options with the waterfont. [Alexandria Times]

An Indian restaurant opened up in Del Ray. [Alexandria Times]

Check out this condo in Old Town that's going for a cool $1.1 million. [Redfin]

Landmark mall may start to host... satellite high school classrooms? WTF? [Alexandria Times]

Appeals, Majority Vote, The Waterfront and what it means for your weekend. [Alexandria News]

David Ross, 36, was sentenced to 5 years in prison for organizing and leading a conspiracy to defraud banks in NOVA and elsewhere. [Alexandria News]


A Virginia State Senator is going after those that text whilst driving. If we had it our way, they'd still use the 'Stock' for this kind of thing. [Alexandria Gazette]

"I hope you don't mind my asking, but I need some advice. I'm moving to a new place on Bashford Lane, roughly a mile from the Braddock metro station. Is it safe to walk home at night around that area, or should I cough up the extra $$ for a DASH pass? I've been living in (overpriced) Crystal City for the past two years & am not too familiar with Old Town."

Our Response:
"Bashford Lane is a pretty cool area. You will like it for sure. There are a few areas that aren't necessarily the best spots in town and they're usually scattered, subsized housing units.

That all said, I have actually lived right next to a strip of section 8 apartments for the last two years now and I can say I've ever had a single incident that made me feel threatened or uncomfortable. It's enough to make you look over your shoulder when you're walking home at night. Areas around Braddock Road metro can get a bit sketchy, but again, you're just a bit more aware of your surroundings and you make sure to walk in well lit places. I had a friend live RIGHT by the braddock metro and he also never had a single issue. While you'll never need to use it, as a young lady, a small mace can in the purse can't hurt.

Not meaning to scare you, just wanted to give you honest feedback. If the weather is nice, walk. If it's not, use the dash, but overall, don't get the DASH pass because you think you're gonna get a cap in your ass. You won't.

PS. In the first few months I moved here, some guy was getting arrested outside of where I live and yelled 'f*ck the police' repeatedly as he was being restrained and put into the back of the cruiser. It was epic."

Didn't make Valentine's Dinner reservations yet? We've got you covered. [oldtownnights.com]

Pizza Pan is closed. Reader email:

"Well, it wasn’t outstanding but in the 10 months we’ve lived here at least it was a place to walk over and run back with a pizza on short notice.

Why isn’t there a good pizza place (sit-down) that doesn’t require dragging all the way to King Street?

And what’s become of the Madison St. Harris Teeter? I know it was a long way off but by now you’d figure they’re at least clearing ground. Maybe financing troubles for the residential part? Just wondering…

Love your site, by the way. Very useful to newcomers. Keep up the good work!
"

As far as we know, the Safeway movement is still in the works -- just takes a boat load of planning and red tape to get through, I'm sure. Still waiting for someone in Old Town to open a late night pizza joint where you can buy by the slice.

Boyd walker is running for City Council. [Alexandria Times]

Alexandria City Council member Alicia Hughes was back in court on not-so-good terms last week. [Alexandria Times]

A former Alexandria City elementary school bus monotir was ordered to pay $35,00 in compensatory and puntitive damages to a 10 year old special needs child after she assaulted her multiple times in October of 2009. Stay classy, Shawnee. If we had your picture, it'd be posted about now. [Alexandria News]


Someone else who has been on the city's planning commission is also running for city council. Seems to be the trendy thing to do these days, maybe I'll throw my name in the hat for shits and giggles.[Alexandria Times]

Pull up a seat and bring the popcorn. The Waterfront issue is going to the Circuit Court. [Alexandria Times]

That mansion on Prince Street in Old Town. [Alexandria Times]

A Third man has been arrested in the murder of Lenny Harris. [Alexandria Times]

Happy 75th birthday, Alexandria Library! [Alexandria News]

Old Town Ace Hardware is teaching kids how to make pinewood derby cars. [Alexandria Times]

Alexandria Meet up Happy Hour Tour 2012:
2/17 at 6:30PM @ The Light Horse
2/22 at 6:30PM @ Virtue Feed & Grain

Champagne, Chocolate and Strawberries Festival is coming. Mark your calendars for June 23rd. [CS&C]

Lastly, tonight, do it: