Montgomery Street Tennis Courts Being Resurfaced
You have probably already noticed that the fence around the tennis courts has been pulled down, and the plastic grid surface removed. Work on the tennis courts was originally slated for the next fiscal year, but the City’s Department of Recreation and Parks was able to get a favorable bid for redoing our tennis courts as well as others around the City this year, and has gone forward. The contractor plans to finish the resurfacing (a layer of crushed stone topped by a layer of asphalt) in the next couple of weeks, weather permitting and to put striping and nets up before winter sets in. Painting the courts with a green surface may have to wait until spring. In the meantime, we are grateful for this work being done on an accelerated schedule. With all the forthcoming budget cuts we’ve been hearing about, we feared the new surface for the courts would be one of them.
And in more park news
Construction of the path from the gazebo to Fairfax Street is slightly delayed, until Spring. Replacement of the dead trees will be carried out, but not until the Parks Department figures out how to water them. MRE Properties, a nearby business, has offered to have its maintenance staff water the trees if the Parks Department can hook up a hose bib to the water fountain. We are waiting to hear a solution. And finally, the Old Town North Community Partnership has offered funds raised at the Taste of Old Town North and Paws for the Park to purchase a picnic table for the park. The City’s “approved” picnic table design costs $2,800 for one table.
If you haven’t turned in your dog run survey, please do so before the end of November. After Thanksgiving, we will tabulate all responses received and turn them in to the City. Don’t miss your chance to have a say in the design of the park. Dog run surveys are available at the gate to the dog park or by calling Elizabeth at 703-836-8066.
Searching for crime statistics for our neighborhood? The Alexandria Police Department recently launched a new searchable crime database through www.crimereports.com, which was developed to help increase awareness and knowledge of crime trends and patterns. Residents are now able to search and view City crime data using an online Geographic Information System. You can click on our neighborhood on the map of the city at www.crimereports.com and obtain statistics on various types of crimes committed during specified time periods chosen by you. It takes a little getting used to, but appears to be a good tool once you know how to use it.
Next Eco-City Event Scheduled for November 17:
The City invites residents to attend the Environmental Action Plan Open House on Monday, November 17, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson Street. The Eco-City Action Plan will be used as a road map for City leaders, staff, and citizens to implement the Eco-City Environmental Charter.
Holiday Events Announced:
Make plans to attend the City of Alexandria’s Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, November 28 at Market Square, beginning at 7 pm. The event features lighting of the tree, Santa’s Frosty Follies Performance, and the arrival of Santa Claus, and ends with a community sing-along.
Several holiday concerts are scheduled for Market Square during the holidays:
- Saturday November 29: at 1 pm, the Alexandria Kleztet and at 2 pm Michael Mulvaney
- Sunday November 30: at 2 pm Doris Justis and at 3 pm Lisa Taylor
- Sunday December 7: at 2 pm Shir Tze’ir, and at 3 pm the Family Choir of Beth El Hebrew Congregation
- Saturday December 13: at 1 pm St. John’s Lutheran Church Handbell Choir and at 2 pm the Alexandria Singers
- Sunday December 14: at 2 pm the Alexandria Harmonizers and at 3 pm St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church Youth Handbell Choir