Friday, December 11, 2015
HELP OUT! Neighborhood Clean-up Saturday morning.
Date: 12 December, 2015 (Saturday)
Time: 9:30 AM
Meeting place: Conservatory at Four Mile Run Park
For those who are unfamiliar with this effort, it's a joint effort between Casa Chirilagua, National Community Church, and those who want to improve the neighborhood for everyone. Take advantage of this opportunity to help shape an effort that's working to improve the neighborhood and bring everyone closer together!
This Saturday,will start with cleaning the park, and move up Mount Vernon Ave.
Tuesday, December 08, 2015
Alexandria Police address community concerns.
Recent events, two horrible murders in Beverly and Four Mile Run Parks, have a number of neighborhood residents deeply concerned. Community Police officers have already reached out to a number of civic associations and have offered to help the community in any way possible.
To further that effort, the Alexandria Police Department hosting a Community Meeting to discuss concerns regarding recent serious crime. The meeting is scheduled to talk place, next Monday, December 14th at 6:30 PM at Cora Kelly Rec Center.
Also, Mayor Euille has asked Police Chief Cook to address City Council at tonight's Legislative Meeting. That meeting takes place 7:00 PM at City Hall in Council Chambers (301 King Street)
Live and archived programming of the meeting from AlexTV is available online and broadcasted on Comcast cable channel 70. Go directly to the meeting here and cue up to the 3:00:00 mark: City Council Legislative Meeting on 2015-12-08 6:00 PM - Dec 8th, 2015
Or view below:
Friday, November 27, 2015
4MRMarket Concludes 5th Season, Starts New Venture
4MRMarket will become the 4MR Winter Market from November 29th until sometime in April!
The winter market will be indoors at the Four Mile Run Park Conservatory Center and many of your favorite vendors will be staying on all winter--including greenhouse produce!
The start of 4MRMarket: Clearing a vacant lot. |
A floundering economy and budget shortfalls have been no match for the ingenuity of a small group of residents and area business owners. The Four Mile Run Farmers and Artisans Market celebrated its Grand Opening on Sunday, June 20th, 2010. The market set up on the site of the stalled Four Mile Run (4MR) park expansion with the surrounding community rallying together to address what was once viewed as the City’s most challenging area.
"This is the first farmers market opening based on the principals of the recently adopted Healthy Food Alexandria Initiative," said then-Councilman Rob Krupicka at the time. “This is a wonderful initiative by the neighborhoods surrounding Four Mile Run,” added Krupicka. “With little more than sweat equity and a common goal, these folks are taking this gateway into Alexandria to a new level."
The market is located at the entrance to Four Mile Run Park, part of a long overlooked and underutilized gateway from Arlington, where, every day, walkers stroll up the park and bikers whiz down the Four Mile Run Trail that connects to Crystal City, DC, Shirlington and the Mount Vernon Trail.
The first tree planting in conjunction with Casey Trees and Arlington & Alexandira Tree Stewards |
Most years, the 4MRMarket team presents the City of Alexandria with a check to further the revitalization of Four Mile Run Park. In addition to making financial donations, the 4MRMarket team has provided site improvements through "sweat equity" and by soliciting donations, both big and small. An anonymous donation of $10,000 helped support a NEA grant to build a performance stage. Other private donations and grants are being sought to provide park furniture, a green roof, plant rain gardens and other park improvements. The efforts have received coverage on NPR.
The newly planted trees by Mark Drive in 2014 following a successful online crowd-funding campaign. |
The 4MRMarket team has also been leading and participating in Four Mile Run stream clean-ups over the off-season and assisted Casey Trees and the Arlington Tree Stewards with a massive tree planting adjacent to the Four Mile Park Expansion where 4MRMarket is held.
In 2014, in conjunction with the citizen-run Four Mile Run Farmers & Artisans Market, the City of Alexandria launched its first-ever crowdfunding campaign to raise funds to kick-start the recently adopted Four Mile Run Park Improvement Plan by planting new trees in the park. Citizens responded with contributions large and small by donating tax-deductibly via the crowd-funding website. With the arrival of the fall tree planting season, over a dozen new trees were planted in the portion of Four Mile Run Park along the Mark Drive alleyway.
The 4MRMarket team says, "We're helping to fix a park, restore a stream and build community. Each year 4MRMarket donates all funds raised by our volunteer efforts to the City of Alexandria to be used in Four Mile Run Park. But we give so much more in effort. Our mission statement reads,
"The Four Mile Run Farmers & Artisans Market brings fresh, nutritious food to people of all income levels, provide an opportunity for local artisans and producers of goods to bring their wares to market, strive to reflect the diversity of the community, and improve the quality of life for Arlandria residents and visitors. 4MRMarket is part of an overall vision to expand and improve Four Mile Run park and the surrounding neighborhood."As a 100% neighborhood volunteer run market, 4MRMarket is proud that the market serves as an incubator for small start-up businesses, a space for non-profits to promote their causes, and a community gathering place for live music, fellowship, and quality food and craft options.
The 4MR Plaza as it was newly installed in 2012 |
4MR Winter Market is open every Sunday from 9am until 1pm from until April in Four Mile Run Park at 4109 Mt Vernon Avenue, Alexandria.
For more info see: http://www.4mrmarket.org/
On Facebook: facebook.com/4MRMarket
On Twitter: @4MRMarket
Contact us at: 4MRMarket@arlandria.org
Or call the 4MRMarket hotline: (804) 4Mi-Run1
Thursday, November 19, 2015
Alexandria Neighbors Help Arlandria Family Impacted by Tragedy
The man found dead Monday in a playground in Northern Virginia was a carpenter, DJ and beloved eldest brother with four siblings. News4's Julie Carey spoke with the mother of Luis Perez, in Alexandria. (click here to view). |
Many have expressed their desire to help his family, especially his mother who wishes to return his remains to his beloved home country. Any contribution of any size would be help. Your consideration would be appreciated. Financial contributions can be made via GoFundMe. In-kind donations are being accepted through SignupGenius.
Here's an English language translation of the the request on GoFundMe:
"On Monday, November 9, 2015, we lost a great person, Jose' Luis Perez Ferman. He was a good son, brother, father and friend. Only 24 years old, he left us to be by God’s side. He was a good person in every possible way. Our family is obviously not prepared for this tragedy and losing a person this loved is painful and unexpected. Funeral expenses are very expensive and we have created this page to request assistance for these expenses. Whatever amount you can provide would be very much appreciated. Thank you and God bless you. We need your support to cover the funeral expenses of Jose' Luis Perez Ferman."
To make an in-kind donation for the funeral, go to: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/409084fa4aa2ca46-items
Friday, November 06, 2015
Science In the Hood! Sunday at 4MRMarket 10-2
Come one, come all to the second annual science science expo.
Students from The George Washington University have activities for everyone – kids, teens, parents and even the whole family to join in.
Click here for PDF |
For the elementary tikes:
- Nutrition related coloring activities
- Mystery exercise challenge (hint: get your dance shoes ready!)
- Veggie surprise!
For the middle and high school kids:
- Cooking demonstrations
- Making a mini-greenhouse
- Two exercise activities to get your heart going!
For the parents:
- Quick and easy guide to how to eat healthy. While the kids are off doing different activities, let’s talk about ways to make little changes that can make a BIG difference.
For the family:
- Tours of Four Mile Run restoration project
- During the tour, help your kids collect different items from our scavenger hunt. You’ll have a collection kit to gather the organisms so you can observe them with a microscope!
- Bobbing for apples!
- Oyster DEMO
Thursday, November 05, 2015
NOVEMBER 8TH CONSERVEMOS Four Mile Run Stream Clean-Up & Restoration Project Tours
Four Mile Run Stream Clean-Up and Restoration Project Tours
Join the City of Alexandria and TC Williams High School Students at the Four Mile Run Farmers & Artisans Market on Sunday, November 8th to get involved with our local watershed.
Click here for PDF |
- Tours Offered from 9am to 1pm
- Clean Up Throughout the Day
- Tours in both English and Spanish
- Other fun activities provided by GWU students
- Come Support Watershed Restoration! Efforts!
Saturday, October 17, 2015
Help neighbors get ready for winter!!
This Sunday, 4MRMarket will once again collect for St. Rita's Annual Clothing Drive.
St. Rita's Church together with Grace Episcopal is conducting its annual clothing drive and will be collecting gently worn, clean cold weather clothing and rain gear of all sizes this week.
The collection box at the 4MRMarket Tent and the clothing will be distributed on Saturday, November 7th from the St. Rita School Hall to our neighbors in Arlandria.
Your donations will be collected the next two Sundays, 9am-1pm at the Four Mile Run Farmers & Artisans Market, 4109 Mt Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22305
Friday, October 16, 2015
HUGE Book Sale for Scholarship Fund of Alexandria!
We asked Alexandria for book donations and the response came in droves!!
4MRMarket plays host to the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria Book Sale this Sunday.
Come to the Four Mile Run Farmers & Artisans Market (www.4MRMarket.org) at 4109 Mt. Vernon Avenue this Sunday October 18th, 9am-1pm, to find that great read you've been looking for.
Friday, September 18, 2015
Have Books to Donate? Bring them to 4MRMarket!
Have Books to Donate? Bring them to 4MRMarket!
The 3rd Annual Four Mile Run Farmers' & Artisans Market Book Sale will take place Sunday October 18th with ALL proceeds benefiting the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria!
Bring any unwanted books to the 4MRMarket on Sundays between 9am and 1pm now through October 11th.
Contact Nathalie at nsimon22305@yahoo.com for more information.
Friday, September 11, 2015
The Four Mile Summer Movie Festival conclude TONIGHT!!
4th Annual Alexandria Multicultural Fest on Saturday, September 12
Designed to bring community members together to celebrate Alexandria’s diversity, Alexandria Multicultural Fest features entertainment for all ages including live music and activities representing the region’s cultures. Performances include music from “Rainbow Rock Band,” “Black Royal Band” and “Rebk N Joseph,” as well as a variety of dance styles. Free games, demonstrations and activities will highlight a broad range of cultures and a wide variety of crafts and cuisines will be available for purchase.
“Rainbow Rock Band,” featuring Kate Moran as the Rainbow Lady, will perform interactive Pop Rock children’s songs where kids can play instruments along with the band. “Black Royal Band” will perform their blend of old school funk and rock with a touch of DC’s original sound dubbed Go-Go. Salvadorans “Rebk N Joseph” will perform bachata music in the traditional Latin style.
For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Chief Cook's Community Walk through Arlandria, Thursday, August 13th.
The Alexandria Police Department has planned a "Community Walk with the Chief" for Thursday evening, August 13th from 6:30pm until 7:30pm.
Police Chief Earl Cook will walk the Arlandria neighborhood to talk with residents and business owners about any questions and concerns they have regarding the community.
The tour commences at 6:30pm at the intersection of West Glebe Road and Mt Vernon Avenue and will proceed down the Avenue along with other Police Department commanders.
Alexandria and Arlington Consider Aquatics and Fitness Center Partnership
Arlington County and the City of Alexandria plan to ask their residents if their governments should explore the possibility of a partnership to develop an aquatics, health and fitness facility at Long Bridge Park to meet the recreation interests of both communities.
“If the synergy is there, and both communities are interested, we will explore this further,” said Arlington County Board Chair Mary Hughes Hynes. “Partnerships are just one of the many creative ways we are approaching the development of our facilities and programs.”
Both jurisdictions to survey their residents
Both jurisdictions will survey residents as part of needs assessments for their respective park and recreation systems. Alexandria is asking residents this summer about their interest in collaborating with Arlington to develop an aquatics, health and fitness facility at Long Bridge Park. Arlington will do the same this fall as part of its community discussions to update its Public Spaces Master Plan.
A question included in the Alexandria survey asks about community interest in “a proposal to partner with Arlington County on development of a 50-meter pool at Long Bridge Park. This would be done instead of the expansion of the facility at Chinquapin Park.”
Arlington’s fall survey will ask a similar question. If both communities show an interest, the next step will be to consider cost and operational questions, and report to respective leadership.
Arlington Board interested in partners for Long Bridge Park
In March, the Arlington County Board asked the County Manager to seek broad public input to review Phase 2 of the 2013 Long Bridge Park Master Plan. The fall survey will be the Department of Parks and Recreation’s broadest outreach effort. Phase 2 includes the aquatics, health and fitness facility; 10 acres of parkland; continuation of the esplanade; and more environmental remediation. The County Board further instructed the County Manager to continue to seek partners for the project.
Park improvements continue
Meanwhile, the County continues to improve Long Bridge Park. The County Board voted unanimously in June to begin construction of playgrounds on three lawn areas at the south end of Long Bridge Park between 6th Street South and the sports fields. The $1.082 million contract — including $90,000 for contingencies — will provide play equipment for children ranging in age from two to 12 years.
Children helped design the new playgrounds, which will include a cooling “fog” system, sculpted play forms, a tunnel, bridges, a shade structure covering the pre-school area, accessible paths, benches and fencing. The playgrounds complete the southern portion of the park with a much-needed, family-friendly amenity; these should open in the third quarter of 2016.
Background
Long Bridge Park is an approximately 30-acre park in Crystal City, overlooking the Potomac River. Close to 10,000 people celebrated July 4 at the park this year. Long Bridge, once a brownfield and industrial wasteland, is now a sustainable park that offers stunning views of the Capital monuments, together with three full-size, multi-sport, lighted, rectangular synthetic-turf fields (home of Marymount University soccer and lacrosse teams); a network of walkways with an esplanade; and a striking public art feature, Wave Arbor.
Friday, July 24, 2015
I-395 & Glebe Road Bridge maintenance and repairs
I-395 and Glebe Road |
Bridge maintenance and repairs |
VDOT has announced a public information meeting scheduled for Tuesday, July 28 at Gunston Middle School, 2700 South Lang Street in Arlington from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
About the Project
This project includes maintenance and repair work for three bridges at the Glebe Road and I-395 Interchange in Arlington County. The work will include milling and overlaying bridge decks and approaches, reconstructing deck joints, concrete repairs, bearing replacement, beam painting, approach guardrail improvements and reconstructing selected sidewalk transitions.
See: http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/northernvirginia/i-395__glebe_rd.asp
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Arlandria Quality of Life Walk, Friday at 9am
ALSO, this just in!!
All are invited to tour the Four Mile Run Wetland Restoration construction site on Friday as well. For those interested, the tour will begin after the Quality of Life Walk and will be facilitated by Dana Wedeles (Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities) and the contractor.
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Transportation Plan is Getting Updated for Arlandria
As part of its responsibility to develop and maintain a comprehensive Transportation Long Range Plan (LRP) that identifies the City’s long-range transportation needs. The LRP is an unconstrained list of all transportation related capital projects, programs and studies identified in City plans and policies. Projects on the LRP have no identified funding source. Once projects on the LRP receive partial or full funding, they are moved to the City’s constrained Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
As projects from the LRP are considered for the City’s annual constrained budget, there are a number of other criteria that are typically considered by staff, Each year the Transportation Commission updates the LRP transportation projects, programs and studies from plans adopted since the last update and adjusts the rankings accordingly.
This year's update includes:
- safety improvements at Mt. Vernon Ave/Russell Rd moved in the rankings from #7 to #5 and
- safety improvements at Mt. Vernon Ave/Four Mile Rd moved in the rankings from #10 to #6.
- the desire for a healthy, mixed use community focusing on redevelopment of three underutilized “opportunity” sites (Safeway-Datatel, the Birchmere and the Mt. Vernon Village Shopping Center),
- active and viable commercial retail that serves both the neighborhood and the broader community,
- a transition in uses from automobile-oriented to pedestrian oriented; and
- visual and physical connections to Four Mile Run Park; and a safer environment for pedestrians.
The Draft Transportation Long-Range Plan is available online and the public is invited to provide comments either during the Public Hearing (City Hall, Council Work Room, 2nd Floor) or in advance of the hearing.
If you would like to provide advance comments, email Steve Sindiong, Principal Planner, Department of Transportation & Environmental Services at steve.sindiong@alexandriava.gov.
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Alexandria launches effort to improve broadband
According to the City's notice:The City has just issued an RFI to help us bring new broadband to our City. Let's build a digital Alexandria! http://t.co/b1Yt85broR— Justin Wilson (@justindotnet) July 21, 2015
The City of Alexandria (“City”) issues this Request for Information (RFI) for the purpose of gauging the interest of for-profit and non-profit entities in forming potential public-private partnerships with the City in regards to two separate but complementary broadband initiatives.
1. The first is to form a City-initiated fiber backbone infrastructure to support data transport among the City’s public institutions, including its schools, libraries, public safety, and other City facilities (“Institutional Network,” or “I-Net”).
2. The second is to enhance the broadband connectivity of the City’s residents, businesses, and anchor institutions by expanding the range and quality of available broadband and data transport services, potentially to include a Citywide Fiber to the Premises (“FTTP”) deploymentThe bid opening date is listed for September 3rd at 4pm.
Sunday, July 19, 2015
4MRMarket Increases Incentives for SNAP Customers
4MRMarket Increases Incentives for SNAP Customers with USDA’s Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grant Program
Already a leader in promoting healthy & foods to folks of all walks of life, 4MRMarket just expanded its groundbreaking program!!
Sunday, the Four Mile Run Farmers & Artisans Market (4MRMarket) increased access to fruits and vegetables for the food insecure of Arlandria and the surrounding neighborhoods, while also benefitting small and mid-sized farmers in the region. The new incentive program was made possible by the USDA with $31.5 million granted through the Food Insecurity Nutrition Program (FINI). National nonprofit Wholesome Wave received a $3.77 million FINI grant, of which 4MRMarket, as a subgrantee, received $4,100.
“It's been a lot of fun and a lot of hard work to build 4MRMarket over the past few years. We'd hope to continue to be much more but it's awesome to look back to 2010 and see how far we've come. Since then we helped bring about a lot of improvement to Four Mile Run Park through fund-raising and plain, old hard work, helped raise funds for a variety of other non-profits and helped folks of all walks of life,” says Nick Partee, Co-Market Manager and Founder.
Since June 2010, the Four Mile Run Farmers & Artisans Market has been committed to bringing fresh, nutritious food to people of all income levels, provide an opportunity for local artisans and producers of goods to bring their wares to market, strive to reflect the diversity of the community, and improve the quality of life for Arlandria residents and visitors. With the grant, 4MRMarket increases affordable access to fresh fruits and vegetables for SNAP consumers in Arlandria, while also supporting local agriculture.
“The Four Mile Run Farmers & Artisans Market was the first farmers market in Northern Virginia to enable SNAP beneficiaries to Buy Fresh, Buy Local and we are proud to have been able to assist others with technical assistance and to see the program grow throughout the region. We are more than excited to grow this program and provide these additional incentives!,” says Kevin Beekman, Co-Market Manager at 4MRMarket.
4MRMarket received this award as a subgrantee on a larger $3.77 million grant, which nonprofit, Wholesome Wave, obtained from the USDA to support their national network of nutrition incentive partners. 4MRMarket is one of 32 community-based organizations that will join Wholesome Wave in this Large-Scale FINI Project. Wholesome Wave’s network is a robust community of innovation and learning, linking incentive programs through uniform data collection and evaluation to support the expansion and adoption of incentives through policy. Wholesome Wave’s project is one of many that received support as part of the total $31.5 million granted by USDA in this cycle.
With the award from Wholesome Wave, 4MRMarket continues its groundbreaking incentive programs at its Sunday market in Arlandria. 4MRMarket will match the first $10 of SNAP customers purchases with an additional $10 of tokens to be used exclusively for the purchases of fruits and vegetables. Additionally, 4MRMarket will continue to provide “Double Dollars”, an additional $10 of tokens to match SNAP customers next $10 of purchases, good for use with any SNAP-eligible product. In total, up to $20 in additional funds are available each Sunday to enable more folks to stretch the benefits and still “Buy Fresh, Buy Local”
“We are thrilled to be working with such a diverse and competent group of incentive operators across the nation. This network brings together organizations ranging from a flourishing farmers market group to a large scale nonprofit, capitalizing on the grassroots expertise of community leaders, while also building regional and national impact that allows us to enact the kind of large-scale policy change we see in legislation like FINI,” says Wholesome Wave founder and CEO, Michel Nischan.
Friday, July 10, 2015
The Four Mile Summer Movie Festival continues TONIGHT!!
The schedule of movies continues later this summer:
- Friday August 7: Mcfarland USA
- Friday September 11: Cool Runnings
Friday, June 05, 2015
The Four Mile Summer Movie Festival starts TONIGHT!!
Monday, May 18, 2015
A Groundbreaking for the Groundbreaking 4MR Stream Restoration
The City of Alexandria began work this month in the the wetlands area of Four Mile Run Park. Environmental specialists have begun to remove the tree canopy that has grown on the highly degraded artificial fill in the wetland and the non-native forest floor. Soon, work planting will begin using only native low and high marsh wetland plants and the area will be restored as a functioning wetland. The adjacent acres of naturally existing (remnant) forested wetlands within the project area will be preserved.
Arlington's portion of the restoration project is out to bid and should get underway later this year.
Learn more about the restoration project: http://novaregion.org/
Four Mile Run Ground Breaking
You're invited! Don't miss the official Four Mile Run Ground Breaking!!
Join former Congressman Moran, Congressman Beyer (invited), the City of Alexandria and Arlington County to celebrate the beginning of construction on the Four Mile Run restoration project!
Come see the work that has begun to restore the wetlands, naturalize the stream banks, remove invasive plants, replant with native plants and create a new living shoreline. 4125 Mt. Vernon Ave (parking available at soccer field).
Contact: Dana Wedeles, Phone: 703-746-5491, Email: Dana.Wedeles@alexandriava.gov
The project has a website too: https://4milerun.wordpress.
Friday, May 15, 2015
Public Hearing on Potomac Yard Metrorail Station – Saturday, May 16
Everyone is welcome to voice their opinion in person tomorrow or submit comments online or via email.
If you haven't voiced an opinion yet, this is your chance. City Council's vote following this hearing is next Wednesday, May 20th and that will determine the City preferred alternative.
The details:
Public Hearing on Potomac Yard Metrorail Station – Saturday, May 16The City of Alexandria will hold a Public Hearing on the Potomac Yard Metrorail Station on Saturday, May 16, at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers located at City Hall, 301 King St.
The Public Hearing will include a discussion of the City staff report recommending that City Council select Alternative B as the preferred alternative for the Potomac Yard Metrorail Station, an overview of feedback from the public and other City boards and commissions, and a discussion of next steps in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process. There will be an opportunity for the public to comment on the staff recommendation.
All persons wishing to speak before City Council must fill out a speaker's form (which may be found in the rear of the Council Chambers) and present it to the City Clerk. If you have a prepared statement, please present it to the City Clerk. Speakers can submit their written comments to the City Clerk and the speaker’s form is located online.
City Council will consider the selection of a locally preferred alternative for the Potomac Yard Metrorail Station at a special meeting to be held on Wednesday, May 20, at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 301 King Street.
For more information about this project, please contact Lee Farmer at lee.farmer@alexandriava.gov or visit the City’s Potomac Yard website. Formal comments can be submitted at any time throughout the EIS process to comments@potomacyardmetro.com.
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Interested in Pedestrian and Bike Safety in Arlandria?
The City of Alexandria is reformulating its Bike/Ped Master plan and tonight begins the focus on the eastern side of the City. Check it tonight at Cora Kelly.