*TRAFFIC ADVISORY* Stay Away From Capital Beltway Inner Loop Jun 1-Jun4

Weather permitting, the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project has scheduled major work on the Capital Beltway Inner Loop (I-95/495 South) for the weekend of June 1-4 in order to complete paving of the final THRU lanes between U.S. Route 1 and Telegraph Road. The work will have significant traffic impacts, with backups expected well into Maryland. Motorists are strongly urged to consider alternate routes during the weekend to avoid significant delays. Details for the work are as follows:

Beginning at 11 p.m. on Thursday, May 31, the THRU lanes of the Capital Beltway Inner Loop (I-95/495 South) will be reduced to one lane between the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and Telegraph Road for allow for roadway construction. A temporary second LOCAL lane will be opened between U.S. Route 1 and Telegraph Road to ease traffic volumes; this temporary lane will be in place through the weekend until Monday morning, and require reduced speeds. Motorists are encouraged to use the Inner Loop LOCAL lanes Friday during the day.

Beginning Friday, June 1 at 8 p.m., and through the weekend until 5 a.m. on Monday, June 4, all access to the Capital Beltway Inner Loop (I-95/495 South) THRU lanes from Maryland and from U.S. Route 1 in Virginia will be closed. The Inner Loop LOCAL exits to Pershing Avenue and Telegraph Road North will also be closed. Motorists on the LOCAL lanes traveling to the Eisenhower Valley should exit at the Eisenhower Connector and return on Eisenhower Avenue East.

Once reopened the morning of June 4, the two new Inner Loop THRU lanes will be complete and in their final configuration, and work will transition to paving the Inner Loop LOCAL lanes. Only one Inner Loop LOCAL lane will be open in this corridor from June 4 until paving is complete July 1, restricting LOCAL lane traffic. Also, during this interval, motorists on the Inner Loop THRU lanes will not be able to exit at the Eisenhower Connector; travelers headed to Eisenhower Avenue will need to exit at the Van Dorn interchange. On July 1, all Inner Loop work (THRU and LOCAL) between Rt. 1 and the Eisenhower Connector will be complete, and the roadway will be in its final configuration of two THRU lanes and two LOCAL lanes.

Please use caution when traveling in this area. All construction-related work and dates are subject to change, depending on weather, material and contractor availability or other unforeseen conditions.

John Carlyle Square Park Fountain Is On!

Before summer starts at that. Last two summers it's been on in mid-August.

How Good Are You At Parallel Parking? (Video)

What if you could park on the street in Carlyle like this:

For the Guinness World Records, one of the most popular world records over recent years has been the hotly contested tightest parallel parking title.

However, the record has indeed once again been smashed , this time by Chinese master wheelman Han Yue. Han last week managed to shave off an incredible 7cm from the record, drifting into a space of just 15 cm (5.91 in) longer than his vehicle during an attempt at the launch in Beijing of a new special edition of the Mini called The Chinese Job.

Alexandria Police Investigate Carjacking

Alexandria Police are investigating a carjacking that occurred in the 5100 block of Duke Street. Around 2:10 A.M. on Thursday, May 31, a 24 year-old City resident and a 21 year-old non-City resident were sitting in a 2004 Nissan Maxima when they were approached by three men. One of the suspects displayed a handgun and told the victims to get out of the vehicle. The three suspects jumped into the car and drove westbound on Duke Street. The victims of the carjacking were not injured.

A lookout was immediately broadcast to area departments and Arlington County Police Department officers located the vehicle a short time later heading northbound on Interstate 395. Arlington County officers initiated a pursuit and eventually got the vehicle to stop on Interstate 395 at the 12th Street exit in Washington, DC. Two suspects were apprehended inside the vehicle and a third suspect was caught after a short foot pursuit. The weapon was recovered inside the vehicle.

Mark Comer, 23, and Marcus Crouch, 19, both of Washington, DC and a 17 year-old Maryland resident were each charged with Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle and a weapons violation in Washington, DC. They are currently being held in that jurisdiction.

The three men have each been charged in Alexandria with Carjacking and Possession of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony. Additional charges may be pending.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Criminal Investigations Section of the Alexandria Police Department at 703.746.6711.

Old Town Farmer's Market Closing Early Tomorrow (6/2)

The Old Town Farmers' Market will close early, at 10:30 a.m., this Saturday, June 2, in preparation for the Armenian Festival. The City hosts the annual festival which features entertainment, food and displays showcasing and celebrating Armenian culture.

Happy National Doughnut Day! (Video)

Celebrated the first Friday in June, National Doughnut Day was launched in 1938 to pay tribute to the selfless spirit of The Salvation Army's doughnut lassies during World War I, and symbolizes the services The Salvation Army continues to provide today.

Mary Ann Barton at Old Town Alexandria Patch has a listing of doughnut stores giving out free donuts on this day and TIME magazine has a listing of 10 things you didn't know about donuts.

Mayor Euille Today: Hurricane/Flood Preparedness & Youth Arts Festival (Video)

Mayor Bill Euille discusses hurricane and flood preparedness with City Engineer Emily Baker, and Emergency Management Coordinator Mark Penn; and talks about the Youth Arts Festival and the new KaBoom playground with Roy Priest, CEO of ARHA and Alexandria student Helen Mengel.

First Half Real Rstate Tax Bills Have Been Mailed

The City of Alexandria has mailed bills for the first half 2012 Real Estate Tax and Refuse Fee to all property owners and/or mortgage companies. First Half Real Estate Tax and Refuse Fee payments are due Friday, June 15. In accordance with City Code, late payment penalty and interest will be assessed on all real estate taxes and refuse fees that are not paid or postmarked by the due date.

The Last Full Measure - A Memorial Day Tribute (Video)

Memorial Day is the day that we salute all the women and men who have served our country and given their life in the name of freedom. In war and peace these brave individuals make sacrifices far beyond what most of us appreciate. In the name of freedom, they give up the comfort and convenience of civilian life in order to protect our rights and liberties. Without their devotion to duty and dedication to freedom there simply would not be a United States of America.

On this Memorial Day, please make a point of remembering those women and men who have given the last full measure of devotion in the cause of freedom.

Happy Memorial Day!