inbrief

Volunteers are sought to buy holiday gifts for the needy

Arlington County and Alexandria officials are seeking volunteers and donations for programs aimed at helping underprivileged families and individuals during the holiday season.

The Arlington-Alexandria Coalition for the Homeless is seeking volunteers for its Holiday Hook-up program. Volunteers sponsor low-income families, disabled people and senior citizens by purchasing gifts such as clothing, groceries and gift certificates. For information on the Holiday Sharing Program, call 703-746-5663 or visit http://www.alexandriava.gov/holidaysharing.

Alexandria cleanup event to be held Saturday

Alexandria will participate in America Recycles Day by hosting a cleanup event from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday. Volunteers will meet at Beatley Bridge and will pick up litter along Holmes Run Parkway. For information or to sign up, e-mail Stacy Herring, Alexandria's recycling coordinator, at stacy.herring@alexandriava.gov.

Bridge replacement aimed at improving train service in Va.

Several organizations have teamed up to construct a third mainline railroad track between Fredericksburg and the District. As part of the project, workers will replace the Alexandria Railroad Bridge and link seven miles of new mainline beginning at the Franconia-Springfield Virginia Railway Express station in Fairfax County and continuing to Alexandria Union Station.

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation and CSX Transportation have partnered with VRE and Amtrak to build the track in an effort to improve train service and reduce congestion across Virginia. As part of the plan, the 100-year-old single-track CSX railroad bridge will be replaced with a double-track bridge.

The project, which began last month, is scheduled to last through spring, according to city officials.

Most of the work will not affect surrounding neighborhoods, they said.

Alexandria real estate taxes for second half due Monday

The second half of the year's Alexandria real estate taxes and refuse fee payments are due Monday.

Alexandria property owners have several payment options. They can visit http://www.alexandriava.gov/payments to pay by eCheck, automatic bank debit or credit card; or use the online service http://alexandriava.gov/finance or mail a check or money order to the Treasury Division, P.O. Box 323, Alexandria, Va. 22313.

Checks or money orders can also be placed in the drop box on the Royal Street side of City Hall. Payments can also be made by visiting any SunTrust Bank branch in Alexandria by 5 p.m. Monday.

For information, visit http://www.alexandriava.gov/realestatetax. For information on payments, late payment penalties and interest, visit http://www.alexandriava.gov/treasury.

-- Compiled by Yamiche Alcindor