Alexandria Dispatches

Welcome to Alexandria Dispatches, a collection of this week's top stories you may have missed in West End Alexandria and surrounding communities.

West End Alexandria Patch:

: Disabled veteran Telisha Claiborne, three children received furniture for new home, Christmas gifts.

Photos: Virginia Sees First Snow of Season: Upload your photos to our gallery so we can compare conditions.

Library to Hold “Speed Dating” Event: Library Speed Dating starts Jan. 10 and will be held once a month.

Old Town Alexandria Patch:

Federal Government Awards ACPS $381K Health Grant: The grant will be used to create a mobile health unit for three elementary schools.

Virginia Tax Department to Offer Debit Cards for 2012 Tax Returns: Beginning in 2013, residents will no longer have the option to receive paper checks for refunds and can only use direct deposit to their bank account or receive a prepaid debit card.

: The Torpedo Factory is hosting is monthly open house next month, Jan. 13.

Del Ray Patch:

Sen. Crapo Consumed Vodka Prior to Arrest in Del Ray: U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) is scheduled to appear in Alexandria court on Jan. 4.

Elected Officials Honor Longtime Civic Activists Fromm and Slack: David Fromm and Amy Slack are stepping down from their leadership positions with the Del Ray Citizens Association at the end of the year.

Annandale Patch:

Inova Fairfax Hospital Completes Construction on New South Tower: The new tower is part of a multi-year expansion project for the Inova medical campus.

Congressman Connolly Urges $200 Million Gun Buyback Program: Forty House members sign letter backing proposed program added to any end-of-the-year fiscal cliff deal.

Photo: TRY Fashion Store Now Open: The store, which sells undergarments for men, women, and children, opened in early December.