The proposed Entertainment District at Potomac Yard is advertised as bringing “world-class entertainment” and “monumental sports” and would be built on a site near the newly-opened Potomac Yard Metro station. The $2 billion development would bring in approximately 30,000 jobs, according to a report.

In a Jan. 9 release, the city stated that they are, “eager to listen to and engage with Alexandria and surrounding communities,” and are inviting residents, business owners and those seeking more information on the project to sign up to attend public meetings and voice their opinions.

Alexandria is asking for people to encourage their friends and neighbors to also sign up.

Biweekly public updates began Jan. 9, and will continue every other Tuesday until March 26. The city and other partners of this project will share new information with the public during these meetings.

A weekly virtual listening series will begin Jan. 18 and continue Thursday nights from 7 to 8 p.m., covering topics including economic impact of the project, school and housing benefits and traffic management. One major concern of the project is the potential traffic congestion in that area.

On Jan. 27, the Alexandria City Council is holding a town hall meeting at 9:30 a.m. It will include a short presentation on the project and councilmembers at that time will answer any questions and concerns submitted by the community.

In addition to the mentioned meetings, the city is planning civic and business organization briefings, pop-up events including farmers markets, site tours, and staff liaisons.

For a full list of dates for engagement opportunities, visit the .

More information .

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Some people in the D.C. region think it might be a good time to switch to a more eco-friendly mode of transportation, like an electronic bicycle.

鈥淎 few years ago, e-bikes were a novelty product. But now, over 50 shops in the DMV area are selling e-bikes,鈥� said Gregory Maassen, the founder of 鈥淓-Bike Lovers,鈥� an almost 1,000-member meetup group for e-bike fanatics in the D.C. region.

Maassen described e-bikes as better for the environment 鈥� and better for your wallet.

鈥淵ou can already buy good ones for $1,500 to $2,000,鈥� he said.

Some e-bikes can be found online for even less than the prices Maassen quoted. However, he recommends prospective buyers do their homework: 鈥淚t’s very important that people educate themselves before buying an e-bike. I was positively surprised by the quality of what is available to us as e-bikers.鈥�

For a full checklist of what type of e-bike to purchase, you can visit the.

For Maassen, traveling by e-bike makes more than economical sense. He credits e-biking to improving his health and keeping him active.

鈥淓-bikes bring me further into nature,鈥� said Maassen. 鈥淚 can go to places that I cannot go with a normal bicycle. So it has opened up a whole new world to me.鈥�

It doesn’t matter whether you’re riding a regular bike or an e-bike, according to Maassen, “as long as you’re active and you’re out there.”

鈥淚t’s good for your body, but it’s also very good for your mind,” he said. “You meet people you will not meet otherwise, and you are in nature.”

Maassen also emphasized the importance of safety, and choosing an e-bike that meets your individual needs.

“I like to repeat: Go to a local bike shop, and support your local retailer,” he said. “Educate yourself, look at all the different models, invest in your safety and invest in your well-being.鈥�

Maassen biked over 4,000 miles across America last year on an electric bicycle. He filmed the experience in a soon-to-be-released documentary.

For now, he sticks to trails around the D.C. area.

To meet up with other e-bike enthusiasts in the DMV, check out the .

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Dr. Zaher Sahloul, president of U.S.-based MedGlobal, says his team in Gaza is trying to get healthcare supplies to those in desperate need.

鈥淥ne hospital in the United States in Chicago has more ICU beds and more ventilators than the whole Gaza Strip,鈥� said Sahloul on Sunday.

鈥淭hey are piling the dead bodies outside the hospital,” he told 海角社区app. “They’re worried about contaminating water sources with the decomposing bodies. And I’ve seen videos of emergency rooms full of patients on the floor. They were operating on patients without anesthesia at some major hospitals, and others.”

Hospitals in North Gaza are overwhelmed with casualties and lacking supplies. There is a fear of running out of fuel to power the hospitals and a shortage of clean water and food.

鈥淎lso, they are running out of pain medications, running out of IV fluid,鈥� said Sahloul. “They’re using one gauze instead of 10 gauze to stop the bleeding … they are running out of space. So they are doing surgeries on the floor. Even the morgue is running out of space because there [are] a lot of dead bodies.”

Over the weekend, the Rafah Border Crossing from Egypt to Gaza was reopened, allowing for a small fleet of medical trucks into the area with supplies.

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鈥淕ive them a hug now and again,鈥� mother and grandmother Deloris Walker said.

Walker was among the speakers at Sunday’s event hosted by Ronald Mote and held at the Arch Black Box. Throughout the day, families gathered to eat, watch videos, listen to music and learn from other parents.

鈥淛ust pay attention to your children, when you need help, ask for it. And just be vigilant, no excuses,鈥� Mote said.

鈥淐ommunicate with your children. Ask them how the day was when they come home from school,鈥� said Walker, who had her first child at 16.

鈥淚 had my first child, I did not know nothing about anything. But, I knew how to love. I knew how to give that child love,鈥� she said.

One topic of discussion was how to include fathers in the picture, especially if they are just coming back from incarceration. The event organizers plan to make 鈥淧arent Revival鈥� a common occurrence in the community.

鈥淐reating a collective organization of people where we can continue to be ambassadors, the parents have worked together to create better parenthood in our city,鈥� said Mote.

The organization was also instrumental in raising over $35,000.00 for Johnson Middle School鈥檚 football team through community donations.

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