It’s that time of year again.
This reporter is a sucker for “best of” lists. While this isn’t necessarily a “Best of”, ALXnow will take you on a tour of the most-read stories from this year, from major development news to one restaurant’s fight with a naked neighbor.
Thank you all for reading this little site over the last year, and we look forward to an equally zany 2024.
20. JUST IN: Alexandria City High School Principal Peter Balas announces move to Arlington (May 11 | 14,197 views)
“Alexandria City High School (ACHS) Principal Peter Balas announced that, after graduation in June, he’s heading north to become the new principal at Arlington’s Wakefield High School.”
19. Village Brauhaus in Old Town is being rebranded (June 8 | 14,206 views)
“Big changes are coming to Village Brauhaus at 710 King Street in Old Town.”
18. New milkshake bar coming to Old Town this summer (Feb. 27 | 14,272 views)
“A new restaurant focused on milkshakes in mason jars is coming to Old Town.”
17. Former Bishop Ireton High School student performed on SNL this weekend (Oct. 30 | 14,512 views)
“Former Bishop Ireton High School student Dave Grohl performed with other members of his band, Foo Fighters, this weekend on Saturday Night Live.”
16. Alexandria Mayor: Potomac Yard arena will have minimal parking, but Metro station currently inadequate (Dec. 14 | 14,538 views)
“Yesterday’s announcement of the possible new arena at Potomac Yard turned a previously scheduled conversation with Mayor Justin Wilson into one of the first public discussions of the contentious project.”
15. BREAKING: Washington Capitals and Wizards could move to Potomac Yard (Dec. 11 | 14, 522 views)
“Virginia lawmakers are meeting today to consider a deal to bring the Washington Capitals and Wizards to Potomac Yard, the Washington Post first reported.”
14. Alexandria leaders dismayed by developer’s baffling ‘WestEnd’ project name (Sept. 25 | 14,881 views)
“Before unanimously voting on financing the massive WestEnd Alexandria project at the former Landmark Mall site, a majority of Alexandria City Council members said that they still dislike the name.”
13. Alexandria City High School senior earns rare perfect score on AP U.S. History Exam (Oct. 20 | 17,639 views)
“Alexandria City High School senior Mohommed Abir Rhaman was shocked when he was notified last month that he got a perfect score on the Advanced Placement U.S. History Exam.”
12. Alexandria City High School students organize walk out protesting cancelation of lunchtime activities (Jan. 24 | 20,193 views)
“At 10 a.m. today, Alexandria City High School students filed out of their classrooms and took to the field behind the school in protest against the elimination of a popular lunchtime program at the school.”
11. BREAKING: Man stabbed to death in Del Ray, suspect arrested (Nov. 12 | 21,038 views)
“A man was stabbed to death Sunday afternoon in Del Ray, and a suspect is in custody, according to the Alexandria Police Department.”
10. UPDATED: Alexandria police investigating multiple shootings (Aug. 26 | 21,038 views)
“Alexandria police are on the scene of multiple shootings in the city.”
9. Alexandria ditching ‘pay and display’ parking meters citywide (July 24 | 21,552 views)
“Alexandria’s garages aren’t the only parking tool getting an overhaul.”
8. BREAKING: Shooting reported at Bradlee Shopping Center (April 17 | 22,153 views)
“Police are responding to a shooting near the bus stop at the Bradlee Shopping Center (3660 King Street).”
7. Zoning permit discussion reveals Alexandria restaurant’s struggle with nude neighbor (April 19 | 22,284 views)
“1799 Prime Steak and Seafood might be famous for its eponymous steaks, but it was a wayward sausage that stole the discussion at the City Council meeting this weekend.”
6. Woodrow Wilson Bridge opening scheduled Thursday night (Aug. 16 | 22,982 views)
“Those crossing between Virginia and Maryland tomorrow night may want to avoid the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.”
5. Alexandria Italian eatery is Washingtonian readers’ second favorite Virginia restaurant (Dec. 12 | 25,808 views)
“Alexandria restaurant Thompson Italian, which also has a location in Falls Church, was voted as the second-best restaurant in Virginia by Washingtonian readers.”
4. Del Ray restaurant listed as one of Washingtonian’s Best Brunch Spots (Oct. 19 | 26,517 views)
“While most of Washingtonian’s Best Brunch Spots in the region are on the wrong side of the Potomac, one Alexandria location made the cut.”
3. Alexandria’s Smoot Lumber yard closing today after 200 years in business (Dec. 1 | 29,552 views)
“After more than 200 years in business, Alexandria’s Smoot Lumber yard is shutting down today.”
2. BREAKING: Washington Capitals and Wizards are officially moving to Potomac Yard (Dec. 13 | 41,129 views)
“It’s official: the Washington Capitals and the Washington Wizards are moving to Alexandria’s Potomac Yard neighborhood.”
1. Alexandria City High School seniors with 3.25 GPA now automatically admitted to George Mason University (Oct. 20 | 42,532 views)
“Alexandria City High School seniors with a 3.25 cumulative grade point average or higher are now eligible for automatic admission to George Mason University.”