Author: Katie Taranto

Katie Taranto is a reporter at ALXnow. She previously covered local businesses at ARLnow and K-12 education at The Columbia Missourian. She is originally from Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania.

Around Town

Alexandria Weekend Guide: Tree Lighting, cat yoga and turkey trots

By Katie Taranto
Santa and Mrs. Claus dance at the Christmas Tree lighting in Alexandria's Market Square, Nov. 23, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

This November weekend in Alexandria will get into the holiday spirit with the city’s annual Tree Lighting on Saturday night, plus two pre-Thanksgiving “turkey trots.”

Alexandrians can also catch the Middle Eastern Arts Collective’s inaugural gallery tonight (Friday), knit a chunky pumpkin at AR Workshop or gain some peace of mind with the felines at Mount Purrnon. If you like cider, the city’s own Cider Festival is taking place from 1-5 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday) at Lloyd House.

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Around Town

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Sassy, ‘the wonder pup’

By Katie Taranto
Sassy (courtesy of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria)

Sassy, “the wonder pup” of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, is always ready for a good adventure.

The 8-month-old puppy “is demonstrating many great qualities at a young age,” an AWLA volunteer wrote. Affectionate and active, she needs plenty of exercise, “preferably at your side.”

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Around Town

Holiday events in Alexandria: Tree lighting, ice skating, markets and more

By Katie Taranto
Alexandria's Holiday Boat Parade of Lights, Dec. 7, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

This holiday season in Alexandria brings charming decorations, warm community gatherings and seasonal festivities aplenty.

From “Turkey Trot” races and a giant menorah lighting in Old Town, to fireworks displays and winter concerts, discover a wide range of holiday happenings this season. Here’s a preview of notable activities through late December in one of the country’s “Most Christmassy” cities.

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News

Review board reworks City Hall restoration proposal despite concerns from city staff

By Katie Taranto
Alexandria City Hall in Old Town in 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Following hefty city pushback, the Board of Architectural Review unanimously advanced plans to renovate City Hall and Market Square with a new certificate of appropriateness at last night’s public hearing (Wednesday).

Board member Andrew Scott introduced a motion to approve a final design stipulating the inclusion of decorative chimneys, lifted archways and other 19th-century flourishes at the site of the 1871 building, garnering some dissent from Director of General Services Jeremy McPike.

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News

Old Town townhome proposal gets lukewarm response from architectural review board

By Katie Taranto
Illustrated changes to townhome design one (via City of Alexandria)

A plan to construct 32 four-story townhomes at the site of two Old Town office buildings is still struggling for the blessing of the Board of Architectural Review.

Members of the review board are requesting more exterior variety and colonial influence in the proposed townhomes, after reviewing new renderings of the project at 333 N. Fairfax Street. The board did not vote on the item during last night’s public hearing (Wednesday).

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News

Alexandria earns sixth consecutive ‘perfect score’ on LGBTQ+ equality index

By Katie Taranto
Alexandria's 8th Annual Pride Fair at Market Square on Saturday, June 28, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

For the sixth year in a row, Alexandria has received a “perfect score” from an annual evaluation of United States cities by a national LGBTQ+ rights nonprofit.

Alexandria earned a maximum score of 100 points on its Municipal Equality Index scorecard from the Human Rights Campaign, the city announced yesterday (Wednesday). The score accounts for factors like non-discrimination laws, protections for LGBTQ+ employees and fair enforcement of the law.

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News

Alexandria to receive $10.9 million in funding for DASH, senators announce

By Katie Taranto
New, 60-foot 100% electric DASH bus acquired in June 2025 (via DASH)

The city of Alexandria will receive $10.9 million in federal grant funding toward DASH, Sens. Mark Warner (D) and Tim Kaine (D) announced today (Wednesday).

Funding will benefit the transit system’s Bus Fleet Replacement & Facility Rehabilitation project, an undertaking that aims to transition Alexandria to 100% zero-emission buses over the next decade and build infrastructure to support the growing fleet, according to a release.

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News

Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House launch food pantry and collection effort

By Katie Taranto
Woodlawn Plantation site in Alexandria (via Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House/Facebook)

The historic Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House site is collecting non-perishable food donations in exchange for admission discounts this holiday season.

Now through Dec. 29, guests who bring one canned good to the Woodlawn admissions desk can receive a 10% discount on individual tour admission. The food drive comes as the museums aim to provide non-perishable, shelf-stable foods in “waterproof food pantries” outside the front gates at the Quaker Meeting House.

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News

Alexandria staff zero in on options to prevent displacement and preserve affordable housing

By Katie Taranto
As seen at the 204-unit affordable housing apartment complex Samuel Madden Homes, Nov. 12, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

City staff laid out numerous possible policies for preserving affordable housing in Alexandria and preventing tenant displacement at a meeting yesterday (Monday).

The city is seeking to update its 12-year-old Housing Master Plan with solutions to address needs over the next 15 years. In a virtual seminar on the Housing 2040 Master Plan, Housing Program Manager Tamara Jovovic and other staff members discussed dozens of possibilities based on input from stakeholders, literature reviews, public meetings and a survey of roughly 1,200 residents.

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Around Town

Akeno Sushi plans late November opening in Old Town

By Katie Taranto
Akeno Sushi offerings (courtesy of Sean Promsiri)

A family-owned sushi restaurant is preparing to open soon in Old Town with a menu full of Thai and East Asian specialties.

Interior renovations for Akeno Sushi are wrapping up at 611 King Street, where co-owner and veteran restaurateur Eakachai “Sean” Promsiri hopes to open for business by the end of the month.

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