Katie Taranto | ALXnow

Alex311 customer service program rises in popularity, driving plans for future upgrades

Published November 26, 2025 at 10:30AM

The Alexandria City Council at the legislative meeting (via City of Alexandria)

New digital modernizations and a refreshed website are coming soon to Alex311, Alexandria’s customer service program.

Alex311 staff gave a presentation on the forthcoming redesign during last night’s City Council legislative meeting (Tuesday). The updates call for investment in tools like chatbots and virtual agents with multilingual capabilities.

Around Town

‘Maman’ French-inspired cafe plans December opening in Old Town

By Katie Taranto

Published November 25, 2025 at 1:45PM

Maman's new Old Town storefront (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A French-inspired cafe with a growing presence in the D.C. area is hoping to open a location in Old Town as soon as next month.

Maman, which started construction at 701 King Street in September, is currently preparing to open in a 3,900-square-foot vacancy left by Foxtrot in spring 2024.

News

World AIDS Day event with testimonies and music happening in Alexandria next week

By Katie Taranto

Published November 25, 2025 at 11:45AM

ACOHA Commissioner speaks at World AIDS Day 2023 (courtesy of Alexandria Health Department)

The city of Alexandria plans to honor World AIDS Day with an evening of choir performances, testimonies and education next week.

The city’s annual World AIDS Day Commemoration invites residents to remember those lost to HIV/AIDS, celebrate progress made for people at risk or living with HIV/AIDS and stand in solidarity against stigmas surrounding the virus. The event is scheduled from 6:30-8:30 p.m. next Monday, Dec. 1, at the Nannie J. Lee Recreation Center on 1108 Jefferson Street.

News

APD launches ‘crime prevention plan’ to improve safety during the holidays

By Katie Taranto

Published November 24, 2025 at 3:45PM | Updated November 24, 2025 at 4:10PM

Alexandria police drive down E. Reed Avenue in Alexandria, Jan. 6, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria Police Department is rolling out a targeted effort to deter crime during the holiday season, as citywide crimes continue to trend downward. APD’s Holiday Crime Prevention Plan, which […]

News

Old Town Farmers’ Market will relocate in January amid City Hall renovations

By Katie Taranto

Published November 24, 2025 at 10:30AM

Old Town Farmers' Market (via City of Alexandria)

The Old Town Farmers’ Market is relocating across the street from Market Square in January to accommodate upcoming renovations at City Hall.

The market is relocating just steps away at the 100 block of N. Royal Street and the courtyard at Tavern Square. The move will begin on an unannounced date in January and last throughout two to three years of City Hall construction.

News

City seeks feedback on developing Taylor Run infrastructure plans

By Katie Taranto

Published November 24, 2025 at 9:15AM

Downstream photo of Taylor Run from the infrastructure project's photo log, in an area near an exposed sanitary sewer manhole (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria residents have until next Friday to submit feedback on the city’s developing Taylor Run Infrastructure Stabilization Project plans.

Currently at 30% design completion, the project is focused on “protecting critical, at-risk stormwater and sanitary sewer infrastructure, through a targeted, minimal intervention approach,” according to a city announcement. The full design is anticipated to be complete by September 2026, with construction commencing one month later.

News

Thanksgiving brings closures to all Alexandria city offices next week

By Katie Taranto

Published November 21, 2025 at 1:45PM

Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe Street) in Old Town (via City of Alexandria)

All city administrative offices are scheduled to close next Thursday and Friday in observance of Thanksgiving, although some community facilities will still have Friday hours.

The closures will prompt half days at some departments next Wednesday. All city courts, health facilities and the Alexandria Law Library intend to close at noon next Wednesday, Nov. 26.

Around Town

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

By Katie Taranto

Published November 21, 2025 at 11:45AM

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.

Around Town

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

By Katie Taranto

Published November 21, 2025 at 9:15AM

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.”

Around Town

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

By Katie Taranto

Published November 20, 2025 at 3:45PM

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.

News

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

By Katie Taranto

Published November 20, 2025 at 1:45PM

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.