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

Annual chili cook-off brings competition and flavor to Del Ray this month

By Katie Taranto
Samples, beer and trophies at the Del Ray Chili Cook Off in 2024 (via Del Ray Citizens Association/Facebook)

Flavor, fundraising and friendly competition are coming to Del Ray with the return of the Del Ray Chili Cook Off this month.

The annual culinary competition by the Del Ray Citizens Association is open to individual and team entries from Del Ray residents. It will kick off at 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28 in the gymnasium at Commonwealth Academy.

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News

Avoid contact with Potomac River, Va. health officials say in new advisory

By Katie Taranto
A sailboat on the Potomac River (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The Virginia Department of Health is advising people to avoid contact with the Potomac River following a massive sewage pipe rupture last month.

Recreational activities like swimming and kayaking should be avoided out of caution to prevent illness, VDH said in a release yesterday.

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Around Town

Hopkins House preschoolers share songs, crafts with seniors for Valentine’s Day

By Katie Taranto
Students from Hopkins House's k-prep class met with seniors on Friday, Feb. 6, for a Valentine's Day celebration (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Ahead of Valentine’s Day, preschoolers from Hopkins House brought joy and laughter to The Senior Center at Charles Houston during an annual celebration last week.

The k-prep class from Helen Day Preschool Academy joined Alexandria seniors for a lively morning of crafts and dancing on Friday, Feb. 6. About a dozen students made handmade valentines for seniors, many of whom are regular visitors to the center.

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News

‘Agenda: Alexandria’ to host panel on housing and affordability this month

By Katie Taranto
Agenda: Alexandria hosts a panel on aging in November 2025 (via Agenda: Alexandria/Facebook)

Update: Agenda Alexandria has rescheduled this event to 7 p.m. March 23, due to inclement weather. 

Housing development and affordability will be the subject of Agenda: Alexandria’s next program, now expected to take place in March.

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News

Weekend Metro closures affecting Blue and Yellow Lines start tomorrow

By Katie Taranto
A train arrives at the Potomac Yard Metro station (staff photo by James Cullum)

Ten weekends of Metro closures between Pentagon City and Reagan National Airport start tomorrow (Saturday), affecting Blue and Yellow Line trains departing and entering Alexandria.

Metrorail service will be suspended between those stations for a three-day weekend between Feb. 14-16, with free shuttle buses connecting the stations. During impacted weekends, both lines are expected to operate in “two segments” outside the closed stations every 12 minutes.

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News

Alexandria city offices, public schools closing Monday for George Washington Day

By Katie Taranto
Thousands lined King Street for the George Washington Birthday Parade in Old Town on President's Day, Feb. 20, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria government offices, libraries and public schools are closing Monday to observe Presidents Day, otherwise known in Virginia as George Washington Day.

Across the city, some services will close or operate on modified schedules in observance of the first president’s birthday. Trash, recycling and yard waste collection will be delayed one day next week, but curbside food waste collection will remain on-schedule.

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Around Town

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Leo, a polite and playful fellow

By Katie Taranto
Leo (courtesy of AWLA)

Meet Leo, a sweet dog who’s been spending his days at an area foster home through the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.

At one year and seven months old, Leo carries the personality of a “polite young gentleman,” an AWLA volunteer wrote. He enjoys going on walks and playing with squeaky toys, and has a good time socializing with other furry friends.

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News

George Washington Birthday Parade returns to Old Town this weekend with adapted route

By Katie Taranto
The 1st Virginia Regiment of the Continental Line cries 'Huzzah!' at the George Washington Birthday Parade in Old Town, Feb. 19, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria’s month-long celebration of the first president of the United States continues this Saturday with the return of the George Washington Birthday Parade.

Known as Washington’s adopted hometown, Alexandria has celebrated the Founding Father, born Feb. 22, 1732, with a birthday parade that dates back to 1801. This year, it will run from 2-4 p.m. this Saturday in Old Town with a modified route, due to ongoing renovations at City Hall and Market Square.

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Around Town

Old Town couple cuts ribbon on ‘Sundara Indian Restaurant & Cafe’ at Braddock Metro Center

By Katie Taranto
Mary Ardolino cuts the ribbon on Sundara Indian Restaurant & Cafe with her husband, chef Subheesh Manikoth (second from right), surrounded by friends and family (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A local Indian restaurant founded by an Old Town couple is celebrating the start of a new chapter in Alexandria.

After about 18 months of planning and renovations, Sundara Indian Restaurant & Cafe is reopening in a new space on the ground floor of 1320 Braddock Place in Suite 105. It’s a hard-earned milestone for the business, which grappled with unexpected delays and rising renovation costs to reopen after departing from an Arlington VFW post in summer 2024, following a zoning dispute.

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News

JUST IN: Elizabeth Bennett-Parker wins decisive victory in special election for State Senate

By Katie Taranto and James Cullum
State Sen.-elect Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-39) speaks to supporters on the night of her special election, Feb. 10, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-5) is getting a promotion in Richmond.

Voters in today’s special election gave the Democrat a sweeping victory against Republican Julie Robben Lineberry for a seat in the State Senate. The outgoing delegate received a decisive 83% of the vote, setting her up to succeed Sen. Adam Ebbin as he joins Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s administration.

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News

JUST IN: R. Kirk McPike wins special election in landslide for House of Delegates seat

By Katie Taranto and James Cullum
R. Kirk McPike reacts to his House of Delegates victory at Pork Barrel BBQ on Feb. 10, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

R. Kirk McPike is trading in Alexandria City Council dockets for a newly-won seat in the House of Delegates, following today’s special election.

Alexandria’s outgoing councilman received 81.5% of the vote in a decisive win against Republican candidate Mason Butler to secure a seat in the House of Delegates. The win means McPike will fulfill the 5th District post of Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, who voters concurrently elected to outgoing State Sen. Adam Ebbin’s 39th District seat tonight.

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