Vernon Miles | ALXnow

Digable Planets, Arlo Guthrie and Others Coming to The Birchmere

Published February 6, 2020 at 9:15AM | Updated February 6, 2020 at 10:01AM

February’s here, but you don’t have to go through the winter dour and alone. There’s plenty of exciting acts coming to The Birchmere (3701 Mt. Vernon Avenue) in Arlandria.

One of the most high profile is Digable Planets, a Grammy-winning hip hop trio from the late 1980s. The show is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 24. Tickets are $55.

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City Combats Driftwood and Other Waterfront Debris in Old Town

By Vernon Miles

Published February 5, 2020 at 2:15PM | Updated February 5, 2020 at 3:50PM

City Marina before cleanup (photo via City of Alexandria)

Nobody knows where the styrofoam that washed up on Alexandria’s shore came from, but it was one part of the haul of debris that got swept up in a recent deep clean of Alexandria’s waterfront.

“We have a debris problem on the river,” said Jack Browand, division chief of Parks and Cultural Activities.

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‘Triwizard Tournament’ Coming to Old Town Bookstore

By Vernon Miles

Published February 5, 2020 at 10:30AM | Updated February 5, 2020 at 11:31AM

(Updated 11:30 a.m.) Whether you’re a child reading through the Harry Potter books for the first time or a reporter in your late 20s still waiting on a letter from Hogwarts, you’re invited to the Hooray for Books Harry Potter night.

The event is scheduled for 6:30-8 p.m. at Hooray for Books (1555 King Street) tomorrow (Thursday).

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Public Meeting Planned to Discuss ‘Complete Streets’ Changes on King Street

By Vernon Miles

Published February 4, 2020 at 2:20PM | Updated February 4, 2020 at 2:38PM

The Rosemont community is planning to meet on Thursday to discuss complete streets and traffic issues in the neighborhood.

The meeting is scheduled to include a discussion of the city’s plans for pedestrian safety and congestion problems at some busy local intersections. It’s scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Commonwealth Baptist Church (700 Commonwealth Avenue).

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New Rooftop Deck Atop Hank’s Pasta Bar Replacement Headed to City for Approval

By Vernon Miles

Published February 4, 2020 at 11:45AM

Proposed rooftop deck at former Hank's Pasta Bar (image via City of Alexandria)

The Italian restaurant replacing Hank’s Pasta Bar (600 Montgomery Street) in Old Town could feature a brand new rooftop deck if it gets approval from the city tomorrow.

The building owners are scheduled to go to the Board of Architectural Review tomorrow (Wednesday) for approval of a full suite of changes, including the new rooftop patio. The new deck is part of a suite of changes planned as the restaurant prepares to reopen sometime this year as Hank & Mitzi’s Italian Kitchen, according to Eater.

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Fluffle of Bunnies Coming to Eisenhower Cidery for ‘Hoppy Hour’ and Meditation

By Vernon Miles

Published February 3, 2020 at 2:35PM | Updated March 15, 2024 at 2:37PM

Bunny yoga and meditation is returning to Alexandria this weekend, this time at Lost Boy Cider (317 Hooffs Run Drive), just off Eisenhower Ave.

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Pitbull with Perfect Puppy Pout Pining for Pick-Up from Pound

By Vernon Miles

Published January 31, 2020 at 2:15PM

Try saying “no” to Cocoa. Seriously, look at those puppy eyes.

Cocoa is a three-year-old brown and white pitbull who — like Sugar — works as an “office dog” at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) at 4101 Eisenhower Avenue.

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Beatley Central Library Celebrates 20-Year Anniversary This Weekend

By Vernon Miles

Published January 31, 2020 at 11:45AM | Updated January 31, 2020 at 12:04PM

The Beatley Central Library is turning 20 this weekend and is celebrating with a birthday party.

The Beatley Birthday Party is planned for Saturday, from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library (5005 Duke Street). The party is listed as “all ages” but most activities are aimed at children.

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First Look at the Top Priorities in New Del Ray and Arlandria Plan

By Vernon Miles

Published January 31, 2020 at 10:35AM

After months of gathering feedback, city staff have a better idea of what residents of Arlandria and Del Ray think their communities need.

The public feedback is the first step in an ongoing effort to update the plans for Del Ray and Arlandria made in the early 2000s.

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WMATA and City Haggle Over Potomac Yard Metro Southern Access Costs

By Vernon Miles

Published January 30, 2020 at 3:25PM | Updated January 31, 2020 at 9:01AM

Pedestrian ramp variant of southern access to Potomac Yard Metro station (photo via City of Alexandria)

(Updated 1/31) While construction is underway on the Potomac Yard Metro station, progress on the station’s planned southern access point is being stalled by a financing squabble between the city and WMATA.

The original southern entrance to the Metro station was cut from early plans to save money. As something of a consolation prize, a path to a pedestrian bridge, from neighborhoods to the south to the entrance on the north side of the station, was added.

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Del Ray Bar ‘Hops N Shine’ to Celebrate One Year Anniversary This Weekend

By Vernon Miles

Published January 30, 2020 at 12:00PM

Hops n Shine (photo via Hops N Shine/Facebook)

In just one year, local bar Hops N Shine has become a staple in Arlandria/Del Ray area and this weekend, the business is scheduled to host a celebration of that success.

The bar and beer garden sits at 3410 Mount Vernon Avenue at the intersection of Mount Vernon Avenue and E. Glebe Road. It is frequently packed, particularly on the weekly Wednesday night trivia events (where, full disclosure, at least one ALXnow reporter is a regular).