Around Town

Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail receive ‘Trail of the Year’ award for renovation efforts

By Emily Leayman
Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail win the Trail of the Year Award from the Public Lands Alliance (via Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail/Facebook)

Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail, a volunteer group dedicated to trail maintenance and education efforts, was recognized with an award last month for its trail renovation work.

The organization was honored with the “Trail of the Year” award from the Public Lands Alliance at the nonprofit’s conference in Daytona Beach, Fla., on Feb. 23. The group received the award for its partnership with the National Park Service to renovate the George Washington Memorial Parkway’s trail surface and rest areas from 2024 to 2025.

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New apartment building for seniors opens next to sister location in Potomac Yard

By James Cullum
The Riviera at 2700 Main Line Boulevard in Potomac Yard (Courtesy photo/Mark Boisclair Photography, Inc.)

A new senior living community opened today in Alexandria’s Potomac Yard neighborhood.

The Riviera, a new 129-unit senior apartment building located at 2700 Main Line Blvd, held a grand opening today (Monday) for its facilities, which are owned by Texas-based Silverstone Senior Living. The property is located next door to its sister senior community, The Landing, which opened in 2022 and offers “luxury assisted living and memory care rental retirement options.”

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New Indian restaurant ‘The Bombay Canteen’ celebrates opening on Eisenhower Avenue

By Katie Taranto
A look inside The Bombay Canteen (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A new Indian restaurant celebrated its recent foray into the Eisenhower East neighborhood over the weekend with festivities alongside local city and business leaders.

The Bombay Canteen rolled out the red carpet at 2010 Eisenhower Avenue yesterday (Sunday) for a grand opening of its Mumbai-inspired dining room and kitchen. The new eatery, which soft opened last month, is led by D.C.-area restaurateur Asad Sheikh and chef Nishi Barua, replacing a vacancy left by Hunan Cafe.

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Volunteer Alexandria to honor dozens of community helpers at ceremony next month

By Katie Taranto
About 75 volunteers helped assemble the nearly 1,000 backpacks donated to the seven United Way of the National Capital Area community schools, including Alexandria’s Francis C. Hammond Middle School (courtesy photo)

Dozens of volunteers in Alexandria will be recognized next month for their contributions to the community last year.

Eighty-five honorees have been announced in Volunteer Alexandria’s annual awards program, Volunteers are the Heart of Alexandria, happening Thursday, March 12. The nonprofit, a top coordinator of volunteer services in the city, recorded more than 112,000 service hours in 2025 from over 4,260 volunteers — an estimated value exceeding $3.8 million.

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Adoptable Pet of the Week: Spike, a ‘softie at heart’ with a zest for life

By Katie Taranto
Spike (courtesy of AWLA)

Meet Spike, a happy dog at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria who is full of energy.

The three-year-old furry friend weighs 49 pounds and is known by his distinctive tri-colored coat “and a personality that can’t be beat,” an AWLA volunteer told ALXnow.

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Ballyshaners’ St. Patrick’s Day Parade returning to Old Town for 43rd year

By Katie Taranto
Alexandria's St. Patrick's Day Parade in Old Town, March 1, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

A festive afternoon of Irish dancing, pipe bands and emerald-green outfits and decorations is returning soon to Old Town.

The Ballyshaners‘ 43rd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade is expected to draw thousands of spectators to celebrate alongside a lineup of performers and community organizers. Local dignitaries plan to kick off festivities at noon Saturday, March 7, with the parade stepping off at 12:30 p.m.

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Flood-damaged Crooked Beat Records plans reopening with limited hours through April

By James Cullum
Crooked Beat Records is reopening through April 2026 (via Crooked Beat Records/Facebook)

Crooked Beat Records is reopening at its location on Mount Vernon Avenue with limited hours through the end of April, the store announced yesterday (Monday) on social media.

The store at 2417 Mount Vernon Avenue closed after flooding on Jan. 11, and has since been selling merchandise at pop-ups. The store plans to reopen Thursday, Feb. 26, and will remain open on Thursdays from 3-6:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 1:30-6:30 p.m. and Sundays from 1-5:30 p.m.

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Japanese restaurant closes in Arlandria, merging with nearby Vietnamese fusion eatery

By James Cullum
Sake Express Japanese Hibachi is closed at 3827 Mount Vernon Avenue in Arlandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

After being open for less than a year, a Japanese restaurant in an Arlandria shopping center has merged with a fusion restaurant two doors down.

Signs on the window of the Sake Express Japanese Hibachi (3827 Mount Vernon Avenue) direct customers to get their favorite dishes at the Vietnamese-Japanese fusion restaurant 2D Noodles, which serves pho, sushi, and now, hibachi dishes.

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Several Alexandria artists named finalists in regional Wammie Music Awards

By Katie Taranto
Wammie Awards crowd (via The Wammie Awards/Facebook)

Eight Alexandria artists have advanced as finalists in the 37th annual Wammie Music Awards, as competition narrows down in the regional program.

Several musicians made the cut from Alexandria’s initial 14 nominees, receiving 12 finalist nominations for their work across multiple genres, including hip-hop, pop, funk and more. Winners will be announced during this year’s live awards show on Saturday, March 28, at D.C.’s Capital Turnaround.

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Adoptable Pet of the Week: Drako, a playful companion

By Katie Taranto
Drako (courtesy of AWLA)

Meet Drako, a one-year-old pup at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria who is ready to explore the world with a new family.

Drako “would be a lovely companion on weekend road-trips and sniffy neighborhood walks,” an AWLA volunteer wrote. He’s also confident and easygoing around other dogs, and “never passed on making a new friend,” according to his pet profile.

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