Bookworms of all ages can gather for author discussions and book signings during the Alexandria Library’s Winter Book Festival next month.

The festival is expected to draw more than 20 authors for discussions on their journeys to publishing, as well as to sell and sign copies of their books. The free event is scheduled from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28 at the Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library (717 Queen Street). Registration is not required.


A Del Ray restaurant is one of three Virginia eateries to make Yelp’s annual list of the “Top US Restaurants” released earlier this week.

Matt and Tony’s All Day Kitchen + Bar just made the rankings, coming in at No. 100 out of the 100 spots featured.


A new sandwich and wine shop is opening this spring in the Bradlee Shopping Center.

Chord Bread and Bottle is planning to open at 2690 J King Street by the end of April, owner Scott Shirley told ALXnow. The vacant property, formerly Unwined wine shop, will first need to undergo interior renovations, he said.


A new “passport”-inspired promotion will encourage Alexandria residents to shop locally along the Duke Street corridor.

The City of Alexandria is planning a Duke Street Business Passport Program for businesses within a half-mile of Duke Street. The upcoming program would track shoppers’ passport progress with QR codes and award $25 gift certificates to five participants who visit the most passport businesses.


Meet Inu, a happy pup at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria who loves tug-of-war, hiking and long walks.

Two-year-old Inu weighs about 56 pounds, thrives with lots of affection and is super outdoorsy — he “would be thrilled to go on woodland hikes or neighborhood strolls, as long as he’s by your side,” according to an AWLA volunteer. While he may be active, “he transforms into a cuddle bug at the end of active days.”


A young Caps fan and cancer survivor from Alexandria rang in the new year with surprise tickets to see the team and reunite with her favorite player earlier this month.

Sutton Bullard, 7, spent New Year’s Eve with her family watching the Caps defeat the New York Rangers, and later reuniting with goaltender Logan Thompson. It was the end of an eventful year for Sutton, who in November celebrated the end of her chemotherapy with a bell-ringing ceremony, in which Thompson had paid a surprise visit.


The Little Theatre of Alexandria has garnered two dozen nominations in a regional awards program for D.C.-area theatre.

The Old Town-based theater secured 24 nominations in this year’s Washington Area Theatre Community Honors Awards (WATCH) for five productions across 36 categories, the program announced Sunday. A total of 94 productions received nominations this cycle, split between 37 musicals and 57 plays across the region last year.


Volunteers in Alexandria filled 2,300 backpacks with school supplies for distribution across the region today (Wednesday), in memory of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The backpacks will be sent to seven Title I middle schools in the area, including Francis C. Hammond Middle School. It’s all part of United Way National Capital Area’s Stuff the Bus campaign, which distributes the donated supplies in an effort to support local schools.


An earlier version of this story indicated a snowball fight would occur on the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, but the organization is not permitting the public to access its grounds during the storm.

Shawn Eyer, a spokesperson for the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, told ALXnow the event is not authorized and that the grounds will be closed to the public Sunday.


People seeking warmth after this weekend’s impending winter storm can find solace in the slow-cooked curries of a new Indian restaurant opening soon in Eisenhower East.

The Mumbai-inspired Bombay Canteen is planning to “soft open” at 2010 Eisenhower Avenue on Monday, Feb. 2, a spokesperson told ALXnow. An official grand opening is planned for Sunday, Feb. 8.


Following a health inspection at an Old Town juice shop earlier this month, a community petition has launched to allow the business owner’s emotional support animal inside the establishment.

The recent Change.org petition focuses on a recent city investigation into a complaint about dogs inside Zen Press Juice. That includes owner JuAnn Wong’s emotional support dog, Coco, who previously made frequent visits to the shop at 806 King Street.


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