News | ALXnow - Part 1043

Planned Alexandria Bus Network Boosts Frequency, but Cuts Coverage

Published October 25, 2019 at 10:30AM | Updated October 25, 2019 at 12:07PM

A DASH bus in Old Town Alexandria (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated 12:05 p.m.) A few bus routes through Alexandria’s residential neighborhoods could be axed as the city shifts the transit service from a coverage focus to a ridership focus.

At a meeting at the Burke Branch Library last night (Thursday), representatives from DASH and the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services presented plans that would increase the frequency of service on the population-heavy periphery of Alexandria. The trade-off, however, is that certain areas currently served by bus routes in the residential core of the city could lose those routes.

Final Friday Trivia: Which Crime Show Features an Alexandria Serial Killer from the ’70s?

By Vernon Miles

Published October 25, 2019 at 9:30AM | Updated October 25, 2019 at 3:07PM

Alexandria police cruiser (file photo by Jay Westcott)

Update 3 p.m. — The answer is Mindhunter! Rissill is a major focus in the fourth episode of the show’s first season.

After three weeks, the short-lived Friday Trivia series is coming to a close. It’s getting axed — genius is never understood in its own time.

Officials Say Gulf Between City and School Planning is Still Too Large

By Vernon Miles

Published October 24, 2019 at 3:15PM

Councilman John Chapman pushes for more co-located school and city facilities at a joint session (photo via Alexandria City Public Schools)

Gone are the days when the Alexandria City Council and School Board’s joint meetings were bloody affairs where both sides would haggle over monumental budget gaps. But under the surface, members of the City Council were dubious at last night’s (Wednesday) joint session that enough is being done to align city and school interests when it comes to new development.

One of the most-discussed goals of the collaboration between the city and schools is co-locating facilities — moving away from new developments being single-use and towards projects that might include a school along with recreational facilities or housing.

Serial Killer Trivia Contest at Port City Tonight

By Vernon Miles

Published October 24, 2019 at 2:00PM | Updated October 24, 2019 at 2:53PM

Port City beer (photo via Port City Brewing Company/Facebook)

Do you know your Night Stalker from your Original Night Stalker? Do you consider yourself something of a Ripperologist?

Port City Brewing Company is putting your murderous knowledge to the test with its annual Serial Killer Trivia tonight (Thursday) from 7-9 p.m.

New Bank of America Coming to Bradlee Shopping Center

By Vernon Miles

Published October 24, 2019 at 12:45PM

Bank of America in the Bradlee Shopping Center (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

A new Bank of America location is coming to the Bradlee Shopping Center in Alexandria.

The space at 3690G King Street was previously home to Queen Bee Designs, a local jewelry designer store that had a pop-up location there until June this year.

Restaurant Featuring French and Southern Cuisine Coming to Old Town

By Vernon Miles

Published October 24, 2019 at 11:30AM

French & Southern under construction at 1625 King Street (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Bonjour ya’ll, a new restaurant called French & Southern is headed to 1625 King Street, just a couple blocks east of the King Street Metro station.

The restaurant is planned to face King Street on the ground floor of the new Hyatt Centric Old Town Alexandria, currently under construction and scheduled to open with the rest of the hotel in January 2020.

Rock the Block Tasting Event Is Coming Back to Alexandria

By Airey

Published October 24, 2019 at 10:30AM

Last year's inaugural Rock the Block event (Photo courtesy of Spotted MP)

Alexandria’s Rock the Block event allowing participants to sample choice dishes and drinks is returning this year and is expecting more restaurants, and bigger crowds.

The “choose-your-own culinary adventure” event will return to Old Town on Thursday, November 7, 2019 from 6-9 p.m., per its website. Restaurants will welcome roaming attendees throughout the night with 5-6 small plate dishes and 3-4 speciality cocktails.

Plans for Halal Slaughterhouse off Duke Street Uncertain Amid Pending Litigation

By Vernon Miles

Published October 24, 2019 at 9:30AM

3225 Colvin Street, site of planned slaughterhouse Saba Live Poultry (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Pending litigation for a halal slaughterhouse in Alexandria just off Duke Street has put plans to open early next year on the chopping block.

Saba Live Poultry overcame a series of hurdles this year, starting with approval from the City Council in March in spite of backlash from neighbors and most recently a lawsuit from nearby businesses, which was dismissed.

Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published October 24, 2019 at 8:00AM

Bald Eagle Rescue Near Cameron Run — “A bald eagle that appeared to be injured was spotted Wednesday morning on the ground at the Cameron Run Regional Park, near the Metro tracks in Alexandria, Virginia. It seemed like something was wrong with one of its wings.” [WTOP]

Old Town Eatery to Offer Original Menu — “Longtime Old Town Alexandria Italian restaurant Landini Brothers, at 115 King St., is marking its 40th anniversary Oct. 28 by taking diners back to the past. The family-owned restaurant, founded in 1979, is bringing back for one night only the original menu that waiters brought to diners’ tables. And that means 1979 prices.” [WTOP]

City Grants An Additional $1.4 Million to Ramsey Homes Development

By Airey

Published October 23, 2019 at 3:30PM

The Ramsey Homes affordable housing project will loaned an additional $1.4 million thanks to a vote by the Alexandria City Council.

Council members voted to grant the additional funding to the redevelopment last night (Tuesday), bringing the total amount Alexandria has loaned to $5 million.

Archaeologists Searching for Hidden Graves in Local Cemeteries

By Airey

Published October 23, 2019 at 2:00PM | Updated October 23, 2019 at 3:23PM

Archaeologist Nadia Johnson uses ground-penetrating radar to locate burials in Penny Hill cemetery (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated at 3:20 p.m.) While Alexandria heads out on ghosts tours for Halloween, local archaeologists are busy scouting for secret burials under two historic cemeteries.

Archeologists with the city’s Office of Historic Alexandria are working to pinpoint where coffins and headstones may have been swallowed by the changing landscaping in the Penny Hill and Douglass cemeteries as they plan drainage maintenance for the sites.