News | ALXnow - Part 177

Popular Del Ray open mic marks third anniversary Wednesday

Published September 12, 2025 at 11:45AM

The What-Have-You open mic night is held every first and third Wednesdays at Evening Star Lounge in Del Ray (courtesy photo)

A popular open mic night in Del Ray is celebrating its third anniversary next Wednesday (Sept. 17).

Greg Roth and Gabe Fry started the What-Have-You open mic at Evening Star Cafe (2000 Mount Vernon Avenue) in September 2022, and since then — with the exception of January — have hosted the event from 8:30 to 11 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. Next Wednesday’s event has a numbers, acronyms, and abbreviations theme, with musicians asked to perform hits from bands like R.E.M., AC/DC, INXS, and the B-52s, among others.

Warner warns up to 600,000 Virginians could lose healthcare coverage

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 12, 2025 at 11:24AM

Senator Mark Warner hosted a media availability on Thursday, Sept. 11. (Screenshot of media availability)

Sen. Mark Warner warned Thursday that between 500,000 and 600,000 Virginians will lose healthcare coverage due to Medicaid cuts and the expiration of Affordable Care Act tax credits, while also calling for national unity on the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The Virginia Democrat highlighted the closure of three rural health centers in Augusta County as evidence of mounting healthcare system strain during a media availability on Thursday. The facilities in Buena Vista, Weir’s Cave, and Churchville have shut down due to cuts from recent legislation.

ARHA board terminates CEO amid ongoing investigation into public housing residency

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 12, 2025 at 9:53AM

Erik C. Johnson, former CEO of ARHA, asks City Council to back the Silver Fox plan, June 10, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board of Commissioners voted during a special meeting on Wednesday to terminate CEO Erik Johnson, effective immediately, ending a weeks-long controversy over his unauthorized stay in a public housing unit.

The decision comes as an independent investigation into Johnson’s actions continues, according to a statement released by the board on Friday.

Notes: Alexandria City Council to consider King Street closure, climate resilience measures at Saturday hearing

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 12, 2025 at 8:13AM

200 block of King Street (staff photo by James Cullum)

Good Friday morning, Alexandria!

☀️ Today’s weather: Sunny, with a high near 82 degrees. North wind 5 to 8 mph becoming east in the afternoon. Mostly clear tonight, with a low around 59 degrees. East wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.

Alexandria school board expresses caution on DASH transit proposal

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 11, 2025 at 9:36PM

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

The Alexandria City School Board voiced significant concerns Thursday about a city proposal to transition high school students from school buses to public transit, with several members calling for scaled-back pilot programs or questioning the timing of such a significant change.

During a work session at 1340 Braddock Place, board members weighed City Manager James Parajon’s recommendation to implement a three-phase plan moving high school students to DASH buses beginning in the 2026-27 school year.

Alexandria cidery Lost Boy Cider listed for sale at $1.5 million

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 11, 2025 at 9:07PM | Updated September 11, 2025 at 11:41PM

Lost Boy Cider (Image via Lost Boy Cider/Facebook)

Editor’s Note: All three business sale listings mentioned in this story were removed from BizQuest, BizBuySell, and LoopNet shortly after publication of this story on September 11, 2025.

Lost Boy Cider was listed for sale with an asking price of $1.5 million, according to professional business listings that appeared on BizQuest, BizBuySell, and LoopNet. The listing information was identical across all three business sale platforms.

Virginia health officials clear path for updated COVID vaccines

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 11, 2025 at 6:28PM

A man gets a vaccine. (Photo via CDC on Upsplash)

Virginia is moving to ensure residents have quick access to the latest COVID-19 vaccines ahead of the fall respiratory illness season, with State Health Commissioner Dr. Karen Shelton signing a statewide standing order this week that expands pharmacy vaccination authority.

The order, signed Tuesday and announced Thursday, allows pharmacists across Virginia to administer the 2025-26 COVID-19 vaccine formulation to residents 65 and older, as well as adults aged 18-64 with underlying medical conditions, without requiring individual prescriptions.

Ken Burns to preview ‘American Revolution’ documentary at Mount Vernon Oct. 29

By James Cullum

Published September 11, 2025 at 6:00PM

George Washington's Mount Vernon estate (via Facebook)

Registration opens September 24 to see Emmy and Grammy Award-winning filmmaker Ken Burns unveil his latest documentary series at George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate.

Burns will offer remarks and share clips from the six-part series “The American Revolution” on Oct. 29. The event runs from 5 to 8:15 p.m. on the estate’s 12-acre bowling green, with the film preview starting at 6:15 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chairs, as seating will not be provided, according to Mount Vernon.

Alexandria police clear hazardous materials scene on N. West Street

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 11, 2025 at 4:36PM | Updated September 11, 2025 at 8:10PM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Alexandria Police have cleared the scene in the 400 block of North West Street and reopened the area to traffic after finding no illegal amounts of hazardous materials, authorities announced Thursday evening.

The street closure, which had been in effect since late afternoon, was lifted around 8:09 p.m., according to a police social media update.

Life Alive Organic Cafe seeks permit for Old Town location

By James Cullum

Published September 11, 2025 at 3:15PM

Life Alive Organic Cafe has filed paperwork to open at 400 King Street in Old Town (via Facebook)

A popular Massachusetts-based fast-casual organic restaurant has filed paperwork to open at 400 King Street in Old Town.

Life Alive Organic Cafe has filed a special use permit application to open in the space formerly occupied by Long and Foster Realtors. The building is currently home to The Alexandrian Old Town Hotel at 480 King Street and Southern restaurant King & Rye, near City Hall at 301 King Street. Life Alive is planning on a 3,000-square-foot, 97-seat restaurant to be open seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Alexandria-based defense contractor to add 1,200 jobs in $46.9M expansion

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 11, 2025 at 2:45PM | Updated September 11, 2025 at 3:18PM

Officials cut a ribbon at Systems Planning & Analysis announcement on Sept. 11, 2025 (staff photo by Ryan Belmore)

Systems Planning & Analysis announced Thursday it will expand its Alexandria headquarters and create 1,200 new jobs over the next five years as part of a $46.9 million investment across Northern Virginia.

The defense contractor, which has operated from Alexandria since its founding in 1972, purchased its 239,000-square-foot office building at 2001 N. Beauregard Street and plans extensive renovations to create what CEO Rich Sawchak described as “a modern, collaborative workspace.”