News

Reminder on Walking Tour for Taylor Run Stabilization Project — “This City of Alexandria is hosting a community walkthrough tour for the Taylor Run Infrastructure Stabilization project. The walking tour is part of the City’s continued community engagement as the project advances through design. Participants will have an opportunity to see the project area firsthand and discuss elements of the project’s approach to stabilizing infrastructure within Taylor Run and the 60% design set.” [City of Alexandria]

Alexandria Man Charged in Hybla Valley Stabbing — “Officers found a 41-year-old man who had been stabbed in his upper body. Responders transported him to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. He was still hospitalized as of Monday afternoon.” [DC News Now]

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On August 17, 1814, towards the end of the War of 1812, Alexandrians agonized in desperation as they waited for a pending British attack. Capt. James Gordon, commander of a fleet of British ships, sailed into the mouth of the Potomac hoping to draw the Americans attention away from a pending attack from the north on the nation’s capital. Gordon’s ships included the 38-gun HMS Seahorse, the 36-gun Euryalus, the ‘rocket’ vessel Erebus, and several bomb vessels, the Aetna, Devastation, and Meteor. All that lay between the prosperous town of Alexandria and the attack force was the fortification at Fort Washington (then called Fort Warburton), and the shallow depths and shoals of the riverbed. Gordon’s boats were slowed for days on at least twenty occasions due to grounding but, assisted by his second in command, Charles Napier, he persevered. Finally closing in on the Maryland fort, which was blown-up by its panicked commander almost immediately upon Gordon’s order to fire, the prize of Alexandria was now in site.” [Historic Alexandria]

Former Old Town Business Association Leader Joins Breast Cancer Collective — “Charlotte Hall, one of Alexandria’s most recognizable community and small-business leaders, has been named interim executive director of the Breast Cancer Collective, effective Monday, Aug. 17. The appointment places Hall at the helm of the Alexandria-based nonprofit as its board begins a search for a permanent executive director and prepares for a busy fall fundraising and outreach season.” [The Zebra]

On This Day in Alexandria History — “Late in the War of 1812, during August 1814, Alexandrians recognized their increasing peril as British ships inched their way northward, up the Potomac. Responding to the pending emergency, on the 14th day of that month, the commercial banks of Georgetown, Washington and Alexandria agreed to loan the Federal government $200,000 for the purpose of providing a defense for the district. The Alexandria town and county militia were soon called out en masse and ordered to cross the Potomac to take up a post between Piscataway and Fort Washington. They took with them nearly all the arms and artillery belonging to the town, leaving Alexandria defenseless. Thus, when the militia retreated to the Virginia countryside and Captain Dyson, commander of Ft. Washington, blew up the fortress, Alexandria’s fate was sealed.” [Historic Alexandria]

Alexandria Restaurant Week Begins Today — “Alexandria Restaurant Week, held twice a year in January and August, will be held over 10 days from Friday, Aug. 14 to Sunday, Aug. 23. Full-service restaurants will serve prix fixe dinner menus at $35, $45 or $55 per person, and fast casual restaurants will have their own offers.” [ALXnow]