News | ALXnow - Part 347

Notes: Alexandria historians awarded for preservation work on unique 18th century home

Published September 27, 2024 at 10:15AM

New roofing installed at the Murray-Dick-Fawcett House (image via City of Alexandria)

Good Friday morning, Alexandria!

Today’s weather: Expect showers and potential thunderstorms after 5pm, with a cloudy high of 76°F. East winds at 6-11 mph and gusts up to 23 mph. 60% precipitation chance, with rainfall below a tenth of an inch. Moving into Friday night, showers and thunderstorms are anticipated before 11pm, followed by likely showers between 11pm and 2am, and again potential thunderstorms after 2am. The low will be around 71°F with east winds at 6-13 mph and gusts up to 22 mph. Precipitation chances increase to 80%, with rainfall between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, potentially higher in thunderstorms.

Three years after initial purchase, Mudhouse Coffee moving forward with new Old Town location

By Vernon Miles

Published September 27, 2024 at 9:20AM | Updated October 3, 2024 at 9:03AM

Holy Cacao Mocha at Mudhouse Coffee Roasters (image via Mudhouse Coffee Roasters/Instagram)

Three years after purchasing the building, Mudhouse Coffee Roasters could finally be moving into 1119 King Street.

The owner filed a new special use permit this week to renovate the existing retail/mercantile space into use as a coffee shop. The shop will have 20-25 maximum patrons, according to the permit.

Former Trump administration official talks living in Del Ray as a Republican

By Vernon Miles

Published September 26, 2024 at 3:30PM

Former national security official Olivia Troye with former Rep. Barbara Comstock (Left) and former Rep. Denver Riggleman (right) (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

The battle over Judy Lowe Park’s closure exposed a divide between vice presidential candidate JD Vance and many of his more liberal neighbors, but Vance isn’t the first Trump affiliated person to live in the Del Ray neighborhood.

At an event today (Thursday) for Republicans speaking out against former President Donald Trump, Olivia Troye, former top aide to Mike Pence, spoke to ALXnow about her experience living in the liberal enclave while working in the Trump administration.

Hundreds of kids get free books at Washington Commanders event in Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published September 26, 2024 at 2:30PM

The Washington Commanders Read program visited Mount Vernon Community School, Sept. 26, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Hundreds of students at Mount Vernon Community School got free books and a surprise visit from the Washington Commanders.

Former Commanders cornerback Fred Smoot and wide receiver Josh Morgan (who played back when the team was still the Redskins) were joined at the event by Commanders cheerleaders and mascot Major Tuddy in energizing the kids, and handed out the books.

Alexandria hosting its annual Fall Festival next weekend in the West End

By Vernon Miles

Published September 26, 2024 at 1:45PM

Fall Festival flyer (photo via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria’s Fall Festival, complete with kid-friendly games, food trucks and more, will return on Saturday, Oct. 5.

The Fall Festival is hosted by the Department of Community and Human Services and is scheduled to be held outside Southern Towers at 5067 Seminary Road from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

What’s Up in Alexandria this Weekend: Aslin 9th Anniversary, Oktoberfest, Chalk-A-Block, and more

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 26, 2024 at 1:15PM

Chalk art from Chalk Walk 2022 (image courtesy Old Town North Alliance)

Here’s a roundup of all the events, live music, and entertainment happening around Alexandria this weekend, Friday, September 27, through Sunday, September 29, 2024.

Are you organizing an event? Submit events to ALXnow.

Notes: Alexandria Sheriff’s Deputy named Virginia Law Enforcement Officer of the Year

By ALXnow.com

Published September 26, 2024 at 10:00AM

Deputy Carlos Cañas (left) and Sheriff Sean Casey (right) with the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award (photo via City of Alexandria)

Good Thursday morning, Alexandria!

Today’s weather: Expect showers and possible thunderstorms after 11am, accompanied by cloudy skies and a high near 80°F. A south wind at 5-7 mph is predicted, and there’s a 30% chance of precipitation. For Thursday night, there’s a slight chance of showers; it will be cloudy, with a low around 70°F. Southeast wind around 5 mph will become calm in the evening, and the chance of precipitation is 20%.

Alexandria officially declared safe haven for LGBTQ+ community

By James Cullum

Published September 26, 2024 at 9:00AM

Pride flag (photo via Sophie emeny/Unsplash)

Alexandria is now a safe haven for the LGBTQ+ community.

City Council, on Tuesday night, unanimously approved Council Member Kirk McPike’s resolution directing the city attorney and city manager to take legal and other measures to curtail discriminatory efforts on the national, state and local levels from Republican politicians against LGBTQ+ residents.

Aslin hosting beer, music and art festival in the West End this weekend

By Vernon Miles

Published September 25, 2024 at 3:15PM | Updated September 25, 2024 at 3:58PM

Aslin anniversary festival flyer (image via Aslin Beer Company/Facebook)

Aslin Beer Company is celebrating its 9th anniversary with a beer, music and art festival this weekend.

The festival is scheduled to run from 1-7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, at the brewery at 847 South Pickett Street. The festival is scheduled to feature five live bands, 20 guest breweries, and an art market.

Pursuit of homicide suspect leads to crash near Fort Ward

By Vernon Miles

Published September 25, 2024 at 1:40PM | Updated September 25, 2024 at 2:57PM

Locaiton of crash at N. Van Dorn Street and Braddock Road (image via Google Maps)

The Alexandria Police Department said a suspect pursued by the Arlington County Police Department crashed at the intersection of N. Van Dorn Street and W. Braddock Road just off I-395 near Fort Ward.

Scanner traffic indicated that the Arlington County Police Department was following up on D.C. police pursuit of a homicide suspect. The suspect drove over the 14th Street Bridge into Arlington on I-395.

Alexandria’s credit reaffirmed by AAA bond rating

By James Cullum

Published September 25, 2024 at 1:15PM

Security guard Destin Davis waves at City Hall at 301 King Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria’s credit is still good.

On Tuesday, the city announced that S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service reaffirmed its ‘AAA’ bond rating. The move means that Alexandria can get low-interest rates from bond investors to provide funding for expensive capital improvement projects.