News | ALXnow - Part 452

Notes: Fare evasion drops as Metro rolls out new gates

Published August 25, 2023 at 8:45AM

New Metro fare gates (image via WMATA)

Good Friday morning, Alexandria!

⛈️ Today’s weather: There is a 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning, gradually transitioning to mostly sunny conditions with a high near 88°F and a south wind of 7-9 mph during the day. On Friday night, there is a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms mainly before 9pm, followed by partly cloudy skies and a low around 73°F with light and variable winds. New rainfall amounts could range from a tenth to a quarter of an inch, with potentially higher amounts in thunderstorms.

City sheds light on contentious Hammond Middle School light pole

By Vernon Miles

Published August 24, 2023 at 3:55PM

Light pole at Hammond Middle School, photo courtesy Mayor Justin Wilson

Despite an earlier error that saw a hole dug into a lane of the track, the city says a light pole at the Hammond Middle School field is exactly where it’s supposed to be.

Last week, Alexandria Living Magazine broke a story that new poles were blocking track lanes at Hammond Middle School. Jack Browand, division chief of Parks and Cultural Activities, said a mistake caused a hole to be dug onto the tracks, but said that damage has since been repaired and the current light pole is where it’s located in the approved plans.

What’s Up in Alexandria This Weekend: August 25 – 27

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 24, 2023 at 2:30PM | Updated August 24, 2023 at 4:03PM

Brazilian music at the Around The World Cultural Food Festival (photo via Around The World Cultural Food Festival/Facebook)

From the Around The World Cultural Food Festival to the final few days of Alexandria Restaurant Week, there’s something fun and delicious happening all over Alexandria this weekend.

Organizing an event? Submit events to ALXnow.

Kismet Modern Indian named one of Southern Living’s best new restaurants of 2023

By Vernon Miles

Published August 24, 2023 at 1:45PM

Dish at Kismet Modern Indian in Alexandria (image via Kismet Modern Indian/Facebook)

Kismet Modern Indian (111 North Pitt Street) won a spot in Southern Living Magazine’s The South’s Best New Restaurants of 2023.

The Alexandria location has been open since November 2021, but the restaurant made the list for opening a second location in Richmond last year.

Perfect Prince is searching for a special family

By ALXnow.com

Published August 24, 2023 at 12:00PM

Prince is a very handsome 1-year-old pup up for adoption at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.

This all white pup with the black button nose is a bit shy at first, but warms up once getting to know you, according to AWLA spokesperson Erin Shackelford.

Alexandria rolls out timeline for massive housing reform project

By Vernon Miles

Published August 24, 2023 at 11:15AM

House display outside an Old Town business, staff photo by Vernon Miles

The City of Alexandria is taking its massive zoning reform aimed at making housing more affordable to the community this fall.

In Alexandria, around 20% of households are paying over 30% of their income in housing, and around 10% are spending more than 50% on housing.

Used car dealership off Duke Street rebrands with new new ownership

By Vernon Miles

Published August 24, 2023 at 9:45AM

Location of new CarPlug of Alexandria (image via Google Maps)

A used car dealership off Duke Street is getting new ownership and a rebranding.

Total Package Auto, a dealership at 3131 Colvin Street, filed an application with the city for a change in ownership as the store becomes CarPlug of Alexandria.

Notes: Old Town North restaurant says food delivery driver stole from tip jar

By ALXnow.com

Published August 24, 2023 at 8:40AM

Surveillance video from Sunday in Saigon showing a DoorDash driver reaching into a tip jar (image via Sunday in Saigon/Facebook)

Good Thursday morning, Alexandria!

🌦️ Today’s weather: The forecast predicts scattered showers and thunderstorms throughout the day, with mostly cloudy skies and a high temperature of around 82°F. The south wind will blow at approximately 11 mph, gusting up to 18 mph, and there is a 40% chance of precipitation. Thursday night also brings a chance of showers and thunderstorms, remaining mostly cloudy with a low of around 70°F, a south wind at about 8 mph, and a slightly higher 50% chance of precipitation.

No injuries reported after driver crashes Mercedes into Van Dorn Plaza bar

By Vernon Miles

Published August 23, 2023 at 4:35PM

El Texano Bar & Grill after a crash on Wednesday morning (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The front entrance to El Texano Bar & Grill is boarded up after a driver crashed their Mercedes-Benz into the building this morning.

The incident occurred around 11 a.m. today (Wednesday) at the bar in the Van Dorn Plaza shopping center (514 S Van Dorn Street).

El Salvadoran restaurant moves to Del Ray North shopping center

By James Cullum

Published August 23, 2023 at 2:30PM

El Cuscatleco Restaurant opens at 3819 Mount Vernon Avenue in the Del Ray North shopping center in Arlandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

A popular El Salvadoran restaurant has moved around the corner in Arlandria.

Last Friday, El Cuscatleco Restaurant held a packed grand opening at their new 3,359-square-foot location at 3819 Mount Vernon Avenue in the Del Ray North shopping center. The restaurant/dance club was forced to move from their longtime home at 251 W. Glebe Road since Housing Alexandria is turning the property into a massive affordable apartment building.

Alexandria Library’s Dungeons and Dragons campaign helps local children become adventuring heroes

By Vernon Miles

Published August 23, 2023 at 1:45PM | Updated August 24, 2023 at 12:06PM

Dungeons and Dragons at the Alexandria Library (photo via Alexandria Library/Facebook)

(Updated 8/24) A group of adventurers slowly entered a dimly lit tavern with a locked cage at the center of the room. The commoners of the town, including the party cleric’s brother, were locked in that cage.

As the group filed in, suddenly from out of the shadows, things began to crawl forward. As the group of children at the Alexandria Library listened eagerly to Dungeon Master Aly Ahn describe what was lurking in the shadows, one of them hopefully suggested “Kittens?”