News | ALXnow - Part 517

Calling all amateur historians: Alexandria apothecary museum needs tour guides

Published July 20, 2023 at 2:40PM

A few products on display at the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Old Town’s Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum (105-107 S. Fairfax Street) is a fascinating place, and the Office of Historic Alexandria is looking for volunteers to help show it to visitors.

The museum contains a collection of medicinal herbs, shop furnishings, apothecary pottles and more that are largely original to the 141-year-old family business. The museum tells the story of medicine and business as they evolved in Alexandria. The museum has a collection of journals, letters, diaries and more — including a note from Martha Washington.

What’s Up in Alexandria This Weekend: July 21 – 23

By Ryan Belmore

Published July 20, 2023 at 1:30PM

Freaky Friday at the Little Theatre of Alexandria (image via Little Theatre of Alexandria/Facebook)

From the City of Alexandria’s Annual Family Movie Night to the opening weekend of Freaky Friday at The Little Theatre of Alexandria, here’s a look at everything fun you can do in Alexandria this weekend.

Organizing an event? Submit events to ALXnow.

Growing Gunther is up for adoption!

By ALXnow.com

Published July 20, 2023 at 12:00PM

Meet Gunther, a 3-year-old tricolored dog up for adoption at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.

This beautiful boy is looking for a family to shower with love.

ACHS teacher raising funds to help students and teachers make better social media content

By Vernon Miles

Published July 20, 2023 at 10:00AM

The Alexandria City High School marquee (staff photo by James Cullum)

A grassroots social media page at Alexandria City High School, run by students and teachers, is looking for some funding to help make better content for the school.

Alexandria City High School teacher Gabriel Elias was the example in a Washington Post story and a White House briefing in 2020 of teachers adapting to virtual classrooms and connecting with students digitally. Since then, Elias has been working with a volunteer team of students and teachers to make a positive social media hub at the school. Now he’s looking for some help to take the project to the next level.

Notes: Community piano returns to Del Ray’s Pat Miller Neighborhood Square

By ALXnow.com

Published July 20, 2023 at 8:40AM

Good Thursday morning, Alexandria!

⛈️ Today’s weather: There’s a possibility of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm today, with the majority of the day being sunny and an expected high temperature near 89. Winds will be light and variable, becoming southward at around 6 mph in the afternoon. The chance of rain is 30%. For Thursday night, there could be showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, likely showers, and a possible thunderstorm between 8pm to 2am. After 2am, there might be more showers and thunderstorms. The night will be mostly cloudy, with a low temperature around 71, southeast winds at 3-7 mph and a higher rain chance at 70%. Rainfall may amount to between a quarter and a half-inch.

New ARHA program helps residents access Alexandria history and college credits

By Vernon Miles

Published July 19, 2023 at 3:50PM

Professor Elizabeth Clark-Lewis leading a class (photo courtesy Mike Johnson)

A new program is helping Alexandria Redevelopment & Housing Authority (ARHA) residents get access to college classes.

ARHA has a new partnership with the Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) and the Social Responsibility Group (SRG) that’s allowed a group of 15 ARHA residents to enroll in classes and start getting credits for an associate degree.

King Street intersection improvements kicking off next month

By Vernon Miles

Published July 19, 2023 at 2:35PM

Traffic near the George Washington Masonic Memorial during a storm (staff photo by James Cullum)

The overhaul of a busy intersection on King Street near the George Washington Masonic Memorial is scheduled to kick off next month.

The project will mean periodic lane closures at the King/Callahan/Russel intersection over the next few months, but when it’s over, there should be improvements to the roadway — particularly for pedestrians and cyclists.

Man arrested after robbery at West End high rise

By James Cullum

Published July 19, 2023 at 1:15PM

There was a robbery in the 6000 block of Edsall Road on July 17, 2023 (via Google Maps)

A 28-year old Alexandria man suffered non-life threatening injuries after a robbery at a high rise apartment building in the West End early Monday night.

The incident occurred at around 6:30 p.m. in the 6000 block of Edsall Road. One suspect is in custody and the other remains at large. The suspect in custody lives in the apartment building and was positively identified by the victim, according to dispatch reports.

Power plant redeveloper breaks down the break down of the Old Town North industrial site

By Vernon Miles

Published July 19, 2023 at 11:15AM

A cyclist along a path in Old Town North near the old power plant (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

As developer Hilco Redevelopment Partners (HRP) heads into the ambitious redevelopment of the GenOn Power Plant, the developer laid out some of their plans for the complex process of breaking the site apart.

Representatives of the developer spoke last week to the Alexandria Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) — full disclosure, this reporter is on the LEPC — about how the developers plans for abatement, remediation and deconstruction. The discussion was a follow-up to a previous LEPC meeting with Deputy Director for Infrastructure and Environmental Quality Bill Skrabak.

Domestic assault suspect arrested after violent brandishing incident in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published July 19, 2023 at 9:30AM

An Oxon Hill man was arrested for multiple offenses in the 300 block of N. West Street on Saturday, July 15 at 9 p.m. (via Google Maps)

A 37-year-old Maryland man suspected in a domestic assault was arrested Saturday night after being bitten by an Alexandria Police Department K-9 officer in Old Town.

The incident occurred at around 9 p.m. in the 300 block of N. West Street. The suspect allegedly brandished a weapon and pointed it at an unknown age female and male, threw the woman to the ground and punched the male in the face before driving off in a black SUV.

Notes: Fairfax County police commit to avoiding Alexandria name confusion

By ALXnow.com

Published July 19, 2023 at 8:35AM | Updated July 19, 2023 at 11:20AM

Fairfax County seal at the Huntington Metro station in Fairfax (Staff photo by Sloane)

(Updated 11:20 a.m.) Good Wednesday morning, Alexandria!

⛈️ Today’s weather: Expect scattered showers and possible thunderstorms after 11am, with a partly sunny sky and a high near 89. The light variable wind will shift to the north around 5 mph in the morning, bringing a 40% chance of rainfall. During Wednesday night, showers and storm potential continues, mainly before 2am, with a low around 71. The east wind of about 5mph will become light and variable later in the evening, carrying a 30% chance of precipitation.