News

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles
The Scottish Christmas Walk Parade in Old Town, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The big story this week was a fight at Alexandria City High School that got big enough for the police to get involved.

The school was not placed on lockdown, but three students were arrested after the fight. The incident occurs in the middle of intense scrutiny around violence in Alexandria City Public Schools. A student was murdered a few blocks away earlier this year. Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares urged the city to work more closely with law enforcement as a result of “the high level of violence and disruption which has taken place in Alexandria City Public Schools recently.”

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After weekly concerts during the pandemic, here’s what’s next for the Secret Garden in Old Town

By James Cullum
Garden portion of The Rectory set up as music venue during the pandemic in 2020. (via Classical Movements)

At the height of the pandemic, Classical Movements held weekly open-air concerts with world-renowned musicians in their “Secret Garden” in Old Town North.

Business is slowly returning to its hectic pace for Neeta Helms, the organization’s founder, as she and her staff organize trips around the world for some of the biggest classical musical acts in the business. The touring company has worked in 147 countries, and produces more than 50 annual musical tours, as well as hundreds of concerts.

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Potential impact on Alexandria shuttle programs creates setback for transportation funding overhaul

By Vernon Miles
A bus driver waits outside the Van Dorn Metro station in Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

A plan to overhaul the way Alexandria handles transportation funding from developers was sent back for further review by the Planning Commission.

Members of the Planning Commission said earlier this week that there are too many lingering questions about the impacts on local residents of the proposed changes, though the changes are headed in the right direction.

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Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com
School Of Rock performs in the annual Scottish Christmas Walk Parade in Old Town, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022 (staff photo by James Cullum)

District Biscuit Company Opens in Del Ray for Takeout — “A brick and mortar location will open soon, but until then, you can order takeout via Grubhub.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

It’s Friday — Clear throughout the day. High of 49 and low of 38. Sunrise at 7:17 am and sunset at 4:48 pm. [Weather.gov]

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Woman robbed of wallet near waterfront in Old Town

By James Cullum
A woman was robbed of her wallet in the 100 block of King Street on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022. (via Google Maps)

A woman was robbed of her wallet in the 100 block of King Street in Old Town early Sunday morning (Dec. 4), according to Alexandria Police.

The incident was reported at around 4:45 a.m. near the waterfront, hours after thousands of people attended the annual Holiday Boat Parade of Lights on the Potomac River.

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Planning Commission backs Landmark redevelopment plans

By Vernon Miles
Thrive (image via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria’s Planning Commission’s recommendation of approval for the long-awaited “West End” development was offset slightly by concerns that the city isn’t doing enough to pressure developers into adopting more environmentally conscious design.

The Planning Commission voted 5-1 in support of development plans for a large chunk of what was once Landmark Mall. The recommendation heading to the City Council supports four sprawling blocks of development with a mixture of multifamily residential, ground-floor commercial, and medical office spaces.

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Alexandrians have 90 days to appeal revised preliminary flood maps

By ALXnow.com

The following press release was published today by the City of Alexandria.

Property owners have 90 days to appeal the revised preliminary Special Flood Hazard Area maps drafted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that determine the obligation for flood insurance.

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Holiday toy donations needed for kids in Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority properties

By James Cullum
Christmas tree (via Sapan Patel/Unsplash)

(Updated 1:45 p.m.) Toy donations are still needed for residents living in Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority properties.

The 13th Annual Santa’s Winter Wonderland event will provide gifts for hundreds of children 17 years old and under.

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Adoption fees for American rabbit ‘Axel’ are covered this month in Alexandria

By James Cullum
Axel is up for adoption with the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. (via AWLA)

Axel is a bit of a neat freak.

The two-year-old male black American rabbit is up for adoption with the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, and all this month his adoption fees are covered by a generous donor as part of the organization’s annual Home for the Pawlidays adoption event.

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Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com
The City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums marches in the 50th annual Scottish Christmas Walk Parade in Old Town, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Del Ray Vintage and Flea Market This Weekend — “Join us this Saturday, 12/10, at the Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market! In the Del Ray section of Alexandria at the corner of Mt. Vernon & Bellefonte Avenues” [Patch]

It’s Thursday — Possible drizzle overnight. High of 55 and low of 46. Sunrise at 7:16 am and sunset at 4:48 pm. [Weather.gov]

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