News | ALXnow - Part 723

Morning Notes

Published July 27, 2021 at 5:00AM

Galactic Panther Art Gallery to open on King Street in Old Town — “Galactic Panther, a new art gallery at 1303 King St. in Alexandria, will open in early August. The art gallery is a partnership between internationally-exhibiting artist Eli Pollard and Erik Meundel, who is the current owner of ESP Tea & Coffee.” [Alexandria Living]

Alexandria Fire Department graduates three recruit schools — “The Alexandria Fire Department officially graduated Recruit School 49 on Thursday, July 22, and Recruit Schools 50 and 51 on Friday, July 23 at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial after postponing the ceremonies due to the COVID-19 pandemic. AFD welcomed and celebrated 45 new firefighter/EMTs.” [Patch]

BREAKING: Potomac Yard Metro opening pushed back to September 2022

By Vernon Miles

Published July 26, 2021 at 3:30PM

The Potomac Yard Metro station under construction, April 2021. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

The Potomac Yard Metro station opening has been pushed back from spring to September next year .

After months of insisting that production was on schedule, WMATA announced today that the Potomac Yard Metro station’s opening will be pushed back five months.

Cigar and vape shop to open on Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published July 26, 2021 at 2:15PM | Updated July 29, 2022 at 4:43PM

(Updated 7/29) A cigar and vape business is headed for 2104 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray, but its ownership is clouded in mystery.

A new sign reading Del Ray Cigars & Vapes has been erected out front, and on the second floor of the 1902-era home reads the banner, “Coming soon.” The front windows have been boarded up, and a peek through the front glass door revealed that the interior has been completely gutted.

August sidewalk sale on track to be largest in city history

By Vernon Miles

Published July 26, 2021 at 1:15PM

Shopper at 2020 Sidewalk Sale, via Visit Alexandria/Facebook

The city’s annual sidewalk sale is scheduled for August 14 and 15, and according to Visit Alexandria, the program is on track to be the largest one so far.

According to Visit Alexandria, over 70 local boutiques have signed up for the seasonal sale. The sale is located along several city sidewalks in Old Town and Del Ray, with a focus this year on the pedestrian-only blocks at 700-1100 King Street. The stores will be featured in outdoor exhibits with deeply discounted merchandise.

Woman killed walking on Interstate 495 in Alexandria on Sunday morning

By James Cullum

Published July 26, 2021 at 10:15AM

The Woodrow Wilson Bridge (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A 48-year-old woman died after being struck by a vehicle while she walked in a travel lane on Interstate 495 on the early morning of Sunday, July 25.

Virginia State Police reported that Ebony N. Madison, of Gwynn Oak, Maryland, died after being struck by a 2006 Lincoln Mark LT at the 177 mile marker.

One year of lane closures in Potomac Yard starts today

By Vernon Miles

Published July 26, 2021 at 9:45AM | Updated July 26, 2021 at 10:19AM

Potomac Avenue closures, via Google Maps

(Updated 10:20 a.m.) Starting today, much of Potomac Avenue where it runs through the Potomac Yard neighborhood will be cut down from four lanes to two for over a year as construction continues on the Potomac Yard Metro Station.

The closures will run from E. Glebe Road, near the National Industries for the Blind, up to the city border with Arlington County.

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published July 26, 2021 at 5:00AM

The George Washington National Masonic Memorial in Old Town, Alexandria. (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Del Ray Italian restaurant to close — “Rosemarino D’Italia will close its doors after Wednesday, July 28 at its Alexandria location in Del Ray, after serving up Italian cuisine to its customers for the past eight years there, according to manager Edward Camacho.” [Alexandria Living]

Work starts on new Athleta store in Old Town — “Construction has started on the former La Tasca restaurant on King Street as the building owners make space for a store for Gap, Inc. athletic brand Athleta.” [Alexandria Living]

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published July 23, 2021 at 3:30PM

What an unexpectedly busy summer week in Alexandria. Here’s the rundown.

Our top story was on an Alexandria woman who claims she was roofied at a restaurant on the waterfront on the evening of July 9. A police report has been filed, and no charges have been made.

Alexandria track star Noah Lyles gets comic book biography in Washington Post

By Vernon Miles

Published July 23, 2021 at 2:30PM

Chasing Gold comic, courtesy Washington Post

A special insert to the Washington Post print edition today features a comic book adaptation of Alexandria track star Noah Lyles’ life.

The twenty-page comic book is accompanied by a special section in the print edition commemorating the Tokyo Olympics, with coverage on the athletes, game schedules and more.

JUST IN: Beauregard Street partially closed after garbage truck catches on fire

By ALXnow.com

Published July 23, 2021 at 12:40PM | Updated July 23, 2021 at 2:09PM

Beauregard Street and Sanger Avenue, via Google Maps

(Updated 1:25 p.m.) Southbound drivers on Beauregard Street were forced to find a detour around noon today (Friday) after a burning garbage truck closed southbound lanes at the intersection with Roanoke Avenue.

The southbound lanes were closed at the intersection. Southbound lanes reopened around 1:25 p.m.

Pot enthusiasts quiet in early days of legalization in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published July 23, 2021 at 11:00AM | Updated July 23, 2021 at 12:10PM

Marijuana (photo via Wesley Gibbs/Unsplash)

While owning up to an ounce of marijuana is now legal in Virginia, there’s been a delayed reaction in Alexandria.

Since July 1, it’s also been legal to grow up to four plants and to gift up to an ounce.