News | ALXnow - Part 735

Morning Notes

Published October 27, 2021 at 5:00AM

Biden visits Pentagon City for McAuliffe campaign — “On a gusty, very brisk fall evening, President Joe Biden once again visited Arlington to campaign for Terry McAuliffe.” [ARLnow]

Beyond the bricks and boards: a glimpse inside 802 N. Washington Street — “If you’ve driven by the three story brick house at 802 N. Washington, you may [have] noticed that it has moved in recent months — a few times. The house, built in 1890, is being saved and incorporated into the construction of a new five-story hotel.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

Metal detectors not under consideration within Alexandria City Public Schools

By James Cullum

Published October 26, 2021 at 3:30PM | Updated October 29, 2021 at 9:34PM

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

Metal detectors are not being considered at Alexandria City Public Schools.

After a rocky start to the school year with multiple students caught bringing weapons to Alexandria City High School, the issue has been publicly raised more than a few times in recent weeks.

Torpedo Factory plans could include cafe, maker-space, and ‘gloryholes’

By Vernon Miles

Published October 26, 2021 at 2:45PM

The Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

The city is looking at options to move things around in the Torpedo Factory and insert some surprises into activity holes on the ground floor.

In a Torpedo Factory Art Center Implementation Strategy Update meeting, Diane Ruggiero, deputy director of recreation, parks and cultural activities, outlined options being reviewed that could lead to some radical changes for the Torpedo Factory.

Nashville-style chicken restaurant coming to Duke Street

By Vernon Miles

Published October 26, 2021 at 1:15PM

Chicken sandwich at Hangry Joe's Chicken (photo via Hangry Joe's Chicken/Facebook)

A small chain devoted to spicy Nashville-style chicken called Hangry Joe’s Chicken is making a big expansion, opening in the Alexandria Commons shopping center and other locations throughout the region in the next few months.

The restaurant management said in a message that the Alexandria location aims to open in the former Subway in Alexandria Commons early next year.

Del Ray featured on PBS show If You Lived Here

By Rick Horner

Published October 26, 2021 at 10:30AM

Historic Del Ray (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The Del Ray neighborhood was recently profiled on the latest episode of the PBS show If You Lived Here. This episode took a look at three homes in the neighborhood that may be attractive to buyers.

The show followed Jen Walker, a realtor and the unofficial “mayor of Del Ray” who moved to the neighborhood in 1997. Walker gave a tour to hosts John Begeny and Christine Louise and gave a brief history about the Del Ray neighborhood, harkening back to its blue-collar roots when many of the area’s residents worked at the Potomac Yard Railway station. Walker also described its recent evolution which has embraced mom-and-pop businesses as well as a love for dogs and children.

Wegmans in Carlyle now hiring as the store heads toward opening next year

By Vernon Miles

Published October 26, 2021 at 9:50AM

Rendering of Reese, an apartment building in the Carlyle Crossing development, courtesy Stonebridge

Wegmans, the commercial centerpieces of the Carlyle Crossing development at 2495 Mandeville Lane, is starting a hiring spree as it inching closer toward a spring 2022 opening.

The 1.7 million-square-foot Carlyle Crossing development will be a mix of residential units and commercial space, with ground-floor restaurants along with Wegmans grocery store. The Wegmans is the first grocery store for the developing area near the Eisenhower Metro station.

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published October 26, 2021 at 6:00AM

Alexandria residents along Telegraph Road demand action from state — “Residents who travel along a busy roadway in Northern Virginia are demanding answers from the state’s department of transportation.” [Fox5]

COVID-19 booster shots readily available in Alexandria and Fairfax County — “Thanks to all the work done setting up the infrastructure to provide initial vaccines to residents, it’s pretty easy to get a booster shot in both Alexandria and Fairfax County, as long as you qualify.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

Seminary Hill affordable housing development headed to city review

By Vernon Miles

Published October 25, 2021 at 3:45PM

Proposed AHDC development off Seminary Road (photo via AHDC)

The Alexandria Housing Development Corporation is planning to head to city review by the end of the year for a new project that will add 31 affordable housing units to the Seminary Hill neighborhood at 4547, 4555, and 4575 Seminary Road.

“The Applicant, the Alexandria Housing Development Corporation (AHDC) is seeking to consolidate three lots into one and build a condominium project that includes 31 affordable for-sale townhouse-condo units that target average median incomes (AMI) at or below 80% and 8 rental and for-sale multi-family units,” AHDC said in an application.

Photos: The Del Ray Halloween Parade makes big comeback

By James Cullum

Published October 25, 2021 at 2:30PM

The Del Ray Halloween Parade on Sunday, October 24, 2021. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Batman, Mr. Incredible, Cruella De Vil… The Del Ray Halloween Parade was back in style on Sunday, October 24.

Thousands of costumed heroes, villains and all in-between showed up for the annual event, which was brought back after a hiatus last year.

Check out Old Town’s most haunted hot spots

By Rick Horner

Published October 25, 2021 at 1:30PM | Updated October 25, 2021 at 2:04PM

Alexandria has a rich tradition of ghost sightings. Stories of paranormal experiences have been passed down and enthralled and terrified listeners for generations.

But where have these sightings occurred? Many buildings in and around the city dating as far back as the Colonial Period have added to that rich tradition of spooky stories.

Alexandria transmission rate reduced from ‘High’ to ‘Substantial’

By James Cullum

Published October 25, 2021 at 10:45AM

Alexandria’s coronavirus transmission rate has shifted from “High” to “Substantial”, as the spread of the virus has slowed over the past week.

As of today (Monday, October 25), the number of cases climbed to 14,194, up 124 cases since this time last week. The seven day average of daily new cases reported is 18, down from 22 last week.