News | ALXnow - Part 756

How to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Alexandria and what’s open around town

Published October 8, 2021 at 1:15PM

Intertrival Creatives in Old Town (photo via Intertribal Creatives/Facebook)

Monday, Oct. 11, is Indigenous Peoples’ Day and there are some ways to celebrate around Alexandria, though locals should also be aware of what will be closed.

Visit Alexandria put together a list of activities locals can do around Alexandria if they’re looking for ways to celebrate Native cultures. Suggestions include shopping at Intertribal Creatives (106 N. Lee Street) gallery in Old Town — an art gallery that highlights Indigenous artists — or attending a virtual lecture on Chichén Itzá on Tuesday (Oct. 12) hosted by George Mason University professor Lisa Breglia.

Floyd Mayweather’s boxing franchise to open Parker-Gray location next week

By Vernon Miles

Published October 8, 2021 at 11:00AM

Mayweather Boxing crew training in Braddock before the studio opens (photo via Mayweather Boxing + Fitness Old Town West/Facebook)

A new boxing/fitness studio franchise run by champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. is coming to the Parker-Gray neighborhood, with doors opening scheduled for next week.

Mayweather Boxing + Fitness, a group boxing and fitness gym, is scheduled to have a grand opening at 528 N. Henry Street on Saturday, Oct. 16. the gym will be the first Mayweather franchise location in Virginia, according to a press release.

City rethinks waterfront flood mitigation plans after seeing the price tag

By Vernon Miles

Published October 8, 2021 at 9:50AM

Flooding on lower King Street in Old Town. (staff photo by James Cullum)

The foot of King Street flooded with water is a dramatic visual that comes up nearly every time there’s flooding in Alexandria, but the city is facing some sticker shock for a long-planned fix.

At a meeting of the Waterfront Commission Flood Mitigation Committee this week, city staff presented a variety of plans that could help combat flooding on the waterfront, from a pair of cost-conscious options to options that put focus more on results than staying within budget.

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published October 8, 2021 at 5:00AM

Bondsman in Karla Dominguez case charged — “The bail bondsman in the Karla Dominguez murder case has been charged with criminal contempt of court and faces trial in January in the Alexandria Circuit Court.” [Alexandria Times]

Yard waste collection shifts to today — “Yard Waste collection… will be collected Friday, October 8. Please accept our apologies for any inconveniences caused by this temporary suspension.” [Alexandria T&ES]

Police: Suspect arrested after brandishing a gun during West End road rage incident

By Vernon Miles

Published October 7, 2021 at 3:40PM

Police arrested a suspect after a road rage incident near William Ramsay Elementary School (photo via Google Maps)

A suspect has been arrested after a report that they brandished a firearm at another driver during a case of severe road rage.

According to the police report, the incident occurred at the intersection of Sanger Avenue and Derby Court at 2 p.m. today (Thursday).

Port City ale inspired by local urban legend to return next week

By Vernon Miles

Published October 7, 2021 at 2:30PM

The grave of the mysterious Female Stranger (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria brewery Port City Brewing is bringing back an ale next week at an event that marks the anniversary of one of the city’s most famous urban legends: the Female Stranger.

The event is scheduled for next Thursday, Oct. 14, from 3-9 p.m. at Port City Brewing (3950 Wheeler Avenue). For every 16 oz pour, the brewery said $1 will be donated to the Gadsby’s Tavern Museum (134 N Royal Street).

Alexandria adoptable terrier Matrix looking for high-energy home

By Vernon Miles

Published October 7, 2021 at 1:15PM

The two-year-old black and white terrier is looking for adoption from the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (4101 Eisenhower Ave).

Gina Hardter, a spokesperson for the AWLA, said Matrix is looking for someone who can keep up with her energy level.

King Street-Duke Street connection closed this week

By Vernon Miles

Published October 7, 2021 at 9:30AM

Diagonal Road, closed for repaving (photo via Google Maps)

Diagonal Road, the very literally named road between Duke Street and King Street near the King Street Metro station, will be closed this week during working hours to through traffic for milling and repaving.

“Work will be performed between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,” the city said in a press release. “During this time Diagonal Road will be closed to through traffic. However, access to parking garages and the Embassy Suites Hotel will be maintained from Duke Street only.”

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published October 7, 2021 at 5:00AM

A runner along the Potomac Trail in Potomac Yard (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

River Farm gets taken off the market — “Local residents cheered over email and text messages Wednesday after learning that the American Horticultural Society’s board — or what remained of it — decided not to sell its 27-acre property overlooking the Potomac River.” [Alexandria Living]

Northern Virginia AFL-CIO presents award to Rep. Don Beyer — “When the bus drivers in Alexandria – the DASH workers (who had been trying to unionize over decades, actually), Alexandria City hired a union buster and Congressman Beyer stepped in and was very forceful with his language in making the city aware that the DASH workers had a right to organize.” [Zebra]

New ornament celebrates Alexandria’s original trolley

By Vernon Miles

Published October 6, 2021 at 3:30PM | Updated October 27, 2021 at 10:34AM

Ornament representing Car 303 of the Mount Vernon Alexandria & Washington Electric Railway (photo via Office of Historic Alexandria)

(Updated 10/27) Did you know that a little over 90 years before the King Street trolley started ferrying visitors through Old Town, another streetcar ran from Del Ray up into D.C.?

A new Christmas ornament for sale for $25 through the Office of Historic Alexandria celebrates the city’s first streetcar — which ran for 14 years before the popularity of the car helped drive it out of businesses.

Mark Center redevelopment could give the Hilton Hotel an overhaul

By Vernon Miles

Published October 6, 2021 at 2:30PM

Developments in Beauregard, via City of Alexandria

Right after the 100 block of King Street discussion last night, the Planning Commission approved a zoning text amendment that could let some West End developers make better use of the Mark Center site.

At the meeting, land use attorney Kenneth Wire represented the Mark Center Hilton and the Institute for Defense Analysis (IDA), two property owners at the site who have been pushing to have underutilized land around the Mark Center repurposed. Wire said the hotel owners are hoping sale of some of the property, particularly a parcel near a stormwater retention pond, could help fund a facelift for the very dated Mark Center Hilton.