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Not long after warning families that the bus driver shortage will impact schools, Alexandria City Public Schools said it’s staggering student dismissal because of the driver shortage and schedule changes at the high school.

According to a letter from Alicia Hart, chief operating officer for Facilities and Operations at Alexandria City Public Schools, the school division will start having staggered student dismissal times for mid-day shuttle transportation at Alexandria City High School.


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Here’s a roundup of all the events, live music, and entertainment happening around Alexandria this weekend, Friday, September 6, through Sunday, September 8, 2024.

Are you organizing an event? Submit events to ALXnow.


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Noteworthy: Combination of historic character & modern luxury

Two blocks from the heart of Old Town, this home offers a rare combination of historic character, modern luxury, and livable space. Just minutes from King Street, the waterfront, restaurants, shops, and parks, you will be directly in the center of it all. This 3-bedroom, 3-bath residence spans approximately 2,600+ square feet and has been thoughtfully updated to support both everyday living and effortless entertaining. The home features high-end appliances, including Miele, Sub-Zero, and Viking, paired with a layout that feels intuitive, comfortable, and functional. Built in the early 1800s, the home is an example of Alexandria’s historic “flounder house” style, though what stands out most is how seamlessly that history has been adapted for modern living. Original hardwood floors anchor the heart of the home, while preserved architectural details, particularly in the family room, highlight its 200-year legacy. The upper level includes a flexible primary suite with an adjoining office or sitting room, offering an ideal work-from-home setup or private retreat. A standout feature is the redesigned, two-tier courtyard, creating a true outdoor living environment rarely found in Old Town. Entered through a private gate and enhanced with thoughtful landscaping, the space includes both an upper courtyard and a lower patio with direct access from the kitchen, allowing for seamless indoor-outdoor living and entertaining. Additional features include a copper roof and six fireplaces, further reinforcing the home’s blend of enduring craftsmanship and modern updates.


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Break out your platform shoes and bell-bottoms, because the Torpedo Factory Art Center (105 N. Union Street) is throwing a 1970’s-themed party for its 50th birthday.

Every year, an estimated half-million people visit the former munitions plant-turned art center along the Alexandria waterfront for art shows, parties and to bookend a genuine Old Town experience.


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NaNoWriMo organizers are in hot water over comments about allowing AI, but there’s one surefire way to ensure the story isn’t AI-generated: Alexandria is hosting a writing event with vintage typewriters.

The Get Out & Type event is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 7, from 1-3 p.m. at the James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library (2501 Commonwealth Avenue).


News

After confusion with former employees who questioned the validity of a report of impending closure, the Red Lobster at 555 S. Van Dorn Street is permanently closed.

The international seafood chain revealed in court last month that it would not renew leases at 23 unprofitable locations, and that the Alexandria restaurant was among those that would close on Aug. 31, according to the Washington Business Journal.


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Good Thursday morning, Alexandria!

☀️ Today’s weather: Expect mostly sunny skies and a high near 80 degrees, accompanied by a gentle northeast wind at 7 mph. As night falls on Thursday, the skies will become mostly cloudy with temperatures dropping to a low of around 63 degrees, with an east wind between 3 and 6 mph.


News

Alexandria has been talking about much-needed repairs to City Hall for a decade, but that process is set to officially launch this fall with a design process running over a year.

In a release, City Manager James Parajon said a design team, international firm Leo A Daly, will take the lead on the renovation of City Hall. Alexandria firms Rust Orling Architecture and LandDesign will tackle the redesign of Market Square.


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Campagna Center, an Alexandria non-profit that helps local children and families, will be hosting a celebration showcasing Alexandria’s diverse cultures with the help of some grant funding from another local nonprofit.

Campagna Center is hosting Welcoming Week 2024 on Sunday, Sept. 15, at its headquarters at 418 S. Washington Street. The event will be funded, in part, via a $2,000 grant from fellow nonprofit ACT for Alexandria.


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Independent City Council Candidate Mason Butler announced he will be formally kicking off his campaign on Monday, Sept. 9.

Butler is one of a handful of underdog candidates, including independent Roy Byrd and Republican Celianna Gunderson, going up against the Democratic slate chosen in a primary in June.