Old Town barbecue joint Myron Mixon, tucked away off the main drag at 220 N. Lee Street, is celebrating three years in business with a party tomorrow.

Starting at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, the restaurant will be serving up a whole hog to celebrate the restaurant’s anniversary. Tickets are $22 and guests will also receive a free bottle of Myron Mixon’s barbecue sauce or rub, according to the Facebook page.

The restaurant started in 2017 as a project from Myron Mixon, a celebrity pitmaster from the show BBQ Pitmasters. An in-depth profile of the restaurant from the Washington Post’s Tim Carman praised the restaurant’s dedication to perfectly cooked and smoked meats, but said some of the sides taste “as if they were dumped from a can.”

The restaurant is also planning to offer $1 mimosas this weekend as part of the anniversary celebrations.

Photo via Myron Mixon/Facebook

APD Launches Safety Campaign for Officers — “Commuters often hear about the importance of safety on the road, but a new police program in Alexandria, Virginia, seeks to help officers keep themselves out of harm’s way on the road. Through its newly-launched, 12-month ‘Safety First — Every Shift, Every Call’ campaign, Alexandria police will provide officers with monthly safety tips throughout 2020 on topics like safe driving tactics, traffic stops and driving while fatigued.” [WTOP]

Drug Take-Back Day Coming Soon — “Alexandria encourages residents to safely dispose of prescription and over-the-counter medications, including those prescribed by veterinarians, during National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. A special collection will take place on January 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., although medications may also be taken year-round to one of the permanent drop box locations.” [City of Alexandria]

High School Basketball Team Eyes Playoffs — “Last year, the St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes boys’ varsity basketball team won the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association state tournament for the first time since 1990. This year, they’re going for a repeat.” [Alexandria Times]

Al’s Donating in Honor of Anniversary — “Al’s Steak House, 1504 Mount Vernon Avenue, is celebrating 65 years as the ‘King of Cheesesteaks’ by giving back. To celebrate the milestone, Al’s is donating 65 cents for every sub sold during the month of January to Community Lodgings.” [Zebra]

APD Celebrating 150th Anniversary — “Starting January 1, 2020, we begin celebrating the 150th Anniversary of APD. Officers have been authorized to wear the anniversary badge pictured below.” [City of Alexandria, Twitter]

Photographer’s Old Town Xmas Snap Goes Viral — “This picture of Old Town awash in holiday colors is fast becoming Alexandria’s most shared Christmas photo. It went viral almost immediately when amateur photographer Chris Bridner posted it to his Instagram page.” [Zebra]

Profile: Alexandria Bodybuilder — Alexandria dad Jake VanWoerkom was a casual fitness enthusiast until 2017, when he started becoming more serious about his workout routine and nutrition. That eventually led him to enter bodybuilding competitions. [Alexandria Living]

Memorial Service for Coach Boone — “Family, friends and complete strangers on Saturday remembered Herman Boone, the iconic T.C. Williams High School head football coach who led the team to a championship in 1971.” [Fox 5, Facebook, WTOP]

Local Group Celebrates 50th Anniversary — “In May 1969, a group of concerned Alexandrians from several churches met to discuss how they could ‘re-emphasize the role, and renew the efforts, of the local churches in providing assistance to people in need.’ The group formed a nonprofit organization called ALIVE!… At a legislative meeting last month, city council issued a proclamation acknowledging ALIVE!’s 50th anniversary.” [Alexandria Times]

More On Juvenile Detention Facility — “More than two-thirds of the cells at the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center are empty on this gray, rainy morning in December, and not just because the 22 teenagers housed there are in classes or meetings in other parts of the facility… The three Northern Virginia communities — Arlington, Falls Church and Alexandria — that share the $5.8 million operating cost of the facility just south of Landmark Mall in Alexandria are wondering whether there is a better option.” [Washington Post]

Redevelopment Plan in North Old Town — “As the American Physical Therapy Association prepares for a move to Potomac Yard, its current headquarters in North Old Town Alexandria is now slated for a major mixed-use redevelopment.” [Washington Business Journal]

ACPS Teacher’s Harrowing Journey — “When Onelio Mencho-Aguilar was 13-years-old, he left his mother and siblings to embark on a treacherous journey through rural Guatemala to the U.S. alone…  against the odds, he found a home here in Alexandria and with the support he found, he thrived. First as a student at T.C. Williams High School and now as a teacher at the International Academy where new arrivals to the U.S. are educated and supported.” [Alexandria City Public Schools]

New Suicide Prevention Effort — “DCHS now offers two locations where Alexandria residents and employees can obtain free locking medication boxes and firearm trigger or cable locks as part of Lock and Talk Northern Virginia. This safety program is a collaborative initiative of the Suicide Prevention Alliance of Northern Virginia.” [City of Alexandria]

Community Services Board Marks Anniversary — “On Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m., in City Council Chambers, Alexandria Mayor Justin M. Wilson will present members of the Alexandria Community Services Board (CSB) with a proclamation for 50 years of community service and support.” [Press Release]

Old Town Books, a book shop near the waterfront at 104 S. Union Street, is celebrating one year in business this weekend.

On Saturday, Nov. 23, the book store is celebrating its one year anniversary with a variety of events throughout the day. The event will feature cake, free storytime at noon, with sing-alongs and special happenings throughout the day.

The book shop started as a pop-up shop last November in the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership’s pop-up program, according to Alexandria Living Magazine. The store found its new, permanent home in May.

Every purchase on Saturday will come with a free bookmark and sticker, according to the website.

The bookstore has an active book club and running lists of current favorites by employees.

Photo via Old Town Books/Facebook

Bald Eagle Rescue Near Cameron Run — “A bald eagle that appeared to be injured was spotted Wednesday morning on the ground at the Cameron Run Regional Park, near the Metro tracks in Alexandria, Virginia. It seemed like something was wrong with one of its wings.” [WTOP]

Old Town Eatery to Offer Original Menu — “Longtime Old Town Alexandria Italian restaurant Landini Brothers, at 115 King St., is marking its 40th anniversary Oct. 28 by taking diners back to the past. The family-owned restaurant, founded in 1979, is bringing back for one night only the original menu that waiters brought to diners’ tables. And that means 1979 prices.” [WTOP]

Trash Collection Reminder — “DYK which November Holidays the City’s trash & recycling collection is delayed by one day? It’s a trick question: NONE. On both Veteran’s Day AND Thanksgiving, trash and recycling is collection as scheduled.” [Twitter, City of Alexandria]

More Local Halloween Events — “Celebrate a safe Halloween with friends and neighbors during Halloween Spirit Week, October 25 through October 31. The Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities offers a variety of fun options for families, and even their four-legged friends, throughout Alexandria.” [City of Alexandria, ALXnow]

Online Maintenance for Library — “Due to service maintenance, on Wednesday, October 23 between the hours of 12am and 6am, Library customers will not unable to access databases or library accounts.” [Twitter]

New Generation for Le Refuge — Since 1983, the family-owned Le Refuge restaurant has served French cuisine at 127 N. Washington Street. Now a new generation of the family is taking over the beloved local institution. [Gazette Packet]

Catholic School Celebrates Anniversary — “Back in 1869, the Basilica School of St. Mary opened its doors to 40 students – 20 boys and 20 girls. These days, 150 years later, the Catholic school is at capacity with 711 students and waiting lists for most grades except kindergarten. On the weekend of Oct. 18, the school celebrated its past with an anniversary weekend that included a family day and alumni dinners.” [Zebra, Alexandria Times]

Del Ray Pizzeria (2218 Mount Vernon Avenue) is celebrating its nine-year anniversary with a pizza party this weekend.

The restaurant, which has previously hosted the Obamas and courted controversy with its “Grab Her By the Pizza” pie a couple years ago, is celebrating this Sunday (Oct. 20) from 2-8 p.m. in the lot behind the restaurant.

According to an employee at the store, the party will have face painting, pumpkin painting, cornhole and other games. They also plan on having a moon bounce that the employee assured ALXnow will fit adults.

The employee noted that in addition to soft drinks, the party will have craft beers available.

“We’ll have our cheese and pepperoni pizza, but also a few specialty favorites,” the employee said.

These specialties include Butcher’s Block — a pizza with pepperoni, sausage, bacon, ham and prosciutto — and Tropic Thunder — sausage, pepperoni, jalapenos, and pineapple.

Photo via Del Ray Pizza