Around Town

This will be the first year the Del Ray Business Association is not hosting First Thursday block parties since it founded the event nearly 30 years ago.

Del Ray’s First Thursdays have been turned over to the Del Ray Citizens Association, which runs other neighborhood events such as last weekend’s Del Ray GardenFest and the upcoming Del Ray House and Garden Tour on Saturday, May 9.


News

A new Traffic and Parking Board member appointed by Alexandria City Council had testified on behalf of a citizens association on the Braddock Road changes the board approved in February.

Rosemarie Spano was appointed by City Council as a citizen member of the board on April 14. Spano replaces former Chair Ann Tucker, who had served on the board for 10 years and had her last meeting in March. Spano told ALXnow her term starts in May.


Around Town

After being open for a year, a vintage gift shop in Del Ray is closing at the end of June.

Amy Sills Eggers, the owner of Stardust Vintage and Gift (1904 Mount Vernon Avenue), told ALXnow that she needs to focus on her family. She said she’ll be selling all of her merchandise and fixtures at a discount.


Around Town

Crooked Beat Records will officially close its Del Ray location Sunday, May 3, following the adverse effects of flooding earlier this year.

Owner Bill Daly said in a social media post he has tried to stay in Alexandria and has placed bids on several rental properties in and around the city, though there is a chance the business could move outside Alexandria.


Around Town

A Del Ray eatery’s Instagram post promising free milkshakes has collected more than 4 million views.

In the March 17 post from Holy Cow Del Ray (2312 Mount Vernon Avenue), customers were told they could get free milkshakes by dancing. What followed is a compilation of adults and children dancing their ways through the burger joint’s front door to the counter. The post also got 388,000 likes, and the restaurant’s Instagram followers have since climbed from just over 4,000 to more than 10,000.


News

After years of planning, a splash pad along Del Ray’s Mount Vernon Avenue will soon be available for families to enjoy in the summer season.

The Colasanto Interactive Fountain, which replaced a pool that’s been closed since 2010, is being constructed behind Del Ray Artisans at the intersection of Mount Vernon and Commonwealth Avenues. The latest timeline calls for completion in late April, according to the city’s Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities.


News

A driver was cited with failure to pay full time attention after a pedestrian was struck and  injured in Del Ray on Saturday (April 4), according to the Alexandria Police Department.

APD and the Alexandria Fire Department arrived on scene just after 4 p.m. in response to the pedestrian crash at the intersection of Mount Vernon Avenue and E. Braddock Road.


Around Town

Five Alexandria eateries have advanced to finalist status in the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington’s annual restaurant awards.

Narrowed down from dozens of semifinalists who were publicly revealed last month for the first time, the list of finalists announced last night (Monday) at The Hamilton Live in D.C. by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington span regional chains, chef-driven favorites and independent restaurants. The 20 categories of the RAMMYs recognize the region’s chefs, restaurateurs and other industry professionals.


Around Town

After a sold-out event two years ago, tickets are on sale for the next Del Ray House & Garden Tour returning on Saturday, May 9.

The biennial tour, hosted by the Del Ray Citizens Association, gives ticket holders access to participating homes and gardens throughout the neighborhood. This year’s event runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.


Around Town

Del Ray Public House unveiled its new branding this week, officially moving on from its 16-year-old Del Ray Pizzeria concept.

The Del Ray Pizzeria initials remain on the signage at 2218 Mount Vernon Avenue, and pizza stays on the menu, but the overall focus of the business started changing in January with the introduction of new Southwest-inspired flavors, owner Laurel Fisher told ALXnow.


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