Del Ray | ALXnow

With Amazon on the Horizon, City Begins Update to Arlandria and Del Ray Plans

Published November 7, 2019 at 9:30AM

Del Ray North (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria is taking another look at the future of Arlandria and Del Ray and how those communities can weather the planned urbanization of the “National Landing” area.

This fall, the city is launching its community engagement for plans to update the 2005 Mount Vernon Avenue Business Plan and the 2003 Long-Term Vision and Action Plan for the Arlandria Neighborhood. The city cites the nearby arrival of Amazon, the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus, and the North Potomac Yard Metro station as looming developments that could start to change the character of the residential and commercial communities to the west.

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Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published November 5, 2019 at 8:00AM

APD Officer Saves Man’s Life — “Last month, Alexandria Police Department Lieutenant Mike Kochis responded to a call in the Carlyle area and found an unconscious middle-aged man lying on the sidewalk… The man’s symptoms lined up with an opioid overdose, so Kochis turned the man on his side and sprayed a dose of Narcan into his nose.” [City of Alexandria]

Local Bride Meets Girl Whose Life She Saved — “Sarah Aiken from Alexandria was practicing walking down the pretend aisle in the back of the restaurant in Annapolis before her wedding rehearsal dinner. ‘I looked to the left and saw this family, her blond hair and I knew exactly who they were.’ Fourteen-year-old Kinley Strohl had flown in with her family from Ohio to attend the wedding of the woman who had given her a bone marrow donation seven years ago and saved her life.” [Gazette Packet]

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Bike Rodeo in Del Ray Tomorrow to Celebrate Opening of New Park

By Vernon Miles

Published November 1, 2019 at 3:30PM

A bike rodeo tomorrow (Saturday) will help celebrate the launch of the Mount Jefferson Traffic Garden, a small park designed to help teach children about traffic rules in a safe environment.

Plans for the grand opening include a cycling event for children hosted by the Alexandria Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, to include lessons about key bicycle skills like turning and hand signals.

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Bunnies and Yoga This Sunday in Del Ray

By Vernon Miles

Published October 31, 2019 at 9:30AM

Perk your ears up: Ease Yoga and Cafe is partnering with Tripple Springs Farm to bring Bunny Meditation to Del Ray on Sunday (Nov. 3).

From 12:30-1:15 p.m. at 3051 Mount Vernon Avenue, a “fluffle” of lionhead rabbits from Tripple Springs Farm in Maryland is scheduled to make an appearance and play around during a guided meditation.

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History and Realty Intertwined at McEnearney Associates

By ALXnow.com

Published October 28, 2019 at 12:45PM | Updated November 6, 2019 at 11:46AM

(Updated at 13:25 p.m.) The home at 209 S. Lee Street isn’t just another brick building in Old Town, it’s a building with a rich history dating back to ownership by Augistine Washington Jr., half-brother of George Washington, and a design that shows an evolution of Victorian styles.

It’s the example of the kind of local history real estate agents at McEnearney Associates, a real estate company that celebrated its 39th anniversary this year (and a sponsor of ALXnow), need to be intimately familiar with to work in Alexandria.

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Alexandria to Host Hefty Helping of Halloween Events This Month

By Airey

Published October 18, 2019 at 3:35PM | Updated October 18, 2019 at 3:59PM

(Updated at 4 p.m.) Old Town’s cobwebs are strung and Del Ray’s carved pumpkins are out, which means it’s Halloween time for Alexandria.

The city is playing host to an ample amount of spooky events this year, including family-friendly parades to a tour of mystery and murder.

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Adult Moon Bounce and Craft Beers at Del Ray Pizzeria Party This Weekend

By Vernon Miles

Published October 18, 2019 at 2:00PM

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.

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Alexandria to Host Free Brunch for First Responders

By Airey

Published October 17, 2019 at 9:30AM

A fire truck in Alexandria (file photo by Jay Westcott)

First responders can eat for free at an upcoming event in Del Ray.

Southern cuisine destination Live Oak (1603 Commonwealth Ave) is hosting a free breakfast and coffee for firefighters, police officers, and EMTs on Monday, October 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

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At the Library, Patrons Check Out Death Discussions

By Airey

Published October 15, 2019 at 4:30PM | Updated October 16, 2019 at 2:38PM

Hannah Risley, a librarian at Duncan Library who has been hosting Death Cafe's since 2018. (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated on 10/16/19) Some Alexandria Library patrons are browsing more than just books: these days they’re also checking out discussions about death.

Hannah Risley, the librarian at Duncan Library, is in charge of adult programs from dance workshops to movie nights to book clubs. But last year, she wanted to try something different.

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New Cupcakery Coming to Del Ray

By Vernon Miles

Published October 10, 2019 at 2:00PM | Updated October 10, 2019 at 3:03PM

Smallcakes in Del Ray

Smallcakes Cupcakery and Creamery is coming to a house in Del Ray.

The national chain is opening a new location at 1506 Mount Vernon Avenue, immediately next door to Junction Bakery and Bistro. Prior to being a cupcakery, the location was Cloud 9 Therapeutic Skin Care, which has since moved up the street to 2101 Mount Vernon Avenue.

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Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published October 10, 2019 at 8:00AM

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

Patch Editor Dies After Cancer Fight — “William ‘Skip’ Wood, of Alexandria, Virginia, died on Sunday, Oct. 6, after a battle with cancer. He was 57. A longtime journalist and Virginia resident, he covered parts of Northern Virginia for Patch over three years, and was well-known nationally for his reporting at USA Today.” [Patch]

Alexandria Man Charged With Classified Leaks — “A counterterrorism analyst for the Defense Intelligence Agency has been charged with leaking top-secret details about foreign countries’ weapons systems to two journalists, including a reporter with whom he apparently was romantically involved, federal authorities said Wednesday. Henry K. Frese, 30, of Alexandria, Va., ‘was caught red-handed disclosing sensitive national security information.'” [Washington Post, Wall Street Journal]