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Morning Notes

Published November 1, 2021 at 5:00AM

Robert E. Lee home in Alexandria omits famous resident in new listing — “The Potts-Fitzhugh House in Old Town Alexandria is for sale for $5,995,000. The listing for the six-bedroom, five-bathroom, 8,000-square-foot mansion includes a thorough description of the place, but omits a key fact: It was the childhood home of Robert E. Lee.” [Washingtonian]

Republican gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin stops in Alexandria — “At an early Saturday morning campaign stop in Alexandria, Virginia, supporters for Youngkin told Fox News that family and education are top ticket items in their decision to back the GOP candidate.” [Fox News]

News

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published October 27, 2021 at 5:00AM

Biden visits Pentagon City for McAuliffe campaign — “On a gusty, very brisk fall evening, President Joe Biden once again visited Arlington to campaign for Terry McAuliffe.” [ARLnow]

Beyond the bricks and boards: a glimpse inside 802 N. Washington Street — “If you’ve driven by the three story brick house at 802 N. Washington, you may [have] noticed that it has moved in recent months — a few times. The house, built in 1890, is being saved and incorporated into the construction of a new five-story hotel.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

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ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published October 22, 2021 at 3:30PM

Yates Pizza Palace has been under development at 3000 Duke Street for years. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Just as the school resource officer debate started to cool down, things have started heating up between the City Council local first responder unions and city leadership over pay issues.

At the same time, city officials are entering the final stretch before election day on Tuesday, Nov. 2., which among other statewide elections will see candidates competing for the City Council, mayoral and School Board seats in Alexandria.

News

Freedom House Museum opening pushed back to next spring

By Vernon Miles

Published October 22, 2021 at 9:45AM

Freedom House at 1315 Duke Street (photo via City of Alexandria)

The new opening of the Freedom House Museum (1315 Duke Street), a museum dedicated to telling the stories of the victims of slavery trafficked through Alexandria, has been pushed back to a full year after its original planned opening.

The city said the museum is now expected to open to the public in spring 2022.

News

City to host historical discussion about Confederate statue removal

By Vernon Miles

Published October 19, 2021 at 3:30PM

As part of an ongoing effort to commemorate civil rights efforts both past and ongoing, the city hosting a film screening and virtual discussion about Confederate statues around Virginia and their recent removal.

The discussion will center around How the Monuments Came Down, a documentary produced by Field Studio and the VPM Media Corporation.

News

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published October 15, 2021 at 3:30PM

This week saw possibly the most contentious meeting between the City Council and School Board in years for a debate over School Resources Officers that ultimately culminated in the Council voting to temporarily restore the program. The reversal has been advocated by school officials and some parents, but was lamented by advocacy group Tenants and Workers United that saw it as a step-backward for racial justice.

The following day, ACPS was also hit with lockdowns at Alexandria City High School’s King Street and Minnie Howard campuses and Hammond Middle School, though police later said initial calls about a school shooting were unfounded. At the same time, a gas leak near Potomac Yard led to two homes being evacuated and the temporary closure of Richmond Highway.

News

Project crowdsourcing Alexandria history aims to go nationwide next year

By Vernon Miles

Published October 13, 2021 at 3:30PM

Postcard for the Beachcomber restaurant in Alexandria (photo via Ken Lopez/OurHistoryMuseum)

A photo of a horse dead on the street, missives between sweethearts during the Civil War, a 1909 postcard for a local drugstore: OurHistoryMuseum is a digital gallery of local oddities from private collectors around town. It’s a love letter to the kinds of small local history that don’t make it into physical museums but might go unknown to the public as they gather dust on a local shelf.

Now, OurHistoryMuseum founder Ken Lopez is hoping to take his local project nationwide.

News

What happened to Alexandria’s St. Elmo neighborhood?

By Vernon Miles

Published October 12, 2021 at 1:05PM

St. Elmo neighborhood (photo via Stonebridge Associates Inc.)

As plans to redevelop the Oakville Triangle move forward, part of that revitalization could involve the resurrection of an older neighborhood name: St. Elmo.

There are remnants of the St. Elmo name, like the coffee shops in Del Ray and North Old Town, but by and large, it’s one that’s fallen by the wayside. According to an application, developer Stonebridge Associates is hoping to turn a road through the Oakville Triangle into St. Elmo Way as a tie to the old neighborhood.

News

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).

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published September 30, 2021 at 5:00AM

Aslin Beer Co. opens new scratch kitchen in Alexandria — “For the past two years, Chef Taylor Gates has been learning about pizza and dough — and now the taproom at Aslin Beer Co. in Alexandria’s West End is ready to serve it up. Aslin is opening a new scratch kitchen concept this week called Knead.” [Alexandria Living]

City Council approves additional eviction prevention resources — “City Council’s decision funds $457,000 for two service navigator and two housing relocator positions; storage assistance for household belongings; and additional legal services provided by the Legal Aid Justice Center to assist people at risk for eviction due to the COVID-19 pandemic.” [City of Alexandria]

News

Fort Ward Museum reopening with a bang next weekend

By Vernon Miles

Published September 20, 2021 at 2:40PM

Fort Ward Museum staff shows models with Union uniforms to guests (photo courtesy Fort Ward Museum)

The Fort Ward Museum is planning to reopen next weekend with a live cannon fire demonstration to kick things off.

While many of Alexandria’s museums and historic have reopened over the last few months, Fort Ward remained closed for renovations to the museum.