Mount Vernon Avenue | ALXnow

Lauren Fisher considers sticking around as president of the Del Ray Business Association

Published August 26, 2024 at 9:45AM

Lauren Fisher, president of the Del Ray Business Association (staff photo by James Cullum)

One way or another, Lauren Fisher is sticking around Del Ray.

Fisher started her first one-year term as president of the Del Ray Business Association (DRBA) at the height of the pandemic in 2021. Since then she’s rebuilt the association’s offerings, with virtual and distance-related neighborhood events transitioning back to in-person get-togethers. Those live in-person events include monthly first Thursday neighborhood parties on Mount Vernon Avenue, bar crawls, contests, farmer’s markets, a Halloween parade and festivals that bring tens of thousands of people to the neighborhood.

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Creative production studio opening this Friday in Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published August 20, 2024 at 1:30PM

Ashley Wood outlining her next creative writing project at Soulo Studios at 2417 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (courtesy photo)

Complete with chalkboard walls and plenty of chairs, a creative production studio is opening in Del Ray on Friday with a focus on writing.

Owner Ashley Wood worked for 14 years as an analyst for the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, but after giving birth to her daughter Lily in 2022, she became burned out from the rigor of the job. Earlier this year, she left the security of working for the federal government to pursue her passion — creating a community of creative writers.

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Watch parties happening to see Alexandria’s Noah Lyles race in the 100m and 200m Olympic finals

By James Cullum

Published August 1, 2024 at 3:45PM

World champion sprinter Noah Lyles speaks after receiving the key to the city at Market Square on Monday, October 10, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Two watch parties have been organized in the city to witness the fastest man on the planet, Alexandria native Noah Lyles, race in the 100 meter and 200 meter finals in the Paris Olympics.

It’s the second consecutive Olympics that a watch party will be held at Alexandria City High School (ACHS). The 26-year-old Lyles graduated from ACHS in 2016, and won the bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympics in the 200m. He’s a three-time world champion in the race, winning in 2019, 2022 and 2023.

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LGBTQ+ pop-up bar opens in Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published June 12, 2024 at 3:30PM

(Left to right) Owner Bill Blackburn, State Sen. Adam Ebbin, Metro Board Chair Paul Smedberg, Clerk of Court Greg Parks, Del Ray Business Association Board Member Daniel Roth, and City Council Member Kirk McPike at the ribbon cutting for Pride on the Avenue at 2312 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (staff photo by James Cullum)

Just in time for Pride Month, a new LGBTQ+ bar opened in Del Ray on Tuesday night.

The Pride on the Avenue pop-up is the only bar catering to Alexandria’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning community.

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‘Taste Of Del Ray’ returns June 2 with local delicacies and a wine tasting

By James Cullum

Published May 28, 2024 at 9:41AM

Taste of Del Ray on the Avenue organizers, and Vice Mayor Amy Jackson (center), at the VIP reception at Jack Taylor's Alexandria Toyota, June 2, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Feeling hungry? The Taste of Del Ray is returning June 2, with 17 of the neighborhood’s restaurants participating in the 15th annual event.

The Del Ray Business Association (DRBA) event will be will held on Sunday, June 2, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center fields (2701 Commonwealth Avenue).

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‘The Purple Goose’ kids shop will stay open in Del Ray for 20 more years, owner says

By James Cullum

Published May 17, 2024 at 10:54AM | Updated May 17, 2024 at 11:11AM

The Purple Goose children's boutique at 2005 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (staff photo by James Cullum)

The owner of The Purple Goose in Del Ray says that she’s going to keep the kids clothing boutique open for at least another 20 years.

The Purple Goose (2005 Mount Vernon Avenue) has something for everyone, and includes a balloon boutique and monogram business. The store carries clothing and shoes for young children, as well as toys, books, puzzles and thousands of accessories.

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Saturday’s ‘Well Ray Festival’ gets postponed by 80% rain forecast

By James Cullum

Published May 16, 2024 at 2:30PM

The Well Ray festival is on Saturday, June 11, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray. (Via Facebook)

Don’t worry about getting your yoga mat wet, because this weekend’s Well Ray Festival in Del Ray has been rescheduled due to rain, according to event organizers.

The National Weather Service forecasts an 80% chance of rain and possibly a thunderstorm on Saturday.

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‘Low-Key Gnocchi’ pop-up opens in Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published May 16, 2024 at 10:45AM

Low-Key Gnocchi at 3401 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (courtesy photo)

The owners of Del Ray’s District Biscuit have figured out another way to make some dough.

Last week, Alex Rosenberg and Michael Vidal opened their popup “Low-Key Gnocchi” at the restaurant (3401 Mount Vernon Avenue). They’re offering customers $10 servings of the Italian dumplings with a choice of three sauces — marinara, pesto and Alfredo.

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‘Zoning for Housing’ heats up Alexandria City Council debate in Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published May 14, 2024 at 2:35PM

The Del Ray Business Association's City Council candidate debate at Piece Out Del Ray, May 13, 2024 (Courtesy photo)

Sparks flew during Monday night’s City Council Democrat candidate debate in Del Ray.

While surrounded by nine of his opponents, candidate Jonathan Huskey said that City Council members should be voted out of office for their support of the citywide Zoning for Housing/Housing for All overhaul that eliminated single family zoning and allows developers to build homes with up to four units on any property.

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Rick Schneider quit his legal career to open Magpie Reclamations furniture store in Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published May 9, 2024 at 2:30PM

Rick Schneider in his shop Magpie Reclamations at 202 E. Custis Avenue in Del Ray (staff photo by James Cullum)

Rick Schneider couldn’t resist all the fancy old furniture left on the curb during the pandemic in New York City.

The Austin, Texas, native had just graduated with a law degree from Villanova University and was temporarily living in Manhattan when Covid hit. He had a truck and collected enough chairs, dressers and more to furnish his own apartment, a friend’s apartment and a storage unit.

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No charges after woman allegedly assaulted in Del Ray Sunday afternoon

By James Cullum

Published May 2, 2024 at 2:30PM | Updated May 2, 2024 at 2:55PM

A man was arrested after an alleged misdemeanor assault and battery in the 2400 block of Mount Vernon Avenue on Sunday, April 28, 2024 (via Google Maps)

No charges were filed against a man arrested for a suspected misdemeanor assault and battery on Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray on Sunday.

A passerby called 911 at around 1:30 p.m. to report seeing a man allegedly position himself behind a woman and then rub “himself all over her” on the sidewalk in the 2400 block of Mount Vernon Avenue, according to Alexandria Police Department dispatches.