It’s time to say “nevermore” again, because Edgar Allan Poe actor David Keltz is returning to Alexandria’s Lyceum (201 S. Washington Street) Oct. 29 and 30.
Keltz will recreate Poe’s visit to the city before he died in 1849. The program will include recitations of Poe’s poems “The Raven” and “El Dorado,” as well as two chilling stories, according to the Office of Historic Alexandria (OHA). The actor has been performing as Poe since 1991.
Are you a friend of Dorothy?
Since World War II, the coded question has been used to determine whether someone is queer. Now, Dorothy Edwards is using the phrase as the name for the first-ever LGBTQ+ focused cafe in Alexandria. For the last several months, Edwards has been raising money to cover six months of operating expenses at a yet-to-be-determined space, build-out of the space, and equipment. She says that once the cafe is up and running, it’s all she wants to do for the rest of her life.
Several Alexandria businesses are offering discounts and freebies to federal employees affected by the government shutdown.
Made in ALX (415 King Street) is offering discounts on workshops, has items on sale, and is putting out one of their artists’ 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzles for anyone to work on during regular business hours. “I’m in a federal family, and have gone through several shutdowns in the past,” Beth Lawton, a cofounder of Made In ALX, told us. “I know firsthand how stressful it is, and if we can make things easier on people affected this year, we’re happy to do that.”
ALX Community is hosting its second ALX Pink Gala in Old Town next month, with proceeds benefiting the National Breast Center Foundation.
The gala will be held at ALX Community’s Atrium location (277 S. Washington Street) on Friday, Oct. 17, from 7 to 10 p.m. Tickets range in price from $100 for general admission to $150 for VIPs, the latter of which grants access to an exclusive rooftop experience, according to event organizers.
National veterinary chain Livewell Animal Hospital will hold its grand opening in Old Town on Saturday, Oct. 4.
The event will be held at the hospital’s location at in the Atrium building at 277 S. Washington Street in Old Town. The event is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and visitors will get hospital tours, a chance to meet the veterinary team, get free pet caricatures, and enjoy snacks (for pets and their humans), according to Livewell.
After 120 years at 100 S. Fairfax Street in Old Town, Burke & Herbert Bank wants to illuminate its signs.
In a proposal that’s going to the city’s Board of Architectural Review, the bank wants to install halo-lit signs facing S. Fairfax and King Streets. The signs would be repainted and LED lights installed behind them, shining on the wall and creating a halo effect around the letters.
A new farmers market opens Thursday, Sept. 25, across from the King St.-Old Town Metro station.
The King Street Station Farmers Market will be held every Thursday from Sept. 25 to Oct. 30 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the King Street Station Office Plaza at 1800 Diagonal Road. The market is free to attend and sponsored by the King Street Station Association.
The Alexandria City Council unanimously voted Saturday to permanently close the 200 block of King Street to vehicular traffic, extending the city’s pedestrian zone after a successful pilot program.
The 7-0 vote on second reading makes the closure effective immediately, eliminating 16 metered parking spaces and one short-term visitor space in front of the Alexandria Visitor Center.
Here’s a rundown of our top stories.
Our top story this week is on the Thursday, Sept. 11, announcement that Systems Planning and Analysis (SPA) will expand its Alexandria headquarters and create 1,200 new jobs over the next five years as part of a $46.9 million investment across Northern Virginia. The defense contractor bought, and will renovate, a 239,000-square-foot office building at 2001 N. Beauregard Street. Attendees at the announcement included Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins and Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay.
A 15-year-old Alexandria male has been issued a detention order and charged with robbery using a firearm after allegedly robbing a man on a Metro train near the King St-Old Town Metro station.
The incident occurred on Monday, Aug. 4, just after 7 p.m. The victim was on a train traveling from the Van Dorn Street Metro station to the King Street station when he was approached from behind by a masked male, put in a choke hold, hit in the face and then had a black handgun “jammed into his person,” and allegedly said, “Give me everything,” according to a recently released search warrant affidavit. The victim told the Metro Transit Police Department that the suspect stole $300 in cash, an Apple watch, and a Louis Vuitton backpack.
A popular Massachusetts-based fast-casual organic restaurant has filed paperwork to open at 400 King Street in Old Town.
Life Alive Organic Cafe has filed a special use permit application to open in the space formerly occupied by Long and Foster Realtors. The building is currently home to The Alexandrian Old Town Hotel at 480 King Street and Southern restaurant King & Rye, near City Hall at 301 King Street. Life Alive is planning on a 3,000-square-foot, 97-seat restaurant to be open seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
