Old Town | ALXnow

City Council approves classical concert venue in Old Town

Published March 16, 2021 at 9:45AM

Garden portion of The Rectory set up as music venue during the pandemic in 2020. (via Classical Movements)

The Alexandria City Council unanimously approved a special use permit authorizing four hours of daily acoustic classical musical performances at The Rectory at 711 Princess Street in Old Town.

Since last year, Classical Movements and musicians from the National Symphony Orchestra, the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra and the Eclipse Chamber Orchestra have performed at the venue to outdoor audiences. The Sounds of Hope and Harmony performances have been held with socially distant crowds, and the new approval allows for up to 50 guests to enjoy the music.

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‘Groundswell’ Art Installation Pays Homage to History, Coming to Waterfront Park this Month

By James Cullum

Published March 10, 2021 at 11:40AM | Updated March 10, 2021 at 11:59AM

Groundswell, a new art installation paying homage to Alexandria’s maritime history, will be installed at Waterfront Park later this month, the city recently announced.

New York-based artist Mark Reigelman was chosen for the third in the city’s Site See: New Views in Old Town public art series. Groundswell features more than 100 raw wood pilings ranging from nine to 39 inches in height and mirroring the Potomac River’s floor topography.

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Battle Royale: Princess Street Development Duel Returns to City This Month

By Vernon Miles

Published March 5, 2021 at 2:45PM

Move over Meghan Markle, there’s a Princess scandal in town.

The long back-and-forth saga over a new trio of new homes is scheduled to continue later this month when the applicant returns to the Board of Architectural Review on Wednesday, March 17.

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published March 5, 2021 at 9:00AM

Virginia State Police Car Chase Ends With Arrest — “State police found the vehicle heading north on the Beltway near Braddock Road. A state trooper tried to stop the vehicle, but the driver sped away. Police say the vehicle reached speeds above 100 mph and struck three vehicles and a trooper’s vehicle during the pursuit.” [Patch]

Stomping Ground to Open ‘The Alley’ — “The Alley’s menu is available for sampling now at Stomping Ground, at 2309 Mt. Vernon Ave. Stomping Ground is the brainchild of Nicole Jones, who is also working on opening a new venture at The Atrium in Old Town.” [Alexandria Living]

Neighborhood Spotlight: Old Town is the New Town

By Sponsor

Published March 4, 2021 at 12:45PM

This Neighborhood Spotlight is brought to you by The Seward Group of TTR Sotheby’s International Realty.

Welcome to our first Neighborhood Spotlight. We are pleased to present this new monthly column that will highlight the vast array of Alexandria neighborhoods.

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published March 4, 2021 at 9:00AM

Famed Jewish Songstress Dies in Alexandria at 97 — “Singer, songwriter, guitarist and accordionist Flory Jagoda worked hard to preserve the music and language she inherited from her Sephardic Jewish ancestors in her adopted American home. Named a National Heritage Fellow by the National Endowment for the Arts in 2002, she died on Jan. 29 at age 97 in Alexandria, Va. at a long-term memory care facility, according to an obituary placed by her family.” [NPR]

Virginia American Water Identifies Source of Water Main Break — “The issue on S Whiting Street was identified to be a broken valve which has been repaired. We are slowly restarting service and it may already be on for some customers. We anticipate it will be fully restored within two hours.” [Twitter]

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Just In: Vice President Visits Old Town Shop Fibre Space

By ALXnow.com

Published March 3, 2021 at 2:30PM | Updated March 4, 2021 at 10:46AM

Danielle Romanetti (left) and Vice President Kamala Harris. (Photo via fibre space)

Updated at 2:30 p.m. — Vice President Kamala Harris managed to stitch a visit to Old Town knitting store fibre space (1319 Prince Street) into the day’s agenda.

It was the vice president’s first official visit to a small business since she took office in January. Harris spoke for more than a half hour with owner Danielle Romanetti and her staff about the impact of the pandemic and the $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill that’s working its way through the U.S. Senate.

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Just In: Two-Car Collision Shuts Down Route 1 South in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published March 2, 2021 at 4:45PM

No injuries are reported after a two-car collision in Old Town, as southbound Route 1 (N. Henry Street) is shut down at the intersection of Wythe Street.

Alexandria Police told ALXnow that the incident occurred at around 3:25 p.m. and the roadway has been closed temporarily for tow trucks to clear the scene.

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Old Town Basilica Plans New Expansion, Featuring a Tower and Archway

By Vernon Miles

Published February 26, 2021 at 2:30PM

Rendering of Basilica of Saint Mary addition (image via City of Alexandria)

The Basilica School of Saint Mary (310 S Royal Street) in Old Town could grow by two new buildings if a new development application goes through.

The Catholic Diocese of Arlington is requesting permission to build a new library and media center at their 400 Green Street property.

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Virtue Feed and Grain Sows Seeds for Alleyway Expansion

By Vernon Miles

Published February 23, 2021 at 4:30PM

Old Town waterfront restaurant Virtue Feed and Grain could make a recent its outdoor dining expansion permanent if the closure of a nearby alleyway by the waterfront goes through.

At the Planning Commission meeting on Tuesday, March 2, the city is putting forward a proposal to close Wales Alley between S. Union and Strand streets to vehicle traffic.

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Black History: Sen. Mark Warner Gets ‘Manumission’ Tour in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published February 22, 2021 at 1:30PM | Updated February 22, 2021 at 5:23PM

Virginia U.S. Senator Mark Warner (middle) gets a Manumission Tour from Alexandria City Councilman John Taylor Chapman, Feb. 22, 2021. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

U.S. Sen. Mark Warner has lived in Old Town for 35 years, and on a freezing Monday morning he learned about the lives of enslaved and free Blacks via a tour with Alexandria City Councilman John Taylor Chapman.

“We have to tell the whole story — the good, the bad, the ugly,” Warner told ALXnow. “I’ve lived in Alexandria for 35 years and I’m hearing some of these stories for the first time.”