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Morning Notes

Published January 29, 2020 at 8:00AM

Best Local Valentine’s Day Options — “We asked readers what they thought was the most romantic dining spot in the city. A few of the suggestions were Vermilion, Fontaine and The Wharf. Some suggested following up dinner with desserts from places like Alexandria Pastry Shop, Alexandria Cupcake and Blüprint Chocolatiers.” [Patch]

New Alexandria Tourism Campaign — “Tourism in Alexandria continues to be a major economic driver, and Visit Alexandria is launching a new marketing campaign to encourage even more visitors to come experience Alexandria’s charm. The campaign is targeted at overnight travelers who live outside the D.C. region.” [Alexandria Living]

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Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published January 24, 2020 at 6:00AM

A VRE train heading south through Potomac Yard (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Suggestion of Affordable Housing at School Sets Listserv Ablaze — “A contractor for Alexandria’s public schools set off an online firestorm by accidentally including a rendering of an apartment building with affordable units in a presentation about modernization plans for an elementary school… the mistake occasioned a ‘3 day+ rager‘ about affordable housing, racism, and–because this is Alexandria–dockless scooters, the halal chicken slaughterhouse, and a ‘road diet’ imposed on a different leafy neighborhood.” [Washingtonian]

Pushback on (Actual) Affordable Housing at School Proposal — “Members of the MacArthur Advisory Committee and the community were left scrambling last week after the city indicated it would be exploring affordable housing on the Douglas MacArthur Elementary School site. The announcement that the city would not only be exploring co-location options, but also providing funding to Alexandria City Public Schools for an architectural exploration of potential housing options, surprised members of the advisory committee.” [Alexandria Times]

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New Southern-Style Chicken Sandwich Eatery Opens in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published January 17, 2020 at 12:00PM | Updated January 17, 2020 at 3:48PM

If you’ve followed the recent widespread war over the best chain-restaurant fried chicken sandwich on the market, there’s a new homegrown player in Old Town.

Reston-based Thompson Hospitality, the owner of Hen Quarter at 801 King Street, has converted the first floor of the restaurant into the southern-style restaurant The Rub. While the second floor is still devoted to Hen Quarter, the new establishment, which opened on Thursday (Jan. 17) offers five fried chicken sandwiches with fries ranging in price from $8.50 to $12.50. The sandwiches are all made to order and take about eight minutes to prepare.

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Alexandria Winter Restaurant Week Starting This Weekend

By Vernon Miles

Published January 16, 2020 at 10:30AM

Starting this weekend, roughly 70 restaurants throughout Alexandria will start offering new specials on multi-course meals to get locals to try new places.

Alexandria’s Winter Restaurant Week is scheduled to run for just over a week, from tomorrow (Friday) through Sunday, (Jan. 26). The event, put together by Visit Alexandria, aims to showcase local chefs in areas throughout the city.

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Old Town BBQ Joint Myron Mixon Celebrates Three Year Anniversary

By Vernon Miles

Published January 14, 2020 at 3:30PM

Old Town barbecue joint Myron Mixon, tucked away off the main drag at 220 N. Lee Street, is celebrating three years in business with a party tomorrow.

Starting at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, the restaurant will be serving up a whole hog to celebrate the restaurant’s anniversary. Tickets are $22 and guests will also receive a free bottle of Myron Mixon’s barbecue sauce or rub, according to the Facebook page.

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Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published January 14, 2020 at 8:00AM

APD Launches Safety Campaign for Officers — “Commuters often hear about the importance of safety on the road, but a new police program in Alexandria, Virginia, seeks to help officers keep themselves out of harm’s way on the road. Through its newly-launched, 12-month ‘Safety First — Every Shift, Every Call’ campaign, Alexandria police will provide officers with monthly safety tips throughout 2020 on topics like safe driving tactics, traffic stops and driving while fatigued.” [WTOP]

Drug Take-Back Day Coming Soon — “Alexandria encourages residents to safely dispose of prescription and over-the-counter medications, including those prescribed by veterinarians, during National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. A special collection will take place on January 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., although medications may also be taken year-round to one of the permanent drop box locations.” [City of Alexandria]

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Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published January 3, 2020 at 8:00AM

Hops Closes in Potomac Yard — “Potomac Yard microbrewery Hops Grill and Brewery officially closed its doors for good on Sunday, according to a news release. The brewery’s remaining assets went up for auction to the general public through a partnership with Auction Nation.” [Alexandria Times]

Water Main Break on Duke Street — “There is a water main break that occurred this morning (January 2, 2020) on Duke Street between Quaker Lane and Sweeley Street in the Taylor Run area of Alexandria.” [Port City Wire, Twitter]

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‘First Night’ and Other New Year’s Eve Celebrations Around Alexandria Tomorrow

By Vernon Miles

Published December 30, 2019 at 10:30AM

First Night Alexandria (photo via First Night Alexandria/Facebook)

Alexandria is gearing up for its 25th annual First Night celebration tomorrow (Tuesday).

First Night is the city’s annual New Year’s Eve celebration featuring various local businesses and civic organizations. Events are scheduled to take place across Old Town. Kids entertainment is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. while music starts at 7 p.m.

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‘Mount Purrnon Cat Cafe’ in Old Town Goes to Planning Commission Next Month

By Vernon Miles

Published December 23, 2019 at 12:00PM

The new cat cafe that has the town talking is going up to the Planning Commission for approval early next month.

The Mount Purrnon Cat Cafe is slated to open at 109 S. Alfred Street and offer both a place to drink and play with adoptable cats.

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Mai Thai and More Join Winter Restaurant Week Next Month

By Vernon Miles

Published December 19, 2019 at 9:30AM

Columbia Firehouse (photo courtesy Scott Suchman/Visit Alexandria)

Alexandria’s Winter Restaurant Week is coming back next month with a handful of new eateries to sample.

For 10 days across two weekends, 70 restaurants across Alexandria will offer specials on meals. The event is put together by Visit Alexandria and is scheduled to run from Jan. 17-26.

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Yates Pizza Palace May Finally Open Next Summer Along Duke Street

By Vernon Miles

Published December 13, 2019 at 3:20PM | Updated December 13, 2019 at 4:54PM

Yates Pizza Palace (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

(Updated 4:45 p.m.) If everything goes to plan, husband and wife team Jeffrey Jr. and Kelly Yates may finally be able to open the pizza restaurant that’s been “opening soon” since early 2014.

The dream of Yates Pizza Palace started in 2014 when Jeffrey Yates Sr., owner of the Yates Car Wash and recent purchaser of Table Talk (1623 Duke Street), purchased the space on the 3000 block of Duke Street that had been local pizza and pasta institution Generous George’s.