Vernon Miles November 16, 2020 at 9:00am
Via Volcán Coffee Roastery Opens in Old Town — "Although the global pandemic slowed them down, the McCauslands finally opened their store this month at 110 S. West St. (the former location of VIP Pet). They are excited to share their passion for coffee in a physical space." [Alexandria Living Magazine]
How Will Small Businesses in Alexandria Survive? — "Amy Rutherford, the owner of Penny Press & Red Barn Mercantile, has been brainstorming since July for new ways to make the holidays simple and safe for her clients. This year, she is adding delivery, gift wrap, and gift boxes to her list of services." [Local DMV]
Sweet Root Village Pivots to Pop Ups — "It was the end of the summer and many in Alexandria had been homebound far too long. The pop-up markets Sweet Root Village ran in September and October somehow made life more bearable." [Alexandria Gazette]
Local Chef Dies from Brain Cancer — "An accomplished chef, Hugh and his wife Anne-Claire have owned and operated the award-winning Le Refuge Restaurant in Alexandria, Virginia since taking over the legendary operation from Anne-Claire's family about 10 years ago." [Zebra]
Longtime Alexandria Planning Director Engin Artemel Dies
Vernon Miles June 22, 2020 at 10:20am
An Alexandria Living Legend and longtime advocate for public access to the waterfront died last Wednesday in his Old Town.
Engin Artemel served in the City of Alexandria Department of Planning for ten years and was Planning Director from 1997-1984. He was 81 years old.
"One of his most notable contributions to the City of Alexandria was the opening of the Alexandria waterfront to residents and the general public, planned through careful attention to historical precedent and in close collaboration with community leaders," said his daughter, Deniz Artemel. "He also led the revitalization of lower King Street."
According to his Living Legends profile, Artemel played a key role in the establishing which areas of the cohesive waterfront belonged to whom, and working on advocating on the city's behalf for opening up public access to previously inaccessible portions of the waterfront.
Artemel's vision is clear in the city's Waterfront Plan, an ongoing process of establishing a walkable waterfront along the eastern edge of Old Town.
After serving as the planning director, Artemel founded Artemel International which exported his experience in urban planning — particularly on waterfronts — to the Middle East and the former Soviet Union.
Artemel was named a Living Legend of Alexandria in 2009. His funeral was officiated by former Mayor Bill Euille and Bud Hart at Ivy Hill Cemetery on June 19th.
Deniz Artemel said that in lieu of flowers, her father would have wanted to be remembered by taking a stroll and "enjoy his beloved Old Town Alexandria waterfront."
Photo courtesy Deniz Artemel
James Cullum May 28, 2020 at 9:00am
Developer Gets Financing to Build Apartments in West End — "Monday Properties announced Tuesday it secured a $66.8M construction loan from EagleBank and broke ground on the development at 2000 North Beauregard St. The project is planned to include 300 units in six to seven stories of wood-frame construction atop a two-level concrete podium. The apartments will be wrapped around an internal, 420-space parking garage." [Bisnow]
Inova to Build Hospital, Considers Alexandria Campus Modernization — "The health system is also looking at options for ways to modernize the current Inova Alexandria Hospital — and noted that 'all options, from renovating in place to relocation, are under evaluation. Additional information will be made available as this project develops.'" [Alexandria Living]
Beyer Calls Trump's Vanity 'Nauseating' — "The day the United States hit 100,000 deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic Trump shares a messages calling himself 'the greatest President in our history.' His vanity is nauseating. He doesn't care about you, your family, your health, or your safety. He only cares about himself." [Twitter]
Local Lawyer and Musician Dies — "John Spaulding, 94, a traffic-law trial lawyer who also was a choir leader, musician and regular weekend pianist in the 1980s at the Fish Market Restaurant in Alexandria, Va., died April 5 at his home in Arlington, Va. The cause was congestive heart failure, said his wife, Polly Plumb deButts." [Washington Post]
Student Collects 500+ Books for Middle Schoolers — "During the past few weeks, tenth grader Erin Machado and her mom have collected more than 500 middle school books from friends and neighbors, sanitized each one, and delivered them to Francis C. Hammond Middle School in Alexandria." [Facebook]
'The Garden' in Del Ray is Not Reopening Outside — "We will take this time to continue to train staff with updated health department regulations as well as make the necessary updates to our business to ensure your safety upon reopening. We do have plans to incorporate take out from The Garden in the next couple of weeks. There will be new menu items, cocktails, growlers, and can beer to go. Please continue to follow us on social media and check out our website for further updates." [Facebook]
New Job: Event and Promotions Assistant — "This firm identifies and develops new streams of revenue for clients through on-site promotions, innovative marketing strategies and advertising campaigns with a personal touch. This is an entry-level position with fully paid training and the opportunity for growth into an executive management role after completion of training program." [Indeed]
ALXnow.com December 27, 2019 at 8:00am
City Writes Off Thousands in Unpaid Taxes — "In the last decade, Alexandria has written off more than $100,000 in uncollected tax balances. The annual write-off happens every November, just as City Council members are appearing with a giant turkey at City Hall to celebrate Thanksgiving." [Gazette Packet]
Obit for Alexandria Scientist — "In the course of her lifetime, physician and activist Janette Sherman gave voice to countless — and often voiceless — victims of environmental toxins. She died this year on Nov. 7, in Alexandria, at age 89." [WAMU]
Local Woman Stuck in Apartment — "An Alexandria woman who uses a wheelchair says she's been stuck in her apartment this Christmas week because her building's only elevator is broken down. Ami Francisco contacted 7 On Your Side after she says the Mason at Van Dorn apartment complex didn't take her concerns seriously enough." [WJLA]
Electrical Fire Costly for Convergence Church — "On October 31, Lisa and her staff faced one of their biggest challenges when an underground fire caused widespread damage to the facility's electrical system… Convergence will likely not reopen until February. And until issues between the insurance and utility companies are resolved, Convergence has been saddled with over $40,000 in repairs." [Zebra]
ALXnow.com October 10, 2019 at 8:00am
Patch Editor Dies After Cancer Fight — "William 'Skip' Wood, of Alexandria, Virginia, died on Sunday, Oct. 6, after a battle with cancer. He was 57. A longtime journalist and Virginia resident, he covered parts of Northern Virginia for Patch over three years, and was well-known nationally for his reporting at USA Today." [Patch]
Alexandria Man Charged With Classified Leaks — "A counterterrorism analyst for the Defense Intelligence Agency has been charged with leaking top-secret details about foreign countries' weapons systems to two journalists, including a reporter with whom he apparently was romantically involved, federal authorities said Wednesday. Henry K. Frese, 30, of Alexandria, Va., 'was caught red-handed disclosing sensitive national security information.'" [Washington Post, Wall Street Journal]
NOVA Names New Prez — "Northern Virginia Community College has named its new president. Anne Kress, one of three finalists in a national search, has been selected to lead Virginia's largest college as its sixth president, Virginia's Community Colleges announced Wednesday. Her appointment takes effect at the beginning of next year." [Washington Business Journal]
Fall Family Fest This Weekend — "Celebrate the change of seasons at the City of Alexandria's annual Family Fall Festival on October 12, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Armistead L. Boothe Park (520 Cameron Station Blvd.). The festival is free, with activities that include scarecrow building, inflatables, pumpkin painting and entertainment. Food and beverages will be available for purchase." [City of Alexandria]
Del Ray Farmers Market Cookbook — "To mark the recent 25th anniversary of the Del Ray Farmers' Market, founded by Pat Miller, Charles Buki, Karen Johnson, Dennis Areeder, and Gayle Reuter, the vendors and volunteers have assembled a commemorative cookbook." [Zebra]
Bullying Allegations at Alexandria-Based NSF — "A union representing employees at the National Science Foundation demanded Monday that the agency take action to hold managers accountable for acts of bullying, sexual harassment and retaliation against LGBT employees." [Government Executive]