Alexandria is remarkably well covered for a city with 160,000 residents: It has two newspapers as well as the Washington Post’s great Patricia Sullivan (and, whenever possible, Washingtonian) keeping an eye on its affairs. But news can still take its sweet time to emerge from Alexandria. Both the Gazette Packet and the Alexandria Times have small staffs that have to put out print newspapers as well as publish digitally, and Patch’s current Alexandria reporter has to cover Falls Church and parts of Fairfax.

On October 1, Local News Now will jump into the Alexandria media crucible with ALXnow, which promises the same type of high-tempo online coverage it already provides in Arlington, Reston, and Tysons—a mix of news about local government, transportation, restaurant openings, and the culture of the neighborhoods it serves.

Owner and editor Scott Brodbeck says that while he’s considered expanding into Alexandria before, he finally feels like his operation can scale up to do a good job there. Former Gazette Packet reporter Vernon Miles will be the primary reporter for ALXnow, and photographer Jay Westcott (full disclosure: a friend of mine as well as my former colleague at <a href="http://TBD.com" rel="nofollow">TBD.com</a>) and ARLnow lead reporter Airey will swing in as news demands.

Thanks to some well-delivered Facebook ads, ALXnow already has more than 2,100 subscribers to its newsletter, which will launch alongside the site. The real-estate firm McEnearney Associates will be ALXnow’s initial sponsor, and Brodbeck believes his team can find enough Alexandria businesses to support the site. “We operate pretty lean, so if we can get enough advertising to pay for a full-time salary, we’re pretty much good to go,” he says.

Indeed, Brodbeck has not hesitated to close publications that couldn’t make a go of it, financially: Both Borderstan and Hill Now have gotten the hook in previous years. ALXnow, Brodbeck says, is likely to be the company’s last owned-and-operated site. Local News Now provides technology and sales support for PoPville and the tech backbone for RunWashington. The company is exploring ways to provide more such support for other local publishers.

One of the reasons Alexandria news is so fun to cover is the amplified importance its residents tend to place on minor adjustments to their routines, whether the issue be scooters, a halal chicken butchery, or bike lanes. The Alexandria Times’ letters section is a reliable source of surprisingly strong reactions to change, as are comments on city councilmembers’ Facebook posts. (The city’s hard-working cranks may be delighted to learn that ALXnow posts will, like other Local News Now sites, accept comments.)

Coverage of the city tends to overindex on the concerns of people who own single-family homes, Brodbeck gently suggests. “We have an opportunity to serve a more digital native audience that is not as well served by the existing options,” including people who’ve never developed the print habit, he says. “I do think that just naturally, if you’re writing for primarily a certain group of people, you’re probably going to see issues more from that perspective.” With the arrival of HQ2 in Arlington and Alexandria and real-estate prices going bananas, renters could be an interesting audience segment to watch.

“I’m pretty excited to hear of ALXnow coming to town,” Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson tells Washingtonian in an email. “For politicians, the only thing worse than having people saying bad things about us, is having people ignore us. Having more local media, and more coverage of local issues is a good way to keep us accountable and keep the public aware of what we’re up to.”

Brodbeck stresses that while he intends to compete on news, he thinks ALXnow will help existing outlets get more attention by linking to their coverage as often as he can. “We are not coming to put other people out of business,” he says.

The time is upon us! It is Anniversary Season! Come celebrate four years of craziness with Aslin Beer Co and friends! Hopefully, one of these options entices you to join us this year on Saturday September 14th! This event will be located in the rear of the new production facility located at 847 S. Pickett St Alexandria, VA. 22304.

General Admission $65

FAQs

Each ticket is permitted one entry (so don’t share it on social media).
Must be 21+ to consume alcohol. Must have valid proof of ID.
Must 21+ to attend
No ticket or wrist band sharing is allowed.
Must have a wristband and anniversary glass to be allowed to drink.
We ask that you please do not arrive before 11am.
Due to VA ABC regulations, outside alcohol will not be allow into the event.
Chairs, coolers, and tents are not allowed.
No Pets allowed
No refunds on any ticket sales.
Event is rain or shine.
Tickets are not transferable.

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Alexandria City Council adopted a $761.5 million fiscal year 2020 budget on May 1 with no real estate tax increase.

The real estate tax rate will remain at $1.13 per $100 of assessed value. The average homeowner's tax bill would still go up by $118, or 1.9 percent per year based on real estate assessments.

Residents will see two other increases. The vehicle personal property tax will increase from $5 per $100 of assessed value to $5.33 due to the elimination of the vehicle decal with a $33 annual fee. The city trash and recycling collection fee will increase from $373 to $411. Five dollars of the annual fee increase will fund WasteSmart initiatives. There are no increases for stormwater or sewer fees.

DASH Bus fares will increase $1.75 to $2, pending approval by the Alexandria Transit Company board. The $2 fare matches base fares for Metrobus, the Fairfax County Connector, and Arlington Transit. The montly pass price will increase from $45 to $50. The changes won't take effect until the summer shutdown of Alexandria's Metro stations is finished.

The final budget had a few differences from the one the city manager proposed in February. City Council added more funding for Alexandria City Public Schools—a total of $231.7 million in operating funds, or a 3.5 percent increase from the last budget. Other changes included a local match to increase firefighter staffing if a federal grant is received, extended King Street tree lighting, increased contingency funding to plan for a proposed commercial property clean energy program, expanded early childhood services; a legal representation program for immigrants facing deportation, and expanded nutrition assistance services for low income residents at farmers' markets.

The budget also works on improving energy efficiency and air quality for city facilities, vehicles and street lights. The city will link 100 percent of city government energy use to renewable sources like wind, solar and biomass.

For the upcoming summer Metro shutdown, the city has allocated approximately $2.1 million in state funds and $545,740 in local funds. The money will mitigate the shutdown of Alexandria Metro stations through alternative transportation and traffic changes.

On the capital funding side, budget adds $1.62 billion over 10 years.

By Kelly MacConomy

On Tuesday, November 13, 2018, one day following the 100th anniversary of the renowned Torpedo Factory’s 1918 groundbreaking, and one week after Election Day, City Council is scheduled to discuss the permanent long-term management of the beloved art center, determining if it will remain under the City-controlled umbrella of the Alexandria Office of the Arts. The historic building’s construction commenced upon the Armistice, mere hours after World War I ended.

City Manager Mark Jinks set the agenda for Tuesday’s Council legislative docket. Caught by surprise were Mayor Allison Silberberg, Council members, working artists affiliated with the Torpedo Factory Artist’s Association and art center staff, who were advised of the agenda Friday, shortly before the three-day holiday weekend. Mr. Jinks considers this to be the start of a conversation versus a conclusion.

In his November 6 letter to the Torpedo Factory Artists, Tenants, and Friends organizations, Mr. Jinks said, “The City is the only organization capable of the level of investment needed that can ensure that the community’s interests are also considered in future substantial capital improvements to the building. Additionally, the City is best situated to achieve group collaboration, the goals outlined in the Arts and Culture Masterplan and the Waterfront Small Area Plan and continue to invest in the Arts Center as a model of placemaking and civic improvement.”

According to the City’s website, The Office of the Arts, the Commission for the Arts, and the City’s cultural outreach “grant management facilitates opportunities for innovation and collaboration by providing operating and program support to 25-30 area non-profit arts organizations and artists each year who provide arts access throughout the community where art organizations generate over $111 million annually in economic activity and support over 2,600 FTE jobs.”

The City, under the auspices of the Office of the Arts, assumed provisional operating control of the Torpedo Factory in 2016. The prestigious waterfront art center opened its doors 44 years ago on September 15, 1974. Artist and former Virginia Delegate for Alexandria Marian Van Landingham was instrumental in the founding of the artist mecca situated ideally at the foot of King Street along the harbor with vast panoramic views of the Potomac River. Marian continues to work and show her popular paintings and artwork in her expansive third-floor studio overlooking the scenic harbor and Maryland Shore beyond.

Prior to the City’s temporary takeover on October 1, 2016, the TFACB and the TFAA (Torpedo Factory Art Center Board and Torpedo Factory Artist’s Association) determined leasing terms, created event schedules and activities and organized fundraising programs almost exclusively. In years past the Board set the lease provisions: artists were given 12-month leases that passed through two intermediary organizations.

Now all artists receive a 36-month lease per City-established policy. However, one east side corner studio with a river view on two sides recently occupied by a working graphic and print-maker designer now houses an administrative-purposed conference table and chairs. She does not appear to have been relocated in the art center.

The TFAC Board was dissolved in August 2016. Brett John Johnson is the current Director of the Torpedo Factory. Daniel Guzman is the Programs Coordinator. Alyssa Ross is the Marketing Manager. Brett and Daniel were on site and engaged in activities Friday night for the November Late Shift theme “The Late Shift: 100” celebrating the centennial anniversary of the Torpedo Factory munitions building. Aside from a small gathering at the opening reception and artist talk for the stunning new exhibit “Art of Armistice” at the Target Gallery, all was quiet on the waterfront art center.

Reached for comment, Torpedo Factory studio artist members, visiting exhibiting artists and staff hesitated to be quoted on the record. Those who did requested anonymity for fear of reprisals. The consensus proved to be that relinquishing control these past two years has been by and large detrimental to the vivacity and morale of the art center. There have been complaints of studio space being appropriated for administrative use as well as claims of an authoritarian climate usurping programs and activities; at-work studio artists instead working for the City agenda, distracted and detracted from working on their artwork. And without input.

Visitation, community participation and sales seem to be down. Numerous studios are dark. Some are open at best infrequently. The center remains a popular choice for event, reception and party planning. These events generate a lot of support revenue but require early closures of studios and prohibit public access.

Testimony from the general public will be heard at an upcoming hearing, Saturday, November 17 at 9:30 a.m. before the Council vote regarding the disposition of control and care-taking over arguably one of the most valuable jewels in the Port City crown. Citizens, artists and interested individuals may register to testify or submit written testimony online (<a href="http://www.alexandriava.gov/participate" rel="nofollow">www.alexandriava.gov/participate</a>) at least one day ahead of the hearing date or in person at City Hall day of the hearing. In-person testimony at the hearing is limited to 3 minutes.