Vernon Miles | ALXnow

Leaf collection starts this month around Alexandria

Published October 17, 2022 at 1:15PM

Leaves on the sidewalk in Old Town North (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The leaves are turning around Alexandria, which for those in the city with yards means it’s leaf collection season.

“The City of Alexandria will begin its annual leaf vacuuming and leaf bag collection program on Monday, October 31,” the city said in a release. “Leaf collection is expected to continue into January.”

News

Pedestrian critically injured in Landmark crash

By Vernon Miles

Published October 17, 2022 at 9:45AM

A pedestrian has been transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries after being struck by a driver on Van Dorn Street this morning.

Alexandria Police spokesman Marcel Bassett said around 6:36 a.m. the police received a call about a woman struck by a car. The woman was transported to a hospital while the driver remained on the scene.

Opinion

Poll: Is Alexandria a good city for pizza?

By Vernon Miles

Published October 14, 2022 at 9:30AM

Andy's Pizza (image courtesy Emily Brown)

Is Alexandria’s pizza status supreme or is it still a little crusty?

Earlier this week, two new pizza joints opened in Old Town. While among the few by-the-slice restaurants in town, astute readers noted that Fairlington Pizza also serves by-the-slice.

News

Rosemont neighborhood nursing home expansion heads to City Council

By Vernon Miles

Published October 13, 2022 at 3:45PM

Woodbine expansion plans (image via City of Alexandria)

The Woodbine Rehabilitation and Healthcare Facility (2729 King Street) could be getting a significant expansion that should help make it a little less crowded.

The facility isn’t adding any new beds, but a new three-story front addition would allow the nursing home to offer more private homes for residents.

News

Acclaimed local chain Andy’s Pizza opens in Old Town

By Vernon Miles

Published October 13, 2022 at 10:55AM

A pizza (courtesy photo via Andy's Pizza)

After years without a by-the-slice pizza shop in Alexandria, two opened in Old Town on the same day this week.

Three months after a cryptic announcement, Andy’s Pizza has launched in Old Town at 107 N Fayette Street — while Handover by the Slice opened at 728 King Street. The latter has been referred to as Old Town’s first by-the-slice pizza joint. True to the by-the-slice pizza fashion, though, it may have to share the prize.

News

Free concert in Alexandria features original tribute to Pearl Harbor hero

By Vernon Miles

Published October 12, 2022 at 3:45PM

U.S. Navy Mess Attendant 2nd Class Doris Miller (image via National Archives)

A free concert later this month features a new composition from a local professor honoring the first Black recipient of the Navy Cross.

The Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) Alexandria Band is scheduled to hold a free concert on Thursday, Oct. 27 at 8 p.m. in The Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall (4915 East Campus Drive). The main feature of the new concert is a new work by composer and George Mason University instructor Mark Camphouse called “Valor and Remembrance.” The composition honors U.S. Navy Mess Attendant 2nd Class Doris Miller.

News

Alexandria Vice Mayor credits Lorde with reigniting Potomac River swimming discussion

By Vernon Miles

Published October 12, 2022 at 2:30PM

A sailboat on the Potomac River (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria Vice Mayor Amy Jackson said the impact of pop star Lorde’s decision to take a plunge into the Potomac River is still rippling out across local environmental agencies.

In August, the New Zealand musician told a stunned D.C. crowd at The Anthem that she’d gone for a swim in the Potomac River. In years past, the river has had a reputation for being notoriously polluted, though the water quality has been gradually improving in recent years.

News

Massachusetts-based bakery coming to Old Town

By Vernon Miles

Published October 12, 2022 at 11:30AM

Coffee and pastries at Tatte Bakery (image via Tatte Bakery/Instagram)

An Old Town office building slated for an overhaul could be getting a bakery as part of that revitalization, Washington Business Journal first reported.

Tatte Bakery & Cafe has leased space at 515 King Street, the office building in Old Town with the giant clock on the side of the building. Tatte Bakery & Cafe is a small chain based out of Massachusetts with several locations in D.C. The Alexandria location will be the second Northern Virginia location after one in neighboring Arlington.

News

Raiders of the Back Yard: Alexandria struggles with amateur archaeologists

By Vernon Miles

Published October 12, 2022 at 10:45AM

Pipkin from a local privy (image via AlexArchaeology/Twitter)

While the prospect of buried treasure in the back yard sounds appealing, Alexandria leaders say amateur treasure hunting is hindering historic preservation efforts.

At a City Council meeting last night, Mayor Justin Wilson said the Alexandria Archaeological Commission has expressed concerns about items taken from homes in Old Town that belong in a museum.

News

Alexandria reporter tackles the anti-unionization and anti-integration legacy of The Byrd Machine

By Vernon Miles

Published October 11, 2022 at 3:50PM | Updated October 11, 2022 at 6:08PM

Years before Alexandria would grapple with collective bargaining and the legacy of discrimination in schools, Virginia was ruled by a political faction dead-set on fighting unionization and integration.

Alexandria reporter Michael Lee Pope — a reporter with the Alexandria Gazette who has frequently covered Virginia’s state politics for WAMU — announced a new book last week that dives into the history of The Byrd Machine, a political operation led by Harry Byrd that dominated Virginia politics during the mid-20th century.

News

Next Monday is last day to register to vote in the upcoming election

By Vernon Miles

Published October 11, 2022 at 1:40PM

Voters participate in the Super Tuesday primary at Mount Vernon Community School, March 3, 2020 (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Next Monday marks the last day Alexandrians can register to vote or update their registration for the Nov. 8 general election.

Applications to vote can be submitted online before midnight on Monday, Oct. 17. They can also be submitted in-person at the Office of Voter Registration and Elections (132 N. Royal Street, Suite 100) by 5 p.m. the same day or mailed in provided they are postmarked before Oct. 17.