Vernon Miles | ALXnow

Senior living facility in Potomac Yard scheduled to open next month-ish

Published January 20, 2022 at 9:50AM

The Landing in Potomac Yard, photo via The Landing/Facebook

Senior living facility The Landing (2620 Main Line Blvd.) in Potomac Yard is scheduled to open sometime within the next month or two, and with it comes a handful of the rare affordable assisted living units.

Last week, the city announced that seven affordable one-bedroom assisted living units will be available in The Landing.

News

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published January 20, 2022 at 5:00AM | Updated January 20, 2022 at 1:43PM

White House to distribute free N95 masks: where to get them in VA — “Virginia residents will be able to pick up free N95 masks at the same places they got vaccinated against COVID-19.” [Patch]

Suspect in ‘brutal’ Alexandria slaying claims innocence, says victim was friend — “The man accused of killing a 23-year-old woman in Alexandria, Va., last month denies his involvement in the crime, saying he was a friend of the victim.” [Washington Post]

News

Winter Weather Advisory issued for region ahead of Thursday snow

By Vernon Miles

Published January 19, 2022 at 3:30PM

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Alexandria and its neighbors ahead of snow expected tomorrow (Thursday) morning.

The advisory is set for 6 a.m.-1 p.m. on Thursday morning, with the city expected to get two-three inches of snow in the morning with a chance for more in the afternoon.

News

Activists allege developer-city collusion in Torpedo Factory plans, but city says it’s more complicated

By Vernon Miles

Published January 19, 2022 at 1:30PM

The Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

A group of activists pushing back against city plans to overhaul the Torpedo Factory Art Center have accused city leaders of working with developers to astroturf a pro-overhaul faction, but city leaders said the goal wasn’t to mislead.

A Change.org petition with 7,694 signers at time of writing has become an online hub for those opposing the city’s plans to reduce artist studio space in the Torpedo Factory and replace it with alternative arts spaces (like glassblowing) or restaurant space. A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request made public by the petition organizers highlighted city emails with and about the “Torpedo Factory for All” initiative spearheaded by developer Route 66 Ventures — one of the developers pushing to lead the overhaul.

News

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published January 19, 2022 at 5:00AM

House display outside an Old Town business, staff photo by Vernon Miles

Alexandria’s ‘Merchant of Menace’ along the waterfront — “Cummings’ International Armament Corporation, also known as Interarms, would ship millions of surplus military arms and ammunition to and from the waterfront pier and about 10 warehouses stretched along South Union Street between Prince and Wolfe streets.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

Metro General Manager Wiedefeld to retire in 6 months — “As the 7000 series investigation continues, Metro’s general manager announced his intention to retire in six months.” [Patch]

News

Wegmans kicks off hiring spree for Carlyle location ahead of spring opening

By Vernon Miles

Published January 18, 2022 at 3:45PM

Carlyle-Wegmans concept rendering, photo via Wegmans

With the opening of the Carlyle Wegmans right around the corner, the grocery store chain has kicked off a hiring spree for around 300 part-time positions.

The store is scheduled to open in May as part of the mixed-use Carlyle Crossing development. The Wegmans is one of the first grocery stores in the neighborhood.

News

Alexandria man cited by police after trying to bring gun onto plane at National Airport this weekend

By Vernon Miles

Published January 18, 2022 at 2:30PM

Alexandria man's firearm confiscated by airport security, photo courtesy TSA

An Alexandria man received a citation after he was caught at National Airport bringing a gun through security.

According to a press release from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), a TSA officer caught the gun among carry-on items at a security checkpoint.

News

Women’s fitness chain Athleta opens today in Old Town

By Vernon Miles

Published January 18, 2022 at 9:50AM

Athleta winter gear, photo via Athleta/Facebook

Women’s activewear store Athleta is opening today at 607 King Street in Old Town.

The store opens at 10 a.m. (so now-ish) and it open until 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, Athleta is open 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

News

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published January 18, 2022 at 5:00AM

She said yes! A couple gets engaged at Waterfront Park along the Potomac River in Old Town. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Say farewell to the Fairies of Del Ray–just for now! — “You might have noticed the petite doors and houses and stained glass windows hidden in the crooks of trees and crannies of rocks in the Del Ray neighborhood.” [Zebra]

I-395 Seminary Road ramp conversion OKed by VA board — “The conversion will allow solo riders to use the ramp for a toll and HOV-3 carpoolers to continue using it for free.” [Patch]

News

Local roads pretreated as snow starts to fall in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published January 16, 2022 at 2:35PM

Trucks prepared for pretreatment efforts, photo via Alexandria T&ES/Twitter

Nearly a fortnight after a snowstorm shut down Alexandria, the city’s emergency services finished pretreating local roads just before the snow started to fall.

“In advance of the storm, T&ES completed pretreatment of roads and snow response operations were deployed at 7:00 a.m.,” Alexandria Transportation and Environmental Services said on Twitter. “Snow response operates for 24 hours through the duration of winter weather events and staff will continue to monitor the weather conditions as the event ensues.”

News

Alexandria school system says masks still required, despite new executive order

By Vernon Miles

Published January 16, 2022 at 12:50PM

School Board Chair Meagan Alderton and Superintendent Gregory Hutchings, Jr. on August 24, 2021. (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

In a release to parents and staff put out today (Sunday), Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) said everyone in Alexandria schools will still be required to wear a mask despite an order issued by Gov. Glenn Youngkin to the contrary.

The state executive order came as a result of a back and forth between Virginia Democrats and Republicans over requiring masks in schools. Both Arlington and Fairfax County have issued similar messages to parents and staff.