Author: Vernon Miles

Vernon Miles is the ALXnow cofounder and editor. He's covered Alexandria since 2014 and has been with Local News Now since 2018. When he's not reporting, he can usually be found playing video games or Dungeons and Dragons with friends.

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Outgoing Alexandria and Arlington leaders to talk local political trends at GMU event on Wednesday

By Vernon Miles
Alexandria Mayor Justin WIlson at the groundbreaking of Inova Alexandria Hospital at Landmark, Sept. 30, 2024 (staff photo by James Cuilum)

George Mason University is hosting a special discussion tomorrow night with Alexandria’s Mayor Justin Wilson and Arlington County Board Chair Libby Garvey about trends in local governance.

The discussion is being cohosted by Agenda Alexandria and Advance Arlington and moderated by local journalist Michael Lee Pope. The program, titled 21st Century Governing: Are Local Officials In Sync with Constituents?, is scheduled to run from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Arlington campus of George Mason University (3351 Fairfax Drive). Admission is free.

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Alexandria City Council candidates to debate in a forum next week

By Vernon Miles
Voting in Alexandria (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria’s slate of Democratic City Council candidates will square off against Republican and Independent challengers in a forum next week.

The Potomac Yard Civic Association and Taylor Run Citizens’ Association are hosting a forum on Wednesday, Oct. 16, from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Charles Houston Rec Center (901 Wythe Street).

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Del Ray exhibit focuses on ‘possibilities and perils’ of AI for art

By Vernon Miles
Artwork titled "Sum of its parts?" by Nicole Mahoney (image via Nicole Mahoney/Del Ray Artisans)

A new gallery on display this month at the Del Ray Artisans Gallery (2704 Mount Vernon Avenue) explores the risks and opportunities new technology like machine learning pose for artists.

The exhibit “Artificial or Intelligence?” explores the impact AI trends are having on artists. That impact has, by and large, been almost entirely negative, with image generating software stealing from the work of human artists, but the gallery offers that exhibit viewers should draw their own conclusions.

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Alexandria offering free flu shots while supplies last at event later this month

By Vernon Miles
Man receives shot (photo via Steven Cornfield/Unsplash)

The Alexandria Health Department is offering 500 free flu shots later this month.

The health department is offering the shots on Saturday, Oct. 26, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Minnie Howard Campus (3801 W. Braddock Road).

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New home decor and interior design shop opening today in Old Town

By Vernon Miles
Eries Interiors founders Elena Rall and Jessica Moak (photo via Eries Interiors/Facebook)

Eries Interiors, a new shop focusing on interior design and home decor, is opening today in Old Town.

The new shop is at 101 S. St Asaph Street just south of King Street, between Bluemercury and Madame Coco. The store is named after the Erie Canal near where co-founders Jessica Moak and Elena Rall grew up.

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Alexandria Health Department offering blood lead level testing today and Friday

By Vernon Miles
Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School (image via Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School/Facebook)

After lead exposure shut down Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School last week, the Alexandria Health Department (AHD) is offering walk-in blood lead level testing today (Thursday) and tomorrow (Friday).

According to Eve Elliott, communications officer for AHD, testing is being offered today from 1-6 p.m. and Friday from 1-6 p.m. The testing is free and available to all students, staff, faculty and volunteers. The Alexandria Health Department will not check class or faculty lists.

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King Street overhaul near Bradlee Shopping Center headed to City Council review next week

By Vernon Miles
Plans to overhaul King Street access road near the Bradlee Shopping Center (image via City of Alexandria)

A plan to substantially overhaul a portion of King Street near the Bradlee Shopping Center is headed to City Council review next week.

The preferred concept would turn the access road closest to the Bradlee Shopping Center into a one-way street with a lane dedicated to public transit. The plan would also add a two-way bike path on the southern side of the street.

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Poll: Which Alexandria market is most oversaturated? Coffee, Pizza or Banks?

By Vernon Miles
ALXnow Rabbit Affairs Editor Hugo with a pot of coffee (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Old Town is getting more banks, coffee shops and pizza places, and many of the comments say enough is enough.

TD Bank filed a special use permit to move into the former SunTrust branch at 515 King Street. Mudhouse Coffee Roasters also filed a permit this week to finally move into 1119 King Street.

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ACPS outlines path ahead for George Mason Elementary School modernization

By Vernon Miles
'Site Opportunities' outlined in ACPS plans for George Masons modernization (image via ACPS)

At a meeting last night (Tuesday), Alexandria City Public Schools outlined the road ahead for modernizing the 85-year-old George Mason Elementary School.

The presentation said the School Board will be selecting a concept design for the school. This concept will determine site placement, building mass and more.

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