Vernon Miles | ALXnow

The Chamber ALX Launches Alexandria-Themed Board Game

Published December 22, 2020 at 3:30PM

Even if you’re secluded at home, The Chamber ALX wants to give you a chance to explore Alexandria: even if it’s with a small pewter icon buying local landmarks and trying to cheat your friends in a new cutthroat spin on a classic game.

ALX-opoly is a new twist on — well, a popular board game The Chamber won’t reference for legal reasons. The board features local sites like the George Washington Masonic National Memorial and the Carlyle Lions.

News

City Gears Up for Taylor Run Restoration in 2021

By Vernon Miles

Published December 22, 2020 at 2:45PM

Taylor Run (Photo via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria is planning an upcoming meeting to look over the latest on the Taylor Run Stream Restoration Project.

The city announced revitalization plans earlier this year and recently completed gathering feedback. The renovation is scheduled to begin mid-to-late 2021 and will include trail improvements.

News

Animal Welfare League Invites Alexandrians to Play Santa for Pets on Christmas Eve

By Vernon Miles

Published December 22, 2020 at 11:45AM

Animals need their stockings stuffed too.

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) is inviting supporters out on Thursday, Dec. 24, to donate to cats, dogs, and other pets at the facility.

News

Cadillac Dealership Near North Ridge to be Demolished and Redeveloped

By Vernon Miles

Published December 22, 2020 at 10:45AM

The Lindsay Cadillac dealership (1511 N. Quaker Lane) straddling Kenwood Avenue near North Ridge could soon be demolished and rebuilt as a new Volvo and Lexus dealership — with a few additional public improvements.

In an application headed to the Planning Commission on Tuesday, Jan. 5, the Lindsay Company is proposing to replace the existing lot and buildings with three new buildings along with surface, underground, and rooftop parking decks. The buildings will replace a dealership built in 1949 and an office building built in 1967.

News

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published December 22, 2020 at 9:13AM

Photographer Searches for Couple That Proposed in Old Town — “Who had a romantic engagement tonight in front of the tree in Old Town Alexandria (Market Square)? My friend inadvertently caught your proposal when she took a photo of the tree and would love to make sure you got it.” [Twitter]

Landmark Mall Lives Again on Christmas in WW84 — “Wonder Woman 1984, a portion of which was filmed at Alexandria’s Landmark Mall, will be released Christmas Day, Dec. 25.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

News

Alexandria Closes Museums Again as COVID Cases Rise

By Vernon Miles

Published December 21, 2020 at 4:30PM

After briefly reopening some locations to tours, Alexandria has once again closed several museums and historic sites starting tomorrow (Tuesday) until further notice due to the increase in COVID-19 cases.

The city said three locations that had been opened will be closed again:

News

The Hoffman Company Aims to Kill the Swamp Fox

By Vernon Miles

Published December 21, 2020 at 3:45PM | Updated December 30, 2020 at 4:33PM

Right at the heart of the Hoffman Center, near the National Science Foundation and the AMC theater, is a street that bears the unglamorous name Swamp Fox Road. Now, the real estate company is in the final stages of having the name changed to honor the Hoffman Company founder Hubert N. Hoffman, Jr.

The proposal to rename Swamp Fox Road to Hoffman Street is scheduled to go to the Planning Commission on Jan. 5, then to the City Council on Jan. 23.

News

Alexandria Delegate Mark Levine Enters Lt. Governor Race

By Vernon Miles

Published December 21, 2020 at 1:45PM | Updated December 21, 2020 at 2:01PM

Del. Mark Levine (file photo)

It’s been a hell of a morning Del. Mark Levine.

News broke this morning that Levine, a Democrat from Alexandria, is now one of 12 candidates who have thrown their name into the Lieutenant Governor race and one of eight Democrats. Since then, Levine says the morning has been one of non-stop phone calls.

News

Alexandria Announces One-Stop-Shop for Online Affordable Housing Assistance

By Vernon Miles

Published December 21, 2020 at 10:30AM

Andrew Adkins, an affordable housing neighborhood in Braddock (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Starting on New Year’s Day (Jan. 1) the City of Alexandria joining in the relaunching an online program aimed at helping locals get better access to housing support.

The new 2021 Northern Virginia Housing Expo will focus on offering workshops related to COVID-19 related housing issues, location options, where to buy or rent, improving credit scores, energy efficiency and more.

News

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published December 21, 2020 at 9:00AM

Beyer Bill Would Make Police Misconduct Allegations and Settlements Public — “The Cost of Police Misconduct Act would create a public database of all misconduct allegations and settlements.” [Vox]

Del Ray Artist Creates Tiny Fairy Homes — “Thanks to a young Del Ray artist, fairy houses and businesses are popping up all around the neighborhood. Kate Young, who is also known as the ‘fairy realtor’ first started a magical project in 2017, but it has grown a larger set of wings during the COVID-19 pandemic.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

News

ALXnow’s Top Stories this Week in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published December 18, 2020 at 3:30PM

Crime, hazardous weather, debates over city transportation policy: it’s another week down in Alexandria.

With courts being back in session, news coverage of trials and convictions is back in full swing with the sentencing of a local teen who murdered a young couple that gave him a ride to southern Virginia and a pastor’s wife who had money laundering added to earlier fraud convictions.