Vernon Miles | ALXnow

Del Ray Bicycle Cooperative Selling Mostly Busted Bikes This Weekend for Repair Enthusiasts

Published November 6, 2020 at 10:15AM

If you’re still looking to get your hands on a bicycle and you’re willing to put a little work into it, the Vélocity Bicycle Cooperative in Del Ray is hosting an as-is bike sale this weekend.

The Vélocity Bicycle Cooperative (1502 Mount Vernon Avenue) is a non-profit, volunteer-run workshop that specializes in teaching people how to properly repair and maintain their bicycles — which will be necessary for anyone looking to pick something up at the sale.

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Inova Hosting Meeting Next Week to Discuss Proposed Medical Facility in Oakville

By Vernon Miles

Published November 5, 2020 at 2:30PM

Proposed Inova facility in the Oakville Triangle (image via City of Alexandria)

Developers are planning to host an online meeting next week to update the public on plans to build a large new health center at the heart of the redeveloping Oakville Triangle.

Stonebridge and Inova Health Systems held meetings earlier this year discussing proposed plans to build a “Inova HealthPlex” — which will have emergency room services, an outpatient care center and medical offices. The developers gathered community feedback and submitted concept development applications.

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Del Ray Staple Al’s Steak House for Sale After Owner’s Death

By Vernon Miles

Published November 4, 2020 at 2:30PM

A “profitable sandwich shop” in Alexandria that’s been operating since 1955 — ie Al’s Steak House (1504 Mt. Vernon Avenue) in Del Ray — is now being offered for sale.

The restaurant was listed at BizBuySell.com and the description fits the bill for Al’s Steak House. The iconic cheesesteak in the graphics is the same as well.

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Poll: What Are Your Election Night Plans?

By Vernon Miles

Published November 3, 2020 at 4:30PM

Voters line up to vote early in Old Town (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

There’s no way to be sure when election results will be finalized, but that’s likely not going to stop local political junkies from staying up to watch preliminary results come in.

For others somehow living in the D.C. without being engage in politics, tonight could just be another standard Tuesday evening, or they could be actively avoiding engaging with the political speculation. Depending on the result, some are preparing for potential protests in D.C.

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City Opens Winter Shelter for Homeless in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published November 3, 2020 at 2:30PM

As anyone going to vote in-person today can attest, winter’s bitter chill has started to set in. Temperatures are expected to hit a low of 41 degrees tomorrow. For the city’s most vulnerable populations, however, shelter has opened to help locals experiencing homelessness get through the winter.

“A shelter at Lee Center (1108 Jefferson) is serving single adults and another at Carpenter’s Shelter (5701 Duke St., Suite D) is serving families,” the city said on its website. “The Winter Shelter program, also called hypothermia shelters, is operated by Carpenter’s Shelter to ensure that guests have a warm, clean and safe environment to retreat from the elements of winter at night.”

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Victory Center to Split at Upcoming Planning Commission Meeting

By Vernon Miles

Published November 3, 2020 at 11:30AM

5001 Eisenhower Avenue (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The Victory Center has been an anchor along Eisenhower Avenue for years; a towering, empty complex on a massive, vacant parking lot. But that could change this week as plans move forward to subdivide the lot and prepare for future development.

The first part of plans to reshape the Victory Center will be a subdivision going to the Planning Commission on Thursday, Nov. 5.

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Del Ray Enjoys Active Halloween Spirit Despite Pandemic Distancing

By Vernon Miles

Published November 2, 2020 at 5:00PM

1st place Judge's Choice in the Visit Del Ray costume competition (photo via Visit Del Ray/Facebook)

This weekend was a pleasant surprise for Pat Miller, an Alexandria Living Legend and board member of the Del Ray Business Association. While trick or treating was discouraged due to the pandemic and Halloween expected to be relatively quiet this year, Miller said the neighborhood’s scavenger hunt saw surprisingly active participation.

“It went amazing,” said Miller. “We got over 60 scavenger hunt forms filled out. All these people were walking around, looking and looking in Del Ray.”

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Braddock West Project Headed to Planning Commission Later This Year

By Vernon Miles

Published October 30, 2020 at 1:30PM

Months after it was first announced, a new mixed use development called Braddock West is headed to the Planning Commission later this year.

The proposal includes new plans unveiled earlier this fall, showing the seven-story building planned to be located directly east of the Braddock Metro station.

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Soft Opening for New Chicken Joint in North Old Town Today

By Vernon Miles

Published October 30, 2020 at 10:30AM

Herndon-based Wooboi Hot Chicken is hosting a small “soft opening” today at a new location opening in North Old Town (531 Montgomery Street).

The soft opening is scheduled to run from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. though those who want to try the chicken should lean towards the earlier side, as Wooboi Hot Chicken said there is a limited supply today.

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New Torpedo Factory Plan Calls for Greater Public Engagement

By Vernon Miles

Published October 29, 2020 at 10:30AM

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

The Torpedo Factory Art Center is one of Alexandria’s cultural landmarks of the waterfront. But as the city moves forward with other modernizing changes to the waterfront, it is also turning an eye towards overhauling the Torpedo Factory to be more of a “hands-on” public attraction.

A series of recommendations in a recently released action plan include plans the city hopes will turn parts of the Torpedo Factory into a more engaging artistic space.

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Free Sandbags Available as Residents Urged to Prepare for Incoming Hurricane

By Vernon Miles

Published October 28, 2020 at 3:30PM

There’s a chance Hurricane Zeta won’t have much of an impact by the time it reaches Alexandria, but the city is nonetheless offering free sandbags to residents hoping to protect their homes.

Currently, the National Weather Service has predicted a 100% chance of rain on Thursday with potential to reach three inches of rainfall.