Vernon Miles | ALXnow

City Council Braces for Playground Fight With Community

Published May 27, 2020 at 2:15PM

With Alexandria health officials expecting the total number of COVID-19 cases to go up during Phase 1 of reopening, the City Council discussed the line between what coronavirus restrictions can be put in place and what can be enforced — particularly when it comes to playgrounds.

During a City Council discussion last night (Tuesday), James Spengler, Director of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities, said city playgrounds could not open until Phase 3 of the reopening, which could be in the fall.

News

Alexandria Man Indicted for Providing Support to Somali Terrorist Organization

By Vernon Miles

Published May 27, 2020 at 10:15AM

A 34-year-old Alexandria taxi driver has been indicted for conspiring and attempting to provide material support to al-Shabaab, a militant group designated operating in Somalia and designated by the United States as a terrorist organization.

Alexandria resident Liban Haji Mohamed, 34, was charged Wednesday by a grand jury at the Alexandria Federal Courthouse.

News

Chinese and Malaysian Restaurant in Del Ray Reopens

By Vernon Miles

Published May 26, 2020 at 5:20PM

Del Ray eatery South China Restaurant (1302 Mount Vernon Ave) is now reopened for takeout and delivery.

Staff at the restaurant confirmed that the location reopened yesterday, Memorial Day, with a new menu available online.

News

ACPS Announces Mandatory Summer Learning to Combat COVID-19 Academic Loss

By Vernon Miles

Published May 26, 2020 at 3:30PM

Students learning at home during the COVID-19 shutdown (Photo via ACPS/Facebook)

For Alexandria City Public Schools students this year, summer school is not exactly optional.

ACPS announced last week that students will be expected to participate in a summer learning program to compensate for time lost in classrooms in the latter half of the 2019-2020 academic year. Parents who do not want their children to participate will be required to submit a form explaining why they want to opt-out of the summer program.

News

Old Town Streets Temporarily Widened Memorial Day Weekend for Social Distancing

By Vernon Miles

Published May 22, 2020 at 5:15PM

Pedestrians are getting a little more room to walk down King Street this weekend, but the new changes aren’t the planned pedestrian zone that has stirred up conversations in Old Town.

“The City has temporarily widened the sidewalk on the south side of the unit, 100 and 200 blocks of King Street, to allow more room for pedestrians to stay at least 6 feet apart while walking,” the city said in a press release.

News

Mayor: Alexandria On Course For Phase I Reopening Next Week

By Vernon Miles

Published May 22, 2020 at 3:15PM

In his weekly virtual town hall, Mayor Justin Wilson said signs are good that Alexandria could be pulling out of the worst of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Our percent of positive tests have been going down for an extended period of time,” Wilson said on Thursday night. “Our new hospitalizations are either going down or level at the moment. There’s still a number of days to go, but we’re heading into a situation where we could be ready to go for phase 1.”

News

Alexandria Businesses Band Together for Charity Event Next Week

By Vernon Miles

Published May 22, 2020 at 11:45AM

The Old Town Business Association is putting together a charity event next week called Good. Works. Alexandria aimed at both encouraging people to shop at local businesses and have a portion of the proceeds donated to a charity of the customer’s choice.

On Wednesday, May 27, customers shopping at a participating local restaurant or retailer can, at checkout, designate a Spring2Action charity of their choice and the business will donate a portion of the proceeds to that charity.

News

Parents Donate Thousands to Restore GW Middle School Exterior

By Vernon Miles

Published May 21, 2020 at 4:30PM

George Washington Middle School (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The George Washington Middle School Parent Teacher Association is donating $9,000 to Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) to help restore the exterior grounds of the school.

A memo regarding the donation said last December a community member approached ACPS about starting a fundraiser to help restore some of the outdoor learning space at the school. The GW PTA donated a total of $9,000 on May 13. Any donations above $2,500 must be approved the School Board, which is scheduled to review the donation at tomorrow’s meeting.

News

Del Ray Restaurant Puts Brunch Back on the Local Menu

By Vernon Miles

Published May 21, 2020 at 3:15PM

Alexandria Restaurant Partners (ARP) is switching things up this weekend, with a planned reopening in Shirlington and a Del Ray restaurant opening a new brunch menu.

“Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap (401 E Braddock Road) will launch a limited brunch menu starting this weekend,” ARP said in a press release. “Brunch will be available from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.”

News

ACPS Celebrates Annual Awards from Home, Outlines Further Graduation Plans

By Vernon Miles

Published May 20, 2020 at 3:15PM

With schools being closed for the duration of the school year and Alexandria still in lockdown until the end of May, Alexandria City Public Schools highlighted the annual faculty awards in an online post celebrating the support staff, teacher, and principal of the year.

ACPS announced the winners on Monday, May 18.

News

Special Masonic Temple Lighting Planned to Celebrate T.C. Graduates

By Vernon Miles

Published May 19, 2020 at 5:15PM

While T.C. Williams High School students aren’t gathering in-person to celebrate graduation, local celebrations are being held including a special lighting of the George Washington Masonic Temple.

“On Saturday, June 13, 2020, we encourage all residents of the most wonderful City of Alexandria to light up their homes in red, white and blue to support the graduating Class of 2020 from T.C. Williams High School,” Principal Peter Balas said in a newsletter. “I am excited to announce that the George Washington Masonic Temple will be illuminated in red, white and blue on June 13 in recognition of our graduates. Let’s light up the whole city!”