Vernon Miles | ALXnow

‘First Night’ and Other New Year’s Eve Celebrations Around Alexandria Tomorrow

Published December 30, 2019 at 10:30AM

First Night Alexandria (photo via First Night Alexandria/Facebook)

Alexandria is gearing up for its 25th annual First Night celebration tomorrow (Tuesday).

First Night is the city’s annual New Year’s Eve celebration featuring various local businesses and civic organizations. Events are scheduled to take place across Old Town. Kids entertainment is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. while music starts at 7 p.m.

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Winners Announced in Old Town Holiday Decorating Contest

By Vernon Miles

Published December 23, 2019 at 3:30PM

Decorations at Dolci Gelati at 107 N. Fairfax (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A half dozen businesses and residences in Old Town have been selected by a local, very niche group as the best exterior holiday decorations in the historic district.

The Old Town Walled Garden Club announced the winners of its 51st annual decorating contest. The contest evaluates decorations by the originality of design, scale, color, contrast and attractiveness from the street.

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Report Shows More Commuters Using Cars in Alexandria Despite City Requirements

By Vernon Miles

Published December 23, 2019 at 2:00PM

While more property owners have signed on to plans to shift Alexandria’s workforce to car-free, a report on those plans showed an increasing percentage of workers and residents in new developments driving alone compared to last year.

Some commercials and residential developments are required to have plans to get employees or residents to use non-car transportation to commute. These plans are called Transportation Management Plans (TMPs) and there are currently 75 developments in Alexandria with TMPs.

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‘Mount Purrnon Cat Cafe’ in Old Town Goes to Planning Commission Next Month

By Vernon Miles

Published December 23, 2019 at 12:00PM

The new cat cafe that has the town talking is going up to the Planning Commission for approval early next month.

The Mount Purrnon Cat Cafe is slated to open at 109 S. Alfred Street and offer both a place to drink and play with adoptable cats.

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Happy Holidays from Alexandria Police: Parking is Free on Wednesday

By Vernon Miles

Published December 23, 2019 at 9:45AM

A parking meter in Old Town Alexandria on King Street

Parking at metered spaces will be free throughout the city on Christmas Day this week.

The police will not be enforcing parking restrictions at metered spaces, residential permit parking districts, and other areas with parking time limits on Wednesday (Dec. 25), according to the city’s website.

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DASH Restores Cut Seminary Road Bus Line in Approved Transit Plan

By Vernon Miles

Published December 20, 2019 at 2:00PM

A DASH bus on King Street in Old Town Alexandria

When it comes to Alexandria’s transportation network, the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

After intense backlash from everyone from local residents to city officials, the Alexandria Transit Company approved a vision plan that restores some DASH bus transit through Seminary Road — for now.

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West End Business Association Celebrates 15th Birthday

By Vernon Miles

Published December 20, 2019 at 11:45AM

The West End Business Association (WEBA) just celebrated 15 years of promoting businesses across Alexandria’s increasingly developed West End.

The organization was founded in 2005. Wendy Albert, owner of Tempo Restaurant (4231 Duke Street) and former president of WEBA, hosted the birthday celebration at her restaurant.

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Economic Status Plays Critical Role in Success in Alexandria Schools

By Vernon Miles

Published December 20, 2019 at 10:45AM

Nearly 80% of all absent students in Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) were economically disadvantaged, and economically disadvantaged students represented 90% of students with out-of-school suspensions.

As the start of a long path to achieving equity in the schools, the School Board took a look at the sometimes startling figures behind who is being left behind in the current school system. The Board reviewed the data on suspensions, absenteeism, graduation rates and more at a work session on Tuesday (Dec. 17).

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‘Ricasso’ Rakes in Donations and Helps Waive Adoption Fees at Animal Shelter

By Vernon Miles

Published December 20, 2019 at 9:45AM | Updated December 20, 2019 at 10:28AM

Rico (photo courtesy Animal Welfare League of Alexandria)

Ricasso, known to his friends as Rico, made international headlines for his tail painting antics and has raised enough money that all adult adoptions at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) are currently free.

“All of our adult animals have their adoption fees waived, so that’s nearly 35 who are available right now,” said Gina Hardter, spokesperson for AWLA. “That number can change based on animals adopted and new animals coming into the shelter through the end of the year.”

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Southern Entrance Debate Resurfaces at Potomac Yard Metro Groundbreaking

By Vernon Miles

Published December 19, 2019 at 3:40PM

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam gestures while delivering remarks during a groundbreaking ceremony for the Potomac Yard Metro Station in Alexandria (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated at 3:45 p.m.) After 20 years of planning, work has started on the Potomac Yard Metro station.

Officials past and present came together at 2 p.m. today (Thursday) at the future Potomac Yard Metro station, currently the parking lot of Regal Potomac Yard movie theater.

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Taylor Run Residents Struggle for Help from City After Spate of Collisions with Parked Cars

By Vernon Miles

Published December 19, 2019 at 1:45PM

Parked car damaged after crash (photo courtesy Caity Flaherty)

Just a few blocks away from where some local residents are incensed about a road diet, others are begging the city to do something about frequent collisions on their street.

W. Taylor Run Parkway connects Duke Street and Janneys Lane, two major east-west routes through Alexandria. The two-lane street is bordered by a creek on the eastern side and a row of homes on the right.