Vernon Miles | ALXnow

Meet Moomoo, an Adoptable Mini-Master of Mischief at the Animal Welfare League

Published December 6, 2019 at 11:30AM

Moomoo (photo courtesy Animal Welfare League of Alexandria)

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) has plenty of pets for adoption, but few with as many tricks and devious tactics as the shelter’s own master-thief: Moomoo.

Moomoo, or Moo as he’s known by his friends, is a two-year-old domestic shorthair. Like Remmy, the stately gentleman, Moo is a tuxedo cat. But unlike Remmy, Moo has a devious streak.

News

Alexandria Public Schools Introduce New Feedback Guidelines and Directory

By Vernon Miles

Published December 6, 2019 at 10:30AM

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) is overhauling its feedback process system-wide to make sure parents know who to turn to if they are having trouble getting their concerns addressed.

In the past, parents at several schools have spoken at School Board meetings and expressed concerns that they weren’t being heard. Parents at George Washington Middle School said at a recent School Board meeting that they felt they weren’t being heard over concerns about the modernization of the school and fire safety — though school officials at the meeting did address the repairs made to the fire system in the school.

News

Parade of Boats Covered in Christmas Lights to Cruise Along Waterfront Tomorrow

By Vernon Miles

Published December 6, 2019 at 9:15AM

Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights (photo via Visit Alexandria/Facebook)

The waterfront will sparkle tomorrow (Saturday) as dozens of ships decked out in Christmas lights cruise along the shoreline.

This year is the 20th annual Holiday Boat Parade of Lights. Festivities are planned throughout the afternoon and early evening, from 2-8 p.m. Planned activities include a pop-up beer garden from Port City Brewing Company, a bookmark-making station from Old Town Books and holiday music from 97.1 WASH-FM.

News

Jones Point Park ‘Bike Campus’ Grand Opening This Weekend

By Vernon Miles

Published December 5, 2019 at 3:30PM

Alexandria Bike Campus at Jones Point Park (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A new bike campus is all painted and ready to go under the Alexandria side of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.

The smooth pavement between the bridge pylons has long been a popular spot for bicyclists on the Mount Vernon Trail or visiting Jones Point Park, but the new signs and lanes on the ground can help new cyclists learn the rules of the road and practice in a safe environment.

News

More Work on Seminary Road This Spring If the State Will Pony Up the Cash

By Vernon Miles

Published December 5, 2019 at 2:00PM

As part of its controversial efforts to improve bicycle and pedestrian access to Seminary Road, the city is planning to install a sidewalk on the north side of the road — if it can get the money.

Much of the Complete Streets project on Seminary Road has been completed but the city is still hoping to add a new sidewalk next to the seminary from which the road draws its name.

News

Officials: ‘Snob Factor’ in City Zoning Makes Creating Affordable Housing in Eisenhower Harder

By Vernon Miles

Published December 5, 2019 at 11:45AM

The city is hoping to bring new affordable housing to the Eisenhower Valley, but some on the Planning Commission said the city is shooting itself in the foot with snobby development guidelines.

The plans to reshape Eisenhower — a topic that came up several times this week — went to the Planning Commission on Tuesday, Dec. 3. While the commission mostly praised the vision presented in the plans, Commissioner Mindy Lyle pointed out that efforts to create more affordable housing in the area are inadvertently hamstrung by the city’s own zoning and design practices.

News

New Pilates Studio Coming to Carlyle Neighborhood

By Vernon Miles

Published December 5, 2019 at 10:45AM

Club Pilates in Carlyle (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

A new pilates studio in Carlyle is hoping to help locals get a head start on their New Year’s fitness resolutions.

Club Pilates, a pilates chain, planning to open at 1725 Jamieson Avenue, just a block south of Whole Foods. The location is scheduled to have a grand opening early next year, but the new studio is offering free preview sessions next week.

News

Inside the Hidden Treasure Trove of Small Businesses in Eisenhower West

By Vernon Miles

Published December 4, 2019 at 3:30PM | Updated December 4, 2019 at 3:56PM

Rock climbing section in Sportrock (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

(Updated at 3:55 p.m.) In the shadow of the Covanta trash incinerator, just north of the Metro tracks, a small garden of unique, local businesses is blooming.

The West End Business Center (5308 Eisenhower Avenue) and Van Dorn Metro Business Center (5416 Eisenhower Avenue) look like average industrial uses, but several of the businesses inside this suite offer unique services that are relatively hidden from those who don’t already frequent the Eisenhower West area.

News

Transurban Considers Opening New Access to Seminary Road from I-395

By Vernon Miles

Published December 4, 2019 at 10:30AM

After the launch of the I-395 Express Lanes, Transurban is turning its attention to a ramp connecting I-395 to Seminary Road near the Mark Center.

The south-facing ramp, which opened in 2016, is currently restricted to HOV traffic and buses traveling north in the morning and south in the evenings. Transurban hopes to change that, opening the ramp up to toll-paying traffic — allowing another point of access to Seminary Road for drivers on I-395 and another incentive to use the Express Lanes.

News

Santa to Visit the King Street Trolly Next Week

By Vernon Miles

Published December 4, 2019 at 9:30AM | Updated December 4, 2019 at 9:59AM

Next Saturday, the Old Town trolly will run from the Metro to the Waterfront by way of the North Pole.

On Saturday, Dec. 14, Santa is scheduled to make an appearance at a King Street Trolly parked outside City Hall (301 King Street). The trolly is a free, year-round shuttle along King Street operated by the DASH bus service.

News

Local Employment Center Wants to Get Hip With the Kids

By Vernon Miles

Published December 3, 2019 at 3:15PM

Alexandria City Hall sign (staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

An Alexandria agency that helps locals adapt to a changing job market is itself trying to figure out how to adjust its services to meet the city’s changing marketplace.

Facing the impacts of Amazon’s looming arrival, the Workforce Development Center (WDC) is working to modernize and realign its services to fit with younger demographics.