Vernon Miles | ALXnow

Adoptable Alexandria Terrier Looking for a Human to Meditate With

Published November 22, 2019 at 2:00PM

Priscilla, a two-year-old terrier mix at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) is a bundle of energy, but she’s sweet and hoping for a home to help her relax.

The pup is very excitable but has been training in patience and meditation with the AWLA staff, according to Gina Hardter, spokesperson for the organization.

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Potomac Yard Metro Finishes Permitting, Moves Into Construction Phase

By Vernon Miles

Published November 22, 2019 at 10:40AM | Updated November 22, 2019 at 1:38PM

(Updated at 1:40 p.m.) With the acquisition of a Clean Waters Act permit, the Potomac Yard Metro station has been cleared to start construction.

On Friday, Nov. 15, the Army Corps of Engineers issued the final permit required for construction on the Metro station to start in the wetlands, staff said at a Nov. 19 meeting. The announcement was followed by a small round of applause from the Potomac Yard Metrorail Implementation Work Group (PYMIG), a group that’s been meeting since 2011 to consider issues related to opening a Metro station in Potomac Yard.

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Old Town Books Celebrates New Chapter This Weekend

By Vernon Miles

Published November 21, 2019 at 3:30PM

Old Town Books, a book shop near the waterfront at 104 S. Union Street, is celebrating one year in business this weekend.

On Saturday, Nov. 23, the book store is celebrating its one year anniversary with a variety of events throughout the day. The event will feature cake, free storytime at noon, with sing-alongs and special happenings throughout the day.

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Upcoming Meeting to Showcase New Upgrades to Fort Ward Park

By Vernon Miles

Published November 21, 2019 at 12:45PM

Fort Ward (photo via Visit Alexandria)

The City is planning to host a meeting to gather feedback on its plans to revitalize the Fort Ward Museum and Park.

The Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities is scheduled to hold a community meeting about Fort Ward Park on Wednesday, Dec. 11, at 7 p.m. in near St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes Middle School (4401 W. Braddock Road).

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DASH Considering Restoring Seminary Hill Bus Line Cut from Future Plans

By Vernon Miles

Published November 21, 2019 at 11:35AM

A DASH bus on King Street in Old Town Alexandria

The squeaky wheel on the bus may get the grease, as the Alexandria Transit Company Board of Directors has directed staff to find a way of restoring or replacing a bus line through Seminary Road cut from current plans to overhaul the bus network.

DASH, the city’s bus system, is preparing to shift its bus service from a model focused on widespread coverage of the city to one that focuses on high-frequency service in densely populated corridors.

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Alexandria Gets Rolling on Plan to Create New Impound Lot Across from Port City

By Vernon Miles

Published November 21, 2019 at 10:30AM

It’s a problem for which sympathy may be difficult, but the City of Alexandria has too many impounded cars on its hands.

The city is considering purchasing 4001 Wheeler Avenue, a parking lot across the street from the Port City Brewing Company, and turning it into storage for impounded vehicles. The city would purchase the property from the Jeffrey Lee Yates Trust, which earlier this year received a go-ahead from city officials to open the long-awaited Yates Pizza at 3000 Duke Street.

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‘Crafty Crab’ Coming to Alexandria’s West End

By Vernon Miles

Published November 20, 2019 at 4:30PM | Updated November 20, 2019 at 5:39PM

Crafty Crab seafood platter (photo via Crafty Crab)

(Updated 5:35 p.m.) Watch out, Red Lobster, there’s another crustacean crawling into town across Van Dorn Street.

According to a city permit application, the national seafood chain Crafty Crab is planning on moving into the shell of Portner Brewhouse (5770 Dow Avenue) in the Modera Tempo mixed-use development. A representative of the applicant confirmed the new location was part of the national chain.

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EXCLUSIVE: First Look at the Next Waterfront Art Project Replacing ‘Mirror Mirror’

By Vernon Miles

Published November 20, 2019 at 1:50PM

Olalekan Jeyifous' concept proposal for Site/See: New Views in Old Town, 2020 (image courtesy Office of the Arts)

The new art project coming to Waterfront Park (1 Prince Street) next year will feature a series of silhouettes representing the city’s history of slavery.

The concept renderings from artist Olalekan Jeyifous feature four three-dimensional silhouettes, each roughly 11 feet tall, with industrial imagery carved into the bodies. The figures will face out towards the river. The ground of the plaza will be covered with a pattern referencing African-American quilting — mixing traditional symbols with ones that represent industries from the city’s past — like an armory and rail tracks.

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West End Transitway Moving Forward Without Dedicated Bus Lanes

By Vernon Miles

Published November 20, 2019 at 11:45AM

West End Transitway flyer with dedicated bus lanes (image via City of Alexandria)

A long-planned bus rapid transit network (BRT) that would run through Alexandria’s West End is moving forward early next year, though the dedicated bus lanes featured prominently in the conceptual stage might not make it into the initial designs.

The city’s vision for the West End Transitway is a series of transit improvements to create a reliable, accessible bus line that would run from the Van Dorn Metro station to the Pentagon, hitting West End destinations that aren’t accessible by Metro, like the Mark Center, Southern Towers, and the perhaps soon-to-be-redeveloped Landmark Mall.

News

Blanket and Jacket Drive for the Homeless in Del Ray This Evening

By Vernon Miles

Published November 20, 2019 at 9:45AM

As cold weather starts to set in, a local bar is hosting a holiday coat and blanket drive to help homeless people in the D.C. area.

Charlie’s on the Avenue (1501 Mount Vernon Avenue) — which opened last year — is now in its second year of hosting the local event, which itself is in its fourth year. The drive is scheduled to run from 5-9:30 p.m. tonight (Wednesday).

News

City of Alexandria Non-Emergency Phone Lines Are Down

By Vernon Miles

Published November 19, 2019 at 4:45PM | Updated November 20, 2019 at 8:55AM

If you’re trying to call a City of Alexandria and getting a dead line, you’re not alone.

The city’s inbound phone service is not available due to a problem with Verizon’s network, according to a press release from the City of Alexandria.