Vernon Miles | ALXnow

How to Vote in Alexandria’s Election Tomorrow

Published November 4, 2019 at 2:00PM | Updated November 4, 2019 at 2:22PM

(Updated at 2:20 p.m.) Virginia’s election on Tuesday (Nov. 5) could shape the future of the Commonwealth as Republicans fight to hold onto a slim majority in the state legislature.

But don’t expect to see those fireworks in Alexandria. In all but one of the five state Senate and House of Delegates races, the incumbents are running unopposed.

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Leave Your Fallen Foliage at the Sidewalks for Pick-Up Starting Today

By Vernon Miles

Published November 4, 2019 at 12:45PM

For all Alexandria homeowners who struggled with a yard full of fallen leaves: your relief is here.

Starting today, the City of Alexandria is kicking off its annual leaf vacuuming and leaf bag collection service.

News

Department of Defense Plans to Screen Pentagon Mail in the West End

By Vernon Miles

Published November 4, 2019 at 11:35AM | Updated November 4, 2019 at 12:13PM

The Mark Center building in Alexandria’s West End could become the new center for screening letters and packages headed to the Pentagon.

The Department of Defense is planning to hold a meeting at the nearby Francis C. Hammond Middle School (4646 Seminary Road) on Thursday, Nov. 14, to provide information about the plan and to answer questions from the community.

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Virginia Tech Unveils First Concept Plan for North Potomac Yard

By Vernon Miles

Published November 4, 2019 at 10:30AM | Updated November 4, 2019 at 10:50AM

(Updated at 10:50 a.m.) Plans are starting to take shape for North Potomac Yard.

Virginia Tech has submitted its first concept plan, showing what its Innovation Campus will look like just as the design of the Potomac Yard Metro station nears its final design phase.

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Bike Rodeo in Del Ray Tomorrow to Celebrate Opening of New Park

By Vernon Miles

Published November 1, 2019 at 3:30PM

A bike rodeo tomorrow (Saturday) will help celebrate the launch of the Mount Jefferson Traffic Garden, a small park designed to help teach children about traffic rules in a safe environment.

Plans for the grand opening include a cycling event for children hosted by the Alexandria Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, to include lessons about key bicycle skills like turning and hand signals.

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Two Pairs of Bonded, Adorable Rabbits Available for Adoption in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published November 1, 2019 at 11:45AM | Updated November 1, 2019 at 12:10PM

Cappuccino and Macchiato (photo courtesy AWLA)

If you felt inspired by the upcoming Bunny Meditation event on Sunday (Nov. 3), there’s a set of rabbits at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) looking for a home.

The shelter is hopping with rabbits right now, according to Gina Hardter, director of marketing and communications for the AWLA. A residence realized they had too many bunnies to care for and had to part with some of them.

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Buy a Two Bedroom Condo in Alexandria for Under $200k

By Vernon Miles

Published November 1, 2019 at 10:30AM

14 Canterbury Square (photo courtesy McEnearney Associates)

As part of Alexandria’s program to help first-time homebuyers who live or work in Alexandria, two properties near Landmark Mall are now on the market for around $200,000.

One of the homes is a two-bedroom, one-bathroom unit at 14 Canterbury Square, part of the Canterbury Square Condominiums. The home is being offered through the Alexandria Neighborhood Stabilization Program, which acquires and fully renovates distressed properties then sells them to income-eligible, first-time homebuyers. The unit is priced at $197,877.

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The 225 Years of Legal Conflict Behind Alexandria’s Refusal to Pay Trash Truck Damages

By Vernon Miles

Published November 1, 2019 at 9:30AM

Sovereign immunity sign with affected rail fence in Alexandria (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

If your property is damaged by a city vehicle, there’s a good chance you could be out of luck when it comes to seeking payment.

With its blue background and city seal, the marker set up in the yard at Shuter’s Hill within eyeshot of the backside of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial could be mistaken for an official sign, but the sign tells the story of one resident’s struggle with the City of Alexandria over an archaic legal precedent.

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ADA-Accessible Upgrades Coming to Old Town VRE Station

By Vernon Miles

Published October 31, 2019 at 10:30AM | Updated October 31, 2019 at 11:48AM

The Amtrak and VRE station (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated at 11:45 a.m.) Virginia Railway Express (VRE) is moving forward with plans to upgrade Alexandria Union Station — not to be confused with D.C.’s Union Station.

On Oct. 24, the VRE submitted concepts for a requested development site plan to improve accessibility to the train station at 110 Callahan Drive, which also serves Amtrak.

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Bunnies and Yoga This Sunday in Del Ray

By Vernon Miles

Published October 31, 2019 at 9:30AM

Perk your ears up: Ease Yoga and Cafe is partnering with Tripple Springs Farm to bring Bunny Meditation to Del Ray on Sunday (Nov. 3).

From 12:30-1:15 p.m. at 3051 Mount Vernon Avenue, a “fluffle” of lionhead rabbits from Tripple Springs Farm in Maryland is scheduled to make an appearance and play around during a guided meditation.

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Van Dorn Indian Restaurant Wants to Become Hub for Indian Beers

By Vernon Miles

Published October 30, 2019 at 3:30PM

Mumbai Darbar (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Mumbai Darbar, the Indian restaurant at the end of a long line of international restaurants in the Van Dorn Station Shopping Center (512 S. Van Dorn Street), is looking to add beer, wine and some new dishes to its menu.

Staff at the restaurant said the restaurant has recently filed an ABC permit and, if approved, the restaurant will hopefully be able to serve beer from India.