Vernon Miles | ALXnow

Scoop: Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream Plans to Open in Old Town Next Month

Published October 23, 2019 at 9:45AM

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams in Old Town (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

If all goes well, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams will be opening in about three weeks.

The new ice cream shop is replacing Misha’s Coffee at 102 S. Patrick Street, with Misha’s moving earlier this year to 907 King Street. A manager at the site said Jeni’s plans to open by Wednesday, Nov. 13.

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Beyond Bigfoot: A Look Inside Alexandria’s Cryptozoology and Paranormal Society

By Vernon Miles

Published October 22, 2019 at 3:20PM

Scott Fallon prides himself on being a skeptic — just one that happens to believe in Bigfoot.

Fallon is one of the founders of the Alexandria Cryptozoology and Paranormal Society (ACAPS), a local group dedicated to the exploration of all things inexplicable. He talked with ALXnow shortly after finishing his chupacabra hunt in the jungles of Mexico. He didn’t find any, but Fallon says that doesn’t mean they’re not out there.

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Alexandria Bars to Host Specials for World Series Tonight

By Vernon Miles

Published October 22, 2019 at 12:30PM | Updated March 15, 2024 at 2:35PM

In case you haven’t heard, the Washington Nationals are playing the Houston Astros in the World Series tonight at 8 p.m.

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City Council Gives West End Paving Company Seven Years to Clear Out

By Vernon Miles

Published October 22, 2019 at 10:30AM

Virginia Paving Company facility near Van Dorn Metro station (photo via City of Alexandria)

Favoring the Planning Commission’s decision over staff’s recommendation, the Alexandria City Council has told the Virginia Paving Company it has seven years to vacate its West End property.

The requirement comes as the city is working to transform the Van Dorn Corridor — today an industrial and car-heavy stretch from the Van Dorn Metro station to Landmark Mall — into a more residential-focused area.

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Tall Ship Providence to Host Tales of Ghost Ships This Weekend

By Vernon Miles

Published October 22, 2019 at 9:30AM | Updated October 22, 2019 at 12:37PM

Tall Ship Providence in Alexandria (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

A ship on Alexandria’s waterfront will host an intimate retelling of a historic ghost story this weekend.

The tall ship Providence is not officially open yet, but the ship will be going through its first test as a permanent fixture of the waterfront with a “ghost ship” story.

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British Clothing Brand FatFace Reportedly Eyeing Former Old Town Trading Post

By Vernon Miles

Published October 21, 2019 at 4:45PM

(Updated at 5 p.m.) There’s no official word yet, but multiple sources have told ALXnow that British clothing and accessories retailer FatFace is looking at moving into the former Old Town Trading Post at 128 King Street.

A local commercial real estate source told ALXnow that FatFace is looking at moving into the location. Another source said FatFace was considering a lease but may not have signed one yet.

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Descendants of Local Civil Rights Protestors to Meet Tonight to Discuss Sit-In’s Legacy

By Vernon Miles

Published October 21, 2019 at 2:00PM | Updated October 21, 2019 at 3:07PM

(Left to right) William “Buddy” Evans, Otto Tucker, Edward Gaddis, Morris L. Murray and Clarence “Buck” Strange being led out of the Barrett Branch Library by police on Aug. 21, 1939. (via Alexandria City Library)

Descendants of the men who led the 1939 Alexandria library sit-in plan to meet tonight for a panel discussion examining how the event impacted their families.

At the Beatley Central Library (5005 Duke Street) at 6:30 p.m., relatives of protestors William “Buddy” Evans and Morris Murray are scheduled to discuss the event and some of the lingering impacts, followed by a question and answer session.

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Geofencing Leads to Dramatic Decrease in Scooters Parking on the Waterfront

By Vernon Miles

Published October 21, 2019 at 12:45PM

While geofencing for scooters generally means blocking them from scooting through an area, new geofencing measures in Alexandria are aimed at keeping scooters parking in certain places.

New scooter regulations have blocked scooters from parking in a multi-block stretch east of N. Union Street, between Oronoco Street and Prince Street. The result has been an 80 percent decrease in scooter parking on the waterfront, staff told the Waterfront Commission at its meeting last week.

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New Taqueria in the West End Planning to Open in December

By Vernon Miles

Published October 21, 2019 at 10:15AM

Taqueria Picoso at 1472 N. Beauregard Street

Taqueria Senora Lola ain’t the only new taqueria game coming to town.

In the West End, Taqueria Picoso (1472 N. Beauregard Street) is eyeing a December opening at The Shops at Mark Center, according to employees working on the building. The spot was formerly a Thai restaurant, according to Alexandria Living.

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Adult Moon Bounce and Craft Beers at Del Ray Pizzeria Party This Weekend

By Vernon Miles

Published October 18, 2019 at 2:00PM

Del Ray Pizzeria (2218 Mount Vernon Avenue) is celebrating its nine-year anniversary with a pizza party this weekend.

The restaurant, which has previously hosted the Obamas and courted controversy with its “Grab Her By the Pizza” pie a couple years ago, is celebrating this Sunday (Oct. 20) from 2-8 p.m. in the lot behind the restaurant.

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Nail Painting and Wine Sipping Salon Opens in Arlandria

By Vernon Miles

Published October 18, 2019 at 10:30AM

Aivy Ho in Cavalry Nail Bar

Getting your nails done can be a time-consuming experience, so the newly opened Cavalry Nail Bar at 4104 Mount Vernon Avenue lets you sip wine as you’re getting your nails done.

Technically, manager Aivy Ho said you could also order beer, but so far the orders have been exclusively for wine. Customers seem to be responding positively to the new business.