Vernon Miles | ALXnow

Alexandria’s Library opens up about cause of last year’s electronic services shutdown

Published January 30, 2024 at 1:45PM

The Kate Waller Barrett Branch of the Alexandria Library (staff photo by James Cullum)

It got a little lost among the rush of news late last year, but we finally have an answer to what shut down the Alexandria Library’s electronic services last year.

For several weeks in July, the Alexandria Library was crippled by a ‘data incident’ that led to the city’s audiobooks, wifi, library card signup and more being shut down.

News

Covid figures trend up in January but hospital admissions remain low

By Vernon Miles

Published January 30, 2024 at 10:45AM

Hospital admissions for Covid over the last year (image via City of Alexandria)

If it seems like a lot of folks are coming down with Covid, you’re not just imagining it; Alexandria has seen an increase in Alexandria Hospital admission levels for Covid this month.

Hospital admissions for Covid hit their peak for the last year during the week of Jan. 13, with roughly 10 hospital admissions per 100k residents.

News

New yoga studio opens just south of Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published January 30, 2024 at 9:55AM

Ribbon-cutting at Soma Yoga Healing Center (image courtesy The Chamber ALX)

Soma Yoga Healing Center, a new yoga studio at 2560 Huntington Avenue just south of Hunting Creek, held its grand opening this weekend.

The yoga studio offers a mix of private classes, group classes and workshops. The studio’s focus, according to the website, is using yoga to reduce anxiety and depression along with benefits like increased respiratory efficiency and gaining a better range of motion.

Opinion

Poll: What do you think of ACPS’ logo saga?

By Vernon Miles

Published January 29, 2024 at 3:55PM

The two options for the new ACPS logo (via ACPS)

Two years after the School Board requested a new logo for Alexandria City Public Schools, rejecting an initial replacement, Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt came back with a new logo recommendation earlier this month.

In a 5-3 vote, the School Board also rejected the new logo design.

News

School Board yet again sends Alexandria City Public Schools logo back to drawing board

By Vernon Miles

Published January 29, 2024 at 1:55PM

The two options for the new ACPS logo (via ACPS)

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) is having a tough time finding a new logo.

At a School Board meeting earlier this month, the Board voted to direct Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt to redesign the logo yet again.

News

Alexandrians debate Potomac Yard arena: catalyst or cataclysm?

By Vernon Miles

Published January 29, 2024 at 10:10AM

Alexandria's City Council at a Potomac Yard arena town hall (image via City of Alexandria)

The ongoing public opinion war over the Potomac Yard arena continued this weekend with a public town hall at the Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe Street) on Saturday and a protest against it outside.

The two-hour town hall included a discussion of the economic impact of the new arena and public safety, but transportation continued to be the central piece of the Potomac Yard arena discourse.

News

Two Alexandria restaurants on Washingtonian’s Top 100 Restaurants list

By Vernon Miles

Published January 26, 2024 at 3:00PM

Dish at Nasime (photo via Nasime/Facebook)

Two Alexandria restaurants were ranked in Washingtonian’s The 100 Very Best Restaurants in Washington, DC.

At number 15 on the ranking was Japanese restaurant Nasime at 1209 King Street.

News

Del Ray bar Hops N Shine celebrating five year anniversary this weekend

By Vernon Miles

Published January 26, 2024 at 11:15AM

Hops n Shine (photo via Hops N Shine/Facebook)

Del Ray/Arlandria bar Hops N Shine (3410 Mount Vernon Avenue) is celebrating its five-year anniversary tomorrow (Saturday) with live music, craft activities, and a local beer tasting.

The bar’s anniversary party is scheduled to run from 1-8 p.m. on Saturday, with arts and crafts for kids from 1-6 p.m. and live music from 2-6 p.m.

News

Anti-Potomac Yard arena groups planning protest outside town hall event on Saturday

By Vernon Miles

Published January 26, 2024 at 10:00AM

Former Vice Mayor Andrew Macdonald at the rally against the proposed Potomac Yard arena (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Alexandria’s City Council is hosting a town hall tomorrow (Saturday) to discuss the new Potomac Yard arena, but some locals are planning to rally outside the event and protest.

The town hall is scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday) from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe Street).

News

Family assisting Alexandria Police Department in abandoned toddler investigation

By Vernon Miles

Published January 25, 2024 at 1:15PM | Updated January 25, 2024 at 2:15PM

Abandoned child at 8 S. Van Dorn Street (image via Alexandria Police Department/Twitter)

(Updated 2:15 p.m.) The Alexandria Police Department (APD) and the Child Welfare Services have launched a joint investigation into the abandonment of a child last night.

APD said the child was dropped off by an unknown person at 8 S. Van Dorn Street around 9:45 p.m. on Wednesday. APD said they are working with members of the child’s family as part of the investigation.

News

New Black History Month events announced for Alexandria, including upgrades to waterfront trail

By Vernon Miles

Published January 25, 2024 at 11:00AM

Page from a 1858 registry of Black Alexandria residents (image via City of Alexandria)

Black History Month kicks off next week and events around Alexandria throughout February will explore, commemorate and celebrate Black history in the city.

One of the biggest new additions is the “African American Waterfront Heritage Trail” running along the waterfront.