Vernon Miles | ALXnow

Ax-throwing bar on target for grand opening this weekend in the West End

Published October 17, 2023 at 2:00PM

Throwing axe being readied (image via Bad Axe Throwing/Facebook)

Bad Axe Throwing‘s new West End location at 617 S Pickett Street is having a grand opening celebration this weekend, Alexandria Living Magazine first reported.

A representative of the ax-throwing bar said the location is currently open, but is planning a grand opening celebration this Friday and Saturday.

News

Alexandria library hosting sale on thousands of books, DVDs and more this week

By Vernon Miles

Published October 17, 2023 at 10:45AM

The Charles Beatley library in Alexandria (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

If your bookshelf is looking a little sparse, or you’re hoping to get a head start on Christmas shopping: Alexandria’s Beatley Central Library (5005 Duke Street) is hosting its fall book sale this week.

The event, organized by Friends of the Beatley Central Library, starts tomorrow (Wednesday) and runs through Monday, Oct. 23. A preview day is available today for Friends of the Beatley Central Library members.

News

New report looks at next year in Alexandria streetscape changes

By Vernon Miles

Published October 16, 2023 at 3:55PM

East Abingdon Drive currently vs with a bike lane (image via City of Alexandria)

A report on Alexandria’s Complete Streets program highlighted work done over the last year and a peek ahead at new bike lanes, sidewalks, trail improvements and more.

The Complete Streets presentation (starting with slide 36) is headed to the Transportation Commission on Wednesday, Oct. 18, alongside a report on the city’s Vision Zero project and Safe Routes to Schools.

News

Alexandria’s Port City brewery launches limited edition ‘Optimal Witch’ pumpkin spiced ale

By Vernon Miles

Published October 16, 2023 at 2:40PM

Optimal Witch poster (image via Port City Brewing Company)

The Female Stranger-honoring Long Black Veil isn’t the only Halloween-themed beer from Port City Brewing Company: the Alexandria brewery announced a Tasting Room-only event this Friday for a new pumpkin ale.

The new beer is Optimal Witch, described as a “Belgian-style pumpkin ale brewed with spices”, and a play on the popular Optimal Wit.

News

Alexandria looking to install stopgap amenities for Landmark-area transit hub

By Vernon Miles

Published October 16, 2023 at 11:00AM

A DASH bus at Southern Towers (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

While the plan is to eventually create a new transit hub in the Landmark Mall redevelopment, the city is looking for grant funding to make the key transfer point more bearable in the near term.

The Transportation Commission is scheduled to vote on Wednesday, Oct. 18, to endorse a grant application to the Department of Rail and Public Transportation for up to $544,000.

News

Alexandria Police investigate multiple assaults over the weekend

By Vernon Miles

Published October 16, 2023 at 9:55AM

Alexandria Police at night (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria police investigated multiple felony assault calls over the weekend.

Monday morning, around 4 a.m., police responded to a domestic dispute at 200 block of Bluestone Road. According to the scanner, a woman told police her boyfriend had attacked her.

News

Alexandria’s DASH bus network is outpacing its neighbors in ridership growth.

By Vernon Miles

Published October 13, 2023 at 2:50PM

A DASH bus in Old Town Alexandria (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria’s DASH bus network ridership is growing faster than bus networks in Arlington and Fairfax, though not as quickly as local rail ridership.

A report to the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission showed that DASH had a 17% increase in ridership from August 2022 to August 2023.

News

Teen charged in Holmes Run Parkway robbery and shooting

By Vernon Miles

Published October 13, 2023 at 11:55AM

Police at shooting scene near 5563 Holmes Run Parkway (staff photo by James Cullum)

A 16-year-old boy has been arrested by the Alexandria Police Department on charges related to an armed robbery and shooting in September that left one victim hospitalized.

On Sept. 22, a male victim, age 21, was seriously injured in an armed robbery on the 5500 block of Holmes Run Parkway. The Alexandria Police Department (APD) said the victim was left in serious but stable condition after being shot in the robbery — scanner traffic at the time indicated the man was shot in the shoulder and the back of the neck.

News

Six Confederate-honoring street names in Alexandria could be renamed to honor prominent Black figures

By Vernon Miles

Published October 13, 2023 at 11:00AM

Forrest Street, named for Nathan Bedford Forrest (image via Google Maps)

Just after the full list of potential new street names was revealed, the City of Alexandria said six public streets could be renamed as the opening of a 15-year process.

The city plans an open public hearing on Nov. 30 at 6 p.m. in Alexandria City Hall (301 King Street) to discuss the proposed names or potential alternatives.

News

This weekend marks the anniversary of the Alexandria’s Torpedo Factory storied beginnings

By Vernon Miles

Published October 13, 2023 at 9:50AM

The Torpedo Factory in Old Town (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

This weekend marks the 105th anniversary of the Alexandria Torpedo Factory’s ironic origins.

As told in the Office of Historic Alexandria’s This Week in Historic Alexandria newsletter, the contract for constructing the U.S. Naval Torpedo Station was awarded on Oct. 14, 1918. The United States was embroiled in the First World War, but work on the building wouldn’t begin until the day after the war ended.

News

City staff reflect on one of Alexandria’s most bizarre and troubled transportation projects

By Vernon Miles

Published October 12, 2023 at 4:10PM

Left turn lanes on Eisenhower Avenue (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Eisenhower Avenue-Mill Road project had one of the most bizarre approvals in recent city history — a project nobody on the City Council wanted but was too expensive to cancel.

Changes implemented earlier this year on Eisenhower Avenue were notably out of date, widening a roadway and creating a T-intersection at a time when the city is usually doing the opposite, but the City would have to pay back grant money already spent on the project if it were canceled.