Vernon Miles | ALXnow

Closures, schedule changes and more for Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Published October 9, 2023 at 11:00AM

American Indian celebration at Ben Brenman Park (image via Running Strong for American Indian Youth/Facebook)

It’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day, a day honoring and celebrating Native American history and culture, and in Alexandria, there are several closures or changes to services.

Alexandria’s DASH bus network is operating on a Saturday schedule today. The King Street Trolley is running from the King Street Metro station to City Hall every 15 minutes from 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Opinion

Poll: What do you think of proposed Flatiron-inspired Old Town North development

By Vernon Miles

Published October 6, 2023 at 1:50PM

Rendering of the proposed mixed-use development at the former site of the GenOn Power Plant in Old Town North (via City of Alexandria)

Hilco Redevelopment Partners said a new mixed-use development at the former GenOn Power Plant site takes inspiration from the Renaissance Revival-style Flatiron building in New York. Reception online was mixed.

The Flatiron, built at the start of the 20th century, is an iconic design at 175 Fifth Avenue. While the proposed developments at Block B have a similarly tall and narrow shape, the Alexandria building still has strong elements of the fast-casual architecture style dominating recent development around the region.

News

VDOT starts major upgrade project for bridge connecting Shirlington and Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published October 6, 2023 at 9:50AM | Updated October 6, 2023 at 10:52AM

Shirlington Circle South Rotary Bridge pre-construction (image via VDOT)

Good news Alexandrians, the plan is underway: our main route into Shirlington for the annexation plans is getting an upgrade.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) said rehabilitation is underway for the Shirlington Circle south rotary bridge over I-395, which connects Shirlington Road to N. Quaker Lane.

News

New Hawaiian shave ice trailer coming to Del Ray

By Vernon Miles

Published October 5, 2023 at 10:45AM | Updated October 6, 2023 at 8:27AM

Shaved ice at Fort Belvoir (photo via Le Petit Ananas Shaved Ice/Facebook)

(Updated 10/6) A Hawaiian shave ice trailer at Fort Belvoir is looking to open a new location in Del Ray.

Owner Jaafar Ouardi filed a special use permit to open the new location for Le Petit Ananas Shaved Ice outside Bagel Uprising (2307 Mount Vernon Avenue).

News

Cider Festival returns to Alexandria next month

By Vernon Miles

Published October 5, 2023 at 9:40AM

Assorted ciders, beer and mead (image via Meritt Thomas/Unsplash)

A festival dedicated to all things cider-related is making a return to Alexandria next month.

The Alexandria Cider Festival is a special tasting event in the historic Lloyd House (220 N. Washington Street) and is part of the broader Virginia Cider Week.

News

UPDATED: Juvenile pedestrian struck and hospitalized in Braddock hit-and-run

By Vernon Miles

Published October 4, 2023 at 4:30PM | Updated October 4, 2023 at 6:59PM

N Patrick Street and Montgomery Street (image via Google Maps)

(Updated 7 p.m.) The Alexandria Police Department (APD) is investigating a hit-and-run in the Braddock neighborhood that left a 15-year-old male pedestrian in the hospital.

APD Communications Manager Tracy Walker said one pedestrian, a juvenile, was injured and taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

News

Alexandria staff break down behind-the-scenes limits of massive zoning overhaul

By Vernon Miles

Published October 4, 2023 at 3:10PM

Single-family homes in Alexandria's Seminary Valley neighborhood (image via Google Maps)

Alexandria staff returned to the Planning Commission one month after Zoning for Housing/Housing for All’s debut, but city leaders remained tepid in their support for the project.

Of note during the work session, however, was a concise breakdown of how Zoning for Housing/Housing for All might affect the city’s housing stock.

News

Street repaving comes to King Street and Duke Street this month

By Vernon Miles

Published October 4, 2023 at 11:00AM

Traffic near the George Washington Masonic Memorial during a storm (staff photo by James Cullum)

There is good news for those grumbling about potholes along King Street and Duke Street: repaving season will sweep over the two arterial roads this month.

Repaving work is scheduled to run this month from Tuesday, Oct. 10 to Friday, Oct. 27.

News

Reproduction schooner ‘Pride of Baltimore II’ docking in Alexandria this month

By Vernon Miles

Published October 4, 2023 at 9:45AM

Pride of Baltimore II near Annapolis (image via Pride of Baltimore II/Facebook)

Patrick O’Brian enthusiasts rejoice: another Age of Sail replica ship is coming to Alexandria.

The schooner Pride of Baltimore II, a replica of the 1812 ship Pride of Baltimore, will be docking at Alexandria’s marina later this month.

News

‘Banned Book’ reading event planned in Old Town this Wednesday

By Vernon Miles

Published October 3, 2023 at 2:45PM

ALXnow editor Vernon Miles' bookshelf (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

With book bans on the rise, the Alexandria Library is partnering with Elaine’s Restaurant (208 Queen Street) in Old Town to host a free reading from books on banned lists nationwide.

The free event tomorrow (Wednesday) will allow locals to read a 3-5 minute segment from a favorite banned book, like To Kill a Mockingbird, The Kite Runner or Harry Potter, or just come to listen. The event will be held on the second floor of Elaine’s Restaurant from 7-9 p.m.

News

Alexandria moves up in Best Small City rankings

By Vernon Miles

Published October 3, 2023 at 11:00AM

The Old Town Alexandria waterfront (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

It’s no surprise that, for the sixth straight year, Alexandria’s in the top five best small cities list in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards: but this year, Alexandria beat out Aspen and reclaimed its third place ranking.

Alexandria is third place behind Santa Fe, New Mexico and Charleston, South Carolina, which has become a tradition of the annual rankings.