News | ALXnow - Part 1015

New Kid-Focused Coding School in the West End to Host Party with Robots This Weekend

Published January 10, 2020 at 10:35AM

Code Ninjas in Alexandria (photo via Code Ninjas/Facebook)

Computer programming tutoring franchise Code Ninjas is celebrating the launch of its new West End location with a grand opening celebration this weekend.

Code Ninjas has a simple but ambitious goal: make coding accessible and fun for kids. The school’s game-based curriculum focuses on teamwork, logic, math and problem solving, according to the company website. The company has locations across the country, including locations in Falls Church and Burke, and has been working to expand internationally.

Fire Chief: No Complaints From Personnel About Seminary Road Changes

By James Cullum

Published January 10, 2020 at 9:20AM

Seminary Road (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

There have been no complaints or transportation issues with fire and emergency personnel along the stretch of Seminary Road that has undergone the controversial road diet, according to Alexandria Fire Chief Corey Smedley.

“The measures needed for us to safely travel on Seminary Road before, during, and after an emergency call have been put into place,” Smedley told ALXnow. “At this point, we haven’t received any complaints from our drivers or battalion chiefs regarding travel issues. Our priority will always be the safety of the community and the members of the Alexandria Fire Department. When we receive an emergency call, we will do everything within our power to respond and navigate the City no matter the circumstance or conditions.”

Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published January 10, 2020 at 8:00AM

Bar Owner to Lead St. Pat’s Parade — “The Ballyshaners have selected John Brennan, owner of Daniel O’Connell’s Restaurant and Bar as Grand Marshal of the 2020 Alexandria St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Brennan, of Kilkenny, Ireland and an Old Town homeowner has been an active member of Alexandria’s business community since opening Daniel O’Connell’s in 2006.” [Zebra]

Recycling Collection Still Delayed — “City recycling collection remains delayed due to winter weather earlier this week. Residents that did not receive collection service on their normal day will receive service on the following day.” [Twitter]

Local Stream Set For Revitalization Over the Next Year

By Vernon Miles

Published January 9, 2020 at 3:30PM

Taylor Run (photo via City of Alexandria)

Taylor Run stream in pretty bad shape, but the City of Alexandria wants to revitalize it into a healthy stream rich with native vegetation.

“It’s in the design phase right now,” said Jesse Maines, division chief for Stormwater Management. Maines estimated the design was about halfway completed, but the department is still reaching out to local stakeholders and continuing internal discussions about the eventual design.

ACPS and T.C. Williams Need Less Leadership Turnover, Experts Say

By James Cullum

Published January 9, 2020 at 2:15PM

Continuity of leadership will be crucial to the success of the future expansion of T.C. Williams High School’s connected high school network, according to a panel of national experts who spoke to more than 100 parents, educators and staff on Wednesday night.

The Alexandria City Public Schools system has seen much turnover over the last two decades, with six superintendents over the last 20 years and just as many principals at T.C.

MLK Commemoration in Alexandria to Include Visit from National African American History Museum Director

By Vernon Miles

Published January 9, 2020 at 11:45AM | Updated March 15, 2024 at 2:40PM

The City of Alexandria planning to host a commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. next Wednesday, Jan. 15.

Old Town Power Plant to be Broken Up into Three Lots

By Vernon Miles

Published January 9, 2020 at 10:30AM

GenOn Power Plant (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

The enormous power plant in North Old Town has been shut down for nearly a decade, but plans have finally emerged to break the property up into smaller parcels for redevelopment.

The Potomac River Generating Station, more commonly known around Alexandria by its former name GenOn — which still adorns the building’s signs — was decommissioned in 2012.

Alexandria Man Wins $100,000 in Va. Lottery New Year’s Raffle

By ALXnow.com

Published January 9, 2020 at 9:30AM

A city resident is $100,000 richer — before taxes, at least — after buying a winning lottery ticket.

The Virginia Lottery says Tom Roltsch, an engineer from Alexandria, bought a New Year’s Millionaire Raffle ticket in Arlington, from the Harris Teeter in Pentagon City. His ticket number was one of five selected statewide on New Year’s Day for the $100,000 prize.

Kaine to Discuss War Powers at T.C. Williams

By ALXnow.com

Published January 9, 2020 at 8:00AM

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) is scheduled to meet with JROTC cadets at T.C. Williams High School on Friday afternoon.

The senator, who’s a member of the Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees, “will talk to students about his efforts to more clearly define the roles of Congress and the President in making our nation’s most important decision – whether to send our servicemembers into harm’s way,” according to a media alert.

New Laser Tag Bar in West End to Host Grand Opening on Friday

By Vernon Miles

Published January 8, 2020 at 3:40PM

Laser tag arena at Doyle's Outpost (photo via Doyle's Outpost/Facebook)

West End bar/arcade/laser tag arena Doyle’s Outpost is planning to host a grand opening celebration on Friday, Jan. 10.

The new “entertainment venue” in the Seminary Plaza shopping center (4620 Kenmore Avenue) features a restaurant and bar along with a two-level laser tag arena, with some arcade games and VR attractions thrown into the mix.

Bonaventure Waiting on City’s Del Ray Plans Before Making Moves on Mount Vernon Ave. Properties

By James Cullum

Published January 8, 2020 at 2:45PM

Cheesetique Del Ray (courtesy of Cheesetique)

It will be more than a year until Bonaventure Realty makes a move on plans for a swath of properties it recently purchased along Mount Vernon Ave. in Del Ray, according its Vice President Jeremy Moss.

The company, which last summer bought the properties at 2401, 2403 and 2411-2419 on Mount Vernon Ave., has no immediate plans for changes and jumped at the chance to purchase the properties.