News | ALXnow - Part 718

Morning Notes

Published January 19, 2022 at 5:00AM

House display outside an Old Town business, staff photo by Vernon Miles

Alexandria’s ‘Merchant of Menace’ along the waterfront — “Cummings’ International Armament Corporation, also known as Interarms, would ship millions of surplus military arms and ammunition to and from the waterfront pier and about 10 warehouses stretched along South Union Street between Prince and Wolfe streets.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

Metro General Manager Wiedefeld to retire in 6 months — “As the 7000 series investigation continues, Metro’s general manager announced his intention to retire in six months.” [Patch]

Wegmans kicks off hiring spree for Carlyle location ahead of spring opening

By Vernon Miles

Published January 18, 2022 at 3:45PM

Carlyle-Wegmans concept rendering, photo via Wegmans

With the opening of the Carlyle Wegmans right around the corner, the grocery store chain has kicked off a hiring spree for around 300 part-time positions.

The store is scheduled to open in May as part of the mixed-use Carlyle Crossing development. The Wegmans is one of the first grocery stores in the neighborhood.

Alexandria man cited by police after trying to bring gun onto plane at National Airport this weekend

By Vernon Miles

Published January 18, 2022 at 2:30PM

Alexandria man's firearm confiscated by airport security, photo courtesy TSA

An Alexandria man received a citation after he was caught at National Airport bringing a gun through security.

According to a press release from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), a TSA officer caught the gun among carry-on items at a security checkpoint.

Musical pop-ups: “Tiki” pop-up bar opening next week in Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published January 18, 2022 at 1:00PM

Ready for a Mangorita? Tiki, a new pop-up bar will open next week at 2312 Mount Vernon Avenue.

The former longtime home to The Sushi Bar was briefly converted into the Christmas-themed pop-up bar Joy On The Avenue, and more pop-ups at the location are being planned as plans for the final concept fall into place. For now, bamboo decorations are being put in place and Tiki masks have been painted on the walls.

Alexandria sees more than 7,000 new Covid cases in January

By James Cullum

Published January 18, 2022 at 11:00AM

Alexandria’s Covid numbers are going down, but the numbers of new reported cases continues to rise by the hundreds on a daily basis.

There have been 26,907 total cases reported by the Virginia Department of Health as of today (Monday, Jan. 18), and the number of deaths has climbed by two since last week to 163. Sunday, Jan. 17, saw the the fewest single day number of cases reported so far this year with 191 new cases.

Women’s fitness chain Athleta opens today in Old Town

By Vernon Miles

Published January 18, 2022 at 9:50AM

Athleta winter gear, photo via Athleta/Facebook

Women’s activewear store Athleta is opening today at 607 King Street in Old Town.

The store opens at 10 a.m. (so now-ish) and it open until 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, Athleta is open 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published January 18, 2022 at 5:00AM

She said yes! A couple gets engaged at Waterfront Park along the Potomac River in Old Town. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Say farewell to the Fairies of Del Ray–just for now! — “You might have noticed the petite doors and houses and stained glass windows hidden in the crooks of trees and crannies of rocks in the Del Ray neighborhood.” [Zebra]

I-395 Seminary Road ramp conversion OKed by VA board — “The conversion will allow solo riders to use the ramp for a toll and HOV-3 carpoolers to continue using it for free.” [Patch]

Local roads pretreated as snow starts to fall in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published January 16, 2022 at 2:35PM

Trucks prepared for pretreatment efforts, photo via Alexandria T&ES/Twitter

Nearly a fortnight after a snowstorm shut down Alexandria, the city’s emergency services finished pretreating local roads just before the snow started to fall.

“In advance of the storm, T&ES completed pretreatment of roads and snow response operations were deployed at 7:00 a.m.,” Alexandria Transportation and Environmental Services said on Twitter. “Snow response operates for 24 hours through the duration of winter weather events and staff will continue to monitor the weather conditions as the event ensues.”

Alexandria school system says masks still required, despite new executive order

By Vernon Miles

Published January 16, 2022 at 12:50PM

School Board Chair Meagan Alderton and Superintendent Gregory Hutchings, Jr. on August 24, 2021. (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

In a release to parents and staff put out today (Sunday), Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) said everyone in Alexandria schools will still be required to wear a mask despite an order issued by Gov. Glenn Youngkin to the contrary.

The state executive order came as a result of a back and forth between Virginia Democrats and Republicans over requiring masks in schools. Both Arlington and Fairfax County have issued similar messages to parents and staff.

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published January 14, 2022 at 3:30PM

It’s been a busy week in Alexandria with City Council coming back into session for the first time in 2022.

With a majority of the Council being new, there are fresh names and perspectives stories about city decision-making. Highlights from this week’s City Council meeting included a first look at plans for the city to — kind of — invest in a luxury hotel and bids to develop broadband internet access citywide.

How this Del Ray Farmer’s Market vendor adapted to the pandemic, exceeded 2019 sales

By James Cullum

Published January 14, 2022 at 2:50PM | Updated January 14, 2022 at 3:39PM

On New Year’s morning, Luke Shlagel of Shlagel Farms was among a handful of vendors at the weekly Del Ray Farmer’s Market. Some customers asked why he wasn’t hanging out with his family and taking the day off, and he had a simple answer.

“If I hadn’t come on New Year’s Day, that would have been 20 days since the last market,” Shlagel said. “Christmas was on a Saturday, New Year’s Day was on a Saturday, and if I waited for the following Saturday, the eighth, that’s too long for the community to be without us.”