News | ALXnow - Part 722

Morning Notes

Published January 7, 2022 at 5:00AM

Meggrolls closes after five-year run on Fayette Street but owner hints it’s not goodbye — “Meg Baroody taped a piece of paper on the glass of her shop that announces the run on her beloved ‘meggrolls’ is over on Fayette Street in Old Town, stating ‘It’s been the greatest pleasure sharing Meggrolls with you these past 5 years,’ adding hints it will not be the last we see of her.” [Zebra]

3 new spots to look forward to in 2022 — “Foxtrot, Turkish Coffee and Lady Camellia Pastry and Tea Room are opening this year.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

School closed tomorrow as students and staff both get proper snow day

By Vernon Miles

Published January 6, 2022 at 5:10PM

As it turns out, Wednesday was the last day this week kids would return to Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) as both students and teachers get their snow day.

At 5 p.m. today (Thursday), ACPS announced that school would be fully closed on Friday. All activities in school or on school grounds are canceled, and ACPS officials told ALXnow that there won’t be virtual school tomorrow either.

City suspends trash and recycling collection this week due to snow and COVID

By Vernon Miles

Published January 6, 2022 at 3:30PM

Trash and recycling collection has been suspended for the rest of the week as the city prepares for potential snow tonight just days after Monday’s snowstorm.

The city has previously said trash collection days would operate a day or two behind schedule, but a press release from the City of Alexandria today noted that the city is dealing with a perfect storm of issues hindering trash-recovery operations.

Sneakers and slip-ons: How Comfort One Shoes adapted to the pandemic

By James Cullum

Published January 6, 2022 at 1:00PM | Updated January 6, 2022 at 4:49PM

Faced with a drastic disruption in foot traffic, Alexandria-based Comfort One Shoes had to pivot. The pandemic forced the company to focus its energy on online sales, bringing in more casual merchandise and closing the Union Station location in D.C.

Company President Garrett Breton says the efforts made 2021 sales higher than the pre-pandemic year of 2019.

ALIVE! launching reusable bag drive to reduce waste at free food distributions

By James Cullum

Published January 6, 2022 at 10:45AM

Alexandria nonprofit ALIVE! is launching a reusable bag drive later this month to help residents get free food and reduce waste.

ALIVE has given away millions of pounds of food to city residents since the pandemic started, and the reusable bags are also intended to bring awareness to the city’s new 5 cent plastic bag tax. The bag tax went into effect on Jan. 1.

Onyx, the adoptable cat, is a protector

By James Cullum

Published January 6, 2022 at 9:50AM

Onyx, 8-year-old black male cat, is up for adoption via the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.

“A vigilant protector, Onyx may not be a lap cat but prefers to sit near to his favorite people, to ensure they are safe from attackers, but not too far that they can’t give him all the attention he asks for,” AWLA spokesperson Gina Hardter told ALXnow. “Don’t worry, Onyx will let you know when it’s enough.”

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published January 6, 2022 at 5:00AM

All primary, secondary and intermediate streets in the City are clear of snow — “As of 6 p.m., all primary, secondary and intermediate streets in the City are clear. Residential streets are 97% clear, with a limited number of residential streets needing additional work.” [Twitter]

Stepping down after 16 years, Alexandria sheriff laments mental health crisis in jails — “Dana Lawhorne remembers the bad police officers — the ones who wouldn’t even come into his family’s house when he called as a child. But he also remembers the one who would take his mother upstairs and try to persuade her to get help for alcoholism.” [Washington Post]

ACPS cancels school in Alexandria for students, but staff will have a virtual workday

By Vernon Miles

Published January 5, 2022 at 7:35PM

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) has announced that school is canceled for tomorrow (Thursday) after three days of virtual learning to allow for a virtual workday.

Classes were held online Monday, Tuesday and today as the city continues to recover from Monday’s snowstorm and as the city goes through a resurgence of COVID-19. Extracurricular activities are also canceled.

Winter Weather Advisory issued ahead of Thursday night snow

By Vernon Miles

Published January 5, 2022 at 3:45PM

Just three days after a snowstorm hit Alexandria, the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued an advisory that more snow could be incoming tomorrow night.

A winter weather advisory is in effect from 9 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday) to 5 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 7.

Alexandria Restaurant Week returns this month with new dining options

By Vernon Miles

Published January 5, 2022 at 2:30PM

Visit Alexandria has announced new details for the next Alexandria Restaurant Week, scheduled for Jan. 21-30.

The week (give or take three days) is a twice-annual event in Alexandria where around 70 restaurants across the city offer $35 per-person dinners.

New Alexandria School Board gets sworn into office virtually

By James Cullum

Published January 5, 2022 at 1:15PM

Alexandria School Board Chair Meagan Alderton is sworn into office, Jan. 4, 2022. (Via Zoom)

With the pandemic and snow prompting a completely virtual ceremony, the new Alexandria School Board was sworn into office on Tuesday (Jan. 4).

Board Chair Meagan Alderton was also unanimously reelected by her colleagues to serve as leader for another year, and Member Jacinta Greene was named vice chair.