News | ALXnow - Part 733

Adoptable cat Remus knows a few tricks

Published December 9, 2021 at 1:00PM

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria has a clever cat on its hands. Remus, a three-year-old male black cat, has learned a number of tricks with clicker training.

“Just like a dog, cats can learn tricks through clicker-training, and Remus is such a clever cookie that he’s been doing just that,” AWLA spokesperson Gina Hardter told ALXnow. “In exchange for learning tricks like Sit, Spin, and High Five, Remus has been teaching the staff at the AWLA how to give treats, give more treats, and don’t stop giving treats.”

There’s a ‘Goodnight Moon Room’ installation at the Torpedo Factory Art Center

By James Cullum

Published December 9, 2021 at 10:50AM | Updated February 11, 2022 at 10:49AM

The Goodnight Moon Room at the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town, Alexandria. (staff photo by James Cullum)

(Updated on Feb. 11) Fans of the “Goodnight Moon” classic children’s book are in for a treat, as there’s a new Goodnight Moon Room installation at the Torpedo Factory Art Center.

The project in Studio 9 is led by longtime Torpedo Factory artist Lisa Schumaier, who said she wants to give visitors a literary hug.

Fire Department: Overloaded electrical outlet likely caused three-alarm Del Ray fire

By James Cullum

Published December 9, 2021 at 10:05AM

The Alexandria Fire Department responds to a blaze in the 100 block of E. Del Ray Avenue on Friday, Nov. 19, 2021 (staff photo by James Cullum)

An overloaded electrical outlet is likely the cause behind last month’s three-alarm fire in a Del Ray duplex, the Alexandria Fire Department announced Wednesday.

Two adults and a child were displaced by the blaze, which occurred at around 6 p.m. on Friday, November 19. A cat is still missing, according to APD.

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published December 9, 2021 at 5:00AM | Updated December 9, 2021 at 11:00AM

(Updated 10:50 a.m.) ACHS basketball coach suspended after confronting hecklers — “Alexandria City boys’ basketball coach Darryl Prue has been suspended indefinitely following an in-game incident in which he went into the crowd to confront fans Tuesday night at Wakefield.” [Washington Post]

Alexandria gets record-low interest rate on Landmark bond deal — “The City government has earned the lowest interest rate in its modern history on the competitive sale of new general obligation bonds. The bonds will fund capital improvement investments for the City and Alexandria City Public Schools, and the first payment for purchase of land for the redevelopment of Landmark Mall as the future site of Inova Alexandria Hospital.” [City of Alexandria]

APD: 23-year-old woman murdered in the West End

By Vernon Miles

Published December 8, 2021 at 11:55PM | Updated December 9, 2021 at 12:01PM

Alexandria Police at night (staff photo by James Cullum)

(Updated at 12 p.m.) The Alexandria Police Department has ruled the death of a 23-year-old black woman in the West End as a homicide.

Police responded to a call for service at the 40 block of South Van Dorn Street on Tuesday, Dec. 7, at approximately 2:40 p.m. In a press release, police said upon arriving they found a 23-year-old black female deceased in her apartment. Today (Wednesday), police said a medical examiner ruled the cause of death to be homicide.

Fort Ward Museum planning a Christmas-overhaul for the Civil War camp

By Vernon Miles

Published December 8, 2021 at 3:45PM

A reenactor dressed as a Civil War-era depiction of Santa, photo courtesy Fort Ward Museum

A celebration this weekend will look at how Christmas was commemorated during the Civil War at Fort Ward, a Civil War fort turned museum in Alexandria.

The family-friendly event is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 11, from noon to 4 p.m.

Alexandria to promote new plastic bag tax with outreach campaign

By James Cullum

Published December 8, 2021 at 2:15PM

Alexandria is about to embark on a public relations campaign in response to the 5 cent Plastic Bag Tax, which goes into effect next month.

In a meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 14, the City Council will consider the release of $30,000 from contingent reserves to the city’s Department of Transportation and Environmental Services for outreach on the matter.

How King beat Cameron to be Alexandria’s main street

By Vernon Miles

Published December 8, 2021 at 1:15PM

With all due respect to Mount Vernon Avenue, King Street is probably Alexandria’s most iconic roadway — but it wasn’t intended to be.

Today, King Street is synonymous with Old Town and runs out to the northwest corner of the city, where it becomes Leesburg Pike. According to Historic Alexandria, the office that oversees the city’s museums and historic sites, back in 1749 city planners had intended for Cameron Street to be the main avenue in Alexandria.

Alexandria City High School student Abdelraman Aboud Abdelsadig awarded QuestBridge Scholarship

By James Cullum

Published December 8, 2021 at 10:45AM | Updated December 8, 2021 at 12:58PM

Earlier this month, Alexandria City High School senior Abdelraman Aboud Abdelsadig received life-changing news. After submitting all his paperwork and waiting a month, Abdelsadi was awarded the competitive QuestBridge Scholarship to attend Colby College in Maine.

The scholarship is worth about $300,000, and Abdelsadig found out about the award at school on Dec. 1.

Torpedo Factory overhaul gets a price tag and timeline

By Vernon Miles

Published December 8, 2021 at 10:05AM

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

After taking some flack for not having the financial impacts at-hand; Diane Ruggiero, director of the Office of the Arts, returned to the Waterfront Commission on Monday with pricing for modernizing the Torpedo Factory.

Julian Gonsalves, assistant city manager for public/private partnerships, talked through the cost estimates for the Torpedo Factory overhaul. Continuing as-is, with relatively minor building repairs funded over time with artist space being left mostly untouched, was priced at $16 million.

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published December 8, 2021 at 5:00AM

City seeking an aquatics coordinator — “The Aquatics Recreation Coordinator works with the Aquatic Manager and Chinquapin management team in overseeing and leading programs and staff for all aquatic facilities.” [Washington Post Jobs]

Alexandrian publishes book on local Scottish history — “Hamilton began research on the project in 2016, spending over a year diving into Alexander’s book, his citations, and other archival sources related to the migration of Scots to America.” [Zebra]