News | ALXnow - Part 777

Morning Notes

Published July 13, 2021 at 5:00AM | Updated July 13, 2021 at 7:03AM

Video shows married gay couple facing down deluge of anti-gay, anti-Asian slurs — “Neighbors say they’ve never heard anything like it anywhere. Vile anti-gay slurs caught on a Ring camera hurled at a gay couple in the heart of Old Town Alexandria. Anti-Asian slurs too. All in a long-simmering dispute over a back alley parking space. The white couple caught on tape insist they’re not anti-gay or anti-Asian, but the language is pretty rough.” [WUSA9]

Little Free Pantry opens outside Charles Houston Recreation Center — “Located right next to the rec center, with a fresh coat of blue paint and packed full of everything from peanuts to fajita kits, the new Little Free Pantry is the culmination of five years of work for Old Town resident Hope Nelson. Little Free Pantries, which allow residents to donate as much as they want and take as much as they need, have sprung up across the country as part of a grassroots movement to provide short-term solutions for food insecurity.” [Alex Times]

Alexandria sees COVID-19 uptick as health department says unvaccinated account for majority of new cases

By James Cullum

Published July 12, 2021 at 3:30PM | Updated July 14, 2021 at 10:35AM

Alexandria has seen a jump in its COVID-19 numbers this month, as the state health department says unvaccinated Virginians are making up 99.6% of new cases.

The Virginia Department of Health, on Friday, revealed the information in a new dashboard that launched Friday. Alexandria has suffered 11,921 reported cases, 140 deaths and 572 hospitalizations since the onset of the pandemic. The last death was reported on July 1, there were two deaths in June and four deaths in May.

Bilingual Montessori prechool to open in Rosemont church

By Vernon Miles

Published July 12, 2021 at 2:30PM

A new billingual Montessori program for pre-school children could open at the First Assembly of God Church (700 W. Braddock Road) in the Rosemont area.

Owner Flor Brea has filed an application with the city to open a program called Matteo Place Montessori Bilingual Preschool. According to the application, the program will teach children ages 2-6. The program is designed to teach up to 60 children with 10 employees.

West End high-rise apartment building evacuated after power outage

By James Cullum

Published July 12, 2021 at 12:35PM

An electrical malfunction prompted the evacuation of the 17-story apartment building at 6060 Tower Court in the West End on Monday, July 12, 2021. (Courtesy Google Maps)

An electrical malfunction has prompted the required evacuation of a 17-story apartment building in the West End.

The power went out at Key Towers at 6060 Tower Court shortly before 5 a.m., and the city’s DASH bus service is helping transport evacuated residents to a cooling center at Patrick Henry Recreation Center, which is just over two miles away. There are 140 units in the 1960s-era building and Monday’s temperature is expected to reach the mid-90s.

Chef Justus Frank is focusing on family with Elo’s Italian Pop-Up in Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published July 12, 2021 at 11:05AM | Updated July 12, 2021 at 2:48PM

Chef Justus Frank wants you to stay a while, and his strategy is Italian food.

In May, Frank and business partner Jeremy Barber said goodbye to their date night spot Live Oak at 1603 Commonwealth Avenue and reopened with Elo’s Italian Restaurant and Bar pop-up. The new concept opened its patio in May with a focus on family. They even have a kids menu.

Mayor pushes for state-level building safety reform after Florida disaster

By Vernon Miles

Published July 12, 2021 at 9:45AM

Southern Towers (staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Last week Mayor Justin Wilson shared information on building inspection requirements following the disaster in Florida, but now the city is also pushing for state-level reform on building inspections.

The city’s scope of implementing building code inspection requirements is bound by the Dillon Rule, which states that localities can only exercise powers expressly granted by the state. On July 8, Wilson sent a letter to Governor Ralph Northam urging him to start the legislative process toward overhauling the state’s barebones inspection requirements.

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published July 12, 2021 at 5:00AM

Walking in the summer rain near the Torpedo Factory Art Center along the Alexandria waterfront (staff photo by James Cullum)

Bryan Watson, former NHL player, Bugsy’s Pizza founder, dies — “Watson founded Bugsy’s Pizza Restaurant and Sports Bar in 1983, crafting it into a favorite sports bar in Old Town Alexandria. It was initially known as The Penalty Box before adopting his nickname ‘Bugsy’s’. As reported by the Capitals, Watson displayed various artifacts, sweaters, equipment and photos at Bugsy’s and shared stories of his hockey career with customers.” [Patch]

Alexandria native serves with U.S. Navy Amphibious Squadron — “Lt. Anton Ekman is a 2011 graduate of Bishop Ireton High School and 2015 U.S. Naval Academy graduate. Today, Ekman serves as a cryptologic warfare officer.” [Zebra]

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published July 9, 2021 at 3:30PM

A tour guide tells a story on a hot July day in front of the Carlyle House at 121 N. Fairfax Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Turbulent week in Alexandria, with tropical storms battering the city and locals struggling with a dangerous heat wave.

It was a big week for city politics, with the City Council meeting in-person for the first time in over a year. At the meeting, the Council approved some development plans for Landmark Mall and cut funding away for school resource officers.

City looking for 100-year-old residents for centenarian celebration

By Vernon Miles

Published July 9, 2021 at 2:15PM

Senior citizen, via Tiago Muraro/Unsplash

The city is looking to get a count-of and celebrate it’s 100+ year-old residents.

The City of Alexandria announced in a press release that, in partnership with the Successful Aging Committee, the city is celebrating National Centenarian Day on Sept. 28 with a look at the experiences and achievements of Alexandrians who have lived long enough to be designated for historic preservation by the Board of Architectural Review.

Here’s the plan for Alexandria’s birthday celebration this weekend

By Vernon Miles

Published July 9, 2021 at 1:00PM

A multi-frame exposure of fireworks over Arlington's Westover on July 4th (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Were you wondering where the city’s fireworks were this weekend?

Fret not: the city reserves its fireworks and pageantry for Saturday, July 10, the celebration of the City of Alexandria’s birthday — a tradition that outdates 4th of July.

Del. Mark Levine raises eyebrows with letter that passes buck on constituent service

By James Cullum

Published July 9, 2021 at 10:45AM

Delegate Mark Levine says a recent letter to a constituent has been taken out of context, and that his office is still helping 45th District residents deal with unemployment and other issues with state agencies.

In the June letter, Levine apologized to a constituent and said his recent election loss limited his ability to help with issues related to the Virginia Employment Commission.