News | ALXnow - Part 882

Morning Notes

Published November 4, 2020 at 9:00AM

Virtual Opening Thursday for New Alexandria Townhomes — “Winchester Homes will host a virtual grand opening Thursday, Nov. 5, for Bren Pointe, a new 97-unit townhome community opening in Alexandria.” [Alexandria Living]

Indoor Sports Leagues Cancelled for 2021 Winter Season — “All indoor leagues organized by the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities (RPCA) are cancelled, including youth and adult basketball, adult volleyball, youth sports affiliate Alexandria Soccer Association’s indoor futsal league, and social sport gymnasium rentals. Small group sports classes, which are lower risk activities, will continue and will follow federal, state, and local guidelines for the safety of participants and staff. ” [City of Alexandria]

Election Update: Senator Mark Warner, Congressman Don Beyer Win Reelection

By James Cullum

Published November 3, 2020 at 5:30PM | Updated November 3, 2020 at 9:48PM

Updated at 9 p.m. — U.S. Senator Mark Warner and Alexandria’s Congressman Don Beyer have won reelection.

With 2,241 of 2,285 precincts reporting, Warner appeared to be down 43% to 57% against his opponent Republican Daniel Gade, although NPR called the race for Warner shortly after polls closed.

Poll: What Are Your Election Night Plans?

By Vernon Miles

Published November 3, 2020 at 4:30PM

Voters line up to vote early in Old Town (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

There’s no way to be sure when election results will be finalized, but that’s likely not going to stop local political junkies from staying up to watch preliminary results come in.

For others somehow living in the D.C. without being engage in politics, tonight could just be another standard Tuesday evening, or they could be actively avoiding engaging with the political speculation. Depending on the result, some are preparing for potential protests in D.C.

Homegrown Restaurant Group Donates 600+ Lunches to Alexandria Election Workers

By James Cullum

Published November 3, 2020 at 3:45PM

Voting in Alexandria (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Homegrown Restaurant Group is donating lunch to all election officials in Alexandria today.

With 30 polling stations in the city, that’s about 600 lunches.

City Opens Winter Shelter for Homeless in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published November 3, 2020 at 2:30PM

As anyone going to vote in-person today can attest, winter’s bitter chill has started to set in. Temperatures are expected to hit a low of 41 degrees tomorrow. For the city’s most vulnerable populations, however, shelter has opened to help locals experiencing homelessness get through the winter.

“A shelter at Lee Center (1108 Jefferson) is serving single adults and another at Carpenter’s Shelter (5701 Duke St., Suite D) is serving families,” the city said on its website. “The Winter Shelter program, also called hypothermia shelters, is operated by Carpenter’s Shelter to ensure that guests have a warm, clean and safe environment to retreat from the elements of winter at night.”

Lights On: Settlement Reached Over Lights at T.C. Williams High School’s Parker-Gray Stadium

By James Cullum

Published November 3, 2020 at 1:15PM

Two years after the city council approved the addition to stadium lights as part of the renovation of Parker-Gray Stadium at T.C. Williams High School, lawsuits have been settled with 15 Alexandria homeowners to allow the installation to happen.

“This is a historic settlement that ends decades of dispute relating to our City’s only high school,” Mayor Justin Wilson wrote on social media. “I am pleased that we will be able to move forward together as a community to support our students and our residents.”

Victory Center to Split at Upcoming Planning Commission Meeting

By Vernon Miles

Published November 3, 2020 at 11:30AM

5001 Eisenhower Avenue (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The Victory Center has been an anchor along Eisenhower Avenue for years; a towering, empty complex on a massive, vacant parking lot. But that could change this week as plans move forward to subdivide the lot and prepare for future development.

The first part of plans to reshape the Victory Center will be a subdivision going to the Planning Commission on Thursday, Nov. 5.

Election Day: How and Where to Vote in Alexandria Now

By James Cullum

Published November 3, 2020 at 10:30AM

Voters line up to vote early in Old Town (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

It’s election day, November 3, 2020. Here’s what you need to know about voting today in Alexandria.

On the ballot for Nov. 3 is the race for president and vice president, a U.S. Senate and Congressional seat and two proposed Constitutional Amendments.

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published November 3, 2020 at 9:00AM

Beyer Slams Trump Before Election — “He has run the most corrupt presidential administration in history.” [Twitter]

Free COVID Test Pop-Ups Twice a Week — “The City is continuing our targeted COVID-19 testing initiative in partnership with @NeighborhoodHth into November. Starting tomorrow, our free testing pop-ups are now scheduled twice a week!” [Twitter]

Del Ray Enjoys Active Halloween Spirit Despite Pandemic Distancing

By Vernon Miles

Published November 2, 2020 at 5:00PM

1st place Judge's Choice in the Visit Del Ray costume competition (photo via Visit Del Ray/Facebook)

This weekend was a pleasant surprise for Pat Miller, an Alexandria Living Legend and board member of the Del Ray Business Association. While trick or treating was discouraged due to the pandemic and Halloween expected to be relatively quiet this year, Miller said the neighborhood’s scavenger hunt saw surprisingly active participation.

“It went amazing,” said Miller. “We got over 60 scavenger hunt forms filled out. All these people were walking around, looking and looking in Del Ray.”

Volunteer Now: Senior Services of Alexandria Urgently Needs Drivers for Meals On Wheels

By James Cullum

Published November 2, 2020 at 3:45PM

Senior Services of Alexandria urgently needs drivers to deliver thousands of weekly Meals On Wheels to senior residents in need.

“It takes less than two hours of your time to deliver meals,” according to SSA. “And don’t worry, we’ll train you.”