News | ALXnow - Part 885

City Urges Drug Treatment Over Punishment as Opioid Overdoses Rise

Published December 3, 2020 at 1:45PM

The City of Alexandria is urging locals to become acquainted with overdose treatment as cases rise both statewide and locally.

“The Virginia Department of Health’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner reports that 2020 may be the worst year on record for fatal overdoses in Virginia,” the city said in a press release. “Preliminary figures from the second quarter of 2020 indicate a 66.8% increase in fatal drug overdoses in Virginia from the same period in 2019, suggesting a possible correlation with the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Women’s Clothing Store LOFT Closes in Old Town

By Vernon Miles

Published December 3, 2020 at 11:45AM

Women’s clothing store LOFT (423 King Street) has permanently closed.

The store had mostly positive reviews and was often busy, but was victim to Ascena Retail Group’s wider bankruptcy filings. The store had survived earlier rounds of closings this summer, which had claimed the stores in the Tysons Corner Center and Potomac Mills Mall but was closed as of early December.

New Restaurant Sought for New Carlyle Development

By Vernon Miles

Published December 3, 2020 at 10:30AM

A new restaurant could be coming to the west end of Carlyle

Developers are looking for anew restaurant to fill between 1,708-9,600 rentable square feet of space in the new Shops at Carlyle Tower development along Eisenhower.

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published December 3, 2020 at 9:00AM

Today Marks 69th Anniversary of Annexation of the West End — “Happy Annexation Day, West end! Today, December 3rd in 1951, the city of Alexandria received the land west of Quaker Lane, doubling the size of the city!” [John Chapman/Facebook]

Alexandria Libraries Go Back to Curbside Only — “Effective this Monday, Dec. 7, the library will offer curbside-only and virtual services until further notice. Although library buildings will be closed, library staff will offer telephone support and virtual reference during curbside hours.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

Initial and Continued Unemployment Claims Down Last Week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published December 2, 2020 at 4:40PM

Alexandria’s continued and weekly unemployment claims are continuing to go down, according to the Virginia Employment Commission.

There were 1,513 continued claims for the week ending Nov. 21, a slight decrease from the 1,628 continued claims filed for the week for the week ending Nov. 14. There were also 1,933 continued claims for the week ending Nov. 7; 1,942 continued claims for the week ending Oct. 31; 2,340 claims for the week ending Oct. 24; 2,353 claims for the week ending Oct. 17; and 2,891 claims for the week ending Oct. 10.

‘Bourne Identity’ Screening at Victory Center This Weekend

By Vernon Miles

Published December 2, 2020 at 3:30PM

5001 Eisenhower Avenue (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

On Friday, a government contractor is finally moving into the Victory Center.

The first Jason Bourne movie, The Bourne Identity, is the featured screening at The Victory Center (5001 Eisenhower Avenue). Drive-in movies have been popular this year, with movie theaters remaining closed.

Animal Welfare League of Alexandria Reports Pet Adoptions Are Up This Year

By James Cullum

Published December 2, 2020 at 2:30PM

Need a new best friend? The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria says that their number of pet adoptions is up this year.

“It’s a very stressful time and a pet can really be a companion, they can provide support,” Gina Hardter, a spokesperson with the AWLA told ALXnow. “Even though this is a terrible time it’s been a wonderful time to show us just what is important in our lives, and one of those things is the unconditional love that a pet can give.”

Planning Commission Approves Potomac Yard Park Expansion

By Vernon Miles

Published December 2, 2020 at 1:30PM

While further south Alexandria is finalizing plans for the northern end of the Old Town Waterfront, the overall north point of the Alexandria waterfront is about to get some love too.

At a Planning Commission meeting yesterday approved plans for several new pieces of Potomac Yard, including a sweeping new plan for a 4.6 acre extension at Potomac Yard Park that will run from just south of the planned Potomac Yard Metro station to Four Mile Run.

Poll: Did You Buy Local in Alexandria This Weekend?

By Vernon Miles

Published December 2, 2020 at 11:30AM

This weekend was both Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, and for many local stores it was a hope that holiday shopping could keep local stores alive into 2021.

If you didn’t shop local, it’s not too late to show some support for small businesses in Alexandria: Visit Alexandria is currently sponsoring a Shop Small Week scheduled to run through Sunday, Dec. 6.

Alexandria Refines Accessory Dwelling Units Policy and Cuts Parking Requirement

By Vernon Miles

Published December 2, 2020 at 10:50AM

Alexandria is moving forward with plans to implement new Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) policies aimed at making it easier to build units both attached to existing houses and separately on residential lots.

ADUs are generally small units sold or rented out to residents other than those in the main house. ADUs increase the availability of housing stock and have been eyed as a potential solution to the decline in market-rate affordable housing. These hopes for ADUs are also frequently paired with concerns that they could add density to Alexandria’s existing neighborhoods.

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published December 2, 2020 at 9:00AM

Walking in the rain along Russell Road in Alexandria (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

ACPS Eyes Late January as Earliest Date for In-Person Classes — “Frustrated parents are continuing to push Alexandria City Public Schools officials to reopen schools for in-person instruction, but the earliest possible date for some students will be in the second half of January” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

Free Coffee for Frontline Workers at Alexandria Starbucks — “Front-line workers can get free coffee throughout December from Starbucks locations throughout the United States, including these three in Alexandria.” [Patch]