Author: Vernon Miles

Vernon Miles is the ALXnow cofounder and editor. He's covered Alexandria since 2014 and has been with Local News Now since 2018. When he's not reporting, he can usually be found playing video games or Dungeons and Dragons with friends.

Around Town

New partnership creates fresh opportunities for Arlington County Fair next month

By Vernon Miles
View from the ferris wheel at the 2024 Arlington County Fair (staff photo)

Matt Richards knows exactly what he wants to do on Saturday, Aug. 16: grab a beer and relax in the upper field at the Arlington County Fair.

After five years as chair of the Arlington County Fair Board, Richards is among those on the all-volunteer board who will be able to take a breath and enjoy the fruits of their labor this year thanks to a new partnership with the Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation.

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News

Cuts to Medicaid and food assistance raise alarm bells for Arlington’s safety net

By Vernon Miles, Scott McCaffrey and Katie Taranto
An Arlington Free Clinic nurse administers a COVID-19 vaccine (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Federal cuts to Medicaid and food-assistance programs are expected to place greater strain on Arlington’s most vulnerable residents and the social services that support them.

Arlington County officials, health-care workers and nonprofits are still scrambling to determine the local impacts of the new federal spending bill approved last week.

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News

Arlington Public Library warns of longer wait times after budget cuts

By Vernon Miles
Birds reflected in the windows of the Shirlington Library (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Arlington Public Library is warning local readers to expect longer wait times for popular titles after the collections budget was slashed.

In a release, the library said the collections budget was decreased by 21% in fiscal year.

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News

D.C. soul food chain gets new life at ghost kitchen near Shirlington

By Vernon Miles
Crab cake sandwich at NuVegan (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

A vegan soul food institution is living on just east of Shirlington, even after its original location in D.C. closed last year.

NuVegan Cafe — formerly Everlasting Life — used to attract long lines in Columbia Heights, with locals and visitors alike lining up to get soul food from an entirely vegan menu.

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News

Columbia Pike Blues Festival returns tomorrow, rain or shine

By Vernon Miles
Columbia Pike Blues Festival (photo via Arlington Arts/Facebook)

Despite a rainy forecast and a military parade shutting down some Arlington streets, the Columbia Pike Blues Festival is still a go tomorrow.

The annual summer celebration and showcase of local talent will take place from 1-8:30 p.m., bringing live blues music, food, drinks and vendors to S. Walter Reed Drive from 9th Street S. to Columbia Pike.

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Around Town

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Pickles McButterpants

By Vernon Miles
Pickles McButterpants (photo via AWLA/Facebook)

Snuggly mixed-breed dog Pickles McButterpants is looking for a new home and, thanks to a donation, his adoption fee is free.

The whimsically named dog is two years old and is described by the Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA) as very affectionate, though he would prefer to be the only pet in the house.

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News

Defunct truck depot on Columbia Pike could become new ‘mini park’

By Vernon Miles
Construction at 4110 Columbia Pike (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

A former truck depot on Columbia Pike that became a sudden and unexpected bus stop in 2019 could take on a life as a miniature park.

A property at 4110 Columbia Pike, currently home to a 7-Eleven and previously the site of a Penske truck rental, is one of three planned locations for “mini parks” included in the Barcroft Apartments development project.

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Around Town

Juneteenth celebration returns to Pentagon City next week

By Vernon Miles
Juneteenth celebration in Arlington (photo via Arlington Chamber of Commerce/Facebook)

Pentagon City’s second annual Juneteenth Community Day is returning next week.

The free celebration, hosted by the Arlington nonprofit Challenging Racism, is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 19, at Metropolitan Park (1330 S. Fair Street). The event will include live music, performances and food trucks.

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News

Pedestrian-focused upgrades proposed along Shirlington’s Campbell Avenue

By Vernon Miles
Rendering of proposed Campbell Avenue streetscape changes (via Federal Realty Investment Trust/Teams)

Plans to develop a new streetscape along Campbell Avenue could bring a more pedestrian-oriented focus to Shirlington beginning next year.

Property management company Federal Realty Investment Trust, which owns the Village at Shirlington retail center, proposes to overhaul the neighborhood’s central avenue with the following improvements.

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