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.

News

Independent County Board Candidate Chasing Repeat of 2014 Upset

By Vernon Miles
Adam Theo, independent candidate for the Arlington County Board (courtesy photo)

In heavily-blue Arlington County, independent candidate Adam Theo faces an uphill battle to pry local voters away from the incumbent Democrats in favor of his libertarian platform.

Theo said his multi-year campaign strategy has a pretty simple tactic at its heart: showing local progressives they have more in common with him than with the current County Board members.

Go to Independent County Board Candidate Chasing Repeat of 2014 Upset Read more
Around Town

Gym, Barbershop, and More Set to Open in Shirlington

By Vernon Miles
F45 in Shirlington (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Throughout this fall, there could be a few new faces around Shirlington as high-intensity gym F45 and some other businesses plan to launch in the next few months.

The gym is scheduled to have its grand opening at 2800 S. Randolph Street on Saturday, Sept. 11, according to a press release, though staff working amid a torrential downpour earlier this week said the gym had a soft launch last Saturday.

Go to Gym, Barbershop, and More Set to Open in Shirlington Read more
Around Town

New Restaurant Santé Aims to Bring Mediterranean Cuisine to Pentagon City

By Vernon Miles
Santé interior rendering, courtesy The Brand Guild

A restaurant specializing in cuisine from across the Mediterranean is planning on bringing that seaside vision to this side of the Potomac.

Santé, a restaurant described in a press release as “Mediterranean-inspired”, is scheduled to open in The Ritz-Carlton (1250 S. Hayes Street) in Pentagon City sometime this fall.

Go to New Restaurant Santé Aims to Bring Mediterranean Cuisine to Pentagon City Read more
Around Town

Volunteers Needed to Help Restore Mount Vernon Trail Near Crystal City

By Vernon Miles
Grime-covered wall on the Mount Vernon Trail, (via Friends of Mount Vernon Trail/Twitter)

Like a lot of us, the Mount Vernon Trail has gotten a shabby and unkempt over the last year, and the Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail group is looking for some local help to get it back into shape.

The group is planning to meet this Saturday, Aug. 14, from 8-10 a.m. at Crystal City Water Park (1601 Crystal Drive).

Go to Volunteers Needed to Help Restore Mount Vernon Trail Near Crystal City Read more
News

Mount Vernon Trail Widening Project Gets Funding

By Vernon Miles
Bicyclists on the Mt. Vernon Trail while a boat on the Potomac passes by (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The good news for users of the Mount Vernon Trail is that a proposed widening project was selected for state funding. The bad news? It will be 2026 before work even starts on the project.

As anyone who has bicycled or walked along the popular trail could likely attest, there are parts that can feel dangerously narrow. Last year, the National Park Service released a report recommending widening. The report noted that there were 225 reported bike and pedestrian crashes on the trail between 2006 and 2010, many of them at crash hotspots near National Airport and the 14th Street Bridge.

Go to Mount Vernon Trail Widening Project Gets Funding Read more
News

Rep. Beyer: Calls to Defund the Police are ‘One of the Dumbest Things I’ve Ever Heard’

By Vernon Miles
Rep. Don Beyer recognizing Arlington First Responders (via Arlington County)

Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) swung by the Arlington County Board last week to recognize 60 local first responders who responded to the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

It’s the latest step in a complicated dance for the congressman, facing a new primary challenger, as Democrats nationwide grapple with how to balance public safety concerns with outcry over police killings and accusations of brutality.

Go to Rep. Beyer: Calls to Defund the Police are ‘One of the Dumbest Things I’ve Ever Heard’ Read more
News

Local Democrat Challenges Rep. Don Beyer in 8th District Primary

By Vernon Miles
Victoria Virasingh (via Victoria Virasingh/Facebook)

Arlingtonian Victoria Virasingh has thrown her hat into the ring to challenge Rep. Don Beyer for the 8th District Democratic primary next year.

Beyer has held onto the 8th District, which includes parts of Arlington and Alexandria, since he won a crowded primary for former Congressman Jim Moran’s seat in 2014 and the general election later that year.

Go to Local Democrat Challenges Rep. Don Beyer in 8th District Primary Read more
Events

Arlington Agenda: July 12-18

By Vernon Miles
Fencing (courtesy of Nova Fencing Club)

Arlington Agenda is a listing of interesting events for the week ahead in Arlington County. If you’d like your event considered, fill out the event submission form to submit it to our event calendar.

The Nova Fencing & Archery Club is offering an introduction to the Olympic sport of fencing. The class is aimed at ages 7-12 and meets twice a week for four weeks.

Go to Arlington Agenda: July 12-18 Read more
Around Town

South Arlington Bear Statues Moved Inside to Avoid Grizzly Fate

By Vernon Miles
South Arlington bear statues, now indoors, courtesy Arlington County

Curious Arlingtonians want to know: what happened to the bears at Thomas Jefferson Park?

In 2017 a set of bear figures were carved into a tree stump during that summer’s Arlington County Fair, a local told ARLnow on Twitter. But the following summer, they were gone, with only saw dust and the bottom of the stump left behind.

Go to South Arlington Bear Statues Moved Inside to Avoid Grizzly Fate Read more
Events

Arlington Agenda: June 28-July 11

By Vernon Miles
Freddie’s Beach Bar on 23rd St. S in Crystal City (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Arlington Agenda is a listing of interesting events for the week ahead in Arlington County. If you’d like your event considered, fill out the event submission form to submit it to our event calendar.

Because we have Monday off next week, this Agenda will cover the next two weeks of events.

Go to Arlington Agenda: June 28-July 11 Read more
View More Stories