There were no injuries after an elderly woman drove through a front window of Palm Beach Tan (3690 King Street) in the Bradlee Shopping Center on Friday afternoon (Nov. 13).
Palm Beach Tan staff told ALXnow that they saw the blue sedan heading toward the window and were able to get out of the way in time. Staffers then helped the woman out of her vehicle, and the Alexandria Fire Department determined there was no structural damage to the building, according to radio dispatches.
Opposing factions are gearing up for City Council’s public hearing on appeals of the Russell Road Safe Routes to School Project on Saturday.
The city wants to make safety changes to Russell Road near Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School following a Safe Routes to School walk audit, finding that three people were injured in nine traffic crashes along the corridor since 2017.
Alexandria already feels like home. It’s the trails you walk, the restaurants you return to, and the easy reach of D.C. that make it all work. The question is whether your home feels as right as the city around it. For those who love Alexandria but want more space, more privacy, and more choice, Van Metre at Banner Heights offers a new opportunity to have it all, just minutes from I-495, I-95, and Old Town Alexandria.
Every Van Metre homesite at Banner Heights has a backyard that doesn’t face into another homesite, so the space behind your home is entirely yours, and a deck or covered terrace makes it the spot for a quiet morning or a long evening with friends. Four levels offer up to five bedrooms and an optional elevator. From there, 20+ personalization options let you decide the rest: add a bedroom on the lower or fourth levels, a great room fireplace with ceramic detailing, or a wet or dry bar, plus upgraded flooring and packages for electrical, tech, and comfort.
With more than 70 years of building across Northern Virginia, Van Metre designs homes around the way people live. At Banner Heights, that means the T-27 townhome plan with 3-5 bedrooms, 3-4 full and 1-2 half baths, 3,014+ square feet, a 2-car garage, and 20+ personalization options, starting from the $1.25Ms.*
Van Metre at Banner Heights is now open for Early Access, giving interested buyers the chance to purchase before our grand opening, when initial homesites deliver.
*Pricing, offers, and availability are subject to change without notice. Some images and renderings may represent a similar home or may have been created or edited using artificial intelligence (AI), and may depict design elements, furnishings, finishes, landscaping, views, or other features that are not included in the home or may not be available. Please see a Van Metre New Home Advisor for details.
After the Northern Virginia Christmas Market was canceled the first weekend of November, an Alexandria holiday market wants to welcome vendors needing an outlet to showcase their products.
The volunteer-run Markets for Good will host The Gratitude Exchange, a free holiday market at Patrick Henry Recreation Center (4653 Taney Avenue) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12. All booth fees will support Volunteer Alexandria’s TOYS4alx and Center for Alexandria’s Children’s ALX Closet.
Dear Members:
Following the 2026 NAACP Election Procedures, the Alexandria Branch of the NAACP held a General Membership meeting on Thursday October 22, 2026. The purpose of the meeting (in part) was to select candidates for branch officers including President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary and at-large members of the Executive Committee positions.
Hundreds attended a candlelight vigil for Cornerstone Craftsman founder and executive director Roberto Gomez, who died suddenly on Tuesday (Nov. 10).
The vigil was held Thursday evening outside Cornerstone Craftsman’s headquarters. A memorial service for Gomez will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday (Nov. 15), at the Nannie J. Lee Recreation Center (1108 Jefferson Street). Gomez leaves behind his young family, as well as the nonprofit’s 21 teen apprentices. A GoFundMe to support his 1-year-old son and partner has so far raised more than $14,000.
Event location
Woodson High School
9525 Main Street
Fairfax, Virginia 22031
Northern Virginia Families for Safe Streets (NoVA FSS) cordially invites you to attend and support our upcoming World Day of Remembrance (WDoR) for Road Traffic Victims.
World Day of Remembrance is an annual event where we honor those whose lives were prematurely ended after being struck by a person driving. This year is particularly painful and sad as we think about the recent death of a 13-year-old Frost middle school student who was struck and killed by a person driving a truck on Pickett Road. We will also honor the nearly 30 other people (as of today’s date) who have been killed on Northern Virginia streets while, walking, biking, or rolling since last year’s day of remembrance.
Italian dining spots serve as vital gathering spaces across Alexandria, anchoring neighborhoods with long-standing family traditions and distinct local flavors. This week’s Readers’ Choice poll considers the establishments that shape the city’s Italian culinary scene.
Here are the nominees for Best Italian restaurants in Alexandria as part of our ALXnow Readers’ Choice awards.
Did we miss your favorite Italian restaurant? Write it in!
Voting will close on Wednesday, Nov. 25.
Voting for Best family physician in Alexandria is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Wednesday at 11:59 p.m.
Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best bakery in Alexandria. The full results are now official:
A total of 677 votes were cast, and home-based Rolling Sloane’s Bakery in Del Ray won the most votes.
See all ALXnow Readers’ Choice winners.
More activities are moving indoors and holiday events are starting to appear around Alexandria in mid-November.
This weekend, the Alexandria Film Festival celebrates 20 years, and the newly-renamed Bright Nights—The Winter Village at Cameron Run returns for its final season. Other highlights include the Banned Books Speakeasy and specialty tours at Fort Ward Museum and Lee-Fendall House.
On This Day in Alexandria History — “On November 13, 1873, the Alexandria City Council granted permission to the Electro-Magnetic Telegraph Company, created in 1845 by inventor Samuel Morse, to run its lines through Alexandria providing instant communication for the first time from New York all the way to Richmond … After witnessing a series of electro-magnetic experiments, he later developed the concept of the single-wire telegraph and the Morse code system of telegraphy. [Historic Alexandria]
City Council Holds Public Hearing Saturday — The appeals of the Russell Road Safe Routes to School, partial tax exemption for Community Lodgings’ affordable housing project, the city’s legislative package for the 2027 General Assembly session, and helmet rules for 14 and under are among the items City Council will consider on Saturday. The meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. [City of Alexandria]
Rep. Beyer, Other N. Va. Reps Oppose Dominion-NextEra Merger — “The Members noted that while NextEra stands to benefit from the expanded investment opportunities created by the rapid expansion of data centers across Northern Virginia, residential customers and small businesses could be left footing the bill. The Members also cautioned that the merger could consolidate market power across the regional electricity grid, stifling competition and ultimately increasing electricity costs for Virginia consumers. They argued that the proposed merger’s temporary incentives fail to offset the merger’s potential long-term costs.” [Rep. Don Beyer press release]
D.C. Region Trends Toward Encrypted Police Scanners — “A recommendation from the Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments, a regional advisory body of local governments in D.C., Northern Virginia and Maryland, calls for all local law enforcement to switch to encrypted communications by 2028.” [ARLnow]
Metrorail Adjusts Service This Weekend — Blue Line trains will only run between Franconia-Springfield and Foggy Bottom, while Yellow Line trains run between Huntington and Mount Vernon Square. [Metro/Bluesky]
Condo Dispute Suspected Before D.C. Shooting — “Dr. Matt Lambert, 55, shot and killed James Stuart, 46, and went on to shoot and wound four others early Thursday, police say. The victims include a woman who was shot in the head. Lambert barricaded himself in his penthouse condo in the same block as the gym, shot at officers and took his life, authorities said.” [NBC Washington]
Dan Snyder’s Home Back on Market Near Alexandria — “The Snyders sold the Washington Commanders in July 2023 to a group led by Josh Harris for $6.05 billion. They bought River View in 2021 for a reported $48 million and put it up for sale in June 2024 for $60 million. That listing came down around the end of February 2026. The estate returned to market May 20 at $49.9 million, where the asking price still stands nearly six months later.” [The Zebra]
Microplastics Found in Tested Waterways — “The study from Environment America tracked microplastics at Maryland sites along the Patapsco, Choptank, Nanticoke and Susquehanna rivers — and in the Chesapeake Bay itself near Talbot County. Lab researchers also analyzed samples from sites in Washington, D.C., Virginia, Pennsylvania and New York. All of the sites contained plastic microfibers, 93% of them contained microfragments, 47% had microfilm and 27% had microbeads.” [Virginia Mercury]
Alexandria Library Collects Winter Gear Donations — “We are collecting handmade or store-bought scarves, hats, and mittens for Alexandria’s Community Lodgings. 🧣🧤 Drop items at any Alexandria Library Branch donation box between now and December 2. 🧶” [Alexandria Library/Bluesky]
New Legal Notice — Trustee seeks court approval to decant trust assets into special-needs trust; respondent must answer by December 22, 2026. [Public Notices]
It’s Friday — Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of showers before 1 PM. High near 48, with north winds 14 to 16 mph and gusts up to 25 mph. Tonight will remain mostly cloudy, with a low around 36 and north winds 8 to 11 mph, gusting up to 18 mph. [NWS]
No time to read? Now you can listen to your local news. Subscribe to the ALXnow Daily Update on Apple, Spotify or Amazon.
Good Thursday evening, Alexandria. Here’s a look back at today’s most-read stories and a look ahead to tomorrow.
Everything else we published today, Nov 12, 2026.
A New Source for News, Events, and More in Alexandria, VA
The NOVA Guide has launched, giving Alexandria residents a new source for local news, upcoming… [Announcement]
John Hopkins-Gillispie Running for NAACP Alexandria Branch President
At its October general membership meeting, the NAACP Alexandria Branch 7043 Nominating Committee… [Announcement]
NAACP Alexandria Branch Elections Announcement
Dear Members: Following the 2026 NAACP Election Procedures, the Alexandria Branch of the NAACP… [Announcement]
Old Town Alexandria Strength Studio Introduces Permanent Military Discount for Veterans Day
In honor of Veterans Day, Imperium Strength & Longevity, a private strength-training studio… [Announcement]
Here is what’s going on Friday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.
Alexandria Preschool & Kindergarten Fair
Nov 14: Preschool & Kindergarten Fair [Event]
Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market
Nov 14: Free, Open Air Flea & Vintage Market with 70+ Vendors, "Best in VA!" [Event]
StoryWorx Book Festival/ Meet the Authors at the Workhouse Arts Center
Nov 14: Family Friendly Book Festival [Event]
World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
Nov 15: Northern Virginia Families for Safe Streets (NoVA FSS) cordially invites you to attend and… [Event]
Sips & Shells: Holiday Oyster Shell Workshop at Hank’s Oyster Bar
Nov 17: Gather your girlfriends for a creative night out in Old Town Alexandria! [Event]
Washington Spirit Alum Meet & Greet + The Amazing Race Watch Party
Nov 18: Meet Washington Spirit alum Joanna Lohman, then stick around to cheer on Joanna and Ali Krieger as they compete on The Amazing Race! [Event]
💡 November Leadership Incubator Weekend, hosted by Shifting Waters Leadership
Nov 19: Shifting Waters Leadership Institute (SWLI) is bringing a new kind of leadership experience… [Event]
Improv Comedy Show with the Auxiliary
Nov 21: Join the Auxiliary Improv for a night of comedy in Old Town, Alexandria VA! [Event]
The Cards You Were Born With
Nov 22: Interactive beginner Tarot workshop on learning your own Birth Cards. [Event]
Submit events, announcements, or home listings to ALXnow.
Today: Alexandria saw a high of 66° at 1:55 p.m. (7° above normal), a low of 50° at 3:30 a.m., no rain and a peak gust of 20 mph.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Northwest wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50. Northwest wind 13 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
The photo above is from the City of Alexandria’s marina webcam.
Thanks for reading!
Home sales across the city took a tumble in October, but the median sales price was higher, according to new data.
A total of 125 properties went to closing across Alexandria last month, according to figures reported Nov. 10 by Bright MLS. That’s down 27.3% from a year before.
The NOVA Guide has launched, giving Alexandria residents a new source for local news, upcoming events, business stories, and ideas for their next outing.
The website covers news, businesses, and life across Northern Virginia, with a dedicated Alexandria page for readers who want to explore what is happening nearby. It brings together local stories, upcoming events, business features, and Top Picks lists, making it a useful starting point for both everyday plans and weekend adventures.
