News

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Aug 17, 2026

By ALXnow.com
ALXnow Daily Debrief header over a dusk city river skyline. Date: Aug 17, 2026 (informational hero image).

Good Monday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Aug 17, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. JUST IN: Thousands without power along Quaker Lane in Alexandria (2321 views)
  2. Horror and sci-fi bookstore Long Dark House to hold grand opening in early September (611 views)
  3. Morning Notes for August 17, 2026 (416 views)
  4. Alexandria wants feedback on updated design guidelines for historic districts (407 views)
  5. Roof replacement sought at Old Town’s Carlyle House to avoid water damage (371 views)
  6. Alexandria woman draws from personal experience to write book about finding inner strength (202 views)

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Tuesday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.

  • No events today. Have one to promote? Submit it to the calendar.

☀️ Tuesday’s forecast

Sunny conditions are expected, with temperatures reaching a high of 87°F and northwest winds blowing at 6 to 8 mph. By Tuesday night, the weather will become partly cloudy, with temperatures dropping to around 69°F and a light northwest wind continuing. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.”
– William James

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

News

JUST IN: Thousands without power along Quaker Lane in Alexandria

By Emily Leayman
Map showing a beige polygon outlining a neighborhood boundary around N Quaker Ln and W Braddock Rd near Fairlington, VA.
Outages reported in Alexandria on Aug. 17 (via Dominion Energy)

Thousands of Dominion Energy customers in a portion of Alexandria are experiencing power outages this afternoon (Monday).

Dominion Energy’s outage map shows 2,160 outages around the Taylor Run, Seminary Hill and Fairlington neighborhoods with small extensions into North Ridge and Rosemont.

Go to JUST IN: Thousands without power along Quaker Lane in Alexandria Read more
News

Alexandria wants feedback on updated design guidelines for historic districts

By James Cullum
Town homes in Old Town, Alexandria. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Plan to refurbish that creaky old porch or add an EV charger in a historic district? Consider holding off until at least Wednesday (Aug. 19).

That’s when the Board of Architectural Review Design Guidelines Committee is hosting a community meeting on updated design guidelines for the city’s Parker-Gray and Old & Historic Alexandria Districts. The meeting is open to the public, and the committee will receive public comments.

Go to Alexandria wants feedback on updated design guidelines for historic districts Read more
Around Town

Horror and sci-fi bookstore Long Dark House to hold grand opening in early September

By Emily Leayman and James Cullum
Woman walking on brick sidewalk past a storefront with a green awning labeled 1510, carrying shopping bags.
The upcoming location of Long Dark House at 1510 King Street (staff photo by James Cullum)

Long Dark House, a bookstore dedicated to horror, science fiction and other dark titles, will open its doors at the start of September.

The Black-owned independent bookstore will open at 1510 King Street at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 1. A grand opening from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5 will include special activities all day. Author Lisa Jones Gentry will be at the opening to sign copies of “A Dead Man Speaks,” which can be preordered through Long Dark House. The grand opening will also have specially themed matcha drinks from Whisked Away Cafe, chocolates and gifts from Madame Coco’s Emporium, raffle prizes, music and more.

Go to Horror and sci-fi bookstore Long Dark House to hold grand opening in early September Read more
Event

Casino Night – All in for Autism

Casino Night: All In For Autism poster. Saturday September 19, 271 S Washington St, Penthouse, Alexandria, VA (fundraiser).

Above ALX

277 S Washington St - Penthouse

Alexandria, Virginia 22314

Website Contact Social

Join the Organization for Autism Research (OAR) for a high-energy evening where fun meets purpose, all in support of OAR’s mission. Sip from a full open bar, enjoy savory bites and small plates, and try your luck at table games while connecting with an incredible community of supporters.

Between hands at the tables, browse an expansive silent auction featuring premium items, or step out onto the rooftop terrace to take in the views of Old Town Alexandria. Whether you are playing, mingling, or simply soaking in the atmosphere, the evening promises excitement paired with meaningful impact.

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News

Roof replacement sought at Old Town’s Carlyle House to avoid water damage

By James Cullum
Carlyle House in Alexandria (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Some exterior changes could be coming to Carlyle House in Old Town.

The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority is asking the city to approve a plan to replace the wood shingles with a standing seam metal roof on the nearly 275-year-old mansion at 121 N. Fairfax Street. The first mansion ever constructed in Alexandria was built by city founder and merchant John Carlyle in 1751.

Go to Roof replacement sought at Old Town’s Carlyle House to avoid water damage Read more
Around Town

Alexandria woman draws from personal experience to write book about finding inner strength

By Emily Leayman
Smiling woman with glasses sits in a pink armchair indoors, holding two blue book covers titled 'Source of Happiness' and 'La Femme Source du Bonheur'.
Alexandria-based author Tania Dalia Kiboko (via Tania Dalia Kiboko)

An Alexandria woman originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo is focused on empowering women with the publication of her first book.

Tania Dalia Kiboko published “Woman: Source of Happiness,” a story of self-discovery and finding inner strength geared toward women who have faced adversity and haven’t put themselves first. She drew from her own experiences and testimonies of women from Africa, Europe and North America as well as inspiration from biblical women.

Go to Alexandria woman draws from personal experience to write book about finding inner strength Read more
News

Morning Notes for August 17, 2026

By ALXnow.com
The Old Town Alexandria waterfront (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On August 17, 1814, towards the end of the War of 1812, Alexandrians agonized in desperation as they waited for a pending British attack. Capt. James Gordon, commander of a fleet of British ships, sailed into the mouth of the Potomac hoping to draw the Americans attention away from a pending attack from the north on the nation’s capital. Gordon’s ships included the 38-gun HMS Seahorse, the 36-gun Euryalus, the ‘rocket’ vessel Erebus, and several bomb vessels, the Aetna, Devastation, and Meteor. All that lay between the prosperous town of Alexandria and the attack force was the fortification at Fort Washington (then called Fort Warburton), and the shallow depths and shoals of the riverbed. Gordon’s boats were slowed for days on at least twenty occasions due to grounding but, assisted by his second in command, Charles Napier, he persevered. Finally closing in on the Maryland fort, which was blown-up by its panicked commander almost immediately upon Gordon’s order to fire, the prize of Alexandria was now in site.” [Historic Alexandria]

Former Old Town Business Association Leader Joins Breast Cancer Collective — “Charlotte Hall, one of Alexandria’s most recognizable community and small-business leaders, has been named interim executive director of the Breast Cancer Collective, effective Monday, Aug. 17. The appointment places Hall at the helm of the Alexandria-based nonprofit as its board begins a search for a permanent executive director and prepares for a busy fall fundraising and outreach season.” [The Zebra]

Go to Morning Notes for August 17, 2026 Read more
News

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Aug 14, 2026

By ALXnow.com
ALX now logo with the headline 'Daily Debrief for Aug 14, 2026' over a group of people outside a building at an event.

Good Friday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Aug 14, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Morning Notes for August 14, 2026 (426 views)
  2. New Alexandria Map Society launches to show cartography isn’t just for scholars (362 views)
  3. Man cut with scissors during altercation at Van Dorn Street Metro station (350 views)
  4. Boat passage to prompt another drawbridge opening on Woodrow Wilson Bridge this weekend (350 views)

Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.

  1. APD to refund, dismiss tickets after speed camera error in the West End (4700 views)
  2. Alexandria teen’s Eagle Scout project focuses on teaching kids to protect waterways (2478 views)
  3. Founding Farmers plans on-site distillery at Alexandria location (2405 views)
  4. Woodrow Wilson Bridge to have multiple drawbridge openings tonight (1991 views)
  5. South Korean coffee shop chain Twosome Place to open in Old Town (1945 views)
  6. Mayor says Flock camera data not shared with ICE amid recent enforcement in Alexandria (1791 views)
  7. T&ES director recommends Russell Road alternative after board approves parking removals (1456 views)
  8. Alexandria’s Amanda Congialdi, quarterback of the D.C. Divas, eyes a final title (1351 views)

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Saturday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.

Here are the events planned for Sunday:

🌤️ Saturday’s forecast

Expect mostly sunny skies with a high near 88°F and an east wind around 5 mph. Saturday night will be mostly cloudy with a low near 72°F and a southeast wind between 3 and 5 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.”
– Plutarch

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

We hope you have a great weekend, Alexandria!

Around Town

Restaurant Week, Bands & Brews, Sidewalk Sale top busy weekend of Alexandria events

By Emily Leayman
Mezze platter on a black tray with flatbread, sesame falafel balls, chickpea curry, tomato and feta salad, beet yogurt, and pastry bites.
Food at Elaine’s (via Cynthia Higgins for Visit Alexandria)

If you’re staying in town this weekend, there’s plenty to look forward to from Alexandria’s lineup of events.

Between the Summer Sidewalk Sale in Old Town, Bands & Brews in Del Ray and the ongoing Alexandria Restaurant Week across the city, there’s no shortage of event options.

Go to Restaurant Week, Bands & Brews, Sidewalk Sale top busy weekend of Alexandria events Read more
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