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.
Cora Kelly Elementary School, 3600 Commonwealth Avenue, on Jan. 6, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)
As winter gets closer, Alexandria City Public Schools officials indicated there will be four traditional snow days this school year and changes to how snow day decisions will be shared.
Julia Burgos, the ACPS chief of school and community relations, said the decision-making process isn’t changing, but communications will.
Before the pandemic, I ran a Reddit forum that brought people together for local happy hours. It became a great outlet for an in-person social life: you could get out, get to know people nearby, and have a familiar group to spend time with. I enjoyed being the person who helped make that happen.
Getting people together became harder after the pandemic. Friends moved away, had kids, or settled into different routines, and organizing a night out took more effort. I still wanted that camaraderie, but having people to invite didn’t necessarily mean we could get something on the calendar.
I’m in my late 30s and live in Old Town. About a year ago, I joined Choros, a local membership community that helps guys build friendships through small-group activities. Since then, I’ve been to close to 50 hangouts, and it’s given me a regular group of guys to do things with around Alexandria and beyond.
I host board game nights and help host a monthly happy hour at the Commodore in Old Town. I’ve done escape rooms on King Street, trivia, food festivals in Del Ray, movie discussions, and Dungeons & Dragons (which can be especially tricky to get going as an adult with a busy schedule). Having that variety means I can find something that fits my mood and schedule, and there are usually familiar faces when I get there.
One of my favorite things, though, is getting on my bike, picking a destination, and making a day of it. Through Choros, I’ve found a consistent crew to ride with almost every month. That’s the kind of thing I wanted more of: people who enjoy the same stuff and make time to get out and do it together.
I still like hosting and bringing people together. What makes Choros useful is having a community to draw from, so every plan doesn’t depend on the same few friends being available. Other guys suggest and host things too, which gives me plenty of opportunities to join something without organizing it myself.
Over time, seeing the same guys at different activities builds familiarity. You have conversations to pick back up and another reason to make plans together. That’s how it’s become a circle of friends for me.
If you’re in Alexandria, check out Choros and come to one of our monthly happy hours at the Commodore. I’d be happy to meet a few more neighbors, whether you’re into board games, bike rides, or just getting out for a drink. There’s plenty happening here, along with activities throughout the rest of the D.C. area.
Traditional Renovated Brick Houses in Old Town Alexandria (licensed via Adobe Stock)
On This Day in Alexandria History — “On November 9, 1949, the Alexandria officials formally dedicated the new Theodore Ficklin School. The elementary school was located on Second Street between North Pitt and North Royal streets and was named for longtime Alexandria principal who also was also a Confederate officer in the Civil War. The new school cost just over a half million dollars and featured modern amenities, like a water fountain in every classroom.” [Historic Alexandria]
Temporary Library Branch Closure — “The James M. Duncan Branch Library (2501 Commonwealth Ave.) will temporarily close from Saturday, November 7, to Monday, November 16, for repairs due to a roof leak. The library is anticipated to reopen Tuesday, November 17. During the closure, the City will clean the affected areas, repair the roof, and replace damaged building materials.” [Alexandria Library]
Status of Leaf Collection — “🍂Leaf collection is underway in Alexandria! Starting Monday, November 9, crews will begin collecting leaves in Zone 3 and Zone 5B. Check the schedule to see when crews are expected in your neighborhood and get your leaves ready for collection at: alexandriava.gov/leafcollection.” [Alexandria T&ES/Bluesky]
City Council/School Board Subcommittee Meets This Evening — The subcommittee will discuss policy and state legislative goals from 5-6 p.m. Monday at the ACPS Central Office. [Alexandria City School Board]
New Affordable Housing Units Available — “Twelve income-restricted apartments are opening at Newport Village on West Braddock Road, the City of Alexandria announced Tuesday. The garden-style community at 4757 W. Braddock Road is offering two- and three-bedroom apartments for households earning between 40% and 50% of the area median income. The City says eight apartments will be available in November and four in December.” [The Zebra]
Concerns Raised at Dominion-NextEra Merger Hearing — “The final in-person public testimony hearing highlighted Dominion ratepayers’ key gripes ahead of the proposed merger’s litigation process, chiefly spiking electricity bills. In recent years Dominion’s base rates have increased and riders have been added to bills to cover the costs of several energy generation projects. Opponents fear the merger will only worsen their utility costs as demand grows.” [Virginia Mercury]
Two-Way I-95 Express Lanes in Study Phase — “The express lanes currently operate in one direction at a time, with the direction changing based on established weekday and weekend schedules; drivers traveling in the opposite direction cannot access the express lanes. The proposed bi-directional configuration would allow express lane travel in both directions at all times.” [Inside NoVA]
Pumpkin Composting Offered — “Your jack-o’-lanterns, pumpkins, squash, and gourds can get a fresh start with the 2026 Pumpkin Rescue – just bring your unpainted, unvarnished items to a Farmers’ Market compost station and we’ll handle the rest. Learn more at alexandriava.gov/go/4299.” [Alexandria T&ES/Bluesky]
November Snowstorm Not Likely Next Weekend — “According to [NBC4 meteorologist Doug] Kammerer, several major weather models have significantly reduced their snowfall projections. The European model continues to show some potential snow in mountainous areas, including the Blue Ridge, while the European AI model, which previously indicated snow for the region, now shows virtually none. The American GFS model, which suggested a major snowstorm just a day earlier, has also backed off considerably.” [MoCo Show]
It’s Monday — Mostly sunny and breezy, with a high near 62 and west winds at 15 to 24 mph, gusting up to 34 mph. Monday night will be mostly clear, with a low around 40 and lighter northwest winds at 3 to 7 mph. [NWS]
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At its October general membership meeting, the NAACP Alexandria Branch 7043 Nominating Committee presented its slate for the 2027–2028 term and named John Hopkins-Gillispie as its nominee for Branch President.
Hopkins-Gillispie is a life member of the branch. He has chaired the Freedom Fund Dinner for the past two years, and this year’s dinner raised more than $40,000 for the branch. He serves on the Legal Redress Committee, reviewing discrimination complaints brought to the branch. He has provided input on issues from the Alexandria Police Department’s hate crimes policy to the proposed Edsall Road data center. He also represents the branch as co-chair of the host committee for the 2027 Virginia State Conference convention.
Acting Superintendent Grace Taylor at the Alexandria School Board meeting on Aug. 27, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)
Alexandria City Public Schools has vastly exceeded a recommendation by the city to keep its 10-year capital improvement program budget capped at $184.4 million.
On Thursday, Acting Superintendent Grace Taylor unveiled her proposed $370.6 million Fiscal Year 2028-37 Capital Improvement Program budget, going over the city’s recommendation by $186.2 million. Taylor told the School Board that the funding is “essential to preventing furtherdeterioration,addresscapacitychallenges,anddeliverlearningenvironmentsthattrulyserveourstudentsandcommunity.”
StoryWorx: Workhouse's First Ever FREE Book Festival Sat, Nov 14 | 11 a.m.–5 p.m. | Lorton, VA
Meet bestselling authors Angie Kim (Happiness Falls), 4× NFL Pro Bowler Ken Harvey (first-ever dramatic reading), and Emmy-winning WUSA9 anchor Wisdom Martin, plus Marcie Atkins, Omar Abed, Ellen R.B. Smith, and more for panels, signings, poetry, and workshops. Kids' Corner features author readings, crafts, and storytime. Browse the artisan market, catch a live Upstart Crow podcast, and explore the Workhouse galleries and artist studios—all part of Second Saturday.
A previously submerged scooter at the Old Town waterfront (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Amid regional safety concerns about youth riding electric scooters and bicycles, Alexandria City Council will consider expanding the city’s helmet requirement for young riders.
According to city code, bicycle riders 14 and under are already required to wear a helmet. The city code update would apply the same rule to electric power-assisted bicycles, electric personal assistive mobility devices, motorized skateboards and motorized scooters as well.
This week, ALXnow invites readers to weigh in on Alexandria’s top family physicians. Trusted primary care providers play an essential role in keeping local families healthy and guiding patients through life’s various health decisions.
"Now or Never" by Alicia Eggert, the eighth installment of the Site See public art series at Waterfront Park (staff photo by James Cullum)
After a busy Halloween season, Alexandria will have a quieter weekend of events before holiday happenings ramp up.
The first full weekend of November brings a closing celebration for the Waterfront Park art installation, Veterans Day Run, Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum’s 20th anniversary open house and an evening with George Washington.
Fall colors at Lake Cook (staff photo by Katie Taranto)
On This Day in Alexandria History — “On November 6, 1860, in what was one of the most controversial presidential elections in American history, Abraham Lincoln was elected president securing the necessary electoral votes from the industrializing Northern States, almost no support in the agricultural South. Of the four candidates participating in the election, Alexandria’s voters, fearing the destruction of Virginia’s economy and their way of life by either the ever-growing political power of the North, or increasingly radical calls for secession by the South, overwhelmingly supported Constitutional Unionist John Bell with 940 votes. Bell, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives and planter from Tennessee, opposed secession and supported a neutral stance on the issue of slavery.” [Historic Alexandria]
City Council Hosting Budget Retreat Tomorrow — Saturday’s budget retreat beginning at 9 a.m. will include an ACPS operating budget presentation, city revenue forecast, discussion on budget guidance, Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority presentation and an update on state regulations and local sales tax. [ALXnow]
D.C. Italian Restaurant to Close Ahead of Old Town Opening — “Floriana has shared few details about the timeline for the upcoming Alexandria space, though it revealed that the new Old Town location will sit less than a mile from the King Street-Old Town Metro station. The restaurant also confirmed that all existing gift cards will be honored at the new Virginia location.” [Fox5DC]
Feedback Due on West End Transportation Projects — “Heads up- there are TWO feedback forms closing tomorrow! Make sure to share your thoughts on design options for Seminary Road and on the high-crash intersection audit in the West End by EOD Friday: Seminary West: alexandriava.gov/go/6552 High Crash Intersection Audit: alexandriava.gov/go/4794.” [Alexandria T&ES/Bluesky]
Nonprofit Dog Treat Maker Leases Alexandria Space — “For years, the team at Pawfectly Delicious Dog Treats has rolled out ginger dough, cut it into shapes and packed bags for customers. Now the Alexandria nonprofit has signed a lease for its own office, giving it room to expand the kinds of paid work it can offer adults with disabilities.” [The Zebra]
Labor Union Supports Potential Bus System Merger — “It will be better for workers and for riders, better for communities,” said Benjamin Lynn, a representative of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689, during an Oct. 21 roundtable discussion convened to consider the possibility of consolidating Fairfax Connector, Fairfax City’s CUE Bus, Arlington Transit (ART) and Alexandria’s DASH.” [FFXnow]
ACHS Students to Appear on WETA’s ‘It’s Academic’ — “Schools from across the Washington metropolitan area will compete throughout the month. The show’s head-to-head intellectual competition format challenges student teams to answer questions on a variety of topics from history to science, geography, current events and more.” [Patch]
Alexandria Firm Hosts Tech Expo — “Systems Planning & Analysis (SPA), a global, independent analytical and technical innovation firm, hosted its inaugural SPA Ignite Tech Expo on October 29 at the company’s Alexandria headquarters. The invitation-only event brought together leaders from defense and industry organizations to experience SPA-developed technologies and engage directly with the experts behind them. The event featured live demonstrations of 12 technologies across eight exhibit stations spanning SPA’s capabilities in strategic analysis and force design; mission and operations research analysis; data science and artificial intelligence; software and cloud engineering; integrated program execution; and systems engineering and emerging technology.” [Systems Planning and Analysis]
Volunteer Alexandria to Host Family Volunteer Day — “Volunteer Alexandria holds a day for families to volunteer together, where even the youngest child can learn the value of service to others! Two locations available on November 21.” [Volunteer Alexandria]
Sphere Wins Approval in National Harbor — “A slew of new renderings released ahead of the planning board meeting depict a venue unlike anything Greater Washington has ever seen, especially so close to the Capital Beltway. The $1.4 billion Sphere will tower above the adjacent MGM National Harbor complex, which rises 265 feet, and the tangle of highways and forests in the Oxon Hill area.” [Washington Business Journal]
Dominion-NextEra Merger Hearings Begin — “Public hearings in the case to decide the fate of the proposed merger between Dominion Energy and Florida-based NextEra Energy begin this week at the State Corporation Commission. The $67 billion all-stock deal would create the largest regulated utility in the world. In the months preceding the hearings, scores of lawmakers, consumer advocates and citizens have strongly opposed the proposal, with leaders at the top level of state government pushing for more time to review the case.” [Virginia Mercury]
Experts Weigh in on Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting — “Arlington County Police Chief Andy Penn has defended officers’ actions as attempts to peacefully resolve a standoff with an armed and noncompliant suspect, who had raised his knife when officers shot him. But points of contention include a lack of response from mental health professionals, the deployment of chemical irritants during negotiations, the amount of time officers spent waiting for Valn to surrender, and the final decision to break open the door to the room where he was hiding.” [ARLnow]
SoberRide Halloween Program Results — “Over 2,000 (2,175) persons in the Washington-metropolitan area used the free safe ride service, SoberRide®, Halloween weekend (October 30-November 1) as opposed to possibly driving home drunk.” [Washington Regional Alcohol Program]
It’s Friday — Showers are likely early, mainly before 8am, with patchy fog before 9am. Skies will turn from cloudy to mostly sunny, with a high near 69 and light north winds. Rainfall may total a tenth to a quarter inch. Friday night will be mostly cloudy with a low around 50, and northwest winds increasing after midnight with gusts up to 20 mph. [NWS]
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