Good Wednesday morning, Alexandria!
⛈️ Today’s weather: Showers, mainly before noon. High near 61 degrees. East wind 8 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%—new precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch are possible. Tonight – Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 1 a.m., then isolated showers between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. Patchy fog after 9 p.m. Low around 56 degrees. East wind 5 to 9 mph becoming calm after midnight. The chance of precipitation is 80%—new precipitation amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, except higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.
🚨 You need to know
Housing Alexandria has launched a homeownership screening form for its Seminary Road Project, opening doors for potential first-time homebuyers interested in the development.
The project will bring 31 two- and three-bedroom townhomes to the market between September 2025 and January 2026.
Applicants must work or live in Alexandria and not have owned a home in the last three years to be eligible. Their total household income needs to be below 80% of the area median income, which ranges from $91,840 to $131,120 for households of one to four people.
Interested buyers must attend Housing Alexandria’s Shared Equity Homeownership Program orientation. The next virtual session, which is set for 7 p.m. on June 5, 2025, requires registration.
More from Housing Alexandria;
Housing Alexandria has released their homeownership screening form for the Seminary Road Project. Completion of the form is an important step for anyone who would like to apply to purchase a home at the Seminary Road development.
Housing Alexandria’s Seminary Road Project is expected to deliver 31 two- and three-bedroom townhomes between September 2025 and January 2026. To qualify for the program, prospective applicants must work or live in the City of Alexandria, must not have owned a home in the last three years, and must have a total household income (before taxes) below 80% of the area median income (which ranges from $91,840 to $131,120 for a household of one to four). Prospective applicants must also attend a Housing Alexandria’s Shared Equity Homeownership Program orientation. The next virtual orientation is at 7 p.m. on June 5, 2025; registration is required.
Please note: This is not the full application to purchase a home. However, completing the screening form is required in order to receive the application when it becomes available in June.
Households may also be eligible for the City’s Flexible Homeownership Assistance Program to assist with down payment and closing costs. Homebuyer education classes held by Virginia Housing are required for City assistance and Seminary Road Project applications. A calendar of upcoming homebuyer education classes is available on Virginia Housing’s webpage. The classes are free, however, registration is required.
To learn more about purchasing a home at the Seminary Road development and to sign up for Housing Alexandria’s interested email list, visit Homeownership Program – Housing Alexandria. Please email homeownership@
housingalexandria.org, or call 703.739.7775 with any questions. For general information about homebuyer resources in the City, visit alexandriava.gov/housing-
services/homebuyer-resources.
Here’s what else you need to know
On this day in 1947, the Virginia Theatre, located at 601 First Street, was dedicated with a special ceremony. According to Historic Alexandria, the program included official remarks, the playing of the National Anthem, and the feature film “Carnival in Costa Rica.” With 1,200 seats, it was the largest theater in Alexandria at the time.
In celebration of Turkish Cuisine Week, the Turkish Coffee Lady (1001 King Street) is inviting the public to experience a one-of-a-kind cultural event combining gastronomy, art, and heritage. Beginning today and through May 27, the beloved boutique coffee house in Old Town will host a special food art exhibition by world-renowned micro artist Hasan Kale, known as “Microangelo of Istanbul.”
Mayor Alyia Gaskins will join ALXnow for a live one-on-one conversation today at 10:30 a.m. Do you have a question for the Mayor? Ask here. The conversation will be broadcast live on our website, Facebook, X, and YouTube.
The City of Alexandria is scheduled to continue its Community Cookout series with a stop at Ruby Tucker Family Center (322 Tancil Ct.) from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. this evening. Connect with neighbors and community resources while enjoying free food, fun, and activities.
Dr. La’Tonya Rease Miles, an Alexandria native and first-generation college graduate, will return to ALX at 6:30 p.m. for a book signing and discussion at the James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library.
📈 Tuesday’s most read
The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for May 20, 2025.
📅 Upcoming events
Here is what’s happening today in Alexandria.
Things To Do
- 2 p.m.: Kids Play Group – All Alexandria Reads at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 2 p.m.: How Judy Blume Rewrote Childhood for All of Us – with Author Rachelle Bergstein (virtual)
- 3:30 p.m.: Burke Book Club – “The Other Americans” by Laila Lalami (virtual)
- 5 p.m.: Spitfire Book Club – Kindergarten – 3rd Grade at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
- 5:30 p.m.: English Language Learning (ELL) 2 Workshop – Intermediate Conversation at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 6:30 p.m.: Cooking Class at Aslin ALX
- 6:30 p.m.: Herb Planter Workshop with Greenstreet Gardens at Port City Brewing Company
- 6:30 p.m.: Author Talk: Dr. La’Tonya Rease Miles at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
- 6:45 p.m.: English Language Learning – ELL Classes at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
- 7 p.m.: Partners in Art Evening at Del Ray Artisans
Live Music & Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Bill Pappas Project at 9 p.m.
- Augie’s Mussel House: Live music at 5 p.m.
- Evening Star Cafe: Open Mic at 7 p.m.
- Hops N Shine: Trivia at 6:30 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant: Live music at 6 p.m.
- Lost Boy Cider: Line Dancing at 6:30 p.m.
- Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Kenny Kohlhaas at 8:30 p.m.
- O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
- Port City Brewing Company: Bluegrass Jam Night at 7 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
City of Alexandria
- 3 p.m.: ACPS Redistricting Steering Committee Meeting
- 3 p.m.: ACPS In-Person Registration Events
- 4 p.m.: ACPS Strategy & Accountability Meeting
- 4 p.m.: Commission on Aging Transportation Committee
- 5 p.m.: Duke Street Land Use Plan Pop-Up
- 6 p.m.: Gang Prevention Community Task Force Meeting
- 6 p.m.: City of Alexandria Community Cookout
- 7 p.m.: Board of Architectural Review Public Hearing
- 7 p.m.: Alexandria Archaeological Commission Meeting
- 7 p.m.: Transportation Commission
