Around Town

A holiday tradition is around the corner in Del Ray, and some festive helpers are needed.

The 15th annual Del Ray Holiday Season Kick-Off starts at 5 p.m. this Sunday at Pat Miller Neighborhood Square on 2311 Mount Vernon Avenue. The event features holiday songs performed by the Alexandria Children’s Chorus, appearances by city leaders and even Santa Claus himself.


News

A pet store from Del Ray opened its newest location over the weekend at the Belle View Shopping Center.

The Dog Store is now open at 1612 Belle View Blvd, replacing a vacancy left by the Pampered Pet Boutique & Bakery earlier this year. Owner Paul Haire founded the shop’s first location in Del Ray in 2014, after opening Your Dog’s Best Friends daycare in 2003.


News

First responders transported a man to the hospital early Sunday morning after he accidentally shot himself in the leg in Seminary Hill, according to the Alexandria Police Department.

The 23-year-old man sustained a non-life threatening injury and was transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital from an apartment parking lot at the 4600 block of Seminary Road, according to APD dispatches.


News

It was a warm Thanksgiving day at Sheltercare, a short-term group home that provides services to youth in Alexandria’s West End.

Five out of the nine resident kids there didn’t go home Thursday. Instead, they stayed in to watch football, sing karaoke and cook a delicious meal and desserts.


News

A team of professionals in Alexandria has received a top statewide award for its work responding to allegations of child abuse.

Earlier this month, the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) from the Center for Alexandria’s Children received the 2025 MDT of the Year recognition by the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Virginia (CACVA) at the Virginia Crimes Against Children Conference in Virginia Beach.


News

A bill to provide elementary and secondary school students across Virginia with free breakfasts is heading back to the Virginia General Assembly.

The proposed bill by Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-5) was killed in the House Appropriation’s Elementary & Secondary Education subcommittee in January due largely to its $29.2 million price tag.


News

Looking to get out on Thanksgiving and Plaid Friday?

Alexandria has lifted parking restrictions at metered spaces and residential permit parking districts throughout the city tomorrow (Thursday) and Friday.


News

Dozens of protestors continued their calls for Alexandria to divest itself from Israel, decrying the tenuous ceasefire with Hamas that’s been in effect for a little more than a month.

Standing under the covered stage outside City Hall at Market Square on Tuesday night, members of Alexandria for Palestinian Human Rights and their supporters held a candlelight vigil and sang songs, read poems and asked the city to stop working with companies they accuse of war profiteering.


News

In the wake of the restructuring of Alexandria’s public housing authority and its board of commissioners, the organization has temporarily halted eviction proceedings against its tenants.

Mark Jinks, the new chair of the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority‘s board of commissioners, made the announcement at the board’s monthly meeting in Old Town last night (Monday). Jinks and five other board members were installed last month by City Council to reverse a “system failure,” as described by Mayor Alyia Gaskins.


Around Town

A number of local toy drives are still accepting donations, hoping to bring joy to thousands of kids in and around Alexandria this holiday season.

The deadline to donate to the following toy and gift card drives is just around the corner.


News

Civic-minded Alexandria residents who want to help lead their city have an opportunity to serve on a board or commission, and the deadline to apply is approaching soon.

Applicants must be city residents, and otherwise a special waiver will need to be approved by City Council. Committee assignments can last between two and five years, and residents can only apply for one committee at a time. The online application deadline is 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, and the following openings are available:


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