Katie Taranto | ALXnow

Weekend Metro closures affecting Blue and Yellow Lines start tomorrow

Published February 13, 2026 at 11:45AM

A train arrives at the Potomac Yard Metro station (staff photo by James Cullum)

Ten weekends of Metro closures between Pentagon City and Reagan National Airport start tomorrow (Saturday), affecting Blue and Yellow Line trains departing and entering Alexandria.

Metrorail service will be suspended between those stations for a three-day weekend between Feb. 14-16, with free shuttle buses connecting the stations. During impacted weekends, both lines are expected to operate in “two segments” outside the closed stations every 12 minutes.

News

Alexandria city offices, public schools closing Monday for George Washington Day

By Katie Taranto

Published February 13, 2026 at 9:15AM

Thousands lined King Street for the George Washington Birthday Parade in Old Town on President's Day, Feb. 20, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria government offices, libraries and public schools are closing Monday to observe Presidents Day, otherwise known in Virginia as George Washington Day.

Across the city, some services will close or operate on modified schedules in observance of the first president’s birthday. Trash, recycling and yard waste collection will be delayed one day next week, but curbside food waste collection will remain on-schedule.

Around Town

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Leo, a polite and playful fellow

By Katie Taranto

Published February 13, 2026 at 8:15AM

Leo (courtesy of AWLA)

Meet Leo, a sweet dog who’s been spending his days at an area foster home through the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.

At one year and seven months old, Leo carries the personality of a “polite young gentleman,” an AWLA volunteer wrote. He enjoys going on walks and playing with squeaky toys, and has a good time socializing with other furry friends.

News

George Washington Birthday Parade returns to Old Town this weekend with adapted route

By Katie Taranto

Published February 12, 2026 at 10:45AM

The 1st Virginia Regiment of the Continental Line cries 'Huzzah!' at the George Washington Birthday Parade in Old Town, Feb. 19, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria’s month-long celebration of the first president of the United States continues this Saturday with the return of the George Washington Birthday Parade.

Known as Washington’s adopted hometown, Alexandria has celebrated the Founding Father, born Feb. 22, 1732, with a birthday parade that dates back to 1801. This year, it will run from 2-4 p.m. this Saturday in Old Town with a modified route, due to ongoing renovations at City Hall and Market Square.

Around Town

Old Town couple cuts ribbon on ‘Sundara Indian Restaurant & Cafe’ at Braddock Metro Center

By Katie Taranto

Published February 11, 2026 at 3:45PM

Mary Ardolino cuts the ribbon on Sundara Indian Restaurant & Cafe with her husband, chef Subheesh Manikoth (second from right), surrounded by friends and family (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A local Indian restaurant founded by an Old Town couple is celebrating the start of a new chapter in Alexandria.

After about 18 months of planning and renovations, Sundara Indian Restaurant & Cafe is reopening in a new space on the ground floor of 1320 Braddock Place in Suite 105. It’s a hard-earned milestone for the business, which grappled with unexpected delays and rising renovation costs to reopen after departing from an Arlington VFW post in summer 2024, following a zoning dispute.

News

JUST IN: Elizabeth Bennett-Parker wins decisive victory in special election for State Senate

By Katie Taranto and James Cullum

Published February 10, 2026 at 9:30PM

State Sen.-elect Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-39) speaks to supporters on the night of her special election, Feb. 10, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-5) is getting a promotion in Richmond.

Voters in today’s special election gave the Democrat a sweeping victory against Republican Julie Robben Lineberry for a seat in the State Senate. The outgoing delegate received a decisive 83% of the vote, setting her up to succeed Sen. Adam Ebbin as he joins Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s administration.

News

JUST IN: R. Kirk McPike wins special election in landslide for House of Delegates seat

By Katie Taranto and James Cullum

Published February 10, 2026 at 9:25PM

R. Kirk McPike reacts to his House of Delegates victory at Pork Barrel BBQ on Feb. 10, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

R. Kirk McPike is trading in Alexandria City Council dockets for a newly-won seat in the House of Delegates, following today’s special election.

Alexandria’s outgoing councilman received 81.5% of the vote in a decisive win against Republican candidate Mason Butler to secure a seat in the House of Delegates. The win means McPike will fulfill the 5th District post of Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, who voters concurrently elected to outgoing State Sen. Adam Ebbin’s 39th District seat tonight.

News

Alexandria celebrates arrival of historical events, tall ships and more in America250 kickoff

By Katie Taranto

Published February 10, 2026 at 3:45PM

OHA Deputy Director Liz Williams speaks about Sails on the Potomac during the America250 kickoff event at The Lyceum (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

The Office of Historic Alexandria celebrated the kickoff of America250 last night (Monday), previewing several city events that will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence this year.

City officials joined leaders of OHA, Visit Alexandria and the local business community at The Lyceum to launch the yearlong commemoration, which will include at least two new museum exhibits, a Revolutionary War history forum and this weekend’s George Washington Birthday Parade, among other events.

Around Town

Barnes & Noble plans new Alexandria bookstore in Shoppes at Foxchase

By Katie Taranto

Published February 10, 2026 at 9:15AM

Sign for Barnes & Noble at the Shoppes at Foxchase (staff photo by James Cullum)

Barnes & Noble is planning a new bookstore in the Shoppes at Foxchase.

The national book retailer hopes to open in Walgreens’ former space at 4515 Duke Street toward “the end of this year,” a spokesperson told ALXnow. The plans come as the company seeks to open at least 60 stores across the country in 2026, including a new multilevel bookstore that opened last month in D.C.

Around Town

Alexandria Warehouse Sale extends through this weekend due to cold weather

By Katie Taranto

Published February 10, 2026 at 8:45AM

The Shoe Hive at 127 S. Fairfax Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Frigid temperatures over the past few days have prompted the Alexandria Warehouse Sale to extend through Presidents Day weekend.

The annual sale featuring dozens of independent Old Town shops and boutiques has extended until Monday, Feb. 16, after the sale’s initial weekend was hit with extreme cold and a High Wind Warning. Discounts at participating retailers range from 60-80% off on goods like clothing and shoes, home decor, toys, books and more.

News

Buddhist monks share message of peace in Old Town during 2,300-mile pilgrimage

By James Cullum and Katie Taranto

Published February 9, 2026 at 3:45PM

Lead monk Bhikkhu Pannakara talks to hundreds of people outside Christ Church in Old Town, on the final stretch of a 2,300-mile peace march, Feb. 9, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Hundreds gathered to see the group of Buddhist monks on a 2,300-mile “Walk for Peace” as they passed through Alexandria today (Monday).

Joined onstage by city officials, the group’s leader, the Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, gave an address outside Christ Church, touching on themes of mindfulness and reflection in today’s heavily digital — and often divided — world.