Ryan Belmore | ALXnow

Alexandria lands No. 3 spot on Condé Nast Traveler’s best small cities list

Published October 7, 2025 at 9:32AM

Old Town Alexandria - 100 block of King Street - pedestrian zone (Credit Chris Cruz)

Alexandria has claimed the No. 3 position on Condé Nast Traveler’s 2025 “Best Small Cities in the U.S.” rankings, extending its streak of top-five placements to eight consecutive years.

The city placed behind Charleston, South Carolina, and Santa Fe, New Mexico, while surpassing popular destinations including Savannah, Georgia, and Honolulu, Hawaii, according to results from the magazine’s 38th annual Readers’ Choice Awards announced Tuesday.

News

Alexandria Police locate missing 24-year-old woman

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 7, 2025 at 6:30AM | Updated October 7, 2025 at 8:52AM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A 24-year-old Alexandria woman who was the subject of a critical missing person alert has been safely located, police said Tuesday morning.

Robin Jacobs was found safe, the Alexandria Police Department announced at 8:44 a.m. in a social media post thanking the public for sharing the alert and assisting in the search.

News

‘Neighborhood Favorites’ season two launches with Alexandria watch party celebrating local small businesses

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 7, 2025 at 6:15AM | Updated October 7, 2025 at 5:16PM

Mayor Alyia Gaskins and George Worrell at watch party for Neighborhood Favorites on Monday, Oct. 6. Photo by Ryan Belmore/ALXnow.

The second season of “Neighborhood Favorites with George Worrell” launched Monday night with a watch party at Cooper Mill in Old Town, bringing together local business owners and community members to celebrate the show’s continued spotlight on small businesses.

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins served as the special guest, delivering opening remarks that emphasized the city’s unique character driven by its independently owned businesses.

News

Alexandria Economic Development Partnership celebrates major wins in new Carlyle office space

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 7, 2025 at 5:45AM

Alexandria Economic Development Partnership Celebrates Major Business Wins at Annual Impact Meeting. Photo by Ryan Belmore/ALXnow

The Alexandria Economic Development Partnership showcased a year of significant economic achievements during its annual impact meeting on Monday, held for the first time in the organization’s new Carlyle neighborhood offices at 1940 Duke Street.

AEDP President and CEO Stephanie Landrum noted that the organization deliberately chose the Carlyle location to support a part of the city that “needs and wants more business activity.” The new space allows AEDP to showcase Alexandria’s potential directly to visiting businesses and prospects.

News

Tickets on sale for Ice & Lights winter attraction at Cameron Run

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 6, 2025 at 3:00PM

Ice & Lights: The Winter Village At Cameron Run in 2021 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Tickets went on sale Monday for Ice & Lights: The Winter Village at Cameron Run, one of three holiday light attractions operated by NOVA Parks this winter season.

The outdoor winter experience at Cameron Run Regional Park in Alexandria features illuminated holiday displays, ice skating, photo opportunities, and seasonal refreshments. It opens on November 15 and runs through February 28.

News

ACPS to induct 13 individuals, three teams into Athletic Hall of Fame Saturday

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 6, 2025 at 2:45PM

Alexandria City High School (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Public Schools will honor 13 individuals and three athletic teams at its 2025 Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 11, at Alexandria City High School.

The ceremony, scheduled from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the King Street campus auditorium, will recognize 11 athletes, one coach, and one administrator who have made significant contributions to high school athletics in Alexandria.

Around Town

Art Safari returns to Torpedo Factory for 30th year

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 6, 2025 at 11:45AM

The Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Torpedo Factory Art Center will host its 30th annual Art Safari on Saturday, Oct. 25, from noon to 4 p.m., offering free hands-on activities for children and families.

The event features art projects led by Art Center artists on all three floors of the waterfront facility. Activities are designed for children aged 5 to 12, although younger children can participate with adult assistance.

News

Alexandria Cider Festival returns to Lloyd House in November

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 6, 2025 at 8:40AM

Alexandria Cider Festival (via Historic Alexandria)

The Alexandria Cider Festival will return to Lloyd House on Nov. 22, featuring Virginia cideries, live music, and historical context during the state’s annual Virginia Cider Week.

The Office of Historic Alexandria will host the event from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at 220 N. Washington St., in partnership with the Virginia Association of Cider Makers. Last year’s festival sold out.

News

Watch Live: Mayor Gaskins answers your questions Oct. 7 on ALXnow

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 5, 2025 at 9:16AM

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins in Council Chambers, April 8, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins will join ALXnow for her live one-on-one monthly virtual video conversation on Tuesday, Oct. 7, at 11 a.m.

Our “Ask The Mayor” series provides Alexandria residents with regular opportunities to hear directly from Mayor Gaskins on pressing city issues and to submit their questions for consideration (submit your questions below).

News

Beyer bill would let federal workers tap retirement funds without penalty during shutdown

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 5, 2025 at 8:51AM

U.S. Rep Don Beyer (D-8th) speaks at the Alexandria Democratic Committee's Labor Day Picnic at The Garden Alexandria, 5380 Eisenhower Avenue, Sept. 1, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

U.S. Rep. Don Beyer introduced legislation Friday that would allow federal employees to withdraw up to $30,000 from their retirement accounts without penalties during the ongoing government shutdown, offering potential relief to thousands of Northern Virginia workers facing missed paychecks.

The Emergency Relief for Federal Workers Act would waive the 10% early withdrawal penalty that federal workers under age 59 currently face when making hardship withdrawals from their Thrift Savings Plan accounts. The bill would also allow employees to restore withdrawn funds to their retirement savings later.

News

Activists plan Sunday rally at Market Square to press Warner on Israel policy

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 4, 2025 at 10:05AM

A flyer promoting Sunday's rally at Market Square calls on Sen. Mark Warner to stop U.S. weapons shipments to Israel. The event is organized by Jewish Voice for Peace-DC Metro and Alexandria for Palestinian Human Rights. (Image courtesy organizers)

Pro-Palestinian activists plan to rally at Market Square on Sunday before walking to press U.S. Sen. Mark Warner to end American weapons shipments to Israel.

The demonstration is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. and continue until 4 p.m., according to organizers. After a short walk from the meeting point to the final location, participants will remain stationary, organizers said.