News | ALXnow - Part 120

Alexandria seeks volunteers for Holmes Run Channel cleanup Oct. 11

Published October 2, 2025 at 3:15PM

Holmes Run (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria is looking for volunteers for a stream cleanup event at the Holmes Run Channel later this month.

The cleanup is being led by the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services Stormwater Management Division, and will be held on Oct. 11, from 9 to 11 a.m. behind the Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library (5005 Duke Street). Volunteers are recommended to wear covered shoes, long pants, and bring their own drinking water. The city will provide them with gloves, bags, and first-aid kits.

Justice Department fires key prosecutor in Eastern District of Virginia office already beset by turmoil, AP sources say

By The Associated Press

Published October 2, 2025 at 2:33PM

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER and ERIC TUCKER Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department fired a top national security prosecutor amid criticism from a right-wing commentator over his work during the Biden administration, further roiling the prominent U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia after the ousting of other senior attorneys in recent weeks, according to people familiar with the matter.

Alexandria leaders to speak at first-ever State of Early Childhood event

By James Cullum

Published October 2, 2025 at 2:30PM

Children listen to Paralympic gold medalist Trevon Jenifer at the Dunbar Alexandria-Olympic Boys & Girls Club at 401 N. Payne Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria leaders will discuss the early childhood initiatives across the city in a first-ever series of conversations.

The Kids’ First Years (KFY) State of Early Childhood 2025 event will be held at First Baptist Church (2922 King Street) from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 7. Mayor Alyia Gaskins will kick off the free event with opening remarks, along with KFY CEO Michelle Smith Howard. The event is intended to bring together city leaders, educators, and advocates to “build a thriving early childhood system that fuels the city’s economy, strengthens the workforce and supports every family,” according to the nonprofit.

Playa Bowls seeks to open Old Town location

By James Cullum

Published October 2, 2025 at 1:15PM

A Playa Bowls franchise has submitted paperwork to open at 1229 King Street in Old Town (via Facebook)

A Playa Bowls franchise just submitted paperwork with the city to open at 1229 King Street in Old Town.

The quick-service restaurant will sell “fruit bowls, oatmeal bowls, smoothies, and juices for takeout and pickup,” according to the special use permit (SUP) filed with the city. The chain was founded in New Jersey in 2014, and there are now more than 300 Playa Bowls locations nationwide, with the nearest one in Arlington, located at 2055 15th Street.

Friends of Dorothy, a neighborhood queer cafe, is fundraising to open in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published October 2, 2025 at 12:45PM

Dorothy Edwards is working on opening Friends of Dorothy, a neighborhood queer cafe, in Alexandria (courtesy image)

Are you a friend of Dorothy?

Since World War II, the coded question has been used to determine whether someone is queer. Now, Dorothy Edwards is using the phrase as the name for the first-ever LGBTQ+ focused cafe in Alexandria. For the last several months, Edwards has been raising money to cover six months of operating expenses at a yet-to-be-determined space, build-out of the space, and equipment. She says that once the cafe is up and running, it’s all she wants to do for the rest of her life.

Sweetside Café and Creamery to hold ribbon-cutting Oct. 11 in Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published October 2, 2025 at 11:45AM

The Sweetside Coffee and Creamery opened this week next to Northside 10 restaurant at 10 E. Glebe Road in Alexandria's Del Ray neighborhood. (Photo via @thesweetsideva Instagram)

A new ice cream cafe is holding a ribbon-cutting on Oct. 11 in Del Ray.

The ribbon will be cut at Sweetside Café and Creamery (10 E. Glebe Road) at 10:30 a.m., and specials and giveaways will be offered at the event, according to the Del Ray Business Association (DRBA). The shop is owned by Teresa Keefer, who also owns Northside 10, which is directly next door, and Southside 815 in Old Town.

Alexandria eviction filings jump 21% in 2025

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 2, 2025 at 10:15AM | Updated October 2, 2025 at 3:52PM

Alexandria's eviction trends dashboard shows 3,738 summonses filed in 2025, up 21% from the previous year. (Screenshot via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria recorded 3,738 eviction summonses in 2025 as of Thursday, up 21% from the previous year, according to the city’s eviction trends dashboard. The figure represents an increase of nearly 200 filings since Mayor Alyia Gaskins reported 3,544 filings during Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

The rising numbers come as Alexandria faces economic pressures from federal downsizing affecting approximately 13,000 federal employees living in the city and a federal government shutdown that began Wednesday.

Gaskins’ vote against I-495 express lanes blocks NVTA regional endorsement

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 2, 2025 at 9:20AM | Updated October 2, 2025 at 10:44AM

The segment of I-495 being studied by the state (via VDOT)

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins cast the lone dissenting vote that blocked the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority from endorsing a proposed extension of express lanes along the southern stretch of I-495, she told the City Council on Tuesday night.

The NVTA considered approving a letter of support for the Virginia Department of Transportation’s I-495 Southside Express Lanes Project at its Sept. 11 meeting. Still, the measure failed due to the authority’s voting requirements.

Notes: The Thirteen opens season with Palestrina’s 500th birthday celebration at Virginia Theological Seminary

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 2, 2025 at 8:15AM

On That Distant Day (via The Thirteen)

Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Thursday, Oct. 2, the 275th day of 2025. There are 90 days left in the year

🌤️ Today’s weather: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. North wind 5 to 7 mph becoming east in the morning. Partly cloudy tonight, with a low around 52. Light east wind.

George Washington Birthday Parade set for Feb. 14 in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published October 2, 2025 at 5:30AM

George and Martha Washington ride in the George Washington Birthday Parade in Old Town, Feb. 21, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)

It’s more than four months away, but on Wednesday, the announcement was made, confirming that the 2026 George Washington Birthday Parade will take place in Old Town on Saturday, February 14.

Alexandria has been celebrating Washington with a parade since 1801, and it’s the largest and oldest parade celebrating the founding father in the world. The parade will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. in Old Town, and this year’s parade marshals are Michael J. Elston, Esq., president general of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and Ginnie Sebastian Storage, president general of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

Fired State Department official from Alexandria enters 8th Congressional District race

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 1, 2025 at 6:00PM | Updated October 1, 2025 at 6:37PM

Michael Duffin is running for Virginia's 8th Congressional District (via Micahel Duffin on Facebook)

Michael Duffin, a former State Department official who was terminated in July, announced on Wednesday his campaign for the Democratic nomination in Virginia’s 8th Congressional District, joining a growing primary field that includes a former Alexandria city councilman.

Duffin announced his candidacy early Wednesday morning on LinkedIn before making a formal campaign announcement later in the day, according to Patch.