Starting this month, Alexandria residents wanting to carry a concealed weapon can apply for a plastic permit at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office in Old Town.
Clerk Greg Parks recently revamped the city’s concealed carry permits from paper to plastic, and residents can now complete permit applications on his website. All these new measures are intended to streamline the process — which used to be “very inefficient,” Parks told ALXnow — for the public and his staff.
A popular pub in D.C.’s Dupont Circle neighborhood is expanding across the river to Old Town, bringing its self-described “five-star dive bar” approach.
The Commodore is planning a second location at 220 N. Lee Street, owners Rob Van de Graaff and Steve Kim announced yesterday (Thursday). The pub will replace Mystic BBQ & Grill, which closed in late November, after about a year and a half in business. Before Mystic, the space hosted Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster BBQ.
Some of the most ultra high-end (some with an elevator) townhomes in the DC region will deliver in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, just blocks from the King Street Metro.
Sales have already begun and while some new owners have already moved in, there are immediate move-ins available.
Brooks Estate is a collection of 13 sophisticated, four-bedroom and four-and-a-half bath residences that blend custom details, modern amenities and cutting-edge technology.
Looking for walkability? It doesnt get much better than this! Restaurants like Call Your Mother Deli and Hard Times Cafe and Augies Mussel House and Beer Garden are seconds away, and Brooks Estate is just a couple of blocks walk to the King Street Metro.
All of the homes boast 2,600 to over 3,000 square feet of space, chef’s kitchens with professional series Thermador appliances, spa-like baths, as well as rooftop terraces, two-car garages, and some homes available with elevators. Pricing starts at $2,287,500.
The homes at Brooks Estate provide an exceptional blend of luxury living with traditional architectural details that reflect the Old Town neighborhood. Rooms are connected by graceful arches and adorned with traditional flourishes like crown moldings.
Brooks Estate standard finishes include high-end custom cabinetry and custom-built rift and quartered white oak oven hoods and island surrounds. The flooring—by Arlandria Floors in Del Ray—is a true 3/4-inch-thick luxury wide-plank engineered European white oak hardwood floors that are sanded and finished on site.
Cutting-edge details include wireless smart home features throughout the house, with Lutron Wi-Fi light switches; garages fitted with Wi-Fi and cameras, and that are EV-ready; Wi-Fi/Bluetooth unit entry-door locks; Wi-Fi heated floors in the primary bath; nearly soundproof windows; and sound insulation in all bedrooms, bathrooms, and mechanical rooms. (more…)
Alexandria Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley assumed the top leadership spot of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) for 2026 last night (Thursday).
Bagley was unanimously elected chair of the regional body and will lead it during what is likely to be a pivotal year for transit funding across the area.
Meet Oakley, an “extra-large dog with a big heart” at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria who enjoys walks and slow, snuggly afternoons.
The 10-year-old senior fellow is “a sweetheart with a winning personality,” according to an AWLA volunteer. The pooch is fairly calm, enjoys meeting new humans and knows cues to sit and shake.
Are you interested in learning about how Continuing Care Retirment Communities work, but don’t know where to start? Join our free workshop at 5:00 on Tue., 6/16 to learn more and ask questions!
If you are interested in learning more about Continuing Care Retirement Communities (also known as “Life Plan Communities”), whether for yourself or for a loved one, please join our free workshop on Tuesday, June 16 from 5:00-7:00 at the Arlington office of Long & Foster.
On This Day in Alexandria History — “On Jan. 9, 1951, Alexandria officials announced the Alexandria National Guard armory on S. Royal Street had been converted into a recreation center for both servicemen and Alexandria residents. Renovations to the building included game rooms, a photographic darkroom and an indoor gym.” [Historic Alexandria]
NoVA Reports 8.2K in Job Losses — “Northern Virginia lost 8,200 jobs as the commonwealth shed tens of thousands of federal workers between November 2024 and November 2025, new data shows. Non-farm employment in Northern Virginia was down 0.5% as of November, according to data that the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement reported Wednesday. The commonwealth as a whole, meanwhile, had lost 22,400 federal jobs year-over-year — an 11.5% decrease.” [ARLnow]
Good Thursday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — Jan 8, 2026.
Here is what’s going on Friday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.
Rain is possible after 4pm with clouds increasing and a high near 56. South winds between 6-10 mph and gusts up to 20 mph. On Friday night, rain is more likely after 1am, with temperatures dropping to around 49. Southwest winds of 5-8 mph will shift northwest after midnight, and there’s a 70% chance of precipitation. New precipitation amounts could range between a tenth and a quarter of an inch. See more from Weather.gov.
“Creativity is intelligence having fun.”
– Albert Einstein
Thanks for reading!
Much of the state’s Democratic political leadership is lining up behind Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker’s quest to succeed Adam Ebbin in the Virginia Senate.
Both Ebbin (D-39) and incoming Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced their endorsements for Bennett-Parker’s bid today (Thursday), joining a host of other supportive state leaders.
An Alexandria-based nonprofit is planning a concert to raise funds for local child abuse prevention programs.
The Center for Alexandria’s Children has announced its annual “Banding Together: A Benefit Concert to End Child Abuse,” which is planned from 7-10:30 p.m. on Feb. 21 at the Oswald Durant Center (1605 Cameron Street). This year’s lineup includes local performers from School of Rock Alexandria and Guilty Ghost, led by Commonwealth’s Attorney Bryan Porter.
A moped that was stolen from Alexandria’s impound lot in November was later listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace, prompting an Alexandria Police Department investigation.
An employee at the impound lot at 5249 Eisenhower Avenue had received a call from an unknown person that the moped, stolen Nov. 10, was listed on Facebook Marketplace, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit.
