Meet Billie Jean, a dog who loves cuddling just as much as her favorite people.
This 5-year-old dog is looking for a home where she can be around her human companions most of the day. An AWLA volunteer told ALXnow that Billie Jean prefers human company over canines.
On This Day in Alexandria History — “In the early Spring of 1907, a number of Alexandria residents came forth with reports of the unusual fecundity of fowls belonging to them, some with their eggs linked, others with their daily egg output suddenly multiplied. On April 10 of that year, it was reported that Mr. John Travers of South Henry Street had the most unusual output of all. One of his hens had laid a huge ‘triplicate’ egg, the size of a goose egg that, when opened revealed three distinct eggs inside. The event was described locally as just ‘another lusus naturae,’ meaning ‘freak of nature.'” [Historic Alexandria]
Former Del Ray Business Owner Dies — “We are heartbroken to share the news that our friend, neighbor, and Del Ray trailblazer, Barbara Mancini, passed away this week. In 1995, Barbara took a chance on an up-and-coming neighborhood and opened Mancini’s Cafe & Bakery in Del Ray, becoming one of the female small business owners who helped lead Del Ray’s transformation.” [Del Ray Business Association/Facebook]
Steeped in history yet thoughtfully reimagined for modern living, this exceptional detached residence, originally built in the 1880s, seamlessly blends timeless architecture with sophisticated luxury. Following an extensive renovation and expansion completed between 2022 and 2025, every detail has been meticulously curated to honor the home’s historic character while introducing today’s finest finishes and amenities. Spanning nearly 3,200 finished square feet, the home offers four to five spacious bedrooms, three full and one half baths, and beautifully proportioned living spaces with soaring ceilings, oversized windows, and an abundance of natural light.
The striking rear addition is defined by a dramatic wall of rare floor-to-ceiling black Marvin windows and doors, creating a stunning architectural statement while seamlessly connecting the interior living spaces to the private rear courtyard. The expanded kitchen and family room serve as the heart of the home, thoughtfully designed for both everyday living and effortless entertaining. The chef’s kitchen showcases custom inset cabinetry, Honed Danby marble countertops and full-height backsplash, herringbone hardwood flooring, high-end hardware and fixtures, and a premium suite of Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, including a paneled refrigerator and dishwasher, built-in espresso/coffee maker, and wine refrigerator.
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 — Apr 9, 2026.
Here are today’s most-read articles:
Here is what’s going on Friday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.
Expect patchy fog between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., then partly sunny skies turning fully sunny, with temperatures reaching a high near 75°F. A light south wind will pick up to 5 to 9 mph by morning. Friday night will see increasing clouds and a low around 56°F, with a south wind shifting to the west after midnight at 6 to 8 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
“Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.”
– Sam Levenson
Thanks for reading!
With less than two weeks until the April 21 special election, candidates for an open seat on Alexandria City Council made their pitches to civic association members yesterday (Wednesday) at a forum.
Democratic candidate Sandy Marks and independent candidates Alison O’Connell and Frank Fannon joined the forum, held during Alexandria Federation of Civic Associations’ monthly meeting. Candidates answered questions on topics the civic association leaders selected, along with a lightning round of policies they would support or oppose.
Event location
Fort Hunt Park
8999 Fort Hunt Rd
Alexandria, Virginia 22308
Join Breast Cancer Collective for the 2026 Walk to Bust Cancer on Sunday, October 18, at Fort Hunt Park in Alexandria.
Walk alongside survivors, caregivers, friends, families, and neighbors for an uplifting community event supporting access to breast cancer screening and care across the DMV.
Walk to Bust Cancer brings our community together to turn hope into action and help expand access to timely breast health care. Register to walk, gather your team, and join us at Fort Hunt Park.
The McDonald’s at 505 S. Van Dorn Street in the Landmark/Van Dorn corridor closed this week to build a second drive-thru lane.
The second drive-thru lane was approved unanimously by the Planning Commission and City Council last year and will replace an existing loading area, which will be moved to the front of the building, according to a presentation from McDonald’s.
Alexandria City Manager Jim Parajon is asking City Council to approve paid parking on Sundays and an increase in parking meter rates.
The initiatives are included in Parajon’s proposed $977.3 million Fiscal Year 2027 budget and have gotten mixed reviews. If approved by City Council, the measure would make Alexandria the only locality in the region with parking meter enforcement on Sundays. Additionally, Parajon is proposing to increase parking violation fines from $40 to $50.
Virginia’s top education officials were in Alexandria on Wednesday as part of a statewide listening tour on public education needs.
Secretary of Education Jeffery O. Smith was joined by Virginia Department of Education Superintendent of Public Instruction Jenna Conway, Alexandria City School Board members and approximately 100 participants at Alexandria City High School’s Minnie Howard Campus. House of Delegates Majority Leader Del. Charniele Herring (D-4) attended an earlier roundtable with the officials.
An Alexandria learning center has been chosen to host an open casting call for a new Netflix children’s competition show.
Code Ninjas Alexandria will serve as a casting site for “Schooled,” a national competition series created by Mark Rober, a former NASA engineer who worked on the Mars Curiosity rover and now runs an engineering school called CrunchLabs Academy.
The Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge will have drawbridge openings tonight through early Friday morning due to maintenance, the Virginia Department of Transportation announced.
The openings and traffic stoppages will occur between 10 p.m. Thursday and 5 a.m. Friday. Drivers on the Capital Beltway (Interstate 495) should expect delays and follow signals, according to VDOT. The maintenance work is weather permitting.
