What did you read this past fall?
The Alexandria Library system shared its most-checked out books from mid-September through last week with ALXnow, with over a dozen fiction reads topping the charts. The library recorded a grand total of 1,811 check-outs of its top 20 titles during that period.
A 33-year-old Baltimore woman was arrested earlier this month after allegedly stealing thousands of dollars worth of apparel from a yoga apparel store in Old Town.
The suspect was captured on security camera footage with two suspects taking approximately $8,000 worth of merchandise out of Alo at 814 King Street on Dec. 10. The woman was arrested attempting to enter a getaway vehicle as two others suspects fled on foot and were not arrested, according to an Alexandria Police Department announcement yesterday (Thursday).
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…)
Fourteen Alexandria artists and groups have received nominations in a program recognizing musical talent across the D.C. area.
Alexandria’s nominees for the 37th Annual Wammie Music Awards represent several genres, from funk and folk and hip-hop and pop. The voting period for the 2026 awards is now open and will run through Jan. 15, ahead of the March 28 awards show in D.C.
Four facilities at Alexandria City Public Schools are getting new names to reflect beloved figures in the city, including a former mayor and a longtime teacher.
The Alexandria City School Board voted last night (Thursday) to rename the athletic field complex at Alexandria City High School’s Minnie Howard Campus, ACHS’ Parker-Gray Stadium field, the Media Center at Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School and the courtyard at the Early Childhood Center. These are the newly approved facility names and their community namesakes.
Old Town North Pride is here! Join us June 20th from 6-10PM for a night filled with dancing, joy, and community in the heart of Old Town North!
Pride Dance Party @ St. Elmo’s: Hit the floor and dance the night away with music by DJ Thunderbunny
Meet Diesel, a sweet, wrinkly-faced pup at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria who is ready to go home for the holidays with fur-ever humans.
The three-year-old cutie patootie is about 89 pounds, “with a heart to match his impressive physical presence,” according to an AWLA volunteer. The social pup is “full of love and curiosity.”
Spanberger, Dems Introduce Affordability Plan — “Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger and Democratic leaders are rolling out what they call their ‘Affordable Virginia agenda,’ which describes how they’ll deliver on their key campaign promise: reducing costs in the state. It comes a day after outgoing Gov. Glenn Youngkin presented an upbeat picture of the Virginia economy and said lawmakers should be able to offer even more tax cuts.” [NBC4 Washington]
Lawmakers Plan More Enforcement on GW Parkway — “Rep. Don Beyer unveiled legislation (Wednesday) to authorize revenue generated by any speed cameras on roads maintained by the National Park Service, such as the GW Parkway, to be used for speed camera installations, maintenance and construction projects on those same roads … Separately, Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-34) confirmed to FFXnow that he will reintroduce a bill in the Virginia General Assembly’s 2026 session authorizing local and state police to respond to traffic violations on the GW Parkway.” [FFXnow]
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 — Dec 18, 2025.
Here are today’s most-read articles:
Here is what’s going on Friday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.
Expect rain and potentially a thunderstorm before 1pm, followed by a slight chance of rain until 2pm. Temperatures will drop to around 38 by 5pm with breezy south winds between 15 and 23 mph, shifting west and gusting up to 47 mph. There is an 80% chance of precipitation, with amounts ranging from a quarter to half an inch. Friday night will be mostly clear and breezy, with lows around 27, west winds between 17 and 22 mph decreasing to 6 to 11 mph after midnight, and gusts up to 46 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
– Mark Twain
Thanks for reading!
How are you ringing in the new year in Alexandria?
A number of local bars and restaurants are doing it up in style on Dec. 31. From Old Town to Del Ray, Arlandria and the West End, here’s a roundup of shindigs that will send you into the early morning hours of 2026.
An updated $282 million budget proposal would defer renovations at an Alexandria elementary school while securing funding for two contentious K-8 conversion plans in 2030.
The new Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget from Alexandria City Public Schools comes in at $58 million less than the Alexandria City School Board’s original proposal and remains under the city’s guidance of $285.8 million, following weeks of workshopping by school and city leaders to trim it down.
