The Alexandria skyline (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
A program operator for a new tech startup accelerator will be selected in mid-April after the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership received numerous applications through its request for proposals process.
AEDP is launching the accelerator program to support new tech startups based in the city — the first direct support the organization has provided for startups in these industries. Attracting high-growth industries and boosting support for entrepreneurs is one of the strategies in ALX Forward, a roadmap for the city’s future economic growth recently approved by City Council.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger signs bills on March 31, 2026 (via Office of the Governor of Virginia)
After more than 1,200 bills passed in the Virginia General Assembly, Gov. Abigail Spanberger has signed the first set of bills tackling several areas of affordability.
This recurring Most and Least Expensive Home feature is sponsored by Adrianna Vallario of Compass. Based in the North Ridge area of Alexandria City, Adrianna is more than just a real estate agent – she is a trusted advisor, relocation expert, and community advocate.
In October 2026, 26 detached homes sold, 50 condos sold, and 41 townhomes sold. Detached home sales are down 40% when compared to the same time period last year, condos are down 52%, and townhomes are down 18%.
Exercising at Potomac Yard Park (staff photo by James Cullum)
On This Day in Alexandria History — “On April 1, 1862, the noted American landscape painted Winslow Homer was in Alexandria, sketching Union soldiers leaving the city for Fort Monroe as part of Major General George McClellan’s ‘Peninsula Campaign.’ The drawing depicts ‘General McClellan’s Sixth Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment Ready to Embark at Alexandria for Old Point Comfort.’ … He accompanied the Union Army units for about two months, sailing down the Potomac from Alexandria to Fort Monroe and Yorktown in the Tidewater region.” [Historic Alexandria]
Alexandria Celebrates Earth Month in April — “Join us as we commemorate the 56th anniversary of Earth Day with a month full of environmentally focused events, activities, and online initiatives that center on the Eco-City Vision in which Alexandria’s residents, businesses, and City government participate in a vibrant community that is always mindful of the needs and lifestyle of the generations to come.” [City of Alexandria]
Reserve your spot for an after-hour event with multi-disciplinary artist Sky Hopinka, Thursday, Nov. 5, 6–9 PM. Experience monumental nature-inspired artworks in the Water’s Edgeexhibition, make your own artwork to take home at the National Museum of the American Indian.
Sky Hopinka’s photo and video art—including This is a mnemonic for Truman Lowe in the museum’s collection—shares Truman Lowe’s interest in Indigenous homelands, cultural knowledge, and traditional practices. Hopinka contributed to the exhibition catalog for Water’s Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe, writing on Lowe’s lasting impact on his work. Hopinka joins the museum for this special after hours event featuring a screening of three of his short video works followed by a discussion with Rebecca Head Trautmann, Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art and exhibition curator, along with art-making activities, and time to enjoy Lowe’s work currently on view. Sky Hopinka has been widely recognized for his experimental short films and photo-based works. A MacArthur Fellow, Guggenheim Fellow, and Forge Project Fellow, his work has been shown in major film festivals, museums, and international exhibitions and is in numerous prominent museum collections. Hopinka is currently an assistant professor in the department of Art, Film, and Visual Studies at Harvard University.
Expect mostly sunny conditions with a high near 86, and a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3 PM. Southwest winds will be 8 to 10 mph, with gusts up to 18 mph. Showers and possibly a thunderstorm are likely Wednesday night until 2 AM, with a slight chance of showers afterwards. It will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Winds will shift from south to east at 5 to 7 mph after midnight, with a 70% chance of rain. Rainfall could be between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, with higher amounts in thunderstorms. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” – Steve Jobs
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 Wednesday, November 4 from 5:00-7:00 at the Arlington office of Long & Foster. We are hosting this workshop in conjunction with Lisa Bates of the Williamsburg Landing community, which is a particularly excellent model of the way these communities work, and one you may wish to consider!
– How do Continuing Care Retirement Communities work? – What do they offer? – How much do they cost, and what are the financial models offered? – How do you how to evaluate them, and choose the one that's right for you? – How do you make a plan for a move like this? – How do you handle a lifetime's worth of possessions?
A rover outfitted with Saltenna communications tech, at the startup's office on Eisenhower Avenue (staff photo by James Cullum)
Nestled within an industrial area of Alexandria’s Eisenhower West, a seemingly nondescript startup with a small sign near its front door is revolutionizing wireless communication in challenging environments around the world.
Saltenna moved to Alexandria from its previous headquarters in McLean last August, and its 20 employees have been using its proprietary plasmonic wave technology to help various U.S. government agencies communicate in dense jungles, underwater and through metal. The technology essentially shrinks light waves down to a nanoscale and guides them on various surfaces via an antenna.
Areas covered by the Taylor Run Infrastructure Stabilization Project (via City of Alexandria)
Two alternatives to a larger plunge pool for the Taylor Run stream stabilization project — with fewer impacts to trees — were proposed as the project moves closer to construction.
The city is conducting the Taylor Run Infrastructure Stabilization project on about 1.7 acres around Chinquapin Park near Alexandria City High School. It replaced the original stream restoration project that City Council sent back to study in 2021 amid controversy over its environmental impacts. The project aims to address erosion around the stream while protecting surrounding infrastructure, including sanitary sewer pipes, manholes, stormwater pipe outfalls and the park’s trail.
Del Ray Public House, 2218 Mount Vernon Avenue (staff photo by James Cullum)
Del Ray Public House unveiled its new branding this week, officially moving on from its 16-year-old Del Ray Pizzeria concept.
The Del Ray Pizzeria initials remain on the signage at 2218 Mount Vernon Avenue, and pizza stays on the menu, but the overall focus of the business started changing in January with the introduction of new Southwest-inspired flavors, owner Laurel Fisher told ALXnow.
Voters at Mount Vernon Recreation Center in Del Ray on Election Day, Nov. 4, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)
Three weeks before the April 21 special election, more than 9,000 votes have been cast through in-person early voting and mail ballots, according to the Alexandria Office of Voter Registration and Elections.
According to data through Sunday (March 29), 4,245 people have voted early in person. General Registrar Angie Maniglia Turner told ALXnow another 244 early votes were counted through 3:30 p.m. Monday (March 30).
This recurring Most and Least Expensive Home feature is sponsored by 
