News

Former Alexandria City Councilmember Mo Seifeldein is second to Rep. Don Beyer in fundraising for the Aug. 4 Democratic primary race in the 8th Congressional District.

According to FEC filings through the end of 2025, incumbent Beyer led Democratic candidates with $1.16 million in fundraising. Seifeldein followed with over $117,000. The only other Democratic candidate reporting donations through the end of 2025 is fired State Department worker Michael Duffin, with over $23,000.


Around Town

Regulars at St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub will soon have to get their fix somewhere else — temporarily.

Starting Monday, the coffeehouse at 2300 Mount Vernon Avenue will close for up to 10 days for interior renovations. Owner Larry Ponzi tells ALXnow that the project will give the coffee shop a fresh look.


News

Virginia American Water will embark next week on a six-month, $3 million water main replacement project affecting six street segments in Alexandria.

The project will replace 5,000 feet of aging four-inch and six-inch cast iron pipes at the end of their lifespan with modern eight-inch ductile iron pipe. The water main replacement and associated street restoration is expected to wrap in September, with contractor Utilities Unlimited working 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday through Friday.


Opinion

Skilled pediatricians offer trusted, expert care for kids in and around Alexandria, from check-ups and sick visits to vaccinations and more.

Here are the nominees for “Best Pediatrician Serving Alexandria” as part of our returning ALXnow Readers’ Choice awards.

Did we miss your go-to pediatrician? Write them in!

Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 8:30 a.m.

 


Event

Shifting Waters Leadership Institute (SWLI) is bringing a new kind of leadership experience to Old Town Alexandria and DMV area this fall. On November 19 and 20, 2026, the organization will host its inaugural November Leadership Incubator Weekend at COWO & Crèche, a two-day, application-based program built for leaders who are ready to do more than perform their roles well. They are ready to be formed.

The incubator is led by Grace Adofoli, Founder and CEO of SWLI, a leadership development practitioner, executive coach, and 2026 Alexandria Chamber of Commerce 40 Under 40 honoree who has worked across leaders in more than thirty countries over the past decade. Her background spans global public health, disaster relief, and community development, including field work in the Philippines, Ethiopia, and Cambodia, alongside service with AmeriCorps and in underserved communities across the United States. She holds an ACC credential through the International Coaching Federation and degrees in public health and social work from the University of Michigan.


Around Town

Free Lyft rides will be available on St. Patrick’s Day as part of a D.C.-area nonprofit’s efforts to curb drunk driving.

Free rides totaling up to $15 will be available on Lyft from 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 17 through 4 a.m. the next morning, courtesy of the Washington Regional Alcohol Program’s SoberRide initiative.


Around Town

Meet Mia, a sweet, smart pup from the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria who is eager to make new friends.

At just over a year old, Mia loves playing tug and fetch, and a volunteer with the AWLA told ALXnow that she’s picking up training pretty quickly. She also savors a good nap.


News

Ballyshaners Parade Weekend Is Here — “The Ballyshaners‘ 43rd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade is expected to draw thousands of spectators to celebrate alongside a lineup of performers and community organizers. Local dignitaries plan to kick off festivities at noon Saturday, March 7, with the parade stepping off at 12:30 p.m.” [ALXnow]

Reminder: Early Voting Starts Today — “Alexandria voters can begin casting early ballots this Friday to participate in the city’s April 21 special election. This includes the City Council race and a proposed constitutional amendment to redraw Virginia’s congressional maps.” [ALXnow]


News

Good Thursday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Mar 5, 2026.

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Friday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.

🌥️ Friday’s forecast

Showers may occur after 4pm, with foggy conditions clearing up before 11am. Expect a mostly cloudy sky with a high near 54 degrees and an east wind blowing at 5 to 8 mph. The chance of precipitation stands at 20%. For Friday night, showers could occur after 7pm, and a low temperature around 45 degrees under a mostly cloudy sky with east winds at 5 to 8 mph and a 30% chance of precipitation. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground.”
– Theodore Roosevelt

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!


News

The Virginia Department of Health has partially lifted its recreational water advisory for a portion of the Potomac River as repairs continue from January’s massive sewage spill.

The advisory, first issued Feb. 13, has now been lifted for a stretch of the river including Alexandria’s waterfront. The cleared area starts south at the Route 120 Chain Bridge and ends at the Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge in King George County, according to a VDH announcement this afternoon (Thursday).