News

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Nov 14, 2025

By ALXnow.com

Good Friday 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 — Nov 14, 2025.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Husband-wife duo open Bluemont Local, a new indoor playground, in Del Ray (1140 views)
  2. JUST IN: Fired ARHA CEO sues organization, alleging misleading statements over termination (978 views)

Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.

  1. New speakeasy ‘Bar 86’ opens in Old Town with tiki bar atmosphere (13426 views)
  2. Northern lights could return to N. Va. skies tonight after Tuesday auroras (9035 views)
  3. Veterans Day in Alexandria: Events, closures and deals for veterans (2887 views)
  4. APD investigating after suspects steal cash register from West End convenience store (2772 views)
  5. JUST IN: Judge dismisses case against Alexandria’s Zoning for Housing overhaul (2772 views)
  6. Project leaders break ground on Samuel Madden Homes affordable apartment complex (2595 views)
  7. Federal judge in Alexandria orders release of three immigrants arrested by ICE (2006 views)
  8. Officials break ground on railway improvement projects at Alexandria Amtrak station (1489 views)
  9. Maintenance workers restrain larceny suspect at West End apartment complex (1442 views)
  10. Mayor Gaskins, City Council ask sheriff to cease voluntary inmate transfers to ICE (1438 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

Here are the events planned for Sunday:

🌥️ Saturday’s forecast

Expect a mostly cloudy day with temperatures reaching around 64°F and calm winds shifting to the south at 5-7 mph in the afternoon. On Saturday night, there is a 30% chance of rain, primarily after 1am, accompanied by mostly cloudy skies and a low near 55°F. Southwest winds will be at 8-10 mph, gusting up to 20 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
– Lao Tzu

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

We hope you have a great weekend, Alexandria!

News

JUST IN: Fired ARHA CEO sues organization, alleging misleading statements over termination

By James Cullum
Erik C. Johnson, former CEO of ARHA, asks City Council to back the Silver Fox plan, June 10, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The former CEO of the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority is now suing the organization for millions of dollars in damages, according to paperwork filed yesterday (Thursday) in the Alexandria Circuit Court.

ARHA fired Erik Johnson in September after it was revealed that he and his family were living in an Old Town ARHA property. In the new filing, Johnson alleges that ARHA facilitated his move into the property and was trying to protect itself by pleading ignorance when it sent ALXnow a statement claiming it was unaware he lived there.

Go to JUST IN: Fired ARHA CEO sues organization, alleging misleading statements over termination Read more
Around Town

Old Town Books celebrates seven years of business with specials tomorrow

By Katie Taranto
Old Town Books owner Ally Kirkpatrick (courtesy of Old Town Books)

Book specials, prizes and a kids’ storytime are coming to Old Town Books tomorrow (Saturday) as the local shop celebrates seven years in business.

The independent bookstore at 130 S. Royal Street first got its start as a pop-up business in 2018. The shop “never un-popped,” owner Ally Kirkpatrick told ALXnow.

Go to Old Town Books celebrates seven years of business with specials tomorrow Read more
News

St. Rita’s 5K returns tomorrow, prompting some Potomac Yard road closures

By Katie Taranto
St. Rita Catholic School 5K (photo via Saint Rita Catholic Church/Facebook)

The annual St. Rita 5K returns tomorrow morning (Saturday), leading to some road closures in and around Potomac Yard.

The annual road race raises funds for St. Rita Catholic School’s classrooms, teachers and appreciation events for educators. The morning kicks off with a 1K “fun run” race at 8 a.m., before the main 5K race at 8:30 a.m. near George Washington Middle School at 1005 Mount Vernon Avenue.

Go to St. Rita’s 5K returns tomorrow, prompting some Potomac Yard road closures Read more
Event

DEXA Scan in Alexandria at Revolutionary Fitness

Revolutionary Fitness

215 N. Payne St.

Alexandria, Virginia 22314

Website Contact

July 9th, Revolutionary Fitness, Old Town Alexandria

Your bathroom scale can’t tell you if you’re losing fat or losing muscle. It can’t see the visceral fat wrapping around your organs. It can’t measure the bone density that determines whether you stay strong and independent into your 60s, 70s, and beyond.

Go to DEXA Scan in Alexandria at Revolutionary Fitness Read more
Around Town

‘Bienvenue Beaujolais’ wine tasting returns next week with Sister City Committee

By Katie Taranto
The 2024 Beaujolais Nouveau celebration in Alexandria (via Alexandria-Caen Sister Cities/Facebook)

Alexandria will celebrate its international sisterhood with Caen, France, next week during a “Bienvenue Beaujolais” wine tasting fundraiser.

Guests at the cultural, culinary evening can expect guided wine tastings and French cuisine to commemorate Beaujolais Nouveau Day, an annual celebration of the year’s first release of the red wine.

Go to ‘Bienvenue Beaujolais’ wine tasting returns next week with Sister City Committee Read more
Around Town

Alexandria Weekend Guide: Ice & Lights reopening, ‘Mega Trash Bash’ and more

By Katie Taranto
Ice & Lights: The Winter Village At Cameron Run in 2021 (staff photo by James Cullum)

This November weekend in Alexandria brings dozens of activities, from concerts and holiday-themed events to local tours and free movie screenings.

Returning on Saturday is the annual Ice & Lights village display at Cameron Run Regional Park, offering festive, seasonal scenery (the ice skating component, meanwhile, returns Nov. 28). If you’re feeling extra cheery, the Eisenhower Partnership is showing “Elf” for free on Saturday night.

Go to Alexandria Weekend Guide: Ice & Lights reopening, ‘Mega Trash Bash’ and more Read more
Around Town

Husband-wife duo open Bluemont Local, a new indoor playground, in Del Ray

By James Cullum
Indoor playground Bluemont Local at 376A Calvert Avenue in Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

There’s a new indoor playground for infants to eight-year-olds in Del Ray.

Bluemont Local opened Sunday at 376A Calvert Avenue. From 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., parents and kids are asked to take off their shoes and have fun in the “soft play” landscape crafted with Scottish pine from UK-based Tigerplay.

Go to Husband-wife duo open Bluemont Local, a new indoor playground, in Del Ray Read more
Around Town

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Estelle, the ‘pocket of sunshine’

By Katie Taranto
Estelle (courtesy of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria)

Meet Estelle, a playful pup and “awesome companion” at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria who is ready to find her fur-ever home.

The “tail-wagging pocket of sunshine” is three years old, weighs 41 pounds and “loves to run and play with her squeaky toys,” according to an AWLA volunteer.

Go to Adoptable Pet of the Week: Estelle, the ‘pocket of sunshine’ Read more
News

Morning Notes for November 14, 2025

By ALXnow.com
A flock of geese in flight near Cameron Run (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On Nov. 14, 1854, the Alexandria Common Council prohibited construction of new wooden buildings in certain parts of town. Decades of devastating fires causing huge property damage were routine in Alexandria, and fears of a rapidly spreading fire that would cause a great loss of life were well founded. Sadly, just months later a massive conflagration at existing buildings along King Street killed seven firemen, who were later memorialized with an obelisk at Ivy Hill Cemetery.” [Historic Alexandria]

Free Paper Shredding Tomorrow — “In honor of America Recycles Day, the City of Alexandria’s Resource Recovery Division will host a free shredding event for residents on Saturday, Nov. 15. Residents are invited to bring eligible materials to the parking lot of 3871 Mt. Vernon Avenue (MOM’s Organic Market) from 9 a.m. to noon for secure, sustainable shredding and disposal.” [City of Alexandria]

Go to Morning Notes for November 14, 2025 Read more
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