ALXnow - Alexandria Now

Commission for the Arts approves ‘Now or Never’ Site See concept for waterfront

Published September 17, 2025 at 2:24PM

"Now or Never" public art design from the artist's presentation (via Alexandria's Office of the Arts)

The Alexandria Commission for the Arts unanimously approved artist Alicia Eggert‘s concept for “Site See 2026: Now or Never” Tuesday evening, giving the green light to the eighth temporary public art installation in the Site See: New Views in Old Town series at Waterfront Park.

The installation, planned from March through November 2026, aims to address the current political climate through monumental signage. It features two billboards positioned face-to-face across a narrow passageway. One billboard displays “NOW” in black text on a white background, while the other shows “NEVER” in white text on a black background.

News

Alexandria schools clarify no federal funds withheld despite ‘high-risk’ status

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 17, 2025 at 1:20PM

Alexandria City High School (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Public Schools clarified to ALXnow on Wednesday that no federal funds have been withheld from the district despite being placed on “high-risk” status by the U.S. Department of Education over transgender student policies.

“While ACPS has been designated as a high-risk entity by the United States Department of Education, no federal funds have been withheld from ACPS as of today,” the district said in response to ALXnow’s inquiry about the specific funding amounts at stake.

A 5-Star workday in the heart of Old Town Alexandria

By Sponsor

Published April 27, 2026 at 10:45AM

Image from A 5-Star Workday in the Heart of Old Town Alexandria

At Carr Workplaces King Street, experience a 5-star rated workspace on Google—designed to support your entire workday in the heart of Old Town Alexandria.

Start your morning with an easy Metro commute
Power through your day in a private office with on-site support
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When it’s time to connect, host clients at nearby restaurants or step out onto King Street for a change of pace—all just steps from your office.

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News

City postpones domestic violence vigil hours after announcing it

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 17, 2025 at 1:06PM | Updated September 17, 2025 at 1:56PM

Silent Witness Alexandria is designed to raise public awareness of domestic violence and create a space for healing through a visual memorial honoring those lost to domestic violence. (via City of Alexandria)

The city of Alexandria postponed a planned candlelight vigil to honor local victims of domestic violence just hours after announcing the event.

The Alexandria Domestic Violence Program announced Wednesday that the Silent Witness Candlelight Vigil and Memorial Program, planned for Oct. 2 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Market Square outside City Hall, has been postponed. A new date and time will be announced once confirmed.

Announcement

No Hablo Español. But We All Speak Fun

By Bar 86

Published May 1, 2026

You don’t need Spanish to know how to party.

Saturday, May 9th | 7 PM – 2 AM

News

School board to review $9,999 donation for male mentoring program

By James Cullum

Published September 17, 2025 at 11:30AM

Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt talks about a proposed policy change on student publications at the May 8, 2025, School Board meeting (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria School Board will consider Thursday whether to accept a $9,999 donation from McLean-based Proxyware to support a male mentoring initiative at two city schools.

Alexandria City Public Schools received the $9,999 donation on Sept. 2 for programs at Patrick Henry K-8 School and Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 School. The board must approve any donations over $5,000.

Event

Afternoon Matinee Movie – Under the Tuscan Sun (At (Germantown, MD))

May 31, 2026 2:45 pm -6:00 pm

BlackRock Center For The Arts

12901 Town Commons Dr

Germantown, Maryland 20874

Website Contact Social

Join us for a delightful Sunday afternoon at the BlackRock Center for the Arts as Cruise Planners Beth & Rod present a special travel-inspired matinee featuring the beloved film Under the Tuscan Sun.

Date & Time: Sunday, May 31 | 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

News

Alexandria Planning Commission to review 3-year extension for contested apartment project

By James Cullum

Published September 17, 2025 at 10:13AM

The developer behind a seven-story apartment building in the Braddock area is asking the city for an extension of its developmental special use permit (via City of Alexandria)

The Alexandria Planning Commission will review a three-year extension in October for a controversial 180-unit apartment building near the Braddock Road Metro station that has faced years of delays and community opposition.

In June, the city council deferred a decision to extend the DSUP for the one-acre project at 727 N. West St. until its city council public hearing on October 18. The deferral gave developer West Street Acquisitions several months to discuss stormwater issues with the city and conduct more community conversations with neighbors. The plan will first go to the Planning Commission for review on Oct. 9.

News

Notes: Five Alexandria leaders make Northern Virginia Magazine’s 50 Most Influential list

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 17, 2025 at 7:59AM | Updated September 17, 2025 at 3:23PM

Northern Virginia Magazine's 50 Most Influential of 2025 (Credit: Northern Virginia Magazine)

Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Tuesday, Sept. 16, the 259th day of 2025. There are 106 days left in the year.

⛈️ Today’s weather: Showers, mainly before noon. High near 68. North wind 10 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

News

Single-vehicle crash closes West Braddock Road, causes power outages

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 17, 2025 at 5:17AM | Updated September 17, 2025 at 2:35PM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

West Braddock Road remained closed in both directions Wednesday after a single-vehicle crash into a utility pole left power lines down and caused widespread outages affecting thousands of customers.

Emergency crews were dispatched to the 900 block of West Braddock Road at 2:33 a.m. after callers reported a single vehicle had struck a utility pole, according to dispatch scanner reports. The pole fell, and live wires were down with transformers blown in the area.

News

Washington Commanders players visit Alexandria school, distribute $5,000 in food, supplies

By James Cullum

Published September 16, 2025 at 2:21PM | Updated September 16, 2025 at 3:13PM

Players with the Washington Commanders visited Mount Vernon Community School, Sept. 16, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Mount Vernon Community School students in Alexandria got a visit on Tuesday from Washington Commanders players, who gave away $5,000 worth of food, plush footballs, hats, and notebooks.

Commanders running back Christopher Rodriguez, Jr., wide receivers Jaylin Lane and Chris Moore, and mascot Major Tuddy visited the school in collaboration with the nonprofit Blessings in a Backpack. In addition to receiving signed team merchandise, students also got bags with yogurt, pretzels, fruit cups, cereal, soup, macaroni and cheese, and tuna.

News

Sora Ethiopian restaurant closes in Alexandria after 12 years

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 16, 2025 at 12:52PM

The former Sora Ethiopian Market, Cafe & Carry-Out storefront on Duke Street in Alexandria shows closed blinds and an empty interior after the restaurant's closure in late August. (Ryan Belmore/ALXnow)

Sora Ethiopian Market & Cafe on Duke Street has permanently closed after 12 years in business, with an online auction of its equipment confirming the shutdown of a business that served as both a market and community gathering place.

The restaurant, which opened in 2013, closed over the weekend of Aug. 31, according to customers who posted in a local Facebook group. The building at 5145 Duke St. sold for $2.85 million on July 1 to ADRS Properties LP, according to Alexandria property records.