Meet Oakley, an “extra-large dog with a big heart” at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria who enjoys walks and slow, snuggly afternoons.
The 10-year-old senior fellow is “a sweetheart with a winning personality,” according to an AWLA volunteer. The pooch is fairly calm, enjoys meeting new humans and knows cues to sit and shake.
On This Day in Alexandria History — “On Jan. 9, 1951, Alexandria officials announced the Alexandria National Guard armory on S. Royal Street had been converted into a recreation center for both servicemen and Alexandria residents. Renovations to the building included game rooms, a photographic darkroom and an indoor gym.” [Historic Alexandria]
NoVA Reports 8.2K in Job Losses — “Northern Virginia lost 8,200 jobs as the commonwealth shed tens of thousands of federal workers between November 2024 and November 2025, new data shows. Non-farm employment in Northern Virginia was down 0.5% as of November, according to data that the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement reported Wednesday. The commonwealth as a whole, meanwhile, had lost 22,400 federal jobs year-over-year — an 11.5% decrease.” [ARLnow]
Steeped in history yet thoughtfully reimagined for modern living, this exceptional detached residence, originally built in the 1880s, seamlessly blends timeless architecture with sophisticated luxury. Following an extensive renovation and expansion completed between 2022 and 2025, every detail has been meticulously curated to honor the home’s historic character while introducing today’s finest finishes and amenities. Spanning nearly 3,200 finished square feet, the home offers four to five spacious bedrooms, three full and one half baths, and beautifully proportioned living spaces with soaring ceilings, oversized windows, and an abundance of natural light.
The striking rear addition is defined by a dramatic wall of rare floor-to-ceiling black Marvin windows and doors, creating a stunning architectural statement while seamlessly connecting the interior living spaces to the private rear courtyard. The expanded kitchen and family room serve as the heart of the home, thoughtfully designed for both everyday living and effortless entertaining. The chef’s kitchen showcases custom inset cabinetry, Honed Danby marble countertops and full-height backsplash, herringbone hardwood flooring, high-end hardware and fixtures, and a premium suite of Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, including a paneled refrigerator and dishwasher, built-in espresso/coffee maker, and wine refrigerator.
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 — Jan 8, 2026.
Here is what’s going on Friday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.
Rain is possible after 4pm with clouds increasing and a high near 56. South winds between 6-10 mph and gusts up to 20 mph. On Friday night, rain is more likely after 1am, with temperatures dropping to around 49. Southwest winds of 5-8 mph will shift northwest after midnight, and there’s a 70% chance of precipitation. New precipitation amounts could range between a tenth and a quarter of an inch. See more from Weather.gov.
“Creativity is intelligence having fun.”
– Albert Einstein
Thanks for reading!
Much of the state’s Democratic political leadership is lining up behind Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker’s quest to succeed Adam Ebbin in the Virginia Senate.
Both Ebbin (D-39) and incoming Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced their endorsements for Bennett-Parker’s bid today (Thursday), joining a host of other supportive state leaders.
Event location
Fort Hunt Park
8999 Fort Hunt Rd
Alexandria, Virginia 22308
Join Breast Cancer Collective for the 2026 Walk to Bust Cancer on Sunday, October 18, at Fort Hunt Park in Alexandria.
Walk alongside survivors, caregivers, friends, families, and neighbors for an uplifting community event supporting access to breast cancer screening and care across the DMV.
Walk to Bust Cancer brings our community together to turn hope into action and help expand access to timely breast health care. Register to walk, gather your team, and join us at Fort Hunt Park.
An Alexandria-based nonprofit is planning a concert to raise funds for local child abuse prevention programs.
The Center for Alexandria’s Children has announced its annual “Banding Together: A Benefit Concert to End Child Abuse,” which is planned from 7-10:30 p.m. on Feb. 21 at the Oswald Durant Center (1605 Cameron Street). This year’s lineup includes local performers from School of Rock Alexandria and Guilty Ghost, led by Commonwealth’s Attorney Bryan Porter.
A moped that was stolen from Alexandria’s impound lot in November was later listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace, prompting an Alexandria Police Department investigation.
An employee at the impound lot at 5249 Eisenhower Avenue had received a call from an unknown person that the moped, stolen Nov. 10, was listed on Facebook Marketplace, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit.
A new perfume boutique with an emphasis on niche fragrances is opening on Cameron Street in Old Town next week.
Arielle Shoshana will officially open its doors at 313 Cameron Street next Wednesday, Jan. 14, with a ribbon cutting scheduled at 5:30 p.m. Mayor Alyia Gaskins will be in attendance, the business announced this morning (Thursday).
A man who crashed into a fence in Seminary Hill yesterday (Wednesday) was driving himself to the hospital after an accidental shooting, according to the Alexandria Police Department.
The driver sustained a non-life threatening injury during the incident, which occurred at around 3:30 p.m. near the 4500 block of Seminary Road, APD said in a Facebook post.
A new report on traffic safety in Northern Virginia is raising concerns about the number of “near miss” incidents in Alexandria, especially those involving children.
A total of 155 near miss incidents involving children were reported in Alexandria from January 2024 to December 2025 — more than in any other Northern Virginia locality, according to the report from Northern Virginia Families for Safe Streets (NoVA FSS). Of those incidents, 53 of them occurred at a single intersection in Potomac West.
