On This Day in Alexandria History — “This week in November 1955 saw some interesting weather fluctuations at Alexandria’s Potomac Yard, where weather statistics were recorded at the time. Within a span of just a few days, the temperature ranged from a hot and humid 77 degrees, to a bitter cold of only 11 degrees, topped off by a one inch snowfall! This temperature range was one of the widest ever recorded in the city.” [Historic Alexandria]
APD Weekend Investigation — “APD officers are currently in the 5300 block of Essex Ct conducting an active investigation,” the department posted on Facebook around 5:30 p.m. Saturday. “Residents may see an increased police presence in the area.” ALXnow has reached out to APD for more information. [Alexandria Police Department]
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 21, 2025.
Here are today’s most-read articles:
- Morning Poll: Who’s having more fun, Alexandria or Arlington? (953 views)
- Facing financial decline, Alexandria releases new draft plan for economic growth (597 views)
- Maryland-based valet company proposes new service in Old Town (360 views)
- Alexandria Weekend Guide: Tree Lighting, cat yoga and turkey trots (356 views)
Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.
- Living in mold and disrepair, ARHA tenants decry unsafe living conditions, neglect (8688 views)
- UPDATED: APD arrests suspect following Sunday night Arlandria stabbing (5864 views)
- Alexandria Cider Festival brings tastings, food trucks to Old Town this weekend (3915 views)
- LaPluma cafe gets more seating and longer hours in Old Town, after neighbors rally support (2978 views)
- National Science Foundation will stay in Carlyle, retaining hundreds of jobs (2823 views)
- Akeno Sushi plans late November opening in Old Town (2534 views)
- Alexandria staff zero in on options to prevent displacement and preserve affordable housing (2303 views)
- AFD extinguishes fire at Landmark high-rise, transporting two residents to hospital (2222 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
Showers are possible before 10am, after which the sky will gradually clear up, resulting in a mostly sunny day with a high near 56 degrees. A north wind at 6-8 mph is expected, and there is a 40% chance of precipitation. The night will be partly cloudy, with temperatures dropping to around 36 degrees. The north wind at 5 mph will become calm in the evening. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Don’t count the days, make the days count.”
– Muhammad Ali
🌅 Tonight’s sunset
We hope you have a great weekend, Alexandria!
Facing a decline in job growth, a struggling commercial real estate market and a climbing population, today (Friday) Alexandria released the draft of its first economic development strategy in nearly two decades.
The 63-page ALX Forward draft plan makes a number of recommends to reverse negative trends, including leveraging economic opportunities in Old Town North, Eisenhower East, the West End, and Potomac Yard; retaining local businesses and attracting high-growth industries like artificial intelligence firms; and strengthening support for the city’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
A Maryland company has applied to open a new valet parking service for three Old Town restaurants.
Silver Spring-based Unipark Valet recently filed paperwork with the city to provide parking for The Fish Market, Landini Brothers Restaurant and Il Porto Italian Ristorante, each along the 100 block of King Street.
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.
All city administrative offices are scheduled to close next Thursday and Friday in observance of Thanksgiving, although some community facilities will still have Friday hours.
The closures will prompt half days at some departments next Wednesday. All city courts, health facilities and the Alexandria Law Library intend to close at noon next Wednesday, Nov. 26.
Third graders at Ferdinand T. Day Elementary School were unexpectedly surprised with free Huffy bikes during an assembly this morning (Friday).
Earlier this month, the students participated in an essay contest writing about what they want to be when they grow up. Only the top three essayists would win bikes, the kids were told.
This November weekend in Alexandria will get into the holiday spirit with the city’s annual Tree Lighting on Saturday night, plus two pre-Thanksgiving “turkey trots.”
Alexandrians can also catch the Middle Eastern Arts Collective’s inaugural gallery tonight (Friday), knit a chunky pumpkin at AR Workshop or gain some peace of mind with the felines at Mount Purrnon. If you like cider, the city’s own Cider Festival is taking place from 1-5 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday) at Lloyd House.
It’s time to settle the score.
ALXnow’s sister site, ARLnow, got caught in the crossfire yesterday between two public officials hoping to clear up one question: Which locality is more fun, Arlington or Alexandria?
Sassy, “the wonder pup” of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, is always ready for a good adventure.
The 8-month-old puppy “is demonstrating many great qualities at a young age,” an AWLA volunteer wrote. Affectionate and active, she needs plenty of exercise, “preferably at your side.”
