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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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]
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 — Nov 13, 2025.
Here are today’s most-read articles:
Here is what’s going on Friday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.
Expect a sunny day with a high of around 58 degrees and a west wind of 6 to 9 mph. For Friday night, the weather will be mostly cloudy with a low of approximately 43 degrees, accompanied by calm wind conditions. See more from Weather.gov.
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
– Theodore Roosevelt
Thanks for reading!
The Alexandria Health Department is issuing a warning to residents after a fox spotted near Rosemont over the weekend tested positive for rabies.
The now-deceased fox came into contact with a person and a dog near Rosemont on Sunday, Nov. 9, according to AHD. In a release today (Thursday), the department said it is working with the exposed parties on “safe next steps” and warning of “an increased risk of rabies exposures in the community.”
