News

Three Alexandria museums are participating in a new Virginia tourism campaign to commemorate the country’s 250th anniversary next year.

The new program, called the Virginia 250 Passport, includes Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, the Alexandria Black History Museum and the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum as part of a “passport” sweepstakes. The program encourages residents to visit various museums and historic sites throughout the commonwealth.


News

Two maintenance workers at a West End apartment complex restrained a man last week after he allegedly threatened one of them with a knife.

Alexandria Police Department was alerted to the incident around 4:30 p.m. last Thursday. When police arrived, they found the suspect, an Annandale man, restrained by the maintenance worker and his supervisor, APD told ALXnow via email.


Sponsored

Before the pandemic, I ran a Reddit forum that brought people together for local happy hours. It became a great outlet for an in-person social life: you could get out, get to know people nearby, and have a familiar group to spend time with. I enjoyed being the person who helped make that happen.

Getting people together became harder after the pandemic. Friends moved away, had kids, or settled into different routines, and organizing a night out took more effort. I still wanted that camaraderie, but having people to invite didn’t necessarily mean we could get something on the calendar.

I’m in my late 30s and live in Old Town. About a year ago, I joined Choros, a local membership community that helps guys build friendships through small-group activities. Since then, I’ve been to close to 50 hangouts, and it’s given me a regular group of guys to do things with around Alexandria and beyond.

I host board game nights and help host a monthly happy hour at the Commodore in Old Town. I’ve done escape rooms on King Street, trivia, food festivals in Del Ray, movie discussions, and Dungeons & Dragons (which can be especially tricky to get going as an adult with a busy schedule). Having that variety means I can find something that fits my mood and schedule, and there are usually familiar faces when I get there.

One of my favorite things, though, is getting on my bike, picking a destination, and making a day of it. Through Choros, I’ve found a consistent crew to ride with almost every month. That’s the kind of thing I wanted more of: people who enjoy the same stuff and make time to get out and do it together.

I still like hosting and bringing people together. What makes Choros useful is having a community to draw from, so every plan doesn’t depend on the same few friends being available. Other guys suggest and host things too, which gives me plenty of opportunities to join something without organizing it myself.

Over time, seeing the same guys at different activities builds familiarity. You have conversations to pick back up and another reason to make plans together. That’s how it’s become a circle of friends for me.

If you’re in Alexandria, check out Choros and come to one of our monthly happy hours at the Commodore. I’d be happy to meet a few more neighbors, whether you’re into board games, bike rides, or just getting out for a drink. There’s plenty happening here, along with activities throughout the rest of the D.C. area.


News

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On Nov. 12, 1918, construction began for the U.S. Naval Torpedo Station, on North Union Street. A contract for its construction had been awarded on October 14, 1918, but work did not begin until the day after Armistice Day (November 11, 1918), which marked the official end of World War I. The first torpedo was produced there in November 1920. Once fully operational, the Torpedo Station was responsible for the manufacture and maintenance of torpedoes for the next five years.” [Historic Alexandria]

‘Living Legends’ Ceremony Tonight— “The project honors individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to the Alexandria community. Resident Nina Tisara conceived the idea in 2006 to document the lives of influential people in Alexandria while they are still alive and celebrated the first Legends in 2008. Among this year’s Legends is Olympian Noah Lyles, 28, who is not only known for his speed but for his advocacy for mental health awareness.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]


News

It’s Veterans Day — “Several city offices will close [today] in observance of the holiday, while veterans and the Alexandria community are welcome to participate in some local ceremonies and events. The Friends of Rocky Versace will host its annual Veterans Day ceremony at 1 p.m. inside the Mount Vernon Recreation Center at 2701 Commonwealth Avenue.” [ALXnow]

Minnie Howard Closed for Repairs —The main pool is closed until further notice pending repairs. The warm water training pool will have offer extended hours with limited capacity on these dates: Monday, Nov. 10 from 4-8:45 p.m.; Wednesday, Nov. 13 from 4-6:20 p.m. and 7:20-8:45 p.m.; Thursday, Nov. 14 from 4-8:45 p.m.” [City of Alexandria]


Event

Join us for an evening of made-up-on-the-spot improv comedy! We'll be calling on you to give us suggestions for a totally unique show that'll never be seen again!

Show is 18+ recommended. We perform free shows for the Alexandria, VA and surrounding community. Donations help us rent space, supply drinks, and defray other costs!


News

Good Monday 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 10, 2025.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. New speakeasy ‘Bar 86’ opens in Old Town with tiki bar atmosphere (1808 views)
  2. APD investigating after suspects steal cash register from West End convenience store (761 views)
  3. Veterans Day in Alexandria: Events, closures and deals for veterans (507 views)
  4. Morning Notes for November 10, 2025 (426 views)
  5. Senate passes deal to reopen government, but hurdles remain for health care funding (381 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

☁️ Tuesday’s forecast

Unfortunately, there was an error with the forecast. In order to provide accurate information, the forecast should be added manually. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
– Franklin D. Roosevelt

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!


News

The Freedom House Museum reopened last Thursday following over a year of exterior renovations to restore the building’s pre-Civil War facade.

Alexandria leaders cut the ribbon on the renovations during a ceremony Saturday afternoon, where Mayor Alyia Gaskins said the museum — formerly a site where slave traders trafficked tens of thousands of enslaved peoples — serves as a declaration that the city will not forget its history.


News

The Alexandria Police Department is investigating an armed robbery that took place at a convenience store this morning (Monday) in the West End.

APD responded to a store at the 1600 block of N. Quaker Lane just after 5 a.m., after a clerk reported that two men in ski masks and black clothing entered the store, pointed handguns at the clerk and “took the cash register,” according to dispatch reports.


News

It’s been a lively year for the student journalists of Alexandria City High School newspaper Theogony, who were recently named some of the best in the state.

Just months after Theogony staff made national headlines for their enterprising Voices Unbound campaign, the student newspaper was one of five in Virginia to win top-ranking “Trophy Class” honors from the Virginia High School League. Former co-editor James Libresco, who spearheaded the anti-censorship campaign, was also named Virginia’s Student Journalist of the Year.


Around Town

Veterans Day will bring a day of reflection and community ceremonies in Alexandria, as well as some local deals for veterans and their families.

Several city offices will close tomorrow (Tuesday) in observance of the holiday, while veterans and the Alexandria community are welcome to participate in some local ceremonies and events.