Leaf collection begins Nov. 3 in parts of Alexandria, according to mailers the city recently sent to residents outlining the fall vacuum program.
The city has divided Alexandria into five zones with staggered start dates running through late November. Each zone will receive three passes of leaf pickup through January 2026.
On This Day: Alexandria Had 48 Factories, 328 Retail Businesses — On this day in 1914, the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce reported the City had 48 manufactories, 39 wholesale houses, and 328 retail businesses, with combined business revenues of $30 million. [Historic Alexandria]
Alexandria Health District Navigates Federal Funding Crisis — When the Virginia Department of Health lost $219 million in federal COVID-era grants this March, Alexandria’s health district laid off 11 staff members who provided community immunization clinics, IT support, and multilingual outreach to diverse immigrant populations. District Director Dr. David Rose rescued nine positions by tapping into American Rescue Plan Act funds and securing emergency funding from Alexandria’s city council, though the relief is temporary as the district braces for increased demand from residents who may lose Medicaid coverage under recent federal changes. The funding cuts compound existing VDH problems including a $33 million deficit and embezzlement scandals, though Commissioner Karen Shelton says the department is working through 30 recommended reforms to rebuild accountability across Virginia’s 35 health districts. [ALXnow via Virginia Mercury]
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.
This article, Part One of the Mercury’s Pulse Check series, was produced as a project for the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism’s 2025 Impact Fund for Reporting on Health Equity and Health Systems.
In late March of this year the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) was notified that three COVID-19-era grants were being prematurely cancelled. This resulted in a loss of $219 million dollars the state had used to support public health initiatives, the layoff of hundreds of employees around Virginia and the compounding of existing challenges, including a $33 million deficit and burned-out staff.
Wayne Wesley Frost of Alexandria died on October 4 at Virginia Hospital Center (VHC) in Arlington at age 88. Born in Seattle, Wayne graduated from Ballard High School in 1955, where he was a standout football player. During his college freshman year, he played on the University of Washington Huskies football team, then transferred to the University of Oregon. He was as an Offensive Guard on the Duck team that played in the 1958 Rose Bowl.
“Wayne did everything he wanted, and he did it well,” says his wife Mercedes, of Alexandria. He had great curiosity and became expert in many areas. He was a creative, generous and empathic person, belying all football player stereotypes. Some have described him as a “Renaissance Man.”
**Sips & Shells: Holiday Oyster Shell Workshop at Hank's Oyster Bar**
Gather your girlfriends for a creative night out in Old Town Alexandria!
Representatives from seven transportation agencies will gather Monday evening for their annual joint meeting to discuss transportation projects and programs across Northern Virginia, including several initiatives affecting Alexandria.
The Northern Virginia Joint Transportation Meeting, required by state code, will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the VDOT Northern Virginia District Building in Fairfax. The event brings together the Commonwealth Transportation Board, Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, Virginia Railway Express, the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board, and state rail agencies.
An audience of thousands held signs and cheered as Alexandria leaders decried the Trump administration at the second No Kings rally outside City Hall on Saturday.
The first No Kings rally was held in June, albeit against a different backdrop of issues. Today’s event was held amid a shuttered federal government, increased crackdowns from U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement, and federal troops occupying cities across the country. The speakers today in Alexandria included U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-8th), Mayor Alyia Gaskins, retired general Randy Mannor and Del. Alfonso Lopez (D-3rd), all of whom railed against the administration, joining more than 2,700 similar demonstrations around the country.
More than a dozen Alexandria residents packed City Council chambers Saturday morning to demand elected officials publicly condemn what they described as Sheriff Sean Casey’s voluntary collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The speakers, part of the ICE Out of Alexandria coalition, called on council members during the scheduled public hearing to take a public stance against the sheriff’s practice of holding inmates beyond their release time and making courtesy calls to ICE about upcoming releases.
The Alexandria City High School football team fell to Fairfax 14-7 on Friday night, unable to score after jumping out to an early lead in a conference matchup between District 4 opponents.
Alexandria City (5-2, 2-2) scored seven points in the first quarter to take a 7-6 lead, but was held scoreless over the final three quarters. Fairfax (4-3, 3-1) responded with eight points in the third quarter to take a 14-7 advantage and shut down the Titans’ offense in the fourth to secure the victory.
By PAUL WISEMAN and GISELA SALOMON Associated Press | Editor’s Note: This Associated Press story has been localized for Alexandria readers. Original headline: ‘Trump’s immigration crackdown threatens America’s job market and ability to recruit foreign talent.’
Maria worked cleaning schools in Florida for $13 an hour. Every two weeks, she’d get a $900 paycheck from her employer, a contractor. Not much — but enough to cover rent in the house that she and her 11-year-old son share with five families, plus electricity, a cellphone and groceries.
