By SEUNG MIN KIM and STEPHEN GROVES Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House budget office said Friday that mass firings of federal workers have started, an attempt by President Donald Trump’s administration to exert more pressure on Democratic lawmakers as the government shutdown dragged into a 10th day.
The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria has cancelled Sunday’s Paws in the Park festival due to an approaching nor’easter forecast to bring high winds and flooding to the area.
The free community event was scheduled to run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Oronoco Bay Park, featuring pet adoptions, live music, a costume contest, and vendors.
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.
Just in time for the Halloween season, free fall movie nights are headed to Limerick Field (1800 Limerick Street) in the rear of AlexRenew headquarters.
A double feature will be presented on Saturday, Oct. 18, starting with Coco at 6 p.m., followed by The Rocky Horror Picture Show at 9 p.m. The movies are being presented by the Eisenhower Partnership, CatRad Creative, and AlexRenew, and water and Wegmans will donate popcorn.
Alexandria-based Systems Planning & Analysis has acquired Group W, a Vienna defense analytics company, in a deal that combines two prominent firms specializing in modeling and simulation for the Department of Defense.
The acquisition, announced Thursday, brings together companies with complementary expertise in defense wargaming and analytical tools used across military planning and operations. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Join Cruise Planners Beth Borrego and Rod Rodriguez for the World of Travel Show 2027 on Saturday, February 6, 2027, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in The BlackBox at BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown.
Meet representatives from 13 respected travel brands covering family and adults-only cruises, premium and luxury ocean voyages, European river cruises, expedition and Galápagos adventures, small-ship sailing, guided land tours, and customized vacations.
Twenty Old Town boutiques are falling into fashion with deals, giveaways, and more on Saturday (Oct. 11).
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the boutiques are featuring exclusive fall collections, interactive in-store activations, and seasonal bites and sips. Customers can also buy a seasonal tote from participating businesses, and enter to win a $1,000 gift card and Aiyana Atelier products, and a second prize of a $500 gift card at any participating boutique.
Alexandria residents will have the opportunity to clean out their medicine cabinets and safely dispose of unused or expired medications during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Alexandria Police Department, Alexandria Sheriff’s Office, and Alexandria Health Department — in cooperation with the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria — will staff four drop-off locations across the city as part of the Drug Enforcement Agency’s nationwide initiative.
From boutique trick-or-treating to drag brunches and poison tours, Alexandria is pulling out all the stops for Halloween 2025. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly activities, pet parades, or adults-only thrills, the city’s packed calendar offers something for every ghoul and goblin.
Here’s your guide to the best Halloween happenings around the city.
By LISA MASCARO AP Congressional Correspondent
WASHINGTON (AP) — Mike Johnson is the speaker of a House that is no longer in session.
$84M Refinancing for Meridian at Eisenhower — Berkadia has arranged an $84.1 million loan for the refinancing of Meridian at Eisenhower, a 369-unit residential high-rise located at 2351 Eisenhower Ave. in Alexandria. Patrick McGlohn, Patrick Cunningham, Brian Gould, Hunter Wood, and Natalie Hershey of Berkadia arranged the 10-year loan on behalf of the borrower, Paradigm Development Co. LLC. The direct lender was not disclosed. [Rebusiness Online]
Alexandria Targets Crash-Prone Intersections — Alexandria is cracking down on serious crashes at several intersections this month. Officials are identifying so-called “crash corridors” in the city using data to figure out where the most serious collisions have occurred. The targeted areas include Duke Street and South Washington Street, Duke Street at Van Dorn Street, and King Street, where it meets I-395. [News4]
