Correction: The victim in this case is not the suspect’s wife. Police recovered a weapon at the suspect’s home, and spoke with the suspect’s wife. ALXnow regrets the error.
A 60-year-old Alexandria man will appear in court later this month after being charged with abduction, assault and battery, and brandishing a firearm in an incident that allegedly “stemmed from dropping ice cream,” according to a recently released search warrant affidavit.
Tickets went on sale Monday for Ice & Lights: The Winter Village at Cameron Run, one of three holiday light attractions operated by NOVA Parks this winter season.
The outdoor winter experience at Cameron Run Regional Park in Alexandria features illuminated holiday displays, ice skating, photo opportunities, and seasonal refreshments. It opens on November 15 and runs through February 28.
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.
Alexandria City Public Schools will honor 13 individuals and three athletic teams at its 2025 Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 11, at Alexandria City High School.
The ceremony, scheduled from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the King Street campus auditorium, will recognize 11 athletes, one coach, and one administrator who have made significant contributions to high school athletics in Alexandria.
By JOSH BOAK Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers provided few public signs of meaningful negotiations to break an impasse on reopening the federal government as the shutdown entered its sixth day on Monday, with House Speaker Mike Johnson saying it was Democrats who needed to “stop the madness.”
Explore preschool & kindergarten options in Alexandria! Meet schools, ask questions & find the best match for your child’s early education.
Welcome to the Alexandria Preschool and Kindergarten Fair! Join us for a fun-filled event where parents can explore various preschool and kindergarten options for their little ones. Meet with representatives from different schools, ask questions, and gather information to make the best choice for your child's education. Don't miss this opportunity to discover the perfect match for your family! The fair is free to attend but advance registration is encouraged.
There’s a new gym just off Duke Street in Alexandria.
Over the weekend, the ribbon was cut at KRISSFIT at 3014 Colvin Street, near the intersection of Roth and Duke Streets. The gym is owned by personal trainers Kriss and Viktoria Baychev, who specialize in core training, nutrition, strength training, endurance training, and bodybuilding.
Starting this month, Alexandria will begin eradicating invasive plants in the Wilkes Street Tunnel and at several city parks.
Residents and visitors can expect some temporary fencing around affected areas, as the city will be making herbicide treatments and other “control” methods. Some of the invasive species that will be eradicated include Japanese honeysuckle, tree of heaven, English ivy, mimosa trees, and Oriental bittersweet.
The Torpedo Factory Art Center will host its 30th annual Art Safari on Saturday, Oct. 25, from noon to 4 p.m., offering free hands-on activities for children and families.
The event features art projects led by Art Center artists on all three floors of the waterfront facility. Activities are designed for children aged 5 to 12, although younger children can participate with adult assistance.
A local Muay Thai dojo recently moved to a new location in Alexandria.
Atlas Muay Thai Gym opened earlier this month in its new location at 2395 S. Dove Street. The gym opened in 2023 in a former CrossFit gym at 215 N. Payne Street, part of The Link coworking office, and is owned by Muay Thai world champion Amine “The Lion” Ballafrikh.
A local bakery just got a big order with a twist, literally.
Bread and Water Co. in the Belle View Shopping Center is now the pretzel maker for Capital One Arena. Throughout the hockey and basketball seasons, as well as during concerts and special events, customers can expect to find pretzels made by Bread and Water’s bakery in the Alexandria area of Fairfax County.
