The Alexandria City Council, on Saturday (Sept. 14), will consider loosening its citywide mural requirements.
Following the Planning Commission’s unanimous approval on Sept. 4, the City Council will conduct a public hearing on whether to allow entire walls to be taken up by murals, provided that “distracting elements” such as “any text, numbers, symbols, logos, or trademarks” are limited to one per multi-unit property.
Early voting for November’s general election starts on Friday, Sept. 19, across Virginia. Here’s what you need to know in Alexandria.
Early voting starts 45 days before election day, and the only contested elections voters can decide on in Alexandria are for the Virginia governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general.
Game, set, Gala! On Saturday, Nov. 14, the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation’s annual Tennis Creates Gala, presented by QTS, comes to The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner, celebrating the transformative power of tennis.
The evening raises critical funds to make the sport accessible to all across Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia and eastern/southern West Virginia.
Every dollar goes back into local communities through programs like Girls Rule the Court™, which has served more than 2,000 girls, along with Junior Player Scholarships and Tennis in Schools. Gala funds also help restore public courts. Over the last three years, the Foundation has invested $505,000 across 17 public facilities.
Emceeing the evening is Emmy Award-winning ESPN journalist Malika Andrews, host of NBA Today and NBA Countdown, who joined ESPN’s tennis coverage this year for the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open.
Andrews has pointed to the electric moment American tennis is having, with stars like the DMV’s own Frances Tiafoe reaching the 2026 US Open men’s semifinals, and says she’s grateful for the chance to support the sport at the local level.
Joining the celebration is new USTA CEO Craig Tiley, who took the helm of the national governing body in July after over 20 years at Tennis Australia. As he leads the USTA toward its goal of 35 million players by 2035, the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation drives the grassroots work to grow the sport right here in the region.
The Foundation will present its Tennis Creates Impact Award to Vice Admiral Sean S. Buck, U.S. Navy (ret.), 63rd Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy, recognizing his leadership in fostering character, community, and well-being through tennis.
The heart of the night is the 2026 Tennis Creates Awards, honoring local changemakers. Alexandria’s Leigh Ann Jackson receives the Adult Leader Award for coaching Girls Rule the Court at Groveton Elementary, where she has served 130 students over five seasons and championed the program’s expansion to Hybla Valley.
Arlington’s Gabrielle Berg earns the Youth Leader Award for founding a Northern Virginia chapter of Tennis For Fun, which runs free year-round clinics for people with special needs in partnership with the Arlington YMCA. Burke’s Khoi Truong, head coach at Lake Braddock Secondary School, is the 2026 Coach of the Year.
They’ll be joined by fellow honorees Dr. Ellen Markowitz (Community Champion), James Skinner (Provider Champion), and Janelle Nichols (Tennis in the Classroom Awardee).
Tickets and tables are now available. Can’t make it? Make a gift to USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation or bid in the silent auction to help put a racquet in the hands of the next generation of players.
The Tennis Creates Gala takes place Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, from 6:00 – 11:00 p.m. at The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner, 1700 Tysons Blvd., McLean, VA 22102.
For more information, visit TennisCreatesGala.com.
The Alexandria Department of Planning & Zoning will host a community meeting Sept. 22 to discuss potential updates to the city’s zoning ordinance affecting residential properties, commercial operations, and historic preservation.
The 7 p.m. meeting at City Hall, 301 King St., will take place in Sister Cities Conference Room 1101 on the first floor.
Alexandria will unveil redevelopment plans for Old Town Pool (1609 Cameron Street) at a community meeting next week.
On Tuesday, Sept. 16, the city’s Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities will present the plans at the Oswald Durant Center (1605 Cameron Street). The meeting will be held at 7 p.m.
When there’s a chill in the air, nothing satisfies like a rich Cabernet, a velvety Merlot, a smoky Syrah, or a brambly Shiraz. So put down your garden rake (the leaves can wait) and head to Arrowine to sample 20 of the Best Bargains in Big, Bold Reds from California, Washington State, and beyond.
We have spent the last two months tasting well over 200 wines and selected the top 20 for you to enjoy during this event. All of these wines overperformed and have exceptional price-to-quality value ratios. We know you will be impressed with our selections.
Interior demolition work started last week at a new French cafe in Old Town.
Aug. 28 was the last day for public comments on Maman Coffee Baking Kitchen’s special use permit application (SUP) to operate a cafe, bakery, restaurant, and accessory event space at 701 King Street. The building is located at the corner of King and N. Washington Streets, and is the former home to Foxtrot, which closed in 2024.
Good Tuesday morning, Alexandria!
☀️ Today’s weather: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77 degrees. Northeast wind 5 to 9 mph. Mostly cloudy tonight, with a low around 58 degrees. Northeast wind around 6 mph.
Full Name(s) of Owner(s): Cherry On Top LLC
Trading as: Cherry On Top
1021 Queen St
Alexandria, Alexandria City, Virginia 22314
The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL AUTHORITY (ABC) for a Retail Restaurant or Caterer Application – Restaurant Limited, Wine, Beer, Consumed On and Off Premises license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.
NOTE: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.
After more than two years of planning and redevelopment, Pupatella Neapolitan Pizza has revealed its opening date to ALXnow.
After an extensive renovation, the pizza chain will open at 700 Slaters Lane on Monday, Sept. 15.
Alexandria is hosting its Recovery Month Celebration on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at Ben Brenman Park (4800 Brenman Park Drive).
The free event from the city’s Department of Community and Human Services will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. and includes live music, food trucks, and local resources to help with the recovery from opioid addiction. More from the city is below.
