The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for Alexandria and surrounding areas through 9 p.m. Wednesday as thunderstorms capable of producing heavy rainfall are expected to move through the region.
The watch, issued at 11:57 a.m., covers Alexandria, Arlington, Falls Church, Fairfax County and parts of the District of Columbia and Maryland, including Anne Arundel, Prince George’s and Montgomery counties.
With summer winding down and students preparing to head back to school, many Alexandria families are making the most of these final weeks with visits to the city’s playgrounds. Now’s your chance to weigh in on which city playground deserves the top spot in our latest ALXnow Readers’ Choice poll.
Alexandria boasts more than 40 city playgrounds scattered across its neighborhoods, from tot lots perfect for toddlers to adventure-filled play areas that challenge older kids. Whether you’re drawn to the sprawling equipment at Ben Brenman Park, the scenic waterfront views at Jones Point Park, or the convenient neighborhood charm of smaller spaces like Mason Avenue Mini Park, each playground offers something unique for Alexandria families.
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.
Alexandria City Public Schools will welcome students back to classrooms on Monday, August 18, marking the start of the 2025-26 academic year for most district schools.
The Aug. 18 start date applies to 17 of the district’s 18 schools following the traditional academic calendar. Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School, which operates on a modified calendar, already began classes on July 21.
The Alexandria Fire Department was honored with a featured documentary at Fire-Rescue International 2025, the premier conference for fire and emergency service leaders currently underway in Orlando, Florida.
The department announced Tuesday on social media that WebsEdge IAFC TV produced a five-minute film titled “Stronger Together: The Alexandria Fire Department Story,” highlighting the department’s commitment to service and leadership. The documentary was showcased at the International Association of Fire Chiefs conference, which runs through Thursday at the Orange County Convention Center.
Join us for our second annual CatRad Halloween Eve! A night of ghoulish fun, spooky treats, and a wicked good time!
It's time for CatRads 2nd Annual Halloween Eve! Join us at St. Elmo's Old Town North for an evening of Halloween fun. Join us for:
Alexandria businesses dominated Virginia’s representation on the prestigious Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies, with 19 local firms earning spots on the annual ranking released Tuesday.
Artemis ARC, a service-disabled, veteran-owned consulting firm, led the Alexandria contingent at No. 34 nationally with a staggering 6,648% three-year revenue growth rate. The federal consulting firm became the highest-ranking Virginia company on this year’s Inc. 5000 list and the only business from the commonwealth to crack the top 100.
Good morning, Alexandria! 👋 Today is Wednesday, Aug. 13, the 225th day of 2025. There are 140 days left in the year.
⛈️ Today’s weather: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is 40%.
Former Alexandria City Councilman Mohamed “Mo” Seifeldein announced Tuesday to reporters that he will seek the Democratic nomination for Virginia’s 8th Congressional District, challenging five-term incumbent Rep. Don Beyer and positioning himself as a voice for economic change.
Seifeldein, 41, made the announcement during a press call, framing his campaign around what he calls the need for “moral clarity” and leaders who have experienced daily struggles.
After a wedding, graduation, or significant event, wouldn’t it be nice if folks could upload their phone pictures and videos to a single gallery?
Alexandria-based entrepreneur Elizabeth Kukla did just that. In the spring of 2021, Kukla’s cousin was getting married. As a gift to the happy couple, Kukla designed a card based on the wedding invitations and printed out cards with QR codes to be placed on the guest tables for the reception. Guests who scanned the code uploaded their favorite pictures to one place, and a week later, the bride’s younger sister reached out and asked for the same services at her own nuptials that summer. With that, SnapSpaces was born.
Alexandria City Public Schools will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the beloved football film “Remember the Titans” with a special celebration at Alexandria City High School on Sept. 19.
The ticketed evening event promises “special guests, fun surprises, and a whole lot of Titan pride,” according to a school district announcement. Activities will include a student pep rally, Titan tailgate, and a tribute to the 1971 Titans team that inspired the Disney film.
