Some exterior changes could be coming to Carlyle House in Old Town.
The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority is asking the city to approve a plan to replace the wood shingles with a standing seam metal roof on the nearly 275-year-old mansion at 121 N. Fairfax Street. The first mansion ever constructed in Alexandria was built by city founder and merchant John Carlyle in 1751.
An Alexandria woman originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo is focused on empowering women with the publication of her first book.
Tania Dalia Kiboko published “Woman: Source of Happiness,” a story of self-discovery and finding inner strength geared toward women who have faced adversity and haven’t put themselves first. She drew from her own experiences and testimonies of women from Africa, Europe and North America as well as inspiration from biblical women.
Love glam? This gorgeous townhouse offers a spa-life bathroom with soaking tub, dual sink vanity, walk-in shower, and designer touches. The updated kitchen boasts quartz countertops and an island opening to a dining room with wooded views through sliding deck doors. Upstairs, 2 bedrooms feature ample closets and a continuation of hardwood floors.
For outdoor space, enjoy the lower-level flagstone patio and porch swing, or the main-level deck (recently painted). The walk-out basement, complete with a fireplace, is perfect for movie night or game day–basement furnishings available if desired. Potential to add a 2nd full bath. 1812 Sq ft of living space on 3 levels with lots of privacy.
On This Day in Alexandria History — “On August 17, 1814, towards the end of the War of 1812, Alexandrians agonized in desperation as they waited for a pending British attack. Capt. James Gordon, commander of a fleet of British ships, sailed into the mouth of the Potomac hoping to draw the Americans attention away from a pending attack from the north on the nation’s capital. Gordon’s ships included the 38-gun HMS Seahorse, the 36-gun Euryalus, the ‘rocket’ vessel Erebus, and several bomb vessels, the Aetna, Devastation, and Meteor. All that lay between the prosperous town of Alexandria and the attack force was the fortification at Fort Washington (then called Fort Warburton), and the shallow depths and shoals of the riverbed. Gordon’s boats were slowed for days on at least twenty occasions due to grounding but, assisted by his second in command, Charles Napier, he persevered. Finally closing in on the Maryland fort, which was blown-up by its panicked commander almost immediately upon Gordon’s order to fire, the prize of Alexandria was now in site.” [Historic Alexandria]
Former Old Town Business Association Leader Joins Breast Cancer Collective — “Charlotte Hall, one of Alexandria’s most recognizable community and small-business leaders, has been named interim executive director of the Breast Cancer Collective, effective Monday, Aug. 17. The appointment places Hall at the helm of the Alexandria-based nonprofit as its board begins a search for a permanent executive director and prepares for a busy fall fundraising and outreach season.” [The Zebra]
Good Friday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — Aug 14, 2026.
Here are today’s most-read articles:
Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.
Here is what’s going on Saturday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.
Here are the events planned for Sunday:
Expect mostly sunny skies with a high near 88°F and an east wind around 5 mph. Saturday night will be mostly cloudy with a low near 72°F and a southeast wind between 3 and 5 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
“What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.”
– Plutarch
We hope you have a great weekend, Alexandria!
Wine tasting, food, revelry. Jane Lopes & Jonathan Ross, Founders/Owners of Legend Imports, will be pouring some fantastic Aussie selections to pair with passed apps from Revel's kitchen for an epic Sunday Funday!
If you’re staying in town this weekend, there’s plenty to look forward to from Alexandria’s lineup of events.
Between the Summer Sidewalk Sale in Old Town, Bands & Brews in Del Ray and the ongoing Alexandria Restaurant Week across the city, there’s no shortage of event options.
If you missed the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge’s drawbridge opening last night, there’s another chance to witness — or avoid — it.
The drawbridge on the Capital Beltway (Interstate 495) will open from 11 p.m. to 11:20 p.m. Sunday (Aug. 16), according to the Virginia Department of Transportation. The opening will allow the boat My Podium to pass underneath the bridge.
An attack with scissors led to two arrests at the Van Dorn Street Metro station early Friday (Aug. 14).
Metro Transit Police responded around 12:30 a.m. to a report of a potential stabbing at one of the station’s bus bays. A police investigation determined two men had an altercation, and one was attacked with scissors and received a cut on the elbow.
Against the loud din of a crowded Atlas Brewery in Carlyle Crossing, a small group of self-described cartography nerds opened the first gathering of the Alexandria Map Society in late July.
The group is being organized by Alexandria resident Andrew McCarthy-Clark, who said he has been a fan of maps since elementary school, when he joined the National Geography Bee.
In a dog-friendly city like Alexandria, there’s no doubt it has plenty of green spaces and fenced-in dog parks to let your furry friend run and socialize with other dogs.
Here are the nominees for “Best Dog Park in Alexandria” as part of our returning ALXnow Readers’ Choice awards.
Did we miss your go-to dog park? Write them in!
Voting will close in two weeks.
Voting for the Best Taco Spot in Alexandria is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 8:30 a.m.
Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Bar in Alexandria. The results are now official:
1. Chadwicks
2. The Commodore
3. Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub
