Update at 2:30 p.m. — The Alexandria Police Department and Arlington County Police Department cleared the King Street campus building and determined there was no threat to the public.
Update: Alexandria Police officers, with the assistance of Arlington County Police, have cleared the ACHS King Street building. There is no threat to the public. No threatening materials were located. pic.twitter.com/yZPAw05QN9
The suspect who allegedly robbed the Tobacco & Mini Mart at 1037 W. Glebe Road on Sunday night is armed and dangerous, and should not be approached if seen, the Alexandria Police Department (APD) said in a public notification.
The suspect walked into the store at around 7:15 p.m., allegedly displayed a handgun and fled the area in the direction of Arlington on foot, according to the APD scanner. No one was injured in the incident.
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.
In case you missed it, the lighting of the Del Ray Christmas tree and menorah was packed last night.
The evening was full of families and friends caroling with hot chocolate with marshmallows.
(Updated 10:50 a.m.) With Mayor Justin Wilson announcing last week that he won’t seek reelection, two members of Alexandria’s City Council have tossed their hats into the ring to replace him.
City Council member Alyia Gaskins announced this morning (Monday) that she would be running for mayor.
Event location
Duvall House
305 Cameron Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Join George Washington at the beautiful, historic Duvall House—the site of his “coming home” celebration after the Revolutionary War! Libations and hearty hors d’oeuvres will be served. Tickets are $150 per person, with proceeds benefiting the 2027 George Washington Birthday Parade in Alexandria. Reserve your space at the event website, or email us at [email protected] if you prefer to pay at the door.
Good Monday morning, Alexandria!
🌤️ Today’s weather: Expect partly sunny skies with a high near 52 during the day, accompanied by a west wind blowing at around 7 to 9 mph. As for Monday night, the skies will be mostly clear, with the temperature dropping to around 35 and a northwest wind blowing at around 8 mph.
It’s been a busy week in Alexandria.
Just days after Alexandria’s City Council voted unanimously to ditch single-family-only zoning, Mayor Justin Wilson announced that he would not be running for reelection next year. Though no candidates have officially thrown their hat into the ring to replace Wilson, a fight for the spot is inevitable ahead of the Democratic primary next year and the general election next November.
The days of digging through archives by address to find a historical report on a building in Alexandria could, themselves, be a thing of the past.
Anyone can now easily access archeological reports from around Alexandria via a new interactive map.
Friends of Guest House needs pajamas and cozy socks for their female residents who are transitioning back to the community from prison.
Realtor Maureen Clyne started the annual effort four years ago and has collected hundreds of pajama sets. This year’s goal is 100 pairs of pajamas.
Mayor Justin Wilson isn’t the only one leaving city government: after 25 years working for the city, Senior Community Liaison Elaine Scott is retiring.
Scott has run the City Academy — a nine-week program that teaches anyone interested in city government the ins and outs of city departments and operations — since 2009.
