(Updated at 11:45 a.m.) After more than 200 years in business, Alexandria’s Smoot Lumber yard is shutting down today.
The Alexandria-area supplier of mouldings, doors and windows has been a staple for local builders since it was founded in 1822, and now its owner Builders FirstSource says that customers should visit its lumber yards in Manassas, Manassas Park, Springfield and in Waldorf, Maryland.
Good Friday morning, Alexandria!
🌧️ Today’s weather: Expect rain mainly after 2pm, with a high near 51 and a south wind at 5 to 9 mph. The precipitation chance is 80%, with new amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. On Friday night, there’s a 50% chance of rain, mostly before 10pm, accompanied by patchy fog after 5am. The night will be mostly cloudy with a low around 46 and a south wind at 5 to 9 mph.
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 Mayor Justin Wilson will not seek a third term in office.
Wilson made the announcement in his monthly newsletter on Friday.
Here in Alexandria, real estate is a spectator sport. Let’s take a look at some of the smallest and largest homes sold last month (October 2023).
Largest homes sold
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.
The City of Alexandria is hosting a public hearing tonight on plans to rename streets that honor Confederate leaders.
Last month, the city identified six streets that could be renamed early next year.
Alexandria’s Biggest Holiday Weekend is here! Here’s your full rundown of all the festivities, events, live music, and entertainment that’s happening this weekend in Alexandria, enjoy!
Are you organizing an event? Submit events to ALXnow.
A man was allegedly robbed by four males on Monday afternoon on Yoakum Parkway in Alexandria’s West End.
At around 4:45 p.m., the 38-year-old victim reported to the Alexandria Police Department that he’d been robbed by four males while walking in the 200 block of Yoakum Parkway. The victim told police that he’d been walking with $50 in his hand, and that that’s what the suspects took.
Updated at 11:45 a.m. Alexandria Fire Chief Corey Smedley announced his retirement today, and that he will leave the top job on Friday, Jan. 12.
After more than three years at the helm of the department, the 51-year-old Smedley did not say what his next move would be after his retirement. He’s the city’s first permanent Black fire chief, and led the department through the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as negotiated the AFD first-ever collective bargaining agreement with the fire department’s union.
A 35-year-old man was stabbed in an attempted robbery Wednesday night, according to the Alexandria Police Department.
APD was notified at around 11 p.m. that the victim was stabbed in the arm in an attempted robbery in a parking lot in the 5600 block of Derby Court, which is near William Ramsay Elementary School, the William Ramsay Recreation Center and the Jerome “Buddie” Ford Nature Center.
