Improvements to the pedestrian experience at Duke Street and Dulany Street aren’t just surface level: the entrances to the nearby Duke Street Tunnel are also getting a minor makeover.
The Carlyle Council said construction is ongoing today (Tuesday) on new gates for the tunnel.
Alexandrians might be able to find a furry new friend this weekend.
Lost Dog Cafe (808 N. Henry Street) in the Braddock neighborhood is hosting a puppy adoption event from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4, for a litter of puppies born last month.
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.
Nearly 1,200 signatures have been collected in a new Change.org petition asking for a holiday for Alexandria City Public Schools students the day after Halloween, on Nov. 1.
According to the petition:
(Updated 9:35 a.m.) After being unable to find a handgun or shell casing, the Alexandria Police Department (APD) is investigating the shooting death of a 15-year-old boy in a West End apartment building as “suspicious.”
The shooting occurred in an apartment in the 300 block of S. Whiting Street at around 10:45 p.m. on Saturday (Oct. 29), according to APD. The call to police was made by a person who said that the victim shot himself, but APD could not find a firearm or shell casing at the scene, according to scanner traffic.
Join us for an evening of made-up-on-the-spot improv comedy! We'll be calling on you to give us suggestions for a totally unique show that'll never be seen again!
Show is 18+ recommended. We perform free shows for the Alexandria, VA and surrounding community. Donations help us rent space, supply drinks, and defray other costs!
Good Tuesday morning, Alexandria!
🌤️ Today’s weather: Expect partly sunny skies and a high near 53, accompanied by a north wind at 3 to 8 mph. As for Tuesday night, it will be partly cloudy with a low of around 37. There will be light and variable wind, eventually becoming northwest and ranging from 5 to 8 mph after midnight.
As Alexandria leaders prepare to vacate City Hall for a few years while the building is renovated, a wish list is already building for what a new and improved City Hall could look like.
The center of city government, rebuilt in 1871 after the previous building burned down, is in rough shape and the much-needed renovations have long been kicked down the road.
The Alexandria Police Department is investigating a stabbing that allegedly occurred in Arlandria on Sunday night.
APD was initially dispatched at 10:45 p.m. to the 4000 block of Mount Vernon Avenue for a report of a motor vehicle crash. The incident was recategorized as a stabbing, and police interviewed a man who was allegedly stabbed while riding his bicycle, according to the police scanner. The victim was interviewed by police at the scene.
Former Bishop Ireton High School student Dave Grohl performed with other members of his band, Foo Fighters, this weekend on Saturday Night Live.
Grohl attended Bishop Ireton High School but eventually transferred to Annandale High School. Grohl later performed with a band called Nirvana before launching Foo Fighters in 1994.
Thousands turned out in costumes for the 27th annual Del Ray Halloween Parade on Sunday.
This year, the parade was named one of the top 10 Halloween Parades in the country by USA Today.
