Things were looking up for Richard Romero, founder of Seichou Karate in Alexandria. The Old Town dojo is facing imminent closure thanks to redevelopment, but Romero finally found a new home just northeast of Springfield.
But, like a crane kick at the end of a karate championship, Romero said some surprising zoning issues have cropped up that could spell trouble for plans to open Seichou Karate at 5710 General Washington Drive.
Spilled paint could be seen in the waterways of Alexandria’s North Ridge neighborhood on Saturday.
That morning, the Alexandria Fire Department was alerted of a “white-cloudy substance in the waterways visible from the walking trail” near Monticello Park off Old Dominion Boulevard, according to an AFD press release.
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.
Stay cool and keep hydrated; the National Weather Service said it’s going to be a hot day in Alexandria.
The heat advisory has been issued for noon to 8 p.m. today. Heat index values are expected to reach 100 and 105 across the region.
Good Tuesday morning, Alexandria!
☀️ Today’s weather: The forecast for Tuesday includes mostly sunny and hot conditions with a high temperature near 98 degrees. During Tuesday night, the weather will be clear with a low temperature of around 76 degrees
Event location
Woodson High School
9525 Main Street
Fairfax, Virginia 22031
Northern Virginia Fairfax Families for Safe Streets (NoVA FSS) cordially invites you to attend and support our upcoming World Day of Remembrance (WDoR) for Road Traffic Victims.
World Day of Remembrance is an annual event where we honor those whose lives were prematurely ended after being struck by a person driving. This year is particularly painful and sad as we think about the recent death of a 13-year-old Frost middle school student who was struck and killed by a person driving a truck on Pickett Road. We will also honor the nearly 30 other people (as of today’s date) who have been killed on Northern Virginia streets while, walking, biking, or rolling since last year’s day of remembrance.
One of the biggest stories of 2023 for Alexandria will likely be the city’s plans to reshape housing zoning, and this week largely set the board for the upcoming months of discussion and argument.
The city’s Zoning for Housing/Housing for All plan hasn’t officially been unveiled yet, that’s coming at a meeting next Tuesday night, but that didn’t stop it from dominating the conversation this week.
Alexandria police are investigating a residential burglary in the 5400 block of Taney Avenue that led to a car being stolen and a dangerous police chase.
No arrest has been made since the incident occurred on July 24. The victim told police that her window screen and a kitchen window were broken and her purse and Land Rover were stolen, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit. The woman reportedly said she bought the vehicle a few days before and last saw it that morning before going to sleep at 3 a.m.
Since it opened in February, Eddie’s Little Shop and Deli (1406 King Street) has been a spot to grab what you need and go, but that could change.
A new special use permit indicates the shop could be adding a little indoor seating soon, giving the bodega-like deli space an area for people to enjoy their meals.
Good Friday morning, Alexandria!
☀️ Today’s weather: The forecast for Friday includes sunny conditions with a high temperature near 81 degrees. A north wind will blow at around 7 mph. During Friday night, the weather will be clear with a low temperature of around 59 degrees, accompanied by an east wind ranging between 3 to 6 mph.
The Alexandria Police Department (APD) announced tonight that they’ve made an arrest for the fatal shooting in Arlandria in July.
APD said 26-year old Rae’Qwan McClinnahan, a non-city resident, has been charged with second degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a murder.
