There’s a new kickboxing gym in Old Town.
On Saturday, 9Round Fitness will hold a grand opening ceremony at its new location at 123 N. Pitt Street (suite 150) in Old Town.
There’s a new kickboxing gym in Old Town.
On Saturday, 9Round Fitness will hold a grand opening ceremony at its new location at 123 N. Pitt Street (suite 150) in Old Town.
(Updated 5/13) A 53-year-old Manassas resident has been hit with 17 counts of felony embezzlement after allegedly taking $600,000 from her job at Hank’s Oyster Bar in Old Town.
The woman was a general manager at the restaurant — currently at 818 N. St Asaph Street, formerly at 1024 King Street — and allegedly embezzled the money over eight and a half years, according to the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney.
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.
(Updated 2 p.m.) The Alexandria Police Department is responding to another bank robbery at the Wells Fargo Bank at 3506 Mount Vernon Avenue.
The same bank was hit with a robbery in March.
Good Friday morning, Alexandria!
Two police officers shot and killed a man the department alleges had attacked another officer and was trying to take his gun in the Penn Daw area (6239 Richmond Highway) just south of Alexandria.
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.
Alexandria City High School (ACHS) Principal Peter Balas announced that, after graduation in June, he’s heading north to become the new principal at Arlington’s Wakefield High School.
Balas, who has been with Alexandria City Public Schools for 22 years, took over at then-T.C. Williams High School in 2017. Since then, Balas has navigated the school through Covid, the “One T.C.” decision, the school renaming and issues around violence in the school.
This past week saw 43 homes sold in Alexandria.
The least expensive condo, single-family home or townhouse sale over the past seven days was $210,900 while the most expensive was $1,565,000.
An Alexandria man was robbed at gunpoint after hanging out with a woman he met on Instagram, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit.
The incident occurred after 11 p.m. on April 11 (Tuesday) in an apartment complex in the 3800 block of Russell Road. The victim told police that he was robbed after meeting up with a woman that evening at St. Rita’s Catholic Church (3815 Russell Road).
After being closed since January, Abyssinia Market and Coffee House will reopen on Saturday (May 13) in Old Town, owner Lily Damtew recently announced on Facebook.
“I’m very happy to announce that we’ll be reopening the coffee shop this Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.” she wrote on Facebook. “All beer and wines are on sale everything must go. Thank you for all the love and support you showed us, we hope to see you on Saturday!”
Are you looking for a furry companion to keep you company? Biscuit is a 10-year-old pup searching for a new home and up for adoption at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria!
This gentleman is a senior who finds the shelter a bit scary, according to AWLA spokesperson Erin Shackelford.