Good Thursday morning, Alexandria!
🌤 Today’s weather: Sunny. Pleasantly warm. High of 85 and low of 59.
☔ Tomorrow: Light rain. Overcast. Warm. High of 81 and low of 60. Sunrise at 6:33 am and sunset at 7:43 pm.
Alexandria is sending $3 million in grant funding back to the state after controversial stream restoration projects fell through.
When the stream restoration projects return later this year, city leadership made it candidly clear that Alexandria taxpayers will likely shoulder more of the cost thanks to the lost grant funding.
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.
No one was injured after robbers fired a gun and stole a cash register inside the 7-Eleven at 800 Franklin Street in Old Town, according to the Alexandria Police Department.
The incident occurred just after midnight today (April 12). Police were dispatched to the store for a report of the theft and a single gunshot inside the store. The suspects reportedly fled the area in a black SUV.
The biggest single-day fundraiser for Alexandria nonprofits is around the corner, and early giving starts today.
ACT for Alexandria’s annual Spring2ACTion fundraiser is on April 26, and this year’s goal is to raise $2.5 million from 10,000 donors.
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Spend the evening with Washington Spirit alum and former USWNT player Joanna Lohman, a true DMV women’s soccer legend.
This is your chance to meet Joanna in person, hear the stories behind the career, the competition, and The Amazing Race, and experience the kind of sports moment you’ll still be talking about long after the night is over.
Good Wednesday morning, Alexandria!
⛅ Today’s weather: Morning clouds. Pleasantly warm. High of 82 and low of 56.
🌤 Tomorrow: Sunny. Pleasantly warm. High of 85 and low of 58. Sunrise at 6:35 am and sunset at 7:42 pm.
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(Updated 10:23 p.m.) Residents adjacent to 1799 Prime Steak and Seafood (110 S. Pitt Street) urged the Planning Commission to strike down a proposed outdoor seating expansion, but the Planning Commission ultimately voted unanimously to recommend approval of the special use permit.
The Planning Commission recommended approval of the permit at a meeting on March 30. The proposal now goes to the City Council on Saturday, April 15, though city staff noted that may not be the end of the restaurant owners’ fight to get more outdoor seating at the frequently crowded location.
Need an eyelash extension? A new studio just opened up in Alexandria’s West End that will keep your lashes lush for weeks on end.
April Nickens opened her first Amazing Lash Studio franchise in the West End Village shopping center at 374 S. Pickett Street on March 24.
Alexandria Police arrested two men last month and, according to affidavits, recovered a large number of illegal narcotics, cash and other items.
The investigation into the suspects began in November, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit.
Searching for a lovely and polite companion who also takes great pictures?
Meet 1-year-old Prince who is up for adoption at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. This handsome guy has never taken a bad picture and is finally ready to love his future owners.