‘Toy Stories’ Art Exhibit Coming to ALX — From Jan. 2-31, “browse toy-inspired art pieces curated by Gordon Thomas Frank and created by NoVA-area artists. The exhibit highlights the joy of play and evokes childhood nostalgia through the creative expression of toys. Del Ray Artisans Gallery: 2704 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, free.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
VA Revenue Loss Predicted Amid International Student Uncertainty — “With college students returning to class after the New Year, international students face heightened uncertainty in Virginia, as ongoing federal actions — including visa bans and disruptions to application processing — have led to a projected $23 million revenue loss for the commonwealth compared to last fall. Virginia received $893.5 million from more than 23,000 international students at its colleges and universities from 2024 to 2025, according to the Association of International Educators (NAFSA).” [Virginia Mercury]
Good Monday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
🕗 News recap
The following articles were published earlier today — Dec 29, 2025.
Here are today’s most-read articles:
- Alexandria seeks to streamline office-to-residential conversions (1160 views)
- After 50 years, Chris Collins wants dance studio to stay in Alexandria (707 views)
- Ulta Beauty ‘opening soon’ in Potomac Yard Center (348 views)
- Woodbine health care center receives three-year extension for stalled expansion project (331 views)
- Morning Notes for December 29, 2025 (286 views)
📅 Upcoming events
Here is what’s going on Tuesday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.
☀️ Tuesday’s forecast
Expect a sunny day with a high of 35 degrees accompanied by breezy west winds ranging from 17 to 23 mph, gusting up to 37 mph. For Tuesday night, the clouds will increase while the temperature drops to a low of 26 degrees. The west wind will settle down to 7 to 10 mph, gusting up to 22 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.”
– Vidal Sassoon
🌅 Tonight’s sunset
Thanks for reading!
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The largest beauty retailer in the world is coming to Potomac Yard this spring.
After months of construction, “opening soon” signs have been erected for Ulta Beauty at 3501 Richmond Highway in the Potomac Yard Center. That’s the former home of Dressbarn, which closed in 2019, along with hundreds of other Dressbarn locations around the country.
Friends of Guest House residents will have a comfy new year, as more than 75 sets of new pajamas and cozy socks were donated to the nonprofit and handed out on Christmas Eve.
The donations are enough to keep the residents outfitted with pajamas for an entire year, and were made possible by Maureen Clyne, a local realtor, who started the holiday effort seven years ago.
Raise a glass to culture and camaraderie at the 2026 whisky tasting event. Guests will enjoy a guided tasting across the whisky regions of Scotland, gaining insights into the craftsmanship and culture behind each pour. This informative program will help you learn all about the rich tapestry that is Scotch whisky, enable you to sample five different whiskies from across Scotland, and provide an opportunity to ask questions and share personal insights. VIP ticket holders will receive two additional exclusive samples of rare whiskies. All attendees will take home a souvenir Glencairn glass, perfect for continuing their whisky journey. Tickets are $100 for VIP or $75 for general admission (listed as a separate event on Alexandriava.gov/Shop), with hors d’oeuvres included. Wine and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for non-whisky drinkers. A raffle will also be held with prizes, with tickets available for cash purchase at the event. Minimum age: 21. All proceeds support the Alexandria Sister Cities Committee and its mission to support the educational and cultural exchanges between Alexandria, VA and her sister cities of Dundee, Scotland and Helsingborg, Sweden.
Please note: You do not need to print off tickets. Your name will be on the registration list for the event.
Chris Collins never wants to retire.
For 50 years, the Alexandria native has taught tap, ballet, jazz and pointe to thousands of aspiring movers and shakers at his private company, the Chris Collins Dance Studio. The studio at 5408 Eisenhower Avenue is a second home for Collins, who works there with his wife, Vickie, and daughter, Tiffany Hopper.
Where can you find a green tree and Santa with his reindeer and sleigh on the roof of a business along Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray?
Correctly answer this and at least 19 other questions from a clue sheet by Jan. 3 (Saturday) for bragging rights and a chance to win the 6th annual Del Ray Holiday Scavenger Hunt.
The stalled expansion of a nursing home in Alexandria’s Rosemont neighborhood just got a three-year extension from the Alexandria City Council.
The Council has unanimously re-approved a 2022 plan by Woodbine Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center to build a three-story, 31,909-square-foot addition. The development permits expired in October and were held back by increased construction costs and interest rates, Woodbine said in its application.
Alexandria city staff want to establish a standard permitting process for commercial-to-residential conversions.
Amid a struggling office real estate market, the city has seen a number of old office properties convert to residential use over the last several years. The proposal to create a special use permit (SUP) process for the conversions will head to the Planning Commission on Tuesday, Jan. 6.
First Night Alexandria Returning for NYE — “First Night Alexandria will bring hours of live music and performances, family-friendly fun and fireworks to Old Town and Carlyle for New Year’s Eve next week. In its 31st year, the annual holiday festival includes a packed schedule of activities and arts, culminating in a countdown to midnight at the Old Town waterfront.” [ALXnow]
Chamber Releases 2026 Agenda — “The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce has officially released its 2026 Legislative Agenda—their most important advocacy document of the year. Crafted by Chamber members, the agenda reflects the collective voice and priorities of Alexandria’s business community and outlines how the Chamber will advocate on their members’ behalf in the year ahead and beyond.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]
