ALXnow - Alexandria Now

Expect a slight chance of showers before 10 a.m. and a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m., with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 84°F. Southeast winds will be about 5 to 8 mph, with a 40% chance of rain. Saturday night will likely bring showers and thunderstorms, continuing after midnight. The low will be around 70°F, with southeast winds of 3 to 6 mph and an 80% chance of rain, possibly bringing between a quarter and half an inch of new rainfall. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
– Nelson Mandela

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

We hope you have a great weekend, Alexandria!

News

‘We did not get it right’: ACPS promises response to parents on bus route cuts by Sept. 30

By James Cullum

Published September 11, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated September 11, 2026 at 4:06PM

School bus at Alexandria City High School (staff photo by James Cullum)

Amid a surge of complaints, Alexandria City Public Schools says it will respond to requests to reinstate bus routes by the end of the month.

The school system is under fire for its new walk zones associated with new school boundaries. In the city’s heavily Latino neighborhood of Arlandria, a number of parents complained to the Alexandria City School Board on Thursday night (Sept. 10) that the changes have left kids without school buses in unsafe areas.

Listing of the Day: 304 Charles Alexander Ct, Alexandria

Published September 9, 2026 at 5:45PM

304 Charles Alexander Ct

A rare opportunity to own a Federal-style home nestled in the highly sought-after North Ridge/Colonial Park neighborhood of Alexandria. This beautifully maintained home offers timeless elegance, exceptional craftsmanship, and generous living space.

Fully finished downstairs, 2-car garage, custom-designed 2-level deck, exceptional indoor and outdoor entertaining spaces.

News

Alexandria first responders, leaders mark 25 years since 9/11

By James Cullum

Published September 11, 2026 at 2:45PM | Updated September 11, 2026 at 6:32PM

The 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks at the Alexandria Police Department headquarters, Sept. 11, 2026 (courtesy of Alexandria Police Department)

Alexandria leaders and first responders commemorated the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks at Alexandria Police Headquarters this morning (Sept. 11).

Nearly 3,000 people were killed on 9/11 when terrorists flew commercial airliners into the Pentagon, the World Trade Center buildings in New York City, and into a field near Shanksville, Pa. On that fateful day, the Alexandria Police and Fire Departments and Sheriff’s Office responded to the Pentagon after it was struck by American Airlines flight 77.

Announcement

Fall Registration Closes Soon — Nova Fencing & Archery Club

By Nova Fencing and Archery Club

Published September 8, 2026

Classes start next week, and a few spots are still open! Nova Fencing & Archery Club in Falls Church has beginner fencing and archery classes for kids (4 to 6) and (7 to 12), teens, and adults, starting the week of September 12th. Eight sessions for $195, all equipment provided, no experience needed.

If you’ve been meaning to sign up, now’s the time — don’t wait until the strip’s full.

Around Town

Adoptable pet of the week: AWLA’s longest stay pet seeks forever home

By Emily Leayman

Published September 11, 2026 at 1:45PM

Long stay resident Bruno is seeking a home (via AWLA)

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria is hoping to find a landing place for its longest-stay pet.

According to AWLA, 5-year-old Bruno is an easygoing dog weighing about 46 pounds with a white and brown coat. He can be a shy guy at first when meeting new people and will warm up to them slowly before revealing his gentle nature.

Event

Presentation – The Marvels of the Cosmos – Seen Through NASA’s Eyes

September 12, 2026 7:30 pm -8:30 pm

Event location

David M. Brown Planetarium

1426 N Quincy St

Arlington, Virginia 22207

Add to Calendar

For over 400 years, humans have studied the cosmos through telescopes anchored to the ground. That changed with the rise of spaceflight; only in the last 50 years have telescopes escaped the Earth's atmosphere entirely and opened a new window on the universe.

Join us for a talk from two NASA astrophysicists on the space telescopes of yesterday, today, and tomorrow—from Hubble's nearly four decades of discovery to James Webb, Nancy Grace Roman, and more. Learn about some of their most striking discoveries and what the future holds.

Opinion

Poll: Best preschool/daycare in Alexandria

By ALXnow.com

Published September 11, 2026 at 11:45AM

Finding the right daycare or preschool can be overwhelming for working parents who want to ensure their child is in a safe, nurturing environment. The city has a range of daycare and preschool options to choose from, between home daycares and centers and specialized early education programs.

Here are the nominees for “Best Preschool/Daycare in Alexandria” as part of our returning ALXnow Readers’ Choice awards.

Did we miss your go-to daycare or preschool? Write them in!

Voting will close in two weeks.

Voting for the Best New Restaurant in Alexandria is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 8:30 a.m.

Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Winery Near Alexandria. The results are now official:

1. Paradise Springs Winery

2. Stone Tower Winery

3. Bluemont Vineyard

#Readers Choice

Around Town

Makers markets, 9/11 day of service and Oktoberfest top Alexandria’s weekend lineup

By Emily Leayman

Published September 11, 2026 at 9:45AM

Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market vendor (via Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market/Facebook)

Residents and visitors in Alexandria can expect a full lineup of weekend events in September, starting with this weekend.

As Alexandrians remember 9/11, the day will be followed by a National Day of Service and Remembrance for volunteers at Alexandria National Cemetery.

News

Morning Notes for September 11, 2026

By ALXnow.com

Published September 11, 2026 at 7:30AM

Puffy clouds along a flag-draped King Street in Old Town (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On September 11, 1887, the USS Dolphin sailed past the City of Alexandria with a squad of U.S. Marines bound for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The ship had previously anchored in the Potomac River off Alexandria, and steamed on to the Washington Navy Yard to pick up ‘a few good men’ scheduled to participate in the Constitution Centennial commemoration held that year. The New York-based Dolphin was a sleek and elegant, largely ceremonial ship operated by the U.S. Navy, famous for Congressional visits, ‘champagne cruises’ by government dignitaries, and as a transport ship for the Secretary of the Navy.” [Historic Alexandria]

9/11 Ceremony for 25th Anniversary Planned at APD Headquarters — “The City of Alexandria will hold its annual 9/11 remembrance ceremony from 10-11 a.m. Friday at Alexandria Police Department Headquarters (3600 Wheeler Avenue). The ceremony, remembering the victims, survivors, first responders and others impacted by 9/11, will include a presentation of colors, remarks by Mayor Alyia Gaskins and public safety officials and a return to quarters ceremony.” [ALXnow]

News

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Sep 10, 2026

By ALXnow.com

Published September 10, 2026 at 8:30PM

Good Thursday 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 — Sep 10, 2026.

7:30 am: Morning Notes for September 10, 2026 | 🗣️ Comments
9:15 am: Alexandria remembrance ceremony to mark 25 years since 9/11 attacks | 🗣️ Comments
10:00 am: Multiple drawbridge openings anticipated overnight on Woodrow Wilson Bridge | 🗣️ Comments
12:15 pm: Years in the making, new Del Ray spray park is now open | 🗣️ Comments
1:45 pm: Alexandria’s DASH ridership climbs as state evaluates Northern Virginia bus merger | 🗣️ Comments
2:15 pm: Aspasia Xypolia appointed as permanent Alexandria Office of Housing director | 🗣️ Comments
2:45 pm: Visit Alexandria: America250 and World Cup fuel rise in hotel stays | 🗣️ Comments
3:45 pm: Mobius Records opening Saturday on Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray | 🗣️ Comments

Here are today’s most-read articles:

Years in the making, new Del Ray spray park is now open (1101 views)
Alexandria’s DASH ridership climbs as state evaluates Northern Virginia bus merger (728 views)
Morning Notes for September 10, 2026 (416 views)

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Friday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.

No events today. Have one to promote? Submit it to the calendar.

🌥️ Friday’s forecast

There is a slight chance of showers early in the morning, with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 81°F. Winds will be from the northeast at 3 to 6 mph, and there is a 20% chance of precipitation. Friday night will remain mostly cloudy with a low around 67°F and calm winds. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“To succeed in life, you need two things: ignorance and confidence.”
– Mark Twain

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

Around Town

Mobius Records opening Saturday on Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published September 10, 2026 at 3:45PM

Mobius Records in Del Ray (via Mobius Records/Instagram)

Mobius Records is opening shop in Del Ray this Saturday (Sept. 12).

The new record store by Neighborhood Restaurant Group replaces Mulberry Lane Play Café at 2016 Mount Vernon Avenue, and will be one block away from Crooked Beat Records, which plans to open soon in its new location. Mobius Records will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Announcement

EvolveAll Launches Youth Martial Arts Program Built for Homeschool Families

By EvolveAll

Published September 11, 2026

For homeschooling families, finding activities that fit a non-traditional school day can be a challenge. EvolveAll, the martial arts and fitness studio that’s served the local community for more than 15 years, is addressing that gap with a new Homeschool Youth Martial Arts (YMA) program.

The program runs Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:15 to 2:00 PM and follows EvolveAll’s established YMA curriculum, which focuses on discipline, focus, coordination, and self-defense fundamentals for kids ages 5 to 10. Classes are led by EvolveAll’s head YMA Instructor Mr. Christian, who has over a decade of instructing experience. The class size is capped to keep the student-to-instructor ratio low.