ALXnow - Alexandria Now

News

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Oct 21, 2026

By ALXnow.com

Published October 21, 2026 at 9:00PM

Good Wednesday evening, Alexandria. Here’s a look back at today’s most-read stories and a look ahead to tomorrow.

📈 Today’s most-read stories

🕗 More from today

Everything else we published today, Oct 21, 2026.

📣 Announcements

Alexandria Fitness Studio for People Over 50 Closes Fall Into Fitness Program in 11 Days
Revolutionary Fitness, the semi-private strength and longevity studio at 215 N. Payne St. in… [Announcement]

Army Navy Game Day 5k and 10k Run, sponsored by the Washington, D.C. Foreign Area Officers Association
Attention all runners, joggers, and Army Navy fans! Come join us on Saturday, 12 December 2026… [Announcement]

📅 Upcoming events

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

6:00 pm: A Night of Art and History at Nepenthe Gallery featuring Bill Shute
👉 6:00 pm: Murder Mystery Night at Cherry on Top

⭐ Featured events

Murder Mystery Night at Cherry on Top
Oct 22: Murder Mystery Night at Cherry on Top [Event]

🎭 Halloween Improv Comedy Show with the Auxiliary
Oct 24: Join the Auxiliary Improv for a night of Halloween-themed comedy in Old Town, Alexandria VA! [Event]

CatRad Halloween Eve!
Oct 30: Join us for our second annual CatRad Halloween Eve! A night of ghoulish fun, spooky treats… [Event]

Imperium Open House: Discover a Smarter Way to Get Stronger
Nov 1: Explore a different approach to strength training at Imperium’s free open house in Old Town Alexandria. [Event]

Dialogue for Democracy
Nov 3: Dialogue for Democracy invites high school students from across the DMV to George Mason University. [Event]

How Retirement Communities Work – A Free Workshop
Nov 4: Interested in learning about how Continuing Care Retirement Communities work, but don’t know where to start? Join us on 11/4 to learn more! [Event]

Submit events, announcements, or home listings to ALXnow.

☀️ Weather update

Today: Alexandria saw a high of 68° at 1:55 p.m. (normal for the date), a low of 48° at 6:00 a.m., no rain and a peak gust of 21 mph.

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 43. North wind around 6 mph.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 67. North wind 6 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

The photo above is from the City of Alexandria’s marina webcam.

Thanks for reading!

Around Town

Four Alexandria-area eateries land on list of 50 Best Restaurants in N. Va.

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 21, 2026 at 3:45PM

Stracci Pizza in Del Ray (staff photo by James Cullum)

Four restaurants in the Alexandria area have been named among the region’s best for 2026 by Northern Virginia Magazine, though only two are located in the city proper.

While the city’s dining scene was completely left out of the magazine’s ranked top 10, which were unveiled last Friday (Oct. 16), it received a bit more love in the full list of Northern Virginia’s 50 Best Restaurants released at noon today (Wednesday).

USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation honors local leaders at Tennis Creates Gala

By Sponsor

Published October 15, 2026 at 10:45AM

Image from USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation honors local leaders at Tennis Creates Gala

Malika Andrews, 2026 Tennis Creates Gala Host

Gabrielle Berg, Northern Virginia Tennis for Fun Chapter Founder, 2026 Youth Leader of the Year Awardee

Khoi Truong, Lake Braddock Boys Tennis Coach, 2026 Coach of the Year Awardee

Vice Admiral Sean S. Buck, U.S. Navy (ret.), 2026 Tennis Creates Impact Honoree

Game, set, Gala! On Saturday, Nov. 14, the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation’s annual Tennis Creates Gala, presented by QTS, comes to The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner, celebrating the transformative power of tennis.

The evening raises critical funds to make the sport accessible to all across Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia and eastern/southern West Virginia.

Every dollar goes back into local communities through programs like Girls Rule the Court™, which has served more than 2,000 girls, along with Junior Player Scholarships and Tennis in Schools. Gala funds also help restore public courts. Over the last three years, the Foundation has invested $505,000 across 17 public facilities.

Emceeing the evening is Emmy Award-winning ESPN journalist Malika Andrews, host of NBA Today and NBA Countdown, who joined ESPN’s tennis coverage this year for the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open.

Andrews has pointed to the electric moment American tennis is having, with stars like the DMV’s own Frances Tiafoe reaching the 2026 US Open men’s semifinals, and says she’s grateful for the chance to support the sport at the local level.

Joining the celebration is new USTA CEO Craig Tiley, who took the helm of the national governing body in July after over 20 years at Tennis Australia. As he leads the USTA toward its goal of 35 million players by 2035, the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation drives the grassroots work to grow the sport right here in the region.

The Foundation will present its Tennis Creates Impact Award to Vice Admiral Sean S. Buck, U.S. Navy (ret.), 63rd Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy, recognizing his leadership in fostering character, community, and well-being through tennis.

The heart of the night is the 2026 Tennis Creates Awards, honoring local changemakers. Alexandria’s Leigh Ann Jackson receives the Adult Leader Award for coaching Girls Rule the Court at Groveton Elementary, where she has served 130 students over five seasons and championed the program’s expansion to Hybla Valley.

Arlington’s Gabrielle Berg earns the Youth Leader Award for founding a Northern Virginia chapter of Tennis For Fun, which runs free year-round clinics for people with special needs in partnership with the Arlington YMCA. Burke’s Khoi Truong, head coach at Lake Braddock Secondary School, is the 2026 Coach of the Year.

They’ll be joined by fellow honorees Dr. Ellen Markowitz (Community Champion), James Skinner (Provider Champion), and Janelle Nichols (Tennis in the Classroom Awardee).

Tickets and tables are now available. Can’t make it? Make a gift to USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation or bid in the silent auction to help put a racquet in the hands of the next generation of players.

The Tennis Creates Gala takes place Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, from 6:00 – 11:00 p.m. at The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner, 1700 Tysons Blvd., McLean, VA 22102.

For more information, visit TennisCreatesGala.com.

News

NEW: National Maritime Museum plans takeover of Tall Ship Providence and floating pier

By James Cullum

Published October 21, 2026 at 2:45PM

The Senator John Warner Maritime Heritage Center at Waterfront Park is home to the Tall Ship Providence (staff photo by James Cullum)

The United States Maritime Foundation is poised to take over operation of the Tall Ship Providence and its floating pier at Waterfront Park in Old Town Alexandria next month, allowing waterfront tours and educational programming to resume.

Marion Smith, president of the foundation, told ALXnow that his organization will officially sign paperwork taking over responsibility for the pier and ship in early November.

News

D.C. man charged after alleged West End car theft spree, pepper spray attack

By James Cullum

Published October 21, 2026 at 1:45PM | Updated October 21, 2026 at 6:32PM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A 24-year-old D.C. man faces felony theft and attempted malicious wounding charges after allegedly breaking into and stealing multiple vehicles in residential parking lots in Alexandria’s West End.

In one case, he allegedly unleashed pepper spray at a vehicle owner.

Event

Dialogue for Democracy

November 3, 2026 1:00 pm -5:30 pm

Event location

George Mason University, Buchanan Hall

4379 Mason Pond Drive

Fairfax, Virginia 22030

Add to Calendar

High school students from across the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) region are invited to participate in Dialogue for Democracy at George Mason University!

Hosted by the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, this event offers high school students an opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations about democracy, civic engagement, and the importance of understanding different perspectives.

Around Town

Ted’s Bulletin aims for November opening in Carlyle neighborhood

By Beth Lawton

Published October 21, 2026 at 11:45AM

The planned Ted's Bulletin location at 2471 Mandeville Lane (photo by Beth Lawton)

A new Ted’s Bulletin location is under construction in the Carlyle neighborhood.

The all-day breakfast spot is shooting to open next month at 2471 Mandeville Lane, according to a Facebook post.

News

APD: Alexandria stabbing suspect told police he did a ‘dumb thing’

By James Cullum

Published October 21, 2026 at 9:15AM

Tiger Mart and Bakery at 3903 Mount Vernon Avenue in the city's Arlandria neighborhood (via Google Maps)

More details have been released regarding a 21-year-old Alexandria man held without bond after a stabbing in the city’s Arlandria neighborhood.

In recently-released court documents, the Alexandria Police Department says that Jelzon Garcia Gonzales admitted to doing a “dumb thing” by stabbing a man early Sept. 15 outside a convenience store in the city’s Arlandria neighborhood.

News

Morning Notes for October 21, 2026

By ALXnow.com

Published October 21, 2026 at 7:30AM

Fall decorations at Del Ray Farmhouse Market & Garden (staff photo by Emily Leayman)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On October 21, 1669, Sir William Berkeley, colonial governor of Virginia, bestowed a 6000-acre land patent in the northern reaches of the colony to a Welsh sea captain named Robert Howson. … Eighty years later, a portion of that land would be formally established as the town of Alexandria, at a location just south of the tobacco inspection station operated by Hugh West since 1732.” [Historic Alexandria]

Guide to Halloween in Alexandria — “Spooky season is in full swing, and Alexandria’s calendar is packed — from Halloween bar crawls on King Street and a floating pumpkin patch to a goat social in Del Ray and Edgar Allan Poe himself (sort of) at The Lyceum. Here are some of the most fun events coming up around town.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

‘Hallow-Screen’ for STIs — “From October 26–30, Alexandria Health Department’s Teen Wellness Center clinics will offer free, confidential sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing to all Alexandria teens. In Alexandria, there are two Teen Wellness Center clinics located at Alexandria City High School’s King Street and Minnie Howard campuses, respectively.” [City of Alexandria]

Local Advisory Bodies Need Applicants — “Alexandria residents interested in helping shape city policies and programs have until Oct. 30 to apply for approximately 80 vacancies on city boards, commissions and committees. The Alexandria City Council is seeking applicants for positions on 32 advisory bodies covering issues including transportation, housing affordability, public safety, historic preservation and community services.” [Patch]

Trunk-or-Treat Next Week — “The Alexandria Police Department (APD), along with its public safety partners, invites residents and families to celebrate Halloween at the Public Safety Trunk or Treat event on Thursday, October 29, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Alexandria Police Headquarters, 3600 Wheeler Avenue.” [City of Alexandria]

Childcare Affordability in Virginia — “Closing Virginia’s child care affordability gap would require up to $4.5 billion annually over the next decade, according to the Virginia Department of Education — an investment that, under one scenario, would also raise annual pay for 43,000 educators by an average of $17,000.” [Virginia Mercury]

It’s Wednesday — Sunny with a high near 65 and a north wind of 8 to 10 mph. Wednesday night will be mostly clear, with a low around 46 and a northwest wind around 6 mph. [NWS]

Support local journalism. Join the ALXnow Press Club to boost our reporting and to get upgraded newsletters.

#Morning Notes

News

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Oct 20, 2026

By ALXnow.com

Published October 20, 2026 at 9:00PM

Good Tuesday evening, Alexandria. Here’s a look back at today’s most-read stories and a look ahead to tomorrow.

📈 Today’s most-read stories

JUST IN: Alexandria activist Glen Pine challenging Del. R. Kirk McPike for Democratic nomination (1,588 views)
Alexandria man arrested with airsoft gun after alleged Safeway robbery (1,165 views)
City Council approves townhouse development project in Old Town (1,163 views)

🕗 More from today

Everything else we published today, Oct 20, 2026.

📣 Announcements

Alexandria Fitness Studio for People Over 50 Closes Fall Into Fitness Program in 11 Days
Revolutionary Fitness, the semi-private strength and longevity studio at 215 N. Payne St. in… [Announcement]

📅 Upcoming events

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

4:00 pm: Powered by Virginia Tech: Building the Next Generation of Founders

⭐ Featured events

Murder Mystery Night at Cherry on Top
Oct 22: Murder Mystery Night at Cherry on Top [Event]

🎭 Halloween Improv Comedy Show with the Auxiliary
Oct 24: Join the Auxiliary Improv for a night of Halloween-themed comedy in Old Town, Alexandria VA! [Event]

CatRad Halloween Eve!
Oct 30: Join us for our second annual CatRad Halloween Eve! A night of ghoulish fun, spooky treats… [Event]

Imperium Open House: Discover a Smarter Way to Get Stronger
Nov 1: Explore a different approach to strength training at Imperium’s free open house in Old Town Alexandria. [Event]

Dialogue for Democracy
Nov 3: Dialogue for Democracy invites high school students from across the DMV to George Mason University. [Event]

Submit events, announcements, or home listings to ALXnow.

☀️ Weather update

Today: Alexandria saw a high of 72° at 1:45 p.m. (4° above normal), a low of 46° at 5:50 a.m., no rain and a peak gust of 17 mph.

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 49. North wind around 7 mph.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 67. North wind 6 to 10 mph.

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

The photo above is from the City of Alexandria’s marina webcam.

Thanks for reading!

News

City Council approves townhouse development project in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published October 20, 2026 at 3:45PM

Rendering of new development proposed for 724, 726 and 728 N. Patrick Street in the Parker-Gray District (via City of Alexandria)

The Alexandria City Council has approved a plan to convert a vacant lot and a one-story barbershop in the Parker-Gray Historic District into five four-story townhomes.

Despite a 6-0 approval from the Planning Commission, Council deferred the plan last month to have more discussions with the property owner about keeping neighborhood-serving commercial businesses on the site. A representative of the property owner told Council that the most interested buyers were townhome developers.