After a busy Halloween season, Alexandria will have a quieter weekend of events before holiday happenings ramp up.
The first full weekend of November brings a closing celebration for the Waterfront Park art installation, Veterans Day Run, Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum’s 20th anniversary open house and an evening with George Washington.
On This Day in Alexandria History — “On November 6, 1860, in what was one of the most controversial presidential elections in American history, Abraham Lincoln was elected president securing the necessary electoral votes from the industrializing Northern States, almost no support in the agricultural South. Of the four candidates participating in the election, Alexandria’s voters, fearing the destruction of Virginia’s economy and their way of life by either the ever-growing political power of the North, or increasingly radical calls for secession by the South, overwhelmingly supported Constitutional Unionist John Bell with 940 votes. Bell, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives and planter from Tennessee, opposed secession and supported a neutral stance on the issue of slavery.” [Historic Alexandria]
City Council Hosting Budget Retreat Tomorrow — Saturday’s budget retreat beginning at 9 a.m. will include an ACPS operating budget presentation, city revenue forecast, discussion on budget guidance, Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority presentation and an update on state regulations and local sales tax. [ALXnow]
D.C. Italian Restaurant to Close Ahead of Old Town Opening — “Floriana has shared few details about the timeline for the upcoming Alexandria space, though it revealed that the new Old Town location will sit less than a mile from the King Street-Old Town Metro station. The restaurant also confirmed that all existing gift cards will be honored at the new Virginia location.” [Fox5DC]
Feedback Due on West End Transportation Projects — “Heads up- there are TWO feedback forms closing tomorrow! Make sure to share your thoughts on design options for Seminary Road and on the high-crash intersection audit in the West End by EOD Friday: Seminary West: alexandriava.gov/go/6552 High Crash Intersection Audit: alexandriava.gov/go/4794.” [Alexandria T&ES/Bluesky]
Nonprofit Dog Treat Maker Leases Alexandria Space — “For years, the team at Pawfectly Delicious Dog Treats has rolled out ginger dough, cut it into shapes and packed bags for customers. Now the Alexandria nonprofit has signed a lease for its own office, giving it room to expand the kinds of paid work it can offer adults with disabilities.” [The Zebra]
Labor Union Supports Potential Bus System Merger — “It will be better for workers and for riders, better for communities,” said Benjamin Lynn, a representative of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689, during an Oct. 21 roundtable discussion convened to consider the possibility of consolidating Fairfax Connector, Fairfax City’s CUE Bus, Arlington Transit (ART) and Alexandria’s DASH.” [FFXnow]
ACHS Students to Appear on WETA’s ‘It’s Academic’ — “Schools from across the Washington metropolitan area will compete throughout the month. The show’s head-to-head intellectual competition format challenges student teams to answer questions on a variety of topics from history to science, geography, current events and more.” [Patch]
Alexandria Firm Hosts Tech Expo — “Systems Planning & Analysis (SPA), a global, independent analytical and technical innovation firm, hosted its inaugural SPA Ignite Tech Expo on October 29 at the company’s Alexandria headquarters. The invitation-only event brought together leaders from defense and industry organizations to experience SPA-developed technologies and engage directly with the experts behind them. The event featured live demonstrations of 12 technologies across eight exhibit stations spanning SPA’s capabilities in strategic analysis and force design; mission and operations research analysis; data science and artificial intelligence; software and cloud engineering; integrated program execution; and systems engineering and emerging technology.” [Systems Planning and Analysis]
Volunteer Alexandria to Host Family Volunteer Day — “Volunteer Alexandria holds a day for families to volunteer together, where even the youngest child can learn the value of service to others! Two locations available on November 21.” [Volunteer Alexandria]
Sphere Wins Approval in National Harbor — “A slew of new renderings released ahead of the planning board meeting depict a venue unlike anything Greater Washington has ever seen, especially so close to the Capital Beltway. The $1.4 billion Sphere will tower above the adjacent MGM National Harbor complex, which rises 265 feet, and the tangle of highways and forests in the Oxon Hill area.” [Washington Business Journal]
Dominion-NextEra Merger Hearings Begin — “Public hearings in the case to decide the fate of the proposed merger between Dominion Energy and Florida-based NextEra Energy begin this week at the State Corporation Commission. The $67 billion all-stock deal would create the largest regulated utility in the world. In the months preceding the hearings, scores of lawmakers, consumer advocates and citizens have strongly opposed the proposal, with leaders at the top level of state government pushing for more time to review the case.” [Virginia Mercury]
Experts Weigh in on Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting — “Arlington County Police Chief Andy Penn has defended officers’ actions as attempts to peacefully resolve a standoff with an armed and noncompliant suspect, who had raised his knife when officers shot him. But points of contention include a lack of response from mental health professionals, the deployment of chemical irritants during negotiations, the amount of time officers spent waiting for Valn to surrender, and the final decision to break open the door to the room where he was hiding.” [ARLnow]
SoberRide Halloween Program Results — “Over 2,000 (2,175) persons in the Washington-metropolitan area used the free safe ride service, SoberRide®, Halloween weekend (October 30-November 1) as opposed to possibly driving home drunk.” [Washington Regional Alcohol Program]
It’s Friday — Showers are likely early, mainly before 8am, with patchy fog before 9am. Skies will turn from cloudy to mostly sunny, with a high near 69 and light north winds. Rainfall may total a tenth to a quarter inch. Friday night will be mostly cloudy with a low around 50, and northwest winds increasing after midnight with gusts up to 20 mph. [NWS]
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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.
Good Thursday evening, Alexandria. Here’s a look back at today’s most-read stories and a look ahead to tomorrow.
Everything else we published today, Nov 5, 2026.
Old Town Strength Studio for 50+ Opens 5 Spots in Members-Only Year-End Challenge
Revolutionary Fitness, the strength and longevity training studio for people over 50 at 215… [Announcement]
Here is what’s going on Friday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.
An Intimate Evening with George Washington
Nov 7: An intimate reception with George Washington at a historic venue [Event]
Alexandria Preschool & Kindergarten Fair
Nov 14: Preschool & Kindergarten Fair [Event]
Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market
Nov 14: Free, Open Air Flea & Vintage Market with 70+ Vendors, "Best in VA!" [Event]
World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
Nov 15: Northern Virginia Fairfax Families for Safe Streets (NoVA FSS) cordially invites you to attend… [Event]
Sips & Shells: Holiday Oyster Shell Workshop at Hank’s Oyster Bar
Nov 17: Gather your girlfriends for a creative night out in Old Town Alexandria! [Event]
Washington Spirit Alum Meet & Greet + The Amazing Race Watch Party
Nov 18: Meet Washington Spirit alum Joanna Lohman, then stick around to cheer on Joanna and Ali Krieger as they compete on The Amazing Race! [Event]
💡 November Leadership Incubator Weekend, hosted by Shifting Waters Leadership
Nov 19: Shifting Waters Leadership Institute (SWLI) is bringing a new kind of leadership experience… [Event]
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Today: Alexandria saw a high of 73° at 12:00 p.m. (11° above normal), a low of 64° at 12:20 a.m. and 0.02 inches of rain (Four Mile Run, Alexandria).
Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 3am, then patchy fog and a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 3am and 4am, then patchy fog and scattered showers and thunderstorms between 4am and 5am, then patchy fog and a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Southwest wind 2 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Friday: Patchy fog and a chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8am, then a chance of rain showers and patchy fog between 8am and 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. North wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
The photo above is from the City of Alexandria’s marina webcam.
Thanks for reading!
Alexandria has operated its jail for nearly 200 years, and now the city is asking residents whether it should stay in operation.
The city’s survey on whether to continue operating the William G. Truesdale Adult Detention Center or consider other options is available online until Nov. 20. Meanwhile, city staff have spent months working on the $200,000 jail study, with a goal of presenting City Council a report by the end of the year.
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.
A gas leak has drawn a police and fire response to the West End near the Van Dorn Street Metro Thursday (Nov. 5).
The Alexandria Fire Department said it was at the scene of the gas leak in the 5600 block of Eisenhower Avenue. Washington Gas is on scene to repair the gas line, and residents may notice a natural gas odor in the surrounding area.
Scouts will soon appear on doorsteps in Alexandria as part of a longtime campaign to keep neighbors in need from going hungry.
Scouting America National Capital Area Council will host its 40th annual Scouting for Food, one of the D.C. region’s longest-running food drives. On Saturday, Nov. 14, thousands of Scouts, parents and volunteers will be out in Virginia, D.C. and Maryland neighborhoods to collect non-perishable food donations for food banks, food pantries and organizations serving the food insecure.
The owner of the future Rosie’s Tavern in Del Ray is asking the city to allow for 49 outdoor seats.
The restaurant’s Instagram page says that it aims to open in November at 2018 Mount Vernon Avenue. That’s in the former longtime home of Thai Peppers, which closed over the summer.
Sandra Jones says it’s been painful and frustrating to wait 15 months for the city to wrap up its investigation into the death of her son in police custody.
Jones is worried that the recent resignation of Ameratu Kamara as Alexandria’s independent policing auditor will set back the case of her son, Allan Tucker II, who died in the back of a police cruiser in the sally port of the Alexandria jail on Aug. 15, 2025.
Ahead of the next General Assembly session in January, Alexandria City Public Schools officials have some new and recurring priorities for state legislators on their minds.
Tonight (Thursday), the Alexandria City School Board will be asked to approve the legislative priorities for 2027. The item is on the board’s consent calendar for its 6 p.m. meeting.
