Good morning, Alexandria.

Hybla Valley Community Center at 7950 Audubon Ave offers after-school programs, teen nights, fitness classes, and support services including food distribution and workforce training – fall events include a Trunk-or-Treat on Oct.

29 and an animal vaccine and microchip clinic on Oct. 31.

Vendors at Old Town Farmers’ Market have donated over 3,400 pounds of fresh food to Christ Church’s Lazarus Food Pantry this season.

Volunteers gather unsold produce each Saturday from June through September, turning extra items into groceries for Alexandria families in need.

Ted’s Bulletin — a new all-day restaurant located at 2471 Mandeville Lane — is coming soon to the Carlyle area to serve elevated comfort food, including scratch-made breakfast, burgers, and signature homemade tarts.

The team plans to create local jobs and pair the spot with Honeymoon Chicken.

Alexandria’s art scene is vibrant this October with exhibitions at Del Ray Artisans, Nepenthe Gallery, and Principle Gallery.

Highlights include Carnival of Curiosities, interactive art receptions, and a grand re-opening pARTy (featuring fine wine, cheese, and live music) scheduled on select dates through October.

Alexandria offers varied live music — the Birchmere brings intimate shows with dinner, Lena’s hosts bands on Tuesday and Thursday, a new Mobius Records spot near Evening Star Café and 219 Restaurant delivers jazz and blues, and Galactic Panther Art Gallery features ticketed events. Support local artists tonight.

In September, members of the Zebra Book Club met at Cheesetique in Del Ray to discuss Kate Quinn’s novel The Briar Club+ they explored secrets and shifting loyalties during the Red Scare.

The group will meet again on Oct. 26 at a location to be announced+ meeting space is limited.

The Alexandria Beautification Commission announced 2026 awards for nine local properties recognized for murals, native gardens, and sustainable design.

Witter Place Apartments won the Public Art Award and the commission will complete its two-year rotation, starting with properties south of King Street and ending in 2027.

Alexandria City Public Schools reinstated bus service effective Oct.

5 for 456 students after 183 appeals were approved to address safety concerns in Arlandria, the West End and Old Town. Parents received letters outlining bus stop locations and pickup times.

Leadership Alexandria announced its Class of 2027, a group of 24 emerging leaders who will over the next nine months explore community issues through immersive experiences and conversations with local officials (including representatives from AlexRenew, Alexandria Sheriff's Office, and Alexandria Fire Department).

Alexandria apartment rents went down in September to a median of $2,193, from $2,235 a year ago (data from Apartment List).

This drop follows normal seasonal trends after summer, signaling a return to typical cyclical patterns.

A market update shows that 477 homes sold in zip code 22314 through August 2026, a 1.5% increase over last year, with median prices at $875K falling 2% while average prices rose 2.3% amid stronger detached sales.

Buyers remain selective and homes are selling quickly near list price.

Developers are converting a vacant 1980s office building at 1201 E.

Abingdon Drive into a 143-unit apartment building with one-bedroom, junior one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments, seven affordable units, and 160 parking spaces in Old Town North; amenities include a rooftop deck, clubroom, and pet spa with completion expected in summer 2027.