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Today’s edition · Fri., Nov. 6

Kalahari's $900 million waterpark resort opens Nov. 12 near Alexandria

Plus, Metro's GM eyes fare hikes and service cuts, and ACPS floats a $370.6 million capital plan.

The 5AM Alexandria team2 stories15 sources5 min read

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Garden kneeler and stool | $47.99 | Gardening’s more fun without the knee and back pain.

Mystery jigsaw puzzle | $45 | The perfect activity to take on with grandkids, this puzzle includes clues, surprises, and twists and is 100% artist drawn.

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Softies waffle lounge set | $170 | Featured in “Oprah’s Favorite Things,” this set features the brand’s famously soft marshmallow waffle fabric.

Candle warmer lamp | $22.99 | This stylish warmer doubles as a chic accent piece.

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Out and AboutTop story

Kalahari's $900 million waterpark resort opens next week, an easy drive from Alexandria

The resort is big in every direction

$900 million
resort, Kalahari's fifth and most expansive
1.38 million
square feet under one roof
907
guest rooms and suites
50+
attractions in the indoor waterpark

Source: Alexandria Living Magazine

If you've watched a giant resort rise along I-95, the wait is almost over. Resorts & Conventions opens its Spotsylvania County resort on Thu., Nov. 12, putting Virginia's largest indoor waterpark within a one-hour drive of Alexandria. It's Kalahari's fifth resort and its first in the D.C. region.

You don't need a room to play. Waterpark day passes are on sale now, and Tom Foolery's Adventure Park day passes will be available soon. The resort's restaurants are open to the public, with free valet parking for local diners. We'd book a table early.

  • Address: 5500 Destination Drive, Woodford, Va. 22580
  • Opening offer stays: Nov. 15, 2026, through March 31, 2027
  • Thanksgiving buffet: Thu., Nov. 26, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; tickets required

The indoor waterpark outsizes the convention space

Source: Alexandria Living Magazine

View as table
Value
Indoor waterpark175K sq ft
Convention and meeting space150K sq ft
Tom Foolery's Adventure Park90,000 sq ft

Asked

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Asked

Will you visit Kalahari's new resort this winter?

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Arts

The Barns at Wolf Trap open a new barn that began life on a Loudoun farm

If you have tickets to a show at The Barns at , you'll find something new. Leaders and supporters gathered Tuesday morning to dedicate the Virginian Barn, a 1915 barn from a Lucketts-area farm, reassembled as hospitality space. It was already open Sunday night for the indoor season kickoff, when Daniel Hope and Maxim Lando performed.

3,000 sq ftof roughly added public space at The Barns

The expansion also includes more kitchen, storage and back-of-house space.

Source: Fairfax County Times

It started with a one-line text. On May 1, 2025, Fred Schaufeld asked Wolf Trap Foundation CEO Arvind Manocha, “Do you still need a barn?” The Schaufelds were worried that widening Rt. 15 would make conditions unsafe for the barn's continued use.

  • Donors: Fred and Karen Schaufeld, longtime Wolf Trap supporters
  • Scottish Barn: 1791 structure, now the lobby and reception space
  • German Barn: 1725 structure that houses the main stage

A Loudoun barn became Wolf Trap's third

  1. 1915The Schaufelds' Lucketts-area barn is built.
  2. 1980The German Barn is moved from New York to create the theater.
  3. May 2025Fred Schaufeld texts Manocha: “Do you still need a barn?”
  4. Nov. 3 leaders and supporters dedicate the Virginian Barn.

Sources: Fairfax County Times, LoudounNow.com

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News Notes

Metro

General Manager Randy Clarke told 7News Thursday that Metro may propose both service cuts and a bigger fare increase than previously reported. He said he'll come back to the board in two weeks. WJLA

Schools

Acting Superintendent Grace Taylor on Thursday proposed a $370.6 million, 10-year capital budget for Alexandria City Public Schools, about twice the $184.4 million the city's guidance called for. The plan exceeds guidance in every year, by $186.2 million in total. The Alexandria Brief

ACPS's capital plan is about twice the city's guidance

Source: The Alexandria Brief

View as table
Value
City guidance$184.4 million
ACPS proposal$370.6 million

Gas leak

A gas leak on Eisenhower Avenue near the Van Dorn Street Metro drew a police and fire response Thursday, with Washington Gas on scene to repair the line. The Alexandria Brief reported the road closed between Metro Road and South Van Dorn Street. The Alexandria Fire Department asked nearby residents to keep windows and doors closed and to call 911 about an odor at home or if they feel sick. ALXnowThe Alexandria Brief

Del Ray

The Del Ray Artisans open a new exhibit today at the Colasanto Center, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, with original works for $125 or less. An opening reception runs 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, and the free exhibit runs through Nov. 29. Delray Patch

Home

Two cute home finds: This elegant, patterned entry rug that’s under $19 and comes in three charming patterns to match your decor, and this double picture frame for $9.99 that’s perfect for displaying family memories on your mantle.

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Around Virginia

Tysons

Tysons-based Alarm.com reported third-quarter net income of $34.4 million Thursday. Revenue was $279.4 million, above the $266 million analysts expected. WTOP News

Alarm.com beat Wall Street's forecasts for the quarter

$279.4MRevenue$266.0M
$0.90Adjusted earnings per share$0.77

Source: WTOP News

Football

Oakton beat rival James Madison 22-21 to win the Concorde District Championship, its first since 2008. Senior running back Deylen Jones took the snap and ran into the end zone on the play the game came down to. Fairfax County Times

Field hockey

Lake Braddock won 15 straight games after a 2-3-1 start, took a regional title and reached the state tournament for the first time since 2010. Fairfax County Times

Concert

The Pat McGee Band headlines Capital One Hall on Sat., Nov. 7, with Freddy Jones Band and Jackopierce. The We Rock Cancer benefit also offers free skin cancer screenings. Fairfax County Times

Asked

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Asked

How often do you ride Metro?

Be the first to answer.

Today’s puzzles

A new puzzle in each one every morning, played right here.

All 13 games

Quoted

Writers live twice.

— Natalie Goldberg

Things to Do

Things to Do

Alexandria, VA

Friday, Nov. 6

See every Alexandria eventFeature your event

Jobs

Jobs

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Around the Block

Around the Block

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Still hoping....

“Bai has been waiting 4 months for a forever home, 1.5 in a city shelter and 2.5 in foster care. It's time for her dreams to come true!! Bai has purrfect house manners. Is affectionate, playful and up-to-date medically. Please share and help us find her the loving home she deserves. Contact www.hafr.org for more info”

— A neighbor, Fairlington/Shirlington
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The Wrap

Santa, lighted mini golf and a giant maze all show up at Bright Nights—The Winter Village at Cameron Run, which kicks off its 2026 season Saturday, Nov. 14, with a tree lighting and a countdown. Mini golf, a scavenger hunt and the maze are new this year. Photos with Santa are free with admission. Let the lights come on.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Floriana will close in Dupont Circle on Dec. 31 and move to Old Town

Read yesterday’s edition

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Every source in this edition15 links · 11 outlets
  1. The Weather Channelweather.com
  2. Alexandria Living Magazinealexandrialivingmagazine.com
  3. The MoCo Showmocoshow.com
  4. Fairfax County Timesfairfaxtimes.com
  5. LoudounNow.comloudounnow.com
  6. WJLAwjla.com
  7. The Alexandria Briefalexandriabrief.com
  8. ALXnowalxnow.com
  9. The Alexandria Briefalexandriabrief.com
  10. Delray Patchpatch.com
  11. WTOP Newswtop.com
  12. Fairfax County Timesfairfaxtimes.com
  13. Fairfax County Timesfairfaxtimes.com
  14. Fairfax County Timesfairfaxtimes.com
  15. Alexandria events calendar5amalexandriava.com

Past issues

  1. Thurs., Nov. 5Floriana will close in Dupont Circle on Dec. 31 and move to Old Town
  2. Wed., Nov. 4Diwali after dark Friday, plus a free Heart Walk on Saturday
  3. Tues., Nov. 3Carlyle's last empty lot could add senior housing; Commanders beat Eagles
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5AM Alexandriato me · Fri., Nov. 66:00 a.m.

Kalahari's $900 million waterpark resort opens Nov. 12 near Alexandria

Plus, Metro's GM eyes fare hikes and service cuts, and ACPS floats a $370.6 million capital plan.

The TLDR

  1. Kalahari's $900 million waterpark resort opens Thu., Nov. 12
  2. Wolf Trap's new Virginian Barn opens to audiences
  3. Metro's GM may propose fare hikes and service cuts
Read this edition

More stories this week

From 5AM Alexandria’s other editions

All the news
Food & DrinkFloriana will close its Dupont Circle restaurant Dec. 31 and move to Old TownLove a plate of pasta and a short Metro ride? Floriana is closing its 17th Street restaurant in Dupont Circle on Dec. 31 after 47 years. The restaurant said in a Nov. 4 Instagram post that it's heading to Old Town.Thursday’s editionRead Northern VirginiaA teenage Union soldier found at Manassas was laid to rest at Arlington National CemeteryA Civil War soldier who died more than 160 years ago was laid to rest with full military funeral honors at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday. Archaeologists found his remains in March 2024 at a Civil War field hospital site in Manassas National Battlefield Park. His identity is unknown.Thursday’s editionRead DevelopmentA developer wants to move nearly 61,000 square feet of Carlyle office space to senior housingIf you follow Carlyle, here's the latest on its last undeveloped corner. 18th Street Development LLC, an affiliate of Denver-based healthcare realtor NexCore Group, wants to shift nearly 61,000 square feet of approved office space to residential use at 1900 Eisenhower Avenue and 765 John Carlyle Street. The John Carlyle building would shrink from 12 to eight stories, and the 18-story senior building would get more units.Tuesday’s editionRead

Around Alexandria

From WTOP News, NBC4 Washington and FOX 5 DC, gathered by 6AM News, 6AM City’s local news service.

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