🌱 The Art League Recognized For 'Thriving' Classes, Programs

Hi Alexandria! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Why one Alexandria arts hub is shining in 2025
• Why a Fairfax arrest now heads to an Alexandria federal courtroom

Also on today's calendar: Secret Santa's For Holiday Blessing and 10 more events.

And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Elliott L.!

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Some sun, then turning cloudy, with a high of 53 and low of 45 degrees.
• Friday: Increasingly windy, temps: high: 62, low: 25.
• Saturday: Partly sunny and cooler, with a high of 45 and low of 36 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• The Art League Recognized For 'Thriving' Classes, Programs (patch.com) — Alexandria’s Art League is being celebrated in Patch’s Best of 2025 series for its thriving classes and programs that strengthen the sense of community. Residents are invited to nominate more local favorites, helping spotlight the people and places that made this year brighter in Alexandria.
   

• Arlington Man Indicted For Re-Entering U.S. Following 2012 Removal (patch.com) — A federal grand jury in Alexandria has indicted an Arlington man on a federal charge of illegal reentry, with his arraignment set for Thursday in an Alexandria courtroom. The case stems from his prior removal near Alexandria, Louisiana and a more recent arrest in Fairfax County, and could carry significant prison time if he’s convicted under Virginia and federal law.
   

📸 Around Alexandria

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

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NEW: Like a shout-out or pic? Click the heart!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Alexandria

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Thursday December 18

• Secret Santa's For Holiday Blessing
  Amazon Wishlist,
  8:00 am

Saturday December 20

• Holiday Flea Market - Arts & Crafts Fair
  8717 Fort Hunt Rd, Alexandria
  8:00 am
• Frosty Fun Workshop on December 20th!
  Mount Vernon Community School, 2601 Commonwealth Ave, Alexandria
  8:30 am

Monday December 22

• The Holiday Project
  Cherrydale Health & Rehabilitation Center, 3710 Langston Blvd., Arlington
  3:00 pm

Sunday February 15

• The 58th Annual Patrons’ Show
  The Art League, 105 N Union St, Alexandria
  6:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Friday December 19

• Preschool STEAM Play at Courthouse
  Courthouse Library Children's Area ,
  10:00 am
• Family Storytime at Central
  Central Library Barbara M. Donnellan Auditorium,
  10:15 am
• Family Storytime at Westover
  Westover Library Children's Area ,
  10:30 am

Saturday December 20

• Court of Fiction Book Club: "The Bear and the Nightingale"
  Courthouse Library Dogwood Conference Room,
  11:00 am
• A John Waters Christmas
  The Birchmere , 3701 Mt Vernon Ave , Alexandria
  7:30 pm
• Holiday with a Twist (Alexandria Symphony Orchestra) — Victoria Gau
  Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center (AS) , 4915 E Campus Dr , Alexandria
  7:30 pm
• Chris DeChiara-Percussionist: Alexandria Symphony Holiday Pops
  Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center (AS) , 4915 E Campus Dr , Alexandria
  7:30 pm

Sunday December 21

• The YoYo Club
  Central Library Bluemont Room,
  1:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Alexandria PatchAM possible:

• Essen Alexandria — (571) 630-3977
  Essen Apartments Offers 2 Months Free in Alexandria, VA

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• UPDATED: Found kitty a home!
  I found someone who will take him in and get him the vet care he needs. He will go to a good home. Thank you everyone for the help and advice! … (Nextdoor Southeastern Old Town)
• Please share & repost to help reunite this stray cat!
  FOUND on December 15, 2025 in Alexandria, VA 22303 near Huntington Club cndmniums across from Huntington metro Sharing for a neighbor. For the… (Nextdoor Seminary Hill)

• McDonald's posted a job opening for Shift Manager (DC,VA,MD, DE) in Alexandria. Apply here.
• The Cleaning Authority posted a job opening for House Cleaner in Alexandria. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Alexandria here.

🗞 Nearby News

Del Ray

• Morning Notes for December 16, 2025 (alxnow.com)
• Alexandria police investigating November hit-and-run after driver ran over student's foot (alxnow.com)

Vienna

• Vienna Family Medicine Returns To Independent Ownership (patch.com)
• What's Open, Closed For Christmas 2025 In Vienna (patch.com)

Ok Alexandria! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

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