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Good morning, Alexandria.
The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria just landed the largest grant in its 80-year history — $600,000 from PetSmart Charities over three years to expand veterinary access in underserved neighborhoods near the Mark Center. It builds on a first-phase award the organization received last year.
Also out Wednesday, a new report from ACT for Alexandria finds that its Fund for Racial Equity distributed more than $200,000 to 29 local organizations over two years — with a nine-member community advisory board of Alexandria residents, not professional grant administrators, leading every round of giving.
And Councilman John Taylor Chapman is bringing the community in for three summer roundtables on economic development, nonprofits, and nightlife — starting July 15 at the Charles Houston Recreation Center.
One more thing worth noting: today marks 180 years since Congress voted to return Alexandria to Virginia. It's one of the most consequential — and complicated — dates in the city's history.
Here's what you need to know for Thursday, July 9.
1️⃣ AWLA lands $600,000 PetSmart Charities grant — largest in its 80-year history — to expand veterinary access in underserved neighborhoods
The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria has been awarded $600,000 over three years from PetSmart Charities — the largest grant in the organization's 80-year history — to expand access to veterinary care and animal services in historically excluded communities in neighborhoods near the Mark Center off North Beauregard Street.
The grant, announced Wednesday, is the second phase of PetSmart Charities' Incubator grant program and builds on a $100,000 first-phase award the AWLA received in July 2025. That initial grant funded a year of community listening and relationship-building in neighborhoods near the Mark Center off North Beauregard Street, with the University of Denver's Institute for Human-Animal Connection supporting the research effort.
2️⃣ Art in Every Space pilot brings local artwork to Wheeler Avenue on second night
Mayor Alyia Gaskins brought her Art in Every Space pilot to the West End Wednesday evening, hosting the initiative's second launch event at AV Actions, 3905 Wheeler Ave., where submitted artwork from local artists was displayed across the venue's floor-to-ceiling screens. Several dozen residents, business owners, arts commission members, and representatives from arts organizations across the city attended.
The setting offered a deliberate contrast to Tuesday's kickoff at Corcoran McEnearney in Old Town, where paintings and prints lined the walls of a real estate office. At AV Actions, Gaskins counted down from three before the screens switched simultaneously to a rotating display of artwork submitted through the program — a fitting backdrop for a city marking both the 250th anniversary of American independence and its own 277th year.
Read more: Art in Every Space pilot brings local artwork to Wheeler Avenue on second night
3️⃣ ACT for Alexandria's Fund for Racial Equity awarded more than $200,000 to 29 organizations over two years, new report finds
ACT for Alexandria's Fund for Racial Equity distributed more than $200,000 in grants to 29 local organizations and community leaders over two years, according to a new impact report released Wednesday that charts the progress and lessons of one of the city's most ambitious community-driven philanthropic experiments.
The report, titled A Journey in Hope, documents how a nine-member Community Advisory Board of Alexandria residents — not professional grant administrators — led three rounds of grantmaking from early 2024 through late 2025, directing flexible, unrestricted funds to organizations working to advance racial equity and dismantle systemic racism in the city.
4️⃣ Councilman Chapman hosting three summer roundtables on economic development, nonprofit partnerships, and nightlife
Councilman John Taylor Chapman will host three public roundtable sessions this summer, bringing community members together to discuss economic development, nonprofit partnerships with Alexandria City Public Schools and policies supporting the city's nightlife economy.
The Summer Roundtable Sessions will be held at the Charles Houston Recreation Center on July 15, July 22 and July 29, from 6:30-8 p.m. each night. The events are free and open to the public.
📰 In brief
The Alexandria City School Board convenes its annual organizational meeting tonight, electing leadership for the new school year and confronting a closed session. (The Brief)
Several candidates vying for Virginia's 8th Congressional District seat will gather in Alexandria this evening for a candidate forum at Shiloh Baptist Church. (The Brief)
Northern Virginia business leaders are feeling more confident about the regional economy heading into the second half of 2026, with optimism reaching its highest point in nearly a year and plans for layoffs hitting a record low. (The Brief)
The City of Alexandria will conduct utility investigation work for the Waterfront Flood Mitigation Project from Monday, July 13, through Friday, July 24. (City of Alexandria)
The City of Alexandria invites community members to attend a public meeting on July 20 to learn about the latest design for the Taylor Run Infrastructure Stabilization Project. (City of Alexandria)
Historic Alexandria invites the community to experience a special 1776 Sing-Along & Panel Discussion on Saturday, July 25, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum. (Historic Alexandria)
The City of Alexandria Office of Housing continues to market a resale-restricted condominium unit at 4 South Van Dorn Street, Unit 603, Alexandria, VA 22304. (Office of Housing)
The City of Alexandria invites high school students to register for the 13th Annual Youth Leadership Conference, to be held August 11-13 at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center. (City of Alexandria)
The U.S. Military will conduct an Aircraft Flyover in the NCR over Arlington National Cemetery today at approximately 10 a.m. (AlertDC)
Sports
CJ Abrams and Luis García Jr. both hit their 20th homers of the season, and the Washington Nationals pounded the Houston Astros 8-2 on Wednesday night. (The Brief)
The Alexandria Reds Pro fell 4–1 to Ristozi FC at Stevenson University on Wednesday night, closing out their NPSL campaign. The team played more than 80 minutes a man down. (Alexandria Pro on IG)
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Today in Alexandria
⛅ Weather
Today: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72 degrees. Light south wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 4 p.m. High near 89 degrees. South wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts are between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, except that higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.
🌖 Sun, Moon, & Tide
Sunrise at 5:51 a.m., sunset at 8:35 p.m. 14 hours & 43 minutes of sun.
High tide at 3:36 a.m. & 4:13 p.m. Low tide at 10:38 a.m. & 10:07 p.m. The moon phase is a Waning Crescent.
🗓️ Things To Do
- 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.: In-person early voting open at the Office of Voter Registration and Elections (132 N. Royal Street)
- 3 p.m.: Old Town North Farmers’ Market at 901 North Royal Street
- 5 p.m.: WEBA July Professional Networking Social at Bombay Canteen
- 7 p.m.: Virginia's 8th Congressional District Candidate Forum at Shiloh Baptist Church
- 7:30 p.m.: Peter White at The Birchmere
🎶 Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Mike Kelley & Friends at 9 p.m.
- Alexandria Bier Garden: Trivia at 7 p.m.
- Aslin ALX: Trivia at 7 p.m.
- Atlas ALX: Bingo at 7 p.m.
- Blackwall Hitch: Steel drums at 5:30 p.m.
- Galactic Panther: Gutter Pearl and Hungry Bug at 7 p.m.
- Hops N Shine: Trivia at 6:30 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant: Ken Kilpatrick Trio at 6 p.m.
- Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Rook Richards & Pat Carroll at 8:30 p.m.
- O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- The Birchmere: Peter White at 7:30 p.m.
- The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6 p.m.
🏛️ City & Schools
- City Government: Open | Flag Status: Full Staff
- Trash, Recycling, & Yard Waste Collection: On Time
- 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Chinquapin Pool open
- 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.: Minnie Howard Pool open
- 8:30 a.m.: ARHA Board's Planning & Development Committee at 401 Wythe St.
- 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.: Memorial Pool open
- 11 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.: Warwick Pool open
- 12 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.: Old Town Pool open
- 6 p.m.: School Board Organizational Meeting at School Board Meeting Room
- (City of Alexandria calendar) (ACPS calendar)
📚 Alexandria Library
- All day: PINGO! — Plastic Free Bingo at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 10:15 a.m.: Stories and Songs at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
- 10:30 a.m.: Storytime in the Reading Garden at Beatley Central Library
- 11 a.m.: Oh Susannah! — Come and Sing Along at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
- 11 a.m.: Line Dancing 101 at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 11:15 a.m.: Stories and Songs at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
- 12 p.m.: Line Dancing 201 at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 1:15 p.m.: Baby Bounce at Beatley Central Library
- 2 p.m.: American Style Mahjong at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
- 2 p.m.: Art with Julie — Abstract Watercolor with Lines and Shapes at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 5:30 p.m.: Tai Chi at Beatley Central Library
- 6 p.m.: Dungeons and Dragons Adult Group at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
- 6 p.m.: Duncan Literary Society — Not Your Average Book Club at The Company of Books
- 6 p.m.: Technology & Career Readiness — English Sessions at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- (Alexandria Library calendar)
⚽ Sports
- 4 p.m.: World Cup quarterfinal — France vs. Morocco
- 5 p.m.: Alexandria Aces at Southern Maryland Senators, North Point High School Park
🗓️ On This Day in Alexandria History
In 1791, Alexandrians welcomed their inclusion in the new District of Columbia, expecting the federal district to bring economic benefit. For a time, it did. But the War of 1812 changed the city's fortunes — the British burned Washington in 1814, and Baltimore and New York soon eclipsed Alexandria as a commercial port. Resentment toward Congress grew, and so did a more urgent fear: that federal legislators might act to abolish slavery and the slave trade in the District.
That fear was not abstract. Beginning in the 1820s, Alexandria had become a major hub of the domestic slave trade, with slave trading companies operating from a pen at 1315 Duke Street. Many of the city's most prosperous white residents — slave traders among them — were especially alarmed as abolitionists lobbied Congress to end the trade in the District. Returning to Virginia's jurisdiction, they believed, would protect their interests.
On July 9, 1846, Congress voted to permit Alexandria and Alexandria County to retrocede to Virginia, upon referendum. The vote was held September 1–2 at the Alexandria Courthouse. Of 985 ballots cast, 763 favored retrocession and 222 opposed. On September 7, President James Polk declared the result in full force and effect.
Read more: 180 years ago today, Congress voted to give Alexandria back to Virginia
The Alexandria Brief is free for everyone. It stays that way because readers fund it directly. When you become a member, you're not donating — you're buying original Alexandria reporting that shows up every day.
