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Good morning, Alexandria. It's Thursday, May 7 — the 127th day of 2026, with 238 days left in the year.
You're one of 5,854 neighbors receiving this newsletter this morning. Thanks for being here! Know someone who might enjoy this newsletter? Forward this along.
Alexandria Police Week continues this morning with a waterfront wreath laying at 9 a.m. and a memorial church service at 11 a.m. — both free and open to the public.
Tonight, the Community Cookout kicks off at Mount Vernon Recreation Center at 6 p.m. — pushed from Wednesday due to weather. Free food, activities, and a chance to connect with neighbors and city resources.
Also at 6 p.m., Superintendent Kay-Wyatt presents her adjusted ACPS budget to the school board — the first public look at how the division plans to close the $5.6 million gap.
And if you're looking for dinner plans: Hank's Pasta Bar officially launches full dine-in service today at 600 Montgomery St. The upstairs trattoria above Hank's Oyster Bar has been in soft opening since mid-April — now it's ready for prime time.
Here's what you need to know today.
~ Ryan
1️⃣ Chamber ALX names 40 Under 40 honorees for 2026
The Chamber ALX on Wednesday announced its 2026 class of 40 Under 40 honorees, recognizing 40 professionals age 40 and under who work or live in Alexandria across business, government, health care, nonprofits, real estate and the arts.
The chamber said each honoree was selected for professional accomplishments, scholastic achievement, community impact and personal story. The program, launched in 2016, spotlights individuals working in business, technology, nonprofit management, civic life, public service, education and the arts who the chamber says are shaping Alexandria's future. This year marks the program's 10th class.
Read the full story: Chamber ALX names 40 Under 40 honorees for 2026
2️⃣ King Street, Commonwealth Avenue closures pushed to Wednesday morning as VRE bridge work drags on
The Old Town Run Club will host its first Commodore-to-Commodore Run on Saturday, June 6 — a 9-mile fundraiser that doubles as a welcome for the new Commodore Old Town and a fundraising push for the club's September 9/11 Remembrance Run.
The event starts at 9:30 a.m. at The Commodore in Dupont Circle, where runners will gather for a group photo and a celebratory drink before heading south. Three groups — a walking group and two running groups — will depart at staggered intervals and reconvene at The Commodore Old Town for a finish-line celebration.
Read the full story: From Dupont Circle to Old Town: Inaugural Commodore to Commodore run set for June 6
3️⃣ Planning Commission backs Old Town Pool replacement, defers beekeeping rules
The Alexandria Planning Commission on Tuesday recommended approval of a long-planned replacement for the Old Town Pool but deferred a proposed zoning text amendment on beekeeping after testimony from hobbyists and a regional expert raised doubts about the city's approach.
Both votes were unanimous. The pool item is a development special use permit for the city facility at 369 Cameron St.; the beekeeping item is Zoning Text Amendment 2026-00002, which would have set hive setbacks, density limits and definitions in the zoning ordinance.
Read the full story: Planning Commission backs Old Town Pool replacement, defers beekeeping rules
4️⃣ Bethesda REIT to acquire Potomac Yard's Landing and Riviera in $249 million deal
Bethesda-based Chiron Real Estate Inc. has agreed to acquire two adjacent luxury senior living communities in Potomac Yard for $249 million in what will be the publicly traded real estate investment trust's first move into senior housing, the company announced Wednesday.
Wednesday's announcement is also the first major acquisition Chiron has unveiled under its new identity. The company, formerly known as Global Medical REIT, completed a corporate rebrand on Feb. 23 after a roughly six-month strategic review under CEO Mark Decker, Jr. It traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker GMRE for nearly 15 years before adopting XRN.
Under purchase agreements signed May 1, Chiron will buy The Landing Alexandria and The Riviera at Alexandria from affiliates of Dallas-based Silverstone Senior Living. The closings are expected on or about June 1, subject to customary conditions, according to a press release from the company.
Read the full story: Bethesda REIT to acquire Potomac Yard's Landing and Riviera in $249 million deal
5️⃣ Arlington Ridge Road/Mount Vernon Avenue bridge to close during off-peak hours May 16-23
The bridge carrying Arlington Ridge Road and Mount Vernon Avenue over Four Mile Run will close in both directions during off-peak hours from May 16 through May 23 while crews install five steel girders, the Arlington County Department of Environmental Services announced.
Closures will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, according to the project page. Outside those windows, all traffic will resume on the east side of the bridge. No work or full-bridge closure is scheduled for Sunday, May 17. The girders will be installed by crane and then secured in place, the county said.
Read the full story: Arlington Ridge Road/Mount Vernon Avenue bridge to close during off-peak hours May 16-23
📰 In brief
The owner and operator of an Alexandria-based precious metals investment firm was sentenced Wednesday to four years and two months in federal prison for running a $1.5 million Ponzi scheme. (Read more)
As electric bikes and scooters become a more common sight on Alexandria streets, the city and its Fire Department are reminding residents that the lithium-ion batteries powering them carry real fire risks if mishandled. (Read more)
The Alexandria Commission on Aging will hold its annual Excellence in Aging Awards on Tuesday, May 12, with Mayor Alyia Gaskins recognizing five honorees in four categories at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center. (Read more)
Interested in solar for your home or small business? Group buying programs can make the process less complicated and more affordable! (City of Alexandria)
Oral History in the Mid-Atlantic Region, in partnership with The Alexandria Oral History Center, invites you to their 2026 Annual Conference, themed “Witnessing State Violence: Oral History and Liberatory Praxis,” on Thursday and Friday. (City of Alexandria)
On the evening of May 1, 2026, more than 300 people packed the Titan Student Art Exhibition at Del Ray Artisans Gallery to see Alexandria City High School students showcase their talents. (Theogony)
Scholarship Fund celebrates 40 years of making college possible. (Theogony)
The FBI searched the Virginia state Senate leader's hometown office and her neighboring cannabis shop Wednesday, bringing into public view what was described as a yearslong corruption investigation. (Read more)
A protester who camped out atop one of Washington’s bridges for five days came down Wednesday morning, ending his stand against AI and the war in Iran. (Read more)
CJ Abrams hit a grand slam with a career-high five RBIs, Drew Millas, Brady House and José Tena also homered and the Washington Nationals set their season high for runs in a 15-2 rout of the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday. (Read more)
Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Wednesday signed a slew of bills designed to protect Virginia’s clean water from harmful forever chemicals and aid communities as sea levels rise due to climate change. (Virginia Mercury)
The Alexandria Brief has no ads, no paywall, and no corporate owner. Support this work with a monthly or annual subscription, or a one-time contribution.
Today in Alexandria
⛅ Weather
Cloudy today, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 65 degrees. North wind 3 to 7 mph. The chance of precipitation is 20%.
Mostly clear tonight, with a low around 48 degrees. Light and variable wind becoming northwest around 6 mph after midnight.
🌖 Sun, Moon, & Tide
Sunrise at 6:03 a.m., sunset at 8:07 p.m. 14 hours & 3 minutes of sun. High tide at 12:44 a.m. & 12:34 a.m. Low tide at 6:30 a.m. & 7:27 p.m. The moon phase is a Waning Gibbous.
🗓️ Things To Do
- 9 a.m.: Waterfront Wreath Laying at Waterfront Park — Alexandria Police Week 2026
- 10 a.m.: Discover Croatia: A Journey Through Tiny Windows of History at Torpedo Factory
- 11 a.m.: Memorial Church Service at First Assembly of God — Alexandria Police Week 2026
- 5 p.m.: First Thursday: It’s A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood at Pat Miller Square
- 6 p.m.: Community Cookout at Mount Vernon Recreation Center
- 7 p.m.: Open Discussion with Arlington & Alexandria County/City Managers at Walter Reed Recreation Center
🎶 Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Mike Kelley & Friends at 9 p.m.
- Aslin ALX: Trivia at 7 p.m.
- Atlas Brew Works: Bingo at 7 p.m.
- Evening Star Cafe: Good Cook at 8:30 p.m.
- Hops N Shine: Trivia at 6:30 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant: Ken Kilpatrick Trio at 6 p.m.
- Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap: Dave Manley and Mauricio Miranda at 6 p.m.
- Lost Boy Cider: Trivia at 7 p.m.
- Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Pat Garvey & Rook Richards at 8:30 p.m.
- O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Practically Einstein at 9 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- The Birchmere: Asleep At The Wheel at 7:30 p.m.
- The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6 p.m.
🏛️ City of Alexandria
- 6 a.m.: Chinquapin Open at Chinquapin
- 9 a.m.: Waterfront Wreath Laying at Waterfront Park — Alexandria Police Week 2026
- 9 a.m.: Oral History in the Mid-Atlantic Region Conference
- 10 a.m.: Croatian Postage Stamp Exhibit at Torpedo Factory Art Center
- 11 a.m.: Memorial Church Service at First Assembly of God — Alexandria Police Week 2026
- 4:30 p.m.: Commission on Aging Civic Engagement & Economic Committee
- 6 p.m.: Community Cookout at Mount Vernon Recreation Center (rain date from Wednesday)
- 6 p.m.: Minnie Howard Open at Minnie Howard
- 6:30 p.m.: Community Services Board Meeting
- 7 p.m.: Housing Affordability Advisory Committee (virtual)
- (City of Alexandria calendar)
📚 Alexandria Library
- 10 a.m.: English Language Learning (ELL) 1 Workshop at Beatley Central Library
- 10:15 a.m. & 11:15 a.m.: Stories and Songs at Duncan Branch Library
- 11 a.m.: Line Dancing 101 at Burke Branch Library
- 11 a.m.: Preschool Story Time at Barrett Branch Library
- Noon: Line Dancing 201 at Burke Branch Library
- 1:15 p.m.: Baby Bounce at Beatley Central Library
- 1:30 p.m.: Film Screening - "Wicked: For Good" at Burke Branch Library
- 1:30 p.m.: Thursday Afternoon Book Discussion - "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay" at Duncan Branch Library
- 3 p.m.: Handcraft Crafternoon at Beatley Central Library
- 3 p.m.: Carefull Knit & Crochet at Barrett Branch Library
- 4 p.m.: Preschool Storytime at Beatley Central Library
- 5 p.m.: Spitfire - 4th and 5th Grade at Duncan Branch Library
- 6 p.m.: Dungeons and Dragons (Adult Group B) at Barrett Branch Library
- 6 p.m.: Dungeons and Dragons (Teen Group) at Barrett Branch Library
- 6 p.m.: Coding Game Night at Beatley Central Library
- 6:30 p.m.: Laugh Lab - Stand-Up Comedy Workshop at Burke Branch Library
- 7 p.m.: On Courage, Turmoil, and the Transformative Power of Love with Marjan Kamali (virtual)
- 7 p.m.: World Short Story Discussion Group (virtual)
- (Alexandria Library calendar)
🏫 Alexandria City Public Schools
- 11:30 a.m.: Operational Excellence Committee Meeting at ACHS Main Office
- 6 p.m.: School Board Meeting - Presentation of the Superintendent's Adjusted Proposed CF and CIP Budgets at School Board Meeting Room
- (ACPS calendar) (ACHS Titans sports calendar)
📜 On This Day in Alexandria History
On May 7, 1789, President George Washington attended a ball in his honor in New York City, just one week after being sworn-in as the nation’s first chief executive on the balcony of that city’s Federal Hall. Although not officially called an Inaugural Ball, the event served as a model for the tradition that actually began a decade later after the election of James Madison. Washington attended the event without his wife, Martha, who was attending to last-minute arrangements at Mount Vernon before the trip to New York to join her husband. But Washington graced the dance floor with prominent ladies of New York society, prompting Mrs. Alexander Hamilton to comment on his grace and dignity while performing the minuet. Alexandrians were thrilled at the news from New York in welcoming their native son.
On May 7, 1991, Patricia S. “Patsy” Ticer became the first woman to be elected Mayor of Alexandria. She had served as mayor since January of that year, filling a vacancy, and she continued to hold that office until 1996 when she began serving in the Virginia State Senate.
The Alexandria Brief
Alexandria, Va., news and information you won't find anywhere else.
Publisher: Ryan Belmore, an Alexandria resident and journalist.
The Alexandria Brief has no ads, no paywall, and no corporate owner. Support this work with a monthly or annual subscription, or a one-time contribution.
Send feedback, story ideas, news, and tips to ryan@alexandriabrief.com.
