Daily Brief: Wednesday, November 12
Alexandria museums join statewide historic tourism initiative for America's 250th anniversary; Titans earn No. 5 seed, will face Fairfax in Region 6C playoffs; and more.
Good morning, Alexandria. This is The Alexandria Brief.
I’m Ryan Belmore, founder and publisher of The Alexandria Brief.
The Alexandria Brief has now been publishing for a full week. Thank you to everyone who has read, supported, and shared my independent journalism with neighbors. This project exists because of you—no advertising, no corporate ownership, no paywalls. Just local journalism funded by and accountable to this community. (Individuals and businesses can learn more about membership here.)
Here’s what you need to know for Wednesday, November 12.
Essentials
It will be sunny today, with a high near 59 degrees. Southwest wind 9 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Mostly clear tonight, with a low around 40 degrees. West wind around 8 mph.
The sun will rise at 6:47 a.m. and set at 4:56 p.m. High tides at 1:21 a.m. and 2:03 p.m. Low tides at 8:13 a.m. and 8:25 p.m. There will be 10 hours and 9 minutes of sun.
On Tap Today: Living Legends, Murphy’s Run Club, Postmodern Jukebox, live music, and more. Get the full rundown of events and entertainment below.
1️⃣ Two major groundbreakings mark transformative day for Alexandria
Today brings dual celebrations of Alexandria’s future, starting with a 9:30 a.m. groundbreaking at the Virginia Railway Express Alexandria Station for four interconnected rail projects. The ceremony will mark the construction kickoff for the Alexandria Fourth Track Project, Alexandria Station Improvements, and the King & Commonwealth Bridges Replacement and Streetscape Improvements projects, undertaken in partnership with the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority, CSX Transportation, VRE, and the city.
Later this morning, Mayor Alyia Gaskins joins Fairstead and development partners to break ground on the $120 million redevelopment of Samuel Madden Homes at 999 North Henry Street. The project will transform the historic 1945 public housing complex—originally built for African American defense workers during World War II—into a six-story, 207-unit affordable housing community for families earning 30-80% of Area Median Income. The development will feature 7,500 square feet of open space and a community food hub operated by local nonprofit ALIVE!, with completion scheduled for fall 2027.
2️⃣ Alexandria City Council tackles budget planning and transportation issues tonight
The Alexandria City Council meets tonight to set guidance for the FY 2027 budget and hear City Manager James Parajon’s economic outlook. Transportation takes center stage with proposed fare updates for the city’s paratransit service, a vehicle lease agreement for paratransit operations, and first readings of taxicab regulation ordinances. The council will also consider writing off property tax balances under $20 and confirming several administrative appointments.
The docket includes contested board and commission appointments across seven committees, from the Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee to the Traffic and Parking Board. Consent items feature acceptance of an archaeological collection from the Colross estate site and resignations from seven board members. The meeting begins with executive session at 6 p.m., followed by the regular session at 7 p.m. at City Hall, with the council also recognizing November as Epilepsy Awareness Month.
3️⃣ Alexandria honors 68 Vietnam War fallen heroes at Veterans Day ceremony
Nearly 100 people gathered Tuesday at Mount Vernon Recreation Center as Alexandria honored its 68 Vietnam War fallen heroes during the annual Veterans Day ceremony hosted by the Friends of Rocky Versace. City officials including Councilman R. Kirk McPike, Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley, Sheriff Sean Casey, and Delegate Elizabeth Bennett-Parker joined Gold Star families to hear the reading of all 68 names—45 soldiers, 15 Marines, five airmen, and three sailors who died or remain missing in action.
The ceremony spotlighted Capt. Humbert “Rocky” Versace, Alexandria’s only Medal of Honor recipient from Vietnam, whose remains are still missing after his 1965 execution by the Viet Cong following 23 months of captivity and three escape attempts. Seven of the city’s 68 fallen heroes remain MIA, part of 1,566 servicemen still missing in Southeast Asia. The Friends of Rocky Versace presented Vietnam Era Veteran Lapel Pins to qualified veterans and continue fundraising for the memorial’s $47,000 spring refurbishment, with $10,555 already contributed. The group will host its next ceremony on Memorial Day, May 26, at 11 a.m. at the memorial plaza.
4️⃣ Titans earn No. 5 seed, face rematch with Fairfax in Region 6C playoffs
Alexandria City’s football season continues Friday as the No. 5-seeded Titans travel to face No. 4 Fairfax (5-5) at 7 p.m. in the first round of the Region 6C playoffs. The matchup is a rematch of an Oct. 17 game that saw Fairfax edge Alexandria City 14-7 on the road, one of several close losses that defined the Titans’ second-half struggles.
Alexandria City (6-4, 3-4 District 4) closed the regular season with back-to-back defeats—a 35-0 loss to West Springfield on Halloween followed by Thursday’s 24-17 setback at South County. The finish marked a dramatic reversal from the Titans’ five-game opening win streak that included a 71-0 demolition of Lewis and a 42-6 victory over Potomac Senior. Mayor Alyia Gaskins recently visited the team to deliver a pep talk ahead of the postseason run. For the season, Alexandria City outscored opponents 236-171, finishing with identical 3-2 records at home and on the road.
5️⃣ Alexandria museums join statewide historic tourism initiative for America’s 250th anniversary
Three Alexandria museums are among 70 destinations featured in the new Virginia 250 Passport program celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, which launched Monday. Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, and the Alexandria Black History Museum—all operated by the Office of Historic Alexandria—join the collaborative initiative organized by the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Colonial Williamsburg, Mount Vernon, the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, and Monticello.
The 64-page commemorative booklet functions as a travel guide, discount book, and keepsake, with 250,000 copies being distributed free at signature sites, the VA250 Mobile Museum, select events, and all 12 Virginia Welcome Centers. Travelers can collect stamps at each location for up to 15% off admission at future participating sites, with those collecting at least five stamps qualifying for a December 2026 prize drawing featuring yearlong museum memberships and cash awards up to $2,500. The program runs through Dec. 31, 2026, with more information available at VirginiaHistory.org/250Passport.
Extra Extra!
The Landing in Alexandria honored 22 veterans who live there on Tuesday (WUSA9)
Paige Thomas, age 40, of Alexandria, is among twelve individuals arrested in an operation targeting sex traffickers and commercial sex buyers in Georgia. (Georgia Bureau of Investigation)
Virginia DMV has added parking spots for Purple Heart recipients at 16 locations statewide, including in Alexandria. (WJLA)
At Alexandria-based Five Guys, simplicity rules, no matter where. (Restaurant Business)
Not ready to tackle all that Thanksgiving entails this year? Or perhaps you need assistance with side dishes or pies? Many Alexandria restaurants are standing by to help out with a variety of options. (Alexandria Living)
Kody Holdings has purchased Rosenthal Landmark Honda in Virginia from Rosenthal Automotive. The dealership, located at 5125 Duke Street in Alexandria, will be rebranded as Landmark Honda. (CBT News)
An Alexandria couple has launched a blanket-gifting mission for military veterans. (Northern Virginia Magazine)
Winter Sports Preview: As temperatures drop, Alexandria City High School students take to the field and the courts, hoping to secure a place on the schools winter sports roster. (Theogony)