The Alexandria Brief — AM | Tuesday, Feb. 10
Election Day: Polls open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Council to rededicate Confederate-named streets tonight; thousands welcomed monks on Walk for Peace
Good morning, Alexandria. It’s Election Day — again. For some voters, this is the second or third trip to the polls this year after firehouse primaries in January for Senate District 39 and House District 5. And there’s more to come: a City Council firehouse primary is set for Feb. 21.
Tonight, City Council meets to rededicate three Confederate-named streets, launch the search for a Torpedo Factory operator, and certify the vacancy left by McPike’s resignation. And if you missed yesterday’s Walk for Peace, thousands of Alexandrians lined Washington Street to welcome Buddhist monks on their 2,300-mile pilgrimage — the monks are expected to arrive at the Capitol today.
Here’s what you need to know.
1️⃣ Election Day: Polls open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
It’s Election Day, Alexandria. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. — you must vote at your assigned polling place. Check yours at vote.elections.virginia.gov or call 703-746-4050.
All Alexandria voters will vote in the Senate District 39 race between Democrat Elizabeth Bennett-Parker and Republican Julie Robben Lineberry. Voters in House District 5 will also choose between Democrat Kirk McPike and Republican Mason Butler.
More than 4,000 voters have already cast ballots — 1,628 in person during early voting and 2,385 by mail. Another 7,002 mail-in ballots are still outstanding.
Read more: More than 4,000 have voted ahead of Tuesday’s special election
2️⃣ Alexandria kicks off yearlong America 250 commemoration
With a three-huzzah cheer led by Town Crier Ben Fiore-Walker, the city on Monday launched its yearlong commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
About 100 people gathered at the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, where Mayor Alyia Gaskins and civic and business leaders outlined a slate of signature events — from this Saturday’s George Washington Birthday Parade through Independence Day celebrations in July.
The centerpiece is Sails on the Potomac, a three-day waterfront festival June 12-14 that will bring four tall ships to the city alongside the 48th annual ALX Jazz Fest. City officials emphasized that Alexandria will host the only tall ship event in the D.C. metro region. A fireworks display is planned for Saturday night.
Read more: Alexandria kicks off yearlong America 250 commemoration at the Lyceum
3️⃣ Cancer survivor launches 12th annual 24-hour fundraiser at Pork Barrel BBQ today
Patrick “Pat” Malone will stand for 24 hours straight beginning this afternoon at a Del Ray barbecue restaurant, raising money for cancer research the same way he has every year for more than a decade — by refusing to sit down.
Malone, a cancer survivor and 20-year Air Force veteran, kicks off his 12th Annual Stand Up To Cancer 24-Hour Fundraiser at Pork Barrel BBQ at 4:26 p.m. Tuesday. The event runs continuously until 4:26 p.m. Wednesday. The time marks the exact minute Malone awoke from life-saving cancer surgery in 2014.
This year’s event marks the first time the fundraiser will be held in Alexandria — it had been at Fire Works in Arlington for the previous 11 years. Community members are invited to stop by throughout the 24 hours.
Read more: Cancer survivor, Air Force veteran launches 12th annual 24-hour fundraiser at Pork Barrel BBQ
4️⃣ City Council to rededicate three Confederate-named streets tonight
City Council will vote tonight to rededicate three streets named for Confederate military leaders — part of an ongoing effort to address what officials call “historical injustices” stemming from a 1953 ordinance that directed city streets be named for Confederates.
Under the proposal, Calhoun Avenue, Stevens Street and Frost Street would be rededicated to honor new namesakes who share the same surnames but made positive contributions to Alexandria: Robert “Bob” Calhoun, a Republican councilman who helped establish DASH; Moses Stevens, a Black businessman who founded Mt. Jezreel Baptist Church; and John Frost, a Union soldier buried in Alexandria National Cemetery.
Also on tonight’s docket: Council will consider a revised ordinance to launch the search for an outside operator of the Torpedo Factory Arts Center, receive an update on the Duke Street Land Use Plan, and formally certify the vacancy created by Kirk McPike’s resignation. A separate item includes a $450,000 Housing Trust Fund grant to Wesley Housing for an 89-unit affordable housing project at Potomac Yard.
Read more: City Council to rededicate three Confederate-named streets Tuesday
5️⃣ Thousands lined Old Town streets to welcome Buddhist monks on Walk for Peace
Thousands of people packed the sidewalks of Old Town on Monday, braving 33-degree temperatures to welcome Buddhist monks nearing the end of a 2,300-mile pilgrimage from Fort Worth to Washington, D.C.
At Christ Church, Mayor Alyia Gaskins presented Venerable Bhikkhu Paññākāra with a city proclamation recognizing the Walk for Peace. “Peace is not a destination,” Gaskins told the crowd. “Peace is a practice.” Congressman Don Beyer also addressed the gathering, calling the monks “ambassadors of peace” and connecting their message to the current political moment.
Paññākāra spoke for nearly an hour, mixing humor with Buddhist teachings on mindfulness. He told the crowd the monks had handed out more than 100,000 peace bracelets since leaving Fort Worth on Oct. 26 — far beyond the 1,000 he originally packed. He spoke about young people struggling with depression and anxiety, and urged the audience to begin each morning by writing “today is going to be my peaceful day.”
Read more: Thousands line Old Town streets to welcome Buddhist monks on Walk for Peace
📰 In brief
Virginia legislators cast a wide net on energy, hoping to land more capacity. The General Assembly is piecing together a variety of bills to address skyrocketing energy demand — from expanding energy storage targets to streamlining solar permitting to rejoining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Del. Charniele Herring, D-Alexandria, is carrying a bill to return Virginia to RGGI that has already passed the House. Virginia Mercury
ACHS theater department showcases student talent in annual One Acts. Student directors put on five short plays in less than six weeks, including an original work by senior Ariana Espiritu exploring the challenges of a first-generation Chinese immigrant family. The evening featured comedy, satire and heartwarming stories, with "How to Get Away With a Murder Mystery" closing the show on a high note. Theogony
Black History Month events continue throughout February. The city is hosting a month-long celebration marking 100 years of national recognition of Black history. Highlights include a poetry slam and open mic on Feb. 21, the opening of the Elrich Murphy Photograph Collection, and a “Grown Up Field Trips” series highlighting African American history around Alexandria. DASH is also running a “Freedom Moves Forward” bus wrap all month. City of Alexandria
ACPS releases 2026-27 school year calendars. The first day of school for most students will be Aug. 24, 2026, with the last day on June 17, 2027. Samuel W. Tucker Elementary follows a modified calendar starting July 27. Both calendars include 180 instructional days and pair parent-teacher conference early release days on Thursdays with student holidays on Fridays. ACPS
On this day in 1957: Congregation leaders, including Mayor Leroy S. Bendheim, laid the cornerstone at Beth El Hebrew Congregation's new synagogue on Seminary Road. First established in 1859, Beth El is the oldest Reform congregation in Northern Virginia and had previously worshipped at a synagogue on North Washington Street from 1871 to 1954. Historic Alexandria
🗓️ Today in Alexandria
Mostly cloudy, then becoming sunny during the afternoon, with a high near 46 degrees. Mostly cloudy tonight, with a low around 36 degrees.
Sunrise: 7:04 a.m. | Sunset: 5:40 p.m.
Things To Do
5:30 p.m. & 7 p.m.: February Blues: Songs by Eddie South, Jerome Kern, & Fritz Kreisler at The Rectory on Princess Street
6 p.m.: Queens on King Street February Social at Hummingbird
7 p.m.: Beer Yoga at Port City Brewing Company
Entertainment
219 Restaurant: Justin Gillen Trio at 9 p.m.
Atlas Brew Works ALX: Trivia at 7 p.m.
Laporta’s Restaurant: Antonio James at 6 p.m.
Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap: Melissa Quinn Fox at 6 p.m.
Lost Dog Cafe: Trivia at 7 p.m.
Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Trivia at 8 p.m.; Pete Baker at 8:30 p.m.
O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Trivia at 9 p.m.
Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
City of Alexandria
Government: Open | Flag: Full Staff | Trash & Waste Collection: On Time
6 a.m.: Chinquapin Open at Chinquapin
6 a.m.: Special Election — Polls open until 7 p.m.
8:45 a.m.: Fire and Police Officers Pension Plan Board
5:30 p.m.: City Council Legislative Meeting at Del Pepper Community Resource Center
6 p.m.: Minnie Howard Open at Minnie Howard
7 p.m.: Personal Finance and Career Building Workshops (virtual)
7 p.m.: Commission for Women Meeting at Charles Houston Recreation Center
Alexandria City Public Schools
No meetings scheduled.
Find the ACHS sports calendar here.
Alexandria Library
All day: International Correspondence Writing Month - Letter Writing Station at Beatley Central Library
All day: A Commonwealth of Cultures Exhibit at Local History/Special Collections
All day: American Girl Doll & Accessory Drive at Beatley Central Library
10 a.m.: Sunshine Readers Book Club at Barrett Branch Library
10 a.m.: Valentine Card Make and Take at Beatley Central Library
10:30 a.m.: Bilingual Storytime at Barrett Branch Library
11 a.m.: Baby and Toddler Time at Barrett Branch Library
4 p.m.: Creatives’ Club: Celebrating Black Creatives at Duncan Branch Library
4:30 p.m.: Tuesday We Play at Beatley Central Library
5 p.m.: One-On-One Computer Help at Barrett Branch Library
6:30 p.m.: Make a Difference in Your Community at Barrett Branch Library