The Alexandria Brief: Thursday, January 15
Two candidates for HD5; World Cup team picks Alexandria; FBI searches reporter's home
Good morning, Alexandria.
Kirk McPike and Eileen Cassidy Rivera are both in for House District 5, Croatia is setting up World Cup camp in Old Town, and federal agents paid an early-morning visit to a Washington Post reporter’s home.
Here’s what you need to know today.
1️⃣ McPike, Rivera set up contested primary for House District 5
Alexandria City Councilman Kirk McPike announced Wednesday he’s running for House District 5, joining former School Board member Eileen Cassidy Rivera in a Democratic firehouse primary for Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker’s seat.
Rivera launched her campaign hours after Bennett-Parker’s commanding Senate primary win; McPike followed that afternoon with an endorsement from Rep. Don Beyer. McPike touted his 13 years as a congressional chief of staff and four years on City Council, while Rivera pointed to her School Board service and Clinton Administration experience.
If McPike wins, his Council departure would trigger yet another special election under Alexandria’s charter. No primary date has been set.
2️⃣ Croatia selects Alexandria as home base for 2026 World Cup
The Croatian national football team has chosen Alexandria as its base camp for the FIFA World Cup this summer, the Croatian Football Federation announced today.
The Vatreni, as the team is known, will stay at the AKA Hotel in Old Town and train at Episcopal High School during the tournament, which will be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
3️⃣ FBI executes search warrant at Washington Post reporter’s Alexandria home
Federal agents searched the Alexandria home of Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson early Wednesday morning, seizing her phone, two laptops, and a Garmin watch as part of an investigation into a government contractor accused of illegally retaining classified materials, according to the Washington Post.
Natanson, who covers the federal workforce, was home at the time of the 6 a.m. search, the Post reported. Investigators told her she is not the target of the probe, which centers on Aurelio Perez-Lugones, a Maryland-based system administrator with top-secret clearance who was arrested last week, according to the Post.
4️⃣ Arielle Shoshana opens Old Town flagship, bringing niche fragrances to Cameron Street
Arielle Shoshana, a specialty fragrance boutique, opened its flagship location at 313 Cameron St. on Wednesday. Mayor Alyia Gaskins joined co-founders Arielle Weinberg and Katri Haas for a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the store’s arrival in Old Town.
“This is the very kind of place we need in Alexandria,” Gaskins said.
5️⃣ Alexandria to celebrate 53rd anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. birthday program
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Planning Committee will host “Dawn of Justice & Hope,” the 53rd anniversary community celebration of King’s birthday tonight at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial.
The free event begins with a welcome reception at 5:30 p.m. featuring food and birthday cake, followed by the main program from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The evening will include music and speakers honoring King’s legacy.
📰 Extra! Extra!
The School Board holds a work session tonight at 5 p.m. to discuss Virginia’s K-12 funding formula and receive an update from the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria.
A single-vehicle rollover crash on Duke Street near Brenman Park brought down a tree and closed lanes in both directions Wednesday evening, according to the Alexandria Police Department. (TAB)
A widespread Verizon Wireless outage left customers nationwide without voice, text and data service Wednesday afternoon, prompting Alexandria officials to warn residents that their ability to call 911 may be compromised. (TAB)
Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins was elected Wednesday as one of two vice chairs of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Board of Directors, giving the city a leadership role in the regional planning body during a period of economic uncertainty. (TAB)
ACPS: Learn about calendar reminders and free community events for January 2026. Find out when the ACPS Community Outreach team will be in your neighborhood. (ACPS)
Reminder: Join the City of Alexandria at one of its upcoming Duke Street Land Use Plan Community Workshops. (City of Alexandria)
Known for Netflix series “True Story” and 2020 drama “Charm City Kings,” acclaimed actor and alumnus William Catlett spoke to ACHS students in the Minnie Howard Forum on Nov. 24. (Theogony)
🗓️ Today in Alexandria
Mostly sunny, with a high near 35 degrees. West wind 9 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Mostly clear tonight, with a low around 23 degrees. West wind 12 to 17 mph, decreasing to 6 to 11 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 36 mph.
Sunrise at 7:24 a.m., sunset at 5:10 p.m. There will be 9 hours & 45 minutes of sun.
Events & Things To Do
12 p.m.: Ice & Lights - Daytime Ice Skating at Cameron Run
3:30 p.m.: Alexandria Teen Science Cafe at Chinquapin Recreation Center
5:30 p.m. 53rd anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. birthday program at George Washington Masonic National Memorial
Live Music & 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.
Evening Star Cafe: Rebecca Berlin at 8 p.m.
Hops N Shine: Trivia at 6:30 p.m.
Laporta’s Restaurant: Ken Kilpatrick Trio at 6 p.m.
Lena’s: Gigi MacLaughlin at 6 p.m.
Lost Boy Cider: Trivia at 7 p.m.
Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Rook Richards & O’McPub Band at 8:30 p.m.
O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: The Culp at 9 p.m.
Port City Brewing Company: Netflix Originals Trivia Night at 7 p.m.
Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6 p.m.
Vola’s Dockside Grill: Comedy Night Series at 6 p.m.
City of Alexandria
Government: Open. Flag: Full Staff. Trash, Recycling, & Yard Waste Collection: On Time
6 a.m.: Chinquapin Open at Chinquapin
11:30 a.m.: Commission on Aging Outreach Committee Regular Monthly Meeting
4:30 p.m.: Commission on Aging Civic Engagement & Economic Regular Monthly Meeting
6 p.m.: Minnie Howard Open at Minnie Howard
7 p.m.: Commission on IT Monthly Meeting
Alexandria City Public Schools
Athletics
4:30 p.m.: Basketball: Girls Freshman Game vs. C.G. Woodson at ACHS
5:45 p.m.: Basketball: Girls JV Game vs. C.G. Woodson at ACHS
6 p.m.: Gymnastics: Girls Varsity Meet at Lake Braddock Secondary
6 p.m.: Wrestling: Girls Varsity Jamboree at Robinson High School
6 p.m.: Wrestling: Boys Varsity Invitational Tournament (Alexandria City Championships) at St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School
6 p.m.: Wrestling: JV Quad at W.T. Woodson High School
7:30 p.m.: Basketball: Girls Varsity Game vs. C.G. Woodson at ACHS
School Board
5 p.m.: School Board Work Session at School Board Meeting Room
Alexandria Library
All day: Winter Lego Building Contest (Virtual) — Ages 6-16
10 a.m.: English Language Learning (ELL) 1 Workshop at Beatley Central Library
10 a.m.: One-on-One Application Assistance at Barrett Branch Library
10:15 a.m.: Stories and Songs at Duncan Branch Library — Ages 0-5
11 a.m.: Preschool Story Time at Barrett Branch Library — Ages 2-5
11:15 a.m.: Stories and Songs at Duncan Branch Library — Ages 0-5
1:15 p.m.: Baby Bounce at Beatley Central Library — Ages 0-14 months
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 — Ages 3-5
5:30 p.m.: Alexandria Oddball Cinema: Bottoms at Beatley Central Library
6 p.m.: Dungeons and Dragons: Adult Group B at Barrett Branch Library — Full
6 p.m.: Dungeons and Dragons: Teen Group at Barrett Branch Library — Waitlist
6 p.m.: Coding Game Night at Beatley Central Library — Ages 6-12
6 p.m.: Nerdy Knotters at Duncan Branch Library — Ages 13+
On this day in Alexandria
1775: In a prelude to the gathering of war clouds between the American colonies and the British government, George Washington reviewed troops of the local militia in Alexandria and selected a committee for the County of Fairfax to prepare for the possibility of conflict. Two days later, he recommended a new tax on county residents to support the militia and to purchase military supplies and equipment.
Love the "On this day in Alexandria" feature. The 1775 George Washington detail really underscores how militias operated decentrally before the Continental Army even existed. I've always found it intresting how Washington was already organizing local defense funding through county taxes that early, showing his practicl understanding of logistics even before he became Commander-in-Chief.