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Good morning, Alexandria.
While most students won't start school until Aug. 24, today is the first day of the 2026-27 school year for the 712 students at Samuel W. Tucker Elementary — the only school in Alexandria City Public Schools on an extended instructional calendar.
Tonight, the Traffic and Parking Board takes up the revised Russell Road pedestrian safety proposal near Naomi Brooks Elementary at its 7 p.m. meeting at 2900 Business Center Drive. After 170 community comments reshaped the original plan — scaling back proposed parking removal significantly — the board will consider whether to approve, modify, or table the revised design. Teachers at Naomi Brooks, one of the few Alexandria schools without dedicated staff parking, have been among the most vocal opponents, arguing that removing nearby street parking creates a practical barrier to getting to work.
Here's what you need to know for Monday, July 27.
1️⃣ Samuel Tucker Elementary starts school today — weeks before the rest of Alexandria
Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School opens its doors this morning for the first day of the 2026-27 school year — the only Alexandria City Public Schools building on an early calendar. While the rest of the division's 22 schools begin Aug. 24, Tucker's 712 students start today, July 27, as part of the school's Extended Learning Time model, which provides roughly 20% more instructional time than a traditional school calendar through a longer school day and additional school days throughout the year.
Tucker is one of Alexandria's highest-need schools. More than 85% of its students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, and a significant portion are English learners. The extended calendar model was introduced to provide additional academic support and reduce learning gaps — giving students more time with teachers, more time in structured learning, and more consistency across the school year.
2️⃣ Alexandria Restaurant Week returns August 14–23 with prix fixe menus at 75+ restaurants
Alexandria Restaurant Week returns Aug. 14–23, with more than 75 restaurants across the city offering prix fixe dinner menus priced at $35, $45, or $55 per person, plus additional deals at fast casual spots. Participating neighborhoods include Old Town, Del Ray, Potomac Yard, Arlandria-Chirilagua and the West End.
First-time participants this year include Umiya Sushi and Dok Khao Thai Eatery. Returning favorites span American, Italian, Japanese, Indian and global cuisines — including The Majestic, Thompson Italian, Pak Soii Izakaya & Bar, Spice Kraft Alexandria and Founding Farmers Alexandria. The week overlaps with Virginia's Tax-Free Weekend and the citywide Sidewalk Sale. Full menus are at AlexandriaRestaurantWeek.com.
3️⃣ Alexandria Film Festival to screen Virginia premiere of Louder Than Guns on August 4
The Alexandria Film Festival and Safer Country will screen the Virginia premiere of "Louder Than Guns" on Tuesday, Aug. 4, at 6 p.m. at the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St. — the same night as National Night Out. The 87-minute documentary, directed by Doug Pray, follows Old Crow Medicine Show frontman Ketch Secor — best known as co-writer of "Wagon Wheel" — and journalist David Greene as they travel through rural, urban and suburban America, bringing together people with sharply different views on guns to search for understanding and common ground.
A Q&A with Safer Country President Paul Friedman and Greene follows the screening. Tickets are $15 and available online or at the door. The Alexandria Film Festival is one of the region's most established film events; this year's full festival runs Nov. 13-16.
In brief
Critical Missing Adult Alert: The Alexandria Police Department is asking for the public's help locating Wade Adkins, 60, who was last seen Sunday, July 26, in the 900 block of Beverley Drive wearing a green shirt and white checkered shorts. Adkins is described as a white male, 5 feet 10 inches tall, 165 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes. Anyone with information is asked to call APD at 703-746-4444 or dial 911 immediately. (APD)
Alexandria police investigated a felonious assault in the unit block of S. Reynolds Street early Monday morning. A suspect is in custody. APD posted the notice at 1:34 a.m. (APD)
The Alexandria Traffic and Parking Board meets tonight at 7 p.m. at 2900 Business Center Drive and via Zoom with a full agenda, including the Russell Road pedestrian safety proposal near Naomi Brooks Elementary School. The board will also consider requests on Hume Avenue, East Glendale Avenue, Raleigh Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue. (The Brief)
Alexandria City Public Schools is asking families of new students to complete registration before the first day of school on August 24 — and is hosting events this summer to help them do it. (The Brief)
Virginia, the world’s largest data center hub, has released a long-delayed study that examined the state’s eastern region groundwater supply and the resource-hungry industry’s possible impact on it, finding declines are likely in a critical aquifer due to population growth and industrial use and urging stricter regulations. (The Brief)
"Alexandria City Hall is getting a major makeover, but nearby businesses said the yearslong construction project is already affecting sales, especially among customers who can no longer find convenient parking". (WTOP)
The US Military will conduct an Aircraft Flyover in the NCR over Nationals Park on Monday, July 27, 2026, at approximately 6:45 p.m. (AlertDC)
⚽ Sports
Trinity Rodman got the better of U.S. women’s national team teammate Lindsey Heaps on Sunday night, assisting on Sofia Cantore’s goal in the Washington Spirit's 1-0 victory over the visiting Denver Summit. (The Brief)
CJ Abrams and James Wood both homered twice and drove in three runs as the Washington Nationals beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 10-7 on Sunday to take two of three games in their weekend series. (The Brief)
The Alexandria Aces' season ended Friday night. The Aces fell to the Metro South County Braves 4-0 in the Wild Card game at South County High School, ending their playoff run. The Aces finished the season 16-22.
Today's Schedule
- 6:45 p.m.: Toronto Blue Jays at Washington Nationals
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Today in Alexandria
⛅ Weather
Today: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88 degrees. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 7 p.m. Increasing clouds, with a low around 70 degrees. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
🌖 Sun, Moon, & Tide
Sunrise at 6:05 a.m., sunset at 8:23 p.m. 14 hours & 17 minutes of sun.
High tide at 7:39 a.m. & 8:12 p.m. Low tide at 1:18 a.m. & 2:21 p.m. The moon phase is a Waxing Gibbous.
🚇 Getting Around
Check here for the latest service alerts: Metro, DASH, VRE, Amtrak, and DCA
🗓️ 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)
- 6:30 p.m.: Joggers & Lagers at Port City Brewing Company
🎶 Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Just For Fun at 9 p.m.
- Clyde’s at Mark Center: Trivia at 6:30 p.m.
- Daniel O’Connell’s: Traditional Irish Music at 7 p.m.
- Del Ray Public House: Trivia at 7 p.m.
- Epicure on King: Open Mic at 7 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant: Jim West at 6 p.m.
- Mason Social: Rook Richards at 5 p.m.
- Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Colby Sard 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: Hindley Street Country Club at 7:30 p.m.
🏛️ City & Schools
City Government: Open · Flag: Half Staff · Trash, Recycling, & Yard Waste Collection: On Time
- All Day: First Day of School- Samuel Tucker Elementary School
- 6 a.m.: Chinquapin Pool open
- 7 a.m.: Minnie Howard Pool open
- 11 a.m.: Warwick Pool open
- Noon: Old Town Pool open
- 7 p.m.: Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority regular meeting at ARHA Headquarters
- 7 p.m.: Traffic and Parking Board monthly meeting at 2900 Business Center Drive
- 7 p.m.: Alexandria Citizen Corps Council bimonthly meeting at Fire Station 204
📚 Alexandria Library
- All day: PINGO! — Plastic Free Bingo at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 10:15 a.m.: Baby Time at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
- 10:30 a.m.: Storytime in the Reading Garden at Beatley Central Library
- 10:30 a.m.: Senior Bingo at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 11:15 a.m.: Baby Time (2nd session) at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
- 1 p.m.: English Language Learning at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 4 p.m.: Robotics for Kids! at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
- 5 p.m.: Dungeons & Dragons at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 5 p.m.: YaS Interest Meeting — Teen Volunteers at Beatley Central Library
- 6 p.m.: Nonfiction Book Tasting! at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
- 6:30 p.m.: Stability in Motion — weekly yoga with Seven Petals Yoga at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
The Alexandria Brief
Alexandria news you can trust. Independent, free, and published every day.
Publisher: Ryan Belmore, journalist and Alexandria resident. Send questions, feedback, and news tips to ryan@alexandriabrief.com.
