The Alexandria Brief: Saturday, April 11

Good morning, Alexandria. It's Saturday, April 11— the 101st day of 2026, with 264 days left in the year. You're one of 5,744 neighbors reading this morning.

You don't normally hear from me on Saturdays — but there's so much happening this weekend that I wanted to make sure you had it. Extended early voting starts today. Freedom House is marking the Pearl anniversary. Del Ray Dog Fest is tomorrow. And on Tuesday, council takes up parking fines, Sunday meters, and a state of the economy briefing.

I'm also exploring whether to add Saturday editions permanently. If you have thoughts — yes, no, only when there's big news — I'd love to hear them. Just hit reply or email me at ryan@alexandriabrief.com.

A few places you might run into me/The Alexandria Brief this weekend: I'm the guest speaker at the Brookville-Seminary Valley Civic Association meeting this morning at 10 a.m. at Patrick Henry Rec Center — if you're there, say hi. And our friends at Bloom Labs are hosting free Local News Day pop-ups featuring The Alexandria Brief alongside some other publications: today at St. Elmo's Coffee Pub in Del Ray from 8:30 to 11 a.m., and Sunday at the Old Town North and Four Mile Run farmers markets from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Long live local news.

Have a great weekend,

~ Ryan

Reminder: Send me news, tips, story ideas, feedback, and favorite farmers market recipes to ryan@alexandriabrief.com or 703-283-0790.

1️⃣ Nearly 13,300 Alexandrians have already voted. This weekend, early voting gets easier.

Voters cast their ballots at a polling station on November 4, 2025, in Alexandria, Virginia. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Early voting in Alexandria's city council special election shifts into high gear this weekend — and the turnout numbers suggest voters are paying attention.

Starting today, it gets easier to vote in person. The Office of Voter Registration and Elections at 132 N. Royal St., Suite 100, will be open Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. — the first of eight consecutive days of extended or weekend hours before early voting closes April 18. Sunday hours run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, the office will stay open until 7 p.m. each evening, and the office will be open on Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

2️⃣ Construction underway at former Big Wheel Bikes site as Waterfront Taco Factory takes shape in Old Town

ACHS Interim Executive Principal Lance Harrell, ACPS School Board Chair Michelle Rief, Mohammad Elyas Noorzai, Sai Hruthika Naraharisetti, Zhi McMillan, and ACPS School Board Vice Chair Christopher Harris on April 10. (Ryan Belmore/The Alexandria Brief)

What began as an afternoon presentation about a college scholarship became something far more electric Friday at Alexandria City High School's Minnie Howard Campus — the moment two seniors realized the opportunity being described was already theirs.

Mohammad Elyas Noorzai and Zhi McMillan each received the Amazon Future Engineers Scholarship, earning up to $40,000 and a guaranteed paid summer internship with one of the world's largest technology companies, in a surprise announcement before roughly 50 classmates, family members, and Alexandria City Public Schools staff.

3️⃣ Alexandria City Council to take up parking fine increase, Sunday meters, stormwater fee and business tax at Tuesday meeting

The ordinance on parking citations would raise the standard fine from $40 to $50 — the first increase since 2007, when the penalty went from $25 to its current level. (City of Alexandria)

Alexandria City Council convenes Tuesday evening with a substantive agenda that includes first readings on raising parking fines for the first time in nearly two decades, activating parking meters on Sundays for the first time ever, increasing the stormwater utility fee, hiking a business tax rate and approving a $31.6 million supplemental appropriation ordinance — along with a state of the economy briefing from City Manager James Parajon.

Tuesday's meeting lands in the middle of a busy budget season. City Manager James Parajon presented his proposed $977.3 million fiscal year 2027 general fund operating budget in February, with final adoption set for April 29 — the same date targeted for final passage of most of Tuesday's ordinances. Several of Tuesday's items, including the parking fine increase, Sunday meters and stormwater fee, are tied directly to that budget timeline.

Read more: Alexandria City Council to take up parking fine increase, Sunday meters, stormwater fee and business tax at Tuesday meeting | Free parking on Sundays may be ending in Alexandria (WTOP)

📰 In brief

Three new restaurants have signed leases at Oakville Triangle, a mixed-use development along Richmond Highway, according to a story published Friday by the Washington Business Journal. (The Alexandria Brief)

Mayor Alyia Gaskins and all five members of the Alexandria City Council will appear together at a public breakfast next month to walk residents through the city's newly adopted budget and share updates on major initiatives shaping the city's future. (The Alexandria Brief)

The city of Alexandria will host its second Flood Resilience Plan community meeting on Thursday, April 16. (The Alexandria Brief)

Gadsby's Tavern Museum Society, the 501(c)(3) organization that supports the preservation and programming at Gadsby's Tavern, is holding its annual fundraiser on April 18th. (GTMS)

HB93 by Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, D-Alexandria, was signed into law by Governor Spanberger on Friday. It specifies that people subject to protective orders or convicted of misdemeanor domestic violent crimes may transfer their firearm to a person who is not prohibited from having one, who is 21 years or older, and who does not live in their home. Current law on this matter did not have age or residence requirements. (Virginia Mercury)

The City of Alexandria invites community members to attend a neighborhood meeting for upcoming work related to the Hooff’s Run Culvert Maintenance Project on Thursday, April 16. (City of Alexandria)

Docket materials have been posted for the upcoming Transportation Commission meeting on Wednesday, April 15. (City of Alexandria)

April 21 Special Election: 7,157 early in-person votes, 5,652 mail ballots returned. Today is the last day to request a mail ballot. Extended early voting hours begin tomorrow at 132 N Royal Street. (City of Alexandria)

🗞️ Beyond Alexandria

Trump's Washington arch plan includes golden-winged figure, eagles, lions and 'One Nation Under God'. (AP/The Alexandria Brief)

Gov. Abigail Spanberger tapped into her background in law enforcement and intelligence as she signed a suite of public safety bills Friday. (Virginia Mercury)

🏀 Sports

Vivas and Millas drive in runs as Nationals succeed on 3 bunts in 4-run 9th to beat Brewers 7-3. (AP/The Alexandria Brief)

Wizards clinch NBA's worst record with 140-117 loss to Heat. (AP/The Alexandria Brief)

Today in Alexandria

⛅ Weather

Sunny today, with a high near 71 degrees. North wind 9 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

Mostly clear tonight, with a low around 48. East wind 3 to 6 mph.

🌖 Sun, Moon, & Tide

Sunrise at 6:37 a.m., sunset at 7:41 p.m. 13 hours & 4 minutes of sun.

High tide at 3:54 a.m. & 3:58 p.m. Low tide at 9:40 a.m. and 10:37 p.m. The moon phase is a Waning Crescent.

🗓️ Things To Do

7 a.m.: Old Town Farmers’ Market at Tavern Square
8 a.m.: Del Ray Farmer’s Market at Pat Miller Square
9 a.m.: Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market along Mt. Vernon Ave.
9 a.m.: Gustave Art & Craft Market at Gustave Jardin
10 a.m.: Women of Alexandria: Leadership Across Public and Private Life at Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum
10 a.m.: Last Chance: Fill The MV Big Flea-Donation Drive on Mt. Vernon Ave.
10:30 a.m.: Pedals & Pints at Handy Bikes
12 p.m. Spring Break 2026 at Aslin ALX
12 p.m.: Family Fun Day at Carlyle House
12 p.m.: BunnyFest 2026 at Torpedo Factory Art Center
12 p.m.: Girl Scout Day: The French and Indian War in Alexandria at Carlyle House
2 p.m.: Alexandria Film Festival presents “Becoming Wild” World Premiere at Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum
2 p.m.: The Grandest Congress: The French and Indian War in Alexandria at Carlyle House
2 p.m.: League of Women Voters hosting virtual Alexandria city council candidate forum
3 p.m.: Music Through The Decades at Del Ray United Methodist Church
3 p.m.: Sweet Fire Donna's 12th Anniversary Pig Roast and Tap Takeover at Sweet Fire Donna's
5:30 p.m.: The Music of Words at Athenaeum
6 p.m.: The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show at Sheraton Suites Old Town
7 p.m.: Toccatas & Suites: Bach at the Summit at St. Paul's Episcopal Church

🎶 Entertainment

219 Restaurant: Myles Deep at 9 p.m.
Alexandria Bier Garden: SugarCoat at 9 p.m.
Blackwall Hitch: Grayson Moon at 9 p.m.
Cuates Grill: Karaoke at 10:15 p.m.
Daniel O'Connell's: Practically Einstein at 9:30 p.m.
Galactic Panther: Weed Coughlin, Magog, Engineered Extinction at 7 p.m.
Hops N Shine: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
Laporta’s Restaurant: Joe Coleman at 6 p.m.
Makeda Restaurant: Negussie & Nani at 10 p.m.
Murphy’s Pub: Powers & McLaughlin & Pat Garvey at 9 p.m.
O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Austin Miller & The Old Townkillers at 9 p.m.
Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
The Birchmere: SGGLat 7:30 p.m.
The Light Horse: Lights Out By 8 at 9:30 p.m.
The Little Theatre of Alexandria: Guess Who's Coming To Dinner at 8 p.m.
The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6:30 p.m.
Valetta Port: Jim Sheats at 7 p.m.

🏛️ City & Schools

7 a.m.: Minnie Howard Open at Minnie Howard
8 a.m.: Chinquapin Open at Chinquapin
9 a.m.: Historic Holmes Run Stream Cleanup
9 a.m.: Tax Time is Here! File for Free
9 a.m.: ACPS VSBA Board Member Training
10 a.m.: Electric Vehicle Ride and Drive and Showcase at Chinquapin Park
11 a.m.: Remember the Pearl Weekend at Freedom House Museum
5:30 p.m.: Specialty Tour: Poisons at the Apothecary Museum

📚 Alexandria Library

All Day: Turning the Lens on Plastic Pollution Through Art at Barrett Branch Library
All Day: The Great American PoeTREEs at Beatley Central Library
All Day: Tiny Art Show: Tiny Chair Edition at Beatley Central Library
All Day: Footsteps of History - Virtual Walking Challenge — Virtual
All Day: America 250 Community Mini Art Show Canvas Pick-Up at Burke Branch Library
All Day: A Commonwealth of Cultures Exhibit at Local History/Special Collections
All Day: Exhibit: Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka - The Struggle and Beyond at Local History/Special Collections
10 a.m.: Alexandria Film Festival - "High Society" (1956) at Barrett Branch Library
10 a.m.: Twice Loved Plushies at Beatley Central Library
10 a.m.: Borrow a Board Game at Beatley Central Library
10:30 a.m.: Teen Advisory Group - Monthly Meeting at Beatley Central Library
11 a.m.: Games of the States at Barrett Branch Library — Ages 6-12
1 p.m.: Alexandria Black History Walking Tour - Manumission Tours at Barrett Branch Library
1 p.m.: Free Verse Poetry Workshop — Virtual, for National Poetry Month
2 p.m.: Building Better Bonds! at Barrett Branch Library
2:30 p.m.: Oddball Cinema - A Taste of Honey at Duncan Branch Library

For a look at what's happening on Sunday, click here.