The Alexandria Brief: Saturday, March 21

Good morning, Alexandria. It's Saturday, March 21 — and welcome to a special weekend edition of The Alexandria Brief.

There was too much news yesterday to wait until Monday.

A former FCC employee was sentenced to one year in prison for sexually assaulting two women near Alexandria Metro stations last spring. The Majestic, a King Street fixture since 1932, is changing hands — Chef Santiago Lopez takes over and officially relaunches April 10. And Metro has paused all weekend track work through April 18, giving Blue and Yellow line riders their first uninterrupted service since mid-February.

Today: Join artist Alicia Eggert at 1 p.m. for the opening of "Now or Never" at Waterfront Park. Rep. Beyer's Rising to Meet the Challenge Resource Fair for federal workers starts at 10 a.m. And Old Town's Bloom Together shopping event continues through tomorrow.

Sunny with a high near 67 today, mid-70s tomorrow. Get outside.

Here's what you need to know.

1️⃣ Former FCC employee sentenced to one year in Alexandria Metro station assaults

A former federal employee was sentenced to one year in prison on Friday for sexually assaulting two women near Alexandria Metro stations last spring, with a judge finding he acted in a state of delirium brought on by misprescribed medications and undiagnosed mental illness.

Jeffrey Gary, who formerly served as an assistant division chief at the Federal Communications Commission, was sentenced in the Alexandria Circuit Court. According to his defense attorney, Chris Leibig, the court found that misprescribed medications contributed to Gary's behavior on the night of May 30, 2025, and that Gary demonstrated genuine remorse. A forensic and psychological evaluation was filed with the court on March 13, according to Alexandria Circuit Court records.

Gary will receive credit for time served, Leibig said. Court records show his bond was revoked when he entered a nolo contendere plea on Oct. 30, 2025, meaning he has been held in custody since that time.

Read more

2️⃣ The Majestic relaunches under new ownership April 10

One of Old Town Alexandria's longest-standing dining institutions is changing hands and getting a new look.

The Majestic, a King Street fixture since 1932, remains open during the transition as Chef Santiago Lopez prepares to officially relaunch the restaurant Friday, April 10. Lopez has purchased the restaurant from Alexandria Restaurant Partners and is debuting a reimagined menu, a new cocktail program and a redesigned interior.

"This restaurant has always been special to this community, and my goal is to create a place that feels familiar and welcoming, but also exciting and intentional," Lopez said. "I've poured myself into every part of it — from the food to the atmosphere, focusing on bright, balanced flavors and thoughtful ingredients to create a place that feels welcoming, exciting, and worth returning to again and again."

Read more

3️⃣ Cherry blossom season is here, and Alexandria's Blue and Yellow line riders get a break from weekend closures

The National Cherry Blossom Festival kicks off today, and for Alexandria Metro riders who have spent the last couple of months navigating shuttle buses and station closures, there is welcome news: the trains will be running.

Metro, the festival's official transit partner, has paused all major track work from today through April 18, meaning no weekend closures at Crystal City, National Airport, or Potomac Yard stations during the heart of cherry blossom season. It is the first stretch of uninterrupted weekend rail service on the Blue and Yellow lines since the Crystal City station closures began Feb. 14.

Those closures — 10 weekends of shutdowns tied to construction of a second entrance at Crystal City — have forced Alexandria riders to rely on shuttle buses between Pentagon City and National Airport since mid-February. The last closure before the festival break was March 7-8, one of the extended weekends that also shut down National Airport and Potomac Yard. The closures will resume May 9.

Read more

📰 In brief

Beyer brings federal worker resource fair back to Northern Virginia today. (The Brief)

Streets were blocked near Madison St. & Patrick St. last night due to a vehicle/moped collision, according to the Alexandria Police Department. The APD Crash Team was on the scene investigating before reopening the streets around 9:20 p.m. (APD)

Traffic and Parking Board to weigh Old Town parking changes, bikeshare relocation Monday. (The Brief)

American Real Estate Partners (AREP) has opened CityHouse Old Town, an office-to-residential adaptive reuse development at 1101 King St. (REBusinessOnline)

Alexandria man faces multiple charges after alleged unprovoked attack on officers in Clarendon. (The Brief)

ACPS honors essential workers at fifth annual celebration. (The Brief)

Visit Alexandria extends 'Unlock Your Story' campaign to target meeting and event planners. (The Brief)

Carlos, the owner of McDonald’s on Glebe Rd., hosted a community celebration this week in honor of Darius Bivins, who was selected as a McDonald’s All-American. All sales that night benefited the Alexandria Boys & Girls Club youth programs! (Mayor Gaskins/X)

Warner: Iran war driving up costs, GOP bill would strip Virginia voting rights (The Brief)

Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) joined a group of House Democrats on Friday in demanding that the National Parks Service immediately halt or block any plans to remove the two-way protected bike lane running from the Tidal Basin to Constitution Avenue. (Congressman Beyer)

As of March 19, 2,537 residents have voted early in person for the April 21 Special Election, and another 9,969 have requested mail-in ballots. (City of Alexandria)

On this day in 1813, a group of representatives from Alexandria met with Secretary of War James Armstrong in Washington requesting that arms be provided to protect the southern approaches to the nation’s capital from a possible British invasion during the War of 1812. (Historic Alexandria)

Today in Alexandria

⛅ Weather

Sunny, with a high near 67 degrees. Partly cloudy tonight, with a low around 48 degrees.

🌖 Sun, Moon, & Tide

Sunrise at 7:09 a.m., sunset at 7:21 p.m. 12 hours & 9 minutes of sun.

High tide at 10:36 a.m. and 11:12 p.m. Low tide at 4:46 a.m. and 5:39 p.m.

The moon phase is a Waxing Crescent.

🗓️ Things To Do

All Day: Bloom Together shopping event throughout Old Town
7 a.m.: Old Town Farmers’ Market at Tavern Square
8 a.m.: Del Ray Farmer’s Market at Pat Miller Square
10 a.m.: Discovering Alexandria Architecture Walking Tour at Carlyle House
10 a.m.: Pilates at Aslin ALX
10 a.m.: Living History Tour of Tall Ship Providence
10 a.m.: Bellacara's 26th Anniversary Party at Bellacara
10 a.m.: World Water Day & Nature Walk at Dora Kelly Nature Park
10:30 a.m.: Pedals & Pints - Short Ride at Port City Brewing Company
11 a.m.: Run Club Meet Up and Run at Evening Star Cafe
2 p.m.: Fashion and Women’s Liberation: Role of Clothing in the Fight for Suffrage at Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden
2 p.m.: Free Easter Egg Hunt at Del Ray United Methodist Church
3 p.m.: A Spring Picnic Watercolors Workshop w/Alexandra Schmeling at Shop Made in VA

🎶 Entertainment

219 Restaurant: Bill Pappas Project at 9 p.m.
Alexandria Bier Garden: Pop Up Audio at 8:30 p.m.
Blackwall Hitch: Bravenoise at 9 p.m.
Clyde's at Mark Center: Jonathan Quigley at 9 p.m.
Daniel O’Connell’s: David Thong Trio at 9:30 p.m.
Evening Star Cafe: Starryville at 8:30 p.m.
Galactic Panther: Jackie and The Treehorns with special guests Soda Pop at 7:30 p.m.
Hops N Shine: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
Laporta’s Restaurant: Live music at 7 p.m.
Makeda Restaurant: Negussie & Nani at 10 p.m.
Murphy’s Pub: Pat Garvey at 9 p.m.
O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Koluna, High Horse, Cavalry, and Tentaclaus at 9 p.m.
Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
The Birchmere: ZZ Ward with The Jesse Williams Band at 7:30 p.m.
The Light Horse: Diplomatic Immunity at 9:30 p.m.
The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6:30 p.m.