The Alexandria Brief: Tuesday, April 14

Good morning, Alexandria. It's Tuesday, April 14— the 104th day of 2026, with 261 days left in the year. You're one of 5,752 neighbors reading this morning.

A quick correction: In yesterday's newsletter, I wrote in my intro here that the School Board's public hearing on the police-in-schools agreement is on Wednesday. It's actually Thursday. I apologize for the error.

It's a busy night for City Council tonight, with first readings on parking fines, Sunday meters, a stormwater fee hike, and a state-of-the-economy briefing from the city manager.

At noon today, the city hosts its 37th annual Holocaust remembrance ceremony in the Reading Garden at Beatley Central Library.

One week until Election Day. Today is also the voter registration deadline. More than 16,000 ballots have already been cast or returned.

And yes — it's Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry's in Old Town from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Be patient, be kind, and leave a tip if you can.

Here's what you need to know today.

~ Ryan

Have a story idea, news tip, question, or feedback? Get in touch at ryan@alexandriabrief.com.

1️⃣ Alexandria City Council submits 10 add/delete proposals ahead of Saturday budget hearing

Alexandria City Council is scheduled to adopt the FY27 Budget on April 29. (City of Alexandria)

Alexandria City Council members submitted a batch of 10 budget add/delete proposals ahead of last week's April 9 deadline, outlining a spending agenda centered on transit, equity services, and a one-time study of the city's jail operations — with public hearings on those proposals set for this Saturday.

The proposals, which must be weighed against City Manager James Parajon's proposed $977.3 million general fund budget before final adoption April 29, range in cost from $25,000 to restore a multilingual secret shopper program for city recreation services to $619,920 to increase the frequency of DASH Bus Line 32.

2️⃣ Affordable housing waitlist opens next week for first units at Sansé

Housing Alexandria will open a waitlist next week for the first available units at the Sansé, the new affordable apartment community at 3600 Mount Vernon Avenue in the Arlandria-Chirilagua neighborhood — marking a significant milestone for what the city has called its most ambitious affordable housing investment to date.

The waitlist opens at midnight on April 20 and closes at 11:59 p.m. on April 26. Applicants will learn their place in line on May 4, after which selected applicants will be contacted to schedule eligibility appointments. Joining the waitlist does not guarantee a unit. The application is available in English and Spanish.

The first phase of the Sansé — 206 units ranging from junior one-bedrooms to three-bedrooms — is expected to be ready for occupancy in August. Twenty-four of those units will be accessible, including one-bedroom, one-bedroom-with-den, and two-bedroom configurations.

3️⃣ Alexandria to mark 37th annual Holocaust remembrance ceremony today

Cantor Jason Kaufman leads a Memorial Prayer during Days of Remembrance for Victims of the Holocaust on April 24, 2025 (Ryan Belmore)

The City of Alexandria will host its 37th annual Days of Remembrance ceremony today, honoring the six million Jews and millions of others killed in the Holocaust, with a retired U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum historian set to address attendees.

The free, public ceremony begins at noon in the Frank and Betty Wright Reading Gardens at Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library, 5005 Duke Street.

📰 In brief

Ben & Jerry's Free Cone Day returns to Old Town today, with the locally owned scoop shop at 103 S. Union St. offering free ice cream cones to the public from noon to 8 p.m. (The Alexandria Brief)

Alexandria City Council convenes this 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. (The Alexandria Brief)

Inova celebrated a major construction milestone on Monday at its new Alexandria campus, marking the completion of the structural framework on the grounds of the former Landmark Mall. (The Alexandria Brief)

Alexandria City High School's Titan Theatre will present "Anastasia: The Musical" later this month, with five performances scheduled across two weeks at the school's theater at 3330 King St. (The Alexandria Brief)

Alexandria's Natural Resources Team is taking its work outside city offices this spring and summer, offering residents a free series of events designed to connect people with the experts who manage the city's land, water, wildlife, and plant ecosystems. (The Alexandria Brief)

Alexandria Health Department officials encouraged residents to check for ticks, which can spread Lyme disease and alpha-gal syndrome if not quickly removed. (WTOP)

Ahead of the April 15th tax filing deadline, Congressman Don Beyer and bipartisan leaders of the Joint Economic Committee issued a bipartisan alert warning Americans about common tax season scams. (Congressman Beyer)

April 21 Special Election: As of April 12, 10:032 early in-person votes have been cast, and 5,964 mail ballots have been returned. Early voting continues today at 132 N Royal Street. (City of Alexandria)

🗞️ Beyond Alexandria

An aviation safety bill seeking to address lessons learned from last year's midair collision of a jet with an Army helicopter near the nation's capital is up for a vote Tuesday evening in the House, but key senators and the families of the 67 victims think the bill needs to be strengthened. (The Alexandria Brief)

🏀 Sports

Paul Skenes allowed one hit in six strong innings and Brandon Lowe homered for the third time in two games, driving in five runs as the Pittsburgh Pirates steamrolled the Washington Nationals 16-5 to begin a four-game series Monday night. (The Alexandria Brief)

Anthony Davis' long-term future with the Washington Wizards isn't clear, but the star at least knows he's committed to the franchise for one more season. (The Alexandria Brief)

Today in Alexandria

⛅ Weather

Mostly sunny, with a high near 89 degrees. Light southwest wind increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.

Partly cloudy tonight, with a low around 70 degrees. Southwest wind 6 to 10 mph.

🌖 Sun, Moon, & Tide

Sunrise at 6:32 a.m., sunset at 7:44 p.m. 13 hours & 11 minutes of sun.

High tide at 6:30 a.m. & 6:53 p.m. Low tide at 12:25 a.m. & 12:59 p.m. The moon phase is a Waning Crescent.

🗓️ Things To Do

12 p.m.: Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry's Old Town
5:30 p.m.: Four Hands, One Piano: Schubert, Saint-Saëns, and Barber at The Rectory on Princess
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.
Cooper Mill: Music Bingo at 6 p.m.
Galactic Panther: Meow Meow, Boxer, Vivian Grey, & Somebody's Daughter at 7 p.m.
Laporta’s Restaurant: Antonio James at 6 p.m.
Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap: Jay Byrd at 6 p.m.
Lost Dog Cafe: Trivia at 7 p.m.
Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: 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.
The Birchmere: TOAST- The Best of Bread at 7:30 p.m.
The Commodore: Trivia at 7 p.m.
The Garden Del Ray: Trivia at 7 p.m.

🏛️ City of Alexandria

6 a.m.: Chinquapin Open at Chinquapin
8 a.m.: Voter Registration Deadline for April 21 Special Election
12 p.m.: Days of Remembrance Commemorative Ceremony — 37th annual Holocaust observance at Beatley Central Library
4:15 p.m.: Commission on Employment
6 p.m.: Minnie Howard Open at Minnie Howard
6:15 p.m.: City Council Legislative Meeting
6:30 p.m.: Budget & Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee
6:30 p.m.: Commission for Women Pillar Group Meeting (virtual)
7 p.m.: Commission for Women Meeting (virtual)
7 p.m.: Personal Finance and Career Building Workshops (virtual)
(Full calendar)

📚 Alexandria Library

All day: A Commonwealth of Cultures Exhibit at Local History/Special Collections
All day: Footsteps of History - Virtual Walking Challenge (virtual)
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: America 250 Community Mini Art Show Canvas Pick-Up at Burke Branch Library
10 a.m.: Twice Loved Plushies at Beatley Central Library — accepting donations through April 20
10:15 a.m.: Family Storytime at Burke Branch Library
10:30 a.m.: Bilingual Storytime at Barrett Branch Library
11 a.m.: Baby and Toddler Time at Barrett Branch Library
2 p.m.: Baby and Toddler Play Date at Burke Branch Library
4 p.m.: Creative's Club: I am an American flag craft at Duncan Branch Library
4 p.m.: Passport to American History with Melody Ellison at Beatley Central Library
4:30 p.m.: Financial Literacy for Teens at Burke Branch Library
5 p.m.: Duncan and Dragons - Arkipeligo at Duncan Branch Library
6:30 p.m.: Foreign Policy at Barrett Branch Library — Ambassador (ret.) Richard D. Kauzlarich on U.S. foreign policy
7 p.m.: On Writing Action-Packed and Suspenseful Spycraft with Brad Taylor (virtual)
7 p.m.: Handcraft Tuesday - Evening Edition (virtual)
(Full calendar)

🏫 Alexandria City Public Schools

No school board meetings or events are scheduled.

ACHS Titans Sports

4 p.m.: Girls JV Outdoor Track — Rice Relays at Episcopal High School
4 p.m.: Boys JV Outdoor Track — Rice Relays at Episcopal High School
5:45 p.m.: Girls JV Soccer vs. West Springfield at West Springfield High School
5:45 p.m.: Boys JV Soccer vs. West Springfield at ACHS
6:30 p.m.: Varsity Baseball vs. Robinson at Frank Mann Field
6:30 p.m.: JV Baseball vs. Robinson at Robinson High School
6:30 p.m.: Varsity Softball vs. Robinson at Witter Field
6:30 p.m.: JV Softball vs. Robinson at Robinson High School
7:15 p.m.: Girls Varsity Soccer vs. West Springfield at West Springfield High School
7:15 p.m.: Boys Varsity Soccer vs. West Springfield at ACHS
(Full schedule)

📜 On This Day in Alexandria History

via Historic Alexandria

On Friday, April 14, 1865, a procession of Union troops fourteen blocks long paraded through Alexandria to mark the anniversary of the start of the Civil War and the renewed Union control of Fort Sumter, the South Carolina fortification where the war had begun just four years earlier. But by the very next morning, Alexandrians were stunned to hear rumors of the shooting of President Lincoln the evening before, and then confirmation of his death by Dr. David P. Smith, the surgeon in charge, when he returned to Alexandria early that morning. With the escape of assassin John Wilkes Booth, and fearing a larger conspiracy, guards were immediately posted at all entry points to Alexandria preventing any passage to civilians. That evening a citizen meeting developed plans for a period of mourning, including the closing of all businesses, placement of black crepe on homes and public buildings, and the tolling of bells throughout the City.

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