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Good morning, Alexandria.
First, a correction. Several links in yesterday's newsletter pointed to the wrong stories. I've identified the problem and fixed it. Thanks to everyone who flagged it — that kind of note is genuinely useful, and I'd rather hear about a broken link than have it sit there. If you spot something off, see something we missed, or have an idea that would make this newsletter more useful, get in touch: ryan@alexandriabrief.com.
Now to today. Alexandria's rugby teams are back from Dundee with two of three trophies, though the Mayor's Cup itself stays in Scotland for an 18th year. Tonight, city planners present a draft proposal that could end a 50-year requirement that City Council sign off on building on Alexandria's undersized lots. And on Thursday, expect a heavy police and fire presence at the Minnie Howard campus — it's a planned drill, not an emergency.
Here's what you need to know for Tuesday, Aug. 11.
1️⃣ Alexandria brings home two trophies from Dundee — but not the Mayor's Cup
Alexandria's rugby teams came home from Scotland this weekend with two trophies, a historic shutout and one piece of unfinished business.
The Alexandria Select squads took two of three matches against sister city Dundee in the revived Mayors' Cup Challenge. But the men lost the marquee game 33-17, meaning the Mayor's Cup itself — in Dundee's possession since 2008 — stays in Scotland.
"We are returning home with 2 of the 3 trophies," Mayor Alyia Gaskins posted on X, "but more importantly a much deeper understanding of the friendship between Dundee and Alexandria and the importance of sister cities."
2️⃣ Police, fire to run active violence drill Thursday at Minnie Howard campus
Residents near the Minnie Howard campus of Alexandria City High School should expect a heavy emergency response presence Thursday for a planned training exercise — not an actual emergency.
The Alexandria Police Department, Alexandria City Public Schools and other emergency management partners will run an incident response exercise at the campus, 3775 W. Braddock Road, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 13. Law enforcement, fire and emergency medical vehicles and personnel will be in the area throughout the day.
ACPS staff and participating agencies will practice responding to an active violence incident. No students will be present.
3️⃣ City to present draft proposal this evening on rules governing Alexandria's undersized lots
City planners will present a draft proposal this evening that is expected to loosen the rules governing construction on Alexandria's undersized residential lots — a process that has required City Council approval for more than 50 years.
The virtual community meeting is at 7 p.m. on Zoom, with registration through the city's project page. Staff will share research findings and discuss the draft.
Staff signaled the direction in April. A slide in their April 28 community meeting presentation, headed "Draft Policy Recommendation," called for allowing by-right development of most substandard lots while keeping the existing lot requirements themselves.
In brief
Police Chief Tarrick McGuire brings the department's G.R.E.A.T. public safety framework to Del Ray this evening, in a community conversation hosted by the Del Ray Business Association and the Del Ray Citizens Association. (The Brief)
Renters dealing with mold, pests, broken heat or other housing conditions can get free legal advice and talk directly with city staff at a clinic later this month in the West End. (The Brief)
It’s been 12 months since President Donald Trump announced a crime emergency in Washington, pledging to make the city “safe and beautiful” and deploying the National Guard. (The Brief)
The Taste of Old Town North returns to Montgomery Park on Thursday, Sept. 17, opening a weekend of neighborhood events that continues with a chalk art festival and a guided pub crawl two days later. (The Brief)
A fight over a proposed data center near Alexandria is shifting to the power infrastructure needed to support the project, as neighbors and elected leaders push Fairfax County to reject a proposed Dominion Energy substation. (WUSA9)
Applications are now open for the city's 2026 Eco-City Academy, a free program that gives residents the knowledge and tools to take an active role in advancing the City’s climate, energy, and sustainability efforts. (City of Alexandria)
Senior Services of Alexandria is offering the Senior Academy to Alexandria residents and employees aged 60 years and older. The Senior Academy is a way to learn about all the services and programs the city offers for older adults, understand how the city operates, and become engaged in your community in a variety of ways. (City of Alexandria)
Alexandria Restaurant Week is back this weekend, running August 14–23, 2026, with more than 75 restaurants offering specially curated prix fixe dinner menus across the city's neighborhoods. (The Brief)
Today in Alexandria
⛅ Weather
Today: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 91 degrees. Calm wind becoming west 5 to 8 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 a.m., then a slight chance of showers after 4 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72 degrees. Southwest wind around 5 mph, becoming light and variable in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
🌖 Sun, Moon, & Tide
Sunrise at 6:18 a.m., sunset at 8:06 p.m. 13 hours & 48 minutes of sun.
High tide at 7:29 a.m. & 8:05 p.m. Low tide at 1:30 a.m. & 2:28 p.m. The moon phase is a Waning Crescent.
🗓️ Things To Do
- 5 p.m.: Building Public Safety Together: A Conversation With Police Chief McGuire at Piece Out
- 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.
- Laporta’s Restaurant: Antonio James at 6 p.m.
- Lena's: Scott Kurt on the patio 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 Commodore: Trivia at 7 p.m.
- The Garden Del Ray: Trivia at 7 p.m.
🏛️ City & Schools
- 6 a.m.: Chinquapin Pool open
- 7 a.m.: Minnie Howard Pool open
- 10 a.m.: Alexandria Youth Leadership Conference 2026 at Del Pepper Community Resource Center
- Noon: Old Town Pool open
- 4:15 p.m.: Commission on Employment regular meeting at Del Pepper Community Resource Center
- 7 p.m.: Community Meeting #2 on substandard lots, an update on the zoning text amendment (virtual)
📚 Alexandria Library
- All day: Alexandria Library: A Legacy of Service Since 1937 at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 10:15 a.m.: Family Storytime at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 11 a.m.: Baby and Toddler Time with Kofi Dennis at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
- Noon: Midday Mindful Refresh at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
- 2 p.m.: Baby and Toddler Play Date at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 3 p.m.: Teen Summer Book Club — graphic novel at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 5 p.m.: Duncan and Dragons — The Kingdoms of Living Giants at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
- 6 p.m.: Tecnología y Entrenamiento Profesional — sesiones de español at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 7 p.m.: How to Stand Out in Today's Job Market at Virtual
⚾ Sports
- 6:45 p.m.: Chicago Cubs at Washington Nationals
- 10 p.m.: Mystics at Las Vegas Aces
On this day in Alexandria's history
On Aug. 11, 1885, the Alexandria Light Infantry came home aboard the steamship Excelsior, three days after marching in the funeral of former President Ulysses S. Grant in New York City. (Historic Alexandria)
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Thanks for reading all the way to the end. Have a great Tuesday!
Ryan Belmore | Founder & Publisher, The Alexandria Brief
Send news, tips, and feedback to ryan@alexandriabrief.com.
