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Good morning, Alexandria.
Today, voters will choose their Democratic nominee for the Senate District 39 special election at four locations across the region. The winner will face Republican Julie Robbens Lineberry on Feb. 10.
Meanwhile, the City Council convenes tonight at its new temporary home, the Del Pepper Community Resource Center, to consider union contracts totaling nearly $32 million and other items.
Here’s what you need to know today.
1️⃣ Three Democrats debate ahead of today's Senate primary
Three out of the four Democratic candidates for Virginia Senate District 39 faced off before a standing-room-only crowd at Charles Houston Recreation Center on Monday night, giving voters a final chance to compare the contenders before Tuesday’s firehouse primary.
Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, former Del. Mark Levine, and activist Charles Costen-Sumpter addressed about 100 attendees, with another 125 to 200 watching a live stream. The fourth candidate, former Vice Mayor Amy Jackson, did not attend but had a campaign representative present in the audience.
The firehouse primary is todayfrom 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. at four locations Beatley Central Library, Alexandria; Charles Houston Recreation Center, Alexandria; Aurora Hills Library, Arlington; and John Calvin Presbyterian Church, Annandale.
District 39 voters may cast ballots at any location. The winner will be the Democratic nominee in the Feb. 10 special election to fill Ebbin’s seat.
2️⃣ Alexandria Republicans name Julie Robbens Lineberry as Senate nominee; cancel canvass
Alexandria Republicans announced late Monday that they have canceled a planned party canvass and selected longtime community volunteer Julie Robbens Lineberry as their nominee for an upcoming special election in Virginia’s 39th Senate District.
The Alexandria Republican City Committee sent an email at 11:11 p.m. Monday, canceling tonight’s canvass that had been scheduled at party headquarters in Old Town. Instead, the party named Lineberry as its nominee for the Feb. 10 special election. The Democratic nominee chosen today will face Lineberry.
3️⃣ Alexandria police unveil first hate crime policy, announce arrest in Christmas Day assault
The Alexandria Police Department on Monday announced its first comprehensive hate crime policy while providing an update on the arrest of a Maryland woman accused of assaulting a man inside a Duke Street grocery store on Christmas Day in what investigators believe was a bias-motivated attack.
Chief Tarrick McGuire said the policy, which took effect Jan. 9, was developed over the past year through collaboration with civil rights organizations and faith leaders. It establishes clear standards for identifying, investigating and documenting crimes motivated by bias based on a victim’s actual or perceived race, religion, gender, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or ethnic or national origin.
4️⃣ Man in stable condition after Sunday night shooting in Alexandria
A man is in stable condition after being shot multiple times Sunday night in the city’s North End neighborhood, according to the Alexandria Police Department.
Officers responded to reports of gunfire near Swann Avenue and Oakville Street at approximately 9:01 p.m. and found the victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, police said. He was transported to a local hospital.
5️⃣ Alexandria City Council to consider union contracts, economic development plan at meeting tonight
Alexandria City Council will consider tentative collective bargaining agreements with the city’s police officers, firefighters, and municipal workers totaling nearly $32 million over three years at its legislative meeting tonight.
The meeting marks the first time the council will convene at its new temporary home at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center while City Hall is closed for renovations. All regular council meetings will take place at the center until the renovation project is complete.
🗓️ Today in Alexandria
Sunny, with a high near 51 degrees. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 9 mph in the morning. Tonight, there is a slight chance of rain between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Southwest wind 7 to 11 mph. The chance of precipitation is 20%.
The sun will rise at 7:25 a.m. and set at 5:08 p.m. There will be 9 hours and 43 minutes of sun.
Events & Things To Do
- 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.: Firehouse Primary in Alexandria, Arlington, and Annandale
- 12 p.m.: Ice & Lights - Daytime Ice Skating at Cameron Run
- 6 p.m.: January Social with Queens on King Street at Daniel O’Connell’s
- 7 p.m.: Beer Yoga at Port City Brewing Company
Live Music & Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Holly Montgomery at 9 p.m.
- Atlas Brew Works ALX: Trivia at 7 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant: Antonio James at 6 p.m.
- Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap: Annie Stokes at 6 p.m.
- Lost Dog Cafe: Trivia at 7 p.m.
- Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Trivia at 8 p.m.; 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.
City of Alexandria
- 6 a.m.: Chinquapin Open at Chinquapin Park
- 9:30 a.m.: Alexandria Electoral Board, in-person meeting
- Noon: CYFCC Ad Hoc Meeting With School Board Member at Cameron Cafe
- 6 p.m.: Minnie Howard Open at Minnie Howard
- 6 p.m.: City Council Legislative Meeting
- 6:30 p.m.: Alexandria Sister Cities Committee Sub-Committee at La Pluma
- 7 p.m.: Personal Finance and Career Building Workshops, virtual via Zoom.
- 7 p.m.: Commission for Women Meeting, virtual
The Fire and Police Officers Pension Plan Board Meeting scheduled for today has been cancelled.
Alexandria City Public Schools
- 4:30 p.m.: Girls freshman basketball vs. Robinson at Robinson High School
- 4:30 p.m.: Boys freshman basketball vs. Robinson at Alexandria City High School
- 5:45 p.m.: Girls JV basketball vs. Robinson at Robinson High School
- 6 p.m.: Boys JV basketball vs. Robinson at Alexandria City High School
- 7:30 p.m.: Girls varsity basketball vs. Robinson at Robinson High School
- 7:30 p.m.: Boys varsity basketball vs. Robinson at Alexandria City High School
The Budget Advisory Committee Meeting scheduled for this evening has been cancelled.
Alexandria Library
- All day: A Commonwealth of Cultures Exhibit at Local History/Special Collections
- All day: Winter Lego Building Contest, virtual
- 10:15 a.m.: Family Storytime - Martes de niños at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 10:30 a.m.: Bilingual Storytime at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
- 11 a.m.: Baby and Toddler Time at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
- 2 p.m.: Baby and Toddler Play Date at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 2 p.m.: The Creative and Compassionate Art of Seeing Others Deeply with David Brooks, virtual
- 4 p.m.: Crafts and Cocoa: Embroidery at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
- 4:30 p.m.: Tuesday We Play at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 5 p.m.: Art Loft at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 5 p.m.: One-on-One Computer Help at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
- 6 p.m.: Exoplanet Detection Presentation at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
- 7 p.m.: Handcraft Tuesday - Evening Edition, virtual
📰 Extra! Extra!
“On January 13, 1874, a fire broke at the Carlyle House. The fire was concentrated on the roof near a chimney but firefighters extinguished it before any serious damage occurred. After construction of a large hotel in front of the 18th century home built for Alexandria founder John Carlyle on North Fairfax Street, the once elegant structure was neglected and often used as a transient boarding house, resulting in unsafe conditions”. (Historic Alexandria)
Historic Alexandria will officially launch its America250 commemoration with a public event on Monday, Jan. 26, at 6:30 p.m. at the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum. (The Alexandria Brief)
The Alexandria Health Department is urging residents to check their vaccination status after potential measles exposures at two Northern Virginia locations earlier this month. (The Alexandria Brief)
The Commodore, a popular neighborhood pub in D.C.’s Dupont Circle known for its craft burgers and dive bar atmosphere, is expanding to Old Town Alexandria. (The Alexandria Brief)
On Monday, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released a statement regarding the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) criminal investigation into the Federal Reserve and subpoena of Chair Jerome Powell. (Kaine)
The ALX Natural Resources website has been refreshed with updated information, new leadership, and a growing lineup of programs and events designed to help residents connect more deeply with Alexandria’s natural spaces. (City of Alexandria)
