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Your free daily roundup of Alexandria news, events, and sports — published online and delivered to your inbox every weekday morning.
Good morning, Alexandria — and happy Bastille Day. France kicks off against Spain at 3 p.m. today in Dallas in one of the most anticipated World Cup semifinals in years, and Alexandria's bars will be watching. If you want to make a day of it, the city has no shortage of French options to get you in the spirit — from Bastille brasserie on Fayette Street and Josephine on Saint Asaph to Cafe du Soleil in Old Town and Gustave Boulangerie on Mount Vernon Avenue. Visit Alexandria has the full list.
On the local front, a Black-owned independent bookstore specializing in horror and science fiction is coming to King Street this fall, adding to a growing cluster of independent booksellers that have made Alexandria a destination for book lovers. Mayor Gaskins' Art in Every Space pilot has expanded to nine businesses across the city, and the rededication of Moses Stevens Street last Saturday brought the family of the man it honors to the Alexandria Black History Museum.
Tonight, if you've ever considered mentoring a young person in Alexandria, the Alexandria Mentoring Partnership is celebrating 20 years with a free mentor open house at Beatley Central Library from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Drop in anytime — no experience required.
Here's what you need to know for Tuesday, July 14.
1️⃣ A Black-owned horror and sci-fi bookstore is coming to Old Town this fall
A Black-owned independent bookstore specializing in horror, science fiction, and what its founder calls "strange stories" is set to open this fall in Old Town Alexandria, adding another themed literary destination to a city that has increasingly become a haven for independent booksellers.
Long Dark House has posted a sign in its storefront window at 1510 King St., where the shop will occupy space alongside Madame Coco Emporium. The store will carry horror and science fiction at its core, with a curated selection of author events, book clubs, gifts, and more. A cafe concept is also part of the plan.
2️⃣ Moses Stevens Street rededication ceremony draws family, city leaders to Black History Museum
Mayor Alyia Gaskins and members of Alexandria's City Council Naming Committee gathered with descendants of Moses Stevens on Saturday at the Alexandria Black History Museum to formally mark the rededication of Moses Stevens Street.
The ceremony, held July 11 from 10 to 11 a.m. at 902 Wythe St., featured remarks by Mayor Gaskins, author and historian Char McCargo Bah, and members of the Stevens family.
3️⃣ Art in Every Space expands to 9 Alexandria businesses through September
Mayor Alyia Gaskins' Art in Every Space pilot has expanded to nine Alexandria businesses, with original works by local artists now on display at locations ranging from a Muay Thai gym on Duke Street to a brewery on Wheeler Avenue.
The Alexandria Brief has covered the initiative since its launch, including the July 7 opening reception at Corcoran McEnearney in Old Town and the second launch event July 8 at AV Actions on Wheeler Avenue.
4️⃣ Democrats challenge Beyer in Va.’s 8th Congressional District, marred by federal layoffs
Everyone in Northern Virginia knows someone who was “DOGEd,” either laid off or otherwise impacted by sweeping cuts initiated through President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.
Virginia is home to nearly 200,000 federal workers; over 20,000 of them lost their jobs last year.
The pain of those losses runs deep in the state’s 8th Congressional District, a strongly Democratic region anchored in Northern Virginia. Many voters there said they are struggling to get by without income while they wait for their pensions to process. Private sector workplaces contracting with the government have also been hit.
📰 In brief
The U.S. Military will conduct a Gun Salute with 36 loud rounds from Washington Navy Yard on Tuesday, July 14, at approximately 9:45 a.m. (Alert DC)
Regional transportation planners will meet Wednesday to review proposed transit service guidelines developed as part of DMVMoves, the region's unified transit vision, and hear a briefing on the annual State of Public Transportation report. The Transportation Planning Board meets noon to 2 p.m. at the National Capital Planning Commission, 401 9th St. NW, Washington. (TPB)
The Virginia Department of Education says its unsuccessful and much-criticized pitch to push back the state’s new proficiency benchmarks for reading and math by two years was a result of legislative mandates, recommendations from the state’s official legislative watchdog and feedback from a statewide listening tour over a span of three months. (Virginia Mercury)
⚽ Sports
The U.S. Women's National Team will return to Audi Field on Oct. 10 to face Spain, the world's top-ranked women's soccer team and defending FIFA Women's World Cup champion, the Washington Spirit announced Monday. (The Brief)
The World Cup semifinals are today and tomorrow. France faces Spain at 3 p.m. today at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas — fittingly on Bastille Day. England faces Argentina at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The winners meet in the final July 19 in New York.
The Alexandria Aces (14-17) fell to the Southern Maryland Senators 10-9 Monday night at North Point High School.
Jordan Walker of the St. Louis Cardinals won the Home Run Derby Monday night at Citizens Bank Park, beating hometown favorite Kyle Schwarber of the Phillies 12-11 in a dramatic final. Down three home runs with one swing left, Walker hit four consecutive homers to steal the title and become the first Cardinal ever to win the event.
Today's Schedule
- 3 p.m.: World Cup semifinal — France vs. Spain at Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas
- 7 p.m.: Suspended game restart — Alexandria Aces at SS-T Thunderbolts, Blair Stadium
- 7 p.m.: Washington Mystics at Toronto Tempo, Coca-Cola Coliseum
- 8 p.m.: MLB All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia
Today in Alexandria
⛅ Weather
Today: Sunny, with a high near 92 degrees. Calm wind becoming southwest at around 6 mph in the afternoon.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 73 degrees. Southwest wind 5 to 7 mph.
🌖 Sun, Moon, & Tide
Sunrise at 5:54 a.m., sunset at 8:32 p.m. 14 hours & 37 minutes of sun.
High tide at 8:35 a.m. & 9:14 p.m. Low tide at 2:40 a.m. & 3:40 p.m. The moon phase is a New Moon.
🗓️ Things To Do
- 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.: In-person early voting open at the Office of Voter Registration and Elections (132 N. Royal Street)
- 6 p.m.: Queens on King Street July Social at The Light Horse
- 7 p.m.: Beer Yoga at Port City Brewing Company
🎶 Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Holly Montgomery 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 Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap: Melissa Quinn Fox Duo 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
- 8:45 a.m.: Supplemental Retirement Plan Pension Board meeting at Lee Center
- 8:45 a.m.: Fire and Police Officers Pension Plan Board meeting at Lee Center
- 10 a.m.: Memorial Pool open
- 12 p.m.: Old Town Pool open
- 3:30 p.m.: ACPS Virtual Job Fair Series: Division-wide (Virtual)
- 4:15 p.m.: Commission on Employment regular meeting at Del Pepper Community Resource Center
- 5:30 p.m.: AMP Mentor Open House — celebrating 20 years of Alexandria Mentoring Partnership at Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library
- (City of Alexandria calendar) (ACPS calendar)
📚 Alexandria Library
- All day: PINGO! — Plastic Free Bingo at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 10:15 a.m.: Family Storytime — Martes de niños at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 10:30 a.m.: Playtime! — ¡Hora de jugar! at Beatley Reading Garden
- 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
- 2 p.m.: Things That Go Boom! with Mad Science at Mount Vernon Recreation Center
- 4 p.m.: Bookworms Compost at Beatley Central Library
- 4:30 p.m.: Robotics for Kids! at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
- 5 p.m.: Duncan and Dragons — The Kingdoms of Living Giants at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
- 5:30 p.m.: Alexandria Mentoring Partnership Mentor Open House at Beatley Central Library
- 6 p.m.: Technología y Entrenamiento Profesional — Sesiones de español at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 7 p.m.: Handcraft Tuesday — Evening Edition (Virtual)
- 7 p.m.: Small Towns and Big Secrets — In Conversation with Karin Slaughter (Virtual)
- (Alexandria Library calendar)
🗓️ On This Day in Alexandria History
On July 14, 1965, the Board of Architectural Review for the Old and Historic Alexandria District approved the design for the plaza, fountain and subterranean garage at Market Square. The decision was part of a sweeping urban renewal project aimed at revitalizing six deteriorated commercial blocks in the downtown area — and it came at a cost. Read more
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