The Alexandria Brief: Tuesday, March 17

Good morning, Alexandria — and happy St. Patrick's Day. Today is Tuesday, March 17 — the 76th day of 2026, with 289 days left in the year.

Monday's storm knocked out power to thousands throughout the day and forced the cancellation of last night's budget work session. It's been rescheduled for Wednesday at 7 p.m., when the council will take up two functional areas in a single session.

Thursday at 7 p.m., the city hosts a town hall at the Lee Center on the Potomac Interceptor collapse. DC Water and Virginia DEQ officials will answer questions — submit yours in advance by 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Today: Murphy's is packed with live music starting at 10 a.m. Daniel O'Connell's has Rook Richards at 3. Port City hosts a St. Patrick's Day 5K/10K and beer yoga. And Eco-City Alexandria is giving away sustainability swag at Atlas Brew Works trivia tonight.

Here's what you need to know today.

~ Ryan Belmore

1️⃣ Tracking the storm: Power outages, closures, and developments across Alexandria

Monday's powerful storm system has moved through Alexandria, causing numerous cancellations and delays and leaving 198 Dominion Energy customers without power as of early Tuesday morning. Crews are working to restore service.

The National Weather Service's 5:45 a.m. Hazardous Weather Outlook for the Alexandria area notes blustery winds expected today behind the cold front, with the possibility of isolated snow showers moving off the Allegheny Mountains. No hazardous weather is expected Wednesday through Monday.

Dominion Energy is urging residents to stay clear of any downed power lines — assume all lines are energized and dangerous, and remain at least 30 feet away. Report downed lines or outages via the Dominion Energy app, online, or by calling 1-866-366-4357.

2️⃣ Budget work session on housing, transit, transportation, public health, and human services set for Wednesday

Last night's City Council budget work session was canceled due to inclement weather and rescheduled for Wednesday, March 18, at 7 p.m. at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center. In a change from the original calendar, Work Session #4 (Livable, Green & Prospering) and Work Session #5 (Healthy, Thriving & Equitable) will now be held jointly in a single session.

The combined session covers two of the budget's largest functional areas. "Livable, Green & Prospering" totals $210,829,282 and encompasses housing, transit, transportation, economic development, historic preservation, planning, and code enforcement. "Healthy, Thriving & Equitable" totals $511,219,649 — by far the largest functional area in the budget — and covers Alexandria City Public Schools, Community and Human Services, the Health Department, the Library, Recreation and Parks, and other health agencies.

3️⃣ Agenda:Alexandria swaps panelist, revises framing for rescheduled housing event

Agenda:Alexandria has replaced one of four panelists and revised parts of the framing for its rescheduled housing panel, now set for March 23, according to a promotional email the organization sent Monday.

The city's Director of Housing — one of the original panelists announced in the organization's February press release — has been replaced by "the Co-chair of the Alexandria Housing Affordability Advisory Committee (a City panel)", according to the organization.

According to the city's website, the AHAAC "advises City Council on issues regarding the maintenance and promotion of affordable housing, makes recommendations for policies governing the expenditures of the City's Housing Trust Fund monies, and oversees the administration of the Trust Fund".

📰 In brief

Artist begins mural at Alexandria's Witter Place Apartments. Celebrated muralist Yulia Avgustinovich brings landmarks, wildlife and hidden details to Duke Street development. The Alexandria Brief

Alexandria to host community meeting on Taylor Run infrastructure design alternatives. Virtual meeting set for March 26 to discuss outfall stabilization, landscaping and tree protection. The Alexandria Brief

Alexandria Beautification Commission challenges residents to grow red, white, and blue native gardens for America 250. Initiative aims to get 250 property owners planting patriotic pollinator gardens by summer. The Alexandria Brief

Potomac Interceptor town hall Thursday at Lee Center. DC Water and Virginia DEQ officials will answer questions about the sewage spill and its impacts. 7 p.m. at 1108 Jefferson St. or via Zoom. Submit questions in advance by 10 a.m. Wednesday. City of Alexandria

Bennett-Parker housing bill headed to governor's desk. The Alexandria senator's HB 4 would allow localities to have first right of refusal when properties are sold, helping preserve long-term affordability. Spanberger has signaled she will sign it. Virginia Mercury

April 21 Special Election: As of Saturday, March 14, 9,875 mail-in ballots have been sent out, and 1,612 have voted in person. Early voting continues through April 18. City of Alexandria

On this day in Alexandria's history: In 1856, the General Assembly authorized the Alexandria Steam Ferry Company to carry passengers across the Potomac. In 1862, General George McClellan made his headquarters at Virginia Theological Seminary as the Army of the Potomac set sail from Alexandria's waterfront — and the number of saloons in the city jumped from 3 to 43. In 1935, Corporal Charles J. McClary of the Alexandria Police Department was shot and killed in Loudoun County while searching for a moonshiner. Historic Alexandria

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Today in Alexandria

⛅ Weather

Hazardous Weather Outlook | Increasing clouds today, with a high near 44 degrees. West wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Mostly cloudy tonight, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 27 degrees. Northwest wind 6 to 10 mph.

🌖 Sun, Moon, & Tide

🗓️ Things To Do

10 a.m.: Sunshine Readers at Barrett Branch Library
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
1 p.m.: Trans-Atlantic Book Club: Alexandria & Helsingborg at Burke Branch Library
2 p.m.: Baby and Toddler Play Date at Burke Branch Library
4:30 p.m.: Tuesday We Play at Beatley Central Library
5 p.m.: One-On-One Computer Help at Barrett Branch Library
5:30 p.m.: St. Patrick’s Day 5k/10k at Port City Brewing Company
6 p.m.: Banned Book Club at Beatley Central Library
6 p.m.: Death Café at Barrett Branch Library
7 p.m.: Handcraft Tuesday - Evening Edition (virtual)
7 p.m.: Beer Yoga at Port City Brewing Company

🎶 Entertainment

219 Restaurant: Justin Gillen Trio at 9 p.m.
Alexandria Bier Garden: DJ Rubins at 4 p.m.
Atlas Brew Works ALX: Trivia at 7 p.m.
Daniel O'Connell's: Rook Richards at 3 p.m., Driven to Clarity at 9 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: Pat Carroll at 10 a.m., Rocky Guttmann at 11 a.m., Practically Einstein at 4 p.m., Pat Garvey at 5 p.m., Rook Richards at 8:30 p.m.
O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Trivia at 9 p.m.
Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.