Table of Contents
Good morning, Alexandria.
One update from yesterday: after Monday's newsletter went out, police confirmed an officer was assaulted Friday night at Bradlee Shopping Center — disclosed after I asked why the department's account of injuries had shifted over the weekend. That's item 3 below.
Two notable things are happening today. Long Dark House, the horror and science fiction bookshop that spent the year building an audience through pop-ups around the region, opens at 1510 King St. And Alexandria City High School dedicates the athletic fields at its Minnie Howard campus as the Kerry J. Donley Athletic Field Complex, honoring the former mayor who later ran the school's athletic department. Reception at 5:30 p.m., dedication at 7:15 p.m.
Here's what you need to know for Tuesday, Sept. 1.
1️⃣ Developer to give Braddock West update at Sept. 9 meeting
CRC Companies will update neighbors on Braddock West at 7 p.m. Sept. 9 at the Charles Houston Recreation Center. The seven-story project across from the Braddock Road Metro station has been approved since 2021 — 180 apartments, 14 of them affordable, with ground-floor retail and underground parking. The site has been cleared since 2023.
The timeline has slipped repeatedly. Off-site utility work started in November 2022, the 10 houses on the lot came down in March 2023, and crews began driving piles that April. The developer told neighbors then that the building would be delivered in 2025. Council granted a short extension last June, then a three-year one in November on a 7-0 vote.
Flooding has driven much of the opposition. The West Old Town Citizens Association has opposed the project since it was approved, and its president told council in June that emergency vehicles have stalled out in floodwaters at that intersection. Planning staff found the project would cut peak stormwater runoff 30% beyond what's required, that the site isn't in the FEMA-mapped floodplain, and that the intersection's flooding comes from 65 acres of off-site runoff unrelated to the project. Long-term fixes there carry rough estimates around $35 million.
I've asked CRC when vertical construction begins and what's held it up. No response yet.
2️⃣ From Head to Tail opens a free pet pantry, available to anyone who needs it, seven days a week
Jodi Goldberg has wanted to open a pet pantry for years. It's finally open, in the space next door to her grooming shop at 430 Hume Ave. Anyone who needs pet food, toys, treats, beds, harnesses or leashes can walk in during business hours and take what they need. No application, no cost.
"It's about serving the community," Goldberg said Monday. "It's hard as a business owner to find the time to get to events and do things. This is my way of trying to help."
The holdup was mundane. She took the space in January and had the shelving nearly as long, but there was no door between the two units — and once she built one, the lock didn't work. She stocked the shelves about two weeks ago. The pantry opens when the shop opens and closes when the staff leave, seven days a week. Donations are welcome; she asks that food be unopened, and she's washing a backlog of leashes from the shop's lost-and-found to put back out.
3️⃣ Officer assaulted as police dispersed crowd after ACHS football game
An Alexandria police officer was assaulted Friday night as officers dispersed the crowd that gathered at Bradlee Shopping Center after the Titans' home opener, the department said Monday. The officer did not receive medical treatment and did not wish to pursue further action. No arrests were made.
On Saturday, police said no injuries were reported. Later the same afternoon, they narrowed it to no student injuries. When I asked why the wording changed, Strategic Communications Manager Tracy Walker disclosed the assault Monday morning.
A large crowd left the stadium and assembled at the shopping center around 9:45 p.m. School resource officers were on duty at the game and additional officers were already assigned to Bradlee as a support detail. Principal Michael Burch told families Saturday that a group of individuals caused a significant disruption and that the vast majority of students and fans left the sold-out game in an orderly manner. Administrators, ACPS security and police are still reviewing; those involved could be barred from future extracurricular events.
In brief
Records obtained by the Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism show Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins pressing the city manager in June 2025 for basic information about the city's Flock cameras — how many there were, and who outside APD could access the data — and noting that colleagues had asked without getting answers. (VCIJ at WHRO/The Brief)
Alexandria's Jaime Christopher Pierce will be sworn onto the Virginia LGBTQ+ Advisory Board on Thursday, giving the city two of the board's 21 appointed members. Circuit Court Clerk Greg Parks will administer the oath. (The Brief)
Alexandria's remembrance for Benjamin Thomas fell on the same day Richmond removed three Confederate memorials from Capitol Square. Guest columnist Jeff Bennett was at Shiloh Baptist Church for it. (Virginia Mercury/The Brief)
The city has hired a contractor to remove invasive plants from parks and natural areas, with work scheduled at 11 sites this fall. (The Brief)
The city's first Legacy Month marks Think Ahead Alexandria, an ACT for Alexandria, push to encourage residents to name local nonprofits in their wills and estate plans. (The Brief)
ALIVE! is recruiting volunteer box truck drivers and will hold a hands-on orientation Sept. 20 for people considering it. (The Brief)
The Greenery Coffee Shop at 1023 Queen St. will be closed for the month of September. The owners said on Facebook that recent months have brought a lot for their family and they need time to pause and reset. They expect to reopen in October. (The Greenery Coffee Shop)
Applications are open through Sept. 18 for the Alexandria City Academy, a seven-week civic leadership course for residents 18 and older on how city government works and how to get involved. (City of Alexandria)
A divided Supreme Court on Monday allowed the White House to continue construction on a $400 million ballroom project as lawsuits play out. (The Brief)
The Virginia Board of Education has approved updates to its list of approved courses, clarifying expanded graduation requirements for schools. (Virginia Mercury)
Sports
Titans volleyball swept Wakefield on Monday, with the varsity girls winning 3-0 and the JV and freshman teams both taking 2-0 wins at home. (ACTitans.org)
The Washington Nationals beat the Miami Marlins 6-3 on Monday night. (The Brief)
Today in Alexandria
⛅ Weather
Today: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94 degrees. Heat index values as high as 102 degrees. Calm wind becoming west 5 to 8 mph in the morning. The chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tonight: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2 a.m., then a slight chance of showers between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 77 degrees. Southwest wind around 5 mph, becoming light and variable in the evening. The chance of precipitation is 20%.
🌖 Sun, Moon, & Tide
Sunrise at 6:37 a.m., sunset at 7:38 p.m. 13 hours of sun.
High tide at 11:43 a.m. Low tide at 6:10 a.m. & 6 p.m. The moon phase is a Waning Gibbous.
🗓️ Things To Do
- 5:30 p.m.: ACHS Minnie Howard Field Dedication Reception & Ceremony at Minnie Howard Field
- 7 p.m.: Beer Yoga at Port City Brewing Company
🎶 Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Live music 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: Lena Wilson 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.
🏛️ City & Schools
City Gov.: Open | Flag: Half Staff | Trash, Recycling, & Yard Waste: On Time
- 7 a.m.: Old Town Pool open
- 9 a.m.: Board of Equalization hearing at Bankers Square
- 12:30 p.m.: Post Employment Benefits Trust Board meeting at Tavern Square
- 4 p.m.: Minnie Howard Pool open
- 6 p.m.: Alexandria Police Department evening hiring event at Police Headquarters
- 6 p.m.: Community cookout at Fairlington Presbyterian Church
- 7 p.m.: Planning Commission public hearing at Del Pepper Community Resource Center
- 7:30 p.m.: Public Records Advisory Commission meeting at Archives and Records Center
📚 Alexandria Library
- 10 a.m.: Sunshine Readers outdoor book club at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
- 10 a.m.: English Language Learning (ELL) 1 Workshop — Beginner Conversation at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 11 a.m.: Baby and Toddler Time / La hora de los bebés y los niños at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
- 2 p.m.: The Democracy We Must Keep, an author talk with historian David O. Stewart, at Virtual
- 4 p.m.: Bead Buddies 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
⚾ Sports
D.C. Sports
- 6:45 p.m.: Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals
ACHS Titans
- 4 p.m.: Golf vs. West Springfield at Army Navy Country Club
- 6:30 p.m.: Volleyball (boys) vs. South County at Minnie Howard
- 7:30 p.m.: Field hockey (girls) vs. Hayfield at Minnie Howard
- Varsity only. Full schedule, including JV and freshman.
On this day in Alexandria's history
On Sept. 1, 1922, after years of argument over who should actually run Alexandria, the City Council appointed Wilder Rich as the city's first city manager — handing day-to-day operations to an appointed official rather than an elected one. Rich got to work professionalizing city departments and taking on problems that had gone unaddressed for decades. One of them didn't wait long. A week later, on Sept. 8, Alexandria started its first public trash and garbage collection service, replacing streets full of litter and backyard dump sites. (Historic Alexandria)
The job today: James Parajon has been city manager since January 2022, appointed by the council in December 2021 to succeed Mark Jinks. He oversees more than 2,500 employees and a budget of over $1 billion, the city says.
Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed today's newsletter, forward it to a friend, neighbor or coworker — it's how The Brief grows. And if this was forwarded to you, or you're reading online, subscribe here. It's free.
Publisher: Ryan Belmore, an Alexandria resident, journalist, and neighbor. Send news, tips, and feedback to ryan@alexandriabrief.com.
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