Table of Contents
Your free daily roundup of Alexandria news, events, and sports — published online and delivered to your inbox every weekday morning.
Good morning, Alexandria.
The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., with temperatures expected to reach 102 degrees and a heat index as high as 106. Drink plenty of water, stay out of the sun, and check on neighbors who may need help. The city has cooling centers open at recreation centers and library branches throughout the day, and DASH is running a cooling bus at 417 King St. starting at 9 a.m. Find a full list of cooling centers and the latest updates at alexandriava.gov/Alert.
On the news front, the August 4 primary is three weeks out and early voting is well underway — more than 7,700 ballots have been cast on the Democratic side alone. A Fairfax man allegedly used his employment at the Alexandria Soccer Association to embezzle nearly $60,000 from 13 victims, Fairfax County police said. A Virginia appeals court has upheld the city's approval of the Ladrey redevelopment in Old Town. And Scott Shirley is bringing Chord Bread & Bottle to Bradlee Shopping Center with a soft opening this Sunday.
Here's what you need to know for Wednesday, July 15.
1️⃣ Alexandria's August 4 dual primary is 20 days away. Here's what you need to know
With 20 days until Alexandria's August 4 dual primary election, early voting is already well underway — and key deadlines are approaching fast.
The primary features two contests: a Democratic primary for the 8th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives and a Republican primary for U.S. Senate.
As of July 13, 7,711 total mail-in ballots and early in-person voters have been recorded on the Democratic side. On the Republican side, 1,056 total mail-in ballots and early in-person voters have been recorded.
2️⃣ Fairfax man charged with embezzling nearly $60,000 through Alexandria Soccer Association; ASA says conduct was unauthorized
A man formerly employed by the Alexandria Soccer Association has been charged with multiple counts of embezzlement and computer fraud in a scheme that Fairfax County police say netted nearly $60,000 from 13 victims.
Detectives from the Fairfax County Police Department's Financial Crimes Unit received a tip through its online reporting system on June 25 and identified 13 victims, each of whom lost between $2,000 and $12,000. Police allege that Ahmed Mohamed, 31, of Fairfax, used his employment with the Alexandria Soccer Association to target some of his victims.
In a statement provided to the Alexandria Brief on Tuesday, ASA confirmed Mohamed had been employed by the organization but said his alleged conduct did not involve ASA programs or operations and was not authorized by the organization.
3️⃣ Chord Bread & Bottle to hold soft opening Sunday in Bradlee Shopping Center
Chord Bread & Bottle, a new shop from Alexandria restaurateur Scott Shirley, will hold a soft opening this Sunday in the former UnWined space at Bradlee Shopping Center.
Chord Bread & Bottle will offer sandwiches, salads, retail wine, a catering program, and a members-only wine club, according to the shop's website. The menu includes salads such as a Potomac Cobb, a Brie & Champagne, and a smoked salmon Norwegian, along with sandwiches and other offerings, as the Alexandria Brief previously reported.
4️⃣ Court upholds Alexandria approval of Ladrey redevelopment
The Virginia Court of Appeals has upheld Alexandria's approval of the Ladrey redevelopment, ruling that the city complied with zoning ordinances and due process when it signed off on the project.
In an opinion issued July 7, the court said the city council's January 2024 approval of the land-use applications was "fairly debatable," the standard Virginia courts apply when reviewing legislative zoning decisions. The three-judge panel also rejected arguments that the city improperly affected existing easements tied to the property.
📰 In brief
Wilderness Kids Alexandria will host its 4th Annual Community Music Festival on Sunday, Sept. 27, from noon to 4 p.m. at Pat Miller Neighborhood Square in Del Ray, with five local bands, games, and activities for all ages. (The Brief)
Kim Farington, Bert Mizusawa and David Williams are competing in the Aug. 4 primary for the chance to take on the three-term Democratic U.S. senator. (The Brief)
The Washington Spirit has announced a partnership with Pupatella, the Arlington-founded Neapolitan pizzeria with a location in Alexandria, naming it the club's Official Neapolitan Pizza Partner. (The Brief)
A large coalition led by the Rev. Al Sharpton and the family of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. will mark the anniversary of the historic March on Washington next month with a march for democracy. (The Brief)
A group of small businesses in Washington, D.C.’s L’Enfant Plaza has filed a lawsuit seeking to stop the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's planned relocation of its headquarters to Alexandria, arguing the move is unlawful and threatens the economic viability of the surrounding neighborhood. (CityBiz)
⚽ Sports
Spain eliminated France 2-0 on Tuesday afternoon at Dallas Stadium, advancing to the World Cup final. Spain will face the winner of today's semifinal — England vs. Argentina at 3 p.m. at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta — in the final on Sunday, July 19, at New York New Jersey Stadium in New Jersey.
Kiki Iriafen had 25 points and 14 rebounds, Shakira Austin added 17 points and 10 rebounds, and the Washington Mystics beat the Toronto Tempo 79-62 on Tuesday night. (The Brief)
The Alexandria Aces (14-18) fell to the SS-T Thunderbolts 9-5 Tuesday night at Blair Stadium.
Today's Schedule
- 3 p.m.: World Cup semifinal — England vs. Argentina at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
- 7 p.m.: Alexandria Aces at Metro South County Braves, South County High School
- 8 p.m.: Washington Spirit at NJ/NY Gotham FC, Citi Field, Flushing, N.Y.
Today in Alexandria
⛅ Weather
Today: Sunny and hot, with a high near 102 degrees. Heat index values as high as 106. Light and variable wind becoming west 5 to 7 mph in the morning.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 80 degrees. Southwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening.
🌖 Sun, Moon, & Tide
Sunrise at 5:55 a.m., sunset at 8:32 p.m. 14 hours & 36 minutes of sun.
High tide at 9:30 a.m. & 10:07 p.m. Low tide at 3:39 a.m. & 4:30 p.m. The moon phase is a Waxing Crescent
🗓️ Things To Do
- 7:30 a.m.: July Coffee & Conversation (DRBA Member Event) at Piece Out Del Ray
- 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.: Cocktail Making Class at Barca Pier & Wine Bar
- 7 p.m.: Murphy’s Run Club at Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub
🎶 Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Bill Pappas Project at 9 p.m.
- Atlas Brew Works: Bingo at 7 p.m.
- Evening Star Cafe: Open Mic at 8:30 p.m.
- Hops N Shine: Trivia at 6:30 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant: Pete Chauvette at 6 p.m.
- Lost Boy Cider: Line dancing at 6:30 p.m.
- Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Kenny Kohlhaas at 8:30 p.m.
- O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
- Port City Brewing Company: Bluegrass Jam Night at 7 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- Southside 815: Rook Richards at 9:30 p.m.
🏛️ City & Schools
- 6 a.m.: Chinquapin Pool open
- 7 a.m.: Minnie Howard Pool open
- 9 a.m.: Alexandria Police Department Walk-In Wednesday hiring event at Police Headquarters
- 10 a.m.: Memorial Pool open
- 11 a.m.: Warwick Pool open
- 1 p.m.: Medicare 101 Presentation at Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library
- 4:30 p.m.: ARHA Board's Operations and Resident Engagement Committee at 401 Wythe St.
- 5 p.m.: ARHA Board's Finance, Audit and Administration Committee at 401 Wythe St.
- 7 p.m.: Alexandria Archaeological Commission meeting at Lloyd House
- 7 p.m.: Board of Architectural Review public hearing at Charles Houston Recreation Center
- (City of Alexandria calendar) (ACPS calendar)
📚 Alexandria Library
- All day: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence — free six-week online course (Virtual; enrollment opens today)
- All day: PINGO! — Plastic Free Bingo at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 10 a.m.: Artificial Intelligence for Beginners at Beatley Central Library (registration required)
- 10:30 a.m.: Stitcher's Space — Sew, quilt, knit, crochet, embroider! at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 10:30 a.m.: Paleontology Playtime at Beatley Reading Garden
- 11 a.m.: Just Babies — Solo Los Bebés at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
- 1 p.m.: Helping You Navigate Medicare — VICAP at Beatley Central Library (registration required)
- 2 p.m.: Things That Go Boom! with Mad Science at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 3 p.m.: Painternoon — monthly painting club at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library (registration required)
- 3 p.m.: Bar C Ranch — Amazing Adaptations at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
- 3:30 p.m.: Page Turners: Burke's Book Club — "Small and the Mighty" by Sharon McMahon (Virtual)
- 5 p.m.: BenAnna Band at Beatley Central Library
- 6:30 p.m.: From Art to Advocacy at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library (registration required)
- (Alexandria Library calendar)
🗓️ On This Day in Alexandria History
On July 15, 1870, the Alexandria Police Department was formally organized by an act of the Board of Aldermen and Common Council — one of the oldest departments in Virginia. The board elected a captain, a lieutenant, and 19 patrolmen. All officers were issued star-shaped tin badges, but had to supply their own uniforms and guns.
One hundred and fifty-six years later, the department employs more than 300 sworn officers and responds to more than 67,000 calls for service a year.
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