Good Thursday morning, Alexandria!
🌧️ Today’s weather: A slight chance of showers. Patchy fog between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 82 degrees. The chance of precipitation is 20%. There is a chance of showers and thunderstorms tonight, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 64 degrees. Showers are likely on Friday, with thunderstorms also possible after 5 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 68 degrees. The chance of precipitation is 60%—new rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
🚨 You need to know
Alexandria residents have a chance to voice their opinions on the proposed I-495 express lanes extension. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is holding public meetings in April 2025 to discuss the project.
VDOT, working with federal and local partners, is looking into extending the express lanes by about 11 miles.
VDOT, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and other federal, state and local agencies in Virginia and Maryland, is conducting an environmental study to potentially extend the express lanes system on the southern section of I-95/I-495 (Capital Beltway), by approximately 11 miles from the Springfield Interchange (I-95/I-395/I-495) in Fairfax County, Virginia, across the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge, to the MD 210 interchange in Prince George’s County, Maryland. This location was identified in Virginia’s Commonwealth Transportation Board’s adopted I-95 Corridor Improvement Plan as an area for additional study.
In Alexandria, you can attend meetings on Monday, April 7 at Thomas A. Edison High School or on Wednesday, April 9, at the Nannie J. Lee Memorial Recreation Center. Both run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., with presentations starting at 7 p.m.
VDOT staff will be on hand at various stations to answer questions.
This project is part of Virginia’s I-95 Corridor Improvement Plan. It aims to create a seamless express lanes system and make travel more reliable.
Can’t make it in person? No problem. You can submit your comments online until April 21. VDOT stresses that they’ll review and consider all public input as part of their decision-making process.
The study, which kicked off in early 2022, is moving towards a federal decision on the preferred option. That decision is expected in early 2026.
Here’s what else you need to know
The ACPS School Board meets tonight for its regular school board meeting, with several important topics on the agenda, including a review of the district’s 2025-2030 Strategic Plan draft. [ALXnow]
The Pride of Baltimore II will be visiting Alexandria this weekend. Make plans to tour and/or sail onboard the Tell Ship while she is in port. [ALXnow]
The Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee is hosting a reception today at 5:30 p.m. at the Lyceum to celebrate the inaugural French exchange program with ACPS. A significant expansion from previous German exchanges, this exchange program features 26 American and 26 French middle school students and six teachers. Mayor Gaskins, who recently visited Caen, will speak at the event, highlighting the program’s success in integrating into ACPS. The exchange, involving students from GWMS and St. Paul Middle School in Caen, includes homestays and participation in local educational and tourist activities.
First Thursday returns to Del Ray this evening at 6 p.m. with the theme “Music and Dance.” [DRBA]
While in Del Ray, you can get a first look at the neighborhood’s new co-working space, Studio Del Ray, during an open house of Mulberry Lane, Shorty’s Deluxe, and the new coworking space. [ALXnow]
George Washington Middle School Theater presents The Crucible by Arthuer Miller this Friday through Sunday. Tickets will be available at the door.
Your daily dose of Alexandria, delivered!
📈 Wednesday’s most read
The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for April 2, 2025.
- Tall Ship Pride of Baltimore II to visit Alexandria this weekend
- ACPS restarts collective bargaining process as Alexandria renews agreements with police, fire and technical staff
- Maria Cristina Donoso named Alexandria’s next Poet Laureate
📅 Upcoming events
Here is what’s going on today in Alexandria.
Things To Do
- 12 p.m.: Line Dancing at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 1:30 p.m.: Thursday Afternoon Book Discussion – “James” by Percival Everett at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
- 2 p.m.: Film – “Anora” at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 6 p.m.: Artist Mia Guile at Nepenthe Gallery
- 6 p.m.: First Thursday: Music & Dance on Mount Vernon Avenue
- 6 p.m.: Pints & Patriotism at Port City Brewing Company
- 6 p.m.: Coding Game Night – ages 6-12 – Learn to code with hands-on fun at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 7:30 p.m.: The U.S. Air Force Band presents Jazz Heritage Series with Pasquale Grasso at Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center
Live Music & Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Live music at 9 p.m.
- Aslin ALX: Trivia at 7 p.m.
- Augie’s Mussel House: Live music at 5 p.m.
- Daniel O’Connell’s: Nick Tierra at 7 p.m.
- Evening Star Cafe: The Walkaways at 8:30 p.m.
- Hops N Shine: Trivia at 6:30 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant: Ken Kilpatrick Trio at 6 p.m.
- Lena’s: Live music at 6 p.m.
- Lost Boy Cider: Trivia at 7 p.m.
- Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center: The U.S. Air Force Band presents Jazz Heritage Series with Pasquale Grasso at 7:30 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- The Birchmere Music Hall: Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives at 7:30 p.m.
- The Little Theatre of Alexandria: Much Ado About Nothing at 8 p.m.
- The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6 p.m.
City of Alexandria
- 11 a.m.: Thriving Beyond the Federal Workforce Virtual
- 1 p.m.: Thriving Beyond the Federal Workforce
- 2:15 p.m.: VIRTUAL: Subcommittee on Personnel
- 4:30 p.m.: VIRTUAL: Commission on Aging Economic Committee
- 5 p.m.: ACPS Strategy & Accountability Committee Meeting
- 6 p.m.: ACPS School Board Meeting
- 7 p.m.: Housing Affordability Advisory Committee
Organizing an event? Submit your event to ALXnow’s Event Calendar.
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