Good Friday morning, Alexandria!
🌧️ Today’s weather: Showers, mainly after 8 a.m.. High, near 54 degrees. Northeast wind 5 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three-quarters of an inch possible. Showers tonight. Low of around 44 degrees. North wind 8 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%—new precipitation amounts between a half and three-quarters of an inch possible. There will be scattered showers on Saturday. Cloudy, with a high near 51 degrees. North wind 9 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. The chance of precipitation is 40%.
🚨 You need to know
Alexandria’s Beautification Commission is seeking standout examples of sustainable practices and urban charm across the city for its 2025 Beautification Awards. These awards spotlight residents, businesses, and community spaces that are making Alexandria greener, healthier, and more attractive through eco-friendly initiatives.
“We invite residents, businesses, and community organizations to celebrate by recognizing and fostering environmentally sustainable practices, honoring our urban charm, and enhancing the beauty of our beloved city,” the commission said in a press release.
New this year is the Residential Street Award, recognizing neighborhoods that team up on sustainable projects like permeable pavements, rain barrels, and native plant landscaping.
The judges will consider several factors, including the use of native plants and trees, non-invasive materials, upkeep, creative design, public art, and improvements to shared spaces. Keep in mind that only properties visible from public areas are eligible, so backyards won’t be considered.
The commission is accepting nominations across various residential and community categories.
“We encourage self-nominations or nominations for your neighbors, area businesses or community properties,” the commission says.
Want to nominate a property? Submit your nominations before 11:59 p.m. on June 15, 2025.
Here’s what else you need to know
There was some extra excitement, energy, and hope in the air in Alexandria yesterday, as Moms Demand Action (and Sheriff Casey) officially endorsed Democratic nominee Abigail Spanberger for Virginia Governor at a rally at the Oswald Durant Center. [Read More]
Grace Vareghuse, who co-leads her school’s Students Demand Action chapter at Hayfield Secondary School, kicked off the campaign rally. ALXnow caught up with Vareghuse following the rally. [Read More]
Alexandria City High School Senior Kalina Janevski recently earned two of the highest awards Girl Scouts can receive based on her volunteer service, including an initiative to register voters. [Read More]
Meet Rozalia Finkelstein, the cartoonist behind ‘West End Girls’ at Alexandria City High School. [Read More]
Alexandria’s Planning & Zoning Department is launching a new virtual community meeting series to inform residents about larger development projects, changes to regulations, and planning initiatives. [Read More]
The City of Alexandria is seeking information from qualified organizations interested in potentially managing the Torpedo Factory Art Center, a move officials emphasize does not signal changes to the waterfront landmark’s artistic mission. [Read More]
Unemployment claims in Northern Virginia rose 7.1% between January and February, new data shows — offering a first glimpse of the impacts of mass federal layoffs. [Read More]
Heads Up: Tonight’s Opening Party for Good Fortune, the rooftop bar at Hotel Heron, has been rescheduled from today to April 25 due to the weather. The event will include live music by Stevedreez, refreshing cocktails, local tattoo artist Maria Miller. [Event Details]
Check It Out: Outgoing Poet Laureate of Alexandria Zeina Azzam will give a reading of several poems related to her service to the city of Alexandria and its citizens on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library. [Details]
📈 Thursday’s most read
The following were the most-read ALXnow articles for April 10, 2025.
- City explores new operator potential for Torpedo Factory via a Request For Information
- Abigail Spanberger rallies in Alexandria, picks up endorsements from Moms Demand Action and Sheriff Casey
- What to do in Alexandria this weekend: April 10 – 13
📅 Upcoming events
Here is what’s going on today in Alexandria from our newsletter and our event calendar.
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Things To Do
- 9 a.m.: 2025 Spring Garden Market at River Farm
- 11 a.m.: Double Beer Release: Bold & Bitterful + Beach Drive at Port City Brewing Company
- 3 p.m.: Amazing Reptiles! – An animal adventure with My Reptile Guys at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 7 p.m.: Tarot Readings & Cats at Mount Purrnon Cat Cafe & Wine Bar
Live Music & Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Fat Chance at 9 p.m.
- Alexandria Bier Garden: Sugarcoat Band at 9:30 p.m.
- Blackwall Hitch: Too Extra Band at 9 p.m.
- Daniel O’Connell’s: Practically Einstein Duo at 9:30 p.m.
- Galactic Panther: Good Vibe Session Take Over at 8 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant: The Satin Doll Quartet at 7:30 p.m.
- Lost Boy Cider: Mike Setti at 7 p.m.
- Makeda Restaurant: Mesfin & Tsehay at 10 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- The Birchmere: WAR at 7:30 p.m.
- The Light Horse Restaurant: NoVa Buckshot at 9:30 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
- 8 a.m.: ACPS Governance Committee Meeting
- 10:30 a.m.: Nature Discoveries
- 4 p.m.: Hawaiian Star Dancers RSVP Due
Organizing an event? Submit your event to ALXnow’s Event Calendar.
