Good Tuesday, Alexandria! 👋 Today is Tuesday, Aug. 12, the 224th day of 2025. There are 141 days left in the year.
🌤️ Today’s weather: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. Patchy fog before 8 a.m. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 90 degrees. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is 30%.
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms tonight between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74 degrees. South wind around 6 mph, becoming calm in the evening. The chance of precipitation is 20%.
🚨 You need to know
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Alexandria is hosting an urgent blood drive Saturday, Aug. 23 as blood banks face critical shortages during the summer months.
The Inova Blood Donor Services drive will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church at 100 West Luray Ave. The Inova Bloodmobile will be parked on Braddock Road in front of the church, and many appointment slots remain available for donors.
Summer presents particular challenges for blood collection, according to organizers. With more people traveling during vacation season, fewer donors are available while the need for blood at local hospitals remains constant. Each blood donation has the potential to save up to three patients’ lives.
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church hosts three to four Inova blood drives annually as part of its community outreach efforts. Donors who participate will receive an insulated lunch bag while supplies last. Those interested can book appointments online at bit.ly/GSLC0823 or by calling 1-866-256-6372 using code 6071.
For more information about the drive, contact Amy Hadley, the church’s community outreach coordinator, at (703) 548-8608 or [email protected]. Photo identification is required for donation, and donors must complete a screening process to receive the giveaway.
What else to Know
🚨 Four women arrested and charged with shoplifting in Maryland have been linked to the theft of thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise from a Lululemon store in Old Town.
👉 Alexandria’s congressional delegation joined a chorus of regional lawmakers Monday condemning President Donald Trump’s decision to federalize Washington D.C.’s police department and deploy National Guard troops, with U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine calling the move a “waste of taxpayer dollars” designed to distract from other issues.
🚧 Virginia Tech plans to renovate its Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center in Old Town to improve accessibility with a new elevator, sprinkler system, and handicapped-accessible ramp, according to a request going before the Board of Architectural Review on Wednesday, Sept. 3.
🗓️ Alexandria residents have dozens of entertainment and community options this week, with programming ranging from library activities and farmers markets to two major beer-focused events anchoring Saturday’s lineup. Here’s our full roundup of all the events, live music, and entertainment happening this week and weekend.
📈 Monday’s most read
The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for Aug 11, 2025.
- 2 Alexandria business owners charged in first skill games indictments
- Developer proposes 30+ townhomes to replace office building in Old Town
- Notes: New breakfast and brunch spot HomeGrown: A Daytime Eatery opens in Old Town
- Alexandria firefighters help rescue driver trapped under tractor-trailer on Beltway
- Developer seeks approval for 3-story mixed-use Old Town building
📅 Upcoming events
Here is what’s happening today in Alexandria, as per our newsletter and event calendar.
Things To Do
- 10 a.m.: English Language Learning (ELL) 1 Workshop – Beginner Conversation at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 10:15 a.m.: Fables and Fun at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
- 10:15 a.m.: Family Storytime at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 11 a.m.: Baby and Toddler Time at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
- 4:30 p.m.: Tuesday We Play (ages 5-12) at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 5 p.m.: Duncan and Dragons at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
- 6 p.m.: Does this Animal Need Help? at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
- 6 p.m.: Stitcher Takeover of Beeliner Diner
- 7 p.m.: BeerYoga at Port City Brewing Company
- 219 Restaurant: Justin Gillen Trio at 9 p.m.
- Aslin ALX: Improv Comedy Jam at 7 p.m.
- Augie’s Mussel House & Beer Garden: Live music at 5 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant: Antonio James at 6 p.m.
- Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap: Combo Indigo at 6 p.m.
- Lost Dog Cafe: Trivia at 7 p.m.
- Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Trivia at 8 p.m., 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 Garden: Trivia at 7 p.m.
City of Alexandria Events & Public Meetings
- 10 a.m.: Alexandria Youth Leadership Conference 2025
- 10 a.m.: QPR – Suicide Prevention Training
- 3 p.m.: Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Commission
- 6 p.m.: Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) Meeting
Organizing an event? Submit your event to ALXnow’s Event Calendar.
