Notes: Del Ray’s Art on the Avenue celebrates 30 years this Saturday

Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Tuesday, Sept. 30, the 273rd day of 2025. There are 92 days left in the year.

🌥️ Today’s weather: Cloudy, with a high near 78°F. North wind 5 to 7 mph. Cloudy tonight, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 60°F. North wind around 7 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.

🚨 You need to know

The Del Ray neighborhood will transform into an open-air gallery this Saturday as Art on the Avenue marks its milestone 30th anniversary. The beloved community festival returns on October 4 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. along Mount Vernon Avenue, showcasing 350 artists and offering a full day of family-friendly activities.

Organizers have released the complete 2025 artist lineup at artontheavenue.org. The festival has grown significantly since its inception three decades ago, becoming one of Alexandria’s signature fall events and a significant draw for art enthusiasts throughout the region.

Beyond the art, attendees can enjoy performances on four stages of live music, sample food from local vendors, and watch competitors vie for top honors in the festival’s popular pie-baking contest. Families with children will find an array of free activities designed for young visitors. The event maintains its commitment to accessibility with complimentary trolley service running from both Braddock Road and Potomac Yard Metro stations, as well as free bike valet parking at the intersection of Mount Vernon and Hume Avenues.

For those planning to attend, complete details, including the full artist directory, stage schedules, and festival map, are available at artontheavenue.org.

What else to know

School Board rejects DASH proposal – The Alexandria City Public Schools Board will not support a proposal to use DASH buses to transport high school students, Chair Michelle Rief announced Monday night, effectively ending months of work on a cost-saving initiative that exposed deep-seated tensions between the board and the City Council. (Full story) More coverage from the 3+ hour meeting coming later this morning on ALXnow.

Government shutdown looms – Washington is just hours away from a federal government shutdown, with prospects looking bleak for a last-minute compromise in Congress. The shutdown would begin at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday if lawmakers cannot reach an agreement. (Full Story)

ACPS back-to-school forms due today – Today is the deadline for parents of Alexandria City Public Schools students to turn in back-to-school forms. (Full story)

Three arrested in murder of Alexandria man – Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the Sept. 19 shooting death of 21-year-old Jaylin Hartless in the Woodlawn area of Fairfax County. (Full story)

City Council meets tonight – The City Council holds its legislative meeting tonight at 5:30 p.m. (What’s on the docket)

📈 Monday’s most read

Yesterday’s Most Read on ALXnow

Yesterday’s Most Read on ARLnow

Yesterday’s Most Read on FFXnow

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s happening today in Alexandria, as per our event calendar.

11:30 am: WEBA Coffee Ceremony & Networking Lunch at Feru

Things To Do

10:30 a.m. – Playtime! – ¡Hora de jugar! at Beatley Central Library (Reading Garden)
10:30 a.m. – Bilingual Storytime – Hora de cuentos bilingue at Barrett Branch Library
11 a.m. – Baby and Toddler Time – La hora de los bebés y los niños at Barrett Branch Library
11:30 a.m. – WEBA Coffee Ceremony & Networking Lunch at Feru
4:30 p.m. – Tuesday We Play (ages 5-12) at Beatley Central Library
5 p.m. – One-On-One Computer Help at Barrett Branch Library
Sept. 25 – Oct. 5 – Old Town Cocktail Week at various locations throughout Old Town

Organizing an event? Submit your event to ALXnow’s Event Calendar.

Live Music & Entertainment

219 Restaurant – Justin Gillen Trio at 9 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 – Melissa Quinn Fox 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 Information & Meetings

City Government: OPEN
Flag Status: FULL STAFF
Trash Collection: ON TIME
Recycling Collection: ON TIME
Yard Waste Collection: ON TIME

City Meetings & Events

6 a.m. – Chinquapin Open
4 p.m. – Minnie Howard Aquatics Facility Open
5:30 p.m. – City Council Legislative Meeting
7 p.m. – Alexandria Archaeological Commission Subcommittee
7 p.m. – Personal Finance and Career Building Workshops
7 p.m. – VIRTUAL: Commission for Women Emergency Meeting

ACPS Meetings & Events

6:30 p.m. – School Health Advisory Board

Alexandria City High School Sports

3 p.m. – Golf: Coed Varsity at Twin Lakes Golf Course
5 p.m. – Cross Country: Boys Varsity at Lake Braddock Secondary
5 p.m. – Volleyball: JV vs. West Springfield High School at Alexandria City High School
5 p.m. – Volleyball: Girls Freshman vs. West Springfield High School at Alexandria City High School
5:30 p.m. – Cross Country: JV at Lake Braddock Secondary
5:30 p.m. – Cross Country: JV vs. West Potomac High School
6:15 p.m. – Field Hockey: JV vs. Lake Braddock Secondary at Alexandria City High School – Minnie Howard Campus
6:30 p.m. – Volleyball: Boys Varsity at West Springfield High School
6:30 p.m. – Volleyball: Girls Varsity vs. West Springfield High School at Alexandria City High School
7:30 p.m. – Field Hockey: Coed Varsity vs. Lake Braddock Secondary at Alexandria City High School – Minnie Howard Campus