On This Day in Alexandria History — “On February 17, 1859, the Mansion House Hotel, built in 1848 by local furniture manufacturer, James Green, and well-known as one of the most elegant hostelries on the Eastern seaboard, was reopened after a complete refurbishment. The Green’s lived in the home of John Carlyle, one of the town’s founders, and built the hotel across the front yard.” [Historic Alexandria]
Lunar New Year in ALX — “Lunar New Year officially begins on Tuesday, Feb. 17, but some festivities are happening before then. The holiday is celebrated in Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean and numerous other Asian cultures, marking the start of the 15-day Spring Festival. Here’s a look at some upcoming Lunar New Year events around Alexandria.” [ALXnow]
Mardi Gras Celebrations in D.C. Area — “For workaholic Washington, ‘Laissez les bons temps rouler’ is more of an aspiration than a vibe. Still, the arrival of Mardi Gras brings parades, brass bands, king cake and fireworks over the weekend and on Fat Tuesday itself, giving everyone an opportunity to cut loose.” [The Washington Post]
Mayor Gaskins: Cities Need ‘Smart National Policy for AI’ — “From predictive traffic management to automated permitting, AI is enhancing interactions between local governments and residents. The potential is massive: quicker responses, more innovative infrastructure and fairer access to public resources. But cities cannot — and should not — figure out how to navigate this technological revolution on their own. There is an urgent need for a national framework that encourages innovation while establishing clear guardrails to manage AI risks better and protect data privacy.” [The Virginian-Pilot]
AHD Shares Info On Potomac Spill — “The Virginia Department of Health (VDH), which includes the Alexandria Health Department, will not be testing water in the Potomac River. The Potomac River is under the jurisdiction of the state of Maryland, so Maryland is responsible for testing the affected area.” [AHD]
Small Business Owners Await Tariff Decision — “Aluminum cans rolling off [Lost Boy Cider] maker Tristan Wright’s production line cost more because of increased tariffs on aluminum … small business owners feel anything but calm since Trump began his whiplash trade policy shortly upon starting his second term. And now they are waiting on the U.S. Supreme Court, which has been mulling since November what was supposed to be an expedited opinion on whether large shares of the president’s unilateral emergency tariffs are legal.” [Virginia Mercury]
AFD Recognizes First Black Fire Chief — “We recognize Corey Smedley, the first Black Fire Chief, whose leadership broke barriers and set a powerful precedent for representation and progress within the fire service. His career reflects dedication, service, and a commitment to uplifting both the community and future generations of firefighters.” [AFD]
Gaskins Attends Housing, Workforce Conference — “When I was elected, Mayor, I was invited to join America’s Housing Comeback Taskforce by the @leagueofcities ! Today, I am at the Home Builders Confernce to join the Taskforce for a discussion on housing and workforce development!” [Alyia Gaskins]
It’s Tuesday — Expect patchy fog to clear by 8am, giving way to partly sunny skies and a high near 55 with light southwest winds. As for Tuesday night, it’ll turn cloudy with a low around 43. The calm wind will gradually pick up from the south at around 5 mph after midnight. [NWS]
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