On This Day in Alexandria History — “On April 13, 1876, building supply entrepreneur John Leatherland and his son, John W., opened a new brass foundry at Queen and Lee Streets, aptly named Leatherland and Son. The new industrial facility opened its doors just in time to be featured on page 102 of Chataigne’s Alexandria City Directory, that also included several other listings outlining the extensive business interests of the Leatherland family in the city during the last quarter of the 19th century.” [Historic Alexandria]
Civic Leader, Veteran Susan B. Kellom Dies — “Susan B. Kellom, a longtime Alexandria resident, Army veteran, and devoted civic leader whose decades of service helped shape the city’s political and community landscape, died [Saturday] morning.” [The Zebra]
Gov. Spanberger Responds to President Trump’s Criticism — “The President lied about me today on social media. While he tries to distract from the soaring gas prices and economic worry he has caused, here’s what we are doing in Virginia. I’ve signed dozens of bipartisan bills into law to address high housing, healthcare, and energy costs — and not the taxes the President and his allies are lying about.” [Gov. Abigail Spanberger/X]
Redistricting Election in Home Stretch — “Democrats’ push to redistrict in Virginia is entering the home stretch as the party seeks to solidify an advantage in four more House districts ahead of the November midterms. Heavyweight donors have poured millions of dollars into the April 21 contest, which asks Virginians to consider a constitutional amendment that would redraw the Old Dominion’s maps mid-decade and give the party the edge in all but one of 11 congressional districts.” [The Hill]
Youngkin Campaigns Against Redistricting — “With just 10 days remaining before Virginia voters decide a closely watched redistricting referendum, former Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Saturday called on the Supreme Court of Virginia to strike down the measure, arguing it stems from what he described as an unconstitutional process.” [Virginia Mercury]
Triumphal Arch Proposed at Memorial Circle — “The renderings show a massive neoclassical stone arch topped with a 60-foot gilded statue of a winged figure — which Trump has called Lady Liberty — flanked by two smaller golden eagles. The inscription “One Nation Under God” appears in gold across the front, with “Liberty and Justice for All” on the opposite side. Four golden lions sit at each corner of the statue’s base.” [ARLnow]
Governor Vetoes Skill Games Bill — “On Friday, April 10, Spanberger vetoed Senate Bill 661, which would have legalized up to 25,000 skill game machines in Virginia. These machines resemble slot machines and require bets to play, but they incorporate elements of player skill.” [WRIC]
Pothole Patrols Continue in Alexandria — “Another week of Pothole Palooza starts Monday – check if crews will be working in your neighborhood! Teams will continue to travel every street in Alexandria to fill potholes as they go.” [Alexandria T&ES/X]
Meet-and-Greet and Book Signing at Alexandria Black History Museum — “On Saturday April 18th, join author Holly Ousley-Lavender author of The Librarian Who Didn’t Like Books. A moderated discussion, brief book reading and book signing will begin at 11a.m. and conclude at 12:30 p.m. The discussion and book reading are geared toward children ages 2-10. This event is a free and open to the public.” [Historic Alexandria]
Free Shredding Event — “In honor of Earth Month and the end of tax season, the City of Alexandria’s Resource Recovery Division will host a free shredding event for residents on Saturday, April 18. Residents are invited to bring eligible materials to the parking lot of 3871 Mt. Vernon Ave. (MOM’s Organic Market) from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. for secure, sustainable shredding and disposal.” [Alexandria T&ES]
It’s Monday — Expect partly sunny skies with a high near 83 degrees and a southwest wind at 14 mph, with gusts up to 26 mph. Monday night will be partly cloudy with a low around 63 degrees and a southwest wind blowing at 3 to 7 mph. [NWS]
