On This Day in Alexandria History — “On June 22, 1937, the Alexandria City Council appropriated $2,500 to construct a baseball field at the old Almshouse property at Monroe Street and U.S. Route 1. The 18th century Almshouse, built to house indigent Alexandrians, had been auctioned off by the city several years earlier for a boarding house, but returned to city ownership when the new owner’s finances reversed during the Great Depression … Some forty years later the ballfield was named in honor of developer Eugene Simpson who was a great supporter of Alexandria youth athletic programs. The new ball field proved immensely popular, and today is known as Simpson Field.” [Historic Alexandria]
State Budget Deal Reached — “After months of debate and an increasingly fraught battle over how to tax and regulate data centers, Virginia budget negotiators announced Friday evening that they’d reached a deal featuring a new energy consumption tax for the industry that’s expected to generate $1.2 billion over the biennium. The new plan also includes 4% raises for teachers each year, and roughly $285 million for health insurance from the state marketplace and food assistance funding for low-income families. It will also give localities authority to impose a 1% sales tax for school construction and renovation, if they choose.” [Virginia Mercury]
Watch Party for Croatian National Football Team — “Please plan to join us on the patio at Royal Restaurant (730 N. Saint Asaph St.) on Tuesday, June 23rd at 7pm for a Team Croatia Watch Party as they take on Panama in their second World Cup match. This will be a great opportunity to gather together and show support for our current Old Town North “neighbors” and to meet our newest OTNA Board Member Mackenzie Hampson in person.” [Old Town North Alliance newsletter]
DASH to Break Ground on New Bus Chargers at Former Landmark Mall — “This project will install up to two on-route, high-speed opportunity chargers, allowing buses to recharge while in service rather than returning to the DASH facility. By reducing downtime and increasing efficiency, these chargers will help keep transit running more reliably throughout the day. Funding for this initiative was provided through a $1 million federal investment secured in the 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act.” [City of Alexandria]
June 22-26 Repaving and Road Work — Streets scheduled for maintenance this week are Gunston Road (speed cushion installation), Valley Drive (speed cushion installation), North Armistead Street (concrete work – preparation for paving), South Whiting Street (concrete work – preparation for paving), Naylor Place (concrete work – storm drains) and the 200 block of South Van Dorn Street (concrete work – storm drains). The schedule is subject to change based on weather and other conditions. [Alexandria T&ES]
New Book on Historic Christ Church — “A new book by Alexandria cultural historian Charleen Smith-Riedel offers readers a fresh look at the 250-year history of Christ Church, one of the city’s most recognizable and historically significant institutions. God and the Generals: The Story of Christ Church Alexandria, Virginia examines the church’s evolution from colonial Virginia through the nation’s founding, the Civil War, World War II, and the modern era.” [The Zebra]
Experts on Reflecting Pool Algae Bloom — “‘It’s called New Pond Syndrome,’ says Steve Goodale, a Canadian swimming pool specialist known online as ‘Swimming Pool Steve.’ ‘It’s a known thing that happens when you take a natural, clear body of water like this that sits in an open air environment and you try to start it up, very often you end up with green water almost immediately.'” [WAMU]
It’s Monday — Expect showers and thunderstorms today, with temperatures reaching a high of 92°F. Winds will be from the south at 6 to 14 mph, with gusts up to 26 mph. There’s an 80% chance of rain, with rainfall between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, and higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Tonight, showers and storms will continue until 2 a.m., with a slight chance of showers until 3 a.m. The low will be around 67°F, with light and variable winds. Rainfall could range from half to three-quarters of an inch. [NWS]
