Good Friday morning, Alexandria!
☀️ Today’s weather: Partly sunny, with a high near 69 degrees. West wind 6 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Partly cloudy tonight, with a low around 50 degrees. West wind 6 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
🚨 You need to know
Alexandria Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center (900 Virginia Avenue) is breaking new ground with its Stroke Recovery Program, becoming Virginia’s first skilled nursing facility to receive the American Heart Association’s Stroke Rehabilitation Certification.
Alexandria Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center has launched a Stroke Recovery Program, the first specialized subacute care offering of its kind for the region. In tandem, the center became the first in Virginia – and one of the first in the nation – to earn the Skilled Nursing Facility Stroke Rehabilitation Certification offered by the American Heart Association®, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all.
The center provides post-hospital care, short-term rehab, and long-term residential care.
“The center’s Stroke Recovery program – designed to meet the American Heart Association’s evidence-based standards of care for stroke survivors – reflects its commitment to transformative skilled nursing services,” said Megan Shilling, regional director of market development at Marquis Health Consulting Services, which supports Alexandria.
Here’s what else you need to know
👉 This weekend has something for everyone, whether you’re looking to enjoy live performances from bands like The Manhattans, get creative at a boozy bonsai workshop, explore local history at the Lee-Fendall House, or attend a solemn Memorial Day ceremony. Weekend Roundup
🚗 The I-495 Southside Express Lanes Study is evaluating the potential extension of the express lanes system on the southern section of the Capital Beltway. Learn about and provide comments on VDOT’s proposal on Wednesday, June 11, from 6-8 p.m. at Nannie J. Lee Memorial Recreation Center (1108 Jefferson Street).
🇺🇸 The community is invited to gather for a Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday (May 26) from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in front of the Mount Vernon Recreation Center (2701 Commonwealth Ave.). Hosted by the City of Alexandria’s Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities in partnership with the “Friends of Rocky Versace,” the solemn event will pay tribute to the courage and sacrifice of our nation’s fallen service members.
The ceremony will specifically honor Captain Humbert Roque “Rocky” Versace, a Medal of Honor recipient and Vietnam War POW/MIA, as well as the 68 Alexandrians killed or missing in action during the Vietnam War, and all who have given their lives in service to the country.
🎉 If you’re looking for a reason to dress up, gather with friends, and toast to something meaningful, the Gadsby’s Tavern Museum Society’s Spring Fling on June 14 may be it!
📈 Thursday’s most read
The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for May 22, 2025.
- Notes: Alexandria secures $1.08 million for workforce housing near INOVA campus (773 views)
- Alexandria Police to be designated ‘school officials’ with access to student records under proposed MOU (710 views)
- Alexandria Police ‘spoofed’ by call alleging man with large gun intended to rob 7-Eleven (692 views)
📅 Upcoming events
Here is what’s going on today and this weekend in Alexandria, from our event calendar.
- 3:30 pm Friday: Teen Science Café Spotlights Media Production & Technology for High School Stude
- 6:30 pm Friday: Wright at Twilight
- 👉 7:00 pm Friday: A Punkrock Benefit for Centreville Immigration Forum
- 7:30 pm Friday: Turkish Coffee Lady Hosts Food Art Showcase in Honor of Turkish Cuisine Week
- 10:00 am Saturday: Inalienable Rights: History Through the Eyes of Enslaved Virginians
- 12:00 pm Saturday: Hotel AKA Alexandria’s Drag Brunch
- 👉 5:00 pm Saturday: Celebrate Aloha with E Ala E Hawaiian Cultural Center!
Things To Do on Friday
- 3:30 p.m.: Teen Science Café Spotlights Media Production & Technology for High School Stude at Chinquapin Park Recreation Center & Aquatics Facility
- 3:30 p.m.: Fun Friday at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 6 p.m.: Barboursville Wine Dinner at Hotel AKA Alexandria
- 6 p.m.: Twist It: Barspoon Making & Mixology Workshop at Wear Ever Jewelry
- 6:30 p.m.: Wright at Twilight at Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House
- 6:30 p.m.: Culinary Class at Aslin ALX
- 6:30 p.m.: Boozy Bonsai Workshop at PlantHouse
- 7 p.m.: A Punk Rock Benefit for Centreville Immigration Forum at Galactic Panther
- 7 p.m.: Guided Meditation with Cats at Mount Purrnon Cat Cafe & Wine Bar
- 7:30 p.m.: Turkish Coffee Lady Hosts Food Art Showcase in Honor of Turkish Cuisine Week at Turkish Coffee Lady
Live Music & Entertainment on Friday
- 219 Restaurant: Chris Timbers at 9 p.m.
- Alexandria Bier Garden: DJ JD at 9:30 p.m.
- Aslin ALX: Giggle Monster Comedy Showcase at 7:30 p.m.
- Blackwall Hitch: Drew Stevyns at 9 p.m.
- Daniel O’Connell’s: David Andrew Smith Duo at 9:30 p.m.
- El Cuscatelco Restaurant: Line Dancing at 7 p.m.
- Flipside Speakeasy: Karaoke at 8 p.m.
- Galactic Panther Art Gallery: A Punk Rock Benefit for Centreville Immigration Forum at 7 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant: The Satin Doll Quartet at 7:30 p.m.
- Lost Boy Cider: Duck Chuck Goose at 7 p.m.
- Makeda Restaurant: Mesfin & Tsehay at 10 p.m.
- Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: The Too Extra Band and Rocky Guttmann at 9 p.m.
- O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Never Elected and Chay Vicious at 9 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- The Birchmere: The Manhattans featuring Gerald Alston at 7:30 p.m.
- The Light Horse: Hall Pass NoVa Band at 9:30 p.m.
- The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6 p.m.
City of Alexandria Events & Public Meetings on Friday
- No events are scheduled.
Organizing an event? Submit your event to ALXnow’s Event Calendar.
