On This Day in Alexandria History — “Late in the War of 1812, during August 1814, Alexandrians recognized their increasing peril as British ships inched their way northward, up the Potomac. Responding to the pending emergency, on the 14th day of that month, the commercial banks of Georgetown, Washington and Alexandria agreed to loan the Federal government $200,000 for the purpose of providing a defense for the district. The Alexandria town and county militia were soon called out en masse and ordered to cross the Potomac to take up a post between Piscataway and Fort Washington. They took with them nearly all the arms and artillery belonging to the town, leaving Alexandria defenseless. Thus, when the militia retreated to the Virginia countryside and Captain Dyson, commander of Ft. Washington, blew up the fortress, Alexandria’s fate was sealed.” [Historic Alexandria]
Alexandria Restaurant Week Begins Today — “Alexandria Restaurant Week, held twice a year in January and August, will be held over 10 days from Friday, Aug. 14 to Sunday, Aug. 23. Full-service restaurants will serve prix fixe dinner menus at $35, $45 or $55 per person, and fast casual restaurants will have their own offers.” [ALXnow]
Concerns About AHRA Tenant Conditions Raised — “Current ARHA tenant Jazmyne Judge told the AJP last week that when she moved her family, which includes three children, into her unit at South 28th Street in May, she had no idea that it had a lengthy – and recent – history of mold infestation. ‘No detail[s]’ were provided by ARHA prior to her occupancy, Judge said.” [Alexandria Times]
New Digital History Museum Debuts — “The Alexandria Historical Society has launched the Alexandria Digital History Museum, a free online museum filled with more than 140 stories from the Port City’s long and layered past. It is the sort of place where you may arrive looking for George Washington and leave knowing something unexpected about Cass Elliot, a West End neighborhood or a piece of local life you thought you already understood.” [The Zebra]
Guide to Alexandria’s Scoop Shops — “There’s a particular kind of summer contentment that only a scoop of something cold can deliver — and Alexandria, happily, is a city that takes its frozen treats seriously. From decades-old scoop shops to artisan gelato counters and Wisconsin-style frozen custard, the choices run deep.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]
Sheriff’s Office Opens Community Academy Applications — “Sheriff Sean Casey invites Alexandrians to apply for the fall 2026 session of the Sheriff’s Community Academy. The program is offered free of charge and is open to people 21 or older who live or work in the City of Alexandria. The deadline for applications is September 7, 2026. The fall session of the Sheriff’s Community Academy will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on four consecutive Saturday mornings, September 19 through October 10, 2026, concluding with a graduation ceremony.” [Alexandria Sheriff’s Office]
It’s Friday — Expect mostly cloudy skies with a high near 88°F and a 30% chance of showers and possible thunderstorms after 5 PM. In the evening, there is a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms until 10 PM, followed by showers after 2 AM, with a low around 71°F and light, variable winds. [NWS]
