Author: ALXnow.com

On This Day in Alexandria History — Becoming the trademark tactic of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, the first sit-in occurred well before the era of social unrest that would characterize the decade of the 1960s. Prior to the famous Woolworth counter sit-in in Greensboro, North Carolina, five courageous African-American youths staged the first deliberate and planned sit-in at the Alexandria “public” Library on August 21, 1939 … Although this first act of defiance against the system of Jim Crow did not garner the media attention, this was the first step towards the City of Alexandria seriously considering a colored branch for its African-American citizens and facing the issue of accessibility, however unequal, for all of its citizens.” [Historic Alexandria]

Testing of Speed Cameras Happening Today — “The City of Alexandria will test school zone flashers and camera systems on Friday, August 21 ahead of the first day of school for ACPS next week. Residents may see the flashers in operation during normal weekday hours as part of the test. No citations will be issued during the testing period … School zone speed camera enforcement will resume on Monday, August 24, the first day of school for the majority of Alexandria City Public Schools.” [Alexandria T&ES]

On This Day in Alexandria History — “The advance on Alexandria from a British fleet in August 1814 was planned to draw the attention away from a planned attack on Washington from the north. But starting on August 20, Captain James Gordon’s ships were delayed for days, repeatedly grounding on the shoals of the Potomac. By the time the fleet reached Fort Washington (then called Fort Warburton), the attack and burning of the nation’s capital had already occurred a week earlier. After the self-destruction of the Maryland fort by American forces, Gordon soon turned his attention to Alexandria. Realizing the predicament of the now defenseless town, the town’s Common Council quickly decided not to oppose a British attack. On a Sunday morning, Mayor Charles Simms and an entourage rowed southward towards the advancing fleet, waving a white flag and requesting terms of surrender to prevent the destruction of the town. Due to its being the Sabbath, Gordon sent the officials back to Alexandria, with instructions to wait until the following day. By morning, his ships had arrived, with guns directed at the small frame houses of the town.” [Historic Alexandria]

Result of Mayor’s Back to School Hair Salon — “[Tuesday’s] Back to School Hair Salon 📚✏️ helped an incredible 3️⃣7️⃣ girls prepare for the first day of school! I’m so grateful the stylists who dedicated their time & our sponsors who helped make this event possible. Nothing but smiles all day long.” [Mayor Alyia Gaskins/X]

Dorothy Moran, Former Rep. Jim Moran’s Daughter, Dies — “Dorothy Kathleen Moran, an artist and poet whose remarkable survival from childhood brain cancer drew national attention, died peacefully Tuesday, Aug. 11, at her family’s home in Passapatanzy, Virginia … She was the daughter of former U.S. Rep. James P. ‘Jim’ Moran, a Virginia Democrat who represented Northern Virginia’s 8th Congressional District from 1991 until 2015.” [The Zebra]

Rep. Beyer on N. Va. ICE Encounters — “My office has received reports of several other ICE encounters in Northern Virginia in the past 10 days that featured unjustified violence or apparently warrantless detention. The pattern that emerges in the descriptions is of ICE agents stopping people outside or on the street, asking for ID, and often responding with violence when their orders are questioned, regardless of whether those orders violate individuals’ rights. In the case of Carolina Molina, ICE agents were filmed pointing a gun at a citizen because she verbally challenged and filmed them, activities which are protected by the First Amendment. I look forward to meeting with Ms. Molina soon to hear her perspective on these events and discuss next steps.” [Rep. Don Beyer news release]

Reminder on Walking Tour for Taylor Run Stabilization Project — “This City of Alexandria is hosting a community walkthrough tour for the Taylor Run Infrastructure Stabilization project. The walking tour is part of the City’s continued community engagement as the project advances through design. Participants will have an opportunity to see the project area firsthand and discuss elements of the project’s approach to stabilizing infrastructure within Taylor Run and the 60% design set.” [City of Alexandria]

Alexandria Man Charged in Hybla Valley Stabbing — “Officers found a 41-year-old man who had been stabbed in his upper body. Responders transported him to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. He was still hospitalized as of Monday afternoon.” [DC News Now]

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On August 17, 1814, towards the end of the War of 1812, Alexandrians agonized in desperation as they waited for a pending British attack. Capt. James Gordon, commander of a fleet of British ships, sailed into the mouth of the Potomac hoping to draw the Americans attention away from a pending attack from the north on the nation’s capital. Gordon’s ships included the 38-gun HMS Seahorse, the 36-gun Euryalus, the ‘rocket’ vessel Erebus, and several bomb vessels, the Aetna, Devastation, and Meteor. All that lay between the prosperous town of Alexandria and the attack force was the fortification at Fort Washington (then called Fort Warburton), and the shallow depths and shoals of the riverbed. Gordon’s boats were slowed for days on at least twenty occasions due to grounding but, assisted by his second in command, Charles Napier, he persevered. Finally closing in on the Maryland fort, which was blown-up by its panicked commander almost immediately upon Gordon’s order to fire, the prize of Alexandria was now in site.” [Historic Alexandria]

Former Old Town Business Association Leader Joins Breast Cancer Collective — “Charlotte Hall, one of Alexandria’s most recognizable community and small-business leaders, has been named interim executive director of the Breast Cancer Collective, effective Monday, Aug. 17. The appointment places Hall at the helm of the Alexandria-based nonprofit as its board begins a search for a permanent executive director and prepares for a busy fall fundraising and outreach season.” [The Zebra]

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]