Author: ALXnow.com

Street Work This Week in Alexandria — Street repaving and maintenance set for the week of Aug 31 will happen on North Tracy Street (from Grigsby Street to end), West Glebe Road (concrete work on 200 block), Lynhaven Drive (concrete work on 100 block) and Woodland Terrace (concrete work from Russell Road to West Braddock Road). [Alexandria T&ES]

Dolly Parton Show Near Alexandria Recalled — “On Oct. 26, 1974, Parton performed two shows at Hayfield Secondary School in Franconia. The concerts returned to public attention this week when the Friends of the Virginia Room shared a remarkable collection of photographs⁠ taken that day by Fairfax Journal photographer Jim Tingstrum. The images show a 28-year-old Parton commanding the stage in a sparkling, butterfly-covered outfit, signing photographs and smiling alongside concertgoers, police officers and fellow performers.” [The Zebra]

On This Day in Alexandria History — “In August 1814, during the War of 1812, Alexandrians recognized their increasing peril as the British juggernaut inched its way northward, up the Potomac … The Alexandria town and county militia were called out en masse in late August of 1814 and were 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 Fort Washington, blew up the fortress, Alexandria’s fate was sealed. On the morning of August 28, 1814, a committee led by Alexandria Mayor Charles Simms rowed south to meet the British Captain Gordon and request terms of surrender. Refusing to give conditions, Gordon and his fleet arrived at Alexandria’s waterfront in the evening. The next morning, the British lined up their gunboats (two frigates, the 38-gun Sea Horse and the 36-gun Euryalus; a “rocket ship”; three bomb vessels of eight guns each; and a two-gun schooner).” [Historic Alexandria]

Benjamin Thomas Memorial Event Planned This Evening — “The hour long event [7-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28] is being held on the same day in 1899 that more than 600 people gathered at the historic Shiloh Baptist Church on Duke Street to memorialize Thomas and protest his and all lynchings. The program will also feature music by Charles E. Miller and Mayor Gaskins will give remarks.” [City of Alexandria]

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On August 27, 1948, the Alexandria Citizens Band gave a concert outside Maury School to celebrate its first prize honors at Virginia State Fireman’s Convention days before. The band had previously won top honors several times at the competition.” [Historic Alexandria]

School Board Meets Tonight — The Alexandria City School Board is back for a meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, with an agenda featuring community donations, adjustments to the budget due to state funding, and a closed session to discuss superintendent candidates. [Alexandria City School Board]

On This Day in Alexandria History — “One August 26, 1948, the Alexandria Citizen’s Band was honored to win first prize in a competition held at the Virginia State Fireman’s Convention. The local band, a community organization comprising volunteer members who bring musical entertainment to Northern Virginia, Alexandria, and the DC Metro area, still plays a summer concert series annually at Alexandria’s Market Square and at community special events. The band was organized in 1912 and is one of the oldest community bands in the country.” [Historic Alexandria]

ICE Reveals 2 Alexandria Arrests in Regional Operation — “DHS named 10 of the 1,328 people it said were arrested. Two were arrested in Alexandria, according to the department, which did not say how many arrests were made in the city overall or in any other jurisdiction. The department said Angel Gabriel Ortiz-Hernandez, of Guatemala, has been arrested on charges of rape of a mentally incapacitated victim and two counts of aggravated sexual battery of an incapacitated victim. It listed no convictions for him. It said Rowan Andrew Brown, of Jamaica, has convictions for identity theft, kidnapping an adult and illegal re-entry, and has been arrested on a fraud allegation.” [Alexandria Brief]

How Alexandria Pursued Gas Leaf Blower Ban without State Law — “[Former Attorney General Jason] Miyares, a Republican, acknowledged that the General Assembly had voted down legislation giving local governments express authority to regulate leaf blowers, but cited case law in rejecting any inference of legislative intent from those outcomes as speculative. Alexandria, he concluded, was clearly within its rights to ban the equipment. Alexandria used that green light to amend its noise ordinance in May of 2025 and begin an 18-month phaseout of gas leaf blowers. A full prohibition is set to take effect on November 17, 2026.” [Virginia Mercury]

Acting Superintendent on Biggest Challenge of This School Year — “With the reality of maintaining a variety of rising costs, including healthcare premiums and other operating variables, the school division is expecting another challenging budget year. While maintaining our focus on supporting students, staff and our schools, investing in recruitment and retention remains critical to ensuring ACPS can continue to attract and retain the talented educators and staff who serve our students each day.” [WTOP]

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On August 24 and 25, 1874, about 50 teachers and other interested parties attended the Teachers’ Institute at the Peabody School building at King and Alfred streets. The superintendent of Alexandria’s schools addressed the audience as did educators from Washington, D.C., and New Orleans, speaking on topics such as ‘The Teaching of History’ and ‘School Hygiene.'” [Historic Alexandria]

First Day of School Today at ACPS — Monday, Aug. 24 marks the start of the school year for Alexandria City Public Schools students. ACPS has a back to school guide with information for the 2026-2027 school year. [ACPS]