Author: Emily Leayman

Emily Leayman is the editor of ALXnow and contributes reporting to ARLnow and FFXnow. She was previously a field editor covering parts of Northern Virginia for Patch for more than eight years. A native of the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania, she lives in Northern Virginia.

Around Town

Little Birdie to offer sneak peek of menu at Del Ray Farmers’ Market

By Emily Leayman
Chicken sandwich at Little Birdie (via Little Birdie/Instagram)

An earlier version of this article said the Little Birdie preview will happen Saturday, May 23. The preview is being rescheduled for next Saturday, May 30.

Little Birdie, the sister restaurant of Matt & Tony’s All Day Kitchen + Bar, will host a preview ahead of its June opening in Del Ray.

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News

Alexandria transitions to electric leaf blowers ahead of citywide gas-powered device ban

By Emily Leayman
Employees with electric leaf blowers (via City of Alexandria)

The City of Alexandria has fully transitioned from gas-powered to electric leaf blowers as it prepares to implement a citywide ban on the gas devices later this year.

The city reported this week that it has completed the transition to electric devices for city maintenance and operations. The May 17 phase-out came one year after City Council approved the ban, which made Alexandria the first locality in Virginia to approve such a measure.

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Around Town

Volunteers needed to help run four tall ship tours at festival next month in Old Town

By Emily Leayman
The Tall Ship Providence sails to its new home, The Senator John Warner Maritime Heritage Center at Waterfront Park (staff photo by James Cullum)

As Alexandria prepares for a major waterfront festival next month, the Office of Historic Alexandria is seeking hundreds of volunteers to assist with four tall ship tours.

The city put out a call for volunteers to take shifts at the Sails on the Potomac waterfront festival from June 12-14, one of the city’s America250 events celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. A highlight of the three-day festival will be free timed tours of four tall ships — Swedish Navy warship replica Kalmar Nyckel, Royal Navy schooner replica Sultana, historic fishing vessel Gazela and Alexandria’s own Continental Navy ship replica Providence.

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News

Memorial Day weekend closures and schedule changes announced in Alexandria

By Emily Leayman
Alexandria National Cemetery (staff photo by James Cullum)

The City of Alexandria and other agencies serving the city have announced closures and other schedule changes for the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

All City of Alexandria government offices will be closed Memorial Day (Monday, May 25). The city will co-host a Memorial Day ceremony with the Friends of Rocky Versace at the Captain Rocky Versace Plaza & Vietnam Veterans Memorial outside the Mount Vernon Recreation Center (2701 Commonwealth Avenue). The ceremony runs from 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. and honor Versace, a posthumous Medal of Honor recipient, 68 Alexandrians who died in the Vietnam War, and others who have served in the military or are missing in action.

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News

Numerous Alexandria officials endorse Rep. Don Beyer’s reelection bid

By Emily Leayman
U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-8th) speaks at the Alexandria Democratic Committee’s Labor Day Picnic at The Garden Alexandria, 5380 Eisenhower Avenue, Sept. 1, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Numerous Alexandria elected officials have thrown their support behind Rep. Don Beyer (D-8) in his reelection bid, his campaign announced Monday (May 18).

The endorsements include Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins; Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley; City Council Members Canek Aguirre, John Chapman, Jacinta Greene, and Sandy Marks; Commonwealth’s Attorney Bryan Porter; Clerk of Court Greg Parks; Sheriff Sean Casey; School Board Chair Michelle Rief; School Board Vice Chair Christopher Harris; and School Board Members Abdulahi Abdalla, Tim Beaty, Kelly Carmichael Booz, Alexander Crider Scioscia, Donna Kenley, Ashley Simpson Baird, and Ryan Reyna. Former Mayors Bill Euille, Allison Silberberg and Justin Wilson also endorsed Beyer.

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News

‘Faith in Housing’ bill on by-right affordable housing will require new ordinance in Alexandria

By Emily Leayman
Virginia State Capitol in Richmond (staff photo)

A bill allowing church-based by-right housing development and several other laws passed during the 2026 Virginia General Assembly will require or allow local action, according to a presentation to Alexandria City Council last week (May 12).

Wendy Ginsberg, the city’s legislative director, provided an update on key bills the city has been tracking or will be impacted by during City Council’s May 12 meeting. Virginia is a Dillon Rule state, which means localities can only use authority granted through state law.

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News

Police fatally shoot suspect following shooting of female victim in Alexandria

By Emily Leayman and James Cullum
Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A fatal officer-involved shooting followed the suspect’s fatal shooting of a female victim in Alexandria early Monday (May 18), according to police.

Around 4:05 a.m., the Alexandria Police Department responded to a report of a female victim who had been shot at an apartment complex (27 Canterbury Square) in the West End. Two relatives had left the apartment, leaving the suspect barricaded inside a room with the victim.

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News

Torpedo Factory Art Center draws one operator bid as city weighs next steps

By Emily Leayman
The Torpedo Factory in Old Town (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria City Council learned Tuesday (May 12) that the city received just one proposal for a potential operator of the Torpedo Factory Art Center during its procurement process.

Earlier this year, City Council allowed a procurement process to advance to select a new operator for the Torpedo Factory Art Center at 105 N. Union Street. Bids were due April. 27.

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Around Town

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Brutus is most happy around people

By Emily Leayman
Brutus (via Animal Welfare League of Alexandria)

Meet Brutus, a people-loving companion who would never betray you.

This 1-year-and-7-month-old dog loves to stay active and is treat-motivated to learn new tricks, according to an AWLA volunteer. He loves playing fetch, although he is not always inclined to bring the ball back. Brutus would also enjoy accompanying you on walks or hikes.

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News

Braddock Road bike lane and parking removal appeal heads to City Council Saturday

By Emily Leayman
Segments of Braddock Road where the Alexandria Traffic and Parking Board approved changes (via City of Alexandria)

The appeal of the Traffic and Parking Board’s February decision on the Braddock Road redesign in the Rosemont and Del Ray neighborhoods is heading to City Council Saturday (May 16).

Four petitions against the redesign came from residents living along the Braddock Road corridor, as well as Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and Community Praise Church on W. Braddock Road. Appellants are hoping City Council will overturn the board’s decision, which would remove parking on Braddock Road between Mount Vernon Avenue and Russell Road to add new bike lanes. According to a city memo, appellants are concerned that the loss of parking will affect access to homes and places of worship.

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News

Memorial at Alexandria church pays tribute to people who died in ICE custody

By Emily Leayman
The ICE custody death memorial at Fairlington Presbyterian Church (via Fairlington Presbyterian Church/Facebook)

Fairlington Presbyterian Church has created a memorial on its front lawn to remember people who have died in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody since 2025.

The church, located at 3846 King Street in the West End, dedicated the memorial Sunday (May 10). The memorial features posts representing each of 32 people who died in ICE custody from January 2025 to early January 2026. Another 18 names of people who died in ICE custody leading up to May 2026 are included in a brochure being distributed at the memorial. Some official causes of death are pending or disputed.

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