Ryan Belmore | ALXnow

Artist Nekisha Durrett brings ‘Break Water’ to Alexandria waterfront

Published March 21, 2025 at 1:30PM

Artist Nekisha Durrett in front Break Water, her new art installation at Waterfront Park in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

A new temporary art installation titled “Break Water” by D.C.-based mixed media artist Nekisha Durrett debuts on Saturday, March 21 at Alexandria’s Waterfront Park, bringing forward powerful historical narratives through contemporary visual language.

The sculpture, which will remain on display through November, draws inspiration from Alexandria’s waterfront, where natural forces and human activity intersect, often with profound consequences for the community.

News

ACPS Superintendent highlights commitment to student success amid uncertainty surrounding Department of Education

By Ryan Belmore

Published March 21, 2025 at 12:30PM | Updated March 21, 2025 at 4:32PM

ACPS Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt speaks at the Alexandria City Essential Workers Appreciation ceremony at Douglas MacArthur Elementary School, March 19, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt is pledging to maintain focus on academic excellence and student support despite potential changes with the Department of Education.

In response to ALXnow questions regarding what impact potential changes would have on public education in the City of Alexandria, Kay-Wyatt wrote, “Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) is deeply concerned about yesterday’s executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. Public education is fundamental to our democracy, and this action raises significant questions about the future of federal support, educational outcomes, and protections for students and educators nationwide”.

News

U.S. Soccer grant will bring “Soccer IN School” to Alexandria second graders

By Ryan Belmore

Published March 21, 2025 at 10:30AM

Man playing soccer (image via Emilio Garcia/Unsplash)

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) is introducing an exciting new soccer program to second-grade classrooms this fall.

The Virginia Youth Soccer Association (VYSA) and Alexandria Soccer Association (ASA) have teamed up with ACPS to launch “Soccer IN School,” thanks to a U.S. Soccer Innovate to Grow grant.

News

Four students from Alexandria earn spots on Emerson College Dean’s List

By Ryan Belmore

Published March 21, 2025 at 9:45AM

Emerson College (via Emerson College on Facebook)

Emerson College announced today that four students from Alexandria have made the Dean’s List for the Fall 2024 semester.

Students must maintain a grade point average of 3.7 or higher during the semester to be included on the Dean’s List.

News

Notes: Flipside Speakeasy brings music, cocktails, and pizza to Del Ray

By Ryan Belmore

Published March 21, 2025 at 9:00AM

Flipside (via Instagram)

Good Friday morning, Alexandria!

🌧️ Today’s weather

News

BREAKING: ACHS closed for in-person learning on Friday, due to power outage

By Ryan Belmore

Published March 21, 2025 at 6:46AM

King St. Closed Near ACHS and Chinquapin Park Recreation Center — Rec Center Delayed Opening (via Google maps)

A section of King Street between Quincy Street and Kenwood Avenue is currently closed due to a transformer fire.

The incident is close to Alexandria City High School (ACHS) and Chinquapin Park Recreation Center. It has closed ACHS for the day and impacted the recreation center’s hours of operation.

News

Health Department warns of potential measles exposure in Northern Virginia

By Ryan Belmore

Published March 20, 2025 at 7:22PM | Updated March 21, 2025 at 8:48AM

Skin of a patient after three days with measles rash (via CDC)

For the second time this month, officials from the Alexandria Health Department (AHD) and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) are warning about potential measles exposures in northern Virginia.

The warning comes after two Maryland residents who recently traveled internationally tested positive for the disease.

News

Vice President JD Vance sells Del Ray home for $1.867 million

By Ryan Belmore

Published March 20, 2025 at 5:11PM

9 E Del Ray Avenue listing on Zillow (photo via Zillow)

Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha, have sold their Del Ray home for $1,867,025, according to property records.

The property, located at 9 E Del Ray Avenue, was listed for $1,695,000 at the end of February and, after just a handful of days, was marked as “pending” on real estate websites.

Around Town

Things to do in Alexandria this weekend: March 21 – 23

By Ryan Belmore

Published March 20, 2025 at 1:00PM

The Alexandria skyline (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

This weekend in Alexandria offers various activities, from cultural events and live music to community gatherings and outdoor markets.

Start your Friday with a boozy bonsai workshop, catch a comedy show, or enjoy live music at one of the many local venues.

News

State legislators discuss economic challenges, housing affordability, and childcare during Chamber of Commerce breakfast

By Ryan Belmore

Published March 20, 2025 at 10:35AM | Updated March 20, 2025 at 10:53AM

2025 General Assembly Breakfast (Photo by Ryan Belmore)

Alexandria’s General Assembly delegation painted a stark picture of the region’s economic future as federal layoffs continue to impact Northern Virginia residents and businesses. The legislators shared their concerns during the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce’s General Assembly Breakfast on Thursday, March 20 at the National Industries for the Blind in Alexandria.

Majority Leader Charniele Herring, Senator Adam Ebbin, Delegate Alfonso Lopez, and Delegate Elizabeth Bennett-Parker addressed the immediate economic challenges facing the region and discussed potential state responses to the federal workforce reductions.

News

Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visits local head start program

By Ryan Belmore

Published March 19, 2025 at 7:00PM

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. visits the Greater Mount Vernon Community Head Start Program Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at the Gum Springs Community Center in Alexandria, Virginia. (Official HHS Photo by Amy Rossetti)

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited a local Head Start program to spotlight the department’s focus on nutrition and healthy eating.

The visit, which took place on Wednesday, March 19, coincides with National Nutrition Month. Kennedy is using this opportunity to reinforce HHS’s commitment to “Make America Healthy Again” by putting nutrition front and center for Head Start grantees.