News

Alexandria Library Director receives national Trailblazers Award

By Ryan Belmore
Alexandria Library Director Rose T. Dawson (r) and John Page, Chair of the BCALA Awards Committee. (via Alexandria Library)

Alexandria Library Director Rose T. Dawson received the prestigious Trailblazers Award from the Black Caucus of the American Library Association at the organization’s annual conference in Philadelphia last month.

The award represents the Black Caucus of the American Library Association’s highest honor, presented every five years to recognize pioneering contributions that have “blazed a trail” in the library profession. Dawson became the first black director of the Alexandria Library when she took the position in 2008.

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Alexandria residents have limited time left to claim federal solar tax credit

By Ryan Belmore
Solar panels (file photo)

Alexandria residents interested in installing solar panels have less than five months remaining to take advantage of a 30% federal tax credit before it expires at the end of 2025.

The federal residential solar tax credit is set to end after Dec. 31, 2025, due to recently passed federal legislation, according to a Monday press release from the City of Alexandria. To qualify for the credit, expenditures must be completed by the deadline.

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Friendship Fire Company festival returns Saturday to mark 251st anniversary

By ALXnow.com
Friendship Firehouse Festival (photo via Friendship Firehouse Museum/Facebook)

The Friendship Fire Company will mark its 251st anniversary with its annual community festival Saturday, Aug. 2, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the 100 block of South Alfred Street.

The free, family-friendly event at the Friendship Firehouse Museum, 107 S. Alfred St., will feature fire safety education, demonstrations of Alexandria Fire Department equipment, and interactive activities for children.

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Penny Post to celebrate ‘Stationery Store Day’ on Saturday

By ALXnow.com
Penny Post Celebrates Stationery Store Day with Special Promotions and Community Fun (via Penny Post)

Penny Post, an independent stationery store in Alexandria, will celebrate Stationery Store Day on Saturday with special promotions and community activities.

The shop at 1201 King St. will offer exclusive swag bags worth more than $50 to the first 100 customers who spend $50 or more, starting at 10 a.m. The bags will contain premium paper goods and additional surprises.

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Notes: Aces trail 1-0 in Championship Series, host crucial game 2 tonight

By ALXnow.com
Alexandria Aces schedule (via Alexandria Aces)

Good Monday morning, Alexandria! 👋 Today is Monday, July 28, the 209th day of 2025. There are 156 days left in the year.

☀️ Today’s weather: Sunny, with a high near 95 degrees. Heat index values as high as 103. North wind 3 to 5 mph. Mostly clear tonight, with a low around 76 degrees. Calm wind.

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Federal investigation concludes Alexandria schools violated Title IX civil rights law

By Ryan Belmore
Alexandria City High School (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A months-long federal investigation has concluded that Alexandria City Public Schools violated Title IX civil rights law with policies allowing transgender students to use facilities aligned with their gender identity.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights announced Friday that Alexandria’s policy providing facility access based on “gender identity” rather than biological sex violates federal law.

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ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By James Cullum
Tiffany Barner, Alexandria City High School's dean of students has died (via ACHS)

Welcome to Friday, Alexandria! Here’s our compilation of the most-read stories of the week.

Our top story this week is on the sad news of the death of Tiffany Barner, a longtime Alexandria educator and a Dean of Students at Alexandria City High School. The ACHS community was notified of Barner’s death in a note July 21 (Monday) from ACHS Interim Executive Principal Lance Harrell.

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Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee announces Beaujolais tasting in Old Town

By James Cullum
Wine (image via Hermes Rivera/Unsplash)

How do you like your Beaujolais?

The Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee just announced that it will host a food and wine tasting that will “delight your taste buds and transport you to the heart of France,” according to the city. The event is being held the week before Thanksgiving at Lloyd House (220 N. Washington Street) on Nov. 20 (Thursday), from 7 to 9 p.m.

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‘Colored Rosemont’ neighborhood to be recognized with Virginia State historic marker

By James Cullum
A historic marker will be placed at the corner of Wythe and N. West Streets recognizing the "Colored Rosemont" neighborhood of Alexandria (via Google Maps)

Alexandria’s “Colored Rosemont” neighborhood will be recognized in September with the dedication of a Virginia State historic marker. The neighborhood was home to the first Black homeowners in the city in the early to mid-20th century.

The marker is a reminder of racial segregation in Alexandria. It will be dedicated at 3 p.m. near the corner of Wythe and N. West Streets — across from the Braddock Road Metro station — on Sept. 13 (Saturday). Mayor Alyia Gaskins, representatives of the Office of Historic Alexandria (OHA) and former and current residents of the neighborhood will attend the ceremony. The event is free and open to the public.

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