Maurisa Potts’ award shelf is getting crowded.
Earlier this month, the founder and CEO of the Old Town-based Spotted MP marketing firm was named to the 2026 Virginia Black Leaders list by Virginia Business magazine. The award is the latest in a string of honors for Potts, who last fall was named to the PR Net 100 2025, a recognition for the top-performing firms in the world of public relations and well as MarComms Most Influential by the same outlet.
Artwork “that reflects civic pride, historical connection, and optimism for the future” is the theme of a new poster contest in Alexandria.
As the City of Alexandria continues to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, it is joining the America 250 City Art Poster Project, sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Steeped in history yet thoughtfully reimagined for modern living, this exceptional detached residence, originally built in the 1880s, seamlessly blends timeless architecture with sophisticated luxury. Following an extensive renovation and expansion completed between 2022 and 2025, every detail has been meticulously curated to honor the home’s historic character while introducing today’s finest finishes and amenities. Spanning nearly 3,200 finished square feet, the home offers four to five spacious bedrooms, three full and one half baths, and beautifully proportioned living spaces with soaring ceilings, oversized windows, and an abundance of natural light.
The striking rear addition is defined by a dramatic wall of rare floor-to-ceiling black Marvin windows and doors, creating a stunning architectural statement while seamlessly connecting the interior living spaces to the private rear courtyard. The expanded kitchen and family room serve as the heart of the home, thoughtfully designed for both everyday living and effortless entertaining. The chef’s kitchen showcases custom inset cabinetry, Honed Danby marble countertops and full-height backsplash, herringbone hardwood flooring, high-end hardware and fixtures, and a premium suite of Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, including a paneled refrigerator and dishwasher, built-in espresso/coffee maker, and wine refrigerator.
Shannon Steene says that a ritual with keys is his favorite part of the job as executive director of Carpenter’s Shelter.
On the days when clients at the homeless shelter move out to transition into newfound housing, staff and other residents will say goodbye to them by jingling their keys. Now after 11 years leading the nonprofit, Steene said he’s looking forward to his own departure ceremony of sorts, as he’s stepping down later this month to lead Reston-based nonprofit Cornerstones.
The executive director of Sheltercare, a short-term group home that provides services to youth in the city’s West End, says she may have to consider cutting staff, services or beds, despite nearly $2 million in funding included in the city’s proposed 2027 budget.
The city manager’s budget fulfills a funding request from the Juvenile Detention Commission of Northern Virginia, which oversees the 14-bed Sheltercare facility. However, the program’s planned budget of $2.14 million is scaled down from executive director Annie Reiney’s initial $2.7 million proposal, which included a 40% increase in funding to pay for extra staffing and building improvements.
Shifting Waters Leadership Institute (SWLI) is bringing a new kind of leadership experience to Old Town Alexandria and DMV area this fall. On November 19 and 20, 2026, the organization will host its inaugural November Leadership Incubator Weekend at COWO & Crèche, a two-day, application-based program built for leaders who are ready to do more than perform their roles well. They are ready to be formed.
The incubator is led by Grace Adofoli, Founder and CEO of SWLI, a leadership development practitioner, executive coach, and 2026 Alexandria Chamber of Commerce 40 Under 40 honoree who has worked across leaders in more than thirty countries over the past decade. Her background spans global public health, disaster relief, and community development, including field work in the Philippines, Ethiopia, and Cambodia, alongside service with AmeriCorps and in underserved communities across the United States. She holds an ACC credential through the International Coaching Federation and degrees in public health and social work from the University of Michigan.
A women’s bar crawl and fundraiser is coming to Del Ray this Saturday as Women’s History Month is now underway.
The bar crawl is scheduled from 2-7 p.m. Saturday, featuring all woman-owned spots like Rosemarino D’Italia and Piece Out Del Ray. The crawl is being hosted by Del Ray Psych and Wellness (1900 Mount Vernon Avenue).
ACPS On Regular Schedule Today — “All Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) schools and offices will open on time with normal schedules and operations today, March 3, 2026. All school activities and transportation will operate as scheduled.” [ACPS]
Bagel Uprising Expanding to Arlington — “Bagel Uprising, based in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood, plans to open its second location at 901 N. Glebe Road in May, co-founder Chad Breckinridge told ARLnow. That’s just half a mile from D.C.-based bagel chain Call Your Mother’s planned location at 4000 Wilson Blvd. Although Bagel Uprising’s announcement comes less than a week after its competitor’s, Breckinridge says he’s not planning on any schmear campaigns.” [ARLnow]
Good Monday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — Mar 2, 2026.
Here are today’s most-read articles:
Here is what’s going on Tuesday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.
Expect rain before 2pm and possibly after 5pm, with cloudy skies and a high near 48. Calm winds will shift to the south around 6 mph in the afternoon, with a 70% chance of precipitation and up to a quarter-inch of rainfall. Tuesday night, rain is likely after 7pm, with a low around 45, south winds of 6-8 mph, and an 80% chance of precipitation, accumulating another tenth to a quarter-inch of rain. See more from Weather.gov.
“Success is not in what you have, but who you are.”
– Bo Bennett
Thanks for reading!
Snowfall has started in Northern Virginia, with about an inch or less of accumulation predicted throughout the rest of the day Monday, according to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service.
Light snow is expected through the midday and afternoon, with the steadiest snowfall lasting through 5 p.m., according to NWS. As much as an inch of snow could accumulate at unpaved surfaces throughout the D.C. metro area, NWS said in a special weather statement issued this morning (Monday).
Alexandria’s Shiloh Baptist Church is among more than 30 historically Black churches to receive a new grant aimed at preserving and restoring their buildings.
The church at 1401 Jamieson Avenue has received $360,000 from the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund as part of its Preserving Black Churches grant program. Recipients were announced last week.
