Wanda Pierce, the interim executive director at Carpenter's Shelter (courtesy of Carpenter's Shelter)
Nonprofit leader Wanda Pierce has been selected as the interim executive director of Carpenter’s Shelter, the organization announced today.
Pierce, the former CEO of the Arlington Community Foundation, started work yesterday (Tuesday), temporarily filling the vacancy recently left by former longtime Executive Director Shannon Steene. Pierce will manage Carpenter’s Shelter’s 64-bed Hoffman Center, as well as the 64-bed Alexandria Community Shelter on Mill Road as the organization’s board of directors conducts a national search for Steene’s replacement.
Audrey Davis, Director of the African American History division of the Office of Historic Alexandria, speaks at the "Fight for the Right to Read" family program in February 2026 (courtesy of the Office of Historic Alexandria)
A new children’s book is highlighting the historic work of Samuel Wilbert Tucker, an attorney from Alexandria who pioneered one of the first library sit-ins against Jim Crow segregation.
“Fight for the Right to Read” tells the story of the Alexandria Library sit-in as Tucker, at age 26, led a group of five young Black men to enter the whites-only Alexandria Library on Aug. 21, 1939. Co-authors Jeff Gottesfeld, Michelle Y. Green and illustrator Kim Holt came to the Alexandria recently to discuss the September release and sign copies during Black History Month.
This recurring Most and Least Expensive Home feature is sponsored by Adrianna Vallario of Compass. Based in the North Ridge area of Alexandria City, Adrianna is more than just a real estate agent – she is a trusted advisor, relocation expert, and community advocate.
In October 2026, 26 detached homes sold, 50 condos sold, and 41 townhomes sold. Detached home sales are down 40% when compared to the same time period last year, condos are down 52%, and townhomes are down 18%.
Alexandria City Council Member John Taylor Chapman (staff photo by James Cullum)
Alexandria’s City Council set a one-cent ceiling for the city’s real estate tax rate on Tuesday night.
City Councilman John Taylor Chapman made the motion to increase the ceiling, which is not the final adopted tax rate. While City Manager Jim Parajon’s proposed $977 million Fiscal Year 2027 budget has no tax increase, the one-cent ceiling gives the city more options in crafting the budget, which is set for a final council vote on April 29.
Join artist Nora Naranjo Morse (Kha’p’o Owenge ([Santa Clara Pueblo]), creator of Always Becoming, and the community that cares for the museum’s ephemeral outdoor sculpture family, to learn about the project’s evolution over the past two decades, and what the future holds.
Learn about the art of clay, traditions of sustainability in Pueblo building techniques, and more. Visitors can enjoy family-friendly art activities, dance performances by the Zuni Olla Maidens, watch a short film, and multiple opportunities to hear from the artist, her family, and museum experts that have contributed to the care and revitalization of the sculptures.
The Woodrow Wilson Bridge at sunset (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Several openings of the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge are planned tomorrow (Thursday) and Friday to allow passage of a tugboat.
The drawbridge will open for the tugboat “Recoil” at 3:30 a.m. on Thursday and again when it returns around 11 p.m., according to a city government advisory. Capital Beltway drivers should expect delays and follow posted traffic advisories during the drawbridge openings.
If you are interested in learning more about Continuing Care Retirement Communities (also known as "Life Plan Communities"), whether for yourself or for a loved one, please join our free workshop on Wednesday, November 4 from 5:00-7:00 at the Arlington office of Long & Foster. We are hosting this workshop in conjunction with Lisa Bates of the Williamsburg Landing community, which is a particularly excellent model of the way these communities work, and one you may wish to consider!
– How do Continuing Care Retirement Communities work? – What do they offer? – How much do they cost, and what are the financial models offered? – How do you how to evaluate them, and choose the one that's right for you? – How do you make a plan for a move like this? – How do you handle a lifetime's worth of possessions?
Looking at the Potomac River at Waterfront Park in Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)
There will be a town hall meeting next week to discuss January’s sewage spill in the Potomac River, Mayor Alyia Gaskins has announced.
On Jan. 19, a collapsed pipe caused hundreds of millions of gallons of wastewater to flow into the Potomac, prompting the Virginia Department of Health to issue a recreational water advisory. That advisory was partially lifted earlier this month when VDH found that bacteria concentrations were “at levels acceptable for all recreational water use.”
Rendering of artist Alicia Eggert's "Now or Never" installation (via Alexandria Office of the Arts)
The eighth annual public art installation at Alexandria’s Waterfront Park is set to open next week.
Artist Alicia Eggert’s “Now or Never” installation will have an opening reception Saturday, March 21, from 1-4 p.m. at Waterfront Park (1 Prince Street). Artist remarks will happen at 1:30 p.m.
People enjoy the Mount Vernon Trail (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
On This Day in Alexandria History — “On March 11, 1790, several months after his return from France where he succeeded Benjamin Franklin as Minister of France, Thomas Jefferson was feted at Wise’s Tavern, located on the northeast corner of Cameron and North Fairfax Streets. Immediately upon his return, President Washington had requested Jefferson to accept the post of Secretary of State, which he accepted. He was sworn in just eleven days after the Alexandria celebration and served as the nation’s top diplomat until the last day of 1793.” [Historic Alexandria]
Budget Public Hearing on Saturday — “Make your voice heard! If you missed Monday’s Public Hearing, you have another chance this week to speak to City Council this Saturday.” [City of Alexandria]
Expect rain chances before 3pm and after 4pm, partly sunny skies, and a high near 82 degrees. South winds will range from 6 to 11 mph, gusting up to 22 mph, with a 50% precipitation chance. Wednesday evening brings a slight chance of rain before 7pm, increasing after 8pm along with cloud cover and a low around 51 degrees. South winds will pick up to 11-15 mph, gusting up to 25 mph, and a 70% chance of precipitation. Anticipate new precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Success is not how high you have climbed, but how you make a positive difference to the world.” – Roy T. Bennett
NIB is the largest employment resource for people who are blind in the U.S. and is an active participant with the chamber. In 2024, NIB and its associated agencies provided employment to 5,142 people who are blind, culminating in more than $172 million in wages and benefits.
This recurring Most and Least Expensive Home feature is sponsored by 
