The Bethesda Big Train defeated the Alexandria Aces 15-3 Monday night at Frank Mann Field to sweep the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League Championship Series and claim their third consecutive title.
The Big Train won their 12th championship in franchise history and fourth in five seasons with the two-game sweep. They opened the series with a 10-4 victory Sunday in Game 1.
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.
Enjoy the return of jazz at Metropolitan Park with a free concert series co-presented by the DC Jazz Festival and National Landing BID. Listen to live stylings from Go-Go to bossa nova across the four-part series, from 5-7PM on select Thursdays: May 7, May 21, June 4, and June 18.
Refresh with onsite vendors including Toby’s Homemade Ice Cream and Taqueria Xochi, plus free samples from Mocktail Club—non-alcoholic beverages inspired by travel destinations. Take part in artist-led Studio Sessions curated by Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington while enjoying the music. Visit businesses around Met Park to pack a picnic or sit down for a meal after the show.
Music kicks off at 5PM and concludes at 7PM, with a set break in the middle.
Featured Performers and MoCA Studio Sessions
May 7: The JoGo Project (Jazz Meets Go-Go)
Art Activity: “Even Colors Dance (Synesthetic Watercolor)” | Led by David Ignacio, current Resident Artist at Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington’s main museum
May 21: Joe Brotherton (New Orleans)
Art Activity: “Paper Garden” | Led by Jaqui Falkenheim of Arlington Collage Collective
June 4: Eric Byrd Trio (Acoustic Jazz Piano/Vocals)
Art Activity: “Stitching Systems: Mapping Home” | Led by Lauren Crawford, current Resident Artist at MoCA Arlington’s main museum.
June 18: José Luiz Martins (Brazilian Jazz)
Art Activity: “Day Inking with JD” | Led by JD Deardourff, recent Resident Artist at MoCA Innovation Studio.
For transportation and Met Park information, visit nationallanding.org/met-park/faqs. Met Park is a five-minute walk from the Pentagon City Metro.
Jazz @ Met is presented by DC Jazz Festival and National Landing BID, sponsored by Amazon. Additional support for performances is provided by The Galena-Yorktown Foundation and The Leonard and Elaine Silverstein Family Foundation.
Note: Performance schedule is subject to change.
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.
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.
Come celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s War for Independence with renowned music historians David & Ginger Hildebrand for performances of special period music. The Hildebrands will don period attire to discuss and perform music associated with Alexandria’s sister cities: Caen, France; Dundee, Scotland; Helsingborg, Sweden; and Gyumri, Armenia. Scottish music was especially influential in the American colonies, and once the French joined the Revolutionary cause there were musical celebrations for Generals LaFayette, Rochambeau and other French leaders. This concert event is part of the “Alexandria commemorates America’s 250” campaign. David & Ginger specialize in researching, recording, and performing early American music. Since 1980 they have presented concerts and educational programs throughout the country and abroad at museums, historic sites, schools and universities. Mount Vernon, The National Gallery of Art, The National Archives, and Colonial Williamsburg are among their many past sponsors.
Tickets are $20.
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.
Alexandria is serving up a diverse menu of activities this week, from Monday’s comedy nights and yoga sessions to a spectacular glow paddle adventure on Saturday evening. The Tax-Free Weekend kicks off Friday at select Old Town boutiques, while music lovers can catch everything from Three Dog Night at The Birchmere to traditional Irish sessions at local pubs. Families won’t want to miss the Friendship Firehouse Festival on Saturday or Harry Potter’s birthday bash at Del Ray Pizzeria on Thursday.
Whether you’re looking to swap plants, learn ventriloquism, or enjoy chamber music at the Lyceum, Alexandria’s packed calendar offers something for everyone through August 3rd.
Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Steven Hahn will address political violence and democracy at a remembrance event for Benjamin Thomas, a Black man lynched in Alexandria 126 years ago.
The Aug. 8 event at Shiloh Baptist Church, located at 1401 Jamieson Ave., will run from 6:30 to 8 p.m., with doors opening at 6:15 p.m. The program marks the anniversary of Thomas’ death on Aug. 8, 1899.
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.
The Alexandria Aces advanced to the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League championship series for the fourth time in five years after sweeping the Olney Cropdusters in the semifinals.
The best-of-three championship series against top-seeded Bethesda Big Train begins tonight at 7 p.m. at Shirley Povich Field in Bethesda, Md. Game 2 is Monday at 6:30 p.m. at Frank Mann Field in Alexandria, with a potential Game 3 Tuesday back in Bethesda if necessary.
