Four eighth-graders from Alexandria Country Day School have earned the Silver Award, the highest honor available to Cadette Girl Scouts, for community service projects addressing Alzheimer’s disease awareness and foster care support.
Evelyn Bryan, Ellie Harris, Abby Michel and Taylor Reynolds were recognized by the Girl Scouts of the Nation’s Capital for achieving the distinction earned by fewer than 10% of all Cadettes.
The City of Alexandria’s “Tons of Trucks” event returns Saturday, Sept. 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Chinquapin Park, 3210 King St.
Hosted by the Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities, the free event will occur rain or shine. The first hour, from 10 to 11 a.m., will be designated as a “sensory-friendly hour.”
Game, set, Gala! On Saturday, Nov. 14, the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation’s annual Tennis Creates Gala, presented by QTS, comes to The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner, celebrating the transformative power of tennis.
The evening raises critical funds to make the sport accessible to all across Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia and eastern/southern West Virginia.
Every dollar goes back into local communities through programs like Girls Rule the Court™, which has served more than 2,000 girls, along with Junior Player Scholarships and Tennis in Schools. Gala funds also help restore public courts. Over the last three years, the Foundation has invested $505,000 across 17 public facilities.
Emceeing the evening is Emmy Award-winning ESPN journalist Malika Andrews, host of NBA Today and NBA Countdown, who joined ESPN’s tennis coverage this year for the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open.
Andrews has pointed to the electric moment American tennis is having, with stars like the DMV’s own Frances Tiafoe reaching the 2026 US Open men’s semifinals, and says she’s grateful for the chance to support the sport at the local level.
Joining the celebration is new USTA CEO Craig Tiley, who took the helm of the national governing body in July after over 20 years at Tennis Australia. As he leads the USTA toward its goal of 35 million players by 2035, the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation drives the grassroots work to grow the sport right here in the region.
The Foundation will present its Tennis Creates Impact Award to Vice Admiral Sean S. Buck, U.S. Navy (ret.), 63rd Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy, recognizing his leadership in fostering character, community, and well-being through tennis.
The heart of the night is the 2026 Tennis Creates Awards, honoring local changemakers. Alexandria’s Leigh Ann Jackson receives the Adult Leader Award for coaching Girls Rule the Court at Groveton Elementary, where she has served 130 students over five seasons and championed the program’s expansion to Hybla Valley.
Arlington’s Gabrielle Berg earns the Youth Leader Award for founding a Northern Virginia chapter of Tennis For Fun, which runs free year-round clinics for people with special needs in partnership with the Arlington YMCA. Burke’s Khoi Truong, head coach at Lake Braddock Secondary School, is the 2026 Coach of the Year.
They’ll be joined by fellow honorees Dr. Ellen Markowitz (Community Champion), James Skinner (Provider Champion), and Janelle Nichols (Tennis in the Classroom Awardee).
Tickets and tables are now available. Can’t make it? Make a gift to USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation or bid in the silent auction to help put a racquet in the hands of the next generation of players.
The Tennis Creates Gala takes place Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, from 6:00 – 11:00 p.m. at The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner, 1700 Tysons Blvd., McLean, VA 22102.
For more information, visit TennisCreatesGala.com.
Good morning, Alexandria! 👋 Today is Wednesday, Sept. 3, the 246th day of 2025. There are 119 days left in the year.
☀️ Today’s weather: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82 degrees. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Mostly clear tonight, with a low around 64 degrees. South wind around 7 mph.
Virginia Theological Seminary, the largest of the accredited seminaries of the Episcopal Church, welcomed 45 new students on Monday for the 2025-26 academic year, bringing total enrollment to 216 students from around the world.
The Alexandria seminary’s entering class includes students from 26 dioceses across the United States, as well as from Burundi and South Korea. The new students include 21 Master of Divinity candidates, seven Master of Arts students, seven Anglican Studies students, eight Pathway to Ministry students and two Diploma in Theology students.
When there’s a chill in the air, nothing satisfies like a rich Cabernet, a velvety Merlot, a smoky Syrah, or a brambly Shiraz. So put down your garden rake (the leaves can wait) and head to Arrowine to sample 20 of the Best Bargains in Big, Bold Reds from California, Washington State, and beyond.
We have spent the last two months tasting well over 200 wines and selected the top 20 for you to enjoy during this event. All of these wines overperformed and have exceptional price-to-quality value ratios. We know you will be impressed with our selections.
Emergency repairs will be made on a leaking valve replacement today in Alexandria’s Parkfairfax neighborhood, and it could result in some discolored water or no water at all for a short period.
The utility advised residents in the areas of Preston Road, Coryell Lane, and Martha Custis Drive might see “discolored or cloudy water, low water pressure, or no water” from the time that the project starts Tuesday, Sept. 2 at 9 p.m. until it concludes at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 3.
Virginia State Police are investigating a fatal single-vehicle crash that killed a 34-year-old Maryland woman early Sunday morning on Interstate 495 in Alexandria.
Tyneeka L. Strickland of Capitol Heights, Maryland, died at the scene after her 2017 Cadillac XTS went off the left side of I-495 westbound at the 177-mile marker around 5:15 a.m. Aug. 31, according to a Virginia State Police news release.
Summer may be winding down, but Alexandria is heating up with an eclectic mix of events this week that showcase the city’s vibrant arts scene, family-friendly attractions, and thriving nightlife. From outdoor book clubs soaking up the last rays of summer sunshine to indoor poetry readings perfect for cozy September evenings, there’s something for every interest and age group across the city’s neighborhoods.
Music lovers will find plenty to celebrate, with live performances ranging from bluegrass jams at Port City Brewing Company to jazz trios at local restaurants. Meanwhile, families can enjoy everything from library storytimes and robotics workshops to farmers markets and outdoor yoga sessions. The week also brings several unique experiences, including antique appraisals in Del Ray, a hot wings showdown, and the second annual Chalk-A-Block festival that will transform Old Town North into an outdoor art canvas. Whether you’re looking to learn something new, support local artists, or simply unwind with friends, Alexandria’s packed calendar ensures you won’t be short on options.
A new speakeasy is opening next month in Alexandria.
After a year in development, Bar 86 will open next month at Café du Soleil. The Tiki bar is the work of owner Chef Samuel Darlo and consultants Jacob Sunny and Kelvin Sone, the latter two having recently finished work at the new Madam Coco Emporium at 115 S. Royal Street.
Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins outlined the city’s preparations for potential federal funding cuts and addressed numerous infrastructure concerns during her monthly community conversation Tuesday, emphasizing the need for proactive planning as the City Council prepares to resume meetings Sept. 9.
The mayor detailed ongoing “scenario planning” efforts to assess the city’s vulnerability to federal funding reductions, noting that Alexandria receives more than $50 million in direct federal funding, with most supporting the Department of Community and Human Services.
