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.
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.
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.
Event location
Cherry On Top
1021 Queen street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
A mystery is brewing at Cherry on Top!
Join us for a thrilling Murder Mystery Night filled with secrets, unexpected twists, and a little detective work. Follow the clues, uncover hidden motives, and see if you can solve the mystery before the night is over!
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.
Good morning, Alexandria!
☀️ Today’s weather:
Good morning, Alexandria!
☀️ Today’s weather:
