Alexandria leaders are mourning the death of Susan Bulkley Kellom, a longtime city resident, veteran, volunteer and former chair of the Alexandria Democratic Committee. Kellom died on Saturday, April 11 at age 78. Her cause of death has not been disclosed.
Kellom moved to Old Town in 1983 with her husband, Ben, who died in 2021 at the age of 90. She was ADC chair from 1999 to 2010, chair of the Alexandria Electoral Board from 2012 to 2014, former chair of the city’s Human Rights Commission and member of the Youth Policy Commission. Kellom also served as a military police officer and was in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1980.
Beauty retailer Ulta has opened its new location at Alexandria’s Potomac Yard Shopping Center.
An employee confirmed the store at 3501 Richmond Highway opened in late March. The location includes a full salon with hair and brow services, along with the retailer’s usual selection of beauty, hair, skin, fragrance and wellness products.
A man was struck by a vehicle that swerved to get out of the way of an Alexandria Fire Department engine on Saturday (April 11), according to radio dispatches.
The fire was first reported before 7:15 p.m. as an odor of smoke in the 200 block of Gretna Green Court in the Landmark area. AFD called for backup after finding smoke coming from the attic of a three-level townhouse.
Crooked Beat Records will officially close its Del Ray location Sunday, May 3, following the adverse effects of flooding earlier this year.
Owner Bill Daly said in a social media post he has tried to stay in Alexandria and has placed bids on several rental properties in and around the city, though there is a chance the business could move outside Alexandria.
Join us Saturday June 13 for a special edition of the Gustave Art & Craft Market, celebrating Father’s Day and the 2026 World Cup! Find that special gift for Dad from local artisans & crafters and enjoy family fun, community & Gustave’s delicious World Cup specialties. Plus, singer songwriter Chris Fotos performs before the game.
Gustave Art & Craft Market takes place the Second Saturday of the month at Gustave Boulangerie, 2213 Mt. Vernon Avenue in the heart of Del Ray. Each month features special kids’ activities. Mark your calendars for the Second Saturday and see you at Gustave!
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s cafeteria has reopened under new management, coinciding with a busy season at the federal campus that recently welcomed the National Science Foundation.
USPTO’s Roundhouse Café officially reopened to the public March 30 at 600 Dulany Street in Carlyle, offering sushi, a made-to-order deli, salad bar, self-serve hot entrées and a hot bar, the agency announced. The venue plans to serve a rotating variety of “chef-curated” menus, seasonal promotions and guest restaurants.
On This Day in Alexandria History — “On April 13, 1876, building supply entrepreneur John Leatherland and his son, John W., opened a new brass foundry at Queen and Lee Streets, aptly named Leatherland and Son. The new industrial facility opened its doors just in time to be featured on page 102 of Chataigne’s Alexandria City Directory, that also included several other listings outlining the extensive business interests of the Leatherland family in the city during the last quarter of the 19th century.” [Historic Alexandria]
Civic Leader, Veteran Susan B. Kellom Dies — “Susan B. Kellom, a longtime Alexandria resident, Army veteran, and devoted civic leader whose decades of service helped shape the city’s political and community landscape, died [Saturday] morning.” [The Zebra]
Good Friday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
🕗 News recap
The following articles were published earlier today — Apr 10, 2026.
Here are today’s most-read articles:
- The Majestic reopens with new owner, New American menu in Old Town (713 views)
- Del Ray eatery’s free milkshakes for dancing customers offer goes viral (515 views)
- Poll: The best real estate agent for sellers in Alexandria (511 views)
Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.
- Free timed tours of four tall ships lined up at Old Town’s Sails on the Potomac festival (6930 views)
- UPDATE: Adult pedestrian hit in West End Alexandria (6329 views)
- Alexandria sheriff’s deputy fired after accusation of drug smuggling attempt in jail (3859 views)
- Driver cited after pedestrian struck in Del Ray: police (3572 views)
- New coffee shop and wine bar aims for spring opening on Queen Street (2786 views)
- Five Alexandria restaurants make appearance in regional RAMMY finalists (2679 views)
- Alexandria City Manager pushes for paid parking on Sundays, parking fee increase (2163 views)
- State trooper injured during I-495 chase into Alexandria, suspect arrested at Metro station (2060 views)
- Del Ray splash pad construction nears finish line after years of planning (2054 views)
📅 Upcoming events
Here is what’s going on Saturday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.
Here are the events planned for Sunday:
☀️ Saturday’s forecast
Expect sunny weather with a high near 69°F and a north wind at 9 to 11 mph, gusting up to 20 mph. Saturday night will be mostly clear with a low around 48°F and light, variable winds. 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
🌅 Tonight’s sunset
We hope you have a great weekend, Alexandria!
Two Alexandria City High School seniors got a surprise today (Friday) when they were awarded $40,000 Amazon Future Engineers scholarships.
Seniors Zhi McMillan and Mohammad Elyas Noorzai received the scholarships as well as internship opportunities with the multinational technology company. The awards were presented by 2022 scholarship recipient Sai Naraharisetti, who will start work as an Amazon software engineer in Seattle after graduating next year.
Volunteers will gather this weekend to clean up Waterfront Park, a popular gathering spot for Old Town visitors along the Potomac River.
The Alexandria Beautification Commission and NOVA Cleanups are hosting the volunteer cleanup from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sunday (April 12). Volunteers will pick up litter and debris throughout the park, covering walking paths, green spaces and the waterfront.
