Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library

Racial equity fund awards $200K to 29 Alexandria nonprofits and leaders

Published July 9, 2026 at 2:45PM

Act for Alexandria CEO Heather Peeler (center) at an event celebrating Fund for Racial Equity grantees (via ACT for Alexandria)

ACT for Alexandria’s Fund for Racial Equity has awarded more than $200,000 in grants to 29 local organizations and individuals, the organization announced in a new report.

The nonprofit created the fund in 2020 and established a resident community advisory board to lead grantmaking in 2024. The advisory board led three rounds of grantmaking over the next two years, awarding flexible, unrestricted grants to the organizations and individuals, according to ACT for Alexandria’s A Journey in Hope report.

News

Alexandria Democrats schedule Feb. 21 firehouse primary for City Council

By James Cullum

Published January 31, 2026 at 2:13PM

'I voted' stickers on Election Day in Alexandria, Nov. 5, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Democrats will conduct a firehouse primary for an open seat on City Council on Saturday, Feb. 21.

The Alexandria Democratic Committee announced the primary date today (Saturday) on its website. Polls will be open from 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. at Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library (5005 Duke Street) and the Leonard “Chick” Armstrong Recreation Center (25 W. Reed Avenue).

Around Town

History tours, concerts and more coming to Alexandria this winter for America’s 250th anniversary

By James Cullum

Published January 5, 2026 at 2:45PM

The 1st Virginia Regiment of the Continental Line cries 'Huzzah!' at the George Washington Birthday Parade in Old Town, Feb. 19, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

From historical tours and adult field trips to trivia nights, several events coming to Alexandria this winter will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States.

The various roles Alexandria played in the forging of the U.S. will be told in events across the city. The events are compiled in a list by the American Revolution 250 Commission, or VA250, which was established by the General Assembly in 2020.

Around Town

These were the most popular books in Alexandria this fall

By Katie Taranto

Published December 19, 2025 at 2:30PM

The Kate Waller Barrett Branch of the Alexandria Library (staff photo by James Cullum)

What did you read this past fall?

The Alexandria Library system shared its most-checked out books from mid-September through last week with ALXnow, with over a dozen fiction reads topping the charts. The library recorded a grand total of 1,811 check-outs of its top 20 titles during that period.

Around Town

‘Yarn Storm’ at Alexandria Library collects hundreds of hats, mittens and scarves for donation

By Katie Taranto

Published December 18, 2025 at 11:45AM

Jessica Shea sits among piles of hats and cold weather accessories for donation (courtesy of Alexandria Library)

If you visited Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library recently, you might have noticed a colorful collection of pom-poms planted in the grounds outside.

The whimsical pom-pom garden encouraged donations to the Alexandria Library’s annual Yarn Storm drive, which collected some 400 hats, mittens and scarves for donation to an Alexandria shelter.

News

Alexandria seeks volunteers for Holmes Run Channel cleanup Oct. 11

By James Cullum

Published October 2, 2025 at 3:15PM

Holmes Run (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria is looking for volunteers for a stream cleanup event at the Holmes Run Channel later this month.

The cleanup is being led by the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services Stormwater Management Division, and will be held on Oct. 11, from 9 to 11 a.m. behind the Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library (5005 Duke Street). Volunteers are recommended to wear covered shoes, long pants, and bring their own drinking water. The city will provide them with gloves, bags, and first-aid kits.