Good morning to you Alexandria! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Grand African Run and 9 more events.
And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Elliott L.!
Today's riddle: Why do Norway's navy ships all have barcodes? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Flu Season is Here – What to Know This Year to Stay Healthy in Alexandria (alexandriava.gov) — Alexandria's Health Department is urging residents to get vaccinated and practice basic hygiene as flu season ramps up, while noting that free COVID and flu test kits are no longer available at AHD or city libraries. Uninsured Alexandrians can still get low-cost flu shots through AHD, and COVID and RSV vaccines remain widely available at local pharmacies and doctors' offices.
2. Murals, native gardens earn nine properties 2026 Alexandria Beautification Awards (alxnow.com) — Several Alexandria properties, from Witter Place Apartments' colorful mural to Van Dorn Plaza and native gardens at Jerome "Buddie" Ford Nature Center, have earned 2026 Alexandria Beautification Awards. Five local homes were also honored for replacing lawns with sustainable native plantings, as the Beautification Commission begins a new two‑year rotation canvassing the city south of King Street first.
3. Office conversion to 143-unit apartment project tops out in Old Town North (alxnow.com) — A long-vacant office building at 1201 E. Abingdon Drive in Old Town North has topped out as it's transformed into 143 apartments, including seven affordable units and 160 parking spaces. Approved by Alexandria City Council in 2024, the six-story project is slated to open in summer 2027 with a courtyard, rooftop deck, fitness center, coworking space, and more.
4. Alexandria honors its first firefighter to die in the line of duty, 174 years later (alexandriabrief.com) — Alexandria residents just saw a long-overlooked hometown hero formally honored, as the Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association placed a wreath on firefighter Charles Glasscock's grave 174 years after his death. Glasscock, a volunteer with Alexandria's first fire company, died in 1852 after falling under a hand-pulled suction pumper while responding to a fire.
5. ACPS returns bus service to 450+ students across Alexandria after walk zone backlash (alxnow.com) — Families across Alexandria will see school buses return for 456 students after ACPS approved most appeals to restore routes in areas like Arlandria, the West End, and Old Town. The change follows backlash over expanded walk zones, with safety concerns and City of Alexandria crash data driving many decisions ahead of a School Board briefing this Thursday.
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Ok Alexandria! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "Why do Norway's navy ships all have barcodes?" — So when they come back to port they can just scan-da-navi-an! (Thank you Jessica C. for sending it in!)
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