Community Corner

šŸŒ± Why Alexandria is jumping into the massive Dominionā€“NextEra merger fight

Coming up on the Alexandria Patch calendar: Bob Gibson Big Band Summer Concert

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Thursday August 27th Patch AM
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Hi there, Alexandria! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why Alexandria is jumping into the massive Dominion–NextEra merger fight
  • How today's I-395 crash is slowing your drive through Alexandria
  • Are Alexandria households unknowingly feeding PFAS into our water system?

Also on today's calendar: Bob Gibson Big Band Summer Concert and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What is the difference between a jeweler and a jailer? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Humid; heavy p.m. t-storms, with a high of 89 and low of 71 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Friday: Humid with a thunderstorm, temps: high: 84, low: 67.
  • Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 86 and low of 68 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Alexandria intervenes in proposed Dominion Energy, NextEra merger case (alxnow.com) — Alexandria's government is formally intervening in the proposed $67 billion Dominion Energy–NextEra merger, arguing before state regulators for reasonable rates and strong clean-energy commitments on behalf of residents and businesses. Mayor Alyia Gaskins says many Alexandrians already struggle with rising utility bills, and the city wants a say as hearings this fall shape whether one of the nation's largest utilities will control local power service.
   

2. NOW: Crash backs up traffic on southbound I-395 in Alexandria (alxnow.com) — Southbound I-395 traffic in Alexandria was heavily backed up Wednesday afternoon after a crash near the Duke Street/Little River Turnpike exit injured the driver of a Toyota sedan. Alexandria police and fire crews blocked two right lanes while responders treated the injured driver, leaving only the left lanes open and causing about 2.5 miles of delays, according to VDOT cameras.
   

3. The science of sewage: What wastewater reveals about PFAS in Alexandria (alextimes.com) — AlexRenew is digging into how PFAS "forever chemicals" are moving through Alexandria's wastewater system even after the massive RiverRenew tunnel project came online. New state rules now require PFAS testing in biosolids, while AlexRenew shifts toward using those solids for energy instead of farm fertilizer and researchers probe whether household products or tap water are driving contamination in Alexandria homes.
   

4. Rare Blue Tree Frog Draws Crowds To Alexandria Park: Report (patch.com) — A rare blue-hued American green tree frog is drawing steady crowds to Huntley Meadows Park in Alexandria, where wildlife lovers are flocking for a chance to spot and photograph it. Scientists say the frog's unusual color comes from a pigment condition called axanthism, and note that the D.C. region east of I-95 seems to have an unusually high number of these blue tree frogs, for reasons still unknown.
   

5. NoVA Leaders Debate Data Centers, Metro Funding And The Housing Crisis (patch.com) — Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins joined other Northern Virginia leaders to debate how data centers, Metro funding and housing policy will shape the region, spotlighting a proposed Fairfax data center just 1,000 feet from West End homes. She warned about health, noise and infrastructure impacts on some of Alexandria's most vulnerable neighborhoods, while also backing state-level tools to speed affordable housing and grappling with limited sales tax revenue for schools and transit.
   

📸 Around Alexandria

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Alexandria

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events
    Friday August 28
  • Alexandria Library: A Legacy of Service Since 1937
    Charles E. Beatley Jr., Central Library Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library -
  • Governance Committee
    Alexandria Zoom
    7:30 am
    • Saturday August 29
  • Alexandria Library: A Legacy of Service Since 1937
    Charles E. Beatley Jr., Central Library Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library -
    • Sunday August 30
  • Blithe Spirit →
    Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe St, Alexandria
    2:00 pm
    • Thursday September 3
  • Blithe Spirit →
    Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe St, Alexandria
    8:00 pm
    • Saturday September 5
  • Blithe Spirit →
    Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe St, Alexandria
    8:00 pm
    • Sunday September 6
  • Shoff Promotions Comic Book, Sports Card and Pokemon Show →
    Annandale Virginia Fire House Expo Hall 7128 Columbia Pike 22003
    9:30 am
    • Saturday September 12
  • Gustave Art & Craft Market →
    Gustave Boulangerie & Brasserie, 2213 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria
    9:00 am

📣 Alexandria Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Alexandria PatchAM possible:

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • PHARAOH IS MISSING!!!
    My 4 year old cat, Pharaoh is missing. I am assuming he escaped out of the back door. He is my pride and joy, I love him dearly and I need him to… (Nextdoor Courts at Huntington)
  • Loose dog taney park.
    Brown and white. I have a particularly reactive dog and couldn't hold her and catch this dog. No collar or tags. Seemed over all friendly. Best… (Nextdoor Foxchase)
  • Genuine Parts Company - GPC posted a job opening for Store Stock Associate (Part Time) in Alexandria. Apply here.
  • Premium Retail Services posted a job opening for Merchandising Specialist in Alexandria. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Alexandria here.

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: A jeweler sells watches and a jailer watches cells. (Thank you Jean D. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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