On This Day in Alexandria History — “On November 12, 1918, construction began for the U.S. Naval Torpedo Station, on North Union Street. A contract for its construction had been awarded on October 14, 1918, but work did not begin until the day after Armistice Day (November 11, 1918), which marked the official end of World War I. The first torpedo was produced there in November 1920. Once fully operational, the Torpedo Station was responsible for the manufacture and maintenance of torpedoes for the next five years. Work stopped and the facility served as a munitions storage area until World War II when production on the Mark XIV (a submarine borne torpedo) and the Mark III aircraft torpedo resumed at an intense rate. Over time, ten additional buildings were added to the complex. In 1974 the building was converted into the Torpedo Factory Art Center, one of the nation’s first adaptive reuse projects for a historic building.” [Historic Alexandria]
New Torpedo Factory Exhibit Opens — “A new exhibit [opened] November 11 in the main hall of the Torpedo Factory Art Center. Bold graphics and new interpretive panels will surround the green Mark 14 torpedo, highlighting the Naval Torpedo Station’s many defense and government workers and the building’s use during times of war and peace. View the exhibit on the first floor of the free Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union Street, or online at alexandriava.gov/go/8821.” [Historic Alexandria]
Veterans Day Marked by Alexandria’s Annual Ceremony — The city and Friends of Rocky Versace hosted the Veterans Day ceremony at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center (2701 Commonwealth Avenue). The ceremony included patriotic music, a name reading of Alexandria’s 68 Vietnam War fallen servicemembers, and recognition of Gold Star families and military veterans attending. Alexandria A Capella Collective sang ‘America the Beautiful’ at the ceremony. [ALXnow/YouTube]
Vigil for Cornerstone Craftsman Founder — “A candlelight vigil honoring [Roberto] Gomez will be held at 5 p.m. on Thursday (Nov. 12) outside Cornerstone Craftsman (2111 Eisenhower Avenue).” [ALXnow]
Animal Welfare League of Alexandria Marks 80 Years — “The AWLA was founded as an animal shelter on June 28, 1946, and will be celebrating its 80th anniversary at the Torpedo Factory Thursday. It has been contracted by the City of Alexandria to operate as the city’s animal shelter and provide animal control services since 1989. It also provides support services, including adoptions, outside of the city contract.” [Alexandria Times]
U.S. Air Force Captain Named Turkey Trot Grand Marshal — “As the nation marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, Capt. Born committed to run one mile for each of the 2,977 lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001. With each mile, she remembers an individual by name and shares their story on her @runtoremember2977 social media account, honoring the nation’s promise to Never Forget. One of the youngest survivors of the attack on the Pentagon, Capt. Born was a toddler in the Pentagon Child Development Center with her baby sister when it was struck by American Airlines Flight 77.” [Alexandria Turkey Trot]
School Board Hears Feedback on Middle School Conversions — “The town hall followed a public hearing on Acting Superintendent Grace Taylor’s proposed $370.6 million, 10-year capital budget. Two people spoke during the seven-minute hearing, and both urged the board to rethink its plans for middle schools. Taylor’s proposal includes converting Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 School into a middle school and Patrick Henry K-8 School into a K-5 school.” [Alexandria Brief]
Dr. Anne Gaddy Begins Acting Health Department Director Role — “Dr. Gaddy has served as Deputy Director of the Alexandria Health Department since 2019 and has been a key leader in advancing public health initiatives and strengthening the community’s health and wellness. She played an instrumental role in the City’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and other emerging public health challenges and has managed AHD’s epidemiology, informatics, and public health emergency management divisions.” [Alexandria Health Department]
New Endorsement for House District 5 Challenger — “Former City Council Member Mo Seifeldein, a lawyer and human rights advocate, endorsed Glen Pine in the upcoming 2027 Democratic primary for Virginia’s House of Delegates, District 5. Glen Pine, a longtime community organizer in Alexandria, announced his candidacy in late October. Pine is campaigning on a platform of affordability, a data center moratorium, and investment into Virginia’s communities, not Israel’s genocide.” [Glen Pine campaign]
Ads on DASH Bus Windows Considered — “Alexandria’s transit agency wants to sell larger exterior ads that extend onto passenger windows, a change staff estimates could bring in up to $100,000 a year in additional net revenue. The Alexandria Transit Company board will consider the proposal Thursday, November 12. If endorsed, the new formats could go on sale November 13.” [The Zebra]
Spanberger and Democrats Present 2027 Legislative Agenda — “Gov. Abigail Spanberger and Virginia’s top Democrats unveiled their 2027 legislative agenda Tuesday, proposing medical debt relief, limits on classroom screen time and tougher oversight of data centers and artificial intelligence as they seek to address rising costs for Virginia families. Announced on the South Portico of the state Capitol in Richmond, the Moving Virginia Forward Agenda builds on Spanberger’s first-year affordability initiatives while adding proposals to address workers, help small businesses and crack down on AI-generated child sexual abuse material.” [Virginia Mercury]
Gas Prices Down But Still Above Last Year’s Levels — “Gas prices nationwide are averaging below $4 a gallon for the first time since July, according to AAA. The national average sits at $3.94. That’s still about 87 cents higher than this time last year. [WUSA9]
‘The Forces Awaken’ Program Tonight at Alexandria History Museum — “Prepare for an evening of philosophic reveries, scientific amusements, and curious demonstrations during ‘The Forces Awaken!’ on Thursday, November 12, from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington Street. Discover the unseen and mysterious forces of the universe as The Professor presents a grand spectacle of 19th-century science! Tickets are $15 per person and $12 for Historic Alexandria members.” [Historic Alexandria]
New Legal Notice — A restaurant is applying for an on-premises wine and beer ABC license; objections are due within 30 days. [Public Notices]
It’s Thursday — Rain is likely after 4pm, with partly sunny skies and a high near 64. Winds will turn west at 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon, and rainfall should stay under a tenth of an inch. Tonight will be mostly cloudy and breezy, with rain likely before 7pm and another chance after 1am. Lows will be around 43, with northwest winds 10 to 14 mph and gusts up to 22 mph. [NWS]
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