In a few weeks (2/28) our community will come together to support the work of ALIVE fighting hunger in Alexandria. Please purchase your tickets and sponsor Empty Bowls before it sells out! It’s a fun, tasty and casual event. I’ll see you there. www.alive-inc.org/emptybowls/

A fascinating new study by Opportunity Insights on the impact of Hope VI Public Housing redevelopment projects (including a project in Alexandria from the late 90s) on children. www.npr.org/2026/01/28/n...

Scenes From Our Sunday Morning Run: Snow, sleet and more snow. Don’t venture out unless you are on foot or on a @dashbusva.bsky.social

Just about 7 years ago, a divided City Council approved a permit to allow a small business to operate in our City. Fortunately, facts triumphed over irrational fears. Today, a small business is full of customers and we now have a chicken for a snowed-in dinner!

Congrats to @kirkmcpike.bsky.social Kirk will represent us well in Richmond! Thanks to all of the candidates who offered themselves in service to Alexandria.

I just cast my vote for @kirkmcpike.bsky.social to be our next representative in the Virginia House of Delegates! An hour left to vote at Charles Houston Rec and Beatley Library! Make your voice heard.

Tomorrow Alexandrians will be choosing a nominee to replace @EBPforVA in the House of Delegates (by now, you know the drill: 8:30AM-7PM at Charles Houston or Beatley). The Liberally Social Podcast folks have interviewed all 4 candidates. Take a listen: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/l...

Gathered on a very cold MLK Day morning in Falls Church near the @NOVA_Parks Tinner Hill Historic Site. Over a century ago, the first rural NAACP branch in our nation was founded to prevent enforcement of a segregation ordinance that sought to divide a community.

And we have a new Governor, Virginia! Governor Spanberger. Let’s go!

Great @NOVA_Parks Board of Directors meeting last night, including close out of our audit, officer elections and a presentation on our Roving Park Naturalist Program. Message to self: Bring live animals to all future board meetings (that’s Smoke, our Eastern Screech Owl).

Congrats to Alexandria’s next State Senator, @EBPforVA ! Thanks to all of the dedicated volunteers who worked to administer this snap firehouse caucus and the candidates who offered themselves to the voters.

Inexplicably, it’s time to vote again! Today! Today Alexandria (and I guess Arlington and Fairfax too) Democrats will nominate our next State Senator. Voting is at 4 locations from 8:30 AM to 7 PM! Make your voice heard!

A great run in the woods on the BROT (Bull Run Occoquan Trail) this morning at @NOVA_Parks Hemlock Overlook Regional Park. Got to stress-test my new trail shoes (a @runpacers purchase yesterday) and apply enough dirt that they now look respectable.

Last night we had a packed house for a kick-off for Delegate Elizabeth Bennett-Parker and her very quick campaign to replace @adamebbin.bsky.social in the State Senate. Voting is on TUESDAY from 8:30 AM to 7 PM at Charles Houston Rec and Beatley Library! Make your voice heard!

For over two decades @adamebbin.bsky.social has represented me in the General Assembly. With dogged persistence and a passion for service Adam has been my voice and the voice of thousands of Alexandrians in Richmond. Congrats Senator! Best wishes for what is next.

My other vacation read last month was “The Bedford Boys.” An incredible story of patriotism and sacrifice. While I have been privileged enough to visit Normandy twice, I am embarrassed I have not visited the National D-Day Memorial in my own Commonwealth. On our list for 2026!

Apropos of EVERYTHING: One of my vacation reads last week was “Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here,” which tells the heartbreaking story of how decades of American intervention in The Northern Triangle created a sustained humanitarian crisis in our hemisphere and hijacked our politics.

21!!!??! Happy Birthday Kid1! Keep striving.

Spent the morning traipsing around the @NOVA_Parks Goose Creek Bridge in Western Loudoun. The bridge was built during President Jefferson’s first term in office, was the site of important Civil War battles and is one of only 4 stone-arch bridges remaining in the Commonwealth.

Getting used to the other side of the dais: Thanks to @CityofFairfaxVA Mayor @csread for allowing me to present about the important partnership between the City of Fairfax and @NOVA_Parks We are excited to build the NEW Gateway Regional Park in 2026!

Scenes From My Sunday Morning Run: The fog made the Potomac disappear.

Enjoying my first year in a few decades without parade obligations: We took advantage of the @NOVA_Parks Carlyle House Historic Park Open House (open until 2 PM!). A beautiful day in Old Town!

We learned today of the passing of McArthur Myers. Mac led our community to learn more about our selves. He brought our history alive for the next generation and inspired our City to action with a smile on his face. We will miss you Mac. Job well done, my friend.

Join us tomorrow at @NOVA_Parks Cameron Run as ice skating returns! This year's celebration features the "Mayor on Ice," as @Alyia4ALX will lace up her skates to cut the ribbon. (Legal Disclaimer: "Mayor on Ice" will only include CURRENT Mayors) www.alxnow.com/2025/12/03/i...

Last night we took an after-dinner trip to Meadowlark Botanical Gardens to check out the Winter Walk of Lights. Tickets are available online for all 3 @NOVA_Parks light shows: www.novaparks.com/nova-parks-l...

Lined up for my 22nd straight Alexandria Turkey Trot with a huge crowd of Alexandrians! Happy Thanksgiving, Alexandria!

Scene From My Tuesday Morning Run: No Filter Necessary

We’re hiring! The @NOVA_Parks team is looking to fix several important roles, including a new Park Manager at Brambleton Golf Course and part-time roles at parks throughout our system. Apply today and join the best park authority on the planet! novaparks.com/employment

A great start to a Sunday: A long run in the woods on the Bull Run Occoquan Trail starting at @NOVA_Parks Fountainhead Regional Park. We got to take in some history as well, traveling along the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route and near the Ford’s Mill Burial Grounds.

Spent the beautiful windy day hiking the BROT (Bull Run Occoquan Trail) at @NOVA_Parks Fountainhead Regional Park. After hiking, we went up the road and grabbed a tasty lunch at Brickmakers Cafe at Occoquan Regional Park!

Great to spend some time tonight representing @NOVA_Parks in @TownofViennaVA along with Mayor Linda Colbert. Tonight we were discussing trail safety on the W&OD Railroad Regional Park.

Throughout our history, those who have served have completed an unbroken line of defense for our ideals. My grandfather was one of Greatest Generation that joined the battle against tyranny over 80 years ago. Thanks to him and the many that followed him. Happy Veterans Day!

Last night @NOVA_Parks opened up our Winter Walk of Lights at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens and we welcomed the @fox5dc.com.web.brid.gy team. All 3 of our light shows get started this month and tickets are available now! www.fox5dc.com/video/1737589

Virginia’s next Governor will be @abigailspanberger.com Our Governor-Elect has pursued a lifetime of service and integrity. We are extraordinarily lucky to have her leading our Commonwealth during the challenging years to come.

The polls are open throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia! Cast your vote or return your ballot before 7 PM today. Find your polling place here: www.elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ba...

This morning I got the opportunity to join our @NOVA_Parks team at Bull Run Regional Park to help with the setup for our 2.5 mile drive-through holiday light show. Our 3 holiday light shows open in November and you can purchase tickets today at novaparks.com/nova-parks-lights

Why do I keep doing this? No clue. But, marathon number 11 is HISTORY!

Yesterday, I hit the final @NOVA_Parks (I have covered all of our staffed properties. More to go in the future!) on my 3-week tour: I met the team at Temple Hall Farm Regional Park and visited Piscataway Crossing Regional Park, both beautiful resources in Loudoun County.

Today, I got to check out the best of @NOVA_Parks in Loudoun County! I visited with the team at Algonkian Regional Park, Brambleton Regional Park and the brand-new Reservoir Park which just celebrated its first birthday.

Another great visit with our @NOVA_Parks team: Today I visited Occoquan Regional Park, home of The River View event venue, Brickmakers Cafe and the Turning Point Suffragist Memorial. A beautiful waterfront park with so much to see and do!

Well, last year was fun. This year, not so much. When do pitchers and catchers report? Sigh.

Check out the new PBS documentary "From Rails to Trails," the fascinating story of the national movement to "recycle" abandoned railroad right-of-way into new trails. @NOVA_Parks is the proud caretaker of the 45-mile W&OD, featured in this story. weta.org/watch/shows/...

First Saturday of early voting and we (Kid2’s first General Election votes!) cast our votes for Virginia’s future. Early voting open today at 132 N Royal Street (next to City Hall) until 5 PM!

Today my @NOVA_Parks adventure was a visit to the 1,500 acre Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville including a review of the setup process for the upcoming Festival of Lights. I also visited the Bull Run Shooting Center, the region’s only public shotgun range.

Today I was on my home turf exploring the Alexandria @NOVA_Parks Started the day touring the Carlyle House Historic Park. That was followed by a visit to the Winkler Botanical Preserve. Finally, I checked out the prep work for “Ice & Lights” at Cameron Run Regional Park!

Today Kid2 turns 18 and our baby becomes an adult (“technically”). She has an incredible work ethic, is passionate about helping others, cares about the world and most importantly is a good friend. We are so proud of the person she has become. Happy Birthday Kid2! Do big stuff!

Another great day meeting our @NOVA_Parks team: Today I was in Arlington and visited Potomac Overlook Regional Park and the Mayer Center for Environmental Education (including Sugar the Corn Snake!). Afterwards, we hit Upton Hill Regional Park including the amazing Climb UPton!

A weekend @NOVA_Parks visit: We visited Temple Hall Regional Park and caught the Temple Hall Farm Festival. The festival continues every day until November 2nd!

Working the chain gang again and cheering on the @ACHSTitans Tied game at the half!

Day 5 on the job at @NOVA_Parks Today’s theme was: old stuff in Loudoun County. Visited the team at Aldie Mill Historic Park in the Village of Aldie, home of an early 19th century gristmill. Wrapped up the week at the 200-year old stone bridge at Goose Creek Historic Park.