Good Wednesday morning, Alexandria!
☀️ Today’s weather: Expect a sunny day with a high temperature near 84 degrees accompanied by light and variable wind. In the evening, anticipate increasing cloud coverage and a low around 68 degrees, with a southeast wind ranging from 6 to 8 mph.
🚨 You need to know
Officially, the Lee-Fendall House (614 Oronoco Street) was never a speakeasy, but staff at the museum have their suspicions.
Patch reported that the private Lee-Fendall House Museum is hosting a fundraiser next month celebrating the home’s long history with alcohol, Patch reported. The Sips & Secrets: A Speakeasy Night is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 23, from 7-10 p.m. in the museum’s garden.
The home has long ties to the sale of alcohol, going back to the owner selling drinks to soldiers during the Civil War. The home later became a sort of social club, one that hosted President Woodrow Wilson, but that came to an abrupt end with Prohibition.
Or did it? Patch reported that there’s no proof the home was used for bootlegging during prohibition, but that staff at the museum do find it a little suspicious that just as prohibition kicked off, the 18th century root cellar was converted into a full basement.
Whether or not the home was an authentic speakeasy, it will be transformed into one next month. Tickets are $75 and the event will feature jazz and ragtime music with 1920s-style cocktails. Attendees are encouraged to dress in period-appropriate attire.
Image via Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden/Facebook
📈 Tuesday’s most read
The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for Aug 22, 2023.
- Late night robberies prompt an Alexandria convenience store to adjusts its hours (9422 views)
- Alexandria Police: No arrests after multiple shots fired incidents this weekend (9422 views)
- Dollar Tree coming to former CVS in Arlandria (9422 views)
📅 Upcoming events
Here is what’s going on today in Alexandria, from our event calendar.
- No events today. Have one to promote? Submit it to the calendar.
Recent Stories
There are some exciting changes underway this week, from new businesses to new infrastructure improvements. While Astro Beer Hall (4001 Campbell Avenue) is outside of Alexandria in the Shirlington neighborhood,…
At a town hall meeting last Sunday, most City Council members said — in no uncertain terms — that they are opposed to a ward system in Alexandra. Currently, all…
Alexandria is bracing for a federal government shutdown at midnight on Sunday (Oct. 1). The city is preparing a package of services for impacted city residents, should Congress not come…
Shuttles are running between the Potomac Yard Metro station and National Airport Metro station after a derailment this morning. Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) said there were no injuries…
If you had a chance to enhance a child’s future with a time commitment of less than 2 hours a week, how would you respond? You have that opportunity right now to join over 200 Alexandrians as a reading tutor volunteer with the Alexandria Tutoring Consortium (ATC).
ATC tutors work with one child in kindergarten, first, or second grade in Alexandria public schools who need extra help with reading. Tutors meet with their Book Buddy 1-2 times each week for 30 minutes October-May at school, during school hours. Many struggling readers only receive one-on-one instruction through this program, and it makes all the difference. Last year, ATC served 195 children, of whom 82% ended the year reading on grade level and 96% made substantial reading gains. But the need is great, and we are still seeing learning lags from the pandemic.
This year, ATC plans to significantly increase the size of the program to reach over 250 students and to serve every elementary school in Alexandria. This is very exciting news, but we will only succeed if we can recruit more tutors. ATC trains you, matches you with a child, and provides ongoing lesson materials and support.
If you have been thinking about buying your first home or haven’t owned one in the last three years, THIS IS FOR YOU!
In the DMV area, it can be difficult to save the downpayment necessary for you to get into your own home. We have a solution. The Funder’s Summit!
We have assembled a summit with different municipalities to tell you how to access their funds for your home purchase.
Family Fun Fall Fest
Mark your calendars and join us for the Family Fun Fall Fest on Saturday, October 7, 2023, from 11am – 2pm!
This FREE in-person event will be held at the Shoppes at Foxchase, located at 4641 Duke St, Alexandria, VA
2023 Alexandria Fall Festival
Food trucks, bounce houses, pony rides, magic shows and more at the 2023 Alexandria Fall Festival, an Alexandria Living event presented by The Patterson Group. Join us at River Farm on Sunday, Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
