Around Town

A popular multicultural food festival is returning to Old Town at the end of the month.

The 10th annual Around the World Cultural Food Festival will bring the flavors of 20 countries, live performances representing 12 countries and more than 100 artisan and craft vendors to Oronoco Bay Park (100 Madison Street) on Saturday, Aug. 29. The festival is free to attend and will run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.


News

The developers of an office conversion project in Old Town want to start leasing the building’s 45 new residential units by summer 2027.

That’s according to Colin Thomas, principal of Thomas Development LLC, and one of the partners in 1625 Prince LLC, a joint venture with Alexandria-based Winstanley Architects and Planners and Pizzano Contractors.


Around Town

A metaphysical shop and “spiritual apothecary” is reopening in an expanded location early next month in Old Town.

Lumos Collective is moving from its pop-up location at 106 N. St. Asaph Street and will hold grand opening festivities at the new location at 1511 King Street on Sept. 4 and 5. The shop sells candles, ritual oils, tarot and oracle cards, as well as supplies to cast spells and rituals. The business hosts Reiki training events, book swaps and artist markets, and a monthly virtual membership program for “Modern Witches, Mystics & Magic-Makers,” the company says on its website.


News

A 19-year-old Alexandria woman has pleaded not guilty to charges related to the death of a man who was struck by a train and later died last summer at the Potomac Yard Metro station.

Prosecutors allege that 40-year-old James Halley Lynt was trying to escape being attacked by then-18-year-old Jamayah Burch and her then-17-year-old girlfriend when he jumped from a Metro platform, walked across train tracks and was struck by a train as it left the station.


News

Fairfax-based Van Metre Companies announced today (Aug. 18) the acquisition of a 110-townhome development site at Alexandria’s sprawling WestEnd development.

Van Metre bought the property last month for an undisclosed amount. On blocks L and M of the development at 5801 Duke Street, the three-level townhomes will feature front and rear terraces with private parking garages.


News

An elderly Alexandria woman was scammed of $77,000 in a complex scheme last month by multiple suspects purporting to be representatives from Amazon, the Federal Trade Commission and Bank of America.

On June 26, the victim got a call from “Anna Covery,” a woman claiming to work for Amazon, to inform her that her account was compromised. Covey told her that someone used her account to buy a $1,400 laptop and $200 in accessories, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit.


News

Plan to refurbish that creaky old porch or add an EV charger in a historic district? Consider holding off until at least Wednesday (Aug. 19).

That’s when the Board of Architectural Review Design Guidelines Committee is hosting a community meeting on updated design guidelines for the city’s Parker-Gray and Old & Historic Alexandria Districts. The meeting is open to the public, and the committee will receive public comments.


Around Town

Long Dark House, a bookstore dedicated to horror, science fiction and other dark titles, will open its doors at the start of September.

The independent bookstore will open at 1510 King Street at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 1. A grand opening from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5 will include special activities all day. Author Lisa Jones Gentry will be at the opening to sign copies of “A Dead Man Speaks,” which can be preordered through Long Dark House. The grand opening will also have specially themed matcha drinks from Whisked Away Cafe, chocolates and gifts from Madame Coco’s Emporium, raffle prizes, music and more.


News

Some exterior changes could be coming to Carlyle House in Old Town.

The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority is asking the city to approve a plan to replace the wood shingles with a standing seam metal roof on the nearly 275-year-old mansion at 121 N. Fairfax Street. The first mansion ever constructed in Alexandria was built by city founder and merchant John Carlyle in 1751.


Sports

Alexandria’s Amanda Congialdi wants to taste a championship win one last time before she retires.

The 34-year-old starting quarterback of the D.C. Divas was named the Women’s Football Alliance‘s most valuable player of the year in July, but says no accolade can compare to winning a national title. Her first year on the team, back in 2016, the Divas took the national crown, and since then she says the team has worked back to get itself into championship shape.


Around Town

A new wellness studio featuring saunas, cold plunges and fitness classes is opening Saturday, Aug. 15 in Alexandria’s Braddock neighborhood.

Kalm Studio is currently taking reservations at 800 N. Henry Street. The building has undergone significant renovations over the last several months, and features three private saunas and a communal sauna. For a $300 monthly fee, members can get contrast and movement therapies, like cold plunges and saunas, as well as Pilates and yoga classes.


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