Captain Gregory’s has advanced to the 2025 Virginia Cocktail Games, one of five northern Virginia establishments among 22 bartenders selected statewide for the competition.
The Virginia Spirits Board competition celebrates the state’s bartending community and local distilleries. Competing bartenders created original cocktails that pay tribute to a Virginia “hidden gem” location and feature a Virginia spirit produced in their region.
Good morning, Alexandria! 👋 Today is Thursday, Aug. 7, the 219th day of 2025. There are 146 days left in the year.
☀️ Today’s weather: Increasing clouds, with a high near 83 degrees. East wind 7 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Partly cloudy tonight, with a low around 66 degrees. East wind 6 to 8 mph.
Housing Alexandria recently hosted its annual summer garden celebrations at two Alexandria community garden sites, marking four years of community engagement and nearly a decade of urban food production.
The events took place at The Station at Potomac Yard and The Bloom at Braddock, featuring garden tours, family activities, refreshments, mural painting, and a petting zoo. Residents, volunteers, and staff gathered to celebrate the organization’s commitment to urban agriculture and food equity.
A familiar face has left Alexandria. After 25 years with the Alexandria Police Department, Captain Courtney Ballantine retired last month and just started his new job as deputy chief of the Georgetown University Police Department.
“I love Alexandria, but it was time to start my next chapter,” Ballantine told ALXnow. “It was an amazing journey.”
The Washington Wizards will tip off the 2025-2026 school year at William Ramsay Elementary School next Friday (Aug. 15).
Even though school officially starts on Monday, Aug. 18, Washington Wizards rookies Tre Johnson, Will Riley, and Jamir Watkins are joining mascot G-Wiz and the Wizards Dancers in handing out free Wizards backpacks filled with school supplies, water bottles, and more. The event will be held at the school, located at 5700 Sanger Avenue, from 12:00 to 3:30 p.m.
An ABC store in Alexandria’s West End closed to retail customers last month and converted its operations to serve alcohol licensees only.
The store at 4349 Duke Street closed July 15 after nine years of operation, according to Virginia ABC. The agency moved the location’s contents to 901-929 S. Pickett Street, about 2 miles away, where it now serves licensees rather than walk-in customers.
On Aug. 21 (Thursday), The Chamber ALX is hosting its first-ever 40 Over 40 Awards Celebration. The event will highlight the 40 Alexandria movers and shakers announced in May, and tickets cost $120. The event is hosted by United Bank, and will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at Freeman Headquarters (11 Canal Center Plaza) in Old Town North.
“We’re throwing a party — and it’s all about celebrating people who prove that life doesn’t slow down after 40… it levels up,” the chamber said in the event listing. “(Y)ou won’t want to miss the panoramic waterfront views.”
Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy PTA in Alexandria was among 330 schools nationwide named a 2024-2026 National PTA School of Excellence for building strong family-school partnerships.
The program recognizes PTAs and schools that enrich the educational experience and overall well-being of students through family engagement efforts.
A proposal to open a 24-hour Mexican restaurant in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood is facing pushback from neighbors.
In June, Tortas Y Tacos La Chiquita announced it would be opening this summer at 529 E. Howell Avenue, the former home to Bark Social until last November. The restaurant also announced 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. operating hours on its website. However, in its special use permit application filed in July, the restaurant said it will be open 24 hours a day.
The City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums will perform the final concert of their summer series Thursday evening (August 7) at Market Square.
The free performance is scheduled for 7:45-8:30 p.m. in front of Alexandria City Hall (301 King St). The event is open to the public.
Alexandria’s QuinTango will embark on a two-week European tour this month, performing six concerts across the Netherlands and Lithuania as part of their “Northern Nights & Tango Delights” tour.
The five-member tango ensemble will perform two local concerts before departing Aug. 17 for what marks their 12th international tour. QuinTango will play Friday at the Summer Passport Music Festival at Creative Cauldron in Falls Church, followed by a free performance Saturday at Lorton Workhouse Center as part of Fairfax County’s Mount Vernon Nights series.
