Around Town

For those pursuing hoppiness this weekend, look no further than the Port City Brewing Company’s third annual Port to Port Beer Festival on Saturday (Aug. 8).

From noon to 4 p.m., more than 20 breweries from across the country are bringing their best brews for the festival at Port City (3950 Wheeler Avenue). Tickets cost $60 and get you a bottomless five-ounce glass for unlimited pours, access to outdoor yard games and music from a DJ.


News

This weekend is the time to stock up on school supplies, clothing and emergency supplies at stores in Alexandria and across the state.

Virginia will hold its annual three-day sales tax holiday, from Friday, Aug. 7 to Sunday, Aug. 9. During the three days, state and local option sales taxes are temporarily lifted on qualifying clothing, footwear and school supplies, as well as emergency preparedness products and some appliances. The tax exemption applies to in-store and online shopping.


News

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On August 6, 1890, a report was issued indicating that the old Tidal Basin and lock of the Alexandria Canal adjacent to the Potomac River were deteriorating. A charter from Congress authorizing the canal had been passed just sixty years earlier, in response to a proposal by Alexandria merchants to build a canal linking Georgetown with the Alexandria seaport, to capitalize on the new Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. Ultimately, when the canal was complete, there was a vertical drop of 38 feet achieved by the construction of four locks over the seven-mile course. The canal was abandoned in 1886, and the towpath through what is now Arlington was replaced by the electric railway to Mount Vernon. It would be nearly 90 years later for the Tidal Basin and lock to be restored as part of Alexandria’s Canal Center development.” [Historic Alexandria]

Primaries Set Up Competitive Fall Midterm Elections — “Voters this fall will consider candidates for all the state’s congressional seats, as well as a race for U.S. Senate. The battle for control of the U.S. House will turn on just a few dozen races nationwide, so every contest counts. House Republicans now have a 218-212 edge, with one independent and four seats currently unfilled.” [WTOP]


News

Good Wednesday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Aug 5, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Mayor, Alexandria City Council ask Fairfax County to reject substation tied to data center (746 views)
  2. Bookstore Long Dark House, Madame Coco’s Emporium aim for September opening in Old Town (636 views)
  3. Here’s how Alexandria voted in Tuesday’s Democratic and Republican primaries (515 views)

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Thursday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.

⛈️ Thursday’s forecast

Showers and thunderstorms are possible after 5 p.m., with mostly sunny skies and a high of 91°F, though it may feel like 100°F. Winds from the south at 8-10 mph may gust up to 18 mph, with a 30% chance of rain. Thursday night, expect a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms mainly between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., with partly cloudy skies and a low of 74°F. Southwest winds will be around 6 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.”
– Steve Jobs

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!


Event

The Alexandria A Cappella Collective – composed of award-winning men's and women's choruses the Harmonizers and Metro Voices, respectively – is excited to announce that registration is open for the ’26-’27 season of its youth chorus, Capital Force! Students learn a unique form of a cappella from top educators and will perform locally and on the Barbershop Harmony Society International stage in February.

The kick off rehearsal includes voice placement, an informal audition, vocal warm-ups, and singing together. You will also learn about the season’s dates and rehearsal expectations. Interested singers are welcome to try the first rehearsal before deciding whether to join.


News

 

Alexandria’s Rep. Don Beyer handily won his party’s nomination Tuesday night to run for his seventh term representing Virginia’s 8th Congressional District, and retired Army Maj. Gen. Bert Mizusawa won the Republican nomination to run against U.S. Sen. Mark Warner in the Nov. 3 general election.


Around Town

The owner of the Del Ray Farmhouse Market and Garden (1913 Mount Vernon Avenue) is asking the city for permission to use a small entertainment stage for live music or a DJ.

Jay Portlance is asking the city for permission to use the small stage at the corner of Mount Vernon Avenue and E. Howell Avenue for groups of musicians no larger than two pieces.


News

Alexandria Library is partnering with the Office of Historic Alexandria and D.C.-based think tank New America to create an immersive digital exhibit commemorating the historic 1939 civil rights sit-in at the Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library.

New America was awarded a two-year $250,000 grant for the project and plans to launch the exhibit in 2027.


News

Alexandria City Council has joined a growing number of local residents asking Fairfax County to deny a substation associated with data center development just outside city limits.

In a letter to the Fairfax County Planning Commission, City Council cited “the incompatibility of heavy industrial use” near densely populated Alexandria. The letter was sent by Mayor Alyia Gaskins on behalf of the entire City Council.


Around Town

Madame Coco’s Emporium will return to Old Town in mid-September alongside Long Dark House, a new bookstore focused on science fiction, horror and dark titles.

The new businesses will share space at 1510 King Street. Madame Coco’s Emporium is the brainchild of Meshelle Armstrong, while Long Dark House is the realization of a lifelong dream by Chanthal Harris.