Opinion

Poll: The best taco spot in Alexandria

By ALXnow.com

Alexandria has no shortage of taco spots that have gained loyal followings by serving up fresh ingredients, handmade tortillas and house-made salsas.

Here are the nominees for “Best Taco Spot in Alexandria” as part of our returning ALXnow Readers’ Choice awards.

Did we miss your go-to taco spot? Write them in!

Voting will close in two weeks.

Voting for the Best Bar in Alexandria is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 8:30 a.m.

Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Family Dinner Spot in Alexandria. The results are now official:

1. Chadwicks

2. Lost Dog Cafe

3. Mia’s Italian Kitchen

Around Town

Adoptable pet of the week: Handsome Chino is a well-rounded companion

By Emily Leayman
Black dog with a green collar on a blue leash, looking up at the camera outdoors near a bench.
Adoptable Chino (via AWLA)

Meet Chino, a sweet young dog at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria in the market for a new home.

This handsome 3-year-old is reported to have good house manners and crate training, and he loves everyone he meets. He’d like to show off his smarts with the cues for sit, paw and down.

Go to Adoptable pet of the week: Handsome Chino is a well-rounded companion Read more
News

Morning Notes for August 7, 2026

By ALXnow.com
The George Washington Memorial Masonic Temple in Old Town at sunset (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On August 7, 1900, the Alexandria Gazette reported that a four-legged chicken was residing in the city at the home of Washington Ewell, a 65-year-old African American farmer who resided at 1017 Cameron Street. Although the newspaper considered the unusual fowl a “queer freak of nature,” the amazing bird was also described as “perfectly formed and remarkably active.” Interestingly, it was further confirmed that the yellow-bellied curiosity walked on only two legs, carrying the other two about one inch above the ground.” [Historic Alexandria]

Gov. Spanberger Intervenes in Proposed Dominion Energy Merger Case — “As a Virginian, I am deeply skeptical about whether selling our primary, state-regulated utility to an out-of-state company is good for the commonwealth. I have serious questions about what this deal would mean for us. And as governor, I intend to get answers and be a voice for Virginians in the process.” [Washington Post op-ed]

Go to Morning Notes for August 7, 2026 Read more
Announcement

Artful Evenings: Water’s Edge with Artist Sky Hopinka

By Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian

Reserve your spot for an after-hour event with multi-disciplinary artist Sky Hopinka, Thursday, Nov. 5, 6–9 PM. Experience monumental nature-inspired artworks in the Water’s Edge exhibition, make your own artwork to take home at the National Museum of the American Indian.

Sky Hopinka’s photo and video art—including This is a mnemonic for Truman Lowe in the museum’s collection—shares Truman Lowe’s interest in Indigenous homelands, cultural knowledge, and traditional practices. Hopinka contributed to the exhibition catalog for Water’s Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe, writing on Lowe’s lasting impact on his work. Hopinka joins the museum for this special after hours event featuring a screening of three of his short video works followed by a discussion with Rebecca Head Trautmann, Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art and exhibition curator, along with art-making activities, and time to enjoy Lowe’s work currently on view.   Sky Hopinka has been widely recognized for his experimental short films and photo-based works. A MacArthur Fellow, Guggenheim Fellow, and Forge Project Fellow, his work has been shown in major film festivals, museums, and international exhibitions and is in numerous prominent museum collections. Hopinka is currently an assistant professor in the department of Art, Film, and Visual Studies at Harvard University. 

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News

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Aug 6, 2026

By ALXnow.com
ALXnow Daily Debrief for Aug 6, 2026 over a busy downtown street with shops and pedestrians outside.",

Good Thursday 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 6, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Old Town daycare approved to reopen in December with 100-kid capacity (540 views)
  2. Port City Brewing hosting third annual Port to Port Beer Festival this Saturday (407 views)
  3. Morning Notes for August 6, 2026 (406 views)
  4. State-backed solar installation program sees participation trickle up in Alexandria (287 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

⛅️ Friday’s forecast

Expect mostly sunny conditions with a high of 91 and a heat index up to 102, with a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5 PM. Southwest winds will be light, increasing slightly in the morning. Friday night brings likely showers and thunderstorms before 8 PM, becoming mostly clear later, with a low of 73 and a 60% chance of precipitation. Rainfall may range from a tenth to a quarter of an inch, with heavier amounts in thunderstorms. 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

Dialogue for Democracy

Poster advertising Dialogue for Democracy event with Nov 3 schedule and Capitol dome illustration, plus registration info and topics.

Event location

George Mason University, Buchanan Hall

4379 Mason Pond Drive

Fairfax, Virginia 22030

Add to Calendar

High school students from across the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) region are invited to participate in Dialogue for Democracy at George Mason University!

Hosted by the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, this event offers high school students an opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations about democracy, civic engagement, and the importance of understanding different perspectives.

Go to Dialogue for Democracy Read more
News

State-backed solar installation program sees participation trickle up in Alexandria

By Emily Leayman
Workman on a pitched roof securing a large black solar panel against a clear blue sky.
Solar panel installation (via Bill Mead/Unsplash)

A solar panel installation program championed by Virginia’s governor is gaining traction in Alexandria and other areas of the state as homeowners look for ways to address rising electricity costs.

Switch Together, a bulk purchasing initiative to connect residents to solar installers, was recently expanded from Northern Virginia to other parts of the state. It was previously only open in Fairfax and Arlington counties, with Alexandria joining the roster last summer.

Go to State-backed solar installation program sees participation trickle up in Alexandria Read more
Around Town

Del Ray Montessori School moving to Old Town in December

By James Cullum
Brick, single-story building with a stone entryway and cross, front lawn with small trees, and a maroon SUV parked along the curb on a residential street.
721 N. Columbus Street in Old Town (via Google Maps)

The Del Ray Montessori School, earlier this month, won approval from the city to change ownership and reopen a decades-old daycare that closed in Old Town last year.

The city’s planning and zoning director, on Aug. 5, approved change of ownership paperwork, allowing Del Ray Montessori School to reopen at 721 N. Columbus Street. That is the former home of the Flagstone School, a licensed daycare for young children (18 months to five years old) that closed last fall after more than 30 years in business.

Go to Del Ray Montessori School moving to Old Town in December Read more
News

Alexandria apartment rents up from start of year but down from summer 2025

By Scott McCaffrey
Elbert Avenue Apartments (via Google Maps)

Alexandria apartment rents have increased since the start of the year but remain below the market’s mid-2025 peak costs, according to a new analysis.

The median citywide apartment rent of $2,230 in July — $2,042 for one-bedroom units and $2,508 for two bedrooms — was down 2.7% from a year before, according to data released July 29 by Apartment List.

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Around Town

Port City Brewing hosting third annual Port to Port Beer Festival this Saturday

By James Cullum
Outdoor beer festival with multiple vendor tents and people sitting at orange picnic tables outside a warehouse complex.
The third annual Port to Port Beer Festival is on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026 (via Port City Brewing Company)

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.

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News

Alexandria shoppers can skip the sales tax on certain back-to-school items this weekend

By Emily Leayman
Open case filled with colorful sticky notes, pens, and markers in a black organizer tray, ready for use.
School supplies (via Tim Gouw/Unsplash)

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.

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Announcement

Old Town Fitness Studio for People Over 50 Down to Final 2 Spots Before Saturday Deadline

By Revolutionary Fitness

Revolutionary Fitness is a semi-private strength and longevity training studio for adults 50+ at 215 N. Payne St. in Old Town. Registration for its 21-day Fall Into Fitness program closes this Saturday, October 31. Two spots remain.

The program is built for adults who never trained seriously, haven’t trained in years, or keep starting programs that don’t stick. Members get:

Go to Old Town Fitness Studio for People Over 50 Down to Final 2 Spots Before Saturday Deadline Read more
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