photography | ALXnow

Gov. Spanberger and AG Jones slam Trump election interventions at Alexandria NAACP event

Published October 2, 2026 at 2:45PM | Updated October 2, 2026 at 3:09PM

Gov. Abigail Spanberger at the Alexandria NAACP’s annual Freedom Fund Dinner on Thursday night (Oct. 1) at The Satire, Autograph Collection hotel in Old Town North. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Governor Abigail Spanberger (D) heavily criticized President Donald Trump on Thursday night in Alexandria and said that his administration’s attempts to upend voter registrations across the country won’t work in Virginia.

Spanberger was the keynote speaker at the Alexandria branch of the NAACP’s annual Freedom Fund Dinner, held at The Satire, Autograph Collection hotel in Old Town North. Spanberger, Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones (D) and Mayor Alyia Gaskins (D) all received “breaking barriers” awards from the organization.

Around Town

PHOTOS: St. Patrick’s Day Parade returns to Old Town for 43rd year

By James Cullum

Published March 9, 2026 at 10:30AM

The Boyle School of Irish Dance at the Alexandria St. Patrick's Day Parade in Old Town, March 8, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

It was a cool but clear day on Saturday as the 43rd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade passed through Old Town.

Dozens of pipe bands, Irish dance schools, community groups and local businesses marched along Alexandria’s historic streets for the event, which is hosted by the nonprofit Ballyshaners, Inc, whose name translates to “Old Towners” in Gaelic.

Around Town

PHOTOS: Don’t miss ALXnow’s coverage of the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade

By James Cullum

Published December 8, 2025 at 10:30AM

The City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums marches at the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade in Old Town, Dec. 6, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

What a day for a parade it was in Old Town on Saturday, Dec. 6.

The wailing of bagpipes sailed through Alexandria’s historic streets as thousands of community members gathered to watch the 54th annual Scottish Christmas Walk Parade.

News

Ukrainian photographer finds new life, purpose in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published October 17, 2025 at 2:30PM | Updated October 18, 2025 at 11:42AM

Portrait photographer Yelyzaveta Pyvovarova in Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

Yelyzaveta Pyvovarova is looking for happiness in her portraits. It’s a feeling she’s been trying to recapture in Alexandria since leaving Ukraine after the outbreak of the ongoing war with Russia.

Lyza, as she’s formally known, escaped from Oleksandriya, Ukraine, with her two daughters shortly after the war broke out, and moved to the Alexandria area of Fairfax County in July of 2022. Her husband later joined the family, and since then she launched her own portrait photography business and manages events for ALX Community in Old Town.