ALXnow - Alexandria Now

Showers and thunderstorms are possible this afternoon with increasing clouds and a high near 91, while heat index values could reach 100. There’s a 40% chance of rain, and a light southwest wind will pick up to 5-9 mph. On Saturday night, showers and thunderstorms are likely before 8pm, with skies becoming mostly clear and a low around 74. The southwest wind will become calm in the evening, and there’s a 60% chance of rain. Rainfall could be less than a tenth of an inch, except higher during thunderstorms. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”
– Mother Teresa

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

We hope you have a great weekend, Alexandria!

Around Town

Tax-free shopping and Port to Port Festival lead off Alexandria’s weekend events

By Emily Leayman

Published August 7, 2026 at 3:45PM

Port to Port Beer Festival (via Port City Brewing Company)

Beer lovers and shoppers alike will find things to keep them busy this weekend in Alexandria.

If you want to sample beers from different places, Alexandria’s Port City Brewing Co. is gathering breweries from around the country for its Port to Port Beer Festival. Shoppers will have extra reason to head out on the town between Virginia’s sales tax holiday and Old Town Boutiques’ special Tax-Free Weekend promotion.

A letter from a guy trying to build something honest

By Sponsor

Published August 4, 2026 at 10:45AM

Hi Alexandria,

My name is Drew, and I wanted to take a moment to tell you about what I’ve been working on as I try to make my way in the world.

This past year, I took a leap that honestly scared me. I challenged the comfortable path I’d been on and built something new with trusted partners and friends: a local roofing and home‑exterior company called All Team Exteriors. On paper, it’s a business. But in my heart, it’s something much more personal than that.

I don’t just want to make a living here — I want to contribute something meaningful to a place that’s helped mold me.

Why I started All Team Exteriors

I’ve worked in environments where professionalism, follow‑through, and integrity weren’t optional — they were the baseline. But when it came to home services, especially roofing, I saw how often homeowners were left frustrated, confused, or ignored. Slow responses. Vague communication. Contractors disappearing mid‑project.

And I thought:

Someone young, hungry, and honest should try to fix this.

So… I’m giving it everything I’ve got.

What I’m trying to build

All Team Exteriors isn’t a giant corporation. It’s not some out-of-state outfit with a call center. It’s me — and a small team of people committed to doing things the right way. We spent an extensive amount of time training under a perennial award-winning roofing company in Arizona this winter and learned what great looks like.

We’re bringing modern tools, photo-documented inspections, real-time updates, fast communication, and a “do what we say we’ll do” mentality. Not because it looks good in a brochure, but because that’s how I’d want someone to treat my own family.

So far we are off to an absolutely amazing start. It’s been a great first summer and we’d love to help you as well. You can give us a call anytime at 703-705-7207 for an absolutely free inspection and estimate on your roof, siding, gutters, doors, and windows. I’d love to have a chance to swing by and meet you and take a look at how we can work together to make your home safer and more secure.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I sincerely hope we can help you and your family soon.

Around Town

Wellness studio with cold plunges and saunas opening next weekend in Braddock neighborhood

By James Cullum

Published August 7, 2026 at 2:45PM

Kalm Studio at 800 N. Henry Street in Old Town (via Facebook)

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.

News

Ex-Del Ray restaurant worker gets nearly six months in jail for hidden bathroom camera recordings

By James Cullum

Published August 7, 2026 at 1:45PM

Gustave Boulangerie and Brasserie at 2213 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (via Google Maps)

A 20-year-old Maryland man has been sentenced to serve nearly six months in jail for making hidden camera recordings inside the bathroom of his former workplace, a popular Del Ray restaurant.

Joshua Hombrebueno, of Oxon Hill, Md., was sentenced to serve 179 days in jail after being found guilty of making hidden camera recordings inside the employee restroom of Gustave Boulangerie & Brasserie (2213 Mount Vernon Avenue) in September 2025. Five years of his sentence had been suspended, and he must undergo five years of probation.

Event

Truck-A-Palooza! Driver Recruitment Day

September 20, 2026 3:00 pm -5:00 pm

ALIVE! Warehouse

801 South Payne Street

Alexandria, Virginia 22314

Website Contact Social

ALIVE! is hosting Truck-A-Palooza!, a volunteer truck driver recruitment and training event on Sunday, September 20, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at 801 South Payne Street, and you’re invited!

Whether you’re new to ALIVE! or have volunteered with us in other roles, Truck-A-Palooza is a fun, hands-on opportunity to learn what it takes to be part of our volunteer truck driver team. You’ll discover the different ways our drivers and navigators support the community, from picking up and delivering furniture to rescuing and distributing food throughout Alexandria.

Opinion

Poll: The best taco spot in Alexandria

By ALXnow.com

Published August 7, 2026 at 11:45AM

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

#Readers Choice

Around Town

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

By Emily Leayman

Published August 7, 2026 at 9:15AM

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.

News

Morning Notes for August 7, 2026

By ALXnow.com

Published August 7, 2026 at 7:30AM

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]

News

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Aug 6, 2026

By ALXnow.com

Published August 6, 2026 at 8:30PM

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.

7:30 am: Morning Notes for August 6, 2026 | 🗣️ Comments
9:15 am: Alexandria shoppers can skip the sales tax on certain back-to-school items this weekend | 🗣️ Comments
11:45 am: Port City Brewing hosting third annual Port to Port Beer Festival this Saturday | 🗣️ Comments
1:45 pm: Alexandria apartment rents up from start of year but down from summer 2025 | 🗣️ Comments
2:45 pm: Old Town daycare approved to reopen in December with 100-kid capacity | 🗣️ Comments
3:45 pm: State-backed solar installation program sees participation trickle up in Alexandria | 🗣️ Comments

Here are today’s most-read articles:

Old Town daycare approved to reopen in December with 100-kid capacity (540 views)
Port City Brewing hosting third annual Port to Port Beer Festival this Saturday (407 views)
Morning Notes for August 6, 2026 (406 views)
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.

11:00 am: Dine for a Cause with NAMI Northern Virginia
7:00 pm: Trivia Night at Historic Sites

⛅️ 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!

News

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

By Emily Leayman

Published August 6, 2026 at 3:45PM

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.