Alexandria Living Magazine - September/October 2024
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Plot out your fall fun with family and friends with our events calendar! From spooky happenings, to historic home tours and live music, you'll find it all here.
OUT & ABOUT
Our summer intern Isabella Smith looks at the power of public art in Alexandria, exploring some of the murals and sculptures that adorn our city.
HISTORY
Local writer Matt Lanark delves into the beginnings of the Mount Vernon Trail and how it inspires him today.
HOME & GARDEN
A Del Ray couple loved their new home but they wanted something more cozy and colorful. Enter local designer Erin Myers.
HISTORY
Local writer Glenda Booth explores some of the spooky stories from Alexandria's past that still give us chills today!
TRAVEL
Not ready to say goodbye to summer? Writer and photographer Andrew White takes us along to the Eastern Shore, where he found a relaxing spot by the water at the Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michael's.
DINING
Local writer Howie Southworth gives us a sneak peek at his cookbook, "A Taste of Alexandria," a collaboration with Alexandria Living Magazine, with a recipe from Hotel Indigo's Hummingbird restaurant.
THE LAST WORD
After winning the Democratic primary for mayor, Alyia Gaskins is set to become the city's next chief executive. We drop in for a chat.
Mount Vernon Patriot Run
20 FOOD & DINING
Raise a glass to Virginia Wine Month! Starting in 1988, Virginia has set October aside as the month to celebrate the fruit of the vine! The Commonwealth's celebration is the oldest in the nation.
28 BUSINESS
What's being built there? We look at 41 developments in our annual look at construction in Alexandria.
ON THE COVER Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve just south of Alexandria.
CONTACT US info@alexandrialivingmagazine.com or call 571-232-1310.
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A Letter from Our Founders
Fall is one of the best times to get out and about in Alexandria! The weather is getting cooler, the kids have returned to school and it’s a time for new beginnings for many of us.
You can see a lot of new beginnings popping up all over Alexandria. In this issue you’ll find our annual (and very popular) map of new development across the city. This year, we’re featuring 41 construction projects.
It’s a great time of year to sneak away from your busy schedule to get out and play tourist in our city by penciling in some fun with friends and family from our calendar of events in this issue. Speaking of fun things to do this fall, save the date — Sunday, Nov. 3 — for our third annual Alexandria Fall Fest at River Farm, presented by Alexandria Living Magazine and The Patterson GroupSotheby’s. Ticket information coming soon! Local writer Matt Lanark explores the history of the fight to get the Mount Vernon Trail built and the trailblazers who made it happen.
Also in this issue, we give readers a sneak peek at an exciting new Alexandria Living Magazine project, “A Taste of Alexandria,” a cookbook written by longtime Alexandria resident Howie Southworth that explores the city’s restaurants and culinary history.
It’s that time of year again! Alexandrians love to dress up and decorate for Halloween — whether it’s the Del Ray annual Halloween parade or Old Town’s kooky (and spooky) decor. Local writer Glenda Booth gives us the frightful scoop on Alexandria haunted happenings from the past.
Speaking of Del Ray, we look at a neighborhood home there that gets the colorful and cozy treatment, thanks to some teamwork between the homeowners and a talented local interior designer. We think you’ll love the results!
Another remake in Alexandria? Some of its outdoor spaces, thanks to talented artists creating beautiful murals and outdoor sculptures. Our summer intern Isabella Smith explores the power of this public art. Come October, wine lovers will be raising their glasses to Virginia Wine Month. Local
writer Jane Fullerton Lemons takes a look at the beginnings of this commemoration and how far the industry has come since its beginnings in the Commonwealth. Cheers!
If you’re not quite ready to say goodbye to the carefree days of summer, we’ll let you in on a little secret, sure to extend that summer feeling all year long - the Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michael’s, Md. Situated on the water’s edge, with sailboats, comfortable and sophisticated decor and delicious dining, you’ll never want to leave! Writer and photographer Andrew White tells us all about it.
Last but not least, we chatted with Alyia Gaskins, who won the Democratic primary for mayor in June and is expected to be sworn in as the City’s first Black female mayor in January. Find out more in The Last Word. Thanks for being a reader and be sure to stay in touch between issues by following us on Instagram and subscribing to our weekly e-newsletters on alexandrialivingmagazine. com!
Beth Lawton, publisher, and Mary Ann Barton, editor
PHOTO BY MATT MENDELSOHN, TAKEN AT VIRTUE FEED & GRAIN.
Mary Ann Barton and Beth Lawton Founders
Our Team
Meet some of the contributors to this issue.
KATHERINE BARTON
Contributor
Kate manages advertising, social media, and event planning for Alexandria Living. She grew up in Alexandria and enjoys highlighting new creators, businesses and events on social media. Kate loves creating unique partnerships with local businesses and finding opportunities for the Alexandria Living brand to grow. If you're interested in advertising with us, email kate@alexandrialivingmagazine.com.
KATIE ROY
Graphic
Designer
Katie is a graphic designer based in Richmond. She is a graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and specializes in magazine and book design. Her passions include wildlife and animals. Her menagerie currently includes two dogs, Riggins and Maggie, and a cat, Margarita. She also enjoys traveling during her time off, having been to all seven continents!
GLENDA BOOTH
Contributor
Glenda is a freelance writer who has lived in Northern Virginia for more than 40 years covering travel, history, people and conservation for local, state and national publications.Glenda has volunteered for Earthwatch in Botswana, Greece, France, Saskatchewan (Canada) and the Galapagos Islands. A gardener, outdoors woman and lifelong learner, she lives in Fairfax County and is the mother of two grown sons.
JANE FULLERTON LEMONS
Contributor
Jane is an award-winning journalist based in Northern Virginia. A graduate of the University of Missouri, she has covered politics and policy from the White House to Capitol Hill for more than 30 years, documenting the people behind the power. She earned her master’s degree in creative nonfiction from Goucher College. A serendipitous friendship introduced her to Italy, sparking a passion that has expanded her writing repertoire.You can follow her adventures in traveling and writing on Instagram at @janefullertonlemons.
ISABELLA SMITH Contributor
A third-year student at American University in Washington, D.C., Isabella Smith worked as the Alexandria Living Magazine intern this summer. A native of Springfield, Isabella is studying Journalism and Art History. She wrote our story on public art in this issue.
ANDREW WHITE Contributor
A native of Cleveland, Andrew is a photographer and writer and got the fun assignment of writing about the Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michael's, Md. for this issue. Andrew recently published his book (with friends Tim Trad and Nile Woodson) "Cooking Through Columbus: The Ultimate Guide to Eating Through Columbus."
HOWIE SOUTHWORTH Contributor
Howie Southworth is a longtime resident of Old Town Alexandria and a best-selling author. Amid a career in higher education, Howie attended culinary school, and eventually changed course to embrace life as a freelance creator in the food space. He is currently partnering with Alexandria Living Magazine on a cookbook, "A Taste of Alexandria," that delves into our city's restaurants and culinary history.
Calendar of Events
Ninth Annual George Washington Patriot Run
7:15 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 8
The Explorers Club
Aug. 31-Sept. 21
The Little Theatre of Alexandria presents “The Explorers Club," a play set in Victorian London. Mix hijinks and (terrible) drinks — and hilarity ensues. Tickets are available through thelittletheatre.com. Multiple showtimes are on the calendar.
Run a 10-miler or 5K road race, ending at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate. The course for the race includes both lanes of a 5-mile stretch of the George Washington Parkway. The Finish Festival will offer music, food and beverage concessions, and a free beer for each runner. Register through mountvernon.org.
George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy.
Makers’ Market at Port City Brewing
Noon-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14
Start your holiday shopping early with the area’s most fun sip-and-shop in September! Port City Brewing will welcome more than 30 local makers with interesting items for all ages. This kid-friendly and pet-friendly event will include music, food and prizes, too. Sponsored by Made in ALX.
Port City Brewing Co., 3950 Wheeler Ave.
Colonial Market and Fair
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 14 and 15
Dozens of artisans will pop up in the field at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate, including food and wares made by unique artisans. Play 18th-century games on the green, listen to period music and more, too! Free with admission to the estate.
George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy.
Wright at Twilight
6-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20
Enjoy the iconic Pope-Leighey House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, at twilight! Enjoy snacks and a glass of wine as you watch the how the sunset light showcases the beautiful architectural details of the house. Play games in the yard, listen to period music, and tour the house. Reserve tickets ($25) through woodlawnpopeleighey.org.
Woodlawn and Pope-Leighey House, 9000 Richmond Hwy.
Garden Talk: Build the Lawn of Your Dreams
1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20
Take the luck out of lawn care and learn the tips and tricks you need to keep your lawn healthy, thick and green. Register ($12) through fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/green-spring. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Rd.
82nd Annual Historic Alexandria Homes Tour
Saturday, Sept. 21, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
This year’s tour of historic homes will include a bonus tour of Gadsby’s Tavern. Established in 1933,The Twig got its name as a small branch of the tree that supported Alexandria Hospital. It is the junior auxiliary of Inova
Alexandria Hospital providing financial aid, volunteer service and support. Tickets are $45. Visit www.thetwig.org for more information.
HalloWEIRD Art Market
10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21
Stop by Del Ray Artisans to browse Halloween-inspired creations that are spooky, creepy, crawly, goth — or just festive! Talented local artists will have unique seasonal items in a variety of mediums. The market will be held rain or shine at Colasanto Park adjoining Del Ray Artisans gallery. Plus, step inside Del Ray Artisans to see the September exhibit, “Fascinating Fiber, Alluring Fiber.”
Del Ray Artisans, 2704 Mt. Vernon Ave.
2024 AHS Gala at River Farm
Saturday, Sept. 21 starting at 6 p.m.
Get ready for an evening of dinner and dancing to celebrate the American Horticultural Society and River Farm at the 2024 51st annual gala. Funds raised benefit preservation and improvements at the property. Cochaired by Skipp Calvert and Lauren Bishop. For more information visit ahsgardening.org/ ways-to-support/2024-gala-at-river-farm. 7931 E. Boulevard Dr.
Old Town Cocktail Week
Sept. 26-Oct. 6
Alexandria is a great city for food — and for drinks, too! Celebrate the creative spirits who create unique blended drinks here in Alexandria. Old Town Cocktail Week, Sept. 26-Oct. 6, features specials, classes and unique opportunities at bars and restaurants across the city. Learn more at oldtownbusiness.org.
Oktoberfest
11 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 28
A fun fall festival and art market pops up in John Carlyle Square the last Saturday in September. Enjoy seasonal crafts, traditional German music, raise a stein in the beer garden and enjoy Bavarian performances. John Carlyle Square, 300 John Carlyle St.
The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra presents “Romeo and Juliet: Ablaze.” The
Author Katie Siegel at Old Town Books
7-8:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 21
Author Katie Siegel stops by to talk about her book “Charlotte Illes Is Not a Teacher.” For fans of ‘Poker Face,’ ‘Knives Out,' Elle Cosimano’s Finlay Donovan Series, and anyone seeking to satisfy their ‘Harriet the Spy,’ ‘Encyclopedia Brown’ or ‘Nancy Drew’ nostalgia!
first performance will be held at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center; the second performance will be held at the George Washington Masonic Memorial. For more information, visit alexsym.org.
Chalk-a-Block
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29
Enjoy a stroll through the Old Town North neighborhood with talented sidewalk chalk artists creating masterpieces outside at multiple locations. Take part in a scavenger hunt for prizes, enjoy arts activities for kids, food, music and much more.
Colonial Market and Fair
October
Fall Wine Festival and Sunset Tour
6-9 p.m. Friday to Sunday, Oct. 4-6
Sample a wide variety of Virginia wines as you relax on a blanket on the East Lawn overlooking the Potomac River. Enjoy live music by Bruce Ewan and the Solid Senders and concessions from the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant. No pets or outside food allowed. Get tickets early, as this annual event often sells out!
George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate, 3200
Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy.
Artificial or Intelligence? Art Exhibit
Oct. 4-26
A reception for the “Artificial or Intelligence?” Exhibit will be held Oct. 4 between 7-9 p.m. at Del Ray Artisans gallery in the Coasanto Center. Gallery hours are Thursdays 12-6 p.m.; Fridays 12-9 p.m.; Saturdays 12-6 p.m., and Sundays 12-6 p.m. (closed Oct. 27).
Del Ray Artisans Gallery, Coasanto Center 2704 Mount Vernon Ave.
Art on the Avenue
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5
Art on the Avenue is Alexandria’s single biggest arts event. Every year on the first Saturday in October, Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray becomes home to a huge pop-up arts festival with a variety of crafters, food, music and more. This is the event’s 29th year. Learn more at artontheavenue.com. Mount Vernon Ave., Del Ray.
Jekyll & Hyde
Oct. 19-Nov. 9
This musical adapted from the classic novel features the infamous Dr. Jekyll and his alter ego, Mr. Hyde, along with a love triangle and more. Tickets are available through thelittletheatre.org.
The Little Theatre, 600 Wolfe St.
Fall Harvest Festival
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 19 and 20
Celebrate the season with 18th-century activities and demonstrations at the farm at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate. Demonstrations include wheat treading,
Paws in the Park
11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday,
Oct. 13
Paws in the Park is a fun day for everyone – including pets – with entertainment and live music, animal-themed vendors and even adoptable animals! This annual event in Old Town by the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria celebrates Alexandria’s love for animals and supports the shelter and animal services.
Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison St.
laundry, cooking, candle-making, horseshoeing and more.
George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy.
Alexandria Fright Night Halloween Bar Crawl
5-11 p.m Friday, Oct. 25
Explore Alexandria’s bars and enjoy exclusive Halloween food and drink specials at each location while enjoying eerie entertainment and ghoulish games. Check-in is between 5-9 p.m. at Alexandria Bier Garden. There’s a Halloween costume contest with prizes valued at $2,000, too. Sign up through Eventbrite.
Alexandria Bier Garden, 710 King St.
Old Town Family Trick or Treat
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26
Bring the family to Old Town for a special kid-friendly trick-or-treat event! Dozens of
Old Town businesses will be giving away candy and treats to children during the day.
Doggie Trick or Treat
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27
While dog’s can’t have chocolate, they do enjoy a good treat and some attention! Bring your dog into dozens of Old Town businesses for a treat, some ear scratches and fun during the day Sunday, Oct. 27. Learn more at oldtownbusiness.org.
Concerts at The Birchmere
Check out some of the performances scheduled in September and October. Check The Birchmere website for the latest information and for the full concert schedule.Concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices vary..
SEPT. 13
Who’s Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience
SEPT. 14
Ruben Studdard: The Masterpiece Tour
SEPT. 19
Amy Grant
SEPT. 25
Suzanne Vega
SEPT. 27; SEPT. 28 Eric Roberson
OCT. 6
Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra
OCT. 9
Rickie Lee Jones
OCT. 12
TUSK (Fleetwood Mac tribute band)
OCT. 16
Debbie Gibson
OCT. 17
Yachtley Crew
OCT. 18; OCT. 19 The Whispers
OCT. 25
William Clark Green
OCT. 26
Tom Paxton and the Don Juans with special guest Noel Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul & Mary
OCT. 27
Oleta Adams
OCT. 29
The Robert Cray Band
LET’S PLAN YOUR MOVE TOGETHER.
Ghost Tours
Alexandria is well known for its ghost tours and there’s no better time than spooky season to learn about Alexandria’s haunted past. Check out a few of these tours!
ALEXANDRIA COLONIAL TOURS
The Ghost and Graveyard Tour by Alexandria Colonial Tours is led in lantern light by a costumed guide and takes you on a journey through history. The company offers two historic ghost tour routes (the North Route and the South Route), and each will feature ghost stories, legends, folklore, unsolved mysteries, tales of romance and angry ghosts looking for revenge. Tours occur every evening. Learn more at alexcolonialtours.com.
ALEXANDRIA GHOST TOURS
Join Alexandria Ghosts for a unique look into the city’s history, haunted places and tales of unexplained activity experienced by Alexandria residents. This walking tour
is sure to have you looking over your shoulder as you walk on local streets and learn who haunts local pubs and houses. Tours are offered nightly. Learn more at alexandriaghosts.com.
HAUNTED TOURS, HAUNTED PROPERTY
Every year, the historic Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden invites you to learn about Victorian mourning traditions and customs, coupled with tragic and haunting death stories, unexplained phenomena and more. These tours offer a rare opportunity to see the house after dark! Tickets and more information are available through the Lee-Fendall House website at leefendallhouse.org.
The Power of Public Art in Alexandria
“Efflorescence” by artist Silas Baker at the Torpedo Factory
Public art can appear in unexpected places in Alexandria — like on the side of a Harris Teeter grocery store.
On the brick wall on the north side of the Harris Teeter at 500 Madison St. in Old Town North, steel panels are laid as a reflection of the city of Alexandria.
“City Sweep,” created by French artist Bernard Collin in 2014, captures the dynamic environment of Alexandria with an emphasis on the history of the city and the relationship Alexandria holds with both nature and the District of Columbia.
It is one of multiple public art exhibits in Old Town North, the designated “Arts District” in Alexandria. More than three dozen public art pieces line the sidewalks and buildings throughout the neighborhood, including six added in 2023. (The 37 public art pieces do not include the artistic renderings in dozens of manhole covers installed last year.) A map of the artwork is available at oldtownnorthalliance.com/ arts-district.
While public art is a prominent aspect of Old Town North, public art can be found all around the region. Here are a few highlights:
‘ORIRI’ BY JOSHUA MARTEL (OOWAH)
Along Eisenhower Avenue, a large-scale mural on the side of the SportRock building is visible from the Metro tracks. “Oriri” is Latin, meaning “to rise.” The piece by Joshua Martel (also known as Oowah) covers the entire back of the building at 5308 Eisenhower Ave.
Martel is an artist from the Pacific Northwest who specializes in many different art styles, from abstract to realism. Using black and white illustrations, in a
BY ISABELLA SMITH
style like what is seen in a comic book, Martel created a mural of climbers with a large focus on an individual putting chalk on their hands.
In an Instagram post showing progress on the mural, Martel wrote, “This mural is inspired by the climbing gym that lays behind the wall, but I was also inspired by the simple act of rising up.”
‘EFFLORESCENCE’ BY SILAS BAKER
A newly commissioned mural went up in June, visible on North Union Street in Old Town Alexandria, at the loading dock of the Torpedo Factory, just north of the entrance to 105 N. Union St.
The Torpedo Factory loading dock was the site of a mural commissioned by the city in 2015, but after suffering damages, that mural was uninstalled in August 2021.
“Efflorescence” takes the place of the mural “Beaded Curtain” by Erin Curtis.
Commissioned by the City of Alexandria’s public art program through the City Office of the Arts, artist Silas Baker created a vibrant work that stands out to pedestrians.
A native of Hampton, Va., Baker’s style has been heavily influenced by street art and traditional graffiti. Prior to working commissions, he worked for 16 years in the tattoo industry before focusing on abstract art in 2020.
“Efflorescence” depicts dogwood flowers, the state flower of Virginia, with geometric and natural shapes in the background. The bright colors of this mural stand out with a stark contrast to the cement walls surrounding the work.
The city outlined its goals for this specific project noting that it would help to inspire, engage and delight the community; spark curiosity, and draw interest to the space; as well as bring light, color and public interaction to the less aesthetically pleasing side of the arts center.
‘BLUEPRINT FOR PEACE’ COLLABORATION
Old Town North will present Chalk-a-Block Sunday, Sept. 29 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. That day, several sidewalk chalk artists will create new pieces throughout the area, along with a public art hunt, music and more. A map and more information will be available through the Old Town North Alliance website before the event.
Next to the newly built Minnie Howard Campus of Alexandria City High School, the Bradlee Shopping Center has recently become a place of unrest between high school students, local business owners and residents.
A recently installed mural facing Braddock Road called “Blueprint for Peace,” a collaboration between local artists and ACHS arts students, promotes peace and unity in the neighborhood.
Through a joint effort between local artists Nicole Bourgea and Roberto
Seminario used the ideas and talents of local students, with the goal of having their voices heard through their art. The mural debuted this summer.
SCULPTURES IN OLD TOWN NORTH, DEL RAY AND BEYOND
Murals are not the only forms of public art that can be found in Alexandria.
Sculptures are common around the city. One of the older public art installations is in Old Town North at the Canal Center Plaza. “Promenade Classique” was created in 1986 at the Canal Center Plaza by artists Anne and Patrick Poirier.
Both classical and modern style elements are present in this work. Contrasting marble and bronze elements draw the eye to this unique piece, showing human features on stairs.
Public art is not only made for adults to enjoy — a unique interactive sculpture project in Del Ray has a purpose. Commissioned in 2019, May & Watkins Design designed playful, artistic and functional pieces at Eugene Simpson Stadium Park in Del Ray called “Del Ray Play.”
May & Watkins is a collection of architects, designers, fabricators and visionaries who aim to bring the beauty of public art to communities with the idea of play and exploration in mind. The park includes a large climbing structure, as well as two smaller sculpture pieces that double as a spot for children to climb and explore. The pieces are located along the 400 block of East Duncan Street.
Over the past five years, the city of Alexandria has implemented a recurring public art installation at the Old Town Waterfront. This program, called “Site See,”
is an annual series of temporary public art.
The current installation on display until November 2024 is called “Interstellar Influencer (Make an Impact).” This work is a reflection on an asteroid that hit Earth 35 million years ago near what is modern day Alexandria.
The artist chosen for the 2025 installation is Nekisha Durrett, a Washington, D.C. native. “Her work contemplates biases and the unreliability of memory, as information is filtered over time. Durrett illuminates individual and collective histories of Black life and imagination, addressing her own younger self and the stories she wished she had learned,” according to her artist biography. Durrett is the artist behind “Queen City,” a 35-foot tall “vessel” in Arlington that honors 903 people who were displaced in the 1940s, after construction of the Pentagon.
The current installation on display until November 2024 is called “Interstellar Influencer (Make an Impact)" by Jason Klimoski and Lesley Chang, known as StudioKCA.
Del Ray Play by May + Watkins Design
Remembering the Fight to Build Mount Vernon Trail
BY MATT LANARK
Most mornings, I’m up before the sun. I try my best not to wake the rest of my family — though I’m not always successful. I throw on whatever running attire I can find and tiptoe downstairs to lace up my sneakers.
After pushing the front door closed, I jog slowly out of my neighborhood to warm up. The stillness of the black early morning hangs over all of Alexandria. I make my way East, as the sun peeks through the trees across the Potomac. I easily cross the GW Parkway —the lightest traffic will be all day — and hop on the Mount Vernon Trail. For the next hour, it becomes home.
I’ve made this trek nearly every day since moving to Alexandria. I know every last inch of the path. I know each serpentine turn. I know when to ease up on steep downhills and when to push up sharp climbs. I know the parts that’ll flood after a thunderstorm. I know the sections that become hazy, too exposed to the sweltering August afternoon sun. And the areas where the cool Potomac air settles for a momentary reprieve. I won’t say that access to the trail was the primary factor in choosing to move to Alexandria, but it was certainly an extra selling point. I never bike or run with music — a habit formed long ago running high school cross country. While it might not help to pass the time, it does make it easy to get lost in thought on the trail. I don’t think I get a runner’s high— frankly, I’m not quite sure what that is — but I can safely say I do my best thinking while working out.
If you do the math, I spend upwards of 300 hours a year on the trail —that’s about 12 full days! It’s nearly my entire cache of PTO days from work. But this path, the one I spend almost two full weeks running and biking on, wasn’t always
around. I clearly take this easy access for granted. How fortunate am I, are we as Alexandrians, to have such a great network of parks and running trails nearby? It’s easy, as I certainly did, to think that the Mount Vernon Trail just appeared one day out of the blue. That some federal employee woke up one morning with the idea, pitched it to a faceless senior bureaucrat, conducted a few pro forma studies, sprinkled some pixie dust along the Potomac, and voilá, there’s a trail. This is obviously not the case. Surely, the history was more complex? I wanted to learn more. I wanted to understand how selfless Alexandrians from an earlier time made the ground I run on today possible.
History extends to 19th century
You might be surprised to learn, or maybe not, that the trail’s history extends back to the nineteenth century. Separate footpaths were built along the river prior to the construction of the GW Parkway. When the 10 square miles encompassing the District of Columbia were originally plotted, Alexandria and its waterfront fell under federal jurisdiction. After Alexandria retroceded in 1846, the land along the Potomac up to the original 1791 water line remained under federal control. As development along the river reshaped the boundaries, the federal government claimed portions of the waterfront. This dispute made it difficult for Alexandria to build along the Potomac — resulting in trash dumps and wastelands, offending both environmentalists and property moguls. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the environmental movement started to gain traction, and activists began goading Alexandria into action.
Our story curiously begins in earnest on a cool, cloudy day in April 1970 at one of Alexandria’s finest garbage establishments. Atop mountains of waste piled high, with the foulest odor imaginable wafting through the air, Ellen Pickering proudly stood alongside a group of Alexandria women eating lunch, in protest of the City’s waste management practices. The group biked from City Hall to the dump to stress their cause. This was not Pickering’s
first rodeo, however. She orchestrated a variety of protests with her friend, Barbara Lynch, to highlight local environmental issues. And while cleaner shores along the Potomac and quality air for Alexandria children were top of mind that day, they never missed an opportunity to fight for any and all available green space.
A light bulb went off, and members of Alexandria’s Beautification Committee (that Pickering represented) aimed to use the land along the Potomac for a series of new parks and trails. She and Lynch staged a number of “bike-ins” around the area, sometimes riding along the George
Washington Parkway to underscore the dearth of running and biking trails in the area. Pickering’s voice grew progressively louder, forcing the National Park Service to take notice.
Exercise booms
COVID-19 motivated a lot of Americans to get out of their homes and exercise. Some had extra time on their hands. Others needed to get off the couch. Most simply wanted fresh air after being cooped up for so long. Today, marathon entries, 5k participation and bike purchases have skyrocketed. I personally have had a
long-lasting, love-hate relationship with running and biking and saw 2021 as the perfect time to get back into shape.
But even with all this cardio enthusiasm, it’s nothing compared to the running and exercise booms of the early 1970s (in-part inspired by Frank Shorter’s 1972 Olympic marathon victory). In 1976, the Bicycle Manufacturer’s Association saw a nationwide 40 percent year-over-year increase in bike sales. In 1974, more bikes were sold than cars. And The Washington Post dubbed 1973, the “Year of the Bike.” Companies like Nike and Schwinn became household names, and jogging became an
everyday activity for the average American.
All this to say, Pickering and Lynch’s pitch for a bike path couldn’t have come at a more opportune time. And after a relentless campaign, the NPS finally agreed that new trails should run along the Potomac. There was one catch — NPS didn’t have the money to build it. Faced with this stark reality, most activists would give up. Others might try to self-fund the project, organize races or other events to collect money. Not Pickering and Lynch. They pressed right along, not wanting to deprive the good people of Alexandria of parkland for a second longer than necessary. They gathered
a group of volunteers who brought shovels to dirt immediately. The first section of what would become the Mount Vernon Trail opened to rave reviews in 1973, seeing roughly 4,000 riders per week.
But this wasn’t enough. Additional portions of trail would be added throughout the years. Pickering joined the City Council later that decade, where she continued advocating on behalf of the environment. The exercise boom continued through the 1970s, with the trail adding more and more riders. Overcrowding and gravel-related injuries led to paving and expansion. In the three years since the MVT’s opening, greater DC opened more than 120 miles of bike paths and running trails.
The Mount Vernon Trail, today
Today, MVT is fully paved, with painted lanes, rest areas and improved boardwalk sections over the marshlands. It hosts running groups and biking teams and has pit stops with food and drinks. It’s one of the most widely biked trails in the country, all thanks to the tireless efforts of a few dedicated Alexandria women who wanted more outdoor space. A beautiful testament to steadfast tenacity and single-minded passion.
By the time I finish my run, the sun has risen. I use the short stretch between the Mount Vernon Trail and my home to cool down. I rarely deviate from my route, knowing the mile markers by heart, in case my finicky GPS watch conks out. I still use my hour on the trail each morning to daydream. My mind wanders all over the place — from family, to issues at work, to the lineup of tonight’s Nats game. But wherever my thoughts take me, I no longer wonder who’s responsible for building the MVT. I run with an appreciation for the trailblazers who made my workout possible. So on behalf of myself, and all the other runners, walkers, bikers, joggers, strollers, sightseers, e-bikers (eh, maybe not the e-bikers), rollerbladers, skateboarders and anyone else who joyously, freely, and (most important) safely get to move along the shores of the Potomac, we thank you!
RAISE A GLASS TO VIRGINIA WINE MONTH
an October tradition since 1988
BY JANE FULLERTON LEMONS
For more than three decades, Virginia Wine Month has been celebrated each October, honoring the farmers, growers and winemakers who contribute to a blossoming industry that generates millions in revenue and thousands of jobs — well worth a toast of Petit Manseng or Cabernet Franc.
The annual tradition dates to 1988, when there were only 40 wineries representing Virginia’s burgeoning viticulture industry. Since then, the numbers have grown as fast as the vines. There are more than 350 wineries across the Commonwealth, growing grapes on more than 5,000 acres in 10 geographic wine regions that include eight designated American Viticultural Areas (AVA).
Many of those wineries are easily accessible from the Alexandria area. The Northern Virginia wine region ranges from Mount Vernon to Skyline Drive to Harper’s Ferry, and it is home to roughly 100 wineries. It includes the Middleburg AVA, with wineries in Fauquier and Loudoun counties. Other nearby wine regions include the Eastern Shore, Chesapeake Bay and Shenandoah Valley.
As the wine industry has grown, so has the annual celebration of it, which includes events at wineries, restaurants and shops throughout the state, said Annette Boyd, director of the Virginia Wine Board Marketing Office.
“It’s such a magical time in Virginia,” she said. “There’s no better time to get out and visit the wineries. There’s a little chill in the air, and the leaves are turning. By the end of October, most grapes are in and there’s a lot of activity at the wineries.”
Commemorating the history of Virginia’s newest old industry
Virginia’s long and fraught history with wine dates back more than 400 years to its earliest days as a colony. Its prospects received notable boosts along the way from Thomas Jefferson, an ardent wine advocate although unsuccessful grape grower, and Daniel Norton, a Richmond physician who first cultivated Norton, America’s oldest native wine grape which bears his name, beginning in the 1820s.
But it wasn’t until the 1970s that modern winemaking truly bore fruit in the Commonwealth. As the industry grew, its proponents realized the need to move what had been known as Virginia Farm Winery Month from the sweltering heat of August to the more hospitable autumnal weather of October.
“October in Virginia is cooler, the leaves are turning and people are thinking about going out and visiting a winery,” said Boyd, who was instrumental in establishing Virginia Wine Month. “Fall is such a gorgeous time in Virginia.”
In 1988, Governor Gerald Baliles kicked off the inaugural Virginia Wine Month with a reception at the Executive Mansion in Richmond, where he spoke about the importance of building local industries and pledged to assist the nascent wine region.
A year later, at the 1989 Governor’s Cup wine competition, he reflected on his earlier remarks: “I saw that an old industry was in the process of being revived by Virginia’s wine-growing pioneers, and I felt that the state government could draw them together. Wine
growing in America was born in Virginia, and when it comes to selling it, the state and the winegrowers can work together . . . to increase the visibility of Virginia’s newest old industry.”
Each of the nine subsequent governors has followed Baliles’ lead and declared October to be Virginia Wine Month — now the longest continuous running wine month in the nation. And most followed another tradition he established by serving only Virginia wines at the Executive Mansion while entertaining.
“Virginia Wine Month rightfully spurs a celebration of our Commonwealth’s rich and diverse winemaking heritage,” Governor Glenn Youngkin said in proclaiming October 2023 as Virginia Wine Month.
Reaping the economic benefits
While Virginia Wine Month strikes a celebratory tone, it also takes note of the business aspects of one of the state’s key agriculture sectors, which has grown significantly in recent years.
Virginia’s wine industry generates an estimated $1.73 billion in economic impact for the Commonwealth, including such factors as jobs created, wine-related tourism and tax revenue. The industry provides more than 10,400 full-time jobs, and it has seen increases in economic categories
ranging from wages to tourism revenue to the retail value of the wine being sold — all indicators of a thriving industry that benefits the state’s economy.
“Virginia’s wine industry is not only a source of excellent wines, but also a key contributor to Virginia’s economy and agriculture,” said Matthew Lohr, Virginia secretary of Agriculture and Forestry.
“It is evident that our wineries are flourishing, contributing significantly to job creation, tourism, and the overall prosperity of the Commonwealth,” he said.
Celebrating Virginia agriculture and harvest season
At its core, Virginia Wine Month is an opportunity to enjoy the fruits of the season, support local producers and explore the state’s agriculture sector. To mark the 36th commemoration, wineries in each region will celebrate the harvest with festivals, special dinners and exclusive experiences throughout October.
The third weekend of October features the annual Harvest Party, with a farm-totable focus that celebrates all facets of Virginia agriculture. There are opportunities to meet with winemakers, spend an evening in a vineyard or gather for a feast of Virginia-grown food and wine.
“The Harvest Party has taken on a life
of its own,” said Boyd. “We see a lot of events around the grape harvest, but also the bounty of other things that are being harvested. Agriculture is Virginia’s largest industry, so we like to celebrate not only the grape harvest but other products, too.”
For more information, visit www.virginiawine.org and check under “events” for a complete listing of Wine Month and Harvest Party activities statewide. Many Virginia wineries are within easy driving distance from the Alexandria area.
Cornus Virginicus: A special Virginia wine blend
For the third year, a limited-release wine that celebrates Virginia agriculture will be announced in October. Cornus Virginicus is a collaboration between First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin and a rotating Virginia winemaker. This year’s producer will be Mountain & Vine Vineyards & Winery of Faber.
Each edition of the project celebrates Virginia's flourishing agriculture, especially its farmers, growers and winemakers. Each year, a donation is made to support an agriculture charitable organization chosen by the first lady. Limited quantities are available for sale through the producing winery and Virginia ABC.
In 2022, the first edition of the wine — a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot — was produced by Barboursville Vineyards of Barboursville, and it supported the Future Farmers of America and Virginia 4-H. In 2023, the second edition — a blend of Petit Verdot and Merlot — was made by Cana Vineyards & Winery of Middleburg, and it benefited Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom.
Cornus Virginicus is Latin for “flowering tree of Virginia.” The name pays tribute to the Commonwealth’s official state flower and tree, the dogwood, which is depicted on the wine’s label as well as the first lady’s seal.
Each blend is selected by a tasting panel that includes the first lady. “Collaborating with Virginia’s leading wine makers is a true highlight and allows us to give back to the next generation of farmers,” she said.
For more information about Virginia Wine Month, visit www.virginiawine.org.
Virginia Gov. Gerald Baliles kicks off Virginia Wine Month in 1988.
From Beige and Boring to Colorful and Cozy
BY BETH LAWTON
Homeowners Maggie and Troy Lyons were running out of space in their small, historic rowhome on Capitol Hill. With two small children and no space to expand, the couple decided it was time to upgrade.
The newly-built home they purchased in Del Ray was perfect, with all the space and features the Lyons wanted for their family. There were just a few problems: The offwhite walls made the home feel like it had no personality. In addition, the furniture they brought from their 1,200 sq. ft. rowhome looked very out of place in the new space. “It kind of looked like a dollhouse, because the scale didn’t work,” Maggie Lyons said.
While their historic rowhome in Washington, D.C., had character, the Lyons never thought of it as their permanent home, so they didn’t really invest in decorating.
“When I think about the townhome, in some ways it didn’t feel like a forever home in the same way that our current home does,” she said this year from her home office in Del Ray. “I don’t think I poured the love into that home that I did here.”
Starting from scratch
When an entire house needs to be decorated, where do you even begin?
“I usually start with, ‘How are they going to use the space?’ It was pretty obvious that the open living room, kitchen and dining area would be the hub of the home,” said interior designer Erin Myers.
After understanding the use, Myers
focuses on finding out what her client likes and talks about their preferences. When she showed Lyons some initial product samples, “I could see she was gravitating toward some really fun things.”
It was the great room rug (a hand-knotted wool area rug from F.J. Kashanian) and dining room wallpaper (from Cole & Sons ) that ended up being the first pieces chosen for the home. It paired with a fun citrus.
“For me, working with somebody like Erin was helpful,” particularly in making the process less overwhelming, Lyons said. “Having somebody else’s perspective was so great because she brought things into the conversation that I wouldn’t have thought about.”
Designer Erin Myers was tapped to bring texture and warmth into the home, which was accomplished through 1960’s-inspired Southern wallpaper and fabric selections. Except for the kid’s bedrooms and some guestroom pieces, all the furniture was replaced with new pieces.
“I love color,” Lyons said. “I knew I wanted to start somewhere fun, so my thought was to originally start in the great room, but it turned out that one of the first decisions we made was the wallpaper in the dining room.” From there, Myers put
(Above): A hand-knotted wool area rug in the living room from F.J. Kashanian was the jumping off point for the home's redesign. (Below): In the office, a Schumacher citrus garden print on the back of the chair was the starting-off point for the space, which also incorporates a custom paint color on the chair and walls and an area rug by Jaipur Living.
The mudroom features custom built-in woodword by Arc Woodworking. The dog park wallpaper by Hygge & West was inspired by the family dog, Blossom.
together the rest of the dining room, the foyer and the great room.
“It’s about trying to find the flow throughout the house,” Myers said. She tries to “get a little bit of a color story, so each room feels distinct but flows from one room to the next.”
One misconception homeowners have is that they already need to have an idea of what they want. “They don’t necessarily have to have a refined sense of their own personal aesthetic. A good designer will help,” Myers said.
What can help is if a homeowner finds some inspiration photos to discuss with a designer.
“I think my husband, Troy, would have been happy had it continued to be a big beige box,” Lyons joked. “He would come home and see all these samples… and he’d look at me, like, ‘How is this all going to work?’ I think initially there was a little bit of skepticism.” Over time, Troy came to
embrace the change.
The hardest room
The hardest room to tackle was the master bedroom, Lyons said. It is large with tall ceilings… “It felt big, and cavernous, and not very warm.” The solution came in the form of a four-poster bed, wallpaper and drapes on the windows.
Myers agreed. “We ended up doing a four-poster bed because I felt like something that had a lot of structure and presence to it, so it would help ground the space.”
The bedroom was finished with faux grasscloth wallpaper, bringing in some texture and warmth to soften the space a bit.
The favorite room
Lyon’s favorite part of the house turned out to be the entryway, dining room and — surprisingly — her home office.
“My office is just really fun! It’s a pretty,
Key Lime green with amazing drapes,” she said. “I think it’s my favorite part of the house because it’s three spaces that I enjoy individually, but also I never would have put this all together without Erin’s help. Each room is a little bit unexpected, but it’s not jarring and it works well together. … It’s just a very happy part of the house.”
The entire project took about a year, in part because of the scale of the project, but lingering covid-era supply chain issues delayed the arrival of some key pieces. The home felt a bit disjointed during the process the pieces came together, but the final result was more than Lyons had ever imagined.
“What I love most about this project is that it really feels like a reflection of who lives there,” Myers said. “That’s always the goal is to create something the clients couldn’t do on their own but also feels exactly like them.”
under construction
BY BETH LAWTON
INTEREST RATES AND
INFLATION AREN’T only affecting consumers — they’re hitting developers in the wallet, too. Add in labor shortages and ongoing supply chain issues, and it’s easy to understand why construction has slowed down this year here in the Alexandria area and nationwide.
In fact, Alexandria is a sort of microcosm of what’s going on elsewhere in the country. The Alexandria area is a leader in projects to convert under-used office buildings to residential. You can see this in a project underway on King Street now. In addition, like elsewhere, Alexandria is working on replacing a dead mall with a new, vibrant mixed-use community.
But nothing drew public interest this year quite like a plot of land behind the Potomac Yard Shopping Center. Called a "Monumental Opportunity" by Alexandria and Virginia officials (and a "Monumental Mistake" by opponents), the now-canceled plan to build a professional sports arena near the Potomac Yard Metro station divided the city’s residents. At a Future of Alexandria panel discussion hosted by Bisnow in July, Whitaker Investment Corp. President Ryan Whitaker said, “The mix of uses that were envisioned with that small area plan for that district are probably not appropriate anymore given the change in kind of a live, work, office environment."
The new live-work-play communities that Alexandria is building are continuing to attract new residents. Coworking Cafe earlier this year named Alexandria the #2 best mid-sized city for recent college grads who want to start their careers. The city is also continuing to collect accolades, including being named the #3 Best City in the United States in 2024 by Condé Nast Traveler in July.
On the following pages, we take a look at about 40 development projects in the works in the Alexandria region, including Southeast Fairfax County. Some are stalled for a variety of reasons, but many others are moving forward.
Be sure you’ve signed up for Alexandria Living Magazine emails so you can keep up on these projects and more year-round.
DUKE STREET IN MOTION
Those who travel along Duke Street may have already noticed some changes in traffic flow thanks to the installation of adaptive traffic signals that respond to congestion. Construction could start in 2025 on further changes to Duke Street from the former Landmark Mall to the King Street Metro station. Construction will include the addition of Bus Rapid Transit dedicated lanes along some parts of the corridor and other changes meant to make the 4.2mile stretch safer for drivers, bus riders, bikers and pedestrians. Be on the lookout for announcements about community engagement meetings this fall. Learn more at alexandriava.gov/dukeinmotion.
EMBARK RICHMOND HIGHWAY
Embark Richmond Highway continues to go through various planning phases in Fairfax County. The Richmond Highway project, from the Huntington Metro station to Fort Belvoir, will eventually include
dedicated bus lanes and much-improved, safer pedestrian facilities from sidewalks to bus shelters to road crossings. Fairfax County has been using eminent domain to make room for the project, which has forced some businesses to close or move. This is a multi-year project that could take another decade to complete.
In other major transportation news, the Virginia Dept. of Transportation is considering extending the I-495 Express Lanes around the southern side of the Beltway through Alexandria, and possibly across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge into Maryland.
RIVERRENEW
Ironically, the biggest and most expensive project in Alexandria has been the least visible to residents. The water company Alexandria Renew Enterprises is continuing work on RiverRenew, the project that will separate rainwater from the sewage system to prevent untreated water from entering the Potomac River during
big rainstorms. A tunnel boring machine named Hazel completed her work in early 2024 — she drilled new tunnels 100-feet underground from the water company’s facility in Eisenhower East to Old Town North. The entire project should be complete sometime in 2026. Learn more at riverrenew.com.
POTOMAC YARD’S CANCELED ARENA
Potomac Yard had a dramatic year, as controversial plans to build a professional sports arena collapsed this spring after Washington Caps and Wizards owner Ted Leonsis decided to keep his teams in the District. The large site in the eastern portion of Potomac Yard, near the Metro Station, will remain vacant until the property owner either sells it or moves forward with development plans, which could include residential or retail.
DEVELOPMENT KEY
1. Landmark (WestEnd)
2. Overlook at West End
3. Upland Park
4. Proposal for Residential to Replace Medical Building
5. Seminary Road Affordable Homeownership Development
6. Rudy's
7. Eisenhower Pointe
8. Vulcan Materials
9. South Van Dorn Plaza
10. ParcView II
11. Minnie Howard School
12. Lindsey Volvo and Cadillac Dealerships
13. Sansé and Naja
14. Elbert Avenue Project
15. Virginia Tech
16. Oakville Triangle
17. Wythe at Braddock Metro
18. PT Blooms Development
19. The Montgomery Center
20. Ladrey Senior High Rise
21. Waterman Place
22. Samuel Madden Housing
23. GenON Plant
24. TideLock (Formerly TransPotomac Plaza)
25. The Aidan Old Town
26. 1610 King Street
27. CityHouse Old Town
28. Parking Garage Turns to Townhomes
29. 10 Duke Street
30. The Heritage
31. Witter Place
32. 2403-2415 Mill Road
33. 765 John Carlyle Drive
34. 2121 and 2111 Eisenhower Avenue
35. The Huntington Club
36. 8850 Richmond Highway
37. Penn Daw Fire Station/Emergency and Supportive Housing
38. Mount Vernon Recreation Center
39. Franconia Governmental Center
40. 6801 Telegraph Road
41. Rose Hill Shopping Center
LANDMARK (WESTEND)
Construction crews are finishing up re-grading the site of the former Landmark Mall, and starting to place utilities infrastructure on the 51-acres at Van Dorn and Duke streets. Inova will build a new hospital and trauma center on the site, which will start welcoming patients in 2028. The rest of the site will be filled with a variety of retail, residential and civic uses built in phases. To the confusion of some longtime residents of the West End (the neighborhoods mostly west of Quaker Lane in Alexandria), the new Landmark development will be called… WestEnd. The current hospital at Seminary Road and Jordan Street will be demolished after the new hospital opens and will likely be replaced with housing.
OVERLOOK AT WEST END
Directly across Duke Street from the site of the former Landmark Mall, construction fencing is up around several buildings, including the now-closed Big Lots, a medical office building and two restaurants. Called Overlook at West End, a developer has plans for high-density residential on the site, possibly with neighborhood retail.
UPLAND PARK
After a long delay to accommodate residents, construction may start soon on the Upland Park development just northwest of the intersection of Beauregard Street and Seminary Road. The neighborhood of small, single-family homes will be demolished to
make way for new townhomes multi-family residential buildings, along with retail. Construction was supposed to start more than a year ago.
PROPOSAL FOR RESIDENTIAL TO REPLACE MEDICAL BUILDING
Monday Properties had proposed tearing down a medical office building at 1900 N. Beauregard St. and replacing it with a multifamily residential community, but that project is on hold for now. The building is one of four similar buildings along the west side of North Beauregard Street all owned by the company, but only one was part of the new redevelopment proposal. Future plans for the other three buildings have not been disclosed. A group of residents actively opposed significant elements of the project.
SEMINARY ROAD AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Construction has started on a 2.8-acre site just east of Fire Station 206 on Seminary Road. In the next few years, 31 townhomes and 5 condominium flats will be available for ownership for residents at 80 percent Average Median Income (AMI) or below. An additional 3 flats would be owned and occupied by Sheltered Homes of Alexandria to allow them to continue to serve up to 12 residents. More information is available at housingalexandria.org/seminary.
RUDY’S
Rudy's Golf and Sports Bar at 6625 S. Van Dorn St.
Westend Landmark
will be closing to make way for 174 new townhomes in Kingstowne. In May, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved the transformation, which has been in the works in various forms since 2015. EYA Homes will be building the residences. There is no retail planned for the development.
EISENHOWER POINTE
Tri Pointe Homes has finished building dozens of townhomes on Eisenhower Avenue just east of the Victory Center office building. Affiliates of Stonebridge own the remainder of the property, including the Victory Center itself, and the parking lots to the west of the building. Stonebridge has floated the idea of turning the Victory Center office building into residential, but there’s no timeline for when — or IF — that would ever happen. The Victory Center was designed specifically with a federal government client in mind, but it has been underused for years.
VULCAN MATERIALS
Formerly a concrete, aggregate materials facility and sales center for Vulcan Materials Co. — the nation’s largest producer of construction aggregates, according to its website — the site just west of South Van Dorn Street will welcome new condos, townhomes, a public park and a hotel. Alexandria City Council members approved the plan in April. There will be significant environmental remediation completed before construction on anything new can start.
SOUTH VAN DORN PLAZA
Any possible redevelopment of the Van Dorn Station Shopping Center, which is home to a variety of multicultural, thriving businesses, is still years away. Like the Vulcan Materials sites, ideas for this property and several others in the area were included in the Eisenhower West Small Area Plan, but there do not appear to be specific development projects in the pipeline yet.
PARCVIEW II
In Condo Canyon in Alexandria’s West End, Wesley Housing is considering plans to construct a multifamily apartment building with an underground parking garage next to the existing ParcView apartment building at 5380 Holmes Run Pkwy. The existing ParcView could be renovated and connected to the new building. A construction timeline is not yet available.
MINNIE HOWARD SCHOOL
This August, students started attending classes in a state-of-the-art building that was constructed on the former sports field at the Minnie Howard campus of
Alexandria City High School. The old building will be demolished to make room for new athletic fields for the school.
LINDSEY VOLVO AND CADILLAC DEALERSHIPS
The Lindsay Company has been busy redeveloping its car empire in Alexandria. The car dealership is nearly finished building a new Volvo dealership in its place at 1605 Fern St. (near Quaker Lane).
SANSÉ AND NAJA
In Arlandria, Sansé and Naja, the two planned affordable housing buildings at the intersection of West Glebe Road and Mount Vernon Avenue, are under construction now. The project will include 474 units of affordable housing in addition to 36,000 SF of retail and an underground garage. More than 100 of the units will be “deeply affordable” — attainable for those making 40% of the area median income (AMI). Learn more at housingalexandria.org.
ELBERT AVENUE PROJECT
Less than a mile from Sansé and Naja, Alexandria officials have given the green light to a redevelopment of the three low-rise apartment building on Elbert Avenue. Community Lodgings has proposed a project would include close to 100 affordable housing units.
VIRGINIA TECH
The biggest educational development project in Alexandria is the long-term development of a $1 billion Virginia Tech Innovation Campus near Potomac Yard. Announced at the same time as the location of Amazon’s HQ2 near Crystal City, the Virginia Tech campus will focus on graduate-level work on technology-based solutions to the world’s pressing problems. Construction is continuing on the first academic building, which will open sometime in 2025. Just a few blocks away, at 2700 Main Line Blvd., a new residential apartment community building is under construction.
OAKVILLE TRIANGLE
A new Inova Healthplex is nearly finished at Oakville Triangle. Nearby, developers are constructing new townhomes, multifamily housing and retail, including a new venue for the restaurant Founding Farmers. The healthplex is scheduled to open later this year.
WYTHE AT BRADDOCK METRO
The small, single-family homes across North West Street from the Braddock Metro Station were torn down to make way for a 180-unit multi-family residential building with retail on the lower floor. And
then construction stopped due to high interest rates, the rising cost of construction and other factors. The project was controversial, as residents brought up concerns about flooding and sewer capacity in the neighborhood. There is no publicly available information on a start date for construction.
PT BLOOMS DEVELOPMENT
PT Blooms is building a five-story, multi-family residential building of 78 units in the 800 block of North Columbus Street. The project may be completed in late 2024 or early 2025.
THE MONTGOMERY CENTER
The one-story brick building known as The Montgomery Center, which takes up an entire block in Old Town North, will be demolished to make room for a much larger development. Several small, local businesses have closed or moved due to the construction, though a few businesses remain in operation. The Art League, which took up a significant portion of the building, is building out its new home on Slaters Lane. The new building may have a live entertainment venue in addition to retail, and apartments above.
LADREY SENIOR HIGH RISE
The Ladrey building and a second plot of land at 600 Royal St., both owned by the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority (ARHA), could be demolished and replaced starting in 2025. “The redevelopment plan calls for demolishing the existing building and constructing a new mid-rise building that will replace all 170 existing units and add a significant number of units that are affordable for people who live and work in Alexandria. The new building will have about 270 units,” according to AHRA.
WATERMAN PLACE
Waterman Place, an office building at the intersection of Montgomery and North Pitt streets, is being torn down and replaced with a residential building with retail and arts on the ground floor. There will be a parking garage below the building. The Carr Companies owns the property.
SAMUEL MADDEN HOUSING
Alexandria officials have approved the redevelopment of Samuel Madden Housing. Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Fairstead, Mill Creek Residential and The Communities Group will work together to build more than 530 units of affordable, workforce-rate and market-rate housing, plus retail, community amenities including an ALIVE! food hub, childcare and more. Information about the project is available at samuelmaddenhomes.com.
GENON PLANT
Hilco Redevelopment Partners is making progress on tearing down the massive Potomac River Generating Station (known to long-time residents as the GenOn Plant) in Old Town North. Once home to a 482-megawatt coal-fired plant, new residential buildings will rise along with office space, retail and a significant amount of park space and paths. More information is available at hrpalx.com.
TIDELOCK (FORMERLY TRANSPOTOMAC PLAZA)
The American Physical Therapy Association sold its three-building property in 2020 and moved into a new headquarters in the Potomac Yard neighborhood in 2021. Now, Community Three and Whitaker Investment are working to convert the 1980’s office buildings, formerly called the TransPotomac Plaza, at 1033, 1055 and 1111 N. Fairfax Street, into multifamily buildings with an arts and cultural anchor on the ground floor. The developers expect delivery of the first parts of the project in late 2024. Learn more at build-tidelock.com.
THE AIDAN OLD TOWN
New luxury condos will be for sale soon at The Aidan. The 94-unit building will include junior one-bedroom, one- and two-bedroom units, and amenities such as office space for residents, a dog washing station, a yoga lawn and more. Learn more at aidanoldtown. com. Next door at the corner of Wythe and North Washington streets, the planned hotel project incorporating a historic home has stalled.
1610 KING STREET
Five townhomes, one of which was seriously damaged by fire, will be incorporated (as much as possible) into a new multifamily development on King Street. The 54-unit multifamily project will start construction at some point in the next year.
CITYHOUSE OLD TOWN
Construction is progressing on one of Alexandria’s biggest office-to-residential conversions in the building at 1101 King St. American Real Estate Partners acquired the building in September 2022 and is turning it into 200 luxury apartments for rent.
PARKING GARAGE TURNS TO TOWNHOMES
At the corner of Duke and South Union streets, a small, tight parking garage has been demolished to make room for six new luxury townhomes. They will feature elevators, 2-car garages, large rear patios off the kitchen, and large rooftop decks. Prices will start around $3 million.
10 DUKE STREET
The historic warehouse at 10 Duke St., long vacant, will see new life soon as Cooper Mill, a tavern, market and private event space. The project is headed up by Bonitt Builders. The company said it proved difficult to truly save much of the historic building’s structure, but some elements will remain.
THE HERITAGE
In Southwest Old Town, construction started — and then stopped — on The Heritage. After a controversial series of meetings with the Board of Architectural Review, Alexandria officials gave the green light to redeveloping the garden-style apartment buildings into new, larger buildings. The first phase of construction started, but financing problems led to a pause this spring. Now, construction is starting again. The first phase will include 598 new apartments in two new buildings. About 140 of the apartments will be set aside for Housing Assistance Program-eligible families, with first rights to those who previously lived at The Heritage at Old Town. The project could be completed in 2026. Learn more at heritageredevelopmentinfo.com.
WITTER PLACE
On Duke Street, the Witter Place development is still in the planning stages. The project, near the Witter recreation fields at 2712 Duke St., will include 94 apartments, all with two or three bedrooms. The apartments would be affordable to households at 40 to 60% of the area median income.
2403-2415 MILL ROAD
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is soliciting requests for proposals for its half-acre site in the Eisenhower East neighborhood. According to WMATA, the organization is going to “[leverage] its real estate holdings to generate revenue, build ridership, and create new tax revenues for local and regional partners.”
765 JOHN CARLYLE DR.
After multiple rounds of changed plans, TransWestern with Trammel Crow and JM Zell still seem to be planning to build a medical facility alongside senior-living residences. The John Carlyle Center for Health & Wellness is a planned 126,000 SF Class-A medical facility connected to 215 residences for seniors. The project has not yet started construction, though a sign at the site says it was supposed to open in late 2024. Learn more at 765JohnCarlyle.com.
2121 AND 2111 EISENHOWER AVE.
The office buildings at 2121 and 2111 Eisenhower Ave. may be torn down and rebuilt as residential buildings. In 2022, Alexandria City Council approved the plans for MidAtlantic Realty Partners to build a two-building, 800-unit residential complex on the site, but there has been no movement on the project since that approval.
THE HUNTINGTON CLUB
The plans to redevelop the massive Huntington Club condos neighborhood have been put on hold. Years in the making, the condo association and developer IDI Group Companies announced last year that they are
TideLock
waiting until market conditions, including interest rates, improve before proceeding with redevelopment. According to the IDI Group’s Huntington website, “IDI is working in conjunction with the county, its residents and the Huntington Club Condominium Association to obtain the necessary land use approvals to develop a 2.5 million square foot, vibrant, pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use community consisting of 200 (2 over 2) townhomes and over 1200 multifamily units in addition to retail, office, hotel, and senior living space plus more than 4.5 acres of urban parks.”
8850 RICHMOND HWY.
In late 2022, a developer proposed building three multi-unit buildings at 8850 Richmond Hwy. through the Fairfax County Site-Specific Plan Amendment process. The property was zoned planned for office, retail or hotel/conference center uses, so the residential proposal was unexpected. The proposal was working its way through the slow deliberation process with Fairfax County officials, but the process has paused. In the meantime, the site currently is home to a mostly-empty 1980’s-era office building with multiple suites available for lease.
PENN DAW FIRE STATION/ EMERGENCY AND SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
Fairfax County has chosen the former Hybla Valley Nursery site, at 2801 Beacon Hill Rd., for a new fire station and emergency/supportive housing facility. The last update from Fairfax County staff in 2023 noted they have started the process for selection of architectural and engineering consultants for the design of the overall project.
MOUNT VERNON RECREATION CENTER
Crews are working on a 75,000 square-foot expan sion that will bring a new, two-story fitness center, a second ice rink, multi-purpose areas, a new pool, in door track and much more to the site. The expected opening date was by the end of 2024, but construction is running behind schedule.
6801 TELEGRAPH RD.
The federal government auctioned off its property at 6801 Telegraph Rd., a 10-acre site that includes a 110,000-square foot office building. The property is now owned by a company called 6801 Telegraph Development LLC. That company is part of a larger real estate development and construction business, Metro DC Developments. The building was once home to the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, and it is next to the U.S. Army Reserve facility.
ROSE HILL SHOPPING CENTER
Combined Properties, the owners of the Rose Hill Shopping Center, is still interested in redeveloping the one-story shopping plaza into a mixed-use community with residences and offices above retail on the ground floor. The residents of Rose Hill seem to be largely opposed to this proposal, as evidenced by the many “Save Our Shopping Center” signs on homes nearby. Leases for businesses in the shopping center expire in 2027, so no development would happen until after that year.
FRANCONIA GOVERNMENTAL CENTER
Fairfax County broke ground on a new Franconia Governmental Center and Kingstowne Regional Library in early 2023. The new facility will open in 2025 and it will include space for the Franconia Police Station, the Franconia District Supervisor’s Office, the Franconia Museum, an Active Adult Center and a new childcare center. The old Franconia Governmental Center, at 6121 Franconia Rd., could be redeveloped into affordable housing.
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Play The Long Game: Investing is a Marathon, Not a Sprint
When in doubt, zoom out. This saying is crucial for investing. Throughout history, there have been countless market pullbacks. These market pullbacks, though tough, are minor when viewed in the long term. Those who stuck with a disciplined investment strategy and ran a marathon, not a sprint, have typically seen their investment accounts grow.
Let’s talk about the 24-hour news cycle. Daily headlines are meant to get clicks, stir the pot, and strike a chord with our emotions. There is a focus on what happened yesterday and what is happening today. The financial media shows us daily and weekly charts, and the market swings can be pretty volatile some days. These daily market swings can lead to impulsive decisions we later regret. For example, the Dow's 1,000-point drop on August 5th caused panic but is likely insignificant for long-term investors.
in August will likely have a nominal impact on long-term investors. To put this in perspective, the following excerpt is from First Trust’s “Markets In Perspective” slide deck, “Volatility is not a recent phenomenon. Each year, there is the potential for the market to experience a significant correction, which for the S&P 500 has averaged approximately 14% since 1980. History has shown that those who chose to stay the course were rewarded for their patience more often than not.”
In conclusion, a solid financial plan, disciplined investing, and patience through market ups and downs will often enhance financial peace of mind. I will close with a quote from one of my favorite personal finance books that would be worth your time if you have not yet read it:
Emotions of Investing
This chart illustrates how our emotional and mental state can shift if we closely monitor the financial markets and check our investment account balances daily. We can move from a feeling of pure bliss to feeling defeated in a short amount of time. Many people may have felt this way during early August this year. While we cannot predict the future, what happened
Logic and emotion have never been a perfect pairing. It is logical for investors to stay focused on their long‑term goals during volatile markets, but emotionally it is very difficult to follow this reasoning.
"Doing well with money isn't necessarily about what you know. It's about how you behave. And behavior is hard to teach, even to really smart people." - Morgan Housel (The Psychology of Money).
Emotional instincts, which may be valuable in certain aspects of our lives, may contradict sound investment decisions. The image below depicts the emotional cycle relative to market changes.
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When the market is doing well, investors are excited, even blissful. This can be the riskiest time to invest, however, because it may foster a “can’t lose” attitude that strays from a disciplined investment approach. During these times, it’s important to review and rebalance as appropriate and stay focused on long‑term investment goals.
Disclosure: Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network®, Member FINRA/SIPC,
When the market is low, investors often feel defeated. Although the market may be down, buying at this time can offer investors a great opportunity to make money. We all know the old adage that investors should buy low and sell high, yet few investors take advantage of down markets in this way. If it makes sense for your risk tolerance and goals, we may take advantage of market downturns.
a Registered Investment Adviser. Fixed insurance products and services are separate from and are not offered through Commonwealth Financial Network. Certain sections of this commentary contain forward-looking statements that are based on our reasonable expectations, estimates, projections, and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict. Past performance is not indicative of future results. All indices are unmanaged and investors cannot invest directly into an index. The Harvey
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ABOUT JOHNNY GARSTKA
Johnny Garstka
Spooky Alexandria MYSTERIES, MISCHIEF AND MISHAPS
BY GLENDA C. BOOTH
Alexandria and nearby environs are riddled with mystery and intrigue, and some would say, with mischief and the macabre. Be they facts, legends, rumors or figments of imaginative minds, there are reports of ghosts, strange spirits and the supernatural throughout the city and points south.
The approaching Halloween season is an opportune time to explore paranormal Alexandria, the unseen, the unsolved and the unexplained.
Haunted Gadsby’s Tavern
In the 18th and 19th centuries, Gadsby’s Tavern at 138 North Royal St., a bar, restaurant and hotel, was a bustling social and business focal point in the Port City. It hosted famous patrons, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, and some who made history because of their misfortune.
Some people swear that in one of the
Ghost and Graveyard Tour
tavern’s third-floor windows, they’ve seen the spectral silhouette of a woman holding a candle, dubbed “The Female Stranger.” In 1816, a handsome gentleman, whose name is debated, arrived on a boat from the West Indies, accompanied by a woman in a black gown and veil. Some speculated she was the daughter of Aaron Burr, a founding father accused of treason, or Napolean Bonaparte in disguise.
She looked sickly, some commented. Three doctors examined her and she demanded that they not reveal her identity. She died in Room 8. She is buried at St. Paul’s Cemetery, established in 1809 as the cemetery for St. Paul’s Church in Alexandria.
Her tombstone reads, “To the memory of the female stranger whose mortal sufferings terminated on October 14, 1816, age 23 years and 8 months. This stone was placed here by her disconsolate husband, in whose arms she sighed out her last breath, and who under God did his utmost even to soothe the cold, dead ear of death.” Her male companion vanished, owing locals what today would be $20,000 in unpaid bills. Her ghost walks the halls of Gadsby’s Tavern, some say.
Is Room 8 cursed? Eight years earlier, in 1808, while performing in Gadsby’s Tavern, British actress Ann Warren suddenly collapsed on stage. She never got up to take her bows. Tavern-goers carried her to Room 8, where she died, perhaps from severe heartbreak and overwhelming sadness because she had lost her three children and two husbands. She is buried at Christ Church and today’s tour guides report seeing a black cat, off and on, that sits at her tombstone.
“Local folklore has it that if you stay in a hotel room in Alexandria and your room number ends with the number 8, you might get a knock on the door around midnight. It’s not room service,” quips Wellington Watts, president of Alexandria Colonial Tours. “A young lady in 19th-century clothing appears and asks, ‘Have you seen my husband?’ and then she vanishes.”
Untimely Deaths
Their identities were known, but their destinies doomed. The house at 107 North Fairfax St. was the scene of a “fatal and
melancholy affair,” the Alexandria Gazette reported in 1868. Charles Tennesson and Laura Schafer, a confectioner, were lovers. As Laura carried an oil lamp on the second floor, the lamp cracked and she was covered in burning oil. She ran downstairs in flames and died the next day. A distraught Tennesson shot himself in the head with a revolver. A subsequent owner of the house, Candida Kreb, sensed the eerie presence of a man in the basement, the ghost of Charles Tennesson, she believed.
Then there’s the saga of a very large Confederate flag atop the Marshall House at 480 King St., now The Alexandrian hotel, a symbol that gave President Abraham Lincoln nightmares as he viewed it from the White House in 1861.
Virginia had seceded from the Union that year and 10,000 Union soldiers swooped in to occupy Alexandria. Lincoln asked Union officer Elmer Ellsworth to get rid of the flag and off Ellsworth dutifully went. The Marshall House Confederate owner, James Jackson, confronted Ellsworth as he ascended the stairs to the roof and killed him. Ellsworth’s aide killed Jackson before he could reload his gun. When the hotel was later Hotel Monaco, guests swore that a painting of Ellsworth repeatedly fell off the wall without human intervention. Others reported
mysterious knocks on the doors. Michael Kiggan was the night watchman at a textile factory at 515 N. Washington St., where a rash of burglaries occurred in 1854. One day, Kiggan was found dead. To catch the culprits, the Alexandria police devised a trap.They decided that if the criminal saw Kiggan up there at night, he, presumably, might return. So the police dressed up a mannequin to look like Kiggan, and put it in the cupola. The cops waited and waited, but no burglar or murderer showed up. Some say keen observers today can get a shadowy glimpse from the street of the mannequin dressed like Kiggan. The murder is still unsolved.
It’s not exactly “Murder on the Orient Express,” but Alexandria’s trolley tracks were the scene of a gruesome mishap in 1923. A red-haired sailor, called “Short Jack,” who likely got overly saturated in one of the city’s dives, fell asleep on a track intersection. With low visibility from the thick fog rolling off the river that night, the conductor did not see Jack sprawled across the tracks and ran over him. Two officers carried away his headless body, ultimately sent to the great beyond in a coffin. Alleged sightings of Jack’s missing head circulated wildly around town, including some youngsters claiming they saw a dog shaking a “ball” that looked like a
The head of a doll washes up at Dyke Marsh, making for an eery tableau.
decomposing human head. Reports erupted of a headless ghost.
Woodlawn Weirdness
The mansion at Woodlawn Plantation, eight miles south of Alexandria, is “the most haunted home in Virginia, wrote L. B. Taylor in Ghosts of Virginia. Woodlawn is a two-story, 6,500-square-foot, Georgian brick mansion completed in 1805. George Washington gave the property to his step-granddaughter Eleanor (Nelly) Lewis and her husband, Lawrence, in 1799 as a wedding present. Some claim they’ve seen George riding around the plantation on a white horse on cold moonlit nights, wrote Michael Lee Pope in Wicked in Northern Virginia.
Another mystery is that the lid on a well in the mansion basement that is shut at night is inexplicably found opened the next day. Brian Taylor Goldstein wrote in Ghost Stories of Woodlawn Plantation, “According to legend, homes or structures built atop wells are inevitably haunted. This is because wells forge deep into the earth
to connect with streams and, for metaphysical, symbolic and mythical reasons . . . running water has long been associated with the spirit realm.”
Rowdies on the River
Surreptitious shenanigans found refuge on the Potomac waterfront, including the world’s oldest profession practiced in hundreds of floating brothels that moved up and down the river where fuzzy governmental and law enforcement lines made it easier to evade authorities than on land. Before the Civil War, the waterfront was a “hotbed of hotbeds,” wrote Pope.
In the 20th century, up until the Great Depression, boats called “arks” from Rosslyn to Jones Point became “one-woman affairs,” according to Pope, docked where they could lure the most customers. The arks were about 24-feet-by-10-feet and had a 12-inch draft. Also, some structures popped up just off the Virginia shoreline on pilings, presumably providing services beyond lodging and fishing bait. An early 20th-century postcard advertises “Dyke,”
today’s Dyke Marsh, as a fishing and hunting “resort,” showing an ark and a suspension bridge.
One local, the late Jerry Lyon, said that many of the arks “were survivors of the arks shut out of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal at the time of its closure. Many arks survived for years . . . as off-shore means to offer those amenities to the populace legally unavailable within the Virginia boundaries,” he wrote.
Other clandestine adventurers on the river were bootleggers operating stills in the wetlands like Dyke Marsh, called “Hell Hole” in the mid-1800s. Their skiffs showed up in the black of night commanded by armed individuals who left with “products.”
A 1931 Washington Post article reported that police raided Gus Quayle’s place near New Alexandria after watching him haul liquor from the bottom of the river and making a sale. After they arrested him, officers found 138 bottles of home brew and seven pints of liquor stashed in gunny sacks under the water.
In the 20th century, Cigarette Dodson was an enigmatic, wily “entrepreneur” who some say operated a still in Dyke Marsh and smuggled cigarettes “from the South.” Mount Vernon resident Eugene D. Vinogradoff knew Cig and shared this reminiscence: “Cig was a trapper, mostly. He caught muskrats, beavers and occasionally foxes and rabbits and sold their pelts. He also had a fishnet or two. The nets were held up by lines of wooden poles driven into the muddy bottom of the Potomac. The ice pulled them up each winter, so they had to be re-driven in the spring. He caught mostly white perch and carp. Cig also rented out several duck blinds, but rumors circulated that Cig had made money as a bootlegger during Prohibition.” Spooks or spoofs, tall tales abound around town.
To Explore
For ghost tours, visit Alexandria Colonial Tours, alexcolonialtours.com and for Halloween events, check out visitalexandria.com.
Jimmy with Alexandria Colonial Tours, talks to patrons about the graveyard at Christ Church in Old Town Alexandria.
Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michael's, Maryland
STORY AND PHOTOS BY ANDREW WHITE
Not ready to say goodbye to summer just yet? For those that use “summer” as a verb, The Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michael’s, Maryland, allows you to do just that. Think sunset sailing, walks into town for ice cream and a day by the pool.
Getting There
Just under two hours from Alexandria, St. Michaels is an easy drive, making the Inn at Perry Cabin a great weekend stay for Alexandrians looking for a nearby adventure that still feels like a getaway destination. For those interested in a more relaxing stay, consider coming up during the week so you can skip the crowds in St. Michaels and feel like one of the locals.
The Beach is Overrated
Sophisticated and relaxing, the Inn at Perry Cabin was the perfect summer getaway during a recent stay for someone like me who prefers to skip the sand and the crowds.
There’s really no better spot for an exceptional waterfront experience. Instead of unfolding a wobbly beach chair, guests can spend an entire weekend lounging in one of the many Adirondack chairs placed throughout the grounds and enjoy the tranquil views of the Miles River.
Inn Charm, Resort Amenities
It was enjoyable catching up with the couple from the previous night’s sailing excursion and raising a glass with fellow guests at “The Toast,” a daily evening tradition for the inn. There’s definitely a laidback, intimate feel that would be present at a local inn with all of the amenities of a top luxury resort.
What will bring me back are the patios, balconies and decks accompanying some of its rooms – many of which lead right out to the water, allowing guests to feel like they’re staying at a private home, perhaps a standout feature for travelers who typically go for Airbnbs over hotels these days. But it was also a perk to have access to the resort amenities typically associated
“WHEN in MARYLAND, TRY THE CRAB CAKES! ”
with larger hotels like the spa, a large swimming pool, tennis courts and a decked-out fitness center.
Local Spots, Fun Activities
Although tempting to stay on property for the entire stay, guests of the inn can take a short walk to downtown St. Michaels or drive 10 minutes to nearby Easton for additional dining options. We loved Rise Up Coffee, a local gem known for its coffee smoothie and a diverse breakfast menu. Guests of the inn can also visit the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, right next door, to learn about the region’s rich maritime history. And for anyone who likes
to do a little shopping, quaint streets are lined with boutique shops and eateries, each offering a unique take on the local culture.
One of the unique offerings of the hotel is a walking history tour that offers guests an overview of the estate’s history and fascinating context to St. Michaels' significant role during pivotal moments of the War of 1812.
Set Sail on the Stanley Norman Skipjack
The highlight of our trip had to be the sunset sailing excursion on the Stanley Norman Skipjack, a sailboat built in 1902
The Inn at Perry Cabin features a marina where boats bob along the banks of the Miles River on Maryland's Eastern Shore.
and registered as a National Historic Place. Guests were offered a glass of champagne as they made the short walk from their room right onto the boat.
It was relaxing to set sail and enjoy the tranquil waters while chitchatting with other guests and getting a few sailing pointers from the captain. This is an experience you can’t miss, if you’re a solo guest or a large party. The Inn at Perry Cabin is known for their excursions with groups and private charters.
Dining at Stars
When in Maryland, try the crab cakes! The menu is comprised of local, seasonal ingredients. Peak crabbing season in Maryland continues into November. The fine dining experience at Stars was exceptional and we highly recommend sitting on the patio that looks out onto the
water and docked boats. For those looking for a more casual experience, guests can dine at Purser’s Pub or relax in the lounge seating with fire pits – perfect for an after-hours cocktail.
Timeless is Trending
The Inn at Perry Cabin has a storied past, but with quintessential "East Coast" summer vibes, cotton candy-colored hydrangea bushes and endless charm, the inn is the perfect "East Coast summer" destination that’s become a travel trend across social media.
The historic charm of the inn is complemented by modern amenities and a vibrant atmosphere that appeals to both longtime visitors and new guests. And it’s just casual enough to perhaps appeal to a younger generation looking for an upscale stay.
One of the comfortable suites at the Inn at Perry Cabin.
Historic houses line the streets in charming St. Michael's, Maryland.
A Nod to Old Town Oyster Week
BY HOWIE SOUTHWORTH
Pre-order "A Taste of Alexandria" cookbook today!
Chef Cathal Armstrong and his wife Meshelle Armstrong have had an enduring and delicious relationship with the City of Alexandria and its community since the 2004 opening of Restaurant Eve under the banner of Eat Good Food Group.
Though Restaurant Eve closed in 2013, the Armstrongs’ group has raised and lowered several memorable shingles in Alexandria, from Eamonn’s, A Dublin Chipper and the upstairs speakeasy, PX, to the opening salvo of Virtue Feed & Grain and a brief transformation of The Majestic. Where the group is still going strong in the region is at their restaurant Kaliwa, a Korean/Filipino/Thai-driven restaurant at DC’s Wharf.
Alexandria has a jewel by the name of Hummingbird at Hotel Indigo, at 220 S. Union St.
As the Indigo’s in-house restaurant since
it opened in 2017, Hummingbird established itself as one of the rare fine-dining establishments in town with a river view. A lot has changed along the waterfront since then, and thankfully, this characteristic is getting closer to the norm than the exception.
Nonetheless, Hummingbird remains uniquely dedicated to the community it serves and the aquatic vistas just outside its floor-to-ceiling glass windows. General Manager Kenneth Petty defines their distinction succinctly: “Seasonal, local fare focused on seafood dishes that are indigenous to this area and this part of the Chesapeake.” He further identifies the menu and their overall philosophy as “‘New American.’ Basically, interpreting everything local, but our way, and using classical cooking techniques with local, seasonal ingredients.” Which, as he reminds us, is Chef Cathal’s calling card.
As a tasty nod to Eamonn’s chip shop, Hummingbird has revived a favorite condiment, their Shishito tartar sauce. Indeed, paired with fried oysters, it may just complete a memory of Alexandria kitchens past. Where oysters are prominent in the city’s food canon, they find their groove in various other parts of this book. Here, we focus on the Shishito pepper, or at least peppers in the same vein. Though such peppers were first brought to Europe during the Columbian exchange to and from the Americas, they found a distinct set of culinary uses once introduced into Africa. In yet another instance of deep influence on American cookery, once-enslaved Africans are chiefly responsible for how the pepper found its way to the Alexandria table in the 1800s. First arriving here from the fertile growing regions in the Caribbean, peppers were used by enslaved persons who, by tradition, knew of their place in cookery. Like many enduring ingredients and techniques that emerged from enslaved persons’ quarters, eventually attempts to locally grow and use peppers were made widely popular. In fact, in September 1899, the Alexandria Gazette ran an article hailing the “Pungent Green Pepper” and introduced its “unlimited number of appetizing dishes,” including being stewed with tomatoes.
HOWIE SOUTHWORTH
Hummingbird Bar + Kitchen at Hotel Indigo in Old Town Alexandria.
Southern Fried Oysters with Shishito Tartar Sauce
Adapted from Meshelle Armstrong
Hummingbird Bar and Kitchen
220 S Union Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
Total Time: 25 minutes
Serves: 2-3 as an appetizer
Shishito Tartar Sauce
½ cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp lemon juice
1½ tsp yellow mustard
15 Shishito peppers, stemmed, seeded
2 tbsp minced onion
½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp capers, drained, rinsed
¼ tsp kosher salt
⅛ tsp ground black pepper
Fried Oysters
½ lb (5-6) shucked oysters, drained, patted dry
2 3/ cup all-purpose flour
¼ tsp kosher salt
⅛ tsp ground black pepper
¼ tsp garlic powder (optional)
¼ tsp ginger powder (optional)
1 large egg
2 tbsp milk
2 3/ cup Panko bread crumbs
Canola or vegetable oil for frying
Lemon wedge for garnish
To make the Shishito tartar sauce, add all ingredients except salt and pepper to a food processor and purée until the peppers are mostly blended into a smooth sauce. Add salt and pepper to taste and continue blending until well-balanced. Refrigerate until needed. Any unused sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days.
To fry the oysters, in a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, salt, pepper, and optionally garlic and ginger powders. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the egg and milk. Place the bread crumbs in a third bowl.
Prepare a plate next to the dredging station. Coat each oyster with the seasoned flour, then egg wash, then bread crumbs, shaking away excess between each step. Place each coated piece on the clean plate. Allow the dredged oysters to sit while the oil heats.
Pour enough oil in a cast iron skillet or other high-sided skillet to about ½ inch in depth. Heat the oil to 350ºF over medium heat. If you do not have a thermometer, one handy trick is to use a wooden chopstick, like the kind you get with Chinese take-out. As the oil heats, touch the tip of the chopstick to the bottom of the skillet at an angle. Once you see bubbles forming around the entirety of the submerged chopstick, the oil is ready.
Prepare a wire rack over a baking sheet and place next to the skillet. Carefully place oysters into the hot oil one at a time. Cook the oysters until the bottom has been fried to golden brown, about 45-60 seconds. Carefully flip and after another 45 seconds, the oysters should be golden brown all over. Remove the fried oysters to the wire rack and allow them to drip free of excess oil.
To finish, scoop ¼ cup of Shishito tartar sauce onto a plate or platter (and more on the side as a dip!) Top with fried oysters and serve hot with a lemon wedge for squeezing.
Getting to Know Alyia Gaskins
BY MARY ANN BARTON
Alyia Gaskins is set to become Alexandria’s first Black female mayor when she is sworn into office in January.
A Pittsburgh native, she has lived in Alexandria for the past eight years and makes her home in the City’s West End with her husband and two children.
She was raised by her mother Francine, who often worked two or three jobs to make ends meet while dealing with diabetes, asthma and other health issues.
“We relied on my Grandma, neighbors and community to keep a roof over our heads,” she said. "When you don’t have that stability,” it impacts a family’s health both physically and mentally, she noted. It was that background that gave her a deep understanding and influenced her work in public health and led her to public service.
Some of her top priorities when she takes over as mayor include what she sees as a tax imbalance; public safety; housing affordability and government accessibility.
Gaskins said that she thinks the City is too reliant on residential taxes. “The first issue is figuring out how we begin to move the needle on this commercial tax imbalance,” she said, noting that the lingering effects of COVID has kept many people working from home, decimating the office market and other businesses near offices.
Coming up with strategies to reduce youth violence, “creating a safer quality of life,” is another priority.
Affordable housing is another challenge she would like to tackle. In the City’s West End, she noted, apartments and condos are aging “and they are reaching the end of their life cycle.” Whatever happens to those buildings next should not lead displace people, she said "We need high-quality housing.”
Another item on her agenda is making government more accessible to everyone. She would like to see new opportunities to communicate in different languages and see more people engage with government. “Just communicating is the first level,” she said. “Having people do something with that information” is the next level.
Translating complex city subjects in an approachable way so that residents can act on it would be ideal, she said.
Meeting residents where they live is something she got used to doing during her campaign, meeting constituents at bus stops, Ethiopian coffee ceremonies and playground meetups.
Gaskins will become mayor of Alexandria in January 2025.
Three words that describe me
Compassionate, creative and determined.
Someone (living or deceased) I would invite to dinner
My Grandma Parker passed away earlier this year; she has always been my best friend.
I would love to have another dinner with her.
Every morning, I read My Bible.
My favorite snack is Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food.
My pet peeve is
When people are rude to wait staff or support staff.
My favorite president is President Barack Obama; one day I hope to say Kamala Harris.
You'd be surprised to learn that
I love to dance and be silly! We often have family dance parties.
My favorite way to relax is I love a good nap.
Expert Breast Care, Close To Home
The Virginia Cancer Specialists Comprehensive Breast Center at Alexandria Old Town provides a full-service spectrum that includes:
• Breast surgical oncology and oncoplastic surgery
• Breast surgery for benign conditions
• Breast ultrasound
• Genetic and genomic testing
• Lymphedema screening and advanced surgical techniques for lymphedema prevention
• Resensation breast surgery after mastectomy
• Clinical research and development of breast surgery techniques
• High-risk clinic for screening and risk reduction
