A Letter from Our Founders

PUBLISHER

Beth Lawton

EDITOR

Mary Ann Barton

ADVERTISING / EVENTS

Katherine Barton

Cleo Chitester

Kristen Riffle

DESIGN & ILLUSTRATION

Andrew White

PUBLISHING ASSISTANT

Susannah Moore

Alexandria Living Magazine is published six times per year by Alexandria Living, LLC ©2022. 201 N. Union St., Suite 110 Alexandria, VA 22314. For newsstand or distribution locations or to subscribe for home delivery, go to alexandrialivingmagazine.com/subscribe.

CONTACT US info@alexandrialivingmagazine.com or call 571-232-1310.

PARTNER WITH US

Alexandria Living Magazine fully supports the local business community and offers several unique ways to partner with the publication.

• Sponsored articles and multimedia content on the website, in our popular email newsletters and on social media.

• Highlighted events in our events calendar, email newsletters and social media.

• Sponsored real estate listings. Brand awareness through online banner ads designed to boost your business.

• Contests, sweepstakes and giveaways.

To learn more about how partnering with Alexandria Living Magazine can help build your business, contact us at ads@alexandrialivingmagazine.com or call 571-232-1310.

PRESS RELEASES & TIPS

Send news releases and story tips to maryann@alexandrialivingmagazine.com

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE

Subscribing to Alexandria Living Magazine is easy! You can go to alexandrialivingmagazine.com/ subscribe to pay securely online by credit card, or mail a check with the subscription mailing address to Alexandria Living Magazine, 201 N. Union St. Suite 110, Alexandria, VA 22314. Subscriptions are $14.95 for one year or $24.95 for two years.

Happy Spring!

It's one of the most beautiful times of the year in Alexandria and we hope you are making the most of it by planning to enjoy the great outdoors at the St. Patrick's Day Parade, Old Town Festival of Speed & Style, Historic Garden Week, Spring Garden Market. Well, you get the picture, we have an abundance of exciting happenings coming our way this spring! Be sure to check out our calendar for all the events, starting on Page 9. (And we hope you aren't just reading about them — go!)

This year we hope you will join us for the 2023 Alexandria Wedding Showcase, presented by Alexandria Living Magazine, taking place Sunday, March 5 at Above ALX Community. Style expert Monte Durham (owner of Salon MONTE in Old Town and co-star of "Say Yes to the Dress - Atlanta") will be on hand as our special guest at a VIP brunch and more than 30 vendors will meet one on one with brides and grooms. Get all the details on Page 16.

Speaking of weddings, we talk to two wedding photographers, Steve and Emily Nicole, about the trends they're seeing and tips for taking beautiful photos on the big day, starting on Page 18. (If you're coming to the showcase, be sure to stop by and say "hi" to Steve.

They say you can't outsmart a fox, but you can try when it comes to lending a helping hand to these beautiful creatures. Local writer Susannah Moore explores the sometimes fatal skin disease that can afflict these wonderful animals and how you might help. Read all about it on Page 22.

Turning to the arts, one of the most unique draws for both tourists and local residents alike in Alexandria is the Torpedo Factory Art Center. With its previous use as a munitions factory, the 105 year-old building that sits on the City's waterfront plays host to an array of talented artists, who engage with visitors as they create their work. Catch up with the Torpedo Factory on Page 25.

When challenges confront some people, they may shy away, give up or .... in the case of the folks you'll meet starting on Page 30, tackle a problem head-on. These Alexandrians not only were thinking outside the box, they busted down barriers to help others as well.

Who hasn't been hacked or had to deal with a frustrating email situation? We talk with an expert who gives us tips on how to steer away from online troublemakers, on Page 40.

Next up, photographer and writer Andrew White gives us a birds-eye view of his first visit to Alexandria, where he explored our coffee shops and restaurants and just enjoyed strolling the streets of Old Town, with camera in tow of course, starting on Page 44.

If you're like us, you can't wait to plan some fun spring and summer outings, maybe a long weekend getaway that's just a car-drive away. We've rounded up some regional happenings and events that we hope you'll make plans to enjoy, on Page 49.

Last but certainly not least, in The Last Word, CIA agent turned author Brittany Butler, a former Alexandrian, talks about her first book and her upcoming launch party in Alexandria, on Page 52.

We hope you enjoy this issue and thank you for all your support of our endeavors. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, sign up for our email newsletters and keep abreast of current events on our website.

Thanks for reading!

Mary Ann Barton and Beth Lawton Founders