Posts Tagged ‘leesburg’
Posted by Lindsey Leake / Monday, May 14th, 2012
Monday, May 14, 2012
Leesburg mother and son reunited on Mother’s Day after 41 years apart
Michelle Obama praises Virginia Tech’s resilience
Alexandria Council approves redevelopment plan
Romney speaks at Liberty U. Commencement
Falls Church congregation vacating historic property
DMV urges drivers to avoid unlucky 13
Virginia ignores marijuana reform proposals
(Compiled by Lindsey Leake; photo courtesy of Shutterstock/re_bekka)
Posted by Lindsey Leake / Wednesday, April 25th, 2012
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Arlington Police, Virginia Tech make FAA list of agencies able to operate unmanned aerial drones
Woman, 85, dies during police transport in Fairfax County
Leesburg resident discovers black bear on back deck
Loudoun County School Board approves $809 million budget
Normal service resumes after Metro train derailment at Rosslyn
Fredericksburg detective pleads guilty to solicitation
11-year-old autistic boy drowns in Stafford retention pond
Planned palace in Great Falls neighborhood upsets residents
(Compiled by Lindsey Leake; photo courtesy of Shutterstock/dutourdumonde)
Posted by Matt Basheda / Wednesday, April 18th, 2012
The flowers are out in full force.
Springtime shines this weekend in NoVA, as two of our favorite towns kick off Virginia Historic Garden Week.
Spring shoots at Leesburg's show. Courtesy Town of Leesburg.
Blooms will paint downtown Leesburg for the famous Flower and Garden Festival. This garden party draws serious crowds each year, and this year will be no different. Leesburg’s streets shut down to vehicle traffic, and instead, flowers rise magically up from the asphalt as you wander this suburban floral sanctuary.
Best of all–you hardly have to pay. Recommended donation is just $3 to show up and take in the fragrant sights.
But if shopping is your goal, over 150 vendors will be on hand to distribute their wares and skills, including nurseries and landscapers. Gardening supplies abound, as well. Pick up anything you might need to complete your yardwork–not just spades and the like, but also the big stuff. Think deck-building supplies, patio equipment and more.
And to tempt you further, flora won’t be the only Loudoun native on display. This year’s special events include a tasting area, at which local vineyards tout their succulent wine, and craft breweries showcase beer. Food also features prominently in the festivities, as well as live music and children’s entertainment.
One of Alexandria's historic gardens. Courtesy Esther Carpi.
The Leesburg Flower and Garden Show is two days–Saturday, April 21 and Sunday, April 22 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. day one, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. day two.
Which means you can split your time between Leesburg’s enormous festival and Alexandria’s subdued, but no less splendid historic garden tour.
Alexandria is one of a few tours that begin Virginia’s Historic Garden Week, a celebration of Virginia’s gardening culture. The tour itself has existed for 79 years.
A dozen homes and gorgeous gardens feature on this year’s tour, including several from the 19th century and even one from 1782. Stroll Alexandria’s shady streets and soak in its rich history, all amid a profusion of springtime glory.
Tickets for the tour cost $35 in advance online, or $40 the day of the tour.
However, Historic Garden Week is a statewide celebration. If you feel like taking a trip to soak in everything our glorious state has to offer, check out some of the other garden week happenings. I’ve covered a few, and there are even more on garden week’s website.
–Matt Basheda
Posted by Lindsey Leake / Friday, March 30th, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
Annandale High bomb threat delays school
Breathalyzers coming to D.C.-area bars
Internal transit system proposed for Herndon
Hippies to take over Leesburg’s Cooley Gallery
Falls Church homeowners top remodeling spenders in South
Virginia, Maryland revisit talks on possible new Potomac River crossing
(Compiled by Lindsey Leake; photo courtesy of Shutterstock/Anton Prado PHOTO)
Have You Been Outside? This Weather Calls for Patio Drinks
Posted by Lorin Drinkard / Thursday, March 1st, 2012
Happy Thursday! It’s only noon here and everyone in the office is currently itching with spring fever. This is how we feel when thinking about how springtastic it is outside:
No more winter! Photo credit: Shutterstock/ Darren Baker
Christmas Countdown: Town Christmas Trees
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Wednesday, December 14th, 2011
Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011
So you’ve got your own decorations up and looking flashy in the winter air, but nothing quite compares to a professional, humongous Christmas tree. Here’s where to find the area’s best town Christmas trees, to make your holiday season even better.
A sampling of Alexandria's stunning Christmas decorations. Photo courtesy City of Alexandria.
Reston Town Center’s tree is quite famous in the area. The town center always looks lovely this time of year, and their enormous tree is no exception. Right smack in the middle of RTC, where the fountain resides, the tree dominates the festive landscape and glitters merrily all day and night.
Alexandria’s Christmas tree is exceptional as well. Located in historic Market Square in Old Town Alexandria, their Christmas tree compliments the multitudinous lights around Old Town. Lights string along each tree like frosted spider webs. And colored bulbs shine off store windows, creating an atmosphere of wonder.
The Christmas tree at Shirlington is quite the spectacle. Check out this video from their official tree lighting earlier this month:
As you can see, the ceremony is a community event, with loads of good cheer to go around.
Manassas has a Christmas tree as well, located on the Manassas Museum lawn at 9101 Prince William St.
And for you Loudouners, head to Leesburg. Their Christmas tree is looking sharp, and can be found on the town green at 25 W. Market St. Check out even more of Leesburg’s festive spirit in our previous blog post all about the holidays in Loudoun’s county seat.
And don’t forget to check our shopping guide every day. Our experts at S.W.A.G. have dozens of gift ideas for you to choose from.
Merry Christmas!
–Matt Basheda
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Wednesday, December 7th, 2011
ALICITA®Salsa announced today that all five flavors of their tangy, not–too–hot staple will now be available at TODOS Market in Woodbridge.
In September of this year, TODOS was named a finalist in UVA’s 2nd Annual Toyloe Murphey Resilience Competition. Carlos Castro and his team were honored along with the other finalists for their continued efforts and remaining resilient in harsh economic times. TODOS has also just opened a brand new 50,000 sq. ft. market in the Marumsco Plaza in Woodbridge. Come check out the new store and be sure to grab some of our delicious ALICITA®Salsa.
In addition to their not-too-hot Original, made from a Kansas heartland family-owned recipe and named after mother Alice who now resides in Maryland, Alicita*Salsa® offers a flavorful array of four international tastes – Japan, Germany, India, and Greece – and will be releasing several new flavors being kept under wraps, very soon.
“We’ve had great success with each new flavor we release,” stated Alicita’s founder and owner, Suzanne Fields, “I am confident in Alicita’s ability to continue producing salsa that is neither too hot for children, nor too bland for adults. We want the entire family to enjoy our product.”
Alicita*Salsa® comes in 12-oz jars with wide mouths for easy dipping and first of its kind; unique 4-oz dipping cups; Snackitas™ perfect for packed lunches, food service, take-outs and more! Alicita*Salsa® can also be found in Giant Food stores as well as select local Walmart’s. Watch your local groceries for these healthy, diverse salsa flavors which are sure to be the stars of your next meal.
Alicita*Salsa® is a privately held company that donates part of its proceeds to over 20 Children’s Charities, such as Feed The Children,St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Food Allergy Network, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and others.
– Jennie Whistler
Pajama Brunch at Virtue Feed and Grain
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Wednesday, November 30th, 2011
Virtue Feed and Grain in Alexandria
At Virtue Feed and Grain, wearing your pajamas is not only encouraged, but rewarded!
On the first Sunday of every month, Virtue Feed and Grain is going to be offering a pajama brunch where you can enjoy traditional Irish breakfast, great beer and live music- all in your coziest pair of jammies!
And on Sunday, December 4th, Virtue Feed and Grain will host the Georgetown Saxatones, who will perform some of their greatest hits for Virtue’s guests.
The Georgetown Saxatones are the newest co-ed a cappella group on Georgetown’s campus. Originally founded as an oldies group in 2000, the Saxatones have expanded their repertoire to include everything from Motown to Michael Jackson, Alanis Morissette to Stevie Wonder, and Timbaland to Taylor Swift. The Saxatones were created with the purpose of serving the community through performance and music, and regularly partner with organizations both on the Hilltop and in the greater DC region.
Virtue Feed and Grain is the latest culinary endeavor from Chef Cathal Armstrong and his business partner/wife Meshelle. Specializing in modern American “pub grub,” Virtue is the ideal spot for a relaxing Sunday brunch. Chef Ryan Wheeler compiled a menu based on all time brunch favorites, including Corned Beef Hash with poached egg, French Toast with bacon and even the traditional Irish Breakfast, a nod to Chef Armstrong’s upbringing in Dublin.
Priced at $23 per person, prix fixe brunch includes coffee & juice, your main course, and the morning spread: assorted pastries, organic yogurt with various fruit fillings, assorted cereals, fruit salad, cured meets, cheese, smoked salmon, fresh bread and other goodies—the perfect way to get your appetite going.
Virtue Feed and Grain - 106 S. Union St., Alexandria; (571)970.3669
– Jennie Whistler
Del Ray’s Pork Barrel BBQ Opens Today!
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Tuesday, November 29th, 2011
Image: Rebecca Armendariz/TBD
In 2008, Pork Barrel BBQ founders Heath Hall and Brett Thompson released their company’s first product – the All-American Spice Rub. The brand has grown and, since 2009, Hall and Thompson have entered a competition barbecue team in contests, beginning with the Safeway National Capital Barbecue Battle in D.C. They even have their own fragrance – “Que.”
The Alexandria restaurant, which opens today, is another first for the company.
The first Pork Barrel BBQ restaurant opens today at 2300 Mount Vernon Avenue in the Del Rey neighborhood of Alexandria. It’s been over two years since the venture was first announced in August 2009.
Also news is that they’ve brought aboard former Evening Star Café chef, Will Artley, as a consultant to share his knowledge of operating a restaurant and even offering tweaks to the side dishes — including what co-owner Brett Thompson calls an “off-the-charts” rendition of mac-n-cheese.
Pork Barrel BBQ Ribs!
Northern Virginia has been waiting a long time for great BBQ, and I, for one, am looking forward to filling that BBQ void with sumptuous pulled pork, ribs, brisket, chicken and special recipe sausage and sides like BBQ baked beans, coleslaw, potato salad, corn salad and mac & cheese!
Opening today! Go get your BBQ on!
Pork Barrel BBQ Restaurant - 2312 Mt. Vernon Ave, Alexandria
Visit their Facebook page or website for more information!
– Jennie Whistler
Posted by Lorin Drinkard / Thursday, November 17th, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
After countless hours at work, wouldn’t it be great to leave the worries of paper jams, unanswered emails and to-be-done project aside and actually have some fun in your day?
Trivia tonight? Yes way! /Photo credit: Shutterstock/Deklofenak
That’s where Bunker Sports Cafe enters the spotlight. Cast all coffee-stain, payroll cares aside and head to a happy hour you can wrap your mind around: trivia night-style. With host Max at the mike, he’ll lead you and your team through multiple categories and questions that have you thinking while drinking.
And actually, happy hour isn’t reserved for after 5 pm at Bunker. They offer discounts all day long (11 am to 9 pm, to be exact).
The questions starts at 7 pm and runs til 9 pm but staff we talked with at Bunker recommends getting there between 6 and 6:15 to get a good table. And you’ll need lots of room – Bunker offers a plethora of food and drink specials. Five appetizers for $5 a piece? Done. $2 drink specials? Done and done.
If you are chalk full of random facts and seemingly useless info, put it to good use at tonight’s trivia challenge at Bunker, where happy hour is educational and entertaining. Don’t forget to come up with a stellar team name. It’s almost as crucial as answering the questions themselves.
Bunker Sports Cafe
510-I East Market Street
Leesburg, VA 20176
(703) 443-0777
www.bunkersportscafe.com
HH: 11 am – 9 pm
Cost: $5 per appetizer, $2 a drink.
–Lorin Drinkard