Alexandria Living Sept

12 NEW DEVELOPMENTS 

GOING UP 

GET AWAY TO THE 

FLORIDA KEYS 

NEW RESTAURANTS 

COMING TO TOWN 

Back to 

School... 

Learn something 

new at any age! 

ALEXANDRIALIVINGMAGAZINE.COM 

September / October 2021 $4.95

Living, Loving, 

Listing Old Town 

Lauren Bishop, McEnearney Associate 

One of my favorite things about Old Town is 

when the seasons change... and I don’t necessarily 

mean just the weather. It’s the mood, culture, 

and energy that comes out to greet us. It’s the 

celebrations, holidays, and traditions. It’s the 

community, friends, and neighbors. I love Old 

Town, and love even more helping my clients 

find a special place here to call home. Wherever 

you are in life, your first home or third, connect 

with me to talk about how I can help you with 

your next move. 

Lauren Bishop, Realtor® Tel. 202.361.5079 I LBishop@McEnearney.com I www.LaurenBishop.com 

Old Town Alexandria 109 S. Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 I tel. 703.549.9292 

Equal Housing Opportunity

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4875 Eisenhower Avenue 

Alexandria, VA 22304 

(800) 424-3334 

Monday - Thursday: 8:30am - 5:30pm 

Friday: 8:30am - 6:00pm 

Saturday: 9:00am - 2:00pm 

Membership eligibility required. Membership is free and open to all residents of Virginia 

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CONTENTS 

8 

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 

There’s lots going on this fall 

in and around Alexandria. Get 

out and have some fun! 

PHOTO COURTESY OF ELIZABETH KUKLA 

PHOTO BY MARY ANN BARTON PHOTO BY CHRISTY KOSNIC 

26 

30 

18 

20 

24 

26 

30 

52 

FOOD & DINING 

Here’s a look at the latest on 

Alexandria’s restaurant scene, with 

a surprising number of new eateries 

opening their doors soon in our city. 

THE NEIGHBORHOOD 

Writer Rachel Kester delves 

into the mystery of the Eastern 

Cougar in the region. 

THE GREAT OUTDOORS 

A look at a fascinating topic that 

most residents have likely never 

heard about before: Alexandria’s 

secret magnolia bogs. 

PETS 

We take a look at how man’s best 

friend is trained to become a therapy 

dog, service dog or facility dog. 

HOME & GARDEN 

Renovating a condo? Condo 

owners must look at community 

and space concerns among other 

decorating considerations. Here’s 

a look at a new and improved 

kitchen, bath and home office. 

TRAVEL 

After being pent up the past 

year thanks to the pandemic, an 

unexpected 10-day girls’ trip to 

the Florida Keys was heavenly. 

Start planning your trip to explore 

all the Keys have to offer now! 

52 

56 

THE LAST WORD 

We chat with the new owners 

of the popular Grounded Coffee 

Shop, located on Telegraph Road. 

September / October 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com 

3

FEATURES 

38 

Back to 

School 

PHOTO COURTESY OF HARLEY-DAVIDSON 

Heading back to the 

classroom isn’t just for 

the kids this fall. Looking 

to learn a new skill? 

We’ve got you covered. 

45 

Bigger, 

Taller, 

Denser 

Alexandria continues to 

grow, with new buildings 

and developments on 

the horizon. Here’s a 

look at the latest. 

ON THE COVER 

Old Town Alexandria 

streetscape 

SOCIALIZE WITH US 

facebook.com/alexandrialivingmag @alexlivingmag @alexandrialivingmag 

PHOTO BY LAURIE COLLINS 

4 alexandrialivingmagazine.com • September / October 2021

Babs Beckwith 

Old Town’s Real Estate Expert 

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SOLD 

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Call Babs and put her expertise to work for you! 

Babs Beckwith, Realtor ® Tel. 703.627.5421 I Babs@BabsBeckwith.com I OldTownAlexandriaLiving.com 

109 S. Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 I off. 703.549.9292 I Equal Housing Opportunity

PUBLISHER 

Beth Lawton 

A Letter 

from Our Founders 

EDITOR 

Mary Ann Barton 

ADVERTISING 

Cleo Chitester 

Teal Griffey 

Lora Jerakis 

DESIGN & ILLUSTRATION 

Jessie Leiber 

PUBLISHING ASSISTANT 

Susannah Moore 

INTERN 

Tess Lundgren 

Alexandria Living Magazine is published six 

times per year by Alexandria Living, LLC 

©2021. 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 

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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, 

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To learn more about how partnering 

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call 571-232-1310. 

PRESS RELEASES & TIPS 

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HOW TO SUBSCRIBE 

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Alexandria Living Magazine, 201 N. Union 

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Subscriptions are $14.95 for one year or 

6 alexandrialivingmagazine.com • September / October 2021 

$24.95 for two years. 

It's time for fall in Alexandria! Whether 

you're enjoying a stroll under a canopy of 

autumn leaves, taking in a local fall festival 

or enjoying a meal with family and friends 

in the crisp autumn air at one of the City's 

restaurants, a new season always feels like 

a time to celebrate and start anew. 

You'll want to start your look at this issue 

with a perusal of some of the many events 

coming up, including the Old Town Festival 

of Speed & Style and the Hollin Hills House 

+ Garden Tour (the magazine is a sponsor 

of both and we're like you, we can't wait to 

check them out!). 

Even before Labor Day, you probably are 

either sending kids back to school or recalling 

those school days and all the excitement 

that comes with it. Guess what? That feeling 

doesn't need to end! There are fun and interesting 

things to learn at any age, and we've 

compiled quite the list of new skills you can 

learn — from archery and motorcycling to 

cooking and woodworking and a myriad of 

other activities, starting on Page 38. 

We are constantly amazed at the growth that 

continues in Alexandria despite the pandemic. 

In this issue, you can check out some of 

the latest apartment, condo and retail developments 

going up in and around Alexandria, 

on Page 45. And don't forget to check out 

our interactive map (scan the code on Page 

45) online on our website. 

Can you guess what one of the most popular 

topics in the magazine and on our website 

is? Dining, and even more specifically, finding 

out about new restaurants opening in 

Alexandria. We take a look at the surprising 

growth on the restaurant scene, starting on 

Page 18. 

Writer Rachel Kester explores two intriguing 

topics in this issue: The mystery of the 

Eastern Cougar and Alexandria's secret magnolia 

bogs, on pages 20 and 24, respectively. 

We all know how Alexandrians feel about 

their dogs — most pooches can't take a 

few steps without getting a treat from a 

local retailer or quenching their thirst at a 

Beth Lawton, publisher, and Mary Ann Barton, editor 

PHOTO BY MATT MENDELSOHN, TAKEN AT VIRTUE FEED & GRAIN. 

water bowl left outside a Mom 'n Pop shop. 

Susannah Moore explores some of the dogs 

that go above and beyond — serving as facility, 

therapy or service dogs, on Page 26. 

With many condo-dwellers in our City, we 

decided to explore some of the ins and 

outs that some experience when it comes 

to major renovations. We get a look at the 

results with kitchen, bath and home office 

makeovers, on Page 30. 

With colder weather on the horizon, now 

may be the time to plan an escape to a 

warmer climate. You can't do better than a 

visit to the Florida Keys. Come along with us 

on a 10-day girlfriends' getaway, on Page 52. 

One thing that Alexandrians take pretty 

seriously — their coffee shops. One of our 

favorites is Grounded Coffee Shop. Meet the 

new owners in The Last Word. 

With this issue, we are celebrating our third 

year in print. The years are flying by! Thank 

you — all of our advertisers, subscribers, 

contributors and others in the community 

who have helped us along the way. 

Enjoy your fall, and we'll see you back here 

in November! 

Mary Ann Barton and Beth Lawton 

Founders

Our Team 

Meet some of the contributors to this issue. 

LAURIE COLLINS 

Photographer 

RODNEY FISHER 

Photographer 

RACHEL KESTER 

Contributor 

Even if the name Laurie Collins doesn't 

ring a bell, chances are you know the D.C. 

native by her social media nom de plume 

DCcitygirl on Instagram, where 136,000 

followers check in on her amazing photography 

of the area, including Alexandria. She 

captured one of Old Town's iconic historic 

streets for this issue's cover photo. 

Rodney is an Alexandria resident who can 

always be found at a local Fairfax County 

park, most often at Huntley Meadows. 

He has had a satisfying career as a health 

care and education policy adviser in and 

outside of Congress. Originally from Texas, 

he discovered Old Town Alexandria on 

a visit during the Christmas holidays. He 

was so taken with its beauty, elegance 

and history that he decided that this 

was where he wanted to live...forever. 

Rachel is a freelance writer from 

Chesterfield, Virginia whose work covers 

topics ranging from environment to travel. 

She also reviews books, art and other 

creative pursuits, often with a socio-environmental 

focus. She enjoys exploring 

Alexandria’s historic parks and browsing 

the lively Old Town Farmers’ Market. 

PHOTO BY SHANNON FINNEY 

CHRISTY KOSNIC 

Photographer 

Christy is an interiors photographer in 

the greater northern Virginia area. Her 

love of architecture started young. At 

5, she was drawing floor plans with her 

home-builder grandfather. By the age of 

7, she was seriously addicted to This Old 

House. Architectural photography stems 

naturally from Christy’s inherent love of the 

spaces we live, work and play. In collaboration 

with design professionals, Christy 

seeks to capture the stories of those 

spaces and the visions of the designers. 

SUSANNAH MOORE 

Contributor 

Susannah has happily called Alexandria 

home since 2015. She graduated from the 

College of Charleston and has worked in 

the political and legal fields and is excited 

for the opportunity to rekindle her interest 

in writing. For fun, she enjoys running 

along the Potomac with her husband 

or spending time with her rescue cat, 

Cinnamon, and golden retriever, Kai. 

STACY ZARIN GOLDBERG 

Photographer 

Art has always been a huge part of Stacy's 

life. She has had her eye behind the camera 

for as long as she can remember. She's 

been shooting professionally for more 

than 15 years and specializes in architecture 

and interior design photography. 

Her work has been featured in numerous 

local and national publications, including 

Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, 

Vogue, and HGTV. Stacy currently lives in 

the DC Metro area, where she grew up, 

with her husband, two kids and three dogs. 


7

EVENT KEY 

Arts 

Food & Dining 

Family-Friendly 

Film 

Historic/Educational 

Literature 

Live Music 

Nightlife 

Pet-Friendly 

Recreation & Outdoor 

Shopping 

Theater 

Workshop 

Be sure to check out some of the fall events taking place at Huntley Meadows Park, 3701 Lockheed Blvd. PHOTO BY RODNEY FISHER 

FALL 2021 

Calendar of Events 

September 

Yoga on the Magnolia Terrace 

Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 

Through Oct. 30 

Join Carlyle House’s yoga instructor every 

Tuesday and Thursday at 5:30 p.m. or 

Saturday at 10 a.m. for an hour-long 

Vinyasa Flow yoga on the Carlyle House 

Magnolia Terrace. Bring water, a towel 

PHOTO COURTESY OF CARLYLE HOUSE 

and a yoga mat and wear comfortable 

yoga-wear. Classes may be cancelled due to 

extreme weather. Class is $10 per class or 

$40 for a five-class pass. 

Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax St., 

novaparks.com/parks/carlyle-house-historic-park 

Stigma Art Exhibit 

Sept. 3-25 

Stigma affects many different people 

in many different ways, including those 

with mental health disorders, HIV, 

homelessness, disabilities and more. 

Stigma can encourage bullies, racists, 

sexists and systemic exclusion. The STIGMA 

art exhibit features artwork that shines a 

light on stigma — how it feels, how it can 

affect and/or disrupt lives and how it can be 

overcome. 

Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave., 

delrayartisans.org 

The Old Town Festival of Speed 

and Style 

Sept. 5 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 

The Old Town Festival of Speed & Style 

highlights all the things that make Old Town 

unique — history, architecture, great food, 



fabulous people, art, style and energy. 

The festival kicks off Saturday, Sept. 4 with 

the King Street High Octane Ball, sponsored 

by Alexandria Living Magazine and others 

from 7:30-9:30 p.m. On Sunday, Sept. 5, 

view dozens of exotic cars on display along 

the lower three blocks of King Street. At 

the same time enjoy a presentation of 

live music and fashion provided by more 

than 40 local merchants with the Old 

Town Boutique District. The festival is 

free to attend All proceeds benefit USO 

Washington-Baltimore and ALIVE! 

SEP 

10-19 

Lower three blocks of King Street, 

festivalspeedstylealex.com 

Blood and Strikes: American Labor 

in the 20th Century 

Sept. 5 | 2 p.m. 

From deadly mine explosions to wartime 

strikes, the history of the 20th century 

American labor movement is full of violence 

and controversy. This Labor Day weekend, 

learn about the struggle for workers’ rights 

at the home of one of its most powerful 

spokesmen, John L. Lewis. Face masks are 

recommended. The tour is limited to 10 

participants. Tickets must be purchased in 

advance and are $10 per person. 

Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden, 614 

Oronoco St., leefendallhouse.org 

Creations and Libations 

Sept. 5 | 2-8 p.m. 

Support local artists and enjoy local 

libations as artists take over The Garden 

ALX for a pop-up. Featuring the work of 

10-plus local artists setup throughout the 

event space, workshop and patio, as well as 

local craft beer and cider. 

The Garden Alexandria, 5380 Eisenhower Ave., Suite 

C, thegarden.net 

American Smallsword 

Symposium 2021 

Sept. 11-12 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 

The American Smallsword Symposium 

is in its sixth year and exists to bring 

together instructors, scholars, current and 

prospective students and other parties 

interested in the study and practice of small 

swords and related subjects. Along with 

fostering a general interest, the goal is to 

bring about a recurring event along the 

lines of the annual Smallsword Symposium 

held in Edinburgh, Scotland. 



Old Town Cocktail Week 2021 

Sept. 10-19 

Old Town Business presents Old Town Cocktail Week: A Celebration of the 

Local Cocktail Community. Throughout the week, there will be a collection 

of seminars and tastings alongside in-store specials at local boutiques. 

Everything will be ticketed (managed by each store with funds raised going 

directly to each store). 

Various locations in Old Town, oldtownbusiness.org/old-town-cocktail 

Prohibition in Alexandria 

Walking Tour 

Sept. 11, Oct. 16 | 10 a.m. 

Discover the forgotten stories of teetotalers 

and bootleggers on this walking tour of 

Prohibition-era Alexandria. Learn about 

the dramatic campaign to ban alcohol in 

Virginia which threatened a long tradition 

of local alcohol production and sale. The 

tour begins at the Lee-Fendall House, home 

to the Downham family, who were once 

one of the city’s most prominent liquor 

dealers. Face masks are recommended. 

The tour is limited to 10 participants and 

lasts approximately an hour-and-a-half. 

Walking tours take place rain or shine 

so wear appropriate shoes and clothing. 

Tickets must be purchased in advance and 

are $15 per person. 



August Wilson’s 'Fences' 

Sept. 11-25 | various times 

The Little Theatre of Alexandria will present 

this Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, which 

also won the Tony Award for Best Play. It 

is set in the segregated 1950s, where Troy 

Maxson, a former Negro League baseball 

star, is scraping by as a sanitation worker. 

"Fences" explores the walls we build 

around ourselves and our loved ones, while 

also illuminating one family’s struggles in a 

racist society. 

The Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe St., 

thelittletheatre.com 


9


PHOTO BY CHRIS MILITZER 

SEP 

18-19 

Concerts at The Birchmere 

Music Hall 

Check out some of the performances 

scheduled for September and October at 

The Birchmere. Check The Birchmere’s 

website for the latest information and a full 

concert list. The concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. 

Ticket prices vary. 

SEPT. 1, 2 

Jeffrey Osborne 

SEPT. 5 

The Marshall Tucker Band 

SEPT. 8 

Blue Oyster Cult 

SEPT. 11 

Madeleine Peyroux 

SEPT. 14 

Suzanne Vega 

SEPT. 16 

Dave Koz & Friends Summer Horns 2021 

SEPT. 20 

Amy Grant 

SEPT. 23, 24 

The High Kings 

SEPT. 27 

Christopher Cross 

OCT. 1 

Preacher Lawson 

OCT. 4, 5 

Toad the Wet Sprocket 

OCT. 13, 14 

Damien Escobar 

OCT. 18, 19 

Boney James 

OCT. 22, 23 

The Whispers 

OCT. 25 

Gordon Lightfoot 

The Birchmere Music Hall, 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., 

birchmere.com 

PHOTO COURTESY OF GEORGE WASHINGTON'S MOUNT VERNON 

8th Annual Old Town Pub Crawl 

Sept. 11, 18, 25 | 2-6 p.m. 

Port City is excited to once again host 

the 8th Annual Old Town Pub Crawl. The 

crawls will be held in Old Town Alexandria 

on three different dates. Each day will 

feature four restaurants and/or pubs, 

an exciting selection of ales and lagers, a 

commemorative pint glass and shirt and 

some small surprises along the way. Their 

goal is to keep the annual tradition going 

in 2021, creating a more personalized and 

hands-on experience, with hopes of having 

a larger pub crawl back in July 2022. Port 

City will work closely with their participating 

partners to ensure safety is the top priority. 

Tickets are required and space is limited so 

be sure to secure your spot. 

Various locations, portcitybrewing.com 

Beyond the Battlefield: A Civil War 

Walking Tour of Alexandria 

Sept. 18 | 9 a.m. 

This walking tour shares the stories of 

soldiers, citizens and self-liberated African 

Americans in Civil War Alexandria. It covers 

the military occupation, the conversion 

of public and private buildings into 

hospitals and emancipation. Face masks 

are recommended. The tour is limited to 

10 participants and lasts approximately an 

hour-and-a-half. Walking tours take place 

rain or shine so wear appropriate shoes 

and clothing. Tickets must be purchased in 




Colonial Market & Fair 


Step back in time at Mount Vernon’s 

Colonial Market & Fair, featuring food and 

wares made by colonial artisans. The event 

is free after paying for admission. 

George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount 

Vernon Memorial Hwy., mountvernon.org 

19th Annual Alexandria Old Town 

Art Festival 


The 19th Annual Alexandria Old Town Art 

Festival is heading back to John Carlyle 

Square in 2021. All artwork is juried, 

which provides a higher level of quality, 

diversity and creativity of art on display, 

exemplifying the gifted artists in regions 

from all over the country. Admission is free. 

John Carlyle Square, 300 John Carlyle St., 

artfestival.com/cities/Alexandria 

Smithsonian Museum Day 


Museum Day is an annual celebration 

hosted by Smithsonian Magazine. The 

Lee-Fendall House Museum will join 

thousands of other museums and cultural 

institutions across the country to provide 

free entry to anyone presenting a Museum 

Day ticket. Register for your ticket at 

smithsonianmag.com/museumday/venues/ 

museum/lee-fendall-house-museumgarden/ 




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S H O P L O C A L , S H O P S M A L L 

M A D E I N A L X . C O M 

G i f t s f o r a l l a g e s a n d a l l i n t e r e s t s 

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11


SEP 

25 

‘Warm & Cozy’ Pop-Up Shop at 

Lost Boy Cider 

Sept. 19 | 1-6 p.m. 

Lost Boy Cider is hosting some of 

Alexandria’s best makers, creators 

and artists for a one-day pop-up shop 

in partnership with Made in ALX, a 

partnership of local crafters. The popup 

shop will feature candles, blankets, 

honey for tea and dozens of other items 

to get you ready for the cold weather — 

whenever it arrives! 

Lost Boy Cider, 317 Hooffs Run Dr., lostboycider.com 

and madeinalx.com 

Carlyle House Yoga Mala 

(Sun Salutations) 

Sept. 25 | 8 a.m., 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. 

Hollin Hills House + Garden Tour 

Sept. 25 | noon-6 p.m. 

The Civic Association of Hollin Hills welcomes all to the largest mid-century 

modern home and garden tour on the East Coast. Hollin Hills is an awardwinning 

mid-century modern neighborhood in Alexandria. This self-guided 

walking tour will showcase stunning examples of mid-century modern 

architecture, landscaping and interior design throughout this unique 

neighborhood listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and National 

Register of Historic Places. Registration will start at 10 a.m. at Hollin Meadows 

Elementary School (2310 Nordok Place). Tickets are $50 for regular and $80 

for VIP. 

Hollin Hills, hollinhillsmodern.com 

PHOTO COURTESY OF HOLLIN HILLS HOUSE + GARDEN TOUR 

Celebrate the equinox on your yoga mat 

with a mala. Sign up for one hour or more. 

Bring a towel, mat and water. You will need 

to sign a waiver for each hour you attend. 

Registration is required as space is limited. 

Price is $15 per class. 



National Wine and Food Festival 

Sept. 25-26 | noon-6 p.m. 

Join in the excitement of the 12th Annual 

National Wine and Food Festival, bringing 

together world-renowned chefs, artisanal 

craftsmen and culinary pioneers with 

thousands of Metro DC foodies. General 

admission tickets are $39 and VIP tickets 

are $89 on Saturday and $59 on Sunday. 

National Harbor, Md., 802 National Harbor Blvd., 

nationalharbor.uncorkthefun.com 

Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day 

Celebration 


Alexandria’s Irish 

heritage organization, the 

Ballyshaners, is excited 

to host a “halfway to St. 

Patrick’s Day celebration” 

featuring vendors, food, beer and the best 

Irish music and dancers in town. Festivities 

will take place rain or shine. 

Waterfront Park, 1A Prince St., ballyshaners.org 

First Annual Hollin Meadows 

Swim & Tennis Club Gala 


Hollin Meadows Swim & Tennis Club 

is excited to host an evening of music, 

beverages, food and silent and live auctions 

to benefit the building of a new pool, tennis 

courts and grounds to create summer 

memories for generations to come. Tickets 

are $75 in advance/$100 at the door 

and are encouraged to be purchased in 

advance. This is an outdoor event, rain date 

will be Sept. 25. The gala is open to the full 

community (no membership required). 

Hollin Meadows Swim & Tennis Club, 2500 

Woodlawn Trail, hollinmeadows.org 

Life Guard Society Fall Gala at 

Mount Vernon 


Join Mount Vernon Saturday, Sept. 25, 

for a gala evening in support of the 

restoration of the bedchamber of George 

and Martha Washington. The evening will 

feature cocktails on the East Lawn of the 

Mansion overlooking the Potomac River, 

and a black-tie seated dinner on the Estate 

grounds. In addition, there will be afterhour 

tours of the Mansion with a Mount 

Vernon curator leading attendees through 

a viewing of some personal objects owned 

by the Washingtons that are not normally 

on display. 




Burgundy Farm Country Day School, we believe children learn best in an 

At 

creative, and nurturing environment that engages the whole child. 

inclusive, 

us for an upcoming Open House to learn more! 

Join 

by visiting: burgundyfarm.org/admission/open-house 

Register 

7 0 0 B u r g u n d y R o a d 

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Finding All 

Opportunities in a 

Changing Market 

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REAL ESTA TE GROUP 

Licensed in VA, DC & MD 

703.951.7655 I JillianKeckHogan.com 

109 S. Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 I 703.549.9292 

Equal Housing Opportunity 

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U R G U N D Y 

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13


Sips & Secrets: A Speakeasy Night 

Sept. 25 | 7 p.m.-10 p.m. 

This annual fundraising party celebrates 

Lee-Fendall House’s Prohibition-era 

history, when the house was home to one 

of Alexandria’s liquor wholesalers (and 

possible bootleggers). Highlights include 

dancing to live jazz music, a costume 

contest, 1920s-style cocktails and more. 

The event will raise funds for the repair of 

the museum’s 220-year-old brick garden 

wall as well as support the museum’s 

ongoing work in historic preservation, 

education and community engagement. A 

private VIP pre-reception will precede the 

main event. Tickets are limited. 



OCT 

2 

George Washington Patriot Run 

Sept. 26 

Join Mount Vernon and patriotic 

participants around the country for a 

10-miler and 5K. The racecourse will 

include both lanes of a five-mile stretch of 

the George Washington Parkway from the 

George Washington Parkway Circle to W. 

Boulevard Drive. After the race, the Finish 

Festival will offer music, food and beverage 

concessions and a free beer for each 

runner. This race is in-person, with a virtual 

option for participants who are outside of 

the area. 



Expanding the Common Ground: 

Voices of the Global Majority 

Art Exhibit 

Oct. 1-30 

The Expanding the Common Ground: 

Voices of the Global Majority art exhibit 

explores what makes us one, seeks the 

common ground among us and examines 

what it means to heal the divides. Local 

artists and high school students present 

artworks examining all facets of diversity 

and celebrating unity. 

Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave., 

delrayartisans.org 

Homeschool Day – Archives 

Oct. 1 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 

The Lee-Fendall House Museum welcomes 

homeschoolers for Homeschool Day. 

The theme this fall, in honor of American 

Archives Month, will focus on archives and 

how people learn about history through 

documents. Tours of the house will be 

offered every hour starting at 10 a.m. 

with the last tour starting at 3 p.m., with 

a limited number of people per session. 

Advance registration for a specific tour time 

is required. Face masks are recommended. 

Admission prices are: Adults (18 and older) 

$3, students (3-17) $5 and children under 

age 3 are admitted free of charge. 



PHOTO BY CHRIS MILITZER 

Art on the Avenue 

Oct. 2 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 

One of the region’s top multicultural arts festivals will return to an in-person 

event for its 26th year. Held each fall on Mount Vernon Avenue between 

Hume and Bellefonte avenues, Art on the Avenue strives to reflect the 

diversity of the Del Ray community through the artists and their work. This 

year’s event will feature more than 300 local and regional artists. Live music, 

international food, children’s activities and a pie-baking contest to benefit a 

local non-profit round out the day’s activities. 

Mount Vernon Ave., artontheavenue.org 

Archaeology Family Day 

Oct. 2 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 

Discover how archaeology uncovers the 

past through family-friendly activities 

at Mount Vernon. Sensory-friendly 

accommodations will be made between 

9-11 a.m. for visitors who need a quieter 

experience. The activity is included with the 

price of admission. 





Spirits of Carlyle House 

Oct. 8, 15, 22 and 29 | 6-8:30 p.m. 

Carlyle House’s long and diverse history 

is full of truths, myths and rumors that 

makes it one of the most-visited places 

on Alexandria’s ghost tours. Come and 

experience a uniquely haunting tour of the 

house and grounds by candlelight, perhaps 

encounter the departed spirits of notable 

residents and neighbors and hear their 

tales of sadness and triumph. Reservations 

are required; tickets are $10 and are 

available on the website. Tours are on the 

half hour. 

OCT 

30 



Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour 

Oct. 8-10 | 6-9 p.m. 

Bring a blanket and relax while you enjoy 

unlimited samples of Virginia wines on 

the grounds of Mount Vernon after hours. 

Attendees will also have the chance to meet 

George Washington. Ticket prices are: 

Friday: $49 members, $59 general public 

Saturday: $53 members, $63 general public 

Sunday: $43 members, $53 general public 

VIP tables are also available. 



Beyond the Battlefield: A Civil War 

Walking Tour of Alexandria 

Oct. 9, 23 | 9 a.m. 

This walking tour shares the stories of 

soldiers, citizens and self-liberated African 

Americans in Civil War Alexandria. It covers 

the military occupation, the conversion of 

public and private buildings into hospitals 

and emancipation. The tour is limited to 

10 participants and lasts approximately an 

hour-and-a-half. Walking tours take place 

rain or shine so wear appropriate shoes 

and clothing. Tickets must be purchased in 




Wait Until Dark 

Oct. 16-Nov. 6 | various times 

Set against the socially turbulent 1960s, this 

play by Frederick Knott follows the story of 

Suzy, a blind woman who, while left alone 

in her apartment, becomes embroiled with 

a group of con men hatching an elaborate 

PHOTO COURTESY OF GEORGE WASHINGTON'S MOUNT VERNON 

scam. As the tension mounts, Suzy must 

fend for herself, but the phone line is cut 

and the house is plunged into darkness. 

Can Suzy outwit her murderous visitors? 

The Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe St., 

thelittletheatre.com 

Fall Harvest Festival 

Oct. 23-24 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 

Celebrate the crisp autumn season with 

18th-century activities and demonstrations 

at the farm at Mount Vernon. Beer making, 

fish packing, spinning, textile-dying, cooking 

and more will be featured. Cost is included 

with the price of admission. 



Grief & Ghost Tours 

Oct. 22, 23, 29 and 30 |7 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 

8 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. 

Celebrate Halloween with a look at 

Victorian mourning traditions coupled with 

stories of tragic deaths and mysterious 

occurrences at the Lee-Fendall House. 

Customs such as draping the mirrors 

after a death, funeral practices, hair 

mementos, mourning clothing and séances 

will be explored. These tours offer a rare 

opportunity to see the house after dark. 

Tickets are $15 per person. Tour groups 

will be limited to 10 participants and tickets 

must be purchased in advance. Face masks 

are recommended. 



Fall Frolic 

Oct. 30 | 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., 

2 p.m. and 3 p.m. 

Enjoy some seasonal family fun in the 

garden of the Lee-Fendall House during 

Fall Frolic. Put on your Halloween costumes 

and enjoy activities designed for children 

ages 3-12. Activities include a “ghost” hunt, 

crafts and a costume parade. Timed tickets 

must be purchased in advance. 



Trick-or-Treating at Mount Vernon 

Oct. 30 | 2-6 p.m. 

Celebrate Halloween with 18th-century 

entertainment and activities. Guests receive 

a take-home craft and a bag of candy. 

Tickets for adults are $17 for members or 

$25 for the general public. Tickets for youth 

are $9 for members or $15 for general 

public. 



Keep an eye out for the annual 

doggy-trick-or-treating in Old Town 

hosted by The Dog Park store at 

705 King St. and trick-or-treat for 

the little ones hosted by Old Town 

Boutique District. 

September / October 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com 15


Fast Cars, 

Hot Fashion 

SEP 

5 

The Festival of Speed & Style is 

returning to Alexandria on Sunday, 

Sept. 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

The car-and-fashion-show will take over 

several blocks of King Street and Market 

Square, featuring rare and unusual cars in 

addition to fashion. 

The event started in 2019 under the 

guidance of Sonoma Cellar owner Rick 

Myllenbeck. The event went into neutral in 

2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

The event will include an eclectic mix of 

Grand Touring sports cars from the 1950s 

through the 1980s. Also included: “Exotic, 

unique, rare and unusual modern-day 

automobiles that draw people's attention 

because they are wicked cool and 

are rarely seen in public,” according to 

event organizers. 

The Festival of Speed & Style will raise money 

for two charities: ALIVE! and the USO of 

Metro Washington. 

The USO is a volunteer organization that 

focuses on keeping military members connected 

to the people and places they love. In 

addition, the USO hosts social and educational 

events throughout the Washington 

and Baltimore metro areas. 

ALIVE! is an Alexandria organization that 

focuses on helping those in need in the City 

of Alexandria by providing food and a variety 

of services to individuals and families. 

For more information about the festival, visit 

festivalspeedstylealex.com. 

PHOTOS COURTESY OF OLD TOWN FESTIVAL OF SPEED & STYLE 


We chose Melissa to list our beloved home of 

24 years because her reputation of excellence 

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to preparing our property, to her creative 

marketing strategies, to negotiating the terms 

of an extremely smooth transaction, Melissa’s 

guidance was spot on. Her communication was 

thorough and effective and she was always 

responsive to our needs and questions. 

Our ability to fully rely on Melissa during a 

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Melissa continually proved herself to be our 

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Camille and Jim M. 

Yield a Higher Net Sale Price with 

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Melissa Shelby is an expert at preparing 

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Melissa Shelby 

Realtor ® Licensed in VA 

m: 703.627.0074 

o: 703.229.8935 

melissa.shelby@compass.com 

melissasellsvirginia.com 

Melissa.Sells.Virginia 

MelissaSellsVirginia 

Compass is a licensed real estate brokerage that abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. Information is compiled from sources 

deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. Compass is licensed as Compass Real Estate in DC and as Compass in Virginia and Maryland. 

1004 King Street Alexandria, VA 22314 | 703.229.8935

PHOTO COURTESY OF TACO BAMBA 

Alexandria's Growing 

Restaurant Scene 

BY ALEXANDRIA LIVING MAGAZINE STAFF 

Alexandria’s restaurant 

community has changed over 

the past few months. We 

saw some openings, some 

closings and more interesting 

movements in the industry. 

Here’s a look! 

What’s Buzzing at Bradlee? 

After Atlantis closed its doors in 

January, after 40 years in business 

at Bradlee Shopping Center, it didn’t 

take long for a new business to take 

interest in the spot. Signs popped up 

stating “Have you heard the latest 

buzzzzz? New neighborhood diner, 

COMING SOON!” 

Beeliner Diner is the new restaurant. 

It will be run by a local company, but 

the owners are not ready to release 

details. For details, keep an eye on 

alexandrialivingmagazine.com this fall. 

Taco Bamba Coming Home 

Alexandria residents are about to 

have another option for Taco Tuesday. 

Taco Bamba Taqueria is opening in 

Alexandria’s West End later this year, 

the company announced. The restaurant 

will open its seventh location in 

the Landmark neighborhood at 6259 

Little River Turnpike. Chef Victor Albisu 

reportedly worked in his mother’s Latin 

market in the Landmark neighborhood 

when he was growing up, so this 

opening is a homecoming of sorts for 

him. Taco Bamba will open in the fall or 

winter, according to the company. 

District Bagel Shop 

Opening in Old Town 

Call your friends and neighbors — and 

your mother — and let them know that 

Call Your Mother is expanding to Old 

Town. The owners of 128 and 130 N. 

Pitt St. confirmed the popular Districtbased 

bagel shop will be moving into 

1,800 square feet on the ground floor 

of the building. The building has been 

vacant since Helen Olivia Flowers 

relocated to Del Ray two years ago. The 

bagel shop, which also sells coffee and 

sweets, describes itself as a “Jew-ish” 

deli and is the creation of chef Daniela 

Moreira and Andrew Dana, along with 

partner Jeff Zients. They started out at 

farmers’ markets before opening their 

first location in DC’s Park View neighborhood 

in 2018. 


FOOD & DIINING 

Historic Building Now 

Home to Frozen Custard 

This summer, a walk-up frozen 

custard stand opened in 

The Ice House building at 200 

Commerce St. Goodies Frozen 

Custard & Treats serves up 

carry-out frozen custard, coffee 

and baked goods. Goodies 

is known for Wisconsin-style 

frozen custard and treats like 

the “donutwich” (an apple cider 

donut stuffed with vanilla 

frozen custard and topped 

with caramel), sundaes, 

shakes and floats. 

Goodies started as a food 

truck, self-described as 

“Washington D.C.’s first 

and only ‘Vintage Mobile 

Eatery’ paying homage to the 

Rock & Roll era.” The food 

truck is available for events 

(including weddings). 

The Ice House was originally 

the property of Mutual Ice Co., 

Alexandria’s largest ice distributor. 

At just 300 square feet 

inside, the building stored ice 

before home refrigeration was 

widely available. The Mutual 

Ice Co. was founded in 1900 

on the Potomac River waterfront, 

selling ice to residents 

and servicing rail cars along 

the Potomac Yard rail line. 

More Pizza? Yes, Please 

Emmy Squared opened its doors this 

summer at 124 King St., in the heart of 

Old Town Alexandria, near the waterfront. 

The restaurant features high 

ceilings, brick walls, seating at tables, 

booths and a bar and a friendly 

and attentive staff. The menu includes 

pizza, salads, appetizers and more. 

Standouts included the Crispy Chicken 

Crunchers appetizer and the Pepperoni 

Pizza. The delicious pizzas come in thick 

square slabs on wire racks. 

In addition a new &pizza is opening 

in Kingstowne (next to a new Chopt 

Creative Salads venue), and another 

&pizza in the Eisenhower East neighborhood 

is in the works. 

Jollibee to Open First Northern 

VA Restaurant 

The Filipino chicken restaurant 

Jollibee is bringing its signature 

Chickenjoy to Alexandria. Jollibee 

will open in Lincolnia at the intersection 

of Beauregard Street and Little 

River Turnpike. 

The building was previously occupied 

by Boston Market. Jollibee has about 

40 restaurants in the United States — 

primarily in California — and more than 

1,300 restaurants worldwide. 

“Jollibee is best known for Chickenjoy, 

which is delicately hand-breaded to 

be crispylicious on the outside, with 

a secret marinade making it juicylicious 

on the inside. Every day, our 

customers revel in the joy of our fan 

favorites which include our sweetstyle 

Jolly Spaghetti and scrumptious 

Peach Mango Pie made with real 

Philippine mangoes,” according to the 

company’s website. 

“Parallel to our mission to spread the 

joy of eating across the globe, we are 

all about family. As we expand, we 

continue to forge partnerships with 

local community organizations to be a 

catalyst that spreads joy and the family 

values we espouse wherever we go.” 

The only other Jollibee restaurant in 

Virginia is in Virginia Beach. 

Bob & Edith’s Expanding to 

Old Town 

You can never have enough diners, 

and we were excited to hear Bob & 

Edith’s will open an Alexandria location. 

Coming to 1743 King St., it will take 

over the spot where Ernie’s Original 

Crab House, which closed in April, 

was located. 

Elo’s Italian Opens Pop Up 

The owners of Live Oak in Del Ray 

opened Elo’s Italian Pop-Up over the 

summer, serving up Italian favorites 

from 4-9 p.m. Tuesday through 

Saturday on their patio and for pickup. 

Chadwicks Adds Outdoor Dining 

The Alexandria City Council approved 

Chadwicks’ plan this summer for a 

new outdoor dining area, which the 

restaurant is hoping to open soon. 

The outdoor seating for 70 guests was 

expected to be located at the front of 

the restaurant, at 203 Strand St., and 

on the side, partially in Gilpin Alley. 

Chadwicks plans to include quiet outdoor 

speakers to provide background 

music in the outdoor dining areas. 

What’s Next? 

Hank & Mitzi’s, located at 600 

Montgomery St., closed its 

doors. “Opening a restaurant in the 

middle of a global pandemic was not 

without challenges and even with dedicated 

staff and loyal customers we find 

ourselves needing to pause, regroup, 

and determine the best way to move 

forward in this space,” the restaurant 

said in a statement. 

In addition, Rosemarino D’Italia closed 

its doors in Del Ray, in part due to the 

pandemic. The restaurant’s Dupont 

neighborhood location in the District 

continues operations. 

Be sure to check our website 

for the latest dining updates! 


19


The Mystery of the Eastern 

Cougar in Alexandria 

BY RACHEL KESTER 

In 2014, a potential Eastern 

Cougar sighting close to 

Riverside Elementary School 

on Old Mount Vernon Road 

went viral. School authorities 

canceled outdoor recess out 

of an abundance of caution. 

Almost instantly, the county 

set up cameras to confirm if 

this fabled animal was back to 

reclaim its territory. 

Even though many believe this creature 

to be rare, most are surprised to 

learn that they were once common 

to the area. Before their extinction, 

Eastern Cougars lived in countless 

areas near the community, such as 

the Shenandoah, Blue Ridge and the 

Allegheny Mountains. While these are 

hours away, cougars can walk great 

distances and they easily made the 

long journey to Fairfax County’s forested 

borders. 

However, as early settlers began to 

spread through the region, it proved 

to be the beginning of the end of 

the Eastern Cougar. Their consistent 

presence led them to be perceived as 

a menacing predator that would prowl 

around at night in search of cattle and 

people. Consequently, bounties were 

provided by local governments to incentivize 

hunters. 

Eastern Cougar kits. PHOTO BY DAVID SCHINDLE FOR THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE 

Despite the broad belief that the hunts 

would make the community safer, it 

ended up being counter-intuitive, as 

suggested by Rick Hopkins, president 

of The Cougar Fund: “You don’t make 

people or cattle safer by killing cougars. 

If you hunt them too much, you 

increase the number of sub-adult males 

who tend to cause the most trouble so 

conflict will go up.” 

But why did the cougar disappear from 

Alexandria? 

Didn’t the nearby forests and mountains 

provide enough room? 

What is often forgotten is that during 

the start of the 20th-century these now 

lush wildernesses, like Shenandoah 

National Park, weren’t always forests 

but sprawling farms. As Edward Clark, 

founder of The Wildlife Center of 

Virginia, explained, “The advancement 

of European colonists in these areas 

turned their forests into pastures, pushing 

the cougars westward.” 

In an attempt to mitigate these disappearances, 

the Eastern Cougar Recovery 

Plan was developed. This 1982 project 

did not succeed despite its best efforts, 

and today, the effects of the cougar’s 

absence are clear. For instance, you 

might notice a recent influx of whitetail 

deer in Northern Virginia — and while 

intriguing, these creatures can wreak 

havoc on farms and be road dangers. 

The cougar diet managed the deer 

population which kept their numbers 

under control. Without them, the deer 

population continues to increase, leading 

to serious issues not only for their 

own herds, but for humans, too. 

While the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

officially classifies the Eastern Cougar 

as extinct, that doesn’t mean there’s not 

a hidden colony somewhere, including 

perhaps near Alexandria. This belief 

is still a cause for debate as experts 

vary in their opinions, although most 

lean toward the extinction side of 

the argument. 


THE LOCAL 

LENDER 

Puma. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE 

Clark, for instance, declares that the 

Eastern Cougar is gone and never coming 

back, largely because it doesn’t coexist 

well with humans. Hopkins agrees on 

this point but doesn’t necessarily concur 

with Clark on the complete absence of 

the cougar from the area. 

“A population is a somewhat self-sustaining 

and breeding region,” he says. 

“Cougars move great distances and 

we’ve seen South Dakota cougars move 

as far as Oklahoma.” Their thoughts 

might differ but one thing’s clear: 

Cougars need adequate space and privacy 

if they’re to thrive. 

There’s a slight possibility that against 

all odds cougars have discovered a 

well-hidden spot along the East Coast to 

prosper. Because of its scope and terrain, 

it can be difficult for even modern 

explorers to track cougars. This could 

provide hope that somewhere concealed 

in its landscape there’s a small population 

still unknown. 

New research has also shown that 

Western Cougars (basically cougars that 

live in the West) are slowly moving back 

East. While this doesn’t necessarily mean 

a rebound, it could lead to nearby mountains 

and forests seeing occasional cougars 

once more. But, with development 

booming along the Eastern Seaboard, 

chances are slim. Cougars need space 

and it would be hard for them to travel 

in these areas without running into 

sections where they could be killed or 

spooked away. 

So what about those mysterious cougar 

sightings in Alexandria? More than 

likely, they’re just bobcats passing 

through. But cougar enthusiasts, don’t 

despair. There’s still a sliver of a chance 

that these encounters are much more 

significant and could be an outlier of a 

close-by population. 

The next time you venture around the 

city or glance out your window during 

the evening, that quick flash of fur 

you see out of the corner of your eye 

might not be a figment of your imagination, 

but rather a unique glance at 

Alexandria’s past and perhaps its 

secretive present. 

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23

Alexandria’s 

Secret 

Magnolia Bogs 

PHOTOS BY ROD H. SIMMONS 

BY RACHEL KESTER 

After grabbing their journals 

and magnifying glasses on their 

way out, early 20th-century 

conservationists would hop 

on the newly installed electric 

trolleys around Alexandria to 

visit a recent magical discovery 

— magnolia bogs. 

Once they arrived at their destination, 

the researchers would quickly walk 

through the bustling area to enter a tiny 

secluded portion that, to the untrained 

eye, looked like nothing more than a 

muddy swamp. 

After stepping inside, the loudness of the 

city dissolved and the scientists found 

themselves engulfed in an otherworldly 

atmosphere that mimicked a Costa 

Rican rainforest. The grounds were dim, 

but the light gaps peeking through the 

treetops provided just enough space 

for sunbeams to reach through so they 

could study its habitat. 

Spanning no more than 1 acre in size, 

early residents originally called these 

natural wonders “magnolia swamps” 

after the plentiful Sweetbay magnolias 

growing around them. It was the 

early 1900s when biologist Waldo Lee 

McAtee gave them their official name 

of magnolia bogs. McAtee was one of 

the first to document these areas and 

spent years trekking through the region 

to write about their history, condition 

and location. 

But, over time, the grandeur of the 

Alexandria bogs faded and they became 

only a memory as development increased. 

Today, one of the last of these, 

the Beatley Bog, is fighting to survive. 

Despite their rich history and importance 

in the local ecosystem, many in the 

area are still unaware of the existence of 

these unique micro-ecosystems. 

Fundamentally, the acidic bogs are a 

testament of the Ice Age with most of 

their topography and plants reflecting 

this period. In fact, they’re some of the 

rarest in the world because they thrive 

exclusively within the East Coast’s Fall 

Zone. Thanks to this setup, they have a 

distinctive filtering system that strains 

large quantities of rainwater that come 

from upland terraces. As the water flows 

along the clay terraces, they remove any 

sand and gravel away before it falls into 

the bogs. 

Today, the main force behind preserving 

magnolia bogs is Rod Simmons, 

Alexandria’s Natural Resource Manager 

and Plant Ecologist, who has spent more 

than 30 years investigating them. In spite 

of his decades of research, Simmons 

is still amazed at the new discoveries. 

Some of his most notable experiences 



have been uncovering species that have never been 

recorded or were thought to have disappeared 

forever. He also fondly remembers coming across 

century-old artifacts left behind by early magnolia 

bog explorers. 

Simmons explains that Alexandria has had a significant 

loss of magnolia bogs simply due to human development 

as well as mismanagement. Throughout 

the 1900s, there were countless scattered around 

the city. While the first surveyors didn’t give them 

a specific name, they would track their location. 

Because of this, we know there were bogs near 

Hunting Creek, Hume Spring in Four Mile Run Valley, 

Taylor Run, Lake Barcroft and Turkeycock Run, to 

name a few. Scientists would hike through these 

mostly now-vanished spots and collect rare flora like 

Virginia bunchflower, nodding ladies’ tresses, white 

fringed orchids and swamp sunflowers. 

Simmons also describes magnolia bogs as biodiversity 

hotspots that provide a habitat for a myriad 

of rare dragonflies, damselflies, crustaceans and 

birds. This makes them a favorite hideout for yellow-crowned 

night herons, rusty blackbirds and little 

wood satyrs. 

In spite of their remarkable ecosystem, magnolia 

bogs are unfortunately fragile environments 

because anything that disrupts their hydrologic 

supply (like pipe installations) harms their existence. 

Besides this, invasive plants (especially poison ivy) 

threaten their rare flora. Magnolia bogs are resilient 

but any intrusions take their toll. 

What is the main culprit behind the extinction 

of magnolia bogs? In most cases, ignorance. The 

National Park Service oversees one site at Oxon 

Run, but despite an investment of over $29 million 

two decades ago to protect it from the Metro, it is 

still struggling to flourish. 

Besides this, man-made adjustments of the tidal 

plains have often redirected water resulting in 

erosion and sediment deposition. Stormwater runs 

have also proven to be troublesome. While magnolia 

bogs are primarily filled by rainwater from nearby 

springs, toxic pollutants on roads and landscapes 

will get washed away and eventually drain into 

them. As Simmons points out, “The water we have 

isn’t created, just renewed. We don’t get more of it.” 

Magnolia bogs might seem insignificant but they’re 

a critical piece of Alexandria’s culture and environment. 

As with so much of our local heritage, what 

we have is unique and irreplaceable and these 

strange, uncelebrated tiny swamps just might be 

one of the jewels in that crown. 


25

PETS 

Calming 

Canines 

BY SUSANNAH MOORE 

Therapy dogs, service dogs, 

facility dogs: We recently delved 

into the important distinctions 

between these calming canines 

and found out about a couple of 

them serving right here in the 

Alexandria area. 

If you’ve spent time at ALX Community’s 

coworking offices along the waterfront 

in Old Town Alexandria, you may have 

noticed a lively, reddish-brown Vizsla 

hanging out with his owner, Elizabeth 

Kukla. The pup, Dieter, is more than 

just a beloved pet, he also works with 

Kukla as a therapy dog. He offers a 

monthly “De-stress with Dieter” event at 

the office. 

Therapy dogs are not breed-based but 

behaviorally based, which means that 

temperament is most important when 

determining if a dog would make a good 

therapy dog. That being said, some 

breeds lend themselves better to the 

job than others because they have been 

bred to enjoy human interaction. 

“If you specifically want to get a dog 

to do therapy dog work, I would pay 

attention to what breeds are in your dog 

because purebred dogs and mixes of 

purebred dogs are going to have traits of 

what they were bred to do, and different 

breeds of dogs have different tendencies 

and habits,” explained Kukla. 

Dieter. PHOTO BY SARAH MARCELLA 

Vizslas like Dieter are bird-hunting 

dogs but are also known for being very 

friendly and people-pleasers. Kukla was 

inspired to train her dog to be a therapy 

dog after her sister did therapy dog work 

in Alexandria with her Golden Retriever. 

One of Kukla’s main motivations to 

train Dieter was to visit people in 

nursing homes, which was her favorite 

place to take him prior to the 

COVID-19 pandemic. 

“A lot of people in nursing homes ... a 

lot of times they will have to give up 

any pets that they have. The Alliance of 

Therapy Dogs — their slogan is ‘Sharing 

Smiles and Joy’ — and I think the most 

true place I’ve seen that is at a nursing 

home,” said Kukla. 

The Alliance of Therapy Dogs 

(therapydogs.com) is one of two national 

organizations that can certify a dog as a 

therapy dog. The second is Pet Partners 

(petpartners.org). Kukla said both do 

great work, but she decided to go with 

the Alliance of Therapy Dogs because 

they have less dietary and other restrictions 

on their therapy dogs. 

Kukla encourages owners interested 

in doing therapy dog work with their 

dog to start training them as young as 

possible. Puppies should get exposed to 

all kinds of people, places, objects and 

situations and should be taught basic 

obedience skills. 

She recommends getting the AKC Canine 

Good Citizen program and test which 

is a good baseline. While training is not 

necessarily required, it helps a lot with 

passing the test to become a therapy 

dog, which includes testing on practical 

skills and three site visits. Once a dog 

passes the therapy dog test, dogs are required 

to do therapy work at least every 

three months, submit yearly vet records 

and a renewal form. 

Kukla says that Dieter knows when 

it’s time to be in work mode. He has a 

special collar that he only wears when 


Dieter and Elizabeth Kukla his owner winning awards at various competitions. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ELIZABETH KUKLA 

What about emotional 

support animals (ESA)? 

Emotional support animals do not 

require any training and simply 

require a doctor’s or therapist’s 

note. They provide comfort and 

support to owners struggling with 

a physical or mental health issue. 

ESAs used to be allowed on airline 

flights but recently many airlines 

have banned ESAs in the cabin 

including Alaska Airlines, American 

Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier 

Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest 

Airlines, and United Airlines. 

he’s doing therapy work. “When he sees 

that and you take him into a facility he 

is much more calm…it’s like something 

switches in his brain,” she said. 

You don’t have to be a dog owner to 

contact one of the therapy dog organizations. 

If you are simply looking for a 

therapy dog to visit your school, nursing 

home or other place, you can reach out 

to the Alliance of Therapy Dogs and they 

will connect you with a local therapy dog 

and handler. 

Therapy dogs vs. service or 

facility dogs 

Therapy dogs should not be confused 

with service dogs or facility dogs (which 

are a type of service dog) who perform 

an important service for an individual 

owner or are assigned to a specific 

professional health care, visitation or 

educational setting. 

These dogs undergo intensive training 

from birth and are often bred specifically 

for that purpose. In fact, therapy dog 

handlers can lose certification for misrepresenting 

their dogs as service dogs. 

It is also a class 4 misdemeanor according 

to Virginia law. 

Two-year-old Labrador/Golden Retriever 

mix Rylynn recently joined the Fairfax 

County Department of Family Services 

as a facility dog. Specifically, she works 

with children and families going through 

sexual abuse investigations. Rylynn 

was bred and trained by the non-profit 

organization Canine Companions ® which 

provides service dogs, hearing dogs, 

facility dogs, skilled companions and 

assistance dogs for veterans at no cost 

to the recipient. 

Rylynn and other Canine Companions ® 

dogs are always Labrador Retrievers, 

Golden Retrievers or a mix of the two 

and are bred by the organization in 

California. At 8 weeks old, the puppies 

are sent to live with volunteers who raise 

the puppies until they are approximately 

a year-and-a-half old. 


27

PETS 

Sam Carrico and Rylynn. PHOTO COURTESY OF CANINE COMPANIONS ® 

PHOTO COURTESY OF FAIRFAX COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF 

FAMILY SERVICES 

Then, the dogs attend a six-month-long 

professional training program at one 

of the organization’s six centers located 

across the country. There, the dogs 

learn 40 commands and are taught to 

pull wheelchairs, open and close doors, 

retrieve items and other essential skills. 

After the six-month training, the dogs 

attend a two-week long team training, 

where they are observed and matched 

with their recipients; the recipients 

then learn how to work with their dogs. 

Rylynn was matched with Samantha 

“Sam” Carrico, LCSW, who works with 

the Fairfax County Department of 

Family Services. 

“So we got matched on the second or 

third day,” she said. “They had us all 

sit down on the floor with the dog bed 

and had different dogs rotate through. 

Rylynn is the calmest dog I have ever 

met and I think they just knew because 

of her personality she would be 

perfect for child protective services,” 

Carrico explained. 

Rylynn has already sat in on an interview 

with a child victim and Carrico said that 

she automatically knew to go over to the 

child and get petted and then sat under 

the child’s chair. “You can definitely see 

the anxiety subside,” Carrico said. 

“I think even just petting the dog…the 

dog is a great ice breaker to make the 

child comfortable. We can talk about the 

dog, what does the dog like to do? What 

do you like to do? Do you have pets? 

Especially for children that are young or 

are reluctant to talk, it is a great way to 

bond with them and get them talking.” 

Rylynn will work with children through 

the lifetime of their case and be there 

for interviews and court appearances 

to support the child through what can 

often be a very traumatic experience. 

Rylynn and Carrico will have to undergo 

continual training at various intervals 

— six months, one year and then every 

three years — to keep up their skills and 

maintain certification. 

Canine Companions ® maintains ownership 

of the dogs for as long as they 

are working, but Rylynn gets to live with 

Carrico as a pet when she isn’t working 

and enjoys swimming, walking and playing 

in her backyard. 

She can’t go to dog parks because she 

wouldn’t know how to interact with 

aggressive dogs and the dogs are not 

necessarily vaccinated. Sometimes, she 

gets to have play dates with another 

facility dog, Virgil, who works at the 

SafeSpot Children’s Advocacy Center of 

Fairfax County. 

Facility dogs like Rylynn usually work until 

they are 8-10 years old, depending on 

their health. When Canine Companions ® 

decides that it’s time for Rylynn to retire, 

Carrico can decide to keep her as a pet 

or return her to Canine Companions ® . 

Carrico emphatically confirmed that she 

definitely plans to keep Rylynn when 

that time comes! 


205 S. Union Street | Alexandria, VA | 703.838.9788 

www.markswoods.com

HOME & GARDEN 

Before 

Modern & 

Functional 

Condo owners have space, community concerns 

when remodeling. 

BY BETH LAWTON 

With an eye toward 

functionality and modern 

design, Case Architects & 

Remodelers recently worked 

with the owners of a condo in 

Carlyle Towers in Alexandria to 

bring new life to a bathroom 

and kitchen. 

Unlike a single-family home, renovating 

a condo can be a bit more restrictive. 

“The biggest design challenge is not 

being able to move certain things, such 

as plumbing or ductwork or sprinklers, 

as sometimes they are shared by multiple 

units,” said Elena Eskandari, who 

worked with April Case Underwood on 

the project. 

“That is why we try to keep things like 

sinks and toilets in the same location,” 

she noted. Both women are directors of 

project development at Case Architects 

& Remodelers. 

In addition, they said, many condo 

buildings have restrictions about work 

hours (especially when the work can be 

noisy), use of the freight elevator and 

security. To compensate, Eskandari said 

her company builds in some extra time 

for projects in condo buildings. 

The Kitchen 

Unable to move plumbing around, 

Eskandari and Underwood lucked 

out with the sink already being under 

the window — the preferred location, 

they said. They were able to move other 

elements, though, including the refrigerator 

and ovens, to create more counter 

space around the cooktop and sink. The 

kitchen was just 105 square feet, which 

meant storage and functionality were 

both highly important. 

Going for a more contemporary look, 

the cabinet finish is a thermally fused 

laminate with low-profile pulls on the 


ALL PHOTOS BY STACY ZARIN GOLDBERG 

upper cabinets. The hardware on the 

lower cabinets and drawers was inspired 

by the black tempered glass that was 

used as the peninsula top and backsplash. 

(Those materials were black 

lucite and chrome by Hickory Hardware.) 

Black stainless appliances from 

KitchenAid pulled the design together. 

Unlike the common black appliance 

finish, black stainless showcases the 

stainless texture. (A bonus is that black 

stainless appliances show fewer fingerprints 

and smudges than the more 

common gray stainless appliances.) 

To add storage, Eskandari and 

Underwood installed a pullout cabinet 

with storage next to the refrigerator that 

served as functional “filler” between the 

ovens and fridge. This allowed the refrigerator 

door to open fully. 

A new floor tile brought the look of the 

new kitchen together. “We managed 

to find a floor tile that matches the 

rest of the condo perfectly,” Eskandari 

noted. “We removed old brown tile that 

previously split the kitchen in the middle 

(a result of the previous remodel). Now 

the flooring is seamless throughout the 

space, which makes everything look 

more cohesive.” 


31

HOME & GARDEN 

The Bathroom 

The bathroom footprint didn’t 

change much from the original, but 

Underwood and Eskandari removed 

walls and found space to make the 

bathroom feel larger. 

With space at a premium and aiming 

for a clean, modern design, Eskandari 

and Underwood removed a wall 

between the toilet and the vanities, 

which opened space to install larger 

vanities with more storage. 

Before 


We love the homes we 

do - everything from highly 

traditional to rock star! 

They also removed a solid wall that was separating the shower 

and the tub and replaced it with a glass panel. By happy luck, 

they also found a space behind the shower, allowing them to 

add a bench without taking space from the shower. 

Modern design elements also made the bathroom feel bigger. 

“The floating vanities are popular, and not only in a modern 

setting,” Eskandari said. “They allow the eye to travel all 

around the room, creating an illusion of a larger space.” 

Call us and let us help 

you love your home! 

SERVING ALEXANDRIA 

FOR 25 YEARS 

703-299-0633 

janetbertin@decoratingden.com 

janetbertin.decoratingden.com 


33

SPONSORED 

Venue Alexandria 

Adds Modern Flair 

to the Timeless 

Charm of Old 

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A new collection of condominiums 

and townhomes in Old Town 

North — plus a new home for 

renowned MetroStage theater. 

Few places in the DC metro area 

have the allure and historic charm 

of Old Town, Alexandria and even 

fewer can provide the striking 

design and central location that 

homeowners demand. Only Venue 

has it all. 

Located along the banks of the Potomac 

River, Venue sits at the heart of Old Town 

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King Street and adjacent to the Mt. Vernon 

Trail allowing for easy access to one the 

region’s most famed trails. 

It’s a rare opportunity for an ideal Old 

Town lifestyle with a modern flourish 

— and people are taking notice. With 

Phase I completely sold out, Venue is now 

releasing its second phase of homes to 

those looking to experience the best Old 

Town has to offer. 

Venue's unique selection of homes is 

what has made the community so alluring 

for many. Regardless of household size, 

there is a well-designed home available 

— either within the main condominium 

tower, The Residences at Venue, or within 

the surrounding townhomes, The Towns 

at Venue. 

The awe-inspiring 13-story high rise is 

home to 119 condominium residences. 

Available homes range from 1- to 

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of bright, open spaces featuring floorto-ceiling 

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Residences in the tower are available from 

the $500s to $2.7 million. 

Also included at The Residences at Venue 

is a portfolio of on-site amenities. The 

rooftop sky lounge is a spacious outdoor 

terrace, furnished with fireplaces and 

seating to take in the 360-degree views 

from above, including a sweeping vista 

of the Potomac River. Other amenities 

include bike storage and a dog wash. 

Flanking the main tower are 41 newly 

constructed townhomes. A select few of 

these spacious homes come complete 

with an in-home elevator and up to 4 bedrooms 

and 5 baths, ranging from 2,300 to 

nearly 4,000 square feet. All townhomes 

include a 2-car garage and private rooftop 

terrace. Townhomes at Venue start from 

$1.4 million. 

Upon completion, Venue will also be the 

new home of MetroStage, a revered local 

theater company with three decades of 

history in Old Town North. Best known 

for their innovative productions, this 

critically-acclaimed group will be bringing 

its talents to Venue. Here MetroStage will 

deliver original productions and adapt 

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Over 70% of the homes at Venue have 

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VenueAlexandria.com. 


HOME & GARDEN 

A Better 

Home Office 

BY BETH LAWTON 

Spending so much time at 

home in the past 18 months has 

forced a lot of homeowners to 

reevaluate their space. Among 

them: Sarah Mazzochi. 

“Once the pandemic hit and we were 

working from home full time, I wanted it 

to be a better work-from-home space,” 

said Mazzochi, who owns a small, 

one-bedroom condo in Del Ray. 

“So that meant things like adding an 

accent wall to be something more 

interesting to look at during Zoom calls, 

and cutting into my kitchen’s drywall to 

make more shelving, which makes cooking 

from home much easier,” she said. 

Working with designer Basma Masood, 

owner of Basma Interiors, Mazzochi 

renovated her small condo to add color 

and functionality. 

“We’ve all been inside homes that feel 

either cramped or too vacant. I didn’t 

want that. With small spaces, to make 

them really livable, everything must be 

‘just-so.’” 

Mazzochi has been working from 

home since March 2020 and has only 

gone into the office a handful of days 

in the past 18 months. Teleworking 

may be the norm for her and her 

co-workers, she said, even once we’re 

“back to normal.” 

What’s the best thing about 

this renovation? 

Mazzochi: That everything is 

multipurpose and is there to bring joy 

to the eye. That was really important 

to me, since it’s been my sole visual 

landscape for the last 18 months – I 

have to like looking at it and being there. 

For example, my dining room table is 

also my home office, which meant my 

dining room chairs needed to be pretty 

but comfortable at the same time. 

PHOTOS BY CHRISTY KOSNIC AT @CHRISTYKOSNICINTERIORS 


35

SPONSORED 

Before 

The Decorating Conversation 

I’m Jan Bertin and welcome to 

The Decorating Conversation. I 

decided on that as the title to my 

column because that’s precisely 

what I hope to engage in with you: 

A conversation. And the subject, 

your home, has lots of different 

dimensions: The things that 

make it special to you and what 

you’d like to change to make it 

more beautiful or comfortable or 

functional. And, yes, even what 

you absolutely can’t stand about it 

and has to go now! 

For some of you, the conversations we’ll 

be having in this space about issues that 

matter to you might be your first time 

talking (albeit indirectly) with a decorator. 

Over my 25 years working here in Old 

Town and before that in the New York City 

suburbs, I’ve learned that we decorators 

can be seen as intimidating. Or as too expensive 

or snooty or overly fussy types. I 

hope to show you that such isn’t the case. 

My philosophy is that you set the tone 

with your likes, dislikes, needs, sentimental 

attachments and budgets. My 

job becomes to lend my experience, my 

expertise and my guidance to your efforts. 

Those are some of the elements that 

make any relationship work and interior 

decorating is no exception. 

As we decide on the scope and options 

for your project, the elephant enters 

the room. What’s all this going to cost? 

Experience has taught me that this is the 

biggest obstacle that keeps people from 

getting in touch with an interior decorator. 

Experience has also proven that it is the 

easiest to overcome. 

Yes, we’d all love to have the finest of 

everything. And no, we all eventually give 

in to reality. Where I enter the equation 

is in presenting my clients options that 

work within a realistic framework. Just as 

you wouldn’t expect to walk into a dealer 

showroom with $10,000 and drive out 

with a Rolls-Royce, you can’t realistically 

expect Amazon pricing when working with 

a decorator. But working with a decorator 

most certainly doesn’t imply you’re going 

to be paying Rolls-Royce prices. 

Here’s how the balance is struck. We 

do the legwork of sorting through the 

thousands of options available to you 

for fabrics, paint, wallpaper, furnishings, 

flooring and carpeting, contractors of all 


SPONSORED 

Before 

descriptions and suppliers of everything 

from lighting to plumbing. 

And all of it is done based on 

the budget we arrived at initially. 

In the end, all of that legwork, 

combined with the collective experience 

and varied but complementary 

visions my colleagues 

and I bring to an engagement, 

begin to describe the principal 

ways we as full service decorators 

add value to the effort. 

The project photos you see here 

brought all of the elements I 

described into play. Working 

with – and adding to – customer 

vision. Working within budgets 

that make sense. Handling 

the logistical elements that 

can derail a project. Providing 

the hand-holding and psychic 

support that always are needed 

at some point in a project. In a 

nutshell, that’s what we do and I 

have only begun to describe how 

we do it. 

Now, let’s get on to the fun part. 

Please tell me what’s been on 

your decorating radar. In upcoming 

pieces, we’ll be dealing with 

the universal subject of creating 

more storage spaces into existing 

rooms; how to make rooms 

multifunctional spaces, and we’ll 

give you a look ahead into what 

you can expect to see next year 

after I return from the furniture 

market in North Carolina 

this fall. 

But that’s just what’s on my 

mind. I’m more eager to 

learn what’s on your mind, so 

please get in touch with me at 

janetbertin@decoratingden.com 

with your questions and observations 

and I’ll cover them here. 

Thanks for reading and I’ll talk 

to you soon. 


37

PHOTO COURTESY OF SUR LA TABLE 


Back 

to School 

Learn Something New, at Any Age 

Alexandria resident Renee Hendly always 

had a passion for cooking, but it wasn’t 

until her husband, Scott, passed away that 

she truly embraced it. 

With the encouragement of her adult children, Hendly 

enrolled at the Institute of Culinary Education in New 

York City. While working part time remotely (her day 

job is in research), Hendly learned everything from 

knife skills to how to create health-adaptive dishes 

and more. 

“It has been an amazing experience. When the alarm 

goes off, I am so eager to go and see my friends — and 

we’re all learning together. It’s really a positive environment.” 

The experience has been rewarding and healing 

for her, she said. 

Hendly is completing an externship at Daniel Boulud’s 

flagship restaurant, Daniel, in New York City. Neighbors 

have been drooling over her Facebook posts the past 

several months, eager for her to return to Alexandria 

and start her second career. 

“I would like to go into the culinary business — and 

what I’d like to do in Alexandria, in particular, is a 

restaurant that has an outdoor patio, really good food, 

pretty food, alternative food and wine,” she said. “Just a 

place where people want to come in and hang out.” 

Moving to New York or going back to school may not 

be in the cards for everyone, but there are a lot of 

benefits to learning new things, even if it’s picking up a 

new hobby or taking a single class. 

Reading, learning and picking up new activities is good 

for your health. A Harvard Business Review piece 

noted that reading can reduce stress levels, and both 

mental and physical activity can help delay symptoms 

of cognitive decline. Learning new skills as we age is 

associated with improved memory, as well. 

Learning is also good for you socially, writes author 

John Coleman, who has written extensively on passion 

and purpose. “I’ve noticed in my own interactions 

that those who dedicate themselves to learning and 

who exhibit curiosity are almost always happier and 

more socially and professionally engaging than those 

who don’t.” 


39

Cake Decorating 

Looking to up your game when it comes 

to birthday parties and other celebrations? 

Learn to decorate cakes like a 

pro at Fran’s Cake & Candy Supplies in 

Fairfax, which features cake-decorating 

classes from Cake Decorating 101 to an 

Open Sugar Peony Class. 10927 Main St., 

Fairfax; 703-352-1471; franscakeandcandy.com. 

Cooking 

Sur la Table offers in-store classes at its 

Pentagon Row store. Each class is 2 to 

2.5 hours and you’ll work in groups of 

four. Beginning in September, here’s a 

small “taste” of classes that are coming 

up: Flavors of the Greek Isles, Savoring 

Vietnamese, Homestyle Fried Chicken 

and Parisian Steakhouse. Sign up fast, 

classes fill up quickly. 1101 S. Joyce St., B-20; 

703-414-3580; surlatable.com/cooking-classes/ 

in-store-cooking-classes. 

Looking for something a little more 

intimate? You can book private classes 

or small group classes with your friends 

through Judy Harris Cooking School 

in the Fort Hunt neighborhood. judy@ 

judyharris.com; judyharris.com. 

BY MARY ANN BARTON 

} 

Kids aren’t the only ones 

who are going back to 

school this fall. There 

are countless classes out 

there just waiting for 

you. Always wanted to 

ride a Harley? How about 

knit a sweater? Or fly 

on a trapeze? If you’ve 

thought about it, chances 

are, there’s someone out 

there who will teach you 

the ropes. We recently 

went in search of classes 

that anyone can try this 

fall. School’s in session! 

Archery 

You may have taken up the bow and arrow as 

a kid at summer camp, but have you touched it 

since? The NOVA Fencing and Archery Club in 

Falls Church is the closest option for Alexandria 

residents offering introductory classes, private 

lessons and competitions. 3501 Carlin Springs Road, 

Falls Church; 703-999-8077; novafencingclub.com. 

Fairfax County Parks & Rec also is also offering 

an archery class at Burke Lake Park this fall. 

Beekeeping 

The movement to save our pollinators, from 

bees to butterflies, is strong in Northern Virginia. 

If you love honey and gardening and you have a 

little bit of space (or know someone who does), 

beekeeping may be right for you. It’s a real commitment, 

but the beekeepers behind Alexandria 

Honey Co. tell us it’s worth it. The Northern 

Virginia Beekeepers Association offers low-cost 

classes about everything from hive health to 

equipment. nvba@novabees.org; novabees.org 

Creating Art 

Unleash your inner artist with a class 

at Alexandria’s Art League. They have 

a class (both virtual and in-person) 

for every genre – from sculpture and 

painting to jewelry-making, drawing 

and photography. 305 Madison St.; 

703-683-2323; theartleague.org. 


You may also consider Del Ray Artisans 

for a variety of creative classes and 

workshops for all ages both in-person 

and online. 2705 Mt. Vernon Ave.; 703-838-4827; 

delrayartisans.org. 

Dancing 

A small studio on Dove Street has 

become home to multiple dance companies 

here in Alexandria, including 

the Local Motion Project, AVA Dance 

Company and The Lion’s Den. 

Founded by a former professional dancer, 

Alexandria’s AVA Dance Company offers 

dance classes for adults from jazz to 

hip hop. Lessons are available for dancers 

of all levels and backgrounds. 2377 S. 

Dove St., avadanceco.com. 

The Lion’s Den offers classes in unique 

disciplines such as jookin’ and belly 

dancing. thelionsdendmv@gmail.com; 

lauren-devera.com/thelionsden. 

The Local Motion Project offers a variety 

of adult and youth classes. For adults, 

this includes dance, somatic movement, 

aerial hammock and a variety of workshops. 

703-299-0017; localmotionproject.org. 

Fencing 

Did the Summer Olympics get you 

dreaming of your own gold medal? 

The Virginia Academy of Fencing offers 

classes for all levels at its Springfield 

campus. VAF’s Olympic Sport fencing 

program includes group classes and 

private lessons in foil, sabre and epee. 

703-321-4922; vafinc.com. 

(NOVA Fencing and Archery Club, 

mentioned above under Archery, is 

another option!) 

Floral Arranging 

You say you love beautiful flowers but 

your arrangements are just so-so? Time 

to sign up for a floral design workshop 

from Alexandria florist Helen Olivia. 

You sign up for the class, your flowers 

are delivered to you (or you can pick 

them up the day of class); and you can 

follow along live on Instagram. 1519 

Leslie Ave. 703-548-2848; helenoliviaflowers.com/ 

workshop-landing. 

PHOTO COURTESY OF SOFT LANDING STABLES 

Flying an Airplane 

Located at Potomac Airfield in Fort 

Washington, Maryland, GT Aviation 

flight school offers classes for those 

who want to get their pilot’s certificate. 

The school offers both a monthly plan 

or hourly rates. The airfield is just a 

20-minute drive from Alexandria, across 

the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. 10300 

Glen Way, Friendly, Md. 301-248-1711 

Email: info@gt-aviation.com; gt-aviation.com. 

Flying on a Trapeze 

So, you went to the circus when you 

were a kid and you always wanted 

to fly through the air? At the Trapeze 

School, first-time students are outfitted 

with a safety belt and practice their 

“take off” on the ground. Students 

are connected to safety lines at every 

step of the way — from their first step 

on the ladder until they roll off the 

safety net below. Standard lessons last 

two hours and involve 10 students. 

Sessions are available for all levels. 520 

Tingey St. SE, DC; 202-479-6861; washingtondc. 

trapezeschool.com; dcoffice@trapezeschool.com 

Foreign Languages 

For so many of us, learning a foreign 

language was little more than a high 

school or college requirement — something 

we got through and promptly 

forgot. In our increasingly multicultural 

world, maybe it’s time to get back into 

learning a foreign language. From 

American Sign Language and Arabic to 

German, Japanese, Russian and Spanish, 

Northern Virginia Community College 

has classes to help. 5000 Dawes Ave. 

(Alexandria campus); nvcc.edu 

Horseback Riding 

Owned by Bonnie Erbé, Soft Landing 

Stables in Accokeek, Maryland, is just 

over the river from Alexandria and has 

been in business for 15 years. They 

offer horseback riding lessons mainly 

to adults, depending on which horses 

are available for riding. 207 Farmington Road 

West, Accokeek, Md. 703-944-9456 

Adults can also take lessons at Meadow 

Wood Stables in the Gunston Cove area 

and in Rock Creek Park in Washington, 

D.C. Go online for more information 

about these programs. 


Diving is for you. Blue Octopus Scuba 

offers Discover Scuba sessions in a 

local heated, indoor pool. While not 

a scuba certification course, Discover 

Scuba Diving is a quick and easy introduction 

to what it takes to explore 

the underwater world. 4154 Duke St. 

703-461-3483; blueoctopusscuba.com/courses 

Looking to ride the waves instead of 

diving under them? For surfing classes, 

you’ll have to travel a bit. The best 

offerings within a short distance are 

in Virginia Beach. Start at visitvirginiabeach.com 

to find a wide variety of 

options for all skill levels. 

PHOTO COURTESY OF FIBRE SPACE 

Knitting 

Fibre Space in Old Town Alexandria 

offers several beginner knitting classes 

each month. Three 1.5-hour classes 

are $75 (and you’ll walk away with a 

scarf you made yourself!). You can shop 

in-person or online for yarn and knitting 

needles if you don’t already have those 

items on hand. Fibre Space also offers 

classes in crochet and more. 1319 Prince St. 

703-664-0344; fibrespace.com 

Motorcycle Riding 

Harley Davidson offers a New Rider 

Motorcycle Course in Manassas and 

Fairfax, no experience needed, according 

to Chris Taylor, a spokesman 

for the Manassas dealership. “A good 

place to start is someone who can ride 

a bicycle for balance,” he said. There 

is one instructor for six people in each 

class, which consists of book-learning 

and on-site riding on dealer-provided 

motorcycles on empty school and shopping 

mall parking lots. Classes attract all 

ages — from age 16 to retired couples 

in their 70s. “For some, it’s a check off 

their bucket list,” Taylor said. Classes are 

$429; bikes start at about $9,500 and go 

all the way up to $50,000. patriodhd.com/ 

learn-to-ride; bullrunhd.com/riding-academy. 

Piano Playing 

(or Another Instrument) 

If you haven’t played piano since you 

were a kid (or maybe not even then), 

Li-An Chen Piano Studios might be your 

ticket to learning how to play the piano. 

One student, now 50, notes that her 

husband gave her piano lessons for her 

birthday and she was playing in a recital 

in less than three months. 4654 Kirkland 

Place (703) 835-2729; li-anchen.com 

Playing in a Rock Band 

Fulfill your teen dreams of rocking out 

by joining the School of Rock Music 

Camp for Adults, for anyone over 

age 18. Students of every skill level 

learn how to take the stage and work 

toward a real performance played in 

front of a live audience. 3260 Duke St. 

(571) 376-7625; locations.schoolofrock.com/ 

alexandria/music-camps. 

Scuba Diving 

Have you always wondered what it’s 

like to breathe underwater? If you 

want to try scuba diving, but aren’t 

quite ready to take the plunge into a 

certification course, Discover Scuba 

Sewing 

Tired of spending so much money to 

get your pants hemmed? Want to create 

your own dresses? Stitch Sew Shop in 

Old Town Alexandria offers group and 

private lessons, from how to thread 

a needle to using a sewing machine. 

1219 King St.; stitchsewshop.com. 

42 42 alexandrialivingmagazine.com • September / October 2021

Skateboarding 

Skateboarding is the newest Olympic 

sport and something a lot of us tried as 

teens. As long as you have pads for your 

knees and elbows — and a good helmet 

— you can be the coolest adult on your 

block. Royalty Skateboard School, part 

of the GoSkate network, offers private 

and group lessons for all ages, including 

at the Duke Street Skate Park in 

Alexandria. They can also teach you to 

skateboard in the privacy of your own 

driveway. royaltyskateboarding.com. 

Wine 101 (Oenology) 

If you want to expand your wine vocabulary 

beyond “red or white,” you might 

consider signing up for the Introduction 

to Wine Basics course offered by Capital 

Wine School. Check out their many 

classes for beginners here: capitalwineschool.com/which-course-is-right-forme/#beginner. 

5207 Wisconsin Ave., NW, DC.; 

(202) 792-5020; info@capitalwineschool.com. 

PHOTO COURTESY OF HARLEY-DAVIDSON 

Woodworking 

Woodcraft in Springfield offers 

woodworking classes for all 

skill levels in everything from 

woodturning and hand tools to 

router techniques, woodworking 

fundamentals and sharpening. 

Check out classes offered 

here: woodcraft.com/stores/ 

washington-dc-area/classes. 5248 Port 

Royal Road, Springfield; 703-912-6727. 

Welding 

There are plenty of opportunities 

to pick up a torch and create 

masterpieces of metal. Start at 

The Garden, operated by Building 

Momentum in Alexandria’s West 

End, offers private and small 

group welding classes that focus 

on a group or individual challenge 

to solve and build. The Garden 

also offers “Wine & Welding” 

couples events. 5380 Eisenhower Ave., 

Suite C, thegarden.net/training. 

Where Adults Can Learn 

When’s the last time you sat down with the course 

catalogue from Northern Virginia Community 

College? Or flipped through the Parks & Rec 

guides from Fairfax County Parks Authority or 

the City of Alexandria? Here are just a few of the 

classes being offered this fall that caught our eye… 

Northern Virginia Community College 

Automotive Engineering & Mechanics; Ceramics; 

Film Production; Interior Design; Photography; 

Public Speaking 

Fairfax County Parks & Rec 

Dance (including Ballroom, Hula, Country & 

Western and Swing); Golf; Guitar; Ice Skating; 

Martial Arts, including Indonesian Kung Fu; 

Pickleball; Swimming 

Alexandria Parks & Rec 

AquaSpin; Fencing; Hula Hoop; Pickleball; 

Roller Skating 


43

WHY RIDE 

So you can 

find the perfect 

date night spot. 

We’re increasing bus 

frequency, improving 

connections and 

going fare-free! 

Discover the New 

DASH Network at 

dashbus.com/newnetwork. 


BIGGER, 

TALLER, 

DENSER 

Cranes above Duke Street. PHOTO BY BETH LAWTON 

Across Alexandria and Southeast Fairfax County, construction 

companies are working to build new apartment and condo 

buildings and retail developments. Some projects that were 

planned as office buildings are turning residential, as the 

coronavirus pandemic upended the way many people work. 

Here are just a few of the biggest developments underway 

and upcoming in our region, and those that have drawn the 

most interest from our readers. 

At alexandrialivingmagazine.com/development, our 

interactive map now has more than 70 development projects 

noted with descriptions. Check out the online map to see 

what’s going up in your neighborhood! 


45

DEVELOPMENT KEY 

1. Landmark Mall 

6. Potomac Yard 

MAP BY JESSIE LEIBER 

2 

2. Upland Park 

7. GenOn Plan 

3. Seminary Road 

Afforable Housing 

4. Mount Vernon 

Village Center 

5. Arlandia Afforable 

Housing 

8. The Heritage 

9. Wegmans 

10. Huntington 

11. South Alex 

12. Grovetown 

3 

1 


4 

5 

6 

7 

9 

8 

10 

11 

12 


Potomac Yard Virginia Tech Campus (map #6) Residences at North Hill (map #13) 

1 Landmark Mall 

After more than 15 years of planning, 

replanning and replanning again, 

there’s real hope that Landmark Mall 

will be demolished. In late December 

2020, the City of Alexandria and 

Inova Hospital announced that Inova 

Alexandria will build a new hospital 

and trauma center on the site of the 

former Landmark Mall. Other parts of 

the Landmark property will be used 

for residential and retail development, 

parks and civic uses, including 

a new fire station. The hospital could 

open in 2028. Other construction will 

start and could open sooner. The 

“old” Inova Hospital in Alexandria’s 

Seminary Hill neighborhood will be 

sold to a residential developer. 

3 Seminary Road Affordable 

Housing 

The Alexandria Housing Development 

Corp. is planning to build 40 residential 

units and 15 townhome-style 

homes. The project will be built just 

east of the fire station and Francis 

Hammond Middle School and could 

provide an opportunity for lower-income 

residents to get on the property 

ladder through a special ownership 

program. One of the current 

properties on that block is owned 

by Sheltered Homes of Alexandria 

(which operates a group home for 

intellectually or developmentally 

disabled clients), and some of the new 

units would be transferred to SHA. 

Construction could be completed 

in 2024. 

5 

6 

2 Upland Park 

Developer Hekemian is moving 

forward on building a new residential 

neighborhood and park on land 

occupied by a number of small single-family 

homes in Alexandria’s West 

End near the intersection of North 

Beauregard Street and Seminary 

Road. Just one-tenth of a mile down 

the road, Monday Properties is developing 

a residential complex at 2000 

N. Beauregard St. that will include 300 

residential units. It replaces an office 

building. The company also owns 

buildings at 1500, 1600 and 1800 N. 

Beauregard St. that may be redeveloped 

at a later date. 

4 

Mount Vernon Village 

Center 

Mid-Atlantic Realty Partners is seeking 

to redevelop a shopping center in the 

2800 block of Mount Vernon Avenue 

— near Mom's Organic Market — 

into a mix of retail and multifamily 

residences in a project dubbed Mount 

Vernon Village Center. The site is currently 

home to a shopping center and 

supporting parking lot that contains 

MOM’s Organic Market and several 

other stores. The proposal calls for 

the demolition of the existing buildings 

and the construction of 23,332 

square of ground floor retail including 

a spot for a grocery store and 593 

residential units. 

Arlandria Affordable 

Housing 

The Alexandria Housing Development 

Corp. is working toward building 

hundreds of new affordable housing 

units at the intersection of Mount 

Vernon Avenue and West Glebe Road. 

AHDC has signed a letter of intent 

with the owner of 221 West Glebe 

Road and 3610-3612 Mt. Vernon Ave. 

3700 Mt. Vernon Ave., a city-owned 

property, is also involved. These 

properties include Sherwin Williams 

(formerly Safeway) and El Cuscatleco 

restaurant. Construction could be 

completed in 2024. The number of 

apartments is projected at more 

than 450. 

Potomac Yard 

Work continues on the $1 billion 

Virginia Tech Innovation Campus and 

surrounding residential, retail and 

office developments at Potomac Yard. 

Developer JBG Smith started construction 

in January on the massive 

redevelopment project on the 20-acre 

site. The movie theater was torn 

down earlier this year to make room 

for new buildings. 


South Alex (map #9) Wegmans (map #10) 

7 GenOn Plant 

9 Wegmans 

11 

8 

Hilco Redevelopment Partners (HRP), 

based out of the Chicago suburb of 

Northbrook, Illinois, announced the 

purchase of the old Potomac River 

Generating Station (PRGS), a 20-acre 

site at 1400 N. Royal St. in North Old 

Town.The site was purchased from 

Potomac Electric Power Company 

(Pepco), which will retain a small 

portion of the site in order to run 

an electrical substation. The project 

could include housing, commercial 

office, dining and retail, and public 

open space along the Potomac River. 

Hilco does not expect to break ground 

on any buildings until at least 2023 

and full development could take 7 to 

10 years. 

The Heritage 

Asland Capital Partners is moving 

forward on plans to replace the 

current garden-style apartments (The 

Heritage) near Wilkes Street Park with 

a much larger mixed-income community, 

including affordable housing. 

The project has been through 

much back-and-forth with the Board 

of Architectural Review, which has 

requested numerous changes to 

the size, scope and design of the 

project. The number of apartments 

in the project has been reduced and 

the plans call for 750 housing units 

in the project. The project has been 

approved by city council and current 

residents could start to be relocated 

as early November 2021. 

10 

The most anticipated grocery store 

opening in years is coming to the 

Carlyle neighborhood. A Wegmans 

grocery store is under construction 

now as part of a larger, mixed-use 

project on a 5-acre site, according to 

developer StoneBridge Associates. 

The grocery store has signed a lease 

for the 84,000-square foot store at 

Carlyle Crossing, just north of the 

popular AMC movie theater. Expect 

several hundred residential units in 

multiple new apartment buildings, a 

dog park and additional retail, too. 

Wegmans is expected to be completed 

in 2022. 

Huntington 

Huntington could be nearly unrecognizable 

in some spots in the next 

decade, as plans call for the redevelopment 

of the Huntington Club and 

several new high-rise apartment and 

condo buildings. One proposal in 

the neighborhood calls for building 

1,400-1,500 residential units and 

360,000 sq. ft. of office or retail in the 

area surrounding the Metro station 

between North Kings Highway and 

Huntington Avenue. 

12 

South Alex 

Combined Properties was making 

significant progress on the new South 

Alex residential and retail development 

when a five-alarm fire in 2019 

caused $48 million in damage and 

significantly pushed back the project 

timeline. Originally set for completion 

this year, the developer does not 

yet have a completion date for the 

project, but describes South Alex as 

“a vibrant mix of distinctive shops and 

residences in an art-inspired setting 

of bright community spaces.” 

Groveton 

Between Belle Haven and Hybla 

Valley, several developers are working 

on multiple different projects, primarily 

along Richmond Highway. In anticipation 

of Bus Rapid Transit in the 

coming years, Fairfield Residential, 

Pennrose and other developers are 

bringing new apartments, condos and 

townhomes to the area. In addition, 

Fairfax County officials are considering 

building a new fire station with 

an adjacent emergency shelter that 

has drawn both support and criticism 

from neighbors. 

See the interactive map at 

alexandrialivingmagazine.com/ 

development for details 

about each project. 


49

SPONSORED 

Alexandria’s Old Town North neighborhood, the area’s best kept secret, is brimming with life as it becomes a cultural hub 

for recreation and the arts. Nestled along the waterfront, this vibrant community is undergoing rapid transformation to 

become the city’s first official Arts District, designed to encourage enlightened engagement for both artists and residents. 

The most exciting addition to the neighborhood is Muse—a stunning boutique condominium community that offers 

residents premium access to the Alexandria waterfront and Old Town North’s growing restaurant and retail scene. 

With construction well on its way, the 73 luxury residences are scheduled to deliver in late 2021, with prices starting in 

the $800,000’s. 

Each of the 29 unique floor plans, ranging in size from 

920 to 2,000 square feet, feature an open-concept design 

and distinctive finishes. 

These well-appointed residences are built with 9 to 

19 ft. ceilings and a wall of functional windows, giving 

homeowners exclusive panoramic views of the Potomac 

River and historic Old Town. Spacious balconies easily 

accommodate patio furniture so residents can enjoy 

spending time outdoors while admiring the beautiful 

landscape below. 

Inside you’ll find 7.5-inch-wide engineered oak flooring, custom designer lighting, large bedrooms, spacious closets and 

full-sized laundry and powder rooms. Kitchens feature expansive quartz countertops, state-of-the-art Bosch® appliances 

and handmade Snaidero® cabinets imported from Italy. 

Spa-like owner’s bathrooms, adorned with a neutral color palette, include stunning vanities with LED light mirrors and 

quartz countertops and high-end Waterworks ® fixtures. Select floorplans include stand up showers with spa benches, 

Kohler® tubs, Calacatta porcelain tile floors, and decorative accent tiles. 


Residents at Muse will enjoy a variety of 

amenities including a penthouse lounge 

with an outdoor terrace that offers 

expansive water views. The top floor will 

also include an indoor-outdoor fitness 

center, complete with a dedicated space 

for yoga and personal training sessions. 

A 24-hour concierge and building 

attendant will offer white glove service, 

ensuring every request is accommodated 

with a smile. Additional amenities 

include a fully equipped pet spa, package 

room, private storage, resident parking 

and more. 

Muse will be comprised of two distinct buildings with glass, brick and panel facades, connected by an enclosed bridge that 

sits above an outdoor “Arts Walk”, which will feature open space seating, a sculpture garden, and space for art on display. 

The building’s first floor will be home to The Art League and house art studios and galleries, providing space and equipment 

for a medley of artisans and craftspeople, both professional and aspiring. These spaces will host private classes, art 

exhibits and special events open to the neighborhood. 

With the Mt. Vernon Trail just steps away, residents have direct access to a number of parks and trails along the waterfront 

to engage in recreational activities like running, biking and relaxing by the water to watch the sailboats float across 

the river. 

Sales have officially begun at Muse and 

over 30% of the building units have 

already sold. 

Interested home-buyers can schedule a 

private appointment at the Muse sales 

gallery where they can explore the different 

floor plans on a touchscreen display, 

choose their unit on the 3D building 

model, view an array of interior finishes 

and get a sneak peek of the amazing 

waterfront views that Muse will offer. 

Don’t miss the unique opportunity 

to own a beautiful condominium on 

the waterfront in Old Town North 

and be among the first to call the 

Alexandria Art District home. To learn 

more and to schedule your visit, visit 

www.museoldtown.com. 

(Muse Condominium is being developed by Carr Companies and was designed by Bethesda-based SK&I Architecture. 

Interior design is by Akseizer Design Group of Alexandria) 


51

Girls Escape 

to the Conch Republic 

The ocean views are beautiful from a Sebago catamaran sunset sail in Key West. 

STORY & PHOTOS BY MARY ANN BARTON 

When my friend Nan told me 

she was heading down to 

Marathon in the Florida Keys 

for 10 days but her husband 

couldn’t get away, I jumped at 

an invitation to take his place. 

Add Nan's sister, Sandi, and we 

were ready to head to Florida 

for a girls’ getaway. 

Connected by 42 bridges just south of 

Miami, the Keys are the largest coral 

reef chain in the country, ending at 

Key West, the southernmost point in 

the continental United States. While 

the Keys are a great place to visit if 

you’re into a tropical laidback lifestyle, 

you’ll also find water sports, fishing, art 

galleries, history, architecture, great 

food, marine life, shopping and more. 

The Florida Keys have always been 

somewhat independent. In 1982, Key 

West momentarily seceded from the 

United States in response to the border 

patrol stopping cars to purportedly 

search for illegal drugs or illegal aliens, 

resulting in a 17-mile traffic backup. 

Although the secession was temporary, 

the state of mind was not and you'll see 

the Conch Republic flag flying proudly. 

With that independent lifestyle in mind 

as the backdrop for our getaway, we 

flew into Fort Lauderdale on a two-hour, 

40-minute flight on Southwest Airlines 

out of Reagan National and rented a car 

for the three-hour drive down U.S. 1 to 

The Reach Key West hotel features murals and other 

artwork by local artists. 

Marathon. We stopped for tacos and 

margaritas at Senor Frijoles in Key Largo 

and made Marathon our home base. 

Key West is about an hour’s drive south. 

After a trip to a local grocery store, we 

settled into our hotel in Marathon (more 

about that below). It’s hard to squeeze 

in everything we did in 10 days here, but 

here’s a look at some of the activities, 

dining and accommodations we experienced 

that you can also try. 


Things to Do 

Conch Tour Train 

303 Front St., Key West 

An injured sea turtle swims at the Turtle Hospital in Marathon. 

This 75-minute tour is the perfect way to 

find out all there is to know about Key West 

— the fascinating history about everything 

from the free-roaming roosters you'll hear 

crowing everywhere you go to the Harry 

S. Truman Little White House and Ernest 

Hemingway's home. 

Dolphin Research Center 

58901 Overseas Highway, Grassy Key 

See dolphins up close; founded as a 

nonprofit corporation in 1984, the goal is 

to ensure the dolphins have a home and 

establish a unique education and research 

facility. Research is conducted on behavioral 

engagement. 

Kayaking Eco Tour at Lazy 

Dog Adventures 

5114 Overseas Highway, Key West 

Guests enjoy live music on a Sebago sunset sail in Key West. 

A great spot to explore the mangroves and 

see manatees. Be sure to wear a swimsuit, 

water shoes, a hat, a sun shirt and plenty of 

sunscreen. 

Sebago Land's End Sunset Sail 

205 Elizabeth St., Key West 

The beautiful sunsets in the Keys are an 

event, whether it's in Key West at Mallory 

Square or elsewhere. There are several 

sunset sails and Sebago's, aboard a 70-foot 

catamaran, does not disappoint with live 

music and refreshments. Buy a ticket at the 

waterfront. 

Turtle Hospital 

2396 Overseas Hwy., Marathon 

Guides at Lazy Dog Adventures take kayakers out to see mangroves and manatees in Key West. 

Sea turtles that are injured, many hit by 

speed boats, are brought to the hospital for 

rescue and rehabilitation. Some undergo 

surgery, which we watched during a tour 

from behind a glass partition in a program 

supported by visitor fees. In addition to 

a talk about sea turtles, you'll also get a 

chance to see and feed some of the recovering 

turtles. 


53

Dining 

Barnacle Barney's Tiki Bar 

The Hammocks Marathon Resort 

1688 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 

Hidden away at The Hammocks 

Marathon Resort, be sure to try the 

Key Lime Colada, a frozen concoction 

created after two Key Lime pies were 

smooshed in transit to the bar. Mary Jo, 

the manager, created the drink that is 

now the most popular on the menu. 

Chef Michael's 

81671 Overseas Hwy., Islamorada 

The best-tasting meal during our trip 

was at this popular upscale spot on 

Islamorada, where you must make a reservation. 

Be sure to try the Hogfish, "the 

fish" of the Keys, and the carrot cake. 

First Flight Island 

Restaurant & Brewery 

301 Whitehead St., Key West 

The fresh seafood was out of this world 

and beautifully presented at this lovely 

venue with outdoor seating under Key 

West's signature Banyan trees. The historic 

spot served as the birthplace of Pan 

American World Airways. 

Four Marlins 

The Reach Key West 

1435 Simonton St., Key West 

This lively oceanfront restaurant with 

indoor and outdoor seating is open for 

breakfast, lunch and dinner, including 

a happy hour and Sunday brunch. The 

restaurant's name was inspired by the 

four marlins caught by author and Key 

West resident Ernest Hemingway on 

his boat the Pilar, named for one of 

his wives. 

Il Postino 

Isla Bella Beach Resort 

1 Knights Key Blvd., Mile Marker 47, 

Marathon 

This restaurant beat out all others 

when it comes to its ambiance next to 

the water with twinkling lights, a sandy 

beach and friendly service. We wanted 

to return for happy hour and live music 

during our trip but ran out of time. 

Patrons of First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery 

in Key West dine under native Banyan trees. 

Kermit's Cafe Kitchen 

200 Elizabeth St., Key West 

For the past 30 years, Kermit Carpenter 

has been in the business of all things 

key lime including of course key lime 

pie. Hands-down, Kermit serves the 

best key lime pie in the Keys. Find a seat 

by the koi pond and enjoy! Next door 

is Kermit's Key West Key Lime Shoppe. 

Keep your eyes peeled for Kermit himself 

— he's dressed in Key Lime green 

from head to toe. 

Lighthouse Grill 

Faro Blanco Resort 


The best dessert during our trip was 

served here — not key lime pie, but 

chocolate-covered pistachio ice cream 

that is not on the menu, but was recommended 

by our waiter. 

This delectable lobster dish is on the menu at First Flight in 

Key West. 

Robbie's Marina 

77522 Overseas Hwy., Islamorada 

The main attraction at this sprawling 

restaurant and bar, the Hungry Tarpon, 

is feeding the tarpon from the dock. 

Even though there is a sign not to feed 

the pelicans, they elbow their way onto 

the docks to the delight of the young at 

heart. Great brunch spot. 


Accommodations 

Guests at The Reach Key West enjoy swimming at 

the pool and beachfront amenities. 

The Reach Key West 

1435 Simonton St., Key West 

We stayed two nights at The Reach Key West, part of 

Hilton's Curio Collection, right on the ocean. Its name 

is inspired by a nautical term — "sailing on a reach," 

which are ideal sailing conditions. This romantic resort 

reflects Key West in its whimsical artwork by local 

artists. Lifelike statues on the property prompt calls at 

least three times a week to the front desk. A life-size 

chessboard, bocce pit, pool and beach round out the 

stunning property. Barefoot Billy's offers jet ski, kayak 

and stand-up paddle board rentals and sunset cruises. 

An overseas gazebo at The Reach is often used for 

weddings. The Reach guests are welcome to visit sister 

property Casa Marina, next door. 

The Hammocks at Marathon Resort 


The Hammocks at Marathon Resort is located on the 

Gulf side of the Intercoastal Highway and part of the 

Bluegreen Vacation club. Our condo included two bedrooms, 

two bathrooms, a full kitchen, dining area and 

living room as well as a balcony overlooking the pool, a 

marina and Barnacle Barney's tiki bar. The sunset views 

from the balcony were breathtaking. 

The views are breathtaking from the balcony of the 

Hammocks at Marathon Resort. PHOTO BY NAN RYANT 

If You Go 

Be sure to check out keywestattractions.org 

and keywestvaccationpass.com, which 

offers a savings pass of up to $850. 


55

THE LAST WORD 

PHOTO BY MARTIN ZAMORA 

FAVORITE CUISINE: 

Mediterranean (Sébastien) 

Peruvian (Carla) 

TOP TRAVEL DESTINATIONS: 

Southern France and Lima, Peru 

FAVORITE MOVIES: 

Mafia movies (Sébastien) 

"Amélie" (Carla) 

FAVORITE TV SHOW: 

"Seinfeld" 

HOBBIES: 

Fishing (Sébastien) 

Going to the beach (Carla) 

Carla Zamora and 

Sébastien Rondier 

FAVORITE SPOT IN ALEXANDRIA: 

Fontaine Caffe and Creperie 

(119 S. Royal St.) 

DRINK OF CHOICE: 

Wine, especially from Bordeaux 

Owners, Grounded Coffee Shop 

INTERVIEW BY SUSANNAH MOORE 

The chances of a chef from 

France and a dentist from Peru 

meeting, falling in love and 

operating a café together might 

seem unlikely. Then again, 

when living in an area as diverse 

and international as the DMV, 

perhaps not, because that’s 

exactly what happened to Carla 

Zamora and Sébastien Rondier. 

The couple met while hanging 

out with friends at Boqueria on 

M Street in D.C. in 2015. Three 

years later, they were married 

in Peru and now live in Old 

Town Alexandria with their two 

Westies, Fred and Sophia. 

Rondier began training to be a chef 

at the age of 16 in his native southwest 

France. Since then, he has worked in a 

number of widely acclaimed kitchens, 

including Michelin three-star restaurants in 

Paris, Monte Carlo, New York City, Puerto 

Rico and in D.C. at The St. Regis. Most recently, 

he was the executive chef at Brabo, 

located at 1600 King St. in Old Town. 

Between Rondier’s long hours as an executive 

chef and Zamora working full time 

as a dentist, the couple were looking for a 

change in pace. “Our lives were really busy, 

so after we got married, we wanted to find 

something that could allow me to help him 

in a way so that we could spend more time 

together,” explained Zamora. 

They began the process of looking for a 

coffee shop they could purchase, and were 

excited when the opportunity arose to own 

Grounded Coffee Shop, located at 6919 

Telegraph Road. The café was started by 

Candy and Wilfred Briffa 12 years ago and 

was already well established in the community. 

Zamora was familiar with the café and 

its customers through her work as a dentist 

in the area. 

Since taking over the café in September, 

Rondier and Zamora have slowly been putting 

their own touch on the place, while still 

trying to respect the café’s important place 

in the surrounding community. 

“People were scared, people don't like 

change; even though the concept stayed 

the same, some people were [hesitant],” 

said Rondier. A year later, they feel like they 

have become established and that the consistent 

quality and customer service keep 

people coming back. 

French antiques and memorabilia from 

Rondier’s career as a chef fill the cozy and 

welcoming space. They sell 12 to 15 different 

croissants on any given day and have 

filled out the menu to feature Rondier’s talents. 

Zamora helps out when she can, while 

still practicing dentistry three days a week. 

Future short-term and long-term plans 

for the café include renovating the front 

counter area, bringing back live music on 

Sundays, expanding the menu to include 

a brunch menu, serving wine and beer 

and possibly opening a second location in 

another part of Alexandria. For now, the 

couple is having fun and enjoying time 

together while creating a happy space for 

their customers and their employees. 


Now Open for Preview Sales 

The future is coming to Alexandria. Introducing Dylan: new inspired residences 

in the heart of Potomac Yard. Next to National Landing—home of Amazon’s 

HQ2 and Virginia Tech’s Innovation Campus—Dylan celebrates Alexandria with 

luxurious condominiums and boutique amenities designed to enhance modern 

lifestyles. Experience this vision for yourself: Dylan’s Sales Gallery and New 

Model are now open. 

NEW CONDOMINIUMS PRICED FROM THE $600s TO $1.1M 

SALES GALLERY LOCATION: 

2316 RICHMOND HWY, 

ALEXANDRIA, VA 22301 

CALL OR REGISTER 

ONLINE TO SCHEDULE 

YOUR APPOINTMENT 

571.970.0068 

SALES@DYLANVA.COM 

SCHEDULE A TOUR AT LiveDylanVA.com 

© Copyright 2021 Dylan. Renderings, building elevations, depictions of amenities, drawings and floor plans of the condominium and units are for marketing/illustrative purposes only and are 

not part of the basis of the contract between Seller (i.e., the Declarant) and Purchasers. They do not necessarily reflect actual dimensions and configurations. Features, finishes, and prices are 

subject to change without notice. Certain features are available in select units and are subject to change. The specifications, room dimensions, and features shown in the unit floor plan are 

approximate and are for marketing/illustrative purposes only. Square footage totals and room dimensions provided may not be relied upon as definitive, are subject to modifications without 

notice, and may differ from the actual square footage and dimensions delivered. Actual layout, room dimensions, window sizes and locations, and steps to grade may vary and are subject 

to modifications without notice. The units, as constructed, may differ somewhat from the floor plan. The actual dimensions of condominium units will be as described in the condominium 

declaration and as shown on the Condominium Plats and Plans, recorded or to be recorded among the Land Records for the City of Alexandria, Virginia. References to ‘FORTIS’ and/or ‘The 

Fortis Companies’ refer to The Fortis Companies LLC. The Fortis Companies LLC’s development affiliates build homes in Virginia and across the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Individual 

projects are developed by FORTIS-affiliated partners and/or entities, and all representations regarding the development, construction, or sale of any project or property refers to those affiliates. 

Dylan is being developed and sold by 2551 Main Line LLC, the “Declarant” of the condominium project. No representations regarding the development, construction or sale of any portion 

of the Dylan community is made by The Fortis Companies LLC or any FORTIS affiliate except 2551 Main Line LLC. Sales of Units in the Dylan Condominium shall be managed by The 

Mayhood Company, agent for 2551 Main Line LLC. Buyers should carefully review their purchase and sales agreement 

before purchasing. The condominium was registered by the Common Interest Community Board in May 2021.

201 N. Union St., Suite 110 

Alexandria, VA 22314 

ALEXANDRIALIVINGMAGAZINE.COM 

The Trusted Real Estate Resource 

for Alexandria and Beyond 

$303M 

McEnearney Associates (Old Town) 

$157M 

Compass (king Street) 

$102M 

Long & Foster (Old Town) 

$77M 

Keller Williams (Old Town) 

$63M 

Weichert (Old Town) 

$62M 

TTR Sotheby’s (Old Town) 

$60M 

Compass (Lee Street) 

$50M 

Coldwell Banker (Old Town) 

Data obtained from Bright MLS for all residential sales settled in Alexandria City for January 1-June 30, 2021. 

Sales data is deemed to be accurate but not guaranteed. 

830 Herbert Springs Road, Alexandria, VA 22308 | $2,953,000 

Exclusively Represented by Susan Taylor 

Old Town Office | 109 S. Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 

tel. +1 703 549 9292 | www.McEnearney.com 

Equal Housing Opportunity

Alexandria Living Sept

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