This Saturday, Aug. 23, don’t miss the ninth annual World Cultural Food Festival at Oronoco Bay Park. Savor a day of delicious global flavors — no passport required. With free general admission, you can explore an international menu one bite at a time, purchasing dishes from countries including Thailand, Mexico, and Italy. Come hungry and get ready to taste your way around the world. Make sure to RSVP online.
Events
Events
Monday, Aug. 18
Painting + Pints | 6 p.m. | Fair Winds Brewing Company, Lorton | $50 | Follow the guidance of an instructor to create your own painting while sipping on some beer.
Tuesday, Aug. 19
Robert Earl Keen | 7:30 p.m. | The Birchmere, Alexandria | $65 | Join this artist and Henry Conlon for a night of great vibes and classic tunes as he jams out to the hits of your favorite American country singer.
Thursday, Aug. 21
Oregon Wine Dinner | 6-9 p.m. | Vermilion, Alexandria | $210 | Indulge in a four-course meal while sampling wines from an Oregon vineyard + winery.
Saturday, Aug. 23
Saturday Morning Sip and Stitch | 9:30-11 a.m. | Elden Street Tea Shop, Reston | Free | Sip on tea while working on your latest yarn project.
Tea + Herbs with Area 2 Farms | 1-2:30 p.m. | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, Alexandria | Free | Harvest herbs to make your own tea while conversing with local farmers.
This one is for all of our Mahjong masters. Talk Tiles to Me, an Arlington-founded Mahjong business, is set to open its new event space next month at 113 Rowell Ct. The venue will feature four themed game rooms, each designed to elevate your Mahjong experience. (ARLnow)
Mansion Monday
10 million. That’s the price tag for owning this stunning estate in none other than McLean. And yes, it’s massive. With a zen spa and meditation room, plus a custom wine cellar complete with a tasting lounge, this is the kind of home everyone will want to spend time in.
Civic
Former Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson, with 14 years of service to the city, has been named the new executive director of NOVA Parks. A familiar leader in the region, Wilson will officially step into the role on Monday, Oct. 6.
Shop
Woof Gang Bakery + Grooming is opening a new location at Tysons Station in Pimmit Hills. The Miami-based chain offers pet grooming, treats, toys, and accessories — perfect for pampering your furry friend. (FFXnow)
Listen
Do you feel like popular music has been a summer bummer recently? The lack of upbeat hits has led many people to deem 2025 a year without a song of the summer. Luckily, NOVA has many upcoming concerts that will give us something to listen to in the fall. (CNN)
Weather
Phew, mugginess is on the rise across parts of the US. In Alexandria, a record-breaking 84% of the days in June + July were considered muggy due to their high humidity. If you’re looking for ways to cool off, we recommend visiting these local ice cream spots. (AP News)
Outdoors
60 minutes. That’s how much daylight will be lost in NOVA during the month of August as the sun progressively rises later and sets earlier. We recommend taking advantage of the daylight while you have it by hitting a local trail. (AccuWeather)
Pets
Talk about a golden opportunity — auditions are now open for “Air Bud Returns,” the latest installment in the beloved movie series. If you want to sign up your golden retriever, you’ll need to submit a video of their best skills. For the camera-shy dogs, 15+ dog-friendly ideas await in NOVA.
Read
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Asked
Asked
🌲 Who is Justin Wilson replacing as Executive Director of NOVA Parks?
A. Cate Magennis Wyatt B. Patricia Harrison C. Chris Pauley D. Paul Gilbert
Parking: There is free parking at City Hall, City of Fairfax Regional Library, East Street parking lot, and more.
Space: Outdoors
Voted one of the top three markets in Virginia by Virginia Living Magazine, the Fairfax Farmers Market offers around 40 vendors for locals to enjoy. Once you’ve secured your goodies at the market, take a seat at one of the many picnic tables.
Special events: On the first Thursday of every month, they offer a Mega Market with music, a beer and wine garden, and fun giveaways.
Welburn Square is easily accessible because it’s across the street from the Ballston Metro station. If you’re with the kids, Quincy Park is just a 0.5-mile walk away and offers a playground and plenty of green space.
The treat yourself organization staples you need to celebrate back-to-school season in style. No kids? No problem:
🗃️ This best-selling clear plastic drawer organizer set comes with 25 pieces — split them up around the house, or create the most organized office + desk system there ever was.
🌈 These legging organizers (yup, that product exists) save space in your closet and allow you to rainbow-fy your workout clothes.
🗂️ Speaking of rainbow-fy… grab a chic acrylic paper tray and a collection of rainbow file folders for a polished desktop look.
🗒️ Always writing to-do lists? You’ll probably love this one.
🖊️ Snag an instant mood-boosting purchase: rainbow felt-tip pens by Papermate.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
We’ve heard from a few of you already, but I’d love to hear more. What upcoming developments in NOVA are you most looking forward to, or most concerned about, and why? Let us know.
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