Hello Alexandria! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Tall Ship Providence tours ending, dino days family STEAM, and a mid-century modern dream house + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Strong prospects, tougher reality: Alexandria ranked No. 2 among mid-sized cities for new graduates in a 2026 CoworkingCafe study, with incomes and degree rates up, though the mayor warned housing costs remain a hurdle -- read the full ranking.
Inspiring future healthcare careers: IR Centers launched a High School Educational Observership Program, giving students early exposure to interventional radiology through onsite observation at its Falls Church flagship and structured virtual learning -- explore the observership program.
Uncertain path ahead: Alexandria’s Tall Ship Providence will suspend tours and educational programs on June 26 while exploring options, including merging with a proposed maritime museum. The Pier Bar will remain open -- see the ship's next move.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
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02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Kid energy, solved: For a quick, sanity-saving outing, Chessie's Big Backyard packs an inclusive playground with ramps and a cushioned surface, a ramp-accessible treehouse, plus a sound garden and spinning rocks along Chessie’s Trail. If it’s steamy, Our Special Harbor spray park is right next door, and there’s a Chesapeake Bay themed carousel for a victory lap.
Level up your week: When cabin fever hits, Doyle's Outpost packs a two-story DC-themed laser tag arena, a buzzy arcade, and a legit sports bar so you can rally the crew, unleash your inner 10-year-old, and still catch the game without driving across town.
Level up your garden: Whether your patio planters need a glow-up or your porch is begging for shade-loving greens, Greenstreet Gardens has you covered with locally grown seasonal color, sturdy trees and shrubs, and a delightfully stocked gift shop. Pop in this week for advice that’s practical, friendly, and tailored to your space.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🦖 Dino Days - Family STEAM @ Martha Washington Community Library | Wednesday (6/24) at 10:30 AM – Dino Days is kicking off with a dinosaur story, then sending the littles through hands-on STEAM stations for Jurassic tinkering. Drop in or hunker down, whatever matches the nap schedule. Best for ages 3-7, and yes, grandparents earn cool points too.
⛵ Living History Tour of Tall Ship Providence @ Tall Ship Providence | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Trade Netflix for a stint in the Continental Navy, no Dramamine needed. You’ll sign the ship’s Articles, get a post under John Paul Jones, and try sailor life while she stays docked, then catch a short film on the US Navy finding its sea legs.
🎹 Piano Lab Youth Jam @ Aldersgate United Methodist Church | Saturday (6/27) at 2:00 PM – Kids ditch the screens and make actual noise together with a live band, supportive teachers, and fellow budding rockers. It is loud, wholesome, and catchy. Beginners get simple grooves, confident players dive into full chords and melodies, from Golden to the Minecraft theme and blues.
🚲 South Arlington Slow Ride @ Our Savior Lutheran Church | Saturday (6/27) at 4:05 PM – South Arlington Slow Ride is rolling out for an easy 3.6-mile neighborhood spin, family friendly, and firmly anti-lycra. We finish at a backyard happy hour with pizza, snacks, drinks, and games, plus bike checks and kid-hauling options, or skip the ride and enjoy patio.
🎶 CIRCULO/CIRCLE @ Lubber Run Amphitheater (Arlington) | Sunday (6/28) at 11:00 AM – Bring your lawn chair and coffee for a free morning at Lubber Run Amphitheater as Encore Stage & Studio presents CIRCULO/CIRCLE, a family-friendly show with plenty of heart. It is breezy, upbeat, and local culture that pairs well with shade, snacks, and casual eavesdropping.
🐶 MidSommar Adoption Event @ Lindsay Volvo Cars of Alexandria | Sunday (6/28) at 1:00 PM – At Lindsay Volvo in Alexandria, it is midsommar, kittens, and civilized chaos. Lost Dog & Cat Rescue is bringing adoptable cats and kittens, and Lindsay is picking up 50% of adoption fees, so you can swap echoey living room for a low-maintenance purr.
🪵 Crafternoon Wood + Canvas + Textured Art Workshop @ AR Workshop Alexandria | Sunday (6/28) at 3:00 PM – An afternoon at the studio means this, crafternoon therapy with wood, canvas, and texture. Two hours of guided DIY where you wield tools, play with non-toxic paints and stains, and leave with home decor that says I made this, not Amazon. Kid friendly, adult approved.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Alexandria report Weather forecastToday — High: 82°F — Low: 63°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 82. Northwest wind around 10 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. Southwest wind around 7 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 87°F — Low: 68°F — Precip: 3%
Sunny, with a high near 87. South wind 7 to 12 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. This house is wildThis remodeled Charles Goodman Mid-Century Modern in Hollin Hills pairs iconic brick-and-glass architecture with modern luxury. Four bedrooms, two baths, and walls of 42 floor-to-ceiling windows frame the landscape, while a Viking kitchen, custom bookshelves, statement fireplaces, and a palapa-style screened porch bring style. A 1,500-square-foot patio, hot tub, and park access seal the scene.
Take a peek inside → |
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