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Hey Alexandria, hope your week’s off to a good start!
In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Jim McGrath’s trauma-turned-novel, KALM wellness studio opening, and Transformers 1986 live soundtrack + lots of fun things to do for free.
Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Alexandria protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.
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📰 In the news
Real events reimagined in fiction: Longtime journalist Jim McGrath has released The Boys of Ewald Park, a novel drawn from a 2023 medical emergency and his Alexandria roots, and it is now available online — read the full story.
Founders eye national expansion: A new wellness studio KALM will open this spring in Alexandria’s Braddock neighborhood, offering three private saunas, a communal sauna, and yoga and Pilates from Abdullah Akbary and Shaiq Darwish — see what’s planned for KALM.
Participants make their case: Arlington County Board backed SPARC’s funding request for day programs for adults with severe disabilities, supporting lower-cost community services across Arlington, Fairfax, and Loudoun near Alexandria — see how programs compare.
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.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Highlights this week:
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🏆 Gold and silver are heating up
Together with our sponsor American Hartford Gold
Gold just posted its strongest run in decades… and the momentum is carrying into 2026. Silver has become one of the most talked-about assets as investors look for ways to stay ahead of market volatility.
While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning.
If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, AHG has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how investors are approaching precious metals right now.
It’s free and worth reading before the next move.
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🫶 We got your back
Twirl-worthy pasta fix: When comfort needs a little shine, Thompson Italian in Old Town rolls out handmade pastas like rigatoni bolognese and squid ink bucatini, plus a dessert lineup crowned by olive oil cake. Roasted garlic bread begs to be shared as the week quietly unwinds.
Closet refresh, the fun way: Winter outfits feeling blah? Vintage Mirage delivers a quick mood lift with curated vintage dresses, statement jewelry, and one-off pieces that become your signature. Let the racks do the treasure hunting, while you discover what feels unmistakably you.
Chill without the drama: District Cryo brings subzero bliss to Old Town with quick whole-body sessions that reset your week. Sore from the gym? Follow the chill with an infrared sauna or lymphatic drainage for a smooth comeback. Efficient, energizing, and seriously refreshing.
Thinning hair? It only gets worse: A few months ago, I noticed my ponytail getting thinner. I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, etc.) but mostly just hoped it would fix itself… until I learned that active follicles can permanently go dormant if you don’t do something about it. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn more about my favorite online options here.
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📆 Free events worth checking out
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🍻 Coach Happy Hour @ Hyde Social | Wednesday (3/4) at 6:30 PM – Take a breather from holding space for everyone else and meet DMV wellness and fitness coaches who work a few miles from you, yet somehow only exist in your comments. Free happy hour, real conversations, and no pitchy nonsense. RSVP and actually connect: https://luma.com/r0i0t5dd
❓ Game Night Live Trivia @ Aslin Beer Co | Thursday (3/5) at 7:00 PM – Nothing beats trivia with a pint, especially when no PhD is required. At Aslin Beer Co in Alexandria, play two free games, three rounds each, with game show vibes, word jumbles, picture rounds, and prizes. Bring friends, claim bragging rights, skip the flashcards.
🤖 Transformers 1986 Live Soundtrack @ Evening Star Cafe | Friday (3/6) at 8:00 PM – Nothing beats reliving your VHS-era glory while The MantisDC performs a live soundtrack to the 1986 Transformers flick. It’s free at the No. 9 Lounge at Evening Star Cafe, and they moved it to Friday, March 6, so your inner eight-year-old can stay up.
🏛 Arlington Historical Museum Open @ Arlington Historical Museum | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Whether you grew up here or just know every shortcut, pop into the Hume School for a free tour of Arlington’s past. From Indigenous roots to 9/11, red light districts to streetcars, it covers a lot. Ring the bell, browse the shop, feel smugly local.
🎤 Friday & Saturday Karaoke @ McNamara’s Pub & Restaurant | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 PM – Warm up those pipes and claim five minutes of glory at McNamara’s karaoke, now every Friday and Saturday. No cover, a big free lot out back, family friendly, good for a crew, and just rowdy enough to feel like Crystal City before bedtime.
🎤 Friday and Saturday Karaoke @ Cuates Grill | Saturday (3/7) at 10:15 PM – Warm up those pipes and swing by Cuates Grill for Friday and Saturday karaoke, where Old Town sings in two languages, and the late-night tacos provide courage. Free entry, family friendly, and the crowd cheers. Your shower solo finally gets witnesses, and maybe a margarita.
🎶 Monday Concert Series @ Christ Church Alexandria | Monday (3/9) at 12:15 PM – Second Mondays at Christ Church Alexandria become a 45-minute culture fix, October through May. DMV pros bring Bach, violin fantasias, Renaissance cheer, four-hand piano, and voice with lute, free, donations encouraged, so you can return to your inbox feeling virtuous, and a smidge smug.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
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📻 Alexandria report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 50°F – Low: 45°F – Precip: 70%
Rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 50. Southeast wind 1 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Rain. Cloudy, with a low around 45. Southwest wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
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Tomorrow – High: 63°F – Low: 50°F – Precip: 74%
Rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 63. North wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of rain. Cloudy, with a low around 50. Southeast wind around 2 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Someone Googled you this week 👀
It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.
Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.
Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.
This house is wild
This detached Del Ray gem pairs a large, fully fenced yard with open-concept living and high ceilings. The renovated kitchen has tall cabinetry, stainless appliances, and a huge island that flows to the dining area, plus a powder room. Upstairs offers a landing, three bedrooms, two baths, and a spacious primary. Excellent basement storage, half a block from The Avenue.
Take a peek inside →
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