Alexandria Appetite: From Sauces to Spices, She Peppers Packs a Punch
Two-woman team of pepper purveyors is expanding its farmer’s market reach — and gaining shelf space in stores.
Many of Alexandria’s gardeners are just beginning to put their spring vegetables in the ground, last-minute frost be darned. But for Stephanie Freeman and Vickie Lucas, the business of peppers is a year-round affair. Instead of waiting until April to till the soil, they’ve been awaiting the beginning of farmer’s market season — and the expansion of their sauce-and-spice business, She Peppers.
Alexandria/Mount Vernon Weekend Fun: April 1-10
Entertainment
Events in Alexandria and Mount Vernon.
Alexandria: Wiggle Toes Plié Through the Morning
People at Work
The warm up music begins from the corner. "Are you ready?" Jessica Petchenick, instructor at Tiny Dancers on S. Washington Street, asks, "Can you dance with your eyes?" Moms and leotard-bedecked children blink at each other. "Can you dance with your nose?" Noses wiggle including five mothers and one father who has accompanied his daughter to today's Wiggle Toes class for 2-3 year olds. After wiggling ears and patting tummies, at last the answer is "You dance with your feet."
Alexandria/Mount Vernon Weekend Fun: March 25-April 3
Entertainment
Events in Alexandria and Mount Vernon, Va.
Alexandria: Local Breweries Bring in Kitchens on Wheels
Working together to serve customers.
At Port City Brewing in western Alexandria, the “pearl,” a layered dish of macaroni and cheese, baked beans and barbecue meat, is downed with a micro beer so it’s known to bring on a “food coma,” of sorts. Port City is one of the many microbreweries that serve no food but rely on independent food trucks that pull up outside for their food source.
Alexandria Resident Pens: ‘Drinking Adventurously’
Book spotlights 52 beverages.
Alexandria resident Jeff Cioletti had more than a decade of writing professionally about a full spectrum of beverages — from Chinese spirits to bottled iced teas to the best sparkling wines in America. As the current editor-at-large of Beverage World, where he’s held editorial roles for more than 13 years, he decided a few years ago to chronicle his adventures with these beverages in a 335-page book, “The Year of Drinking Adventurously: 52 Ways to Get out of Your Comfort Zone.”
Meet the Chef: Frantz of Majestic
Chef Frantz discovers her sweet spot in the kitchen.
Wedges of lemon, squares of unsalted butter, curly green onion slivers, low country gravy and blackened shrimp sit mise en place in the prep kitchen at The Majestic on King Street. Lisa Marie Frantz, executive chef at The Majestic, is preparing shrimp and grits made to order for each customer.
Alexandria People at Work: Getting Back on Track
Something's always happening at FireFlies on Mount Vernon. It might be Pick a Pasta Night on Tuesday, Build Your Own Omelet or Quiche Brunch on Sunday, live comedy on Monday Burger Night, local musicians on the weekend or children dancing on the stage when it's not otherwise occupied. Marylisa Lichens, owner with her husband Dan, says, "We wanted it to be a place where families could bring their children and have dinner a couple of times a week. We wanted it to become an extension of the neighborhood."
Musings from the Maestro: ‘Lushness & Lyrical’
Alexandria Symphony Orchestra
Alexandria Symphony Orchestra will present “Lushness & Lyrical” on Saturday, April 2 and Sunday, April 3.
Alexandria Appetite: Hank’s Pasta Bar Brings Little Italy to Old Town
Newcomer to the neighborhood has already gained solid following.
North Old Town has a new hotspot in the neighborhood. Hank’s Pasta Bar, the kid sister to the venerable Hank’s Oyster Bar on King Street, has taken the area by storm since opening about five weeks ago. And the newness hasn’t worn off yet. From the two fully booked soft openings to a recent Monday night that found the dining room out of space for the evening by 7 p.m., it’s clear that residents have a hankering for pasta. And Hank’s stands at the ready to accommodate.
Alexandria: ‘Boots & Bling’ Supports Children
The Center for Alexandria’s Children hosted “Boots & Bling: A Western Fling” on Feb. 25 at Blackwall Hitch to benefit its programs for child abuse victims and vulnerable families in Alexandria.
Alexandria: Her Artwork Captures Vibrancy of Life
Del Ray Artisans exhibit features artist with special needs.
Like most children, Yasmine Iskander liked to color with crayons. And like most mothers, Silvia Sagari was proud of everything her daughter created. But four years ago, when someone suggested to Sagari that Yasmine genuinely had talent, she took notice. Because Yasmine is not like most children.
Alexandria: ‘Cherry Challenge’ Winners
The George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee announced the winners of the eighth annual “Cherry Challenge.” The Cherry Challenge took place between Jan. 28 and Feb. 11 in 53 Alexandria restaurants. It featured cherry-inspired dishes, appetizers, drinks, and desserts created by the restaurant chefs. Some of the restaurants have competed in the past, but there were many restaurants new to the competition this year.
Mount Vernon: ACCT Stages ‘Little Women’
Classic tale traces lives and loves of four sisters during the Civil War.
Aldersgate Church Community Theatre (ACCT) is putting on "Little Women" from March 4-20. Written by Louisa May Alcott, the story traces the lives and loves of four sisters: Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy. During the Civil War, their father is away serving in the army, leaving his "little women" in the care of their mother. The family, headed by Marmee, must struggle to make ends meet with the help of their wealthy neighbor, Mr. Lawrence, and his high-spirited grandson, Laurie.
Alexandria: A Fast-Paced Romp through the Bard's 37 Plays
LTA presents “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged).”
The Little Theater of Alexandria (LTA) is presenting the "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)" from Feb. 27 to March 19. The show where the cast plays themselves is an irreverent, fast-paced romp through the Bard's 37 plays in 97 minutes. It was also London's longest-running comedy, having clocked nine years in London's West End.