About Alexandria's Del Ray

Tonight’s First Thursday (July) was all about celebrating “Main Street” in Del Ray. Visit Del Ray has adopted the theme “Where Main Street Still Exists” to promote Del Ray and we think it’s the perfect slogan for the neighborhood we call home.

Of course for us, “Main Street” is actually Mt. Vernon Avenue. Local businesses - restaurants, ice cream shops, a UPS store, coffee shops, art galleries, clothing stores, a pharmacy, dry cleaner, post office, hardware store, hair salon, yoga studio, plant nursery, and more, lots more - are all contained within about a 10 block radius.

It’s the perfect neighborhood for walking and First Thursday is a great way to explore.

“Winchester” makes his first appearance at “First Thursday” with Anne and Zac from Nelson Avenue.

for lots more pictures, visit us at:

July’s First Thursday Celebrates “Main Street” in Del Ray

Saturday, June 27, 2009

With temperatures in the mid-80’s and low, low humidity, the 3rd Annual Del Ray Music Festival could rightly qualify as a Mid-Summer’s Dream. Here “Blue” takes the obligatory rest stop.

A brief spat of rain showers in the early afternoon was the only deterrent to an otherwise perfect day.

Sandy and Aaron Faulkner of Mt. Ida Avenue (with Henry)

Folks took advantage of strategically placed hay bales, dry ground for picnic blankets and generous space as they scattered the grounds of the Mt. Vernon Recreation Center.

for more (pictures especially), visit us at:

3rd Annual Del Ray Music Festival is a Mid-Summer’s Dream

If you haven’t already marked your calendar, then get out your pen and do it now for the:

2009 Del Ray Music Festival

Saturday, June 27

The all day event will take place on the grounds of the Mt. Vernon Recreation Center at 2701 Commonwealth Avenue. Twelve major groups will headline on the main stage with Swing Command kicking off at 10:00am and our favorite Dagmar and the Seductones closing out at 10:00pm. For the full music schedule click here.

Much like a trip to Wolftrap, you can bring your own blanket and picnic basket or you can take advantage of strategically placed hay bales for seating.

Food for purchase is being supplied by five local restaurants - Del Merie Grill, Evening Star Cafe, Cafe Pizzaiolo, Tanqueria Poblano, and Let’s Meat on the Avenue.

Oh, and did we say that there will be games for the children and that the admission is FREE? For directions to the festival, click here

No two ways about it, Del Ray is the place to be, this and every Saturday!

If you want to know more about living in this great neighborhood, call me at 703.927.4554.

See you on Saturday,

Michael

Del Ray, one of Alexandria’s favorite neighborhoods - and the place we call home - was the scene of a Presidential “drive by” on Saturday,, June 20. Yes, President Obama, accompanied by Sasha and Malia, made a stop at the Dairy Godmother much to the delight of local residents.

The President and his daughter placed their order at the counter (no special treatment here), waited patiently, posed for a few pictures, signed a few autographs and 15 minutes later headed back across the Potomac. Oh yes, they took a bag of “Puppy Pops” too for first dog Bo.

The Dairy Godmother, a Mt. Vernon Avenue fixture since 2001, is the brain child of former pastry chef and Del Ray resident Liz Davis.

Way to go Liz,

Michael

Del Ray Restaurant Week 2009 kicks off tomorrow, June 5 and runs through Saturday, June 14. This is the first time Del Ray has ventured out with it own restaurant week. It is a real tribute to the vibrancy of the local business community and the quality and variety of restaurants in Del Ray. The only problem we see with this great promotion is choosing where to eat first!

As an added incentive, after “frequent diners” collect stamps at four participating businesses they will become eligible for a drawing to win a luxurious weekend for two at the new Lorien Hotel and Spa in Old Town Alexandria.

Entry cards must be submitted by June 30, 2009 to Artfully Chocolate/Kingsbury Confections. The grand prize winner will be announced on July 2 during First Thursday.

To find out more about the 17 participating restaurants and the specials being offered, click here.

Bon Appetit!

Michael.

P.S. A steady rain kept us from getting to First Thursday tonight. We’ll keep our fingers crossed for July