Port City Brewing Company in Alexandria gained international attention for one of its signature beers. The Optimal Wit won the gold prize in the Belgian-style Witbier category at the World Beer Cup on Wednesday.   The World Beer Cup, hosted by the Brewers Association, is the largest beer competition in the world, according to a news release. At this year’s competition, there were 110 categories covering 172 different styles of beer.   The winners were announced at an awards ceremony in Las Vegas on April 24.  “Each award represents not only exceptional quality but also innovati ..read more

George Mason University’s branding is getting a makeover. The school announced Thursday the rollout of a new logo, to be used for both the university and its athletic department. This change is the final step in a three-year rebranding effort that began in 2021.   New Look  The new logo features an interlocking G and M, in the school’s signature green and gold colors. It has bolder shades than previous designs, “to signify its confidence as a rising national leader,” according to a news release. Its clean lines and open ends symbolize “multiple entry points and pathways to succ ..read more

Tucked away in the foothills of Great North Mountain in western Shenandoah County is the small, unincorporated community of Orkney Springs. Anchoring the rural enclave of 30 full-time residents is Shrine Mont Retreat and Conference Center, where guests relish the slow pace of Orkney Springs and enjoy the unique blend of historic architecture, pristine landscaping, and majestic mountain views. It’s only during the summer that the pace of life in Orkney Springs picks up and a new vibe sets in. From mid-July through Labor Day weekend, Shenandoah Valley Music Festival is the main attraction on t ..read more

Whether you like it hot or cold, nothing fills you up like a hearty sandwich or bagel. And while we might not be in New York or New Jersey, there are still plenty of classic and artisanal establishments that have made their way south. Here are eight NoVA delis you need to try. Chewish Deli  You’ll find authentic hand-rolled bagels and tantalizing sandwiches at this Old Town Alexandria mainstay. Chewish serves breakfast sandwiches daily until noon and lunch sandwiches from 10:30 a.m. to close. Pro-tip: Try the Sunrise Reuben on an everything bagel. 807 Pendleton St., Alexandria  Sant ..read more

When Amphora closed in 2021, it left a diner-shaped hole in the hearts of the Vienna community. But Emanuel Pagonis, part of the family behind Greek restaurant Nostos in Tysons Corner, was already dreaming up a solution with his family. At brunch time Yellow Diner feels appropriately freshly baked thanks to both an interior and exterior dominated by clean whites and yellows. Even the paper napkins are printed with a sunny pattern that can’t help but wrest a smile out of even the most cantankerous customers. And even on a Thursday at 10 a.m., the new restaurant is a hive of activity with busy ..read more

Located between Ballston and Rosslyn, The Crossing Clarendon is a premier outdoor Arlington shopping center featuring upscale retail and dining options.  Explore a selection of 38 national and regional food, lifestyle, and fashion businesses along Clarendon Boulevard and North Fillmore Street. The 10-acre urban hub includes top brands like Apple, Barnes & Noble, Crate & Barrel, and Whole Foods Market.  The community’s centerpiece, The Loop, features a quarter-mile of walkways, charming gazebos, and a playground. With its lush greenery and pet-friendly patios, it offers a wel ..read more

Visit Occoquan has found a way to encourage people to shop locally: Mastercard community gift cards. You can purchase a set amount on a plastic gift card or send one as an e-gift. The cards can be used at participating independent Occoquan stores or online at those businesses, provided they accept Mastercard. “We plan to sell the cards during large events such as our upcoming RiverFest & Craft Show (June 1–2) and Fall Arts & Crafts Show (Sep 28–29). We hope to run some promotions to get the word out around the holidays as well. Our gift cards are fantastic teacher gifts and stocking s ..read more

Fairfax County police arrested seven people suspected of traveling around the country and breaking into homes. The police connected the crew to a Lake Barcroft burglary, and are trying to determine whether they are linked to any more break-ins in Fairfax County. Home surveillance cameras captured crew members entering a home in the 6000 block of Columbia Pike on Sunday. They made off with a safe, jewelry, and handbags, police said in a news release. Additional surveillance footage from the neighborhood caught photos of the vehicle used. With the help of Chesterfield police, Fairfax County det ..read more

The food choices at Reston Hospital Center are expected to change as the hospital’s owner works to start an “indoor food truck” concept with Chick-fil-A and Akeno Sushi offering lunch, the Washington Business Journal reports. A permit for a fast-food kiosk was filed with Fairfax County. HCA Healthcare Inc., the owner of the 231-bed hospital, confirmed it had a contract with the fast-food chain. Chick-fil-A already operates in Chippenham Hospital, another HCA facility in Richmond. This would be the first one inside a NoVA hospital. The plan, the Washington Business Journal says, is for Akeno S ..read more

A driver with a learner’s permit who was speeding at 81 mph in a 35 mph zone has been convicted of two counts of involuntary manslaughter in a crash that killed two Oakton High School students. Usman Shahid, who was 18 when he was behind the wheel of the BMW back in 2022, was found guilty in Fairfax County Circuit Court in connection with the deaths of Ada Gabriela Martinez Nolasco and Leeyan Hanjia Yan. Shahid’s BMW collided with a Toyota 4Runner, jumped a curb, struck a fence, and then struck three girls walking home from school on Blake Lane before hitting a mailbox, a utility box, and pow ..read more