Good Thursday morning, Alexandria!
🌤️ Today’s weather: There is a slight chance of showers after 2pm, with mostly sunny skies and a high near 87°F. South winds will range from 9 to 13 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph, and a 20% chance of precipitation. On Thursday night, expect a chance of showers and thunderstorms primarily after 2am, with mostly cloudy skies and a low around 70°F. South winds will be around 10 mph, and the chance of precipitation will be 30%.
🚨 You need to know
Alexandria’s annual Sidewalk Sale is returning next weekend on Saturday, Aug. 12 and Sunday, Aug. 13.
The sale consists of discounted items at boutiques around Old Town.
According to Visit Alexandria:
The event is one of the longest running seasonal summer shopping events in the D.C. region’s Shop Small destination for independent boutiques and features more than 40 Alexandria boutiques stepping out of their storefronts and offering deeply discounted summer merchandise. In Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood, browse unique finds at the Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market and more. Plus, enjoy pop-up live music performances along King Street from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and pop-up vendors along the 0 block of King Street.
Parking will be free at some garages in Old Town that weekend and metered street parking will be free on Sunday, according to Alexandria Living Magazine.

📈 Wednesday’s most read
The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for Aug 2, 2023.
- Trail Does Not Stop: Proposed changes could prioritize Mount Vernon Trail users in Old Town North (1234 views)
- Alexandria Mayor urges Richmond to reconsider approach to school funding (751 views)
- Notes: New vegan cookie shop opening in Old Town next week (576 views)
- Remembrance ceremony and new marker unveiling planned next week for Alexandria lynching victim (471 views)
📅 Upcoming events
Here is what’s going on today in Alexandria, from our event calendar.
Recent Stories

If you had a chance to enhance a child’s future with a time commitment of less than 2 hours a week, how would you respond? You have that opportunity right now to join over 200 Alexandrians as a reading tutor volunteer with the Alexandria Tutoring Consortium (ATC).
ATC tutors work with one child in kindergarten, first, or second grade in Alexandria public schools who need extra help with reading. Tutors meet with their Book Buddy 1-2 times each week for 30 minutes October-May at school, during school hours. Many struggling readers only receive one-on-one instruction through this program, and it makes all the difference. Last year, ATC served 195 children, of whom 82% ended the year reading on grade level and 96% made substantial reading gains. But the need is great, and we are still seeing learning lags from the pandemic.
This year, ATC plans to significantly increase the size of the program to reach over 250 students and to serve every elementary school in Alexandria. This is very exciting news, but we will only succeed if we can recruit more tutors. ATC trains you, matches you with a child, and provides ongoing lesson materials and support.

If you have been thinking about buying your first home or haven’t owned one in the last three years, THIS IS FOR YOU!
In the DMV area, it can be difficult to save the downpayment necessary for you to get into your own home. We have a solution. The Funder’s Summit!
We have assembled a summit with different municipalities to tell you how to access their funds for your home purchase.
Family Fun Fall Fest
Mark your calendars and join us for the Family Fun Fall Fest on Saturday, October 7, 2023, from 11am – 2pm!
This FREE in-person event will be held at the Shoppes at Foxchase, located at 4641 Duke St, Alexandria, VA
2023 Alexandria Fall Festival
Food trucks, bounce houses, pony rides, magic shows and more at the 2023 Alexandria Fall Festival, an Alexandria Living event presented by The Patterson Group. Join us at River Farm on Sunday, Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.