On This Day in Alexandria History — “On September 1, 1922, after years of debate on management responsibilities within Alexandria government, the City Council formally appointed Wilder Rich as the city’s first City Manager. This new form of government delegated the day-to-day management and implementation of Council policy decisions to an appointed, rather than an elected official. The new City Manager immediately began professionalizing city departments and confronting serious problems that had plagued the city for decades. One week later, on September 8 of that year, Alexandria began the first system of public trash and garbage collection as a city service, a welcome improvement over the littered streets and backyard dump sites routine in Alexandria in the early 20th century.” [Historic Alexandria]
Most Essential D.C. Restaurant Dishes List Gives Nod to Taqueria Picoso — “You’d be hard-pressed to find a better-looking taco than the cod version at this strip-mall destination. Batter-fried fish gets colorful company with a bright cherry tomato and kale salad dressed with a verdant jalapeño and cucumber dressing, along with slivers of jalapeño and avocado, all of which is showered with cilantro and wrapped in a springy, sturdy flour tortilla. If it feels fancier than the usual street-food staple, that’s the work of chef Elio Gomez, who once helmed the kitchen of a fine-dining restaurant in Mexico City and now turns his culinary training on humble tacos with knockout details.” [The Washington Post]
Cell Phone Enforcement Begins at ACHS — “Alexandria City High School students are being warned to turn off their cellphones, smartwatches, earbuds and other personal electronic devices—and keep them out of sight—as the school begins full enforcement of its “Off and Away All Day” policy Monday, Aug. 31 … The announcement follows the broader Alexandria City Public Schools policy requiring students to keep personal cellphones and smart devices silenced or turned off, stored away, not visible and not used from the first instructional bell through dismissal.” [The Zebra]
Alexandria Not Among Localities Seeking Additional Sales Tax Option This Year — “Voters in 47 Virginia jurisdictions will weigh a 1% sales tax to fund school construction and modernization costs. In Northern Virginia, the revenue could also support transportation projects. This comes as leaders face funding challenges for aging school facilities and rising demand to support Metro and other local transit systems.” [Virginia Mercury]
Civic Association Group Opposes Lincolnia Data Center Project — “When explaining its opposition, the [Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations’] resolution cites the data center campus’ location 67 feet from the closest residential property line, a resource protection area that borders Turkeycock Run, and the economic and environmental impacts of data centers. While Starwood’s data center is allowed by right under the county’s zoning rules, an electric substation planned on Edsall Road faces a public facilities 2232 review by the Fairfax County Planning Commission at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 2.” [FFXnow]
Pet Groomer Opens Free Pet Pantry — “The pet pantry that Jodi Goldberg has wanted to open for years is finally open, in the space next door to her grooming shop at 430 Hume Ave. Anyone who needs pet food, toys, treats, beds, harnesses or leashes can walk in during business hours and take what they need. There is no application and no cost.” [Alexandria Brief]
Community Cookout Happening This Evening — The last scheduled Community Cookout of the year will happen from 6-7:30 p.m. at Fairlington Presbyterian Church. The event seeks to gather neighbors and connect them with resources. [City of Alexandria]
Wellness Wednesdays Set for September at Carlyle Crossing — To mark Self-Care Awareness Month in September, the Carlyle Crossing development is launching Wellness Wednesdays, a free five-week outdoor wellness series beginning Sept. 2. Held every Wednesday from 6–7 p.m. on the Carlyle Crossing Plaza (2455 Mandeville Lane), the series is presented in partnership with YogaSix South Alexandria and will feature a different wellness experience each week. Sessions include slow flow and sound bath on Sept. 2, sculpt with body weight on Sept. 9, restore with sound on Sept. 16, core and mat Pilates on Sept. 23 and power flow on Sept. 30. [Carlyle Crossing/YogaSix]
It’s Tuesday — Expect mostly sunny skies with temperatures peaking near 96 degrees, and the heat index reaching up to 100. Winds will be calm, shifting to a northwest breeze at 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. On Tuesday night, there’s a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2 a.m., with a slight chance of rain between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. The night will be partly cloudy with a low of about 77 degrees, accompanied by light and variable winds. [NWS]
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