Proposed plastic bag tax meetings scheduled in Alexandria — “The first meeting is a virtual public information session on Wednesday, Sept. 8 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.” [Patch]

New restaurants on the horizon — “Three new restaurants are moving forward with plans to open — they all have applications for various permits on the Thursday, Sept. 9 Planning & Zoning commission docket.” [Alexandria Living]

Old Town Festival of Speed and Style is this Sunday — “Featuring over 100 rare and exotic supercars and motorcycles from around the world – combined with dazzling and glamorous fashion elements and events – the festival celebrates the heart and spirit of the community and highlights the elegance and style of Old Town. It is free to spectators and open to all.” [Visit Alexandria]

Today’s weather — “Mostly sunny skies. High 78F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph… A few clouds (in the evening). Low near 60F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.” [Weather.com]

New job: Assistant chocolatier — “As a production assistant you will mainly work alongside the owner and other chocolatiers to make and package truffles, chocolate bars, and other confections for retail sale and shipment. Occasionally you will need to assist with the retail side of business and help customers in-person and over the phone with chocolate selections.” [Indeed]

New coffee shop opening in West End — “A new coffee shop will be opening in the Shoppes of Foxchase shopping center in Alexandria’s West End. Cortado Cafe is under construction now in the shopping center on Duke Street. It is taking the place of a now-closed Hair Cuttery between Massage Envy and La Casa restaurant.” [Alexandria Living]

Nonprofit teaches computer coding for free — “For over 20 years, the Alexandria nonprofit Computer CORE has helped adults learn computer technology and programming, thereby advancing their careers. The newest educational opportunity begins Tuesday, Sept. 14 with the virtual class Code Beats Computer Coding Camp. The free course will use hip hop and other music beats to teach computer coding.” [Zebra]

Alexandria to hold remembrance ceremony for 9/11 attacks — “The City invites the public to attend a remembrance ceremony Saturday, Sep 11, 10-11am, at Waterfront Park (1A Prince St.), to mark the tragic events of September 11, 2001.” [Twitter]

September is Recovery Month — “September is #RecoveryMonth and we are celebrating the gains made by those who are in recovery from mental illness and substance use disorders. Learn more and find out how you can help raise awareness of prevention and recovery options at http://alexandriava.gov/117342.” [Twitter]

Art on the Avenue returns to Del Ray Oct. 2 — “The event was virtual last year due to concerns about coronavirus. The popular event draws artists in more than 10 categories from food and books to sculpture, painting, bath and body products and more. In addition, attendees can enjoy music, visit the kid’s art corner and support local restaurants and businesses. In the past, the event has brought out 300 artists and 50,000 visitors. It has been named one of the best festivals in Virginia.” [Alexandria Living]

Today’s weather — “Sunny (during the day). High 79F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph… Clear (in the evening). Low 58F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.” [Weather.com]

New job: Play expert — “We provide family-focused therapeutic services to children age 0-12 years old. With a focus on play-based learning, TLBC believes that language and skill development should be a positive experience for both the child and the family.” [Indeed]

Remnants of Hurricane Ida headed for Alexandria — “Tuesday will be cloudy with only reaching the mid-80s. Scattered thunderstorms will start Tuesday evening and will become more widespread into Wednesday dropping an estimated two to six inches of rain. Alexandria city officials will be handing out sandbags to residents Tuesday morning ahead of the storm.” [Alexandria Living]

City Hall lit blue for Opioid Awareness Day — “Wonder why City Hall was lit up last night? It’s lit up teal through September 1 in recognition of #InternationalOverdoseAwarenessDay! The City is also giving out free Narcan and fentanyl test strips–find out more at http://alexandriava.gov/123920.” [Twitter]

Old Town Festival of Speed and Style is this Sunday — “The Old Town Festival of Speed & Style highlights all the things that make Old Town unique — history, architecture, great food, fabulous people, art, style and energy. On Sunday, Sept. 5, view dozens of exotic cars on display in Old Town, centered on lower King Street.” [Alexandria Living]

Today’s weather — “Overcast. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 85F. Winds light and variable… Scattered thunderstorms during the evening becoming more widespread overnight. Low 71F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.” [Weather.com]

New job: Seasonal leaf collection — “An essential function of this position is the ability to perform a variety of manual labor tasks to include heavy lifting and bending, in adverse weather conditions.” [Indeed]

The Old Town Festival of Speed & Style, a celebration of eccentric mid-20th century vehicles, is scheduled to make a comeback this September.

The event started in 2019 and was a success, bringing thousands of visitors from the region to Old Town. The event, sponsored by Burke & Herbert Bank, was scheduled to make a comeback in 2020 but… you know. After several delays, the second annual Old Town Festival of Speed & Style is scheduled for Sept. 5 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

According to a press release for the event, it is slated to include over 100 rare and unusual cars and vintage motorcycles from around the world. The event is free and will span three blocks on lower King Street and around Market Square. There will also be a fashion demonstration from noon to 1 p.m. in which local boutiques and retail will showcase styles with themed cars.

The night before the festival, a “High-Octane Ball” will be held from 7:30-9:30. The celebration is a ticketed event, with proceeds going to benefit local non-profit ALIVE! and the USO.

What an unexpectedly busy summer week in Alexandria. Here’s the rundown.

Our top story was on an Alexandria woman who claims she was roofied at a restaurant on the waterfront on the evening of July 9. A police report has been filed, and no charges have been made.

This week we sat down with acting Police Chief Don Hayes, who said that he’s thrown his hat in the ring with City Manager Mark Jinks to keep the top job. Hayes, a 40-year veteran of the Alexandria Police Department took over after the sudden departure of Chief Michael Brown last month, and will have to contend against candidates in a national search.

The Tokyo Olympics also start this week, and the games will include three T.C. Williams High School graduates — sprinter Noah Lyles, high-jumper Tynita Butts-Townsend and boxer Troy Isley. In fact, Lyles just had a comic book biography published in the Washington Post. If you’re a fan of the Olympic games, check out this list of local restaurants celebrating with special events and meals.

Important stories

• Pot enthusiasts quiet in early days of legalization in Alexandria
• Alexandria sees 90 COVID cases in July, another death
• Local historians profile former slave in Alexandria who struggled to rescue his family
• Alexandria man caught with gun at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport checkpoint
• New Potomac Yard luxury condo community sells 30% of properties before construction starts
• Testing for Alexandria’s controversial stream restoration work starts next week
• Two years after massive flooding, city moves forward with Holmes Run trail restoration
• Del Ray licensed family counselor completely booked since launching in May
• Alexandria businesses advised to sharpen e-commerce as consumer patterns evolve
• Alexandria swimming pools operating with reduced hours, residents signing waitlists with capacity overload
• Without annual music festival, Del Ray is celebrating with a bar crawl
• Del Ray affordable housing completes long-awaited overhaul

Top stories

1. Woman claims she was roofied at Old Town restaurant
2. Residents protest against conditions at West End apartment complex
3. Developers eye Beauregard redevelopment with West End upgrades on the horizon
4. Former chef at ‘The Alexandrian’ opening new restaurant in Arlandria on Monday
5. No injuries after shots fired in Braddock area on Wednesday
6. DASH takes lessons from D.C., Baltimore and Oregon in eliminating bus fares
7. ‘Call Your Mother Deli’ signs lease in Old Town
8. After last month’s Democratic primary, Republican Darryl Nirenberg tops campaign donation leaderboard
9. New city health improvement plan aims to fix inequities
10. Poll: Have you been to the Winkler Botanical Preserve?
11. Lee-Fendall House to throw speakeasy party to finance building repairs

Have a safe weekend!

NOVA Parks pledges $800K to maintain River Farm, if sale goes through — “Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority has taken steps to sweeten the offer it made on the historic River Farm property. Nova Parks Executive Director Paul Gilbert announced that the regional park authority has pledged $800,000 toward maintenance and improvement of the property should the American Horticultural Society, the current owner of River Farm, approve the sale.” [Alex Times]

Alexandria hosting Around the World Cultural Food Festival July 31 — “The biggest outdoor food festival in the D.C metro area will happen on Saturday, July 31. And this year’s edition will be held in Alexandria. Enjoy food, music, and an experience highlighting cultural diversity at Oronoco Bay Park from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.” [Zebra]

Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery dedication ceremony this Saturday — “Join Historic Alexandria in honoring Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery Memorial’s inclusion in the African American Civil Rights Network (AACRN). The free dedication will include a wreath laying by the 31st Masonic District, a reading by representatives of the United States Colored Troops (USCT), and remarks by Reverend Taft Quincey Heatley. The ceremony will take place rain or shine.” [City of Alexandria]

Today’s weather — “Except for a few afternoon clouds, mainly sunny. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 90F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph… Mostly clear skies (in the evening). Low 67F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph.” [Weather.com]

New job: Part-time chess coach — “As a chess coach for us, you are the core of what we do! You provide a welcoming environment for elementary school children and instruct them on the game. Typically, you teach a group of 10 – 20 children (ages 5-11). You bring all the equipment (provided by us) and teach according to our curriculum, ensuring that you personalize and adjust your teaching to each kid and each group of kids as needed.” [Indeed]

After taking a year off, the Around The World Cultural Food Festival will be celebrated later this month at Oronoco Bay Park on the Alexandria waterfront.

It’s the first year that the annual event will be hosted in Alexandria, and it will feature more than a dozen food, dessert and smoothie vendors making dishes from around the world.

“This pandemic changed our lives and the way we look at tomorrow in a drastic way,” wrote event organizers on Facebook. “We should never take anything for granted, so while we have this opportunity to host the event in a safe way for everyone- a large, spacious park, we hope to see you on July 31st at Oronoco Bay Park.”

Food trucks and vendors include:

• Huascaran Restaurant — Peru
• JEMS Catering Caribbean Cuisine — Jamaica
• Kono Pizza — Italy
• Ozfeka Catering — Turkey
• Kruba DC – Japan
• Bli Man Kitchen — Indonesia
• Buddin’ Bakery
• Ben and Jerry’s

The festival will also be held at Freedom Plaza in D.C. on August 28. Admission is free.

via Facebook

James K. Polk Elementary School paraprofessional Nadine Brown dies — “It is with great sorrow and sadness that we share late Sunday night, our beloved Nadine Brown, Kindergarten and Special Education Para-Professional passed away. For years, she served as a one-on-one for one of our students; the two were inseparable and had a genuine love for each other. Ms. Brown was a loved and valued member of the JKP Family and knitted countless blankets and quilts for the staff. Ms. Brown exuded a very quiet demeanor, but she was a fighter and battled cancer for years. For years, she came to work ill and often said, ‘The kids inspire me, I need to be here.’ Ms. Brown was an inspiration to us all. She always brought joy and she will forever be in our hearts. We send our deepest condolences to her family and friends. Rest in peace, Ms. Brown.” [Facebook]

Community invited to meet two candidates for principal of John Adams Elementary School — “Parents and Community members are invited meet the two finalists for the position of principal via a Zoom virtual meeting on Thursday, May 27, 2021. You can submit your questions for the candidates via the online Q&A during the session. There will be a form for you to offer feedback after the session. The Zoom link and more information can be found on the John Adams Class Dojo page. Thank you for participating in this selection process.” [Facebook]

AHDC updates design of Seminary Road development — “Plans for new, affordable townhomes and condos are in the works for a development on Seminary Road.” [Alexandria Living]

Alexandria’s 43rd Annual Jazz Festival in Old Town Saturday is sold out — “Thanks for ordering! Remember, all guests must be on named the list to be admitted, including children. If you need to edit or amend your order at any time, please log into Eventbrite to make changes.” [Eventbrite]

Today’s weather — “Generally sunny (during the day). High 86F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph… A few clouds from time to time (in the evening). Low near 65F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.” [Weather.com]

New job: Newspaper carrier with The Washington Post — “Looking for people interested in delivering newspapers in Alexandria, VA.” [Indeed]

For the second year in a row, the Alexandria Old Town Art Festival packed the Carlyle neighborhood on Saturday and Sunday.

Dozens of artists and exhibitors from all over the country displayed their work throughout the weekend to large numbers of gatherers and art admirers.

Another live event, the 43rd annual Alexandria Jazz Festival, will be held in Old Town on May 29.