Local school systems face bus driver shortages, but say they’re ready to roll — “ACPS recognizes there is a national shortage of school bus drivers, making it challenging to recruit and fill bus driver positions. ACPS has about 90% of our drivers available and 100% of bus monitor positions filled…” [Alexandria Living]
Alexandria recommends cooling centers during heatwave — “The next few days are going to be hot and humid. The City offers several locations as options to those without cooling in their homes, including rec centers and libraries, as well as assistance for adults 60+ and some low-income households. Learn more at alexandriava.gov/122602.” [Twitter]
Mayor conducting town hall meeting on the run — “This Thursday night I am bringing back my ‘Running Town Hall!’ Lace up your running shoes and meet us at Pacers Running at 1301 King Street at 7 PM. We’ll run and discuss the issues facing our City. See you there!” [Facebook]
Virginia liquor store sales hit record — “The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority reported revenue of $1.4 billion during the 2021 fiscal year that ended June 30, an increase of $163 million from the previous year, the Virginia ABC announced Tuesday.” [Patch]
Anticipating fall, Visit Alexandria releases deets for events thru November — “Visit Alexandria, the city’s tourism bureau, has released details for local events into November. Take a look. There are plenty of things to do.” [Zebra]
Today’s weather — “Sunny, along with a few afternoon clouds. Hot and humid. High around 95F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph… Partly cloudy. Low 74F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.” [Weather.com]
New job: Server at Chadwicks — “Chadwicks Restaurant is currently looking to fill FULL- and PART-TIME server positions. Must be honest, hardworking, and capable of working well with others. Experience not a priority. We currently have more business than we can handle! Following a brief training regimen, you may pick up as many hours as you can handle. Start making very competitive server pay ASAP!” [Indeed]
State of emergency declared in Virginia over gasoline shortages — “Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency Tuesday afternoon to address gasoline supply disruptions across the state due to a cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline.” [Patch]
Potomac Riverkeepers disavow Silberberg mailer — “Potomac Riverkeeper Network learned today that Allison Silberberg’s campaign to be the next Mayor of Alexandria recently distributed a flyer that included an apparent endorsement by Dean Naujoks, the Potomac Riverkeeper and a member of our staff… Potomac Riverkeeper is neutral and does not endorse Alison Silberberg’s candidacy for Mayor of Alexandria. Potomac Riverkeeper Network supports clean water, not individual candidates.” [Twitter]
Virginia ABC stores returning to pre-pandemic hours starting Friday — “After more than a year of reduced operating hours in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, all Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) stores will return to pre-pandemic operating hours on May 14, 2021.” [Zebra]
Fairfax County seeks public input on the former Mount Vernon Athletic Club — “The former Mount Vernon Athletic Club at 7950 and 7960 Audobon Ave. in Fairfax County’s Lee District is undergoing a transformation.” [Alexandria Living]
Today’s weather — “Partly cloudy (during the day). High 67F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph… Mostly clear skies (in the evening). Low 46F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.” [Weather.com]
New job: Assistant camp director — “The YMCA of Metropolitan Washington is one of the largest charities in the DC area. The Y serves as an anchor in the community offering programs and services encompassing youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.” [Indeed]
Update on 1/25/20Â — The whisky tasting event has been rescheduled for Oct. 16, 2020
Earlier:Â Alexandria loves to celebrate its Scottish heritage. The latest such celebration is taking place later this month.
The Alexandria Sister Cities organization is holding its 8th annual Scotch whisky tasting event on Friday, March 20. “Early bird” tickets are currently on sale for $100.
“This annual fundraiser supports Alexandria Sister Cities Committee’s cultural and educational activities with Dundee, Scotland and Helsingborg, Sweden,” the event webpage says. “This festive and fun event is for a great cause and always sells out. Get your tickets now.”
More from a press release:
We Alexandrians love to celebrate our City’s Scottish roots and our First President George Washington. The Annual Sister Cities Whisky Tasting is the perfect event to do both! The Alexandria Sister Cities Committee, with assistance from the Office of Historic Alexandria (OHA), is hosting this year’s whisky tasting event on March 20, from 7-10 pm, at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 138 North Royal Street, in the very room where President George Washington held his birthday ball in 1789. George Washington, a distillery owner and whisky lover, will be there “in spirit” taking the Angel’s share alongside guests.
According to Sister Cities Committee Member and Whisky Tasting Event Chair Dana Linnet, “This is a festive and casual occasion where guests can unwind at one of Alexandria’s best parties and something out of the ordinary, different from other whisky tasting events. It could be date night, ladies’ night, lads’ night, or just a great night out with fun people from Alexandria, DC, Arlington and Fairfax, and sometimes Scotland! It’s a colorful, fun affair, so we encourage everyone to wear their kilts and tartans!”
The event features a full 45-minute VIP whisky tasting experience conducted by North American Whisky Ambassador Simon Broking and Beam Suntory’s “Protector of the Peat” Palmer Orlandi. Guests will receive a swag bag and their very own official Sister Cities Scotch glass, perfect for that nice pour of Laphroiag. Scottish fiddle and bagpipe entertainment will be provided by renowned musician, Peter Walker, thanks to sponsorship by the St. Andrew’s Society of Washington, DC., along with a fabulous dinner catered by Tasteful Affairs (to include non-meat options for Lent and vegetarians), wine selection, beautiful desserts by Pop-Up Patisserie and more. Non-alcoholic drinks will also be served. Linnet stressed that the Committee encourages party-goers to drink responsibly and arrange taxi, ride share, or designated driver transport to keep Alexandria and guests safe.
“We are truly fortunate to be able to keep the quality of the event high and the ticket price reasonable thanks to so many incredible sponsors who show up and show their strong support for our community. We couldn’t do it without their generosity,” Linnet added. Not to rest on their laurels from previous years, this one will be a “notch above.” The event will close with a raffle featuring a golf and lunch outing at the Army Navy Country Club, jewelry, a pedicure, tours, and other prizes. The proceeds of the event ticket and raffle will be used for scholarships for local students to participate in an educational program in Dundee this fall.
“We are so fortunate to have the support of our local businesses, OHA, and City Council,” Linnet says. It will be a great party that will bring everyone together. Tickets can be found on Eventbrite. Slainte!
Photo by Dylan de Jonge on Unsplash
