Alexandria News Briefs

Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 5

The City of Alexandria’s Department of Community and Human Services annual Fall Festival is on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 5067 Seminary Rd. A day of entertainment and community spirit is planned with live music, a variety of food trucks, and several market vendors.

Families can enjoy kid-friendly games, exciting activities, and the chance to win raffle prizes throughout the day. This festival is an opportunity to connect with neighbors.

Attendees are encouraged to wear orange to show support for Hunger Free Alexandria.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month

The 21st Annual Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a collaborative effort among businesses, government agencies, colleges and universities, associations, nonprofit organizations, tribal communities, and individuals committed to educating others about online safety.  

Emerging technologies have benefits but they come with new opportunities for bad actors. Here are four easy steps for more safety in digital activities: : 

• Understand the benefits of using a password manager and dispelling existing myths around password manager security and ease of use. 

• Turn on multifactor authentication on personal devices and business networks. 

• Recognize and report phishing – still one of the primary threat actions used by cybercriminals today. 

• Install updates on a regular basis and turn on automated updates. 

City of Alexandria supports this online safety awareness initiative, led by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the National Cybersecurity Alliance. 

For more, visit cisa.gov/cybersecurity-awareness-month and staysafeonline.org/cybersecurity-awareness-month/.

Related local events:

• The City’s Office of the Arts (a division in RPCA) in partnership with the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI) and Virginia Tech, will hold an art exhibition on Cybersecurity at the Torpedo Factory Art Center from Oct. 5 - Jan. 19. A reception will occur Oct. 18 from 6-8:30 pm with limited free tickets for the public. Ticket RSVPs will be available here. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cci-cyberarts-opening-reception-tickets-1004787776287

• Hosted by City IT Commission and Computer CORE, “Secure Your Digital Life” Saturday, Oct. 26 from 10 am-12 pm. It will be at the Del Pepper Community Center MCD 1305 A, B, and C rooms. See https://apps.alexandriava.gov/Calendar/Detail.aspx?si=57939

Join the Eco City Academy

The Eco-City Academy is a six-week program where participants learn about the City’s environmental policies and how to lead sustainability efforts in their neighborhoods. The academy offers the opportunity to learn from experts, build connections, and make a difference in shaping Alexandria’s future. 

The program is open to Alexandria residents aged 17+ who apply online by Nov. 8. Spaces are limited, so apply soon. The program begins on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, and runs for 6 weeks, with classes held every Thursday from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, concluding on Feb. 13, 2025. Dinner will be provided, and the sessions will be conducted in-person in English. Contact Eco-CityAlexandria@alexandriava.gov. If you prefer communication in another language, free interpretation and translation services are available to you, email LanguageAccess@alexandriava.gov or call (703) 746-3960 

Overnight Double Shooting

Alexandria Police officers responded to a double shooting at N. Fayette and Wythe Streets.

At approximately 2 a.m. Sept. 28, officers of the Alexandria Police Department responded to the 1100 block of Wythe Street for the report of shots fired. Two male juveniles were located inside a vehicle, both having suffered apparent gunshot wounds. The two males were transported to the hospital, one in critical condition and the other in stable condition.

Detectives are continuing to investigate this incident. If you have any information about this incident, please call Detective Jason Marable of the APD Criminal Investigations Division at 703-746-6883. Tips can be submitted anonymously.

Exploring Civil Rights in Alexandria

A Symposium on the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act will reflect on civil rights history and its modern impact. On Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, Historic Alexandria will host the Alexandria Forum. This day-long symposium focuses on the interpretation of civil rights history and its relevance today. Taking place at the Virginia Theological Seminary’s Lettie Pate Whitehead Room (3737 Seminary Rd.), this year's event will explore how to better engage audiences in truth-telling and racial reconciliation.

Timed to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Forum will delve into the evolution of civil rights in Alexandria and beyond, reflecting on the powerful legacy of the American Revolution in Virginia – a Revolution of Ideas that continues to shape the struggle for equality and justice.

Highlights of the symposium include:

• Keynote Address: Dr. Krystyn Moon, Professor at the University of Mary Washington, will present "Housing Activism in Mid-Twentieth Century Alexandria," a critical examination of local housing activism efforts that shaped the city’s landscape.

• Lectures, Short Films, and Panel Discussion: Throughout the day, attendees will engage with a variety of lectures and short films highlighting ongoing research into Alexandria’s civil rights history. The event will culminate in a panel discussion with scholars and activists focused on promoting historical truth and fostering racial healing.

• Networking Opportunities: The day will conclude with a networking happy hour at 4:30 p.m.

The Alexandria Forum will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a continental breakfast and boxed lunches provided. Tickets for the event are $65, with a discounted rate of $45 for Historic Alexandria members and students.

Tickets can be purchased online.

For additional information and to secure your spot, please visit Historic Alexandria’s website www.alexandriava.gov/Historic.

City Retains Top Bond Ratings

The country’s top credit rating agencies have again given the City the highest bond ratings. In the final week of September, S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service have reaffirmed the City’s top bond ratings of ‘AAA’ and ‘aaa,’ respectively, for the 32nd consecutive year, allowing the City to continue achieving low interest rates. 

In its credit highlights, S&P Global cited “well-embedded, robust policies that govern Alexandria’s budgeting and reporting practices, and a culture of long-term planning.”  

Moody’s credit analysis attributes the stable outlook to “comprehensive fiscal policies” and a high likelihood that the City will maintain its strong financial position given growing revenues and conservative budgeting practices supported by the local economy. 

The ratings help the City pay low interest rates on bonds issued to fund major projects. Later this year, the City will issue $116.5 million of tax-exempt general obligation bonds to fund capital improvement projects. Significant projects include the renovation of George Mason Elementary School, the next phase of the Waterfront Improvement Project, the initial work to renovate Alexandria City Hall, and infrastructure improvements for the redevelopment of the West End, previously Landmark Mall.  

Source: https://www.alexandriava.gov/News