Good morning, Alexandria.

Alexandria is hosting National Faith and Blue Weekend to strengthen ties between police and local faith communities; a prayer breakfast kicks off the events tomorrow (at a local congregation) and additional programming will offer open dialogue among officers and congregants.

Paws in the Park festival returns to Oronoco Bay Park on Sunday, Oct.

11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This free event features over 20 animal rescue organizations, pet costumes (contest registration requires a $25 donation), live music, vendor booths, and a family fun area to celebrate AWLA’s 80th anniversary.

Wonderologie Counseling and Wellness celebrated its new four-story home in Del Ray on Oct.

7 with a ribbon cutting at 3131 Mount Vernon Ave (Suite 5) as local leaders praised the space for offering a supportive environment to children, teens and families.

The Ethiopian Community Support and Advocacy Center is hosting its sixth annual Ethiopian Fall Festival on Sunday, Oct.

11 from 1-7 p.m. at Chinquapin Park (3210 King Street), where Ethiopian families and local residents will enjoy food, coffee, music, dance, art, and family activities.

The Alexandria Sister Cities Committee and the Office of Historic Alexandria hosted students from a high school in Helsingborg, Sweden for a cultural exchange and dinner reception at The Lloyd House (220 N.

Washington Street) where local educators highlighted Alexandria’s historical ties to Sweden.

Alexandria’s unemployment rate fell to 3% in August from 3.3% a year ago even as the workforce dropped 2.4% to 95,318 residents (figures from the Department of Workforce Development).

Rising housing costs are prompting some locals to seek better pay.

Tom Shupe, a U.S. chess expert and founder of MVP Chess Center, is searching for a permanent home at Alexandria Commons to expand his program that currently meets weekly at The Link (215 N.

Payne Street) in Old Town. His center will host the second annual MVP K-12 Chess Championship on Sunday, Oct. 11.

The Alexandria City School Board voted Oct.

8 and chose Jharrett Bryantt to lead ACPS from Feb. 1. Bryantt comes from Anchorage School District in Alaska and brings extensive experience in academic improvement and expanding career pathways.

Virginia announced nearly $1.3 million in nursing scholarships and incentives on Oct.

8 to support nearly 350 prospective nursing students statewide, including Alexandria residents. The funding also supports clinical training programs + loan repayment assistance to help address the state's nursing shortage.

Alexandria will observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day Monday, Oct.

12, with city offices, courts, libraries, and schools closed. Transit will run on weekend schedules, trash collections delayed, and select recreation centers and museums open on limited hours while emergency services are available — Animal Welfare League operates on holiday hours.

The 4th annual Drink Pink on the Patio took place last night at Hummingbird Bar & Kitchen where guests in pink enjoyed cocktails, appetizers, and a raffle to raise funds for Breast Cancer Collective.

Ticket sales contribute $3 each to support crucial breast cancer care.

Michigan-based Acorp Services closed on a 1.3-acre Class A waterfront office building in Old Town North; the 1970s property at 11 Canal Center Plaza was assessed near $21M and sold for $9.05M.

It is 86% leased with two main tenants + three suites available and will benefit from nearby redevelopment.

Goodwin Living broke ground on its $360M senior living campus on Seminary Road on Oct.

7 after selling out all 257 residences. Local leaders at the West End event noted the project supports the Age-Friendly Plan and will create 150 permanent jobs ahead of a grand opening planned for 2029.