The Alexandria Forum Returns Oct. 20

Learn more about Alexandria’s historic Waterfront Oct. 20, Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., $60 per person or $40 for Office of Historic Alexandria members, volunteers, and students; register here https://www.alexandriava.gov/historic-alexandria/the-alexandria-forum

On Oct. 20, the Office of Historic Alexandria will host this day-long conference, launching with the theme, The Waterfront Revisited: Birth and Rebirth, 1730-2023. The program will be held at the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum and explore the history of the Alexandria Waterfront through new research, technologies and excavations.

From deeds to store ledgers, from manifests to material culture, presentations will provide new insights. The event’s keynote speaker is Dr. Abby Schreiber, sharing her recent research on the waterfront. Event speakers also include Molly Kerr, Audrey Davis, African American Heritage Trail Committee members with Committee Chair Dr. Krystyn Moon, Blake Wilson, Dr. Garrett Fesler, Dr. Ben Skolnik, and Dr. Tatiana Niculescu.

For the schedule, additional information, and registration, please visit https://www.alexandriava.gov/historic-alexandria/the-alexandria-forum

Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition Celebrates Fifteen Years 

The Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria (SAPCA) and its partners invite Alexandrians of all ages to join Celebrating 15 Years of Prevention. The event will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 27 at Mount Vernon Recreation Center (2701 Commonwealth Ave.), from 6-8 p.m. This celebration of SAPCA’s fifteen-year anniversary will include heavy hors d’oeuvres; games; music; a photo booth; and highlights of the community’s efforts to educate and empower Alexandria youth to make informed choices about their health and future.

There will be an ensemble performance by elementary students from Sympatico, a music education program underwritten by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra. The event will also recognize community partners and Prevention Champions including: Vilma Zefran, TV/Media Production Teacher at Alexandria City High School; Dr. Stacey Swartz, Owner of the Neighborhood Pharmacy of Del Ray; Alexandria City High School Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps program.

RSVP by Sept. 22 at https://www.research.net/r/AlexandriaVa-SAPCA-15th-RSVP. SAPCA also calls on residents to provide feedback about efforts to prevent youth substance use by Sept. 15 to share during the event.

Visit alexandriava.gov/SAPCA to learn more about the coalition, including ways to get involved.

Castañeda To Lead Transportation & Environmental Services

Adriana Castañeda will lead the city’s Department of Transportation and Environmental Services, joining the organization from the City of Tracy, California, where she oversaw housing, transit, airport and economic development services as the Director of Mobility and Housing. Previously Castañeda served the City of Dallas, Texas as its Director of Bond, and Construction Management, where she oversaw the capital infrastructure activities of nearly 200 staff and a $23 million operating budget.

As Director of T&ES, Castañeda will be responsible for transportation systems and infrastructure, emergency weather planning, and refuse collections for the city. She was selected following a months-long national recruitment search where more than 60 industry experts applied to lead the department.

Castañeda holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology, Law, and Society from the University of California, Irvine, and a Master of Public Administration from San Diego State University.