First Thursday Street Festival, School Begins and the Alexandria Aces

Busy first day of August here in the Del Ray area. Let’s get right to it:

First Thursday — The Del Ray Business Association presents its monthly summer street festival from 6 to 9 p.m. along Mount Vernon Avenue. The theme of the event is “Did You Know?” and some Del Ray’s lesser-known businesses will be highlighted with booths and other fun stuff, including plenty of live music. It’s a free event, so bring the whole family.

First Day of School — Mount Vernon Community School, which operates on a modified calendar, will have its first day of classes. Be mindful on your way to work this morning as kids stream down Mount Vernon and Commonwealth avenues carrying their new supplies and stories to tell.

Playoff baseball in Alexandria — The Alexandria Aces topped the Rockville Express 6-2 on Wednesday and advance to play the Baltimore Redbirds in the next round of the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League playoffs. The Aces host the Redbirds at 7 p.m. at Frank Mann Field. Adult tickets are $5, and children 12 and under are $3.

Anything Goes at Del Ray Artisans — The gallery (2704 Mount Vernon Ave.) opens its 10th annual board showcase, titled “Anything Goes.” A special preview of the show runs from 6-9 p.m. Thursday, with an opening reception from 7-10 p.m. Both are free.

Small business savvy — U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) is hosting an event designed for small business owners who want to learn more about navigating changes to health care law. The discussion, “Navigating the Affordable Care Act: Make Health Reform Work for Your Company,” takes place at Alexandria’s Landmark Mall in the community room, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.