5 Things for July 23: Corpse Flower, Kitchen Training and Donating to UCM

It's Tuesday, July 23 and if your schedule isn't already completely booked, Patch has rounded up some interesting local activities you may be interested in.

• According to Weather.com, the Alexandria area will see a high of about 88 degrees on Tuesday with partly cloudy skies and a good chance of isolated thunderstorms.
• If you're looking for a way to lend a hand in your community, donate to the United Community Ministries (UCM) located on Fordson Road in Alexandria. UCM accepts food donations for their pantry which helps families right here in the Alexandria community. With school starting soon, UCM is also having a Back to School Drive.
• The Mystical Arts of Tibet constructs an elaborate mandala sand painting in a live, multi-day exhibition and perform related sacred music, chant and dance, and present two lectures. The performance will take place from July 23-28 at Unity of Fairfax in Oakton. The show begins at 7:30 p.m.

• The corpse flower is in bloom! Enjoy its stinky odor, which officials with the U.S. Botanic Garden have compared to smelling like “rotting flesh." To catch a glimpse and a whiff of the Titan Arum, visit today while it’s still in bloom. The U.S. Botanic Garden is located at 100 Maryland Ave., SW. The closest Metro stop is Federal Center.

• Sit in on a discussion between area chefs and learn about their kitchen training, inspiration and how they became part of the local food scene. The group features Kyle Bailey of Neighborhood Restaurant Group; Bertrand Chemel of 2941 Restaurant; Brian McBride of Marcel's; Andrew Markert of Beuchert’s Saloon; Todd Gray of Equinox; and Geoff Tracy of Chef Geoff’s; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. $45. Some proceeds from ticket sales benefit D.C. Central Kitchen and Nourish Now. The event is at the Howard Theatre, 620 T St., NW.