5 Things: Changes to Your Water Bill, Women in the Workplace, Get the Skinny from Local Chefs and More

West End Alexandria Patch editors highlight where you need to be and what you need to see in your neighborhood and around town, July 23.

Water rates. Do you have something to say about city water rates, rules and regulations? Stop by the public hearing at Alexandria Renew Enterprises, 1500 Eisenhower Ave., where the board of directors will discuss the resolution of intent to make changes to services provided by Alexandria Renew, formerly Alexandria Sanitation Authority. Free, anyone may attend. 7:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.

Women in the Workplace. Virginia Tech’s Center for Public Administration and Policy on Prince Street in Old Town is hosting a discussion based loosely on a new book by Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, “Leaning In.” Sandberg argues that in spite of there being as many women college graduates as men, only about 10 to 15 percent of women are in positions of power in organizations.  She says more women should "lean in" to their work to reach the top rungs. CPAP, 1021 Prince St., 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Free. For the panelists, see the CPAP website. 

Play on. Enjoy community open play at Ben Brenman Park and Witter turf fields on Tuesdays and Thursdays through Aug. 18 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Families, friends and neighbors are encouraged to visit the park to exercise, play soccer, rugby, Frisbee and more.

Stinky plant. 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.

Inspired by food. 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.