Join the Bike Community, Learn About the Mount Vernon Trail, Get Educated with the School Board, Chow Down and Get Artsy

Welcome to the waning weeks of August when Alexandria tends to slow down a bit, but not too much. Here are some events, activities and news you can use going on around our neighborhood.

Join the Alexandria Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee at its monthly meeting Monday at the Durant Center, 1605 Cameron St., from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The agenda includes bike lanes, pedestrian advocacy, working with the National Park Service on the Mount Vernon Trail and more.

And while we’re on the subject of the Mount Vernon Trail, be in the know. NRG Energy will perform maintenance on the Mount Vernon Trail directly behind the closed former GenOn plant at 1400 Royal St. in Old Town Alexandria, beginning Monday Aug. 19 thru Sept. 6. If possible, pedestrians, runners and bicyclists should use the alternate trail located in front of the plant that runs along Bashford Lane and East Abingdon and meets the Mount Vernon Trail north of the plant.

The Alexandria City School Board will hold a scheduled meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday at 2000 N. Beauregard St. You can also watch the meeting via the ACPS website or on cable Channel 70.

It's time for a delicious DC-area summer tradition: Summer 2013 Restaurant Week starts Monday. More than 200 restaurants in the greater Washington area are participating in this summer's event, including Alexandria's Osteria Marzano on Walker Lane and Walker's Grille on Metro Park Drive as well as a handful of restaurants in Old Town. The restaurants will offer three-course meals for a set price — $20.13 for lunch or $35.13 for dinner.

Be a part of the inaugural Northern Virginia Community College Fall Festival and Car Show scheduled for Oct. 12. The festival is inviting community organizations, arts and crafts sellers and food vendors to participate. Space must be reserved by Sept. 11. For more information, call 703-257-6558 or email novafallfestival@gmail.com.