The Historic Alexandria Foundation is extending the deadline for their contest on the Art of Dining to Oct. 29. The contest is being held in conjunction with the annual fall antique show, Nov. 15 to 17
The foundation is asking for photos and essays in three design categories. The goal is to share practical tips and inspirational ideals that highlight the art of dining.
The three categories are rustic, classic and modern and prizes will be awarded in all three categories
The rustic theme calls for the relaxed informality of country style, classic is characterized by a rich and traditional color scheme while modern calls for bright colors and unusual materials and textiles.
Participants should submit digital photos and short essays under 500 words describing their event to Mary Sterling, HAF Executive Director h.a.f.@erols.com by Oct. 29. Entries can also be mailed to HAF, Attention, The Art of Dining at P.O. Box 19252, Alexandria VA 22320. For more information call 703-549-5811.
SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now) of Northern Virginia will host its 5th annual Toast to Hope wine and cheese fundraiser on Wednesday, November 14th. The organization announced today that a number of sponsorships are still available for local businesses and individuals who would like to be a part of the highly anticipated event.
The event will be held at the Masonic National Memorial in Old Town Alexandria, with a special Treasure Hunt theme (set in the ambiance of the Memorial, the setting for much of the upcoming "National Treasure 2" film), including fine wine tastings, gourmet hors d‚oeuvres, a silent auction and presentation of the Cleary Award.
To become a sponsor of this well-attended event, please contact SCAN at 703-820-9001 or visit the SCAN website for more information: www.scanva.org
The City of Alexandria is in search of a Colorado Blue Spruce, Leyland Cypress or other well-formed evergreen tree approximately 25 to 35 feet tall to serve as the City’s official 2007 Holiday Tree. The tree will be decorated and displayed at Market Square throughout the 2007 holiday season. The City will remove the tree from the donor’s property in mid-November and grind the stump at no cost. Persons in the Washington metropolitan area who are interested in donating a tree should contact John Noelle, City Arborist, at 703-838-4999 or e-mail john.noelle@alexandriava.gov.
First Night Alexandria's redesigned Web site is updated with new real-time ticket sales, a Kids Club, a Performer Corner, and an easy-to-read schedule. Visit http://www.firstnightalexandria.org/ for streamlined navigation and graphics, games for kids in the new Kids Club section, detailed performer information in the new Performer Corner, and a mobile device-friendly schedule that is sortable by performance times, type, and location.
Monday, Oct. 22 Agenda:Alexandria explores "Leadership in Educations: A View from the Inside and the Outside" with Mel Riddile, T.C. Williams Principal. Reception starts at 6:30 p.m. with dinner ($20 members/$25 nonmembers) at 6:45 p.m.. $5 for program only at 7:15 p.m.. (Program only free to members.) Located at Holiday Inn Eisenhower Avenue Metro Center, 2460 Eisenhower Ave. Membership ($30) open to all. Dinner reservations required. Contact Sherry Brown, 703-549-4696 or agendaalexandria@aol.com.
The Walk to Fight Breast Cancer is hosting its annual event on Saturday, Oct. 20. Volunteers are needed to assist in supporting promotional activities for the event this fall. Send an e-mail to andrea.bartlett@alexandriava.gov or call 703-838-5030 x112 for more information.
Volunteer to assist the day of the Walk to Fight Breast Cancer, Oct. 20
The Child & Family Network Centers has openings for 15-plus classroom volunteers through May, 2008. Sign up now to be a Classroom Assistant in one of the Child & Family Network Centers (CFNC) preschool classrooms. The students are wonderful 4-year-olds, who are bright, full of wonder and fun. You will assist a teacher in guiding the children through new adventures in reading, science, art, music and computer basics, among other skills. And of course, there’s play, games, field trips and much more.
Come dine and shine. Improve your public speaking/leadership skills with fun and fellowship. Old Town Toastmasters meets every second and fourth Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Trattoria da Franco, 305 S. Washington St. Walk-in, call 703 566-4442 or e-mail heartvk@yahoo.com.
Every Wednesday in October, Baja Fresh Mexican Grill at 3231 Duke St., Alexandria, will be donating 15 percent of the cost of a meal to the Alexandria Domestic Violence Intervention Project. For more information contact Susan Clay at susan.clay@alexandriava.gov or 703-838-4911.
Every Saturday, 7–9 a.m. there are bookmark distributions in Del Ray and Old Town to promote awareness about domestic violence. For more information contact Stephanie Romonchuk at Stephanie.romonchuk@alexandriava.gov or 703-838-4911.
Rebuilding Together Alexandria provides free home repairs to in-need homeowners. If you are a Veteran (or a care-taker or widow of a veteran), we want to help. We are able to do up to $10,000 worth of repairs to your home, free of charge. Repairs include ramps, grab bars, roofs, lever handles, etc. The Alexandria home must be owned by you or owned by your care-taker (if you physically reside there) or owned by your widow. To find out if qualified, call RTA at 703-836-1021.
Come and join in the at our The Child and Family Network Centers (CFNC) headquarters offices in Alexandria. Again this year, CFNC staff and volunteers will be preparing our holiday solicitation mailing. We need your help to hand-address, collate stuff and stamp over 2500 letters. We always have a wonderful time working on this project, talking, snacking and getting to know each other. We would love to have you join us. CFNC relies on the funds from this mailing to help provide no cost preschool and family services to those children and their families living at or below the poverty level in Alexandria and Arlington. Please call Patricia Chapman at 703-836-0214, or e-mail to pchapman@cfnc-online.org.
Programs and activities at the Charles Houston Recreation Center have relocated effective Tuesday, Sept. 4, due to the renovation of the center. Most programs are being held at either the Oswald Durant Memorial Recreation Center or the George Washington Middle School. The "Krunch Bunch" Senior Program, the Alexandria Boxing Club, and the Network Preschool have been moved to other locations, as noted below. The following programs and activities at the Charles Houston Recreation Center are being temporarily relocated due to the renovation of the center.
* Programs being held at the Dr. Oswald Durant Memorial Recreation Center, 1605 Cameron St.: Charles Houston Recreation Center Out of School Program for children ages five to twelve, Monday through Friday, until 6 p.m. To register for the Out of School Program, call 703-838-4814. Department of Mental Health’s Peer Advisory Program Counseling Center, Substance Abuse Prevention/Counseling, and The Untouchables. For additional information, call 703-838-5075.
* The following programs will be held at the George Washington Middle School, 1005 Mount Vernon Ave.: Charles Houston Recreation Center Middle School Program for children in grades 6-8, Monday through Friday, until 6 p.m. Charles Houston Recreation Center Teen Program, open gym for adults and drop-in activities, Monday through Friday, 6-11 p.m. For additional information regarding George Washington Middle School activities, call 703-838-4814.
* Additional programs offered at the Charles Houston Community Center have been relocated as follows: "Krunch Bunch" Senior Program, Ladrey Building, 300 Wythe St. For additional information call 703-838-4832. The Alexandria Boxing Club, 2504 Oakville St. For additional information, call 703-838-4234. The Network Preschool will be located at other local Child/Family Network Center sites. For additional information, call 703-836-0214.
On Sunday, Oct. 21, at 10 a.m. Men's Club of Agudas Achim Congregation will host a candidate forum and brunch. The following candidates will be participating in this community event: Delegate David Englin (D-45) and his Republican opponent Mark Allen; Delegate Adam Ebbin (D-49), Fairfax County Chairman Gerald Connolly (D) and his Republican opponent Gary Baise. Ebbin's opponent, James Ronald Fisher (I) has been invited. Cost is $5 per person. Agudas Achim Congregation is located at 2908 Valley Drive in Alexandria.
The Alexandria Domestic Violence Program is seeking individuals who are passionate about life and helping survivors of domestic violence find hope. Training begins Saturday, Oct. 27 with a Volunteer Retreat and Orientation. Additional sessions are held weekday evenings. Volunteers are required to complete 40 hours of training. Additional opportunities include providing court accompaniment, interpreting and working with children. E-mail the Volunteer Coordinator at Lacie.Hughes@alexandriava.gov or call at 703-838-4911 to begin the application process or to request more information.
Clothing Drive Assistants needed for The Child & Family Network Centers 2007 Annual Clothing Drive on Thursday, December 6 from 1 p.m. to 5p.m., and again on Friday, December 7 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
On Thursday and Friday assist social work staff by sorting clothing and setting up "shopping rooms," where our parents will be able to select something to take home for the whole family. Please call Patricia Chapman @ 703-836-0214 or send an e-mail to pchapman@cfnc-online.org and set up a time to come by for a site visit and talk about this opportunity.
The Alexandria Community Services Board is in need of volunteers to serve in the following positions:
(1) Preschool presenters to deliver the 15 minute
Al's Pals curriculum to pre-school children in Alexandria two times per weekfrom October 2007 through mid-June 2008 (flexibility for vacations). Through the use of puppet-led discussions, songs, pictures and books, Al and his puppet pals help children to develop personal, emotional and social skills, which form the building blocks for future success. The volunteers will attend the Al's Pals training on August 30-31 from 8:30 am - 4:00 pm.
(2)Representative payees to receive Social Security checks and pay bills for persons with mental retardation or mental illness. A separate bank account is opened with automatic deposit and there are few monthly transactions. The duties require two hours per month, per account. (3) Friendly Visitors to plan one-on-one outings and activities with residents of Alexandria group homes for adults with mental retardation. This volunteer activity requires approximately two hours per week. Currently there are two persons in need of a friend. Please inquire for more details about these individuals. By giving a small amount of time, volunteers can meet a tremendous need in the community. For more information about these volunteer opportunities,
contact Jennifer Cohen Cordero at 703.838.4455 or
jennifer.cohen-cordero@alexandriava.gov.
The Northern Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is seeking persons who are diplomatic, assertive, and good communicators to serve as a volunteer ombudsman. Volunteers are assigned to a specific local nursing home or assisted-living facility in the City of Alexandria and make weekly visits, meeting one-on-one with residents. Applicants must be available to volunteer four hours per week. For further information and to obtain an application, call 703-324-5435, TTY: 703-449-1186, or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/LTCOmbudsman.