The Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) of Alexandria announces the start of its third program year of training parents to participate more fully in community and school life for the betterment of their children. Applications for the 20-week program in leadership skills, community building, civics, public policy, and practical democracy action are now being accepted. Up to 25 students may participate in the 2008-2009 program, which begins on Oct. 24, and continues to April 24, 2009. For more information or to request an application, please contact Fay Slotnick, Executive Director, at 703-739-0233, or e-mail info@plti-alex.org. Visit the PLTI website at www.plti-alex.org.
The Big Event is returning to Alexandria! The Alexandria Volunteer Bureau (AVB) is organizing Alexandria youth to participate in its second annual day of service called The Big Event. On Saturday, Sept. 6 The Big Event will bring together nonprofit organizations, corporate sponsors, faith groups and local youth for one big day of service aimed to give one big thanks to the Alexandria community. Teens and adult team leaders can still register for the Big Event. For more information about The Big Event and other community service opportunities, please visit www.alexandriavolunteerbureau.org or call 703-836-2176.
The City of Alexandria invites residents to take part in the fall session of the Alexandria Citizens Academy, which begins on Sept. 25. Classes will be held every Thursday from 7-9 p.m. The class size is limited to 15–20 people and is open to City residents over the age of 18 years and/or owners of businesses located in the City. The majority of the classes will be held in the Council Workroom at City Hall, 301 King St., however, a few classes will be held at different locations throughout the City. The deadline for applications is Sept. 15. For more information and/or an application visit www.alexandriava.gov/citizensacademy or call Elaine Scott, Office of Citizen Assistance, at 703-838-4800.
The deadline to enter the 2008 Northern Virginia Senior Olympics is Fri., Sept. 5. This year’s NVSO competition begins Sat., Sept. 20 and runs through Thurs., Oct. 2. The registration fee is $10 which includes one event; additional events are $1 each. There are also additional fees for bowling, golf and miniature golf. For more information and a registration form, call 703-228-4721 or download from www.novaseniorolympics.com.
The Nova Community Chorus invites all interested singers to join for its Fall 2008 season. The semester's rehearsals will start on Aug. 26 for an October performance of Mendelssohn’s Song of Praise with the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic, and December performances of David Pinkham's Christmas Cantata, both in venues including the Schlesinger Center in Alexandria. Join by registering for this one-credit class at Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria campus. Rehearsals are 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays at the NVCC Alexandria campus, 3001 N. Beauregard. For more information, contact Dr. Mark Whitmire, Director, at 703-845-6097 or e-mail mwhitmire@nvcc.edu.
The Friends of Fort Ward will present the City of Alexandria with the second annual General John G. Barnard Award on Saturday, Sept. 20, commemorating a more than 50-year legacy of preservation activities at the Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site. The award will be presented during “Fete at the Fort,” a celebration from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Museum. In addition to the presentation, Douglas Jimerson and the Civil War Comrades will offer a program of period music. Call 703-838-4848 to make a reservation. For more information, please visit www.fortward.org.
Photographs of 48 of Alexandria's 2006-07 Living Legends will move from the Lyceum to the third floor of City Hall on Sept. 9. The exhibition, which identifies, honors, and chronicles individuals who have made significant contributions to the quality of life in the City is a joint project of the Rotary Club of Alexandria and the Alexandria Gazette Packet. The public is invited to view the exhibition and learn about the project at a reception at the Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St., Alexandria, on Thursday, Aug. 28, 6:30-8 p.m. Autographed copies of the exhibition catalog will be available for sale at that time.
The Park and Recreation Commission will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, Sept. 10, to discuss plans and ideas for the proposed renovation of the Patrick Henry Recreation Center. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at the Patrick Henry Recreation Center, 4643 Taney Ave. A regular meeting of the Park and Recreation Commission will follow the public hearing. Persons who are unable to attend can send written comments to the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities, Attention: William Chesley, 1108 Jefferson St., Alexandria, VA 22314, or e-mail william.chesley@alexandriava.gov by Friday, September 26.
The Alexandria Workshop of Ikebana International meets at the Hollin Hall Senior Citizen Center, 1500 Shenandoah Road, at 9:30 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month from September through June except December and January. Ikebana is the Japanese art of floral arrangement. The group makes Ikebana floral arrangements, studies the history of the art and learns new techniques. New members are welcome. For more information call Julie Cimino at 202-544-5331.
Seniors 50 years of age and over are eligible to enter the 2008 Northern Virginia Senior Olympics to be held Sept. 20-Oct. 2. Registration information is available now at local senior centers, community centers, senior residences or by calling 703-228-3600, ext. 9996. They can also be downloaded online at www.novaseniorolympics.com. Registration deadline is Sept. 5.
There is a pet calendar contest to benefit the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. All pets are eligible and all entries will appear in the calendar. $25/pet, which includes one calendar. Entry deadline is Aug. 22. Visit www.alexandriaanimals.org or 703-838-4774.
The City of Alexandria is offering transportation workshops to help residents cope with energy costs by providing information and education on traveling efficiently by bicycle, ridesharing, and public transportation.
Sept. 17, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., in Sister Cities Conference Room 1101, Alexandria City Hall, 301 King St.
alexandriava.gov/localmotion to register for a workshop. For more information, contact Donna Norfleet, Local Motion Program Coordinator, at 703-838-3800.
The Space of Her Own (SOHO) program is seeking adult female volunteers for its art-based mentoring program for fifth grade girls. Each mentor is responsible for designing the new room, incorporating her mentee’s artwork, and developing ample lighting and study space, using a shoestring budget of just $250. Prospective volunteers are required to attend anorientation session on Thursday, Aug. 21, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at The Art League Annex, 1 Duke St. RSVP for one of the two orientation sessions by e-mailing SOHO@alexandriava.gov. This year’s program begins on Sept. 25 and concludes on June 11.
Super Saturdays/Super Seniors will provide a limited number of trips for $5 fares anywhere in the City of Alexandria on every Saturday in August 2008 between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm. on a first-come, first-serve basis. Contact Alexandria Union Cab at 703-683-1200.
There is a basic business course on Wednesdays through Sept. 17 at UCM-Workforce Development Center, from 7-9 p.m. Call 703-360-9088 ext. 101 for cost.
This August Parlez Vous will begin to offer their foreign language instruction online. Their new Live Online Learning program will allow clients access to Parlez Vous
instruction from any location. For more information contact Rachael Feinman at 703-838-9683 "info@parlezvous.org or www.parlezvous.org for more.
The Campagna Early Learning Center will have a full-day preschool program for children ages 3-5 starting Sept. 2. Located at George Washington Middle School, 1005 Mount Vernon Ave. To enroll 703-549-0111 ext. 112.
Getting rid of leftover oil-based and paint and stains, cleaning solvent, and other household hazardous waste is not as simple as tossing the items in the trash. Improper disposal of these items can be dangerous and harmful to you, the environment, and to others.
City of Alexandria residents may dispose of household hazardous waste safely, conveniently, and at no cost through the Household Waste Facility, 3600 Wheeler Ave. For the convenience of residents, the facility is now open two days a week: Mondays and Saturdays, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The facility is available to City residents only; photo identification will be required to prove residence at time of drop off. Several examples of acceptable and unacceptable drop off items include:
Acceptable Materials: Antifreeze, Battery Acid, Gasoline, Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs
Unacceptable Materials: Explosives, Ammunition, Biological Waste, Unlabeled Substances
For more information about the Household Hazardous Waste Facility, or about household hazardous waste collection, please visit www.alexandriava.gov/tes or contact Alton Weaver, Department of Transportation and Environmental Services, at 703.519.3486.
The Alexandria Commission for the Arts is seeking nominations for the 2008 Alex Awards. The program recognizes individuals, organizations, schools, and businesses that have made exceptional contributions to cultural life in the City of Alexandria. All nominations must be submitted to the Durant Center, 1605 Cameron St., by 4 p.m. on Friday, September 19.
The annual program, sponsored by the Alexandria Commission for the Arts, promotes interest and involvement in the arts by recognizing excellence in four categories:
Artistic – Excellence in an Artistic Discipline
Community – Excellence in Service to the Arts
Education – Outstanding Contributions to Arts Education
Business – Innovative Partnerships between Businesses and the Arts
The Alexandria Commission for the Arts invites colleagues in these sectors to nominate individuals they believe helped to inspire and sustain a creative environment for the Alexandria community throughout this year.
The Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA) has awarded the City of Alexandria $15.2 million in new funding to help make homeownership more affordable for households with members who live or work in the City. To be eligible to participate in the City’s homeownership programs, individuals must be first-time homebuyers, and the home to be purchased must be located within the City of Alexandria. For more information, call the City of Alexandria’s Office of Housing at 703-838-4622.
The City of Alexandria reminds visitors of its “Wireless Alexandria” service. The service allows any user with a wireless device in the coverage area to access the Internet at no charge. Wireless Alexandria is also available at all Alexandria public library branches.
The Alexandria Community Services Board is in need of volunteers to serve in the following positions:
* Friends of the Alexandria Mental Health Center Board Members: Friends is seeking new members who will take an active role in fund-raising, building relationships with the business community and helping coordinate Friends community events. The Board meets one Wednesday evening every other month with occasional subcommittee meetings and additional time required for leading or assisting with projects.
* Mural Artists: Alexandria Vocational Services is seeking a mural artist or group of artists to paint a portion of a 30’x 60’ concrete wall in a warehouse that houses the Sheltered Workshop Program. Program participants complete projects such as labeling, envelope stuffing and film recycling. Some funds are available for supplies.* Representative Payees: Payees receive Social Security checks and pay bills for persons with an intellectual disability 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. For more information about these volunteer opportunities, contact Jennifer Cordero at jennifer.cohen-cordero@alexandriava.gov or 703-838-4455, x 161.
Nonprofit organizations and other grantseekers in Alexandria looking for funding sources now have access to a valuable new collection of resources through Alexandria Library. The Foundation Center’s core collection includes The Foundation Directory Online and Foundation Grants to Individuals Online. All four Alexandria Library branches have access to the two databases through their catalog computers. The complete Cooperating Collection of print and electronic resources is held at the Barrett Library, located at 717 Queen St. For more information visit visit www.alexandria.lib.va.us .
The City of Alexandria has partnered with Alexandria City Public Schools to obtain a grant for $70,000 to retrofit approximately 40 school buses with clean air technology that reduces pollutants emitted by diesel engine school buses. For more information about the Retrofit Grant Program, please contact Erica Bannerman, Department of Transportation and Environmental Services, at 703-838-4334 or David Rose, Alexandria City Public Schools, at 703-461-4169.
The Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria (SAPCA) invites youth (6th – 12th grades) and adults who live in the City of Alexandria or work with Alexandria youth to complete a short online survey that asks for perceptions and opinions about youth substance abuse in our community. Incentives are provided for youth participants, and adult survey participants have access to recent statistics on youth substance abuse in Alexandria. Community members are asked to complete one of the seven questionnaires, which are all available at alexandriava.gov/sapcasurvey and can be completed in about 10-15 minutes.
The 4Paws Rescue Team is allowed to keep foster cats at the Petco in Alexandria to increase their chances of finding a loving home. Petco volunteers are asked to commit to one evening or morning each week to care for 2-4 cats. Currently are in dire need of Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning volunteers (until noon), but volunteers for other shifts are encouraged to apply as well. 
If interested, contact info@fourpaws.org or by phone at 703-715-6369.