Other Items
The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria’s local-access TV show, “Alexandria Animal Matters,” has a new airtime, Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on Alexandria Cable Channel #69.
The City of Alexandria is offering free tax preparation assistance to qualified residents during the 2009 tax season. Tax preparation sessions are scheduled from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturdays, beginning Feb. 7, and from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays, beginning Feb. 11, through April 15. The sessions will be held in the lobby of the Alexandria Department of Human Services, 2525 Mount Vernon Ave. Contact Suzanne Kratzok, coordinator of community resources, at 703-838-0762 (703-836-1493 TTY) at least 48 hours prior to the session residents wish to attend.
The Alexandria Community Services Board (CSB) has vacancies. The CSB has the responsibility for policy and budget direction, project development, and program oversight for mental health, mental retardation and substance abuse services in the City of Alexandria. Meetings are held once a month on the second Thursday of the month. To apply, visit http://alexandriava.gov/boards/default.aspx.
The Alexandria Historical Society is calling for nominations for the 2009 Alexandria History Award, to be presented to a person or persons who have made noteworthy contributions to the preservation of the historic, cultural, and artistic heritage of Alexandria. Nominations should be mailed by March 9 to the Office of Historic Alexandria, 220 North Washington Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. For more information about the 2009 History Award, contact Douglas Thurman of Alexandria Historical Society at 703-548-7052.
Applications are now being accepted for the Alexandria Marketing Fund, a program administered by the Alexandria Marketing Committee. For more information or to apply, visit alexandriava.gov/marketingfund. The deadline for applications is Monday, March 16.
The City of Alexandria has begun mailing applications for the City’s Tax Relief Programs for the Elderly or Totally and Permanently Disabled. All previous participants and those who have requested applications will be receiving the materials. If at least 65 years of age as of Nov. 15, 2009, or are permanently and totally disabled, a resident may qualify. For more information or to obtain an application, visit www.alexandriava.gov/taxrelief or contact Taxpayer Services at taxrelief@alexandriava.gov or 703-838-4572.
Participate in the ALIVE! Online Auction through March 8. The ALIVE! Online Auction will be part of a series of events marking ALIVE!’s 40 year history. The ALIVE! Auction site will be open and accessible from the menu at http://ALIVE!-inc.org/-.
The SARA program is looking for compassionate listeners, both English speaking and bilingual, who would be comfortable talking to sexual assault survivors and their families. To register for the SARA training and/or receive more detailed volunteer information, visit www.alexwomen.com.
Yoga in Daily Life, 2401 Mount Vernon Ave., is holding a five-day program including talks, discussions and programs from March 13-17. Visit www.yogaindailylifeus.org or 703-299-8946 for the schedule and reservations.
Computer CORE is looking for volunteers. To request an application, e-mail Victoria@computercore.org.
The City of Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission and the Alexandria Sanitation Authority announces its first annual award program, The Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award, to select and formally recognize outstanding citizens who have demonstrated their commitment to protecting the natural environment and promoting environmental sustainability. In addition to Alexandria citizens, an Alexandria group, club, organization or corporate neighbor may also be nominated. Nominations must be received by April 3. Nominations should be addressed and mailed or delivered to the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission (Alexandria City Hall, Office of Environmental Quality, 301 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314).
The Alexandria Aces Collegiate Summer Baseball Club, the eighth and newest franchise of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League, is looking for host families for the upcoming 2009 season. To volunteer as a host family, contact Aces general manager, Brian Midkiff, at 703-232-8869, or e-mail Brian at brian@alexandriaaces.org.
Wednesday/March 11
Meeting. 7:30 p.m. at First Christian Church, 2723 King St. The Alexandria NAMI/FOCUS families meeting is for families of all those suffering with depression, bipolar or schizophrenia. Free. 571-451-0773.
Thursday/March 12
Meeting. 7:45 p.m. at Paul Spring Retirement Community, 7116 Fort Hunt Road. “The World’s Diminishing Oil.” Free. Visit lwv-fairfax.org or 703-658-9150.
Saturday/March 14
Last Day for Harvest for the Hungry. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Coldwell Banker, 310 King St. Donate food to help the Capital Area Food Bank. Drop off canned foods, including fish, chicken, fruit, vegetables, peanut butter, pasta, hygiene products and more. Visit www.cbmove.com/harvest or 703-518-8300.
Monday/March 16
Adoption Preparation Class. 6-8 p.m. at ACW, 100 Daingerfield Road. Learn about effects of orphanage life on a child and more. $125/person. RSVP by calling 703-549-7774.
Wednesday/March 18
Social Event. 5:30 p.m. at Mango Mike’s, 4580 Duke St. Learn about nonprofits and more. Hosted by Alexandria Board Leadership Exchange. $25/person and includes drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Visit www.ablealex.org to register.
Saturday/March 21
Adoption Preparation Class. 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at ACW, 100 Daingerfield Road. Learn about effects of orphanage life on a child and more. $125/person. RSVP by calling 703-549-7774.
Lecture. 9 a.m. at Courtyard Marriott, 4641 Kenmore Ave. $25-$30. “What Next for REIT’s” will be discussed. Visit www.aaiidcmetro.com for reservations.
Tuesday/April 14
George Washington Student Leadership Program. High school juniors and seniors can enjoy this free program on the character and contributions of the first president. Area high schools nominate the students. E-mail education@mountvernon.org for more.
Ongoing
The operating hours for the Chinquapin Park Recreation Center have changed. The center’s new operating hours will be Monday –Thursday 6 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Friday 6 a.m. - 6 p.m.; and Saturday & Sunday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. For information, visit alexandriava.gov/recreation or call 703-519-2160.
The fatherhood program “Fathers in Touch” is looking for volunteers. It is composed of a 12-week parenting course using the 24/7 Dad curriculum and three supervised visitation activities to promote strong relationships between fathers and their children. The program is free to all participants and will be held at Mount Vernon Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Ave., from Feb. 3 through April 28. For additional information on the Fathers in Touch Program, contact Erick King at eking@cyep.org or visit www.cyep.org.
Hopkins House (www.hopkinshouse.org) is a local charity that provides preschool services for children and offers family education workshops for parents. This time of year donations of facial tissue, diapers/pull-ups, wipes, batteries, construction paper, and crayons are needed. 703-539-4232 ext. 4086.
The City of Alexandria and Volunteer Alexandria have teamed up on a program called “Snow Buddies,” to provide snow removal assistance for low-income homeowners or occupants who are elderly or disabled. The City and Volunteer Alexandria will match eligible residents with volunteers who can shovel their snow. Residents are encouraged to apply for this program in advance to ensure that their sidewalks can be cleared in enough time to avoid City fines and/or snow removal charges. To apply 703-838-4800. To become a volunteer contact Kelly Sazama of Volunteer Alexandria at 703-836-2176.
The Alexandria Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) meets at 7 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month, at the Nannie J. Lee Recreation Center, 1108 Jefferson St. Contact 703-684-6190 or visit www.naacpalexandria.org.
Greenlight Toastmasters International meets every second and fourth Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Mount Vernon Rec Center, 2701 Commonwealth Ave. Visit greenlight.freetoasthost.info or 703-569-4810.