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.
Computer CORE is looking for volunteers. To request an application, e-mail Victoria@computercore.org.
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.
The Alexandria Archaeological Commission is now accepting nominations for the Bernard “Ben” Brenman Archaeology in Alexandria Award. Nomination forms are available at www.alexandriaarchaeology.org or by calling the Alexandria Archaeology Museum at 703-838-4399. The deadline for nominations is Monday, June 1.
Fort Ward Museum is accepting applications for its Civil War Kids’ Camp, a week of learning and fun for boys and girls ages 8 to 12. Participants explore the lives of Civil War soldiers and civilians with marching, drilling, re-enactor guest appearances, games, crafts and other activities. Civil War Kids’ Camp runs Monday, June 22, through Friday, June 26, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Fort Ward, 4301 West Braddock Road. Registration is limited to 24 participants; spaces fill quickly, and applications are accepted on a first-come basis. Registration, including souvenirs and healthy snacks, costs $250 per child, and there is limited scholarship assistance based on financial need. For more information or to sign up, contact Fort Ward Museum at 703-838-4848 or visit www.fortward.org.
The Lyceum, Alexandria’s History Museum, is now registering for a three-day camp for children ages 5 through 7. The Clio’s Kids Mini-Camp introduces children to American history and life in historic Alexandria through artifacts, storytelling, singing, crafts, "old-fashioned" games, and visits to nearby historic places. Clio’s Kids runs from Tuesday, July 28, through Thursday, July 30, from 9 a.m. to noon. Camp will be held at The Lyceum, 201 South Washington Street. The cost is $105, which includes snacks and souvenirs, and advance registration is required. To register or to learn more, call 703-838-4994 or visit www.alexandriahistory.org.
Then older kids will have an opportunity to see what goes on behind the scenes of a museum at a new one-day Curator Camp. During Curator Camp, kids ages 11 through 14 will learn about museums from the inside out. Campers will meet the people who make The Lyceum work, take an exclusive tour, learn about and touch real historic artifacts, and work as a team to create a small exhibit. Campers, their family and friends return to The Lyceum on a later date for their exhibit opening reception. Curator Camp is one day only, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and costs $75 including snacks and souvenirs. To sign up or to learn more, call 703-838-4994 or visit www.alexandriahistory.org.
ALIVE! is holding a raffle fundraiser with the prize being premium tickets to a Nationals game in July. Tickets are $100 each and only 300 will be sold. Visit www.alive-inc.org for more.
Thursday/May 7
Estate Planning Session. 7 p.m. at Mount Vernon Estate. Learn about different types of trusts available. RSVP to 703-799-8652.
Friday/May 8
Graduation. 7 p.m. at City Hall, 301 King St. See the graduates of the Parent Leadership Training Institute. Free. Visit www.plti-alex.org or 703-39-0233.
Saturday/May 9
Postal Service Food Drive. Zip codes 22301 through 22315 can leave out donations of nonperishable food for pick up. Bags of food can be placed by the mailbox by 9 a.m. for pickup throughout the day. All donations will be distributed to local charities. If a house is missed, call Brian McCormick, 571-278-3231.
Sunday/May 10
Meeting. 7:30 p.m. at the First Christian Church, 2723 King St. Meeting for Alexandria NAMI/FOCUS. Free. 571-451-0773.
<cal1>Monday/May 11
<cal2> Open House. 6-9 p.m. at Charles Houston Rec Center, 901 Wythe St. Attend the Eco-City Action Plan open house. Free. Visit www.alexandriava.gov/eco-city for more.
Wednesday/May 13
Meeting. Get an update on operational and historical issues regarding Fort Ward Park, beginning with a tour at 6 p.m. at Fort Ward, 4301 W. Braddock Road, and then meeting at 7:30 p.m. at Minnie Howard School, 3801 W. Braddock Road. Free. 703-838-5095.
Roundtable Discussion. 7 p.m. at George Mason Elementary School, 2601 Cameron Mills Road. Talk with the local PTAs. Free. 703-402-2226.
Saturday/May 16
Shred-A-Thon. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at George Washington Middle School. Free, but donations encouraged. There will also be spring cleaning tables.
Monday/May 18
Celebrate Young Professionals. 7 p.m. at City Hall, 301 King St. Alexandria Jaycees will honor city employees. Free. Visit www.alexjaycees.org for more.
Running a Successful Business. Luncheon speaker is Michael Kacmar, head of development for the 13 Clyde's restaurants. 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Mango Mike's Restaurant, 4580 Duke St. $22 in advance; $24 at the door. 703-772-6716.
BRAC Advisory Group. 7-9 p.m. at Patrick Henry Rec Center, 4643 Taney Ave. Free. 703-838-4666 ext. 367.
Wednesday/May 20
BRAC Advisory Group. 7-9 p.m. at Buddie Ford Rec Center, 5750 Sanger Ave. Free. 703-838-4666 ext. 367.
Saturday/May 30
Build Rain Barrel. 10 a.m.-noon at Hammond Middle School, 4646 Seminary Drive. Registration required, www.arlingtonenvironment.org/barrel.htm for more.
Ongoing
The Alexandria Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) meets at 7 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month, at the Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe St. Contact 703-684-6190 or visit www.naacpalexandria.org.
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.