Alexandria — Email announcements to gazette@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Thursday by noon. Photos welcome.
Through Friday/Sept. 21
Home Energy Makeover Contest. Sponsored by the Local Energy Alliance Program, the contest is free to enter and open to residents who own and occupy a home, townhome, condo, or duplex in the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudon, Prince William, the cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, Manassas, Manassas Park and all the region’s towns in-between. Residents must complete a quick online-report at http://www.novaenergycontest.com about their home’s energy usage. Winners will be announce in October. Call 434-227-4666.
Saturdays/Sept. 8-29
Mindful Mama Series. Core Wellness and Physical Therapy invites all current moms and moms-to-be to discuss how a clear mind and healthy lifestyle contributes to a well-balanced mom. At Core Wellness & Physical Therapy, 2212 Mount Vernon Ave. For information/pricing/registration email jackie@corewellness.net.
Wednesday/Sept. 12
Alexandria Hospital Lectures: Minimally Invasive Techniques in Gyn Surgery, Presented by Natalya Danilyants, MD. Inova Alexandria Hospital Auditorium, 4320 Seminary Rd. 6 p.m. Register: 1-855-694-6682 or register online at inova.org/AskTheExpert
Alexandria City Council Candidate Forum. Open to the public and takes place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the auditorium of Francis C. Hammond Middle School, 4646 Seminary Rd, Alexandria VA. The event is being sponsored by several West End civic associations.
Help Underprivileged Children. Now through Sept. 12, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. The Dahn Yoga center is sponsoring a fundraising raffle to help the International Brain Education Association to assist youths from three countries. Purchase tickets, $10 each, at 1630 King St. Call 703-684-7717 or email Alexandria@dahnyoga.com.
Thursday/Sept. 13
Dry AMD Research Opportunity. 1:30-3 p.m. Learn about participating in a clinical trial with FDA approved home-based monitoring program for people with dry AMD. Join Retina Group of Washington's Debbie Oliver, the developer of the monitoring device. At Charles Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke St. For more information call 703-746-1760.
Tuesday/Sept. 18
Community Meeting. 6 p.m. Hosted by the City of Alexandria, the meeting is on the Jefferson-Houston School of the future. The Durant Center conference room, 1605 Cameron St.
Ongoing
Plant Clinics. Wonder how to grow great tomatoes, which tree is best for your home landscape, or what strange insect you have found? VCE Master Gardeners can help find the answers at weekly Plant Clinics held in the following locations:
Old Town Farmers’ Market, 301 King St., Saturdays, from 7 a.m. - noon, May 5 through Sept. 29.
Del Ray Farmers’ Market, intersection of Mt. Vernon and East Oxford avenues, Saturdays, from 8:30-11 a.m., May 5 through Sept. 29.
VCE Master Gardener Help Desk (703-228-6414), or mgarlalex@gmail.com; staffed from 9 a.m. - noon, Monday-Friday, year round. Bring fresh samples of problem plants, weeds or insects with you to ensure the accurate identification of any diseases or pests. VCE recommends carrying samples in plastic bags or other clear containers. Don’t bring live insects. All clinics and Help Desk are free of charge.
Tuesdays
Five-Star Toastmasters, Club # 9623. 5:30-7 p.m. at the Pentagon Conference Center. Toastmasters can help participants sharpen their speaking skills, boost their confidence and energize their leadership skills in a team-oriented atmosphere. Visit http://fivestar.freetoasthost.com or contact Club Vice-President for Membership Katharine Gagné at 202-521-2307 or e-mail of Club_VP_Mbrshp@fivestar.freetoasthost.com and Club President, Charlie DeWitt at 202-997-5087 or Club_President@fivestar.freetoasthost.com.
First Wednesdays
The Parkinson’s Disease Support Group of Alexandria meets the 1st Wednesday of each month at 2 p.m. At the Hollin Hall Senior Center, Room 109, 1500 Shenandoah Rd. All Parkinson’s patients and caregivers are welcome.
The Alexandria Tutoring Consortium needs volunteers to tutor kindergarteners and first-graders in literacy skills for 30 minutes once or twice a week through May in Alexandria public schools. Training and lesson plans provided. Call 703-549-6670, ext. 119, or visit www.alexandriatutors.org.
At Home in Alexandria! Those interested in becoming AHA! Friends should call AHA! at 703-231-0824 or download the application form from the AHA! website at www.athomeinalexandria.org. AHA! is a 501(c)(3) organization that supports Alexandrians ages 55+ who prefer to remain — independently — in their own homes. A non-profit, volunteer organization, AHA! delivers reliable, cost-effective transportation, light home maintenance and computer-related services and ready access to other vetted service providers.
Connect with T&ES on Facebook. The City of Alexandria’s Department of Transportation & Environmental Services (T&ES) is on Facebook. The T&ES Facebook page will share information on topics such as transportation planning, trash and recycling service, road work and maintenance, traffic, infrastructure and engineering projects, Eco-City Alexandria and environmental initiatives, emergency cleanup efforts, and more. Visit alexandriava.gov/SocialMedia.
Housing Roundtable on helping responsible homeowners. The roundtable will feature lenders, housing counselors, and other stakeholders discussing the refinancing process, recent changes to the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP2), and other opportunties to help homeowners reduce their monthly housing costs. The roundtable will be held on Aug. 14 from 7-9 p.m. at City Hall, City Council Workroom, Second Floor, 301 King St.
The Alexandria Tutoring Consortium needs dependable volunteers to tutor Alexandria City Public School kindergarteners and first graders who need help with literacy skills. Training and lesson plans targeted at the child’s reading needs are provided. 85% of the 192 children tutored last year reached their spring grade level literacy benchmarks. Please go to http://www.alexandriatutors.org for more information and to register.