Email announcements to gazette@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Thursday by noon. Photos welcome.
Through Dec. 24
Food Drive: Harvest Mondays. Every Monday during the holiday season, shoppers at Ten Thousand Villages will receive 15 percent off an item of their choice for every non-perishable food item they bring in. Benefiting organizations include Christ House and ALIVE!. Signs are posted inside the store advising customers of the food banks’ “most wanted” items, such as peanut butter, tuna, macaroni and cheese boxes, canned vegetables, etc. Ten Thousand Villages is located at 915 King St. Call 703-684-1435 or visit alexandria.tenthousandvillages.com.
Friday/Nov. 23
Black Friday Adoption. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) is hosting a Black Friday Adoption Special for homeless animals at the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter. Adopters will be able to name their own adoption fee for all animals ages 6 months and older. The minimum adoption fee required is $10 and adopters are encouraged to make a tax-deductible donation to the AWLA to help them continue to care for the region’s homeless animals and match them with loving families. The adoption event will take place at the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter on Eisenhower Avenue in Alexandria, and potential adopters are encouraged to arrive early. Visit www.AlexandriaAnimals.org/BlackFriday.
Monday/Nov. 26
“New Pathways to Health: What Options Do We Have Beyond Traditional Medicine?” Featuring Eleonora Gafton, faculty member, professional chef, nutrition and integrative health. At the Holiday Inn Eisenhower Metro Center, 2460 Eisenhower Ave. Reception starts at 6:30 p.m., dinner begins at 6:45 p.m. $28 for members with reservations by Tuesday, Nov. 20; $33 for those with no reservations after deadline; $33 for non-members with reservations by Nov. 20; $38 after deadline: $43 without reservations. Dinner reservations required. Contact Sherry Brown at 703-548-7089 or agendaalexandria@aol.com.
Wednesday/Nov. 28
St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School Curriculum Night. 7 p.m. This is an opportunity to learn more about our challenging academic program in grades junior kindergarten through fifth grade. Reservations necessary. Call 703-212-2705, or email KCarbo@sssas.org. Visit www.sssas.org/admission Lower School, 400 Fontaine St.
Nov. 28 through Dec. 13
Free Foreclosure Prevention Clinics. Housing Counseling Services will host free Foreclosure Prevention Clinics in Conference Room 3 of the City Office of Housing, 421 King St. Suite 200. The Clinics will begin at noon and are provided to help participants: identify financial options and services available to homeowners that have defaulted or are in danger of defaulting on a mortgage; avoid predatory lenders and foreclosure rescue scams that prey on homeowners facing foreclosure; meet individually with a housing counselor. Counseling will be offered in both English and Spanish. To register, call 202-667-7006.
Thursday/Nov. 29
Autism Insurance Seminar. 6-8 p.m. CARD will host a series of workshops to educate parents on the new law and the most effective ways to access the coverage. Learn about what insurance companies will and will not cover, types of plans and rules regarding coverage, effective strategies to maximize benefits, how to understand the complexities of different insurance carriers, which plans will have to comply with (S 1062/H 2467) and what to know during open enrollment. RSVP by Nov. 26 at s.price@centerforautism.com. At 5400 Shawnee Rd., Suite 208
Public Meeting on Transportation. 6:30-8 p.m. The city’s Department of Transportation and Environmental Services will be hosting a public meeting to discuss transportation issues in and around Del Ray including traffic, Route 1 Transitway, and the Del Ray/Arlandria Trolley. The meeting will take place at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Ave., in the Multipurpose rooms.
Friday/Nov. 30
Church Service. 7:30 p.m. St. Andrew & St. Margaret of Scotland Anglican Church is holding a Kirkin of the Tartan and Evening Prayer service on Friday Nov. 30 when is St. Andrew’s Day. St. Andrew, one of Jesus’ 12 disciples, is the Patron Saint of Scotland. The service will include a blessing of Scottish tartans, a bagpiper, and Scottish music. It will be followed by a reception with Scottish foods and beverages. The church is located at 402 E. Monroe Ave. Call 703-683-3343 or visit www.standrewandstmargaret.org
Dec. 1-5
Holiday Tree Decorating Contest. The Fountains at Washington House, 5100 Fillmore Ave., will host a holiday tree decorating contest in the community’s Sky Room. Residents of The Fountains at Washington House will choose the contest winner on Dec. 6 and trees will remain on public display in the Sky Room through Dec. 31. A contest entry fee of $50 includes a tree for the first ten participants. All proceeds will benefit Watermark for Kids, a non-profit organization committed to helping local kids thrive. Individuals and organizations wishing to enter the contest should register by calling The Fountains at Washington House at 703-845-5000. Visit www.watermarkforkids.org. or www.watermarkcommunities.com/WashingtonHouse.
Wednesday/Dec. 5
St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School Group Tours. 8:30-11 a.m. This is an opportunity to tour our Lower School campus, meet administrators, and see our outstanding faculty in action. Reservations necessary. Call 703-212-2705, email KCarbo@sssas.org. Visit www.sssas.org/admission Lower School, 400 Fontaine St.
St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School Middle School Visiting Day. 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Prospective students shadow current Middle School students for a half-day of classes. Reservations necessary. Call 703-212-2706 or email JKunz@sssas.org. Visit www.sssas.org/admission Middle School, 4401 W. Braddock Rd.
Friday/Dec. 7
Christ Child Project Christmas Store. 5-9 p.m. The Christ Child Project Christmas Store helps low income families of Alexandria provide Christmas gifts for their children. Families are chosen, registered with the help of Alexandria Social Services, Head Start, the Public Housing Community, and other programs which serve low income families in the city. The Christ Child Project Christmas Store is volunteer run. Contact Michele Smith at msmith@ccalex.org or 703-778-4937. Christ Church is located at 118 N. Washington St.
Thursday/Dec. 13
Low Vision Holiday Tea & Talk. 1:30-3 p.m. Join Joan Gilliard, Low Vision Occupational therapist, and learn strategies for enhancing daily living skills in the New Year. At Charles Beatley Central Library 5005 Duke St. Free parking. Call 703-746-1702 or 202-234-1010.
Saturday/Dec. 15
Holiday Invitational Cheerleading Competition. 11 a.m. The public is invited to attend the annual Holiday Invitational Cheerleading Competition at T.C. Williams High School, 3330 King St. The competition features youth cheerleading teams from Alexandria neighborhood recreation centers and other teams from the metropolitan area. Tickets will be on sale from Nov. 19 – Dec. 13 at the Charles Houston, Cora Kelly, Patrick Henry and William Ramsay recreation centers and at the Recreation Services Division Office, located at 1108 Jefferson St. Tickets purchased in advance are $5 for ages 13 and older, $2 for ages 5-12 and ages 4 and under are admitted free. Ticket prices at the door will be $10 for ages 13 and older, $5 for ages 5 tp 12 and for ages 4 and under are admitted free. Call the Recreation Services Division Office at 703-746-5402 or visit www.alexandriava.gov/recreation.
Ongoing
Volunteers Needed. AARP Tax-Aide, a national volunteer-run tax counseling and preparation service for low to moderate income and elderly citizens, needs volunteers to electronically complete and file federal and state income tax forms for the 2013 tax season. Volunteers of all ages and background are welcome. The program offers free five-day training using IRS computers and software. Volunteers become IRS Certified Tax Counselors after completing and passing the IRS examination. Trainings sessions will be held in Annandale, Centerville and Alexandria in Dec. 2012 and Jan. 2013. Visit www.aarp.org/taxaide. Email will be sent in Dec. announcing specific dates and times.
Poet Laureate Needed. The City’s Office of the Arts is in search of a Poet Laureate to promote an appreciation of poetry as an art form, encourage the creative writing and reading of literature, and promote literacy through poetry. The individual will serve as Poet Laureate for three years and receive a modest honorarium. All nominations must be submitted to the Office of the Arts, 1605 Cameron St. by 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 26, 2012. The new Poet Laureate will be named in March of 2013. Individuals can nominate themselves or be nominated by someone else. Nominees must be distinguished in the field of poetry through a body of work, published or unpublished. Nominees are limited to individuals who live, work or study in the City of Alexandria. Individual must live, work or study in the City of Alexandria for a minimum of 1 year prior to applying and through the 3-year term of service. If selected, individuals must be able to fulfill Poet Laureate ceremonial role, including presentations of work appropriate for all audiences and should be a minimum of 18 years of age. Members of the Alexandria Commission for the Arts and City of Alexandria staff are ineligible for nomination. Visit www.alexandriava.gov/arts or call 703-746-5588.
Volunteers Needed. Alexandria Archaeology is seeking one or two highly motivated volunteers to assist in the cataloging of these archaeological finds. Prior database and/or cataloging experience and a keen attention to detail are desirable qualifications for this position. This position offers the opportunity to work closely with Alexandria Archaeology’s professional staff in a friendly and fast-paced museum environment. Interested applicants should contact Alexandria archaeologist Paul Nasca at paul.nasca@alexandriava.gov.
Internet Offered for Low-income Families. Comcast kicks off year two of Internet Essentials, an adoption program designed to help close the digital divide for low-income Americans. A household is eligible to participate if it meets all of the following criteria:
Is located where Comcast offers Internet service;
Has at least one child who is eligible to receive either a free or reduced price school lunch under the NSLP;
Has not subscribed to Comcast Internet service within the last 90 days; Does not have an overdue Comcast bill or unreturned equipment. Comcast will sign up eligible families in the program through the end of the 2013-2014 school year. Any household that qualifies will remain eligible for Internet Essentials if at least one child eligible for either a free or reduced price school lunch remains living in the household.
Volunteers. Applications now being accepted for the 2013 Class of TreeStewards. The TreeStewards of Arlington and Alexandria are volunteers dedicated to improving the health of our urban trees through educational programs, tree planting and care, demonstrations and tree maintenance throughout the community. New volunteer training will be held on Wednesday evenings, starting Feb. 13 through April 2013, with some Saturday mornings. Fun and interactive training is provided by recognized experts in tree care and citizen advocates. For more information and to complete an application, visit www.TreeStewards.org or call 703-527-2349.
Training Courses. The American Red Cross in the National Capital Region will host training courses in CPR, First Aid, and AED in the Alexandria and Fort Belvoir offices. These classes offer a two-year certification. Classes range from $70-$110 and will be held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, or Saturdays, dependent upon the participant’s choice. Advance registration is required. To register for a class or find another class in your area, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit redcross.org/takeaclass.
Help Homeless. New Hope Housing is seeking support for the homeless men, women and children in their local shelter and transitional housing programs this holiday season. Donations of food baskets, gift cards (grocery stores and supermarkets like Wal-Mart, Target, etc.), toiletries, new pillows and blankets are being accepted for distribution on Nov. 17 and Dec. 17. Visit www.newhopehousing.org or contact Chris Bramante at cbramante@newhopehousing.org or 703-799-2293x22 and support someone less fortunate.
Through Nov. 30
Training Courses. The American Red Cross in the National Capital Region will host training courses in CPR, First Aid, and AED in the Alexandria and Fort Belvoir offices. These classes offer a two-year certification, a choice of free digital or affordable print materials, and digital refreshers. Classes range from $70-$110 and will be held Monday through Saturday, dependent upon the participant’s choice. Advance registration is required. To register for a class or find another class in your area, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit redcross.org/takeaclass.
“Commander in Chief Relief” Spa Package at Kimpton’s Lorien Spa. The package is designed to relieve stress, headaches and sooth sore feet. It includes a Cooling Botanical Foot Ritual and reflexology treatment, and a Sweet Slumber Scalp Massage at a 30 percent discount off the original price. Total treatment time is 65 minutes.Special price is $109 (original price is $155). Call 703-894-5130 or visit www.lorienspa.com
Through March 1
Educational Assistance. The online application for the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) Educational Assistance Programs for the 2013-2014 school year will be available. Students can apply for the interest-free loans and grants, which are awarded annually for up to five years of undergraduate study (or until a student graduates.) Students under age 24, who are children of former, currently serving, or retired commissioned or warrant officers and children of currently serving or retired enlisted military personnel are eligible to apply. Active duty, National Guard, Reserve, retired, and former commissioned officers and warrant officers of the seven uniformed services are eligible for MOAA membership.
Applicants must be graduating high school seniors or full-time college students working toward their first undergraduate degree. If a child served in a Uniformed Service before completing college, however, his or her maximum age for eligibility will be increased by the number of years he or she served, up to five years.
Qualified students with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale are considered for selection based on their scholastic ability, participation in extracurricular and community activities, as well as financial need. Apply online at www.moaa.org/education. The application deadline is Friday, March 1, 2013 (Noon EST.)
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 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.
Ongoing
VCE Master Gardener Help Desk. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Monday-Friday. Bring fresh samples of problem plants, weeds or insects to ensure accurate identification. VCE recommends carrying samples in plastic bags or other clear containers. No live insects. All clinics and Help Desk are free. 703-228-6414 or mgarlalex@gmail.com.
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 independent in their own homes.
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.