Friday/July 26
Open Retreat. 8-10:30 a.m. at the Alexandria Police Headquarters, 3600 Wheeler Ave. The Alexandria Planning Commission offers a retreat to discuss procedural matters, goals and policies and upcoming projects. Open for the public to attend. Call 703-746-4666.
Saturday/July 27
Colonial Republican Women Discussion. 6:30-9 p.m. at the Virginia Hills Administrations Center, 6520 Diana Lane. A foreign policy panel and the CRW discuss the facts surrounding the Benghazi news story. Call 703-624-3252 or email colonialrepublicanwomen@gmail.com.
Tuesday/July 30
Tech Zoo Tuesdays. 3-5 p.m. at Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library, 5005 Duke St. Learn about the latest electronic reading devices or bring equipment for hands-on help. Call 703-746-1702.
Wednesday/July 31
Board of Architectural Review Parker-Gray District Hearing 7:30 PM. City Hall, Council Chamber, 301 King St. For more information, contact Al Cox, 703.746.3833.
Monday-Thursday/Aug. 5-8
Registration Open. The Alexandria Sheriff’s Office is now accepting applications for its 2013 Youth Academy, a four-day program in August for ages 11 to 17. Participants will learn about the Sheriff’s Office by meeting deputies, observing tactical and K-9 demonstrations, touring the Detention Center and Courthouse, and other related activities. The Youth Academy runs 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at the Sheriff’s Office, 2003 Mill Road. Registration is free and lunch will be provided. In some cases, transportation may be available. Space is limited and registration is on a first come, first served basis. Call Deputy Valarie Wright at 703-746-5017 or visit www.alexandriava.gov/sheriff.
Saturday/Aug. 17
Presentation. 2 p.m. at Burke Library, 4701 Seminary Road. The Long Range Educational Facilities Plan Work Group offers a presentation and discussion of the recent growth in enrollment in Alexandria City Public Schools. “Recent Growth in Alexandria’s School Enrollment: The New Normal?” will outline the rapid growth and discuss the challenges it presents, including classrooms filled past capacity and budget problems. Open to the public. Call 703-461-4666.
Wednesday/Sept. 4
Speaker and Forum. 10 a.m. at the Ernest Cultural Center, 8333 Little River Turnpike. Lifetime Learning Institute of Northern Virginia present Dr. Robert Sutter in a discussion of China’s economic, political and social status in today’s world. Free. Call 703-938-5655 or email salexa50@yahoo.com
Thursday-Sunday/Sept. 12-15
Annual Rug Event. Ten Thousand Villages, 915 King Street. More than 300 rugs will be on display and available for purchase from Bunyaad, a company that works with artisans in Pakistan. Call 703-684-1435 or visit rugs.tenthousandvillages.com.
Through Sept. 20
Collection Starts Earlier. To avoid the heat of spring and summer, refuse and recycling collection shifts to ‘warm weather hours’ and pickup operations will begin an hour earlier. All refuse and recycling materials should be placed for collection prior to 6 a.m. Visit alexandriava.gov/SolidWaste.
Friday/Dec. 20
Deadline. The 2014 Kluge Young Composers Competition provides an opportunity for young composers in Virginia to develop their talents. The winning composition, selected by Maestro Kluge himself, will premiere at an ASO performance. The 2014 Kluge Young Composers Competition is open to any composer 18 or younger who resides in Virginia. Compositions should be five to seven minutes in length and should use standard orchestra instrumentation and normal doublings. Submissions must be received by Dec. 20. For details on how to enter, visit www.alexsym.org/kluge-young-composers-competition.
Ongoing
Preschool Registration. Register now for free ACPS preschool for eligible 4-year-old children. The program runs from 8 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, Sept. 5 2013, through June 18, 2014. Contact Citywide Early Childhood Programs Coordinator Stacey Joyner at 703-578-0293.
English as a Second Language Class. Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library, 5005 Duke St. Tuesdays and Thursdays, all levels 10 a.m.-noon, intermediate workshop 3-5 p.m. All classes free. Call the information desk, 703-746-1702, ext. 3.
Police Citizens Academy. Every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. taking place at the Police Department’s headquarters, 3600 Wheeler Avenue, in the community room. This is a 10-week class that provides an opportunity for residents to learn about various aspects of the Police Department. Classes are a combination of lecture and interactive activities, topics include patrol operations, gangs, crime preventions, and more. Visit www.alexandriava.gov/police or email Virginia.obranovich@alexandriava.gov. Registration ends Aug. 1.
The Talking Book Service at Alexandria Library will now operate Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or by appointment. Patrons may also reach the service by calling 703-746-1760 or emailing talkingbooks@alexandria.lib.va.us.
Amazon.com supporting Alexandria Libraries. The city of Alexandria can now support its local library when purchasing from Amazon.com through the Alexandria Library website. Alexandria Library introduces the “Buy It Now” feature, allowing anyone to purchase any item—not just books—through its website with a simple click of a button, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated back to the library.
The Fall 2013 Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities Program Guide is available online Aug. 2. In conjunction with the City of Alexandria’s Eco-City Initiative, the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities reduced the number of printed programs and will no longer be mail them to all area homes. The guide will include a comprehensive list of fall programs and will be available online at alexandriava.gov/recreation, at City Hall and in City recreation centers and public libraries. Subscribe to the guide by July 25 to receive a copy in the mail. Subscriptions are free. Call 703-746-4343.
Foreclosure Prevention Clinics. Noon at the Office of Housing, 421 King Street, Suite 200. The clinics will be held weekly starting July 16, and will offer both group and individual counseling sessions to assist homeowners who are experiencing financial difficulties. Call 202-667-7006.
Digital Magazines. Patrons of Alexandria Library will have unlimited access to read digital magazines, which can be viewed on most Internet-enabled devices inside or outside of the library. Accesible through www.rbdigital.com/alexandriava/zinio.
Eligible low income households can now use their SNAP benefits to buy local foods at the Old Town Farmers’ Market. SNAP customers are able to use their electronic benefits transfer cards to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables and other eligible food products at the market. The Old Town Farmer’s Market is located on King Street between N. Royal and N. Fairfax Streets, and is open on Saturdays, year round from 7 a.m. to noon.
Opera NOVA has begun a new collection of previously used musical instruments. Any instrument would be welcomed, regardless of type. Consider helping another family build musical memories. Snare drums, clarinets, and violins are just some of the instruments that could bring joy into a home or school. Any recorders donated will be sent to an orphanage in Haiti in order to build a musical presence there. Opera NOVA has tax-exempt status. Contact Miriam Miller at 703-536-7557 or mcdm1@verizon.net to arrange for delivery.
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum seeks a volunteer to translate their tour guide from English into different languages, such as Spanish, Japanese, French, German, or any other language the volunteer could offer. If interested, contact Shadayna Taylor at taylors@gwmail.gwu.edu.
Free Medicare counseling is available for City of Alexandria residents through the Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP) to help individuals understand and navigate Medicare insurance programs. VICAP Medicare counselors will be available on Thursdays from 1-5 p.m. , by appointment only, at the Alexandria Department of Community and Human Services, located at 2525 Mount Vernon Ave. Speakers are also available to present information on Medicare Basic to community groups. Call 703-228-1726 to schedule an appointment, inquire about community presentations or for more information.
The Military Officers Association of America’s scholarship fund gives out loans and grants to children of military families. To learn more, apply or donate visit www.moaa.org/scholarshipfund.
Postpartum Support Virginia sponsors a free, bi-monthly support group for women suffering depression and/or anxiety during pregnancy or in the first year following childbirth. Meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month at Inova Alexandria Hospital, Health Education Center, rooms 1-2, 4320 Seminary Road. Contact co-moderator Susan Doyle at suzjdoyle@gmail.com or 571-403-0673.
MOM's Organic Market in Del Ray, 3831 Mount Vernon Ave., is accepting holiday lights for recycling. They accept all holiday lights that are no longer wanted or working and offer recyclers a 30 percent off coupon for the purchase of new high-efficiency LED holiday lights.
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.
Five-Star Toastmasters, Club # 9623. Tuesdays, 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.
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 Road. All Parkinson’s patients and caregivers are welcome.
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.
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.
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 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; and does not have an overdue Comcast bill or unreturned equipment. Comcast will sign up eligible families 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.
Tiny Dancers Summer Camp. Campers enter a world of ballerinas, princes, magic wands and spells as they dance their way through classic stories. Week-long camps (for ages 3-6) include 'Princess Dreams', 'Enchanted Castles', 'Fairies & Fables', 'Happily Ever After', 'Girl Power'' and more. In addition there's 'Choreography Camp' and 'Pom' for ages 6-10. Each day a new story will be read and performed, and a snack and theme related craft offered. Family and friends are invited on the last day of each camp for a recital. Visit www.tinydancers.com for a schedule or call Tiny Dancers at 571-312-3406. Located at 621 S. Washington Street.
The City of Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities is conducting a Park and Recreation Needs Assessment Survey to help establish priorities for the future development of parks, recreation, cultural facilities, programs and services within your community in July 2013. A limited number of Alexandria residents will be selected in a random, but statistically accurate method, to receive this survey. The City selected Leisure Vision/ETC Institute, an independent consulting company, to administer this survey. They will compile the data received and present the results to the City in fall 2013. Results will be available to the public online at www.alexandriava.gov/recreation. For additional information on Leisure Vision/ETC Institute, visit www.etciinstitute.com/LV.aspx. If you have any questions or are interested in taking the survey, but did not receive a copy in the mail, contact Dana Wedeles with the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities at 703.746.5491 or dana.wedeles@alexandriava.gov.
Volunteers Needed
Jay Roberts has compiled a list of more than 250 historical markers located in and around Old Town. He hopes to have the information printed in book form by late summer and needs help with a final walk-about verifying the locations and text of each marker. FOAA has agreed to sponsor this endeavor. Those interested in history, who like to walk around looking for historical markers of all shapes and sizes, can help verify the makers. If interested, contact Ruther Reeder at 703-746-4719 or visit www.alexandriaarchaeology.org.
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.
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.
TreeStewards are now accepting applications for the 2013 class. 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.