Absentee Voting Opens
On Tuesday June 11, there will be a Democratic Primary for Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General. Absentee voting for the primary began Friday, April 26. Many Alexandria voters are eligible to vote absentee, but relatively few take advantage of this option. Qualifying circumstances: commute and work for 11 of the 13 hours the polls are open; caregiver for a confined family member; unable to go to the polls in person on Election Day because of an illness or disability; or will be absent from Alexandria on Election Day because of personal business, work, school, or vacation. To learn more about these, and other circumstances in which absentee voting is an appropriate option, visit alexandriava.gov/Elections and click on “Absentee Voting,” or call 703-746-4050.
Poll
Participate in ACTion Alexandria's Civic Engagement Principles online poll to review the principles and answer a few short questions. To take the online poll, visit: http://actionalexandria.org/alexandrias-principles-civic-engagement. For more information on “What’s Next Alexandria,” the City’s Civic Engagement initiative, visit www.alexandriava.gov/whatsnext, contact Carrie Beach at 703-746-4666, or e-mail whatsnext@alexandriava.gov.
Thursday/May 23
Small Business Summit & Expo. Noon-7:30 p.m. at Holiday Inn Old Town. Lt. Governor Bill Bolling is the luncheon keynote speaker. There is a reception from 5:3-7:30 p.m. Visit alexchamber.com or 703-549-1000 for information and pricing.
Commission for the Arts - Arts Forum Comm. Noon. Dr. Oswald Durant Memorial Center, 1605 Cameron St. Contact Diane Ruggiero, diane.ruggiero@alexandriava.gov, 703-746-5565.
Open House. 7-8:30 p.m. at Charles Houston Recreation Center, 905 Wythe St. Learn about committees and how to get involved in the Alexandria Chapter of the NAAP. Free.
Visit www.naacpalexandriava.org or 703-684-6190.
Saturday/May 25
Pools Open. The City’s Old Town, 1609 Cameron St., and Warwick, 3301 Landover St., pools open, on a limited basis, Saturday, May 25. The Old Town Pool includes a 25-yard pool with a diving well. A separate training pool is available for children up to 42 inches in height. Easily accessible for disabled, the training pool has a water depth range of 1-3 feet. A parking lot, picnic area and a tot playground are adjacent to the pool. The Warwick Pool includes a 25-yard pool with diving well and a separate wading pool for children up to 42 inches in height. A bathhouse is available. Picnic areas are located inside the pool complex as well as next-door, where a modern playground featuring a tot playground is also available. For a complete list of City pools, operating hours, fees and additional information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/pools.
Monday/May 27
City Offices Closed for Memorial Day. 8 a.m.
Closed. The Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Collection Drop-Off Center, located at 3224 Colvin St., will be closed for the Memorial Day holiday. Normal hours of operation are every Monday and Saturday from 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Tuesday/May 28
Alexandria City Council Legislative Meeting. 7 p.m. City Hall, Council Chamber, 301 King St. Contact 703-746-4550.
Wednesday/May 29
Meet & Greet. 5-7 p.m. at Las Tapas, 710 King St. Meet State Senator Mark Herring, a candidate for Attorney General. RSVP to rsvp@herringforag.com or 571-252-9405.
Public Input. 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Samuel Tucker School, 435 Ferdinand Day Drive. Review Ben Brenman/Boothe Parks Improvement Draft Plan.
Thursday/May 30
Children, Youth & Family Cc - Exec. Comm. 6:30 p.m. Campagna Center. Contact Ron Frazier, ron.frazier@alexandriava.gov, 703-746-5967.
Friday/May 31
CPR Classes. Approved by the American Heart Association at Global Health College, 25 S. Quaker Lane, for anyone who wants to be CPR certified or needs to renew CPR certification. Cost is $75. Register at 703-212-7410 or mmyers@global.edu.
Saturday/June 1
Boater Education Course. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 8592 Richmond Highway. Take a course that meets the boating education requirements of all states. To register e-mail eaglesailor75@cox.net or 703-780-3765.
Wednesday/June 5
Free Vein Screening. 4:30-7:30 p.m.at 4660 Kenmore Ave., Suite 525. Get a free visual vein evaluation and treatment recommendations will be discussed. Appointments are required, register at www.inova.org/events or call 1-855-My-Inova (1-855-694-6682).
Thursday/June 6
Homebuyer Training Seminar. 6:30-8 p.m. at Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Road. Advanced registration requested. Visit www.homeseminar.org for more.
Wednesday/June 12
Speaker Series. 9:30 a.m.-noon at Beatley Library, 5005 Duke St. Senior Services of Alexandria is sponsoring a special Speaker Series event. BB&T Bank and the Alexandria Police Department will lead a conversation about how seniors can protect themselves against identity theft and recent fraudulent schemes that have targeted Alexandria’s senior population. Free and a light breakfast will be served. Register at www.seniorservicesalex.org or 703-836 4414 ext 10.
Thursday/June 13
Deadline. The Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission is seeking nominations for the 2013 CIVIC Awards. Individuals can nominate an Alexandria resident, group, club, organization, or corporate neighbor. Nominees for the award should be volunteers who have contributed their time, talent, or resources in an exemplary fashion and who reside or are located in the City. The volunteer contribution can involve activities such as removing invasive plants, coaching youth, or providing program support at City nature and recreation centers. Youth nominations are encouraged. A nomination package is available online at www.alexandriava.gov/recreation, or by calling 703-746-4343.
Through June
Plan Review. Over the past nine months, more than 585 Alexandria residents provided feedback on the City’s large parks, including Four Mile Run Park, Simpson Park, Chinquapin Park, Holmes Run Park System, Hensley Park, and Brenman/Boothe Parks. Park Planning staff has used the feedback to develop draft plans for each park. Review the draft plans both through a survey and at upcoming Park Workshops to provide feedback on draft plans. The public comment period will be open until the end of June 2013. The draft plans are available for viewing and comment by visiting www.alexandriava.gov/65170. There will also be opportunities for comment and discussion at scheduled workshops. For additional information, visitwww.alexandriava.gov/65170 or contact Dana Wedeles, Park Planner, at 703-746-5491 or Dana.Wedeles@alexandriava.gov.
Monday/July 1
Deadline. The Alexandria Archaeological Commission is accepting nominations for the Bernard “Ben” Brenman Archaeology in Alexandria Award. The Brenman Award, established in 2007, is open to businesses, organizations, families, professional preservationists, volunteers, students and other individuals who have demonstrated work or efforts in archaeological investigation, research, site protection, education, public interpretation, open space design, collections, or conservation. Nomination forms are available at http://alexandriava.gov/historic/archaeology/default.aspx?id=28180 or by calling the Alexandria Archaeology Museum at 703-746-4399.
July 8-12
Spanish Immersion Camp for Tots. Children ages 3-5 will enjoy games, art and sngs and more. $325/child. Register online at www.sssas.org/smmertimesreg.
July 23-25
Clio’s Kids: A History Mini-C.a.m.p. 9 a.m.-noon for children ages 5-7. $105 includes snacks and souvenirs. Visit www.alexandriava.gov/historic/lyceum/default.aspx?id=43632 for more.
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.
Registration Open
Register for early spring “Learn to Swim” classes, held at Chinquapin Park Recreation Center Pool. Visit www.alexandriava.gov/recreation or call 703-746-4343 to register.
Ongoing
Eligible low income households can now use their SNAP benefits to buy fresh, healthy and local foods at the Old Town Farmers’ Market.
Beginning Saturday, April 27, the City of Alexandria’s Old Town Farmers’ Market will be participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps. As a result, SNAP customers will be 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.
The upcoming Titan Expo spring festival wants books (all ages, fiction, non-fiction, hard- and paperback, but no textbooks), CDs, DVDs and audiobooks for the Titan Expo Used Book Sale. Collection boxes are located at: T.C. Williams King Street Campus Main Office, 3330 King St. YMCA, 420 E Monroe St. Chinquapin Park Recreation Center, 3210 King St. Douglas MacArthur Elementary School, 1101 Janneys Lane. Francis C. Hammond Middle School Campus, 4646 Seminary Road.
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 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; and 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 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 City of Alexandria’s Historic Preservation division is seeking volunteers to assist with an architectural survey of the Old and Historic Alexandria District. This survey will be the first of its kind in the country using an exciting new GIS-based mobile application designed to expedite the surveying process and facilitate data sharing between the City of Alexandria and other cultural resource organizations. Surveying will begin in early March, with training taking place in late February. Approximately two days of training and approximately 5-10 days of field surveying. Contact Mary Catherine Collins at preservation@alexandriava.gov.
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.
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.
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.