365 - What is it?

What is it you ask.....  a mini pot holder/hot pad thing.  We use it all the time for getting hot bowls/plates out of the microwave.

Easy Recipes for the Super Bowl

Chicken Dip 
3-4 boneless chicken breasts - cooked and shredded
8 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup Franks Hot Sauce
1 jar Marie's Blue Cheese Dressing

mix all together
bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes, until bubbly and slightly brown
serve with tortilla chips


Turkey Wrap 
1 pkg large fajitas
2 containers Aluoette vegetable cheese spread
1/2 lb sliced turkey 

spread the cheese on the fajita
place the turkey on top
roll up
wrap in Saran Wrap
refrigerate for 1 hr or overnight
slice and serve
(makes about 40 slices)


Vegetable Salad Bars

1 can crescent rolls
1 pkg. (8oz) cream cheese
1 pkg. DRY ranch dressing 
2 rounded tsp sour cream
2 rounded tsp mayo 

½ small head cauliflower
½ sm bunch broccoli
2 sm carrots

Shredded Cheddar, Swiss or Monterey cheese

Shred the veggies in a food processor

Unroll the crescent rolls and lay out on the jelly roll pan – pinch together the seams 
Bake as suggested
Let cool

Mix together cream cheese, dressing, sour cream and may – you can let this sit overnight. 

Cover roll with cream cheese mixture 
Pat on shredded vegetables
Sprinkle with cheese
Press firmly

Cover w/ Saran Wrap and refrigerate
Cut into bars and serve. 

Will keep for several days

Choices and Transitions SEMINAR

FROM NEIGHBORHOOD LIST SERV POST:

If you are a senior citizen or have aging parents, you may be starting to ask questions like:

What do I need to continue living at home? 
Can Dad take care of himself safely? 
Would Mom be happier living in a retirement or assisted living community?

Seniors: Choices and Transitions is a FREE SEMINAR to help you gather information, find answers and peace of mind. Get the information you need to make informed decisions BEFORE a crisis forces you to make hasty ones.

3 Sessions to Choose From: 
Wednesday, February 8 9:30 - 10:30am or 
Saturday, February, 11 2:00 - 3:00pm or 
Thursday, February 16 7:30 - 8:30pm 

Location: Woodbine Rehabilitation and Healthcare , 2729 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22302 

Reservations Required: Call 703-836-8838 or emailevents@woodbinerehab.com 

Sponsored by: Woodbine Rehabilitation and Healthcare; Adult Companion Care; Smooth Transitions 

Community Meeting RE: Del Ray Parking Study 2/23

FROM THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA: 


Del Ray Parking Study

The City of Alexandria’s Department of Transportation & Environmental 
Services (T&ES) will hold a community meeting on Thursday, February 
23, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Residents and business owners are 
invited to attend this public meeting to learn more about the DRAFT 
Del Ray Parking Study. The meeting will be held at Mount Vernon 
Recreation Center Meeting Room, 2701 Commonwealth Avenue.

For more information please contact Faye Dastgheib atFaye.dastgheib@alexandriava.gov 
or at 703-746-4139.

Komen

365 - Make a Wish

God only knows how long this has been in the bowl on the counter......  but here goes.... wishing.....

Lyceum’s History Camp for Kids - Register Now

FROM ALEXANDRIA CITY:

Registration Now Open for The Lyceum’s History Camp for Kids

The Lyceum, Alexandria’s History Museum, is now registering for its three-day camp for children ages 5 through 7.  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 24, through Thursday, July 26, from 9 a.m. to noon.

This summer’s theme is “Time Travelers” and each day, campers will take part in activities related to a different century.

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, please call 703.746.4994 or visit www.alexandriahistory.org.

Museum Open Houses for Parade Day

FROM THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA: 

Parade Day Open Houses in Alexandria

Free Tours of Gadsby’s Tavern Museum and Other Historic Alexandria Museums

On Monday, February 20, the day of the George Washington Birthday Parade in Alexandria, several Historic Alexandria sites will be hosting special open houses with free admission.

Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 North Royal Street, and the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, 105-107 South Fairfax Street, will both be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; the Friendship Firehouse Museum, 107 South Alfred Street, will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and The Lyceum, Alexandria’s History Museum, 201 South Washington Street, will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors may tour these historic sites for free on this day.

Also open from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. is the Historic Alexandria History Center & Museum Store, 101 North Union Street, where you can get your picture taken with the George and Martha Washington cut-out, try on 18th-century clothing, and purchase a tricorn hat or mob cap to wear along the parade route.

Did you know that Thomas Jefferson celebrated his inauguration in 1801 in the Gadsby's Tavern ballroom? What was a popular tavern beverage of the time? What was considered luxurious for overnight accommodations in the 18th century? Visitors to Gadsby’s Tavern Museum will find out at the place George Washington dined and danced.

Visitors to the Apothecary, which opened in 1796, will see its unique collection of herbs and botanicals, while discovering the important role the Apothecary played in early Alexandria. Among the featured display items will be documents from Martha Washington, our country’s first FirstLady, one of several famous customers who relied on the Apothecary.

At the Friendship Firehouse, first built in 1855 and remodeled in 1871, see hand-drawn fire engines, leather water buckets, axes, sections of early rubber hose and other historic firefighting equipment. The Friendship Fire Company, established in 1774, was Alexandria’s first volunteer fire company and dates to Washington’s time.

At The Lyceum, visitors can view the new exhibition “Occupied City: Life in Civil War Alexandria.” Proud of their city as George Washington’s hometown and of their own families’ service beside him in the Revolution, the majority of Alexandrians were initially opposed to Virginia’s secession from the Union. The Civil War pulled Alexandria apart but once the war ended, the community was quick to return to familiar ways and old traditions, including their love and admiration for Washington. Visitors can also see collection items that show how Alexandrians have commemorated the Father of our Country for more than 200 years.

For more information about these events, visit www.historicalexandria.org.

Trash pick up for President's Day

FROM THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA: 

Solid Waste & Recycling Announcements
• Trash and Recycling Collection
• Household Hazardous Waste & Electronics Collection

More Information:
• Department of Transportation & Environmental Services (T&ES), Solid Waste Division 
• Eco-City Alexandria Initiative

Trash and Recycling Collection
Due to the President’s Day holiday on February 20, residents are reminded that trash and recycling will be picked up one day later during this week than regularly scheduled.

Regular collection day                    Holiday collection dayMonday                                          Tuesday
Tuesday                                         Wednesday
Wednesday                                    Thursday
Thursday                                        Friday
  
Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Collection
The Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Collection drop-off center will be closed on Monday, February 20 for the holiday. 

Normal hours of operation are Monday and Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. located at 3224 Colvin Street.

‘Spring Clean-Up’ Information – Save the Date!

For residents who receive residential refuse collection services, don’t forget to clear out household clutter by placing unwanted bulky trash and metal items at the curb this spring.  The City is divided into four collection zones and each zone is assigned a unique Saturday for Spring Clean-Up throughout April and May.  

Remember, metals should be separated from other collection items left at the curb, because City refuse crews will be making a special collection for these metal materials.  Also, if your street is a boundary line, consider the middle of the road the divider. Your collection area will be designated by the date of the area closest to your side of the street.

To find your zone, collection date, or more information visit alexandriava.gov/SolidWaste.

Area 1 – Saturday, April 14

Area 2 – Saturday, April 21

Area 3 – Saturday, April 28

Area 4 – Saturday, May 5

Leaf Collection Survey Completed

After vacuuming over 33,700 cubic yards of leaves (enough to fill 121 rail cars) and collecting 17,394 bags of leaves, the City’s Leaf Collection program is completed for the year. City staff is evaluating the results of a recent customer satisfaction survey for leaf collection services, and intends to use resident feedback to improve services.  Survey results will be posted online atalexandriava.gov/SolidWaste early March.

For more information about the Trash or Recycling Services or Spring Clean-Up contact the City’s Solid Waste Division at 703.746.4410 or go to alexandriava.gov/SolidWaste .

365 - Wonderful Scent

This is my go to yankee candle - covers up just about all my kids' stinks.

Planetarium Show Registration

FROM ACPS:

PLANETARIUM SHOW REGISTRATION OPENS MONDAY Even with an extra day thrown in for leap year, February still can never have a blue moon. Want to know why? The answer to this and many other questions will be revealed during the next community planetarium show, hosted by Planetarium Coordinator Bob Nicholson at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 28, at the ACPS Planetarium at T.C. Williams High School. Registration, required, opens at noon on Monday, Feb 6. Register online at http://www.acps.k12.va.us/tcw/planetarium/ or by calling the planetarium at 703-824-6805, extension 6300. The show also will feature highlights of the U.S. and Soviet manned space programs and will showcase the 50th anniversary of John Glenn's mission, as the first American to orbit the Earth. As always, the program will include a walk across this month’s night sky.

Off the beaten path

Here are some places to take the kids that are off the beaten path and are FREE (or very inexpensive)

Franciscan Monastery, Washington, DC
1400 Quincey St., NE,
Washington, DC 20017
http://myfranciscan.org/
great place to tour the gardens and the catacombs.

Planetarium at Rock Creek Park, Washington, DC
http://www.nps.gov/rocr/planyourvisit/planetarium.htm
nature center, trails, hiking

Lake Accotink Park
Springfield, VA
hiking, canoeing, paddle boats, mini golf, merry-go-round, and more...
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/accotink/

Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington, VA
just walk around with the kids, work on math skills, visit the Tomb of the Unknowns, watch the changing of the guard.

Potomac Overlook Regional Park
2845 N. Marcey Rd., Arlington, VA
nature center, trails, hiking....

River Farm Park 
Alexandria, VA (off the GW Parkway)
explore the children's garden

Roosevelt Island
off the GW Parkway
hiking & trails

365 - Yummy!

Beatley Library Book Sale

The Friends of the Beatley Central Library announce that they will hold a "Book Lovers Love Music and Food"  CD and Cook Book Sale on Saturday, February 25, 2012 from 10:00AM to 4:30PM at the Charles E. Beatley, Jr., Central Library, 5005 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA  22304.  Single CDs, $1.00; CD Packaged Sets (5 +), $5.00; Hardcover Books, $3.00; Paperbacks, $1.00.  Phone:  703-746-1742.  Email:  www.alexandria.lib.va.us.

Miniatures Exhibit at the Black History Museum

FROM THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA: 

Miniatures Exhibition Opens February 9 at Alexandria Black History Museum

Creators of Dollhouses Inspired by Alexandria’s African American History

The Alexandria Black History Museum welcomes a new exhibition, Our Alexandria: African American Dollhouses by Sharon J. Frazier and Linwood M. Smith, featuring more than a dozen buildings and rooms – most inspired by real places in Alexandria – in miniature. This exhibition runs from February 9 through May 1.

Sharon Jones Frazier and Linwood M. Smith, both lifetime residents of Alexandria, began working together on their collection in 1994, combining their talents and drawing on their memories of places and people in Alexandria. Mrs. Frazier, a retired registered nurse, developed skills in miniaturization while Mr. Smith, a retired automotive mechanic, used his skills as a craftsman to construct dollhouses to scale. They first exhibited at the Alexandria Black History Museum in 2008.

This exhibition is composed of new works including the Carver Nursery School, Robert Robinson Library, and the Hayden Photography Studio. Several of the buildings from the earlier and very popular exhibition also return, including a barbershop and hair dressing salon, a medical building, an attorney’s office, and a florist, all patterned after actual businesses in the Parker-Gray community, a historically African-American neighborhood in Alexandria.

An opening reception will be held on Thursday, February 9, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and guests will have the opportunity to meet Mrs. Frazier and Mr. Smith. The reception is free and open to all. Those wishing to attend are asked to RSVP by calling 703.746.4356.

The Alexandria Black History Museum is located at 902 Wythe Street in the heart of the Parker-Gray Historic District and is open from Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Suggested museum admission is $2. To learn more about the museum and Alexandria’s rich African-American heritage, please visit www.alexblackhistory.org.

For more information, visit www.alexblackhistory.org or call 703.746.4356.

Nominations Sought for 2012 Salute to Women Awards

FROM THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA: 

Nominations Sought for 2012 Salute to Women Awards 
The Alexandria Commission for Women is seeking nominations for the 32^ndAnnual Salute to Women Awards. The awards, which recognize women, men and youth who have made a significant impact on women in Alexandria, will be presented at the annual banquet to be held Monday, March 26 at The Westin Alexandria.  The deadline to nominate is 5 p.m. February 24.

The 10 awards recognize achievement in areas including health and safety, legislative advocacy, lifetime achievement and providing opportunities for youth. Individuals may nominate more than one person and nominees from prior years may be nominated again. For most categories, those honored need not be residents of Alexandria; however, their efforts should be focused within the City of Alexandria.
 

Nominations may be submitted online at www.alexwomen.com or may be mailed or hand delivered to the Department of Community and Human Services, Attention Sarah Watson, 2525 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA 22301. To receive a nomination form or to request further information, contact Sarah Watson at 703.746.3123 or by email at sarah.watson@alexandriava.gov.  Tickets to the event can be purchased atwww.alexwomen.com.  The cost is $85, a portion of which is tax deductible, and money raised will support the Alexandria Sexual Assault Program.

Events at the Alexandria Small Business Development Center

FROM THE ALEXANDRIA SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER: 

Presents February 2012 Series of Events

We are well into 2012 with our programming designed to help your business thrive. As always, all of our events are FREE of charge!

Tuesday, February 7, 2012:  Brown Bag Lunch- “Every Word Matters” - Learn tips for better business writing. Held from noon – 1:00 PM in our boardroom at 625 N. Washington Street, Suite 400 and presented by Eliza Dolin, Ivy Quill Communications, LLC. REGISTER NOW!

Thursday, February 9, 2012:Google to Great Webinar- “Marketing with Google Maps” (Google Maps)- This session runs from 10:15 to 11:15 AM. To register visit our website under the ”Hot Topics” heading on the home page. Miss a webinar? Go to our archived resources page.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012: START MANAGE GROW Workshop - “Federal Business Development for Service Providers” presented by John Boulware, Federal Contractor Consultant; the second in a mini-series on Federal Contracting. Are you a service provider that needs help with identifying government business? Come to our expanded and interactive series designed to help you win federal contracts! Held in our office at 625 N. Washington Street, Suite 400 from 9:00 -11:00 AM. REGISTER NOW!

Thursday, February 23, 2012: Google to Great Webinar - “Being Business-Informed Using Google”(Google Reader, FastFlip & Currents). This session runs from 10:15 to 11:15 AM. To register visit our website under the ”Hot Topics” heading on the home page. Miss a webinar? Go to our archived resources page.

**A hands-on ‘not to miss’ Google to Great EVENT: Only 25 can attend and you must bring your laptop or iPad**

Wednesday, February 29, 2012: “Google+ for Small business” - in this workshop, you get the best of both worlds from Alexandria SBDC and Google. First, Ray Sidney-Smith, president of W3 Consulting, a Web and digital strategy firm for Small Business, will present a strategic overview of Google+ for small businesses. Following the presentation, Ray will hand over the microphone to Googlers who will walk you through the steps to launch your own Google+ pages for your business. The session will run from 9AM to Noon in our boardroom, located at 625 N. Washington Street, and a light breakfast will be included. To register, call Pat Melton, SBDC Counselor, 703-778-2960. Because we expect this to close out early, we ask if you register, to please attend or let us know if you cannot, so others can!