Saturday, February 18, 2012
365 - Look what I saw today
on an afternoon outing, look what I saw along King Street......Chickens!
Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are needed at the children's garden at Tancil Court to help elementary school-aged youth develop an appreciation for the fun of growing their own food. Volunteers help children plant, cultivate, harvest and sometimes prepare a variety of healthy vegetables. The commitment is for one hour on Tuesdays between 3:30-5 p.m. For additional information, contact Carrie Fesperman Redden.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
365 - God Bless
God Bless you and your family.
UPDATED info on Today's funeral procession/road closures
UPDATE: 2.16.12 Funeral Information for Alexandria Paramedic Joshua A. Weissman
Today, first responders from across the nation will convene in the City to honor fallen Alexandria Paramedic Joshua A. Weissman.
Please note the following road closures, potential traffic impacts, Fire operation plan, state Capitol flag authorization, and video streaming information:
· From time to time on Thursday, February 16 the following streets will be closed intermittently to facilitate movement of the funeral procession and participants:
o Janneys Lane from King Street to Quaker Lane
o Seminary Road from Quaker Lane to Kenmore Avenue
o Van Dorn Street from Seminary Road to Braddock Road
o Braddock Road from Van Dorn Street to North Howard Street
o King Street from Scroggins Lane to Russell Road
· Public parking will be available at the Victory Center, 5001 Eisenhower Avenue. Safety personnel parking, specifically for Honor Guard and Color Guards will be reserved at the Hoffman Center Lot, at Eisenhower Avenue, and Stovall Street.
- Alexandria’s Transit Company (DASH) will provide shuttle services starting at 7:00 a.m. for the funeral service.
· The Alexandria Fire Department will be going out of service from 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 15, until 7 p.m. on Friday, February 17. All Alexandria Fire Stations will be fully staffed by our regional partners at no cost as part of our mutual aid agreements. Residents will continue to receive the same high quality services provided by the Alexandria Fire Department.
· Governor Robert F. McDonnell executed a flag authorization for the City of Alexandria and Arlington County and for the state Capitol building in Richmond. This order authorizes that the flag of the Commonwealth of Virginia is to be flown at half-staff over the state Capitol building and in Alexandria and Arlington in respect and memory of Joshua A. Weissman who gave his life in the line of duty.
· The City will be streaming video live of the funeral services, which can be viewed atalexandriava.gov/LODDJWeissman.
All participants are urged to carpool or use public transit. For additional information visit:alexandriava.gov/LODDJWeissman.
2011 - 2012 VA Dept of Education Special Education Parent Involvement Survey
FROM PEATC - Parent Education Advocacy & Training Center:
February 15, 2012
REMINDER
Parents of students with IEPs:
If you haven’t already done so, please consider taking a few minutes to complete this annual VDOE survey that reports on how well our school facilitate parent involvement.
2011 - 2012 VA Dept of Education
Special Education Parent Involvement Survey
All parents of school-aged children and youth who receive special education services are encouraged to complete the Virginia Department of Education Annual Special Education Parent Involvement Survey (link below). This survey is not intended to measure satisfaction with the special education program. It is designed to determine whether or not the school facilitated parent involvement. The English and Spanish versions of the survey have been combined into one survey with both languages.
If you are unable to take the survey online, please contact the Parent Resource Center atprc@fcps1.org or 540-422-7116 to obtain a paper copy or access to a computer. All paper versions of the survey will include a pre-addressed postage paid return envelope. All responses will be sent directly to the Virginia Department of Education.
If you have any questions related to the Parent Involvement Survey, please contact Gloria Daltongloria.dalton@doe.virginia.gov at the Virginia Department of Education at (804) 371-7420.
This survey will be available November 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012
This online survey can be found at:
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Valentine's Day
I read this book to my kids, a gift from a family member, and after reading it, thought, WOW, this isn't appropriate and even sounds like bullying.
What do you think?
What do you think?
City of Alexandria Announces Holiday Schedule for George Washington’s Birthday, Monday, February 20
City of Alexandria Announces Holiday Schedule for George Washington’s Birthday, Monday, February 20
All Alexandria City government offices will be closed on Monday, February 20 in observance of George Washington’s Birthday (also known as Presidents Day).
Additionally:
Health Facilities: The Alexandria Health Department (4480 King St.), the Flora Krause Casey Health Center (1200 N. Howard St.) and the Teen Wellness Center at T.C. Williams High School (3330 King St.) will be closed.
Hotlines: All emergency hotlines operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including the child protective services hotline, 703.746.5800, the domestic violence hotline, 703.746.4911, the emergency services for mental health or substance abuse crisis hotline, 703.746.3401, and the sexual assault hotline, 703.683.7273.
Hotlines: All emergency hotlines operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including the child protective services hotline, 703.746.5800, the domestic violence hotline, 703.746.4911, the emergency services for mental health or substance abuse crisis hotline, 703.746.3401, and the sexual assault hotline, 703.683.7273.
Libraries: All Alexandria Library branches will be closed.
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 N. Royal St., and the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, 105-107 S. Fairfax St., will both be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- The Friendship Firehouse Museum, 107 S. Alfred St., will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- The Lyceum, Alexandria’s History Museum, 201 S. Washington St., will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Visitors may tour these historic sites for free on this day.
Parking: The Alexandria Police Department will suspend enforcement of parking restrictions at metered spaces, as well as time restrictions in residential permit parking districts and other areas with signed parking time limits.
Recreation Centers: Alexandria recreation centers will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., except Chinquapin Recreation Center, which will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Refuse Collection: Residential refuse and recycling will not be collected on February 20. Collection services will be delayed by one day during the week of February 20. The Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Collections Drop-off Center will be closed on February 20.
Refuse Collection: Residential refuse and recycling will not be collected on February 20. Collection services will be delayed by one day during the week of February 20. The Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Collections Drop-off Center will be closed on February 20.
Schools: The Alexandria City Public Schools will be closed.
State Offices: The General District Court, the Circuit Court, and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court will all be closed. In addition, the DMV Office at 2681 Mill Rd. will be closed.
Transit: Alexandria Transit Company’s DASH bus service will operate on a Saturday schedule. For the George Washington Birthday Parade, on February 20, DASH will be running a continuous, free, shuttle from the Eisenhower Metrorail Station to Prince and Washington Streets beginning at 11 a.m. with the last shuttle departing Prince and William Streets at 4 p.m. to return to the Eisenhower Metro. The parade begins at 1 p.m. The DASH shuttle does not stop at the King Street Metrorail Station. For more DASH information, visit www.dashbus.com.
Trolley: The free King Street Trolley will use a detour route from the 100 block of N. Washington Street to the Metro Station during the parade. Once the parade ends and King Street is reopened, the trolley will return to its normal route. Though the trolleys will be on a 15-minute schedule, there is a possibility that there could be delays due to heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
- Eastbound trolleys starting from the Metro station will proceed down King Street, turn left onto the 100 block of North Washington Street (last stop). The trolley will stop at the Metro Station, King & Diagonal, King & Peyton, King & Fayette, King & Patrick, King & South Columbus, and the 100 block of North Washington Street.
- Westbound trolleys starting from the 100 block of North Washington will proceed on North Washington and turn left onto Princess Street. From Princess Street, trolleys turn left onto North Columbus Street, turn right onto King Street and proceed to the Metro Station. The trolley will stop at the 100 block of North Washington, North Columbus & King, King & Patrick, King & Fayette, King & Peyton, King & Diagonal, and proceed to the Metro Station.
For more information about the George Washington Birthday parade, visitwww.washingtonbirthday.org.
Trash Pick up next week
FROM THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA:
Holiday Solid Waste Collection Announcements
• Trash and Recycling Collection
• 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
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 20th, 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
Wednesday
Thursday
Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Collection
The Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Collection drop-off center will be closed on Monday, February 20th for the holiday.
Normal hours of operation are every Monday and Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. located at 3224 Colvin Street.
Due to the President’s Day holiday on February 20th, 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
Wednesday
Thursday
Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Collection
The Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Collection drop-off center will be closed on Monday, February 20th for the holiday.
Normal hours of operation are every Monday and Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. located at 3224 Colvin Street.
Alexandria City Manager Proposes $585.6 Million General Fund Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2013
Alexandria City Manager Proposes $585.6 Million General Fund Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2013
FROM THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA:
News Highlights
On February 14, Alexandria City Manager Rashad Young proposed a $585.6 million General Fund Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2013.
The proposed operating budget includes no tax rate increases of any kind, and maintains core services (education, public safety, public infrastructure and transportation) without making major reductions in other service areas.
The Capital Improvement Program proposes $1.1 billion in capital investment over the next 10 years, prioritizing maintenance of existing facilities and infrastructure, and providing funding for a new Fire Station in Eisenhower Valley.
The proposed budget General Fund tax rate will remain at 99.8 cents per $100 of assessed value. The City’s real estate tax base grew by 3.4%; on a calendar year basis, the average homeowner would pay approximately 1.2% or $52 more than last year, which is less than the rate of inflation.
More Information
www.alexandriava.gov/Budget
In the proposed budget, total spending increases by 3.3% ($18.7 million) from the Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 approved budget. Within that budget, the operating budget transfer to the Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) would also increase by 3.3% ($5.8 million) from last year’s approved budget, in keeping with the City Council’s guidance that the transfer to the Schools for operating expenses increases at the same percentage rate as total General Fund revenues. The budget for City operations increases 2.7% ($8.5 million). The FY 2013 budget reflects the guidance set by the public and City Council in the Strategic Plan adopted in June 2010, and the specific budget guidance provided by City Council last November. As part of closing a $14.4 million funding gap identified last fall, about $6.8 million was cut from the City’s budget, including 27 City positions.
“The proposed budget—built using the City’s strategic plan to guide our decisions and shaped by City Council’s guidance—maintains Alexandria’s core services without making major reductions in other service areas,” said City Manager Rashad Young. “City government will continue to deliver efficient and effective services to the community as we continue to emerge from the tough economic times of the last several years.”
Core services to maintain, and in limited cases, expand, are education, public safety, transportation, and public infrastructure.
The $18.7 million increase in the City Manager’s proposed budget
Allocates an additional $5.8 million for public schools (an increase of 3.3% from last year’s approved budget), which slightly exceeds the amount requested by the Schools Superintendent.
Provides an additional $5.6 million for the Fire Police, Sheriff, and Emergency Communications departments. This amount includes funding to prepare for the opening of a new Fire Station and represents a collective 4.7% increase for the four public safety departments.
Provides an additional $2.6 million (a 4.4% increase) in support of the Capital Improvement program (CIP) and maintenance of public infrastructure.
Provides an additional $1.8 million for increased operating support for transit operations, including funds for the regional Metrorail and bus systems, and for the City’s local DASH bus system—an 11.1% increase.
City Council will host six work sessions to review the proposed budget with City staff, and two work sessions to make final decisions. These sessions are open to the public and will be recorded and posted online. The public may submit comments online, or speak at a budget public hearing on Monday, March 5, at 4 p.m. and a tax rate public hearing on Saturday, April 14, at 9:30 a.m. The Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program are scheduled for adoption by the Alexandria City Council on May 7, 2012. Details about the public meetings, proposed budget, and online comments are located at alexandriava.gov/Budget.
FROM THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA:
News Highlights
On February 14, Alexandria City Manager Rashad Young proposed a $585.6 million General Fund Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2013.
The proposed operating budget includes no tax rate increases of any kind, and maintains core services (education, public safety, public infrastructure and transportation) without making major reductions in other service areas.
The Capital Improvement Program proposes $1.1 billion in capital investment over the next 10 years, prioritizing maintenance of existing facilities and infrastructure, and providing funding for a new Fire Station in Eisenhower Valley.
The proposed budget General Fund tax rate will remain at 99.8 cents per $100 of assessed value. The City’s real estate tax base grew by 3.4%; on a calendar year basis, the average homeowner would pay approximately 1.2% or $52 more than last year, which is less than the rate of inflation.
More Information
www.alexandriava.gov/Budget
In the proposed budget, total spending increases by 3.3% ($18.7 million) from the Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 approved budget. Within that budget, the operating budget transfer to the Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) would also increase by 3.3% ($5.8 million) from last year’s approved budget, in keeping with the City Council’s guidance that the transfer to the Schools for operating expenses increases at the same percentage rate as total General Fund revenues. The budget for City operations increases 2.7% ($8.5 million). The FY 2013 budget reflects the guidance set by the public and City Council in the Strategic Plan adopted in June 2010, and the specific budget guidance provided by City Council last November. As part of closing a $14.4 million funding gap identified last fall, about $6.8 million was cut from the City’s budget, including 27 City positions.
“The proposed budget—built using the City’s strategic plan to guide our decisions and shaped by City Council’s guidance—maintains Alexandria’s core services without making major reductions in other service areas,” said City Manager Rashad Young. “City government will continue to deliver efficient and effective services to the community as we continue to emerge from the tough economic times of the last several years.”
Core services to maintain, and in limited cases, expand, are education, public safety, transportation, and public infrastructure.
The $18.7 million increase in the City Manager’s proposed budget
Allocates an additional $5.8 million for public schools (an increase of 3.3% from last year’s approved budget), which slightly exceeds the amount requested by the Schools Superintendent.
Provides an additional $5.6 million for the Fire Police, Sheriff, and Emergency Communications departments. This amount includes funding to prepare for the opening of a new Fire Station and represents a collective 4.7% increase for the four public safety departments.
Provides an additional $2.6 million (a 4.4% increase) in support of the Capital Improvement program (CIP) and maintenance of public infrastructure.
Provides an additional $1.8 million for increased operating support for transit operations, including funds for the regional Metrorail and bus systems, and for the City’s local DASH bus system—an 11.1% increase.
City Council will host six work sessions to review the proposed budget with City staff, and two work sessions to make final decisions. These sessions are open to the public and will be recorded and posted online. The public may submit comments online, or speak at a budget public hearing on Monday, March 5, at 4 p.m. and a tax rate public hearing on Saturday, April 14, at 9:30 a.m. The Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program are scheduled for adoption by the Alexandria City Council on May 7, 2012. Details about the public meetings, proposed budget, and online comments are located at alexandriava.gov/Budget.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Street Closures, School dismissal and events on Thursday
FROM THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA:
On Thursday, February 16, firefighters from across the nation will convene in the City to honor fallen Alexandria paramedic Joshua Weismann.
- If possible, residents are encouraged to avoid travel or expect significant delays near event areas during the time when memorial events and funeral services on Wednesday February 15 &Thursday, February 16.
- Traffic and parking in the vicinity of the Everly Wheatley Funeral Home at1500 West Braddock Road is expected to be significantly affectedWednesday afternoon and evening beginning around4:00 p.m.
- Traffic is expected to be substantially impactedbetween 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Thursday as the following streets will be closed intermittently for the funeral service. We ask that community members avoid these areas if possible and be patient with delays during this event.
- The memorial processional and services are expected to bring more than 200 fire vehicles and more than 2,000 people into Alexandria. Community members should avoid these areas if possible and be patient with delays during this event.
Street Closures & Potential Traffic Impacts
From time to time during the day, the following streets will be closed to facilitate movement of the funeral procession and the participants:
- Janney’s Lane from King Street to Quaker Lane
- Seminary Road from Quaker Lane to Van Dorn Street
- Van Dorn Street from Seminary Road to Braddock Road
- Braddock Road from Van Dorn Street to King Street
- King Street from Braddock Road and Quaker Lane to Russell Road
School Early Dismissals
The City of Alexandria would like to thank the entire Alexandria community for their patience and flexibility as the Alexandria Fire Department pays tribute to Paramedic Joshua Weissman.
- Alexandria City Public Schools will alter dismissal times to ensure that students can safely leave school and be transported to their afterschool destinations in the midst of road closures and unprecedented traffic.
- George Washington and Hammond Middle schools, Minnie Howard School, T.C. Williams High School and Douglas McArthur Elementary will dismiss at 12:35 p.m.
- All remaining elementary schools will dismiss at 1:20 p.m.
- The City has coordinated with Campagna Center after care programs and Power-On /Power-Up after care programs at City recreation centers to provide child care for families currently enrolled in these programs. In addition, recreation centers at Charles Houston, Cora Kelly, William Ramsay, Patrick Henry, Mount Vernon, Charles Barrett, Nannie Lee, and John Adams will be open immediately following the early dismissal.
For additional information, visitalexandriava.gov/LODDJWeissman or call 703.746.HELP.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Virginia Historical Society Offering Free Workshop on New Slave Name Database
FROM THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA:
Virginia Historical Society Offering Free Workshop on New Slave Name Database
February 21 Program in Alexandria Explores “Unknown No Longer” Database
During Black History Month, attend a free workshop in Alexandria to learn how to use Unknown No Longer: A Virginia Slave Name Database. This free database is the latest step by the Virginia Historical Society to increase access to its varied collections relating to Virginians of African descent. The workshop will be held on Tuesday, February 21, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at The Lyceum, Alexandria’s History Museum, 201 South Washington Street.
At this workshop, Dr. Lauranett Lee, Curator of African American History, and Paige Newman, Assistant Archivist, will highlight some of their research findings and provide tips on how to navigate the Unknown No Longer database. This workshop is currently the only one offered in Northern Virginia. Reservations are required, and space is limited. Register online atwww.vahistorical.org/news/
Thanks to a generous grant from Dominion Resources and the Dominion Foundation in 2011, the Virginia Historical Society launched an online resource called Unknown No Longer: A Database of Virginia Slave Names. This is the first database that examines various documents and plantation records across all of slaveholding Virginia with a focus on Virginians of African descent.
Since its founding in 1831, the VHS has collected unpublished manuscripts, a collection that now numbers more than 8 million processed items. Unknown No Longer is an example of both the VHS’s and Dominion’s commitment to using technology to increase access to historical collections and their dedication to reaching out to a diverse constituency.
This event is co-sponsored by the Office of Historic Alexandria.
Funeral Arrangements for the Line of Duty Death of Alexandria Paramedic Joshua A. Weissman
Funeral Arrangements for the Line of Duty Death of Alexandria Paramedic Joshua A. Weissman
Weissman_J_web
WHEN: Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
WHERE: Alexandria, Virginia
WHO: Paramedic Joshua Weissman
WHAT: It is with great sadness that Alexandria Fire Chief Adam K. Thiel announced the death of Paramedic Joshua Weissman at 4:25pm on February 9. While responding to a car fire on Interstate 395 near Glebe Road on the evening of February 8, Paramedic Weissman fell from the roadway, where he suffered a severe head injury. He was rescued by City of Alexandria and Arlington County Firefighters and Paramedics, with assistance from the City of Alexandria and Arlington County Police Departments and the Virginia State Police. Despite valiant efforts by the medical team at the Washington Hospital Center, Paramedic Weissman’s injuries proved to be fatal. Funeral Arrangements for Alexandria Fire Department Paramedic Joshua Weissman are as follows:
Visitation
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home
1500 West Braddock Road
Alexandria, VA 22302
Phone: (703) 998-9200
http://www.everlywheatleyfuneralhome.com
5:00pm to Midnight Visitation Funeral services with honors will be held
Thursday, February 16, 2012
1:00pm
Beth El Hebrew Congregation
3830 Seminary Road
Alexandria, VA 22304
(703) 370-9400
http://www.bethelhebrew.org Interment will follow at:
Ivy Hill Cemetery
2823 King Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22302-4012
Telephone: 703.549.7413
*Parking details will be provided at a later time. At the request of the Weissman family, condolences and donations may be sent to:
Joshua A. Weissman Memorial Fund
c/o Alexandria Firefighters, Inc - IAFF Local 2141
4600 Duke Street, Suite 429
Alexandria, VA 22304
Due to space limitations at the funeral home and Beth El Hebrew Congregation, seating is limited. The public is advised to dress appropriately for waiting in outdoor winter weather.
Weissman_J_web
WHEN: Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
WHERE: Alexandria, Virginia
WHO: Paramedic Joshua Weissman
WHAT: It is with great sadness that Alexandria Fire Chief Adam K. Thiel announced the death of Paramedic Joshua Weissman at 4:25pm on February 9. While responding to a car fire on Interstate 395 near Glebe Road on the evening of February 8, Paramedic Weissman fell from the roadway, where he suffered a severe head injury. He was rescued by City of Alexandria and Arlington County Firefighters and Paramedics, with assistance from the City of Alexandria and Arlington County Police Departments and the Virginia State Police. Despite valiant efforts by the medical team at the Washington Hospital Center, Paramedic Weissman’s injuries proved to be fatal. Funeral Arrangements for Alexandria Fire Department Paramedic Joshua Weissman are as follows:
Visitation
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home
1500 West Braddock Road
Alexandria, VA 22302
Phone: (703) 998-9200
http://www.everlywheatleyfuneralhome.com
5:00pm to Midnight Visitation Funeral services with honors will be held
Thursday, February 16, 2012
1:00pm
Beth El Hebrew Congregation
3830 Seminary Road
Alexandria, VA 22304
(703) 370-9400
http://www.bethelhebrew.org Interment will follow at:
Ivy Hill Cemetery
2823 King Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22302-4012
Telephone: 703.549.7413
*Parking details will be provided at a later time. At the request of the Weissman family, condolences and donations may be sent to:
Joshua A. Weissman Memorial Fund
c/o Alexandria Firefighters, Inc - IAFF Local 2141
4600 Duke Street, Suite 429
Alexandria, VA 22304
Due to space limitations at the funeral home and Beth El Hebrew Congregation, seating is limited. The public is advised to dress appropriately for waiting in outdoor winter weather.
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