Alexandria Mom's Calendar of Events

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Flowers

I love having fresh flowers in the house!
AND
I am SO ready for Spring!



Nonprofit Arts & Culture Organizations Generate


For Immediate Release: March 9, 2013

Nonprofit Arts & Culture Organizations Generate $70.7 Million in Economic Impact for City of Alexandria
City Recognized as one of 44 Top ArtPlaces in the U.S

The City of Alexandria Office of the Arts and the Alexandria Convention & Visitors Association announced a $70.7 million in economic impact for the arts at an event on March 5, 2013. During the program, the city was recognized as one of 44 Top ArtPlaces in the U.S.
The city’s arts economic impact figures are from the Arts and Economic Prosperity IV national study conducted by Americans for the Arts, the country’s leading nonprofit arts advocacy organization. Using data from 2010, the study shows that the nonprofit arts and culture industry generates $70.7 million in annual economic activity in Alexandria.
  • $70.7 million in spending includes:
    • $26.1 million by nonprofit arts and culture organizations
    • 44.6 million in event-related spending by their audiences
  • Generating:
    • $4.8 million in local and state government revenue
    • Almost $38 million in household income to local residents
  • Supporting:
    • 1,774 full-time equivalent jobs
$44.6 million in event-related spending by audiences of Alexandria’s nonprofit arts and culture industry directly supports the city’s non-arts businesses. As a result of attending a cultural event, attendees often eat dinner in local restaurants, pay for parking, buy gifts and souvenirs, and pay a babysitter. What’s more, attendees from out of town often stay overnight in a local hotel. Audiences in Alexandria surveyed as part of the study report spending an average of $19 above the admission price when attending a cultural event in Alexandria.
Randy Cohen, Americans for the Arts’ Vice President of Research and Policy, presented the study’s findings to Alexandria leaders, stakeholders, and arts organizations at the March 5 event, and provided strategies for the local community to leverage the impact figures to gain support for arts programs.
“This study shines a much-needed light on the vital role the arts play in stimulating and sustaining economic development,” said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts, in a statement. “Contrary to popular belief, the arts are a bustling industry that supports a plethora of diverse jobs, generates significant revenues for local businesses and to federal, state and local governments and provides quality of life that positions communities to compete in our 21st century creative economy.”
The Arts and Economic Prosperity IV study is part of the most comprehensive economic impact study of the nonprofit arts and culture industry ever conducted in the United States and shows that the arts industry also helps to support other local businesses. For more information about the study, visit www.AmericansForTheArts.org/EconomicImpact
For the Alexandria study, visit http://alexandriava.gov/Arts
Alexandria was recognized as one of America’s Top ArtPlaces, among 44 communities named in 2013. America’s Top ArtPlaces are neighborhoods where the arts are central to creating the kinds of places where people want to live, work and visit. The accolade heralds Alexandria as a community with a "backbone of creative culture . . . exceptionally successful at combining art, artists and venues for creativity and expression with independent businesses, retail shops and restaurants, and a walkable lifestyle to make vibrant neighborhoods." Lyz Crane, Director of Partnerships and Special Projects for ArtPlace, presented a certificate to the City.
For more information about America’s Top ArtPlaces 2013, visithttp://www.artplaceamerica.org/articles/americas-top-artplaces-2013-2/
For more information, contact Diane Ruggiero, Deputy Director, City of Alexandria Department Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities at 703.746.5590 ordiane.ruggiero@alexandriava.gov, and Claire Mouledoux, Communications Manager, City of Alexandria Convention & Visitors Association at 703.652.5367 orcmouledoux@visitalexva.com.  

"Blue Park" Survey

The Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities is scheduling renovation of the Hooffs Run Park playground (also known as "Blue Park") located at 99 East Rosemont Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22301. The renovation will include replacement of existing play equipment, rubberized safety surfacing, new site furnishings, and plantings.

The goal of this survey is to understand how the playground is currently used, and what residents would like to see included in the new playground design. The proposed playground designs will be presented at several playground open houses to be scheduled this spring.


http://survey.alexandriava.gov/s3/HooffsRunPlaygroundSurvey

Friday, March 8, 2013

365 - only me

why is it only me that deals with this?

I'm going to see how long this lasts....


Thursday, March 7, 2013

365 - sort of

Ok, so I'm getting back to taking a photo a day.  I'm not sure I'll really do one every day... I'll try! 

Yesterday snow and slush, today daffodils blooming 



Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery on March 10



The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Alexandria Fire Department recommend that you schedule battery replacements for the same day you change your clocks to daylight savings time from standard time in the Spring. To ensure your smoke alarms work when you need them, change your batteries at least once a year. Install a new battery of the proper type and never use rechargeable batteries. On Sunday, March 10, we will be moving our clocks ahead. As a reminder, when you change your clock, change your batteries too. It could save you and your family


Wednesday, March 6, 2013

rainy day snack

notice I didn't say snowy day snack?  
that's cuz we didn't get any measurable snow.  All I got was slush!  
We are all disappointed!  



My slush!


Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Winter Storm


Winter Storm Warning
For Immediate Release: March 5, 2013
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the City of Alexandria beginning at midnight tonight, through 3 a.m. on Thursday, March 7. City officials are preparing for a possible Level 2 storm, as defined by the Alexandria Winter Weather Emergency System.
In a Level 2 storm, roads are expected to be snow covered and driving conditions hazardous. City snow removal crews will work first to make snow covered roads passable for emergency and public utility vehicles. Crews will then return to make roads passable for all vehicles. Residents, property owners, and businesses are reminded to clear snow from their sidewalks to help ensure safe mobility across the city. Residents are also asked to help clear snow and ice around storm drains, catch basins and hydrants.
The City urges residents to be prepared in case of a snow emergency. Visit the City’s webpage for winter preparedness tips.
For information about Alexandria's Winter Weather Emergency System and other snow-related topics, visit alexandriava.gov/Snow. For more information or to report a problem, call 703.746.HELP (4357). For power outages, contact Dominion Virginia Power at1.866.366.4357.

Monday, March 4, 2013

City Manager to Make Presentation on Proposed FY 2014 Budget


For Immediate Release: March 4, 2013

WHEN:Wednesday, March 6, 7 p.m.
WHERE:Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke St.
WHO:City Manager Rashad M. Young
WHAT:The public is invited to attend an informal presentation of the Proposed Fiscal Year 2014 budget by City Manager Rashad M. Young on Wednesday, March 6, at Beatley Central Library. This is one of several opportunities for members of the community to learn more about the Proposed Budget.
For more information, contact Jerome Fletcher, Special Assistant to the City Manager, atJerome.fletcher@alexandriava.gov.

Story of my Life