Titan Expo Collecting Books

Titan Expo Book Collection Sites are Ready for your Donations!

We want your books (all ages, fiction, non-fiction, hard- and paperback, 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, 22302)

·< span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman";">         YMCA (420 E Monroe St, 22301)

·         Chinquapin Rec Center (3210 King St, 22302)

·         MacArthur Elementary School (1101 Janneys Lane, 22302)

·         Hammond Middle School Campus (4646 Seminary Road, 22304)

·         Fairlington Community Center (3308 S. Stafford St, Arlington, 22206)

·  &nb sp;      US Patent and Trademark Office – Coming Soon!

Contact Michael Quint at mquint3820@gmail.com if you would like to serve as a Collection Site Coordinator and deliver books to the storage facility, or if you would like to suggest another collection site, or if you would like to volunteer the day of the Expo (volunteers get “first dibs” on the massive inventory!).

articipate in the Civic Engagement Poll Online Through April 9

Participate in the Civic Engagement Poll Online Through April 9

At the What’s Next Alexandria Community Dialogue held on January 29, community members worked together to develop principle statements to guide public participation in Alexandria. Since then, community facilitators collaborated with staff to synthesize the 17 principle statements into eight. Did we get it right? Do they convey what you think should be included in Alexandria’s Principles of Civic Engagement?

Participate in ACTion Alexandria's Civic Engagement Principles online poll to review the principles and answer a few short questions. Your feedback is important!  

To take the online poll, visit: http://actionalexandria.org/alexandrias-principles-civic-engagement

City Seeks public Comment to re name field

For Immediate Release: March 21, 2013

City of Alexandria Seeks Public Comment on Proposal to Rename Braddock Field to Honor Lenwood “Lenny” Harris

The City of Alexandria is seeking public comment on a proposal to rename the Braddock Field at George Washington Park, located at 1005 Mt. Vernon Ave., Lenny Harris Field (intersection of E. Braddock Rd. & Mt. Vernon Ave.). The proposal was forwarded by the Lenny Harris Legacy Corporation.

Lenny Harris founded Operation Hope, an Alexandria based organization that sponsored many programs for youth and teens, in addition to initiating and giving support to many political activities and programs for community development. He also founded the "One Love Festival," an annual festival initiated for the purpose of bringing people together in unity and love to foster positivity and self-empowerment. He was involved in many grass roots programs for over twenty-five years, sat on several committees for community and social development, and supported many programs for youth which were successful due to his personal touch with the community. Lenny’s real strength was his never ending commitment to be the voice of the people and of those who may otherwise be underserved or left out.

The public is invited to provide comment on the proposal to name the field Lenny Harris Field through Friday, April 12. Those interested in providing comments will be able to record their comments by email to jack.browand@alexandriava.gov,  subject line: Lenny Harris Field, or may be mailed to RPCA, Attn: Jack Browand, 1108 Jefferson St., Alexandria VA 22314. All comments received or postmarked by Friday, April 12 will be reviewed by the City Council Naming Committee.

For additional information, contact Jack Browand, Division Chief, at 703.746.5504 or by email at jack.browand@alexandriava.gov. 

City of Alexandria to Hold Annual Earth Day Tree Sale on Saturday, April 20

City of Alexandria to Hold Annual Earth Day Tree Sale on Saturday, April 20
"Great Trees, Great Prices, and Great for Alexandria"

The City Alexandria’s Park Operations and Natural Resources Division will hold a tree sale on Saturday, April 20 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Dr. The goal of the sale is to promote the preservation of the Alexandria’s tree canopy by encouraging the planting of trees on private property throughout the City.

The City’s tree supplier, Denison Landscaping and Nursery of Fort Washington, Maryland, will again provide a variety of trees, shrubs and annuals that are hardy and successful in this area. Trees and shrubs are sold in three to seven gallon containers that residents can easily handle and plant. Download the List of Available Trees for purchase and email or call the Urban Forestry Office to reserve your trees.

Residents can reserve trees for purchase in advance through Wednesday, April 17. No deposit is necessary. To reserve a tree, call the Park Operations and Natural Resources Division Office at 703.746.5498 or email dorothy.white@alexandriava.gov. When reserving your trees, please provide your name, telephone number, and the type and quantities of the tree that you plan to purchase.

Advance tree orders must be picked up between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 20. Reserved trees not picked up by 10 a.m. on the day of the sale will be made available to the public.

For additional information, call the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities’ Park Operations and Natural Resources Division at 703.746.5498.

The City of Alexandria is committed to compliance with the City’s Human Rights Code and the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation or to request materials in an alternative format, call Jerry Dieruf, Arborist, at 703.746.5498, (VA Relay 711) or e-mail jerry.dieruf@alexandriava.gov.  

UpCycle Classes

UpCycle's next session begins April 3rd and we have limited spaces available in our preschool enrichment class for 4 and 5 year olds on Wednesdays from 3:30 - 5 pm. Our classes offer children opportunities for hands-on explorations with arts media (clay, wire, paint) along with reusable materials. 
For more information or to register, please contact Kelley at kelleyorganek@hotmail.com. The class description is below and on our website (with pictures as well as the registration form) at: www.UpCycleCRC.weebly.com .-------------------------------------------------------Reggio Inspired Explorations for Preschoolers
Research shows that opportunities to work creatively with open-ended objects and art materials train the brain by developing problem-solving skills, focus, and persistence. In this setting children have time to engage with materials and each other to experiment and develop ideas. Teachers participate with the children and use their observations to design challenges for subsequent classes.

Dates: Wednesdays - April 3, 10, 17, 24, May 1, 8, 15, 22 (a make-up for inclement weather is scheduled on May 29)Times: 12:45 - 2:15 pm OR 3:30 - 5 pm Cost: $180 
Instructors: Eve LaMois and Suzanne Nealon (former Beverley Hills Church Preschool teachers)
Location: Convergence, 1801 N. Quaker Lane, Alexandria, VA 22302 

Let’s Talk Kids

Professionally Facilitated Parent Discussion

Fourth Tuesday of the month, starting March 26

10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

HOP - Hands On Play, 688 N. St. Asaph St., Alexandria

Some Topics for Discussion:

·       Developmental Milestones

·       Feeding issues

·       Navigating divorce with your child

·       Ways to improve communication between you and your child,

·       Separation and school anxiety

·       Types of early childhood interventions and how to access them

·       Appropriate discipline

·       Sensory integration/processing

Facilitated by:

Cathy Canfield, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Children’s Counseling of Alexandria

Amanda Kelley, MS, OTR/L

Occupational Therapist

Functional Therapy Solutions LLC

Jamey L. Lord, M.A.T. CCC-SLP

Speech Pathologist

Speech Beginnings, PLC

Kellie Meehan

Educational Consultant

CARES - Children's Academic Resource & Educational Services

For more information contact: cathy@alexandriachildrenstherapy.com

        

The Miracle League of Alexandria Seeks Time Capsule Items for the Kelley Cares Miracle Field

The Miracle League of Alexandria is seeking suggestions from the general public for items to be included in a time capsule to be installed at the Kelly Cares Miracle Field, Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson St. Suggestions will be accepted through Sunday, March 31, 2013.

The Kelley Cares Miracle Field, dedicated on November 17, 2012, was planned and constructed in under two years using a combination of City funds, in-kind donations for contractors, and private donations, exceeding $135,000, that were raised through the Miracle League of Alexandria in partnership with the Kelley Cares Foundation. The field provides a high-performing recreational space for City of Alexandria sports programming and is accessible for adults and youth with disabilities. The Surface is entirely covered in a rubber-like compound that allows a firm, yet cushioned surface for wheelchairs, walkers and people unsteady on their feet

Suggested time capsule items should relate to the history of the area where the field is located, 1108 Jefferson St., Alexandria, VA; previous uses of the field area and elementary school; and general information on the surrounding neighborhood. The Time Capsule will be installed on Opening Day of the Spring 2013 Miracle Baseball League in late April, and will remain sealed for 25 years.

Suggestions may be submitted by email to Mac Slover atmac.slover@alexandriava.gov or by mail to the: Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities, Attn: Mac Slover, 1108 Jefferson St., Alexandria, VA 22314 

The Alexandria convention & Visitors assoc wants to hear from you

We are excited to invite you to participate in a quick (3-5 minute) online survey about your perceptions of Alexandria, Virginia.  Your opinions are valuable whether you have been a lifelong Alexandrian resident, have been a long-time visitor to Alexandria, if you have visited Alexandria once or twice, and even if you have never stepped foot in Alexandria – we want to hear from you!

We are developing a new creative campaign for Alexandria and truly value your insights to shape the course of this endeavor.

To access the brief survey, please click here.

Thank you!

Alexandria Convention & Visitors Association

The Giving Circle of Alexandria Invests $50,000 to Expand Playgroups

The Giving Circle of Alexandria is pleased to announce that a $50,000 grant to the Center for Alexandria&#39;s Children will help expand the number of playgroups in the city for vulnerable children.  These playgroups help fill a critical gap in early childhood learning opportunities:  too many children enter kindergarten lacking the social skills and language development necessary to succeed.  We would like to thank all members of the community whose contributions to The Giving Circle have made the expansion of playgroups possible!  

The Giving Circle's mission is to invest strategically in Alexandria’s youngest children to enable them to reach their full potential.  If you'd like to learn more or contribute to The Giving Circle, please go to www.givingfullcircle.org

Below is a link to the Old Town Patch article on the grant to the Center for Alexandria&#39;s Children and a press release summarizing the purpose of the grant.  

http://oldtownalexandria.patch.com/articles/alexandria-playgroups-score-grant-funding

THE GIVING CIRCLE OF ALEXANDRIA INVESTS $50,000
TO EXPAND PLAYGROUPS FOR ALEXANDRIA&#39;S VULNERABLE CHILDREN

On
March 13, Nigel Morris, Chair of the Board of Directors for The Center for
Alexandria’s Children received a $50,000 check from Tracy Nickelsburg,
President of The Giving Circle of Alexandria. The grant’s purpose is to
strengthen and expand the Center’s developmental playgroups in the City of Alexandria for children
ages 0-5 and their parents and caregivers.

Giselle
Pelaez, Executive Director of the Center, noted “This grant is critical to expanding
our capacity this year to triple the number of weekly playgroups taking place
in the City from three to nine, and also supports the development of a Citywide
Playgroup Initiative that is marshaling the community’s talents and resources
to dramatically increase the number of children served.”

Playgroups
provide opportunities where children learn through play and adults learn about
child development and positive parenting strategies from experts and from each
other.  They fill a critical gap in early
childhood opportunities in our community where too many young
children lack the socialization and language development that they need to
enter school ready to learn. Playgroups also provide struggling families with
guidance and support in the challenges of parenting. Research shows that
maltreatment and neglect of very young children can have lifelong negative
consequences, but positive support can make a critical difference. 

Tracy
Nickelsburg stated, “The Giving Circle is committed to helping Alexandria’s youngest and most vulnerable
children prepare for success in school and in life.  We are so pleased to support the Center in
expanding services to this population.”

One
of the most important things communities can do is help families before there is problem. “Preventing abuse and strengthening
vulnerable families is the best way to end child abuse, and we are profoundly grateful for The
Giving Circle’s championship of this strategy serving the City’s most
vulnerable children and families,” Pelaez observed.

Please visit www.centerforalexandriaschildren.orgfor more information on the Center and www.givingfullcircle.orgfor more information on The Giving Circle.   

St. Patrick's Day Treat