Senior Services "Senior Academy"

Senior Services of Alexandria is pleased to announce a new program that we
have developed in partnership with Alexandria's Office of Communications.

The "Senior Academy" is a four-week course designed to provide Alexandria's
seniors with an opportunity to gain exposure to the City's various
government functions, learn about local organizations that provide services
and programs for our senior community, and help seniors get involved!
Classes will be held each Wednesday from 10am-noon on September 9, 16, 23
and 30. Attendees will "graduate" during the October 13 City Council
Meeting. I have attached a copy of the draft agenda and the marketing
postcard we are distributing to promote the event.

The topics included are:

* Getting to know your City and How you can Make a Difference!

* Community Resources

* City Services for Seniors

* Leisure, Cultural and Educational Opportunities.

Since space is limited to just 25 City residents aged 60+, and we would
appreciate your sharing this information with your contacts so they may sign
up before the August 14 deadline. The program is free and we will be
serving light refreshments each morning. 

If you have any questions please contact me at
<mailto:executivedirector@seniorservicesalex.org>
executivedirector@seniorservicesalex.org or 703-836-4414, ext. 111.

Movies Under The Stars

The public is invited to attend Wednesday & Saturdayoutdoor movies on a three-story high movie screen under the stars at City parks. All movies begin at approximately 8:30 pm(at dusk). Admission is free. Wednesday, July 22: The Croods Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Dr. Saturday, August 1: Pirates of the Caribbean – The Curse of the Black Pearl John Carlyle Park, 300 John Carlyle St. Saturday, August 22: Hook Waterfront Park, 1A Prince St. Wednesday, September 2: Tangled Market Square, 301 King St. Free popcorn and water will be available and guests may bring blankets or low beach chairs to sit on. Coolers and outside food items are welcome. In the event of rain, the evening's film showing will be cancelled.

Back to School Sales Tax Holiday 8/7-8/9

Virginia shoppers get a break from local and state sales tax on qualifying back-to-school, emergency preparedness and energy efficient items during the state’s sales tax holiday, Friday, Aug. 7 through Sunday, Aug. 9, 2015. New legislation enacted by the 2015 General Assembly combined Virginia’s three existing sales tax holidays into one, three-day holiday in August. Previously, the August sales tax holiday only applied to qualifying back-to-school items. For detailed information on the combined holiday, refer to the department's Combined Sales Tax Holiday Guidelines and Rules.  Overview of Exempt Items include: Qualifying school supplies - $20 or less per item Qualifying clothing and footwear - $100 or less per item   Portable generators - $1,000 or less per item Gas-powered chainsaws - $350 or less per item Chainsaw accessories - $60 or less per item Other specified hurricane and emergency preparedness items - $60 or less per item  Energy Star labeled dishwashers, clothes washers, air conditioners, ceiling fans,  light bulbs, dehumidifiers, and refrigerators - $2,500 or less per item purchased for noncommercial home or personal use WaterSense labeled bathroom sink faucets, faucet accessories such as aerators and shower heads, toilets, urinals, and landscape irrigation controllers - $2,500 or less per item purchased for noncommercial home or personal use Notable additions to the list of qualifying items from previous years include certain computer supplies priced at $20 or less per item, such as computer storage media and printer paper, and all light bulbs affixed with the Energy Star label. For additional information on the sales tax holiday, including detailed lists of qualifying items, visit the department’s Sales Tax Holiday web page.

Volunteers Needed For National Night Out on 8/4

Alexandria will again join communities across the country in celebration of National Night Out on Tuesday, August 4. For those who have not experienced this event, it is a fun evening where over 30 neighborhoods around the City host activities, block parties, barbeques, etc. with the goal of preventing crime by building a sense of community. 

Last year, a number of ACAP members visited neighborhoods and provided outreach regarding teen pregnancy prevention. We will partner with the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria and the Gang Prevention Task Force, forming teams, and “covering the City” with messages about our work.

Responsibilities include:

• Meeting at City Hall on August 4 at 5:30 p.m., joining a team, and receiving neighborhood assignments
• Driving to assigned neighborhood events and interacting with neighbors (tell them about your role and involvement – talking points and flyers will be provided)
• Having fun!

The time commitment will be from approximately 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Please let me know by August 1 if you want to join us this year!

Lisette Torres, MPA/MPL

Coordinator, Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy 

City of Alexandria, Virginia

421 King Street, Suite 400

Alexandria, VA 22314

Office: 703.746.3130

Mobile: 703.717.8336

Visit us on the web:  KeepIt360.org

Twitter:  twitter.com/acap_VA

Facebook:  facebook.com/ACAP_VA

Docent-Led Tour of Friendship Firehouse Museum July 25

Volunteers, concerned for the well-being of Alexandria, formed the Friendship Fire Company in 1774. Come for an in-depth guided tour of Friendship’s firehouse and learn about the company’s firefighting procedures and equipment, as well as the different roles the organization played in serving the community.

Saturday, July 25, 11 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

For age 10 and older.  $5 for adults, $4 ages 10-17.  Reservations are required, as space is limited.  Telephone 703.746.4994, or see www.friendshipfirehouse.net.

The Friendship Fire Company, established in 1774, was the first fire company in Alexandria.  Friendship members were volunteers motivated by their concern for the property and well-being of the community.

Today the Friendship Firehouse, built in 1855, is a museum open to the public.Buckets, hose, axes, Friendship’s mid-19^th century suction engine – elaborately decorated with the company’s clasped-hands insignia - are on view. Visitors also see the company’s ornate hose reel carriage that was made in Alexandria, and learn how the organization played a larger role in the community.  In addition to fighting fires, Friendship members participated in parades and performed ceremonial duties for civic events. In the firehouse Meeting Room ceremonial artifacts such as helmets, capes and other regalia, are exhibited alongside the room’s original furniture.

Friendship Firehouse Museum is located at 107 South Alfred Street in Old Town, Alexandria.  The site is open from 1-4 pm on Saturdays and Sundays; closed on major holidays.  The museum is owned and operated by the City of Alexandria, and managed by the City’s Office of Historic Alexandria.  Special programming is offered throughout the year.  For more information see www.friendshipfirehouse.net.; or contact the museum by calling 703.746.3891. 

Waterfront Movies this Weekend

Join the City for free movies on the waterfront on a four-story high movie screen in full HD in a beautiful outdoor setting under the stars at Waterfront Park, 1A Prince St. All movies begin at approximately 8 pm (dusk). Admission is free.

• Friday, July 24: Big Hero 6
• Saturday, July 25: Blank Check

Free popcorn and water will be available and guests may bring a picnic dinner. It is recommended that you bring blankets or low beach chairs to sit on. Coolers and outside food items are welcome. In the event of rain, the evening’s film is cancelled.

The City of Alexandria and Beasley Real Estate cosponsor the Movies on the Waterfront. Call the Special Events Hotline at 703.746.5592 for weather related cancellations.  

Visitors to the historic district are encouraged to take the Metro Yellow or Blue lines to the King Street Station in Old Town and take the King Street Trolley, take DASH or Metro Buses, or park in one of the convenient parking garages or lots. For DASH schedule information, call 703.370.DASH or visit www.dashbus.com.  For Metrobus schedule information, call 202.637.7000 or visit www.wmata.com.