Alexandria Chamber of Commerce is searching for a new leader

The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, an organization that has provided over a century of successful advocacy and service to the business community of Alexandria, VA and the Greater Metropolitan area of Washington, DC, is looking for a qualified candidate for the full-time position of President and Chief Executive Officer. The ideal candidate will possess the experience, knowledge, and political and diplomatic skills necessary to successfully lead the Chamber into its next 100 years, and to ensure that Alexandria remains a business friendly, innovative, and forward-looking community, while never forgetting its important historical past. 

Any candidate applying for this position should have significant experience and measurable success managing an organization dependent on membership growth, event and program management, and fund raising. Past experience managing the growth, and increasing the influence, of another Chamber of Commerce or similar organization would be a plus, as would demonstrable ability to collaborate with other government, economic and community entities similar to those found in the Alexandria area.

The President and CEO will represent the Chamber to local, state, and federal elected representatives and other governmental, business, non-profit, and community organizations and their senior staff; increase member growth, retention and involvement in Chamber activities; ensure the Chamber’s long-term financial success, and; manage the Chamber’s professional staff.

The President and CEO will also be expected to:
·         Ensure that the mission, goals, and policies of the Chamber are communicated to its various constituencies in a thoughtful, consensus-building manner, which foster complementary relationships and synergy on behalf of the business community with those persons and organizations.
·         Maintain an environment that fosters favorable relations with members of the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, Past Chairs, Past Presidents, committee volunteers, and members at large.
·         Serve on the boards of our community and economic partners.
·         Increase corporate sponsorships for Chamber events and identify and implement additional non-dues revenue opportunities and strategies.
·         Lead the Chamber in implementing and advocating public policy positions adopted by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) or the Executive Committee of the Board acting pursuant to the Bylaws of the Chamber.
·         Serve as an advisor to the Board and Chairman, and assisting the Chairman-elect in the review and planning of the Annual Plan.
·         Maintain appropriate staff support to Chamber committees.
·         Prepare and defend an annual operating budget covering all activities of the Chamber, subject to approval of the Board.
·         Execute the Chamber’s events in a first-class manner in keeping with the Chamber’s stature in the community, including timely and accurate recognition of the Chamber’s sponsors and supporters, as applicable, in print, through digital media, and at the event, and
·         Serve as the primary spokesperson for the Chamber, and support volunteer leadership in their role as additional spokespersons for the Chamber.

For any inquiries, or to submit your qualifications, please contact:

Robert Shea
Chair-Elect, Alexandria Chamber of Commerce
(703) 637-2780
Robert.Shea@us.gt.com

Going to miss the Giant in Del Ray

Posted on Delray Citizens List serve by

 

"Richard LeBaron" richardindelray

Too good not to share!


Although I now live in Alexandria part-time, I am still fond of the smallest Giant in the chain and I’ll regret the day its doors close, as early as September. My off and on romance with the store started around 1978, but I can’t imagine that it had changed much in the ten years previous.

— I’ll miss the total lack of new investment by corporate Giant that gave the place a tawdry charm all of its own. Of course didn’t have to be that way; they could have turned it into a great little specialty food store. And growing incomes in the once not so wealthy Del Ray would have supported it.

— I’ll miss the diversity of clientele — race, age, gender, class. We were there together; that’s rare. The talking drunks are fewer than they used to be, improbably replaced by the fit young things from the Y with their water bottles and rather limited appetites for real food. (Things got interesting during the overlap period.)

— I’ll miss a staff that seemed to fit the place and be proud to it. My own fault that I don’t know their names very well, but some of you do, and you should thank them for the time they gave to our neighborhood. I remember the tall skinny ageless manager who was there for many years — seemed part of the store’s soul.

— I’ll miss those great overhead light boards that tell you where everything is. Why don’t all stores have that? Are we supposed to memorize the canned tuna aisle?

— I’ll miss seeing people I haven’t seen in years. A carpenter/builder who endured the “encouragement” my spouse can provide generously especially when a job is not quite finished. I’ll miss seeing a work colleague in the parking lot I hadn’t seen since 1995 or so. I’ll miss the familiar faces of people I don’t know.

— I’ll miss walking to the store. Sure I have a car, but not everyone should have to own one just to go to the grocer. And walking is a good thing.

— I’ll miss that dreadful salad and soup bar, placed so that it was sort of like a welcome mat soaking up the grime from the outside. I know I’m being picky, but apparently others enjoyed its selections.

— I’ll miss the friendly size of the store. Big enough for any normal human beings needs. I don’t recall ever not finding what I needed, except when they had sales on Ben and Jerry’s in the middle of Summer. They may not have Icelandic yogurt, but who really needs it?

— I’ll miss telling people at our parties that the food was catered by the “Petit Giant.”

Times change. Our Giant didn’t. I’ll miss it.

DASH Major Schedule Changes Go Into Effect Sunday, August 9, 2015

On Sunday, August 9, 2015, DASH will implement the following schedule changes: 

AT1 WEEKENDS: 

• Weekend route will terminate at Van Dorn Metrorail Station and no longer service Eisenhower Valley
  
• Weekend service between Van Dorn and Eisenhower Metrorail Stations will be provided by the DASH AT5 route
  

AT5 WEEKENDS: 

• Weekend AT5 route will be extended to Eisenhower Metrorail Station
  
• Schedule modifications for improved service coordination
  
  
  

AT7 WEEKDAYS: 

• Weekday schedule modification for improved Metrorail connectivity
  

KING STREET TROLLEY 

• Increased service to every 10-15 minutes for improved frequency and capacity
  
  

As a reminder, please check all DASH routes for timetable adjustments for improved schedule adherence, coordinating, connectivity and service reliability

Please refer to the new DASH Ride Guide with the GREEN cover for routes and schedules. Click here to view the new DASH Ride Guide.

Alexandria Library Now Accepts Passport Applications

Alexandria Library is pleased to announce that it now accepts passport applications on behalf of the U.S. Department of State. U.S. citizens planning international travel may apply for their passports at Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library located on 5005 Duke Street. 

Our trained staff is available to help you with the submission of new passport applications, supply copies of applicable forms, and provide information on other passport services. Passport application review and submission services are offered on a first-come, first-served basis during the following times:

Tuesday through Thursday: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Saturday: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

           Sunday: 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

You will need the following items to apply for a passport:

            Passport application form DS-11

            Proof of U.S. citizenship

            Photo identification

            One 2”x2” passport photo

            Passport fees

For applications forms, information on documentation required, fees, and a wealth of other passport and information, visit the only official website for passport information — http://travel.state.gov. For more information, visit Alexandria Library’s Passport Page or call 703-746-1702.

VA 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.

Police Celebrate 32nd Annual National Night Out

On Tuesday, August 4, from 5:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M., City officials will partner with Alexandria Police to celebrate the 32nd Annual National Night Out.  The special celebration is part of a nationwide crime and drug prevention effort sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW).

To heighten awareness of crime prevention, residents in more than 30 Alexandria neighborhoods will turn on their porch lights, host neighborhood cook-outs and sponsor block parties in support of National Night Out. Mayor William D. Euille, City Manager Mark Jinks, members of City Council, and Chief of Police Earl L. Cook will reaffirm the City’s commitment to fighting crime by visiting residents throughout the City. 

McGruff the Crime Fighting Dog, K-9 Unit, Motor Unit, Bike Patrol, Command Bus, Armored Personnel Carrier, and the Crime Scene Mobile Lab will tour neighborhoods and offer special demonstrations. 

National Night Out, a year-long community building campaign, is designed to:

• Heighten crime prevention awareness; 
• Generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs; 
• Strengthen neighborhood spirit and law enforcement-community partnerships; 
• Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. 

“National Night Out is an great opportunity for the Alexandria Police Department to strengthen our existing relationships, forge new relationships with the community, and thank the residents for their vigilance and their dedication to keeping Alexandria a safe place to live, work and visit,” says Chief Cook. 

For more information on National Night Out 2015, call the Public Information Office at 703.746.6600.