Saturday, April 28, 2012
Police applications
Alexandria Police Officer application process is open on NeoGov. The next Police Test will be May 19. A current application must be on file in NeoGov to take the test. Please Apply Online: http://alexandriava.gov/jobs
FREE SAT/ACT assessments for 9th & 10th grade students
If you plan to go to college you must take either an ACT or SAT exam. But which one should you take? On Saturday, May 12, at 9 a.m., 9th and 10th graders can take a free Princeton Review SAT/ACT Assessment at T.C. Williams High School. The results of this assessment will help determine if a student would score higher on the SAT or the ACT. This assessment is open exclusively to ninth- and 10th-grade students, who must register on the Princeton Review website at http://www.princetonreview.com/ChooseProducts.aspx?&zipcode=22302&testtype=TBA&producttype=FRE&productdetail=PRA . On Thursday, May 31, Princeton Review will offer a “scores-back” session to help interpret the assessment results so that both students and their parents have a thorough understanding of which test is the better option. For more details, please stop by the T.C. Williams College and Career Center, Room A114, or contact College and Career Specialist Patricia Braun at 703-578-6250.
Police make arrests
FROM THE ALEXANDRIA POLIcE
Alexandria Police Make Arrests in Narcotics Investigation
Alexandria Police have charged James Hunter Hutchings, 31, and India Denise Powell, 30, with one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana, Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering, Conspiracy to Launder Money and the Importation of More than Five Pounds of Marijuana into the Commonwealth. These offenses carry a minimum punishment of 15 years in prison. The Importation charge carries a three-year mandatory minimum sentence.
These charges come following a nearly year-long joint undercover narcotics investigation. This investigation has been a cooperative effort between the Alexandria Police Department and the Alexandria Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, along with other law enforcement agencies from Virginia, Maryland and Arizona.
The investigation into this criminal enterprise revealed that the defendants were importing several hundred pounds of marijuana into Alexandria and the Washington Metropolitan region from the Tucson, Arizona area. Detectives have seized approximately 100 pounds of high-grade marijuana in this case during the course of this investigation.
Mr. Hutchings is being held without bond at the Adult Detention Center. Ms. Powell is being held at the Prince George’s County Adult Detention Center, awaiting extradition to Alexandria. A third defendant, Ernest Earl Hemby, 41, remains at-large and is wanted on four felony indictments of Distributing Marijuana, Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering, Conspiracy to Launder Money and the Importation of More than Five Pounds of Marijuana into the Commonwealth.
This is an ongoing investigation and additional charges may be pending.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Thursday, April 26, 2012
ABsentee Voting Begins 4/27
Absentee Voting Opens for Eligible City Voters on April 27
For Immediate Release: April 26, 2012
On Tuesday, June 12, there will be a Republican Primary for U.S. Senate and a Democratic Primary for U.S. House of Representatives and Alexandria City Council. There is no party registration in Virginia, however, voters may only vote in one primary and are required to express their political party ballot choice.
Absentee voting for the June 12 primaries begins on Friday, April 27. Many Alexandria voters are eligible to vote absentee, but relatively few take advantage of this option. There are several qualifying circumstances. For example:
- You commute and work for 11 of the 13 hours the polls are open. (Take into account those days when traffic is heavy or the weather is bad and it takes longer than usual to get to and from work.)
- You are a caregiver for a confined family member.
- You are unable to go to the polls in person on Election Day because of an illness or disability.
- You will be absent from Alexandria on Election Day because of personal business, work, school, or vacation.
To learn more about these and other circumstances in which absentee voting is an appropriate option, visit alexandriava.gov/Elections and click “Absentee Voting,” or call 703.746.4050.
Absentee Voting in Person
You can cast your absentee ballot in person at the Alexandria Voter Registration Office,
132 North Royal Street, Suite 100, or by mail. In-person absentee voting hours are as follows.
132 North Royal Street, Suite 100, or by mail. In-person absentee voting hours are as follows.
Regular Hours for in-person absentee voting:
- Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Closed Monday, May 28)
Extended hours for in-person absentee voting:
- Tuesday, May 29, 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 30, 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Thursday, May 31, 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, June 2, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Monday, June 4, 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, June 5, 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, June 9, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The deadline for absentee voting in person is Saturday, June 9, at 5 p.m.
Absentee Voting By Mail
If you wish to absentee vote by mail, download an application from alexandriava.gov/Elections , or contact the Voter Registration Office to have an application mailed to you.
- The last day to apply for an absentee ballot by mail or fax is Tuesday, June 5. The application must be received by the Registration Office by 5 p.m. on that day.
- Mailed absentee ballots must be received by the Voter Registration Office on or before Election Day, Tuesday, June 12, at 7 p.m. For more information, call703.746.4050.
For complete information on this election, including voter registration deadlines, sample ballots, campaign finance reports and precinct maps, visit alexandriava.gov/Elections.
Spring2ACTion for Senior Services 5/2
| Celebrate National Older Americans Month and show you care about Alexandria's older residents by donating to Senior Services of Alexandria during Spring2ACTion on Wednesday, May 2, 2012.
Donations start at an affordable $10 and every penny makes a difference!
Plus, your gift is worth even more when it is made to SSA. The Mason Hirst Foundation will donate an additional $500 when SSA raises $500 on its own.Please help us reach this goal!
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What will your donation support?
Each year, Senior Services of Alexandria provides free or low-cost services to over 3,000 City of Alexandria residents age 60 and older through the following programs and events:
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| Remember:
On Wednesday, May 2, 2012, go to
www.SeniorServicesAlex.org and follow the instructions to make your online donation to SSA.
Need help? If you need assistance making your online donation, please call us at (703) 836-4414, ext 14, and we can walk you through the process, or stop by our Old Town Alexandria office for refreshments and in-person instructions. Directions are available on our website. Want to do more? Please forward this email to your friends and family or donate your Facebook status to SSA during Spring2ACTion. All you have to do is request in your status update that your Friends join you in supporting SSA and Alexandria's older residents by making a donation during Spring2ACTion, and provide the link to our page. And while you're at it, "Like" us! 
700 Princess Street
Mezzanine Level
Alexandria, VA 22314
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FREE Speech Screening for Children in May
FROM NEIGHBORHOOD LIST SERV:
Speech Therapists of Old Town is offering FREE speech and language screenings for
all children during the month of May in honor of Better Speech and Hearing Month.
Each screening requires approximately 20 minutes and will be conducted by a licensed speech language pathologist in our offices at:
700 Princess St., Suite #202 (in the Wells Fargo Building on the corner of N. Washington St.).
Please call 703535-7841 to schedule an appointment or for more information.
**Children who already have an IEP or receive services are not eligible.
Jennifer LaFreniere, M.A., CCC-SLP
Director: Speech Therapists of Old Town
700 Princess St., Suite 202
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-535-7841
www.speechva.com
Speech Therapists of Old Town is offering FREE speech and language screenings for
all children during the month of May in honor of Better Speech and Hearing Month.
Each screening requires approximately 20 minutes and will be conducted by a licensed speech language pathologist in our offices at:
700 Princess St., Suite #202 (in the Wells Fargo Building on the corner of N. Washington St.).
Please call 703535-7841 to schedule an appointment or for more information.
**Children who already have an IEP or receive services are not eligible.
Jennifer LaFreniere, M.A., CCC-SLP
Director: Speech Therapists of Old Town
700 Princess St., Suite 202
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-535-7841
www.speechva.com
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Spring to ACTion for TC
Next week, TC Williams PTSA has the opportunity to raise $5,000 with the online fundraiser Spring2Action! Go TC's page http://spring2action.razoo.com/story/Tc-Williams-Ptsa and schedule your donation for Wednesday, May 2 or mark your calendar to donate that day! Our goal is to get 500 donors to give $10 each for our teacher and student organization grants. We are competing with other Alexandria non-profits to win prizes for most donors so please give on May 2nd! Pass this on to your friends and family! Jack Taylor Alexandria Toyota will give $500 for 500 donors!
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
FROM THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA:
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
A child is abused or neglected every 86 minutes in Virginia. Every 12 days, a child dies from abuse or neglect. Governor Bob McDonnell has officially recognized April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in the Commonwealth. This designated month is not only a time to become more educated about abuse, neglect and prevention, but to also thank the many Child Protective Services workers and advocates.
You can report suspected abuse and neglect anonymously in Alexandria by calling 703.746.5800 or in Virginia by calling toll-free 1-800-552-7096. Parents who are struggling and stressed can call 1-800-CHILDREN (800-244-5373) toll-free for tips, support and information on calming a crying baby, caring for children and more.
To learn more about Alexandria Child Protective Services visit http://alexandriava.gov/
Transitioning for College for kids with special needs
Here is a great resource for parents and their children with special needs. It walks you through the steps for preparing for college and transitioning to the next step.
http://www.going-to-college.org/overview/index.html
This resource is from Virginia Commonwealth University and the U.S. Department of Education.
http://www.going-to-college.org/overview/index.html
This resource is from Virginia Commonwealth University and the U.S. Department of Education.
Youth Information
FROM THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA: Center for Children and Families, Department of Community and Human Services
Careers/Volunteerism
TeensWork! Seeking Summer Work SitesTeensWork! of JobLink hopes to place 153 youth in jobs throughout the community for twenty hours per week of meaningful work between July 9 – August 17. Salaries will be paid by TeensWork! Interested employers should submit a job request form; questions should be directed to Lissette Pippy at (703) 746-5880.
Nominate Youth for Doing the Right Thing AwardThe purpose of the award is to recognize and salute outstanding Alexandria youth who strive hard to achieve good academic standing, work hard to demonstrate a positive attitude, serve as a role model for their peers, and continue to volunteer to assist the growth and development of their community. Nominations must be submitted by May 4.
Project Ready: MentorThe Northern Virginia Urban League has launched Project Ready: Mentor, a new mentoring service for African-American and other urban youth ages 11-18 that are particularly vulnerable to disengagement from school, community, and the world of work. A job description outlines the responsibilities of mentors, who must submit an application.
REAL Change Scholarship ProgramRESULTS Education Fund is offering scholarships that cover 75% of the total cost of attending its annual conference in July. Applicants must be 18-25 years old, a current Results activist, or have a demonstrated interest in RESULTS advocacy. Nominations and applications are due May 15.
TOP Soccer Needs Players
FROM PEATC (Parent Education Advocacy Training Center):
If you have a child with a disability, age 4-19 who is interested in registering for soccer, please send your registration request to:
Kathy Martin, martin.kathy@verizon.net
Registration fee is $15 per season.
The coaches will assign each player to either session 1 or 2.
2012 SPRING SEASON CALENDAR
Game Days: April 14, 21, 28, May 5, 12, 19, 26, and (June 2, 9 for make ups)
Session 1: 3pm - 3:45pm
Session 2: 4pm - 4:45pm
Location: Freedom Hill Elementary School - 1945 Lord Fairfax Rd, Vienna, VA 22182
Planning Commission Public Hearing 5/3
Planning Commission Public Hearing – May 3, 2012
Beauregard Small Area Plan
There will be a Planning Commission Public Hearing on Thursday, May 3, 2012 at 7:30 PM in Alexandria City Hall in Council Chambers, which is located at 301 King Street. At this public hearing, the Planning Commission will hear a request to amend the Seminary Hill/Strawberry Hill and Alexandria West Small Area Plans, and to adopt the Beauregard Small Area Plan as a chapter of the City’s Master Plan.
The boundaries of the Beauregard Small Area Plan are located on the Beauregard Small Area Plan Boundary Map on the City’s website at www.alexandriava.gov/
The docket, staff report and various supporting documents are located online. Anyone wishing to speak at the Planning Commission Public Hearing can sign up at the meeting or in advance on the City's website.
FROM NEIGHBORHOOD LISTSERV:
FROM MOMentum Resources -
We have a new part-time (apx. 30 hours/week) Accounts Payable role (telecommuting) with a non-profit that provides internet access to needy individuals in public housing projects. The gist of the job is receiving the ISP bills, noting it in a spreadsheet and paying the bills in Peachtree, I believe. At $17/hr it's a fairly straight-forward endeavor, a nice job from home where you can do a great job on your own hours in fuzzy slippers with great music playing.It's a 6-8 week role starting apx. 5/15 as a maternity leave replacement.
Join Congressman Moran in Support of Autism Legislation
Join Congressman Moran in Support of Autism Legislation
On Friday, Rep. Moran will hold a press conference on Capitol Hill to publicly announce legislation, “the AUTISM Educators Act of 2012,” that will provide training for educators of public school students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Please join Rep. Moran in support of the bill!
Event Details:
What: Press conference to announce legislation to improve public education for children with Autism
Who: Rep. Jim Moran
Other co-sponsors of the legislation, TBD
Parents, teachers and local stakeholders
Where: House Triangle (image below)
U.S. Capitol
Rain location: 441 Cannon HOB
When: Friday, April 27, 2012; 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
If you plan to attend, please RSVP by Thursday, April 26th to Anne Hughes atAnne.Hughes@mail.house.gov or 202-225-4376.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
ACPS Standards Based IEP Workshop 5/1
FROM THE ACPS PARENT RESOURCE CENTER:
May 1: Standards Based IEPs Workshop
7-8:30 pm Minnie Howard Media Center, 3801 W. Braddock Rd.
A standards-based Individualized Education Program (IEP) describes a process in which the IEP team has incorporated state content standards in its development. The IEP is directly linked to Virginia’s course content Standards of Learning (SOL) for the grade in which the student is enrolled or will be enrolled. Find out more about the implementation of Standards-Based IEPs in Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS). Presented by Cindy Mohn, Procedural Coordinator, ACPS.
Positive Discipline Workshop 4/25
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Civil War 150th Concert featuring the Washington Revels Heritage Voices at Fort Ward
FROM THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA:
Civil War 150th Concert featuring the Washington Revels Heritage Voices at Fort Ward
Thursday, May 24 at 7 p.m.
Enjoy an evening concert of songs from the Civil War era performed by the Washington Revels Heritage Voices on May 24, 2012 in the Fort Ward Park amphitheatre. The program, sponsored by the Office of Historic Alexandria in recognition of the Civil War Sesquicentennial, will begin at 7 p.m. and is free to the public. A rain date is scheduled for May 31 at 7 p.m.
The Washington Revels celebrate the history and cultural traditions of the Washington area and beyond. Their repertoire of Civil War music includes military and patriotic songs, African American spirituals, and popular folk tunes from the period. Featured selections will range from the 1863 camp song, “Tenting on the Old Camp Ground,” to the well known African American spiritual, “Oh, Freedom.” Each selection in the program will be preceded by a brief introduction highlighting the song’s historical significance to the Civil War period. The public will also be able to purchase the Washington Revels’ CD, Hard Times Come Again No More: American Music of the Civil War Era.
Fort Ward is the best preserved fortification in the Defenses of Washington, an extensive defense system built to protect the Union capital during the Civil War. The Museum offers changing exhibits, tours, lectures, and interpretive programs throughout the year. The amphitheatre is located in the historic park. Fort Ward Museum and Park is located at 4301 West Braddock Road.
For more information, please visit www.fortward.org, or call 703.746.4848.
Commission on Aging to Present Excellence in Aging Awards
FROM THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA:
The Alexandria Commission on Aging cordially invites you to attend the presentation of the 2012 Excellence in Aging Awards Tuesday, May 8, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Vola Lawson Lobby at City Hall.
Each year the Excellence in Aging Awards are given to individuals and organizations that have shown exemplary efforts in helping the City’s older residents maintain their independence and live their lives to the fullest. This year’s award winners are: Richard (Dick) Moose who will receive the Annie B. Rose Lifetime Achievement Award; David Baker who will receive the Lois Van Valkenburgh Excellence in Aging Award for an Individual; and two Excellence in Aging Awards for an Organization will be presented to Adult Companion Care, Inc. and the Rotary Club of Alexandria.
In addition, the Commission on Aging, in conjunction with Senior Services of Alexandria, will recognize two Senior Taxi Drivers, Shahid Ahmed and Abdulkadir Abdi for their compassionate and courteous service to seniors.
The event, which coincides with the national observance of Older Americans Month, is open to the public. Refreshments will be served. For more information about the program, or the Commission on Aging and its activities, please call 703.746.5694.
Jones point construction meeting 5/1
Jones Point Park Construction Community Liaison Group Meeting Scheduled for Tuesday, May 1
To ensure construction activities continue with little disruption, and to continue to provide a forum for open dialogue with the surrounding community, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), with participation of the National Park Service and City of Alexandria, created a Community Liaison Information Group on Jones Point Park Construction. The final meeting of the liaison group is scheduled for Tuesday, May 1 at 7 p.m. at the Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson Street.
The purpose of the meeting is to allow for liaison members and the public to ask questions and receive an update on ongoing Jones Point Park construction activities. The meeting is open to the public and will include representatives from the project’s managing parties -- VDOT and the National Park Service--as well as staff from the City of Alexandria.
The Community Liaison Information Group is comprised of representatives from resident groups that may be most impacted by ongoing work at Jones Point Park. In addition, group members are identified as direct points of contact for gathering information on neighborhood concerns or questions, and have direct contact to VDOT to address such items as they arise.
The meeting is expected to last approximately one hour. For additional information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/recreation.
Monday, April 23, 2012
ACTion Alexandria - Ask the City Council Candidates
FROM ACTion Alexandria:
It's Your Turn to Ask the City Council Candidates!
What would you ask the City Council candidates?
Civic engagement is what ACTion Alexandria is all about and what's more civic than voting? It's been a boisterous year in city politics, and with more than a baker's dozen worth of candidates running for City Council, it's hard for a lot of us to figure out which candidates best represent our vision for our community.
So, we are turning the tables on traditional political debates by givingYOU the starring role in our online forum.
To post your question, click "Add Your Idea" below and ask away!
It's Your Turn to Ask the City Council Candidates!
What would you ask the City Council candidates?
Civic engagement is what ACTion Alexandria is all about and what's more civic than voting? It's been a boisterous year in city politics, and with more than a baker's dozen worth of candidates running for City Council, it's hard for a lot of us to figure out which candidates best represent our vision for our community.So, we are turning the tables on traditional political debates by givingYOU the starring role in our online forum.
It's your turn to Ask The Candidates!
If you were moderator of your own City Council candidate debate, what would you ask the candidates? Now's your chance to let the candidates know what you think are the important issues.Post Your Question
Post your questions in our public forum and/or vote up the questions you most want City Council candidates to answer, and we'll make sure the candidates see them and work with the candidates and political parties to get some responses. Let's create a public forum where everyone can see what Alexandria residents think are the important issues.To post your question, click "Add Your Idea" below and ask away!
Drug Take Back Day - 4/28
Alexandria Police Partner with DEA for Nationwide Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
The Alexandria Police Department and the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office have partnered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in the “Take-Back” initiative that seeks to prevent increased pill abuse and theft.
On Saturday, April 28, 2012, from 10 A.M. – 2 P.M., the two Alexandria law enforcement agencies, with cooperation from the Substance Abuse Coalition of Alexandria, will be collecting potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs and other medications for destruction at three sites in the City. The sites include the new Police Headquarters, located at 3600 Wheeler Avenue, the Del Ray Pharmacy Parking Lot, located at 2204 Mount Vernon Avenue, and the George Washington Masonic Memorial, located at 101 Callahan Drive. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Many Americans are not aware that medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are increasing at alarming rates, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away – both potential safety and health hazards.
These drugs are a potential source of supply for illegal use and an unacceptable risk to public health and safety. This one-day effort is intended to bring national focus to the issue of increasing pharmaceutical controlled substance abuse.
Fort Tours in Honor of Armed Forces Day at Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site 5/19
FROM THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA:
Fort Tours in Honor of Armed Forces Day at Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site
Saturday, May 19, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Soldier-led tours of historic Fort Ward will be held in honor of Armed Forces Day on Saturday, May 19 at Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site. Tours are scheduled at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and last 90 minutes each. The tours are free, and begin in the Museum. No reservations are required. Tours are weather dependent.
The tours will feature Museum staff member Kevin Moriarty in Union uniform, providing an orientation to the Defenses of Washington and a guided tour of historic Fort Ward, one of the largest of the forts that guarded the Federal capital during the Civil War. Learn about how a Civil War fort was built, soldier life in the Washington area, and weaponry of the period. In addition to viewing many of the fort’s preserved earthen remains, participants will visit the reconstructed Officers’ Hut, furnished as a typical quarters in the Defenses of Washington, the fort’s reconstructed ceremonial entrance gate, and the fully restored Northwest bastion of the fort.
Fort Ward is the best preserved fortification in the Civil War Defenses of Washington, an extensive system of forts built to protect the Union capital during the Civil War. The Museum offers changing exhibits, tours, lectures, and interpretive programs throughout the year. Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site is located at 4301 West Braddock Road.
For more information, please visit www.fortward.org, or call 703.746.4848.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Duncan library book sale
Friends of Duncan Library
Spring Book and Media Sale
May 2-5, 2012
James M. Duncan Branch Library
2501 Commonwealth Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22301
(703) 746-1705
duncanlibraryfriends@gmail.com
All proceeds benefit Duncan Library
May 2 7-9 pm (Friends Preview Night, membership available at the door)
May 3 10 am-7 pm
May 4 10 am-6 pm
May 5 10 am-3 pm
**May 5, 11 AM, Free performance by The Great Zucchini for preschoolers and kindergartners in Duncan Library
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