Slug!

EWWWW......

Look what we woke up to in the walkway.  

(the leaf is there for size comparison) 

One very big SLUG!  

Alexandria Releases Comprehensive Profile of Children and Youth Well-Being and Drafts First Children and Youth Master Plan

Alexandria Releases Comprehensive Profile of Children and Youth Well-Being and Drafts First Children and Youth Master Plan

The members of the Alexandria Children, Youth and Families Collaborative Commission are pleased to announce the release of the Alexandria Children & Youth Well-Being Profile, the draft Children and Youth Master Plan and Plan Overview.

The Profile contains data and the latest research findings that were used to assess the state of Alexandria’s young people. The data comes from public records, such as the 2010 U.S. Census. It includes information on students who participated in two surveys: the Center of Disease Control’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) and the Search Institute’s Profiles of Student Life: Attitudes and Behaviors Survey.

As a companion document, the draft Children and Youth Master Plan provides a blueprint for improving outcomes for Alexandria’s children and youth. This Plan outlines an actionable vision that applies data-driven strategies, and focuses on specific, measurable goals. The Plan identifies priority areas, targeted outcomes, and sets forth a roadmap for creating positive outcomes. Based on the collective impact on all segments of the community, the plan encourages stakeholders to engage in collaborative efforts through cross-sector partnerships and initiatives.

Alexandria encourages all residents to get involved in addressing the issues raised by the Youth Profile and the priorities, goals and action strategies proposed in the draft Children and Youth Master Plan. Members of the community can comment on the draft Plan at the Comment Board, and attend one of the following community meetings where the Profile and Plan will be presented and input will be gathered.

• Thursday, November 7, 6:30-8:30 p.m. - William Ramsay Elementary School, 5700 Sanger Avenue

• Saturday, November 9, 10 a.m. - noon - Minnie Howard Campus of T. C. Williams, 3801 W. Braddock Road

• Thursday, November 14, 6:30-8:30 p.m. - Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe Street

Visit alexandriava.gov/DCHS for more information or contact Ron Frazier, Office of Youth Services Director, Department of Community & Human Services at 703.746.5970 orron.frazier@alexandriava.gov.

Sent on: 10/31 16:54

Gorgeous Colors!

Public Invited to Attend Informational Meeting about Future Changes along the Mt Jefferson Greenway/W&OD Trail

The public is invited to attend an informational meeting about modifications to the Mt. Jefferson Dog Exercise Area and the W&OD Trail on Saturday, November 9 at 10 a.m.The meeting will be held at the Mount Jefferson Unfenced Dog Exercise Area at the 200 & 300 Block of Raymond Ave. In the event of inclement weather, the meeting will be cancelled and re-scheduled.

The City of Alexandria Departments of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities and Transportation and Environmental Services are evaluating the following changes to the Mount Jefferson/WOD Trail:

1. Creating new pedestrian access at the dead end of Stewart Avenue. This area is City owned right of way and would provide a new access point to the greenway. In addition, it would provide a more suitable location for park maintenance access.
2. Relocating the existing off leash dog exercise area and determining a new location further south along the greenway. The current location has severe drainage issues, which affects the usability of the dog, run during wet conditions.

Persons unable to attend the meeting can send written comments to the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities, Attention: Judy Lo, 1108 Jefferson St., Alexandria, VA 22314, or e-mail judy.lo@alexandriava.gov.

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, contact Judy Lo at 703.746.5490 (Virginia Relay 711) or e-mail judy.lo@alexandriava.gov.

Safe Halloween

Have a Safe Halloween

There are many ways to keep your child safe at Halloween, when they are more prone to accidents and injuries. The excitement of children and adults sometimes makes them forget to be careful. Simple common sense can do a lot to prevent tragedies from happening.

Youngsters will be out and about on Halloween during evening hours and crossing streets in the dark. Motorists frequently use residential side streets as a cut-through during high volume traffic hours.

Here are a few Halloween safety tips to remember:

~Always use crosswalks and sidewalks and walk facing traffic
~Carry a flashlight or glow sticks
~Wear light colored clothing and reflective stickers on costumes
~Use face paint rather than full-face masks that can partially block your vision
~Only trick-or-treat at houses you know and that are well lit
~Travel in groups and children should always be with an adult
~Inspect all candy and treats before children eat them
~Notify police about any suspicious person or activity

HAVE A SAFE AND SPOOKY HALLOWEEN

Prescription Drug Take Back Day a Success in Alexandria

FROM THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA: 

Prescription Drug Take Back Day a Success in Alexandria

The Alexandria Police Department and the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office collected 243 pounds of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction at the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

On Saturday, October 26, from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M., the two Alexandria law enforcement agencies, with cooperation from the Substance Abuse Coalition of Alexandria, collected potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs and other medications for destruction at three sites in the City

Over 5,000 collections sites nationwide participated in the take back day program this past Saturday and over 3,150 pounds were collected in the Northern Virginia area alone.  In Alexandria, residents dropped off unused prescription medications at three drop sites in the City.  The sites included Police Headquarters, the Del Ray Pharmacy and the parking lot of the First Baptist Church. The service was free and anonymous.

Last spring, the two Alexandria law enforcement agencies collected over 196 pounds of prescription drugs for destruction in the third ever take back initiative.

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. 

Other participants in this initiative include the Partnership for a Drug-Free America; the International Association of Chiefs of Police; the National Association of Attorneys General; the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy; the Federation of State Medical Boards; and the National District Attorneys Association.

Whole lotta cooking going on

It's Fall, time to do some cooking.....
So, I spent the day doing a whole lot of it for the week.  

Tonight -- mussels in butter and wine.

Tomorrow, pasta with spinach cream and nutmeg sauce.

And finally lamb stew for the rest of the week.

YUM-MY!

Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery on November 3

Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery on November 3

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 from daylight savings time to standard time in the Fall. 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, November 3, we will be moving our clocks back. As a reminder, when you change your clock, change your batteries too. It could save you and your family.

Voting Information for Nov. 5 Election

Absentee Voting Deadline for November 5 General Election

For Immediate Release:  October 25, 2013

On Tuesday, November 5, there will be a General Election for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, House of Delegates, Commonwealth's Attorney and Sheriff. Alexandrians who qualify to vote absentee for this election may request an absentee ballot to be mailed to them, or cast an absentee ballot in person.

Absentee Voting By Mail

The deadline to submit an application to have an absentee ballot mailed is 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 29. Absentee ballot applications are available online atalexandriava.gov/Elections, or by contacting the Alexandria Voter Registration Office at703.746.4050. Completed (signed) absentee applications can be submitted in person or by mail to the Voter Registration Office (address below); or can be sent by fax(703.838.6449), or scanned email attachment to VoteAbsentee@alexandriava.gov.

Mailed absentee ballots must be received by the Voter Registration Office on or beforeTuesday, November 5, at 7 p.m. Mail ballots to the Office of Voter Registration and Elections, 132 N. Royal St. #100, Alexandria, VA 22314.

Absentee Voting in Person

The deadline for casting an absentee ballot in person is Saturday, November 2, at 5 p.m.In-person absentee voting hours and locations are as follows: 

 Office of Voter Registrations and Elections, 132 N. Royal St. #100  

• Thursday, October 24,  8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Friday, October 25,  8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Saturday, October 26,  8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Monday, October 28,  8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
• Tuesday, October 29,  8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
• Wednesday, October 30,  8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
• Thursday, October 31,  8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
• Friday, November 1,  8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Saturday, November 2,  8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library, 5005 Duke St.  

• Saturday, October 26,  10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Monday, October 28,  12 p.m. - 8 p.m.
• Tuesday, October 29,  12 p.m. - 8 p.m.
• Wednesday, October 30,  12 p.m. - 8 p.m.
• Thursday, October 31,  12 p.m. - 8 p.m.
• Friday, November 1,  12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
• Saturday, November 2,  10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

There are many reasons registered voters in the City of Alexandria may qualify to vote absentee, for example, if they are:

• Away on business, vacation, active military service, or at school.
• Working and commuting for 11 or more hours between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Election Day.
• A "first responder" (firefighter, law enforcement, emergency medical technician).
• Physically unable to go to the polls, or a primary caregiver for a family member who is ill.

For sample ballots and more information on absentee voting, seealexandriava.gov/Elections or call 703.746.4050.

Election Day Voting

On Tuesday, November 5, all regular polling places will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.However, there is one temporary polling place change—voters who usually cast their ballots at the Chinquapin Park Recreation Center (3210 King St.) will vote at First Baptist Church (2932 King St.).

For more information, contact Tom Parkins, General Registrar, at 703.746.4050 ortom.parkins@alexandriava.gov