37th Annual Memorial Day Jazz Festival

City of Alexandria to Host 37th Annual Memorial Day Jazz Festival on Monday, May 26 at Waterfront Park 

The City of Alexandria will host the 37th Annual Memorial Day Jazz Festival on Monday, May 26, beginning at 1 p.m. at Waterfront Park, located at 1A Prince St. The festival features a variety of talented and diverse styles of jazz throughout the day. In case of inclement weather, the festival will be relocated to the Lee Center’s Kauffman Auditorium, located at 1108 Jefferson St, Alexandria, Virginia, 22314. Admission is free. 

• 1 p.m. - The Jazz Festival opens with the U. S. Army Blues, part of the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own”. The U. S. Army Blues is the Army’s premiere jazz ensemble. This 18 piece ensemble is comprised of exceptional jazz musicians from across the nation, and present jazz music in the big band style from the 1920’s to the present. The Army Blues have performed at prestigious venues such as the Monterey Jazz Festival, the Montreux Jazz Festival, the famous Birdland jazz club in New York City, and the legendary Blues Alley club in Washington, DC. The musicians of the Army Blues perform regularly at the White House, the Vice President’s Residence, the State Department, and for high-level military protocol and ceremonial events in the Washington Metropolitan Area.
   
• 2 p.m. - The event continues with the Latin Fusion sounds of the band Ocho de Bastos. Ocho de Bastos is a Washington, D.C. Metro area Latin band formed in 2009 by a group of young professionals. The band currently plays Spanish songs from the most recognized Latin rock bands as well as their own originals. In a short period of time, the band have become one of the most prominent representative of Latin pop rock in the local scene, as evidenced by their recognition from the major Latino media outlets in the Washington DC Metro area and also by the major media outlets in Puerto Rico. 
   
• 3 p.m. - Earl Carter featuring Phillip Martin is featured next with smooth jazz. Earl Carter is an international smooth jazz guitarist, composer and producer who have been included among the ranks of contemporary jazz guitar greats such as Norman Brown, George Benson McBride, Chuck Loeb and Earl Klugh. Carter performs regularly at the legendary jazz club Blues Alley and many other historic venues in DC and Maryland. Phillip Martin is a Billboard Saxophonist who has played with the likes of George Benson, Marcus Johnson, Sam Rivers and Kirk Whalum. Martin is a rising star whose powerful, heartfelt melodies are wooing live audiences on stages in the US and internationally.
   
• 4 p.m. - The Blue Crescent Syncopators follow with traditional/Dixieland, hot jazz and swing from the 1920’s and 30’s for dancing and/or listening. Spicy and hot! Formed in 2007 as The Blue Crescent Quintette, but now a power quartet, the Blue Crescent Syncopators play from the heart. All the greatest jazz tunes of the 20's and 30's are done up right with some spice and swing.
   
• 5 p.m. - Seth Kibel & Bay Jazz Project will conclude the concert. Seth Kibel is one of the Mid-Atlantic's premier woodwind specialists. Working with some of the best bands in klezmer, jazz, swing, and more, and wowing audiences on saxophone, clarinet, and flute, Seth has made a name for himself in the Washington/Baltimore region, and beyond. Bay Jazz Project, described as “Energetic, dynamic, and versatile” jazz quartet, performs jazz standards and original music at a variety of venues. Public appearances include Rams Head on Stage, Frederick Festival of the Arts, 49 West, Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival, and Wine in the Woods at Merriweather Post Pavilion, to name a few.  

Waterfront Park features lawn seating and the attendees may bring lawn chairs and blankets. Food, such as barbeque, fried chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers, snow cones and funnel cakes are available for purchase, but everyone is welcome to pack a picnic lunch. Pets should be left at home. 

Visitors to the historic district are encouraged to walk, bike or 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.

Bicyclists may visit www.alexandriava.gov/localmotion for the City’s Bikeways Map, which features the City's best on street and off-road bikeways, as well as locations of grouped bicycle parking.

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 Cheryl Lawrence of the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities at 703.746.5419 (Virginia Relay 711) or e-mailcheryl.lawrence@alexandriava.gov.   

For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/Recreation,  or call the Special Events Hotline at 703.746.5592 or the Special Events Office at 703.746.5418. 

Eisenhower West Small Area Plan Online Survey #2: Transportation

Eisenhower West Small Area Plan Online Survey #2: Transportation

Open from Friday, May 16 to Friday, June 6, 2014

We want to hear from you!

The City Council identified the Eisenhower West Small Area Plan (SAP) as the major planning effort to begin in 2014 and we want your feedback!

We conducted an initial survey on general issues in March and April and received helpful feedback. One of the first tasks of the small area plan study will be to conduct transportation analysis for the area. We need your help in identifying the transportation issues, including your travel habits and what transportation improvements you think are needed in the Eisenhower West area. Your responses to the online survey questions will assist in shaping the Small Area Plan and will provide guidance throughout the planning process.

Please click on the link below for the survey or visit the Eisenhower West Small Area Plan website at www.alexandriava.gov/eisenhowerwest for additional information.

Survey Link: http://survey.alexandriava.gov/s3/WestEndSMPSurvey2

Results from the survey will be shared at a future meeting. For additional information or to get involved, contact Radhika Mohan at 703-746-3850 orradhika.mohan@alexandriava.gov.

For Immediate Release: May 16, 2014

Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission Seeks Nominations for the 2014 CIVIC Awards

The Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission is seeking nominations for the 2014 CIVIC Awards. The annual awards program recognizes the unsung volunteer efforts of Alexandrians who are involved in their communities and who have provided a valuable service to Alexandria in meeting recreation, park, or cultural needs. Nominations must be received by Thursday, June 12.

Individuals can nominate an Alexandria resident, group, club, organization, or corporate neighbor. Nominees for the award should be volunteers who have contributed their time, talent, or resources in an exemplary fashion and who reside or are located in the City. The volunteer contribution can involve activities such as removing invasive plants, coaching youth, or providing program support at City nature and recreation centers. Youth nominations are encouraged.

The CIVIC Awards are presented at the City’s Annual USA/Alexandria Birthday Celebration on July 12 at Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison St. A nomination package is available online at www.alexandriava.gov/Recreation, or by calling 703.746.4343.

Mail nominations to Park and Recreation Commission, c/o William Chesley, Deputy Director, 1108 Jefferson St., Alexandria, VA 22314. Nominations may also be faxed to703.684.6826, or submitted online at http://www3.alexandriava.gov/forms/recreation/civicawards.

For more information on the 2014 CIVIC Awards, call William Chesley, Deputy Director, at703.746.4343 or e-mail william.chesley@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, call William Chesley, Deputy Director, of the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities at 703.746.4343 (Virginia Relay 711).

Deadline to Register and Update Virginia Voter Registrations:Monday, May 19

Deadline to Register and Update Virginia Voter Registrations:Monday, May 19

For Immediate Release: May 13, 2014

The legal deadline to register to vote in the June 10 Primary Election is Monday, May 19, 2014. In Alexandria, the June 10 election will be a Democratic Primary for U.S. House of Representatives (8th Congressional District).

• Voter Registration applications submitted online must be transmitted by midnight on Monday, May 19.
• Voter Registration applications submitted by mail must be postmarked on or before May 19.
• Voter Registration applications submitted in person must be delivered to the Office of Voter Registration and Elections, 132 North Royal Street, Suite 100, by5 p.m. on May 19.

The same deadlines are in effect for Virginia voters who are registered, but have moved within the City of Alexandria, or Virginia. Voters who do not update their registration records before the deadline are at risk of being ineligible to vote in this election.

Voter information cards for new or transferred registrants will be mailed within one week of the registration date.

Checking Registration

Alexandria voters who are not certain if they are registered at their current address may go to alexandriava.gov/Elections and look for “Am I Registered & Where do I Vote?” under the Voter Registration links. Voters may also call the Office of Voter Registration and Elections at 703.746.4050.

New Registrations

The Alexandria Office of Voter Registration and Elections offers the following voter registration methods:

• Submit the application online at vote.virginia.gov prior to midnight on May 19.
• Register in person at the Office of Voter Registration and Elections or at Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Customer Service Centers. Applications must be delivered by 5pm on May 19.
• Download an application at alexandriava.gov/Elections, then print, sign and mail the completed form to the Office of Voter Registration and Elections, 132 North Royal Street, Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22314. Applications must be postmarked on or before May 19.

Address Updates

Virginia registered voters who need to update their addresses may do so using any of the methods listed above, or by the following:

• Complete the form on the back of their old Voter ID card and mail or fax it to the Office of Voter Registration and Elections, 703.838.6449 (fax) prior to 5 p.m. on May 19.
• Complete a new voter registration application and fax it to the Office of Voter Registration and Elections, 703.838.6449 (fax) prior to 5 p.m. on May 19.

Absentee Voting
Absentee voting for this election is now in progress and will continue until 5 p.m. on Saturday,
June 7. Check alexandriava.gov/Elections or call 703.746.4050 for information on absentee voting and other election information, including sample ballots, in-person absentee voting hours and Election Day precinct information.

Additional Election Information
In Alexandria, the June 10, Primary ballot has only one contest, to choose the Democratic Party nominee for U.S. House of Representatives (8th Congressional District). Polls will be open from
6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Only one Democratic candidate filed for U.S. Senate, so no Primary is needed for that office.
• The Republican Party chose to nominate its candidates for U.S. House of Representatives (8th Congressional District) and U.S. Senate at the District and State Conventions, resulting in no Republican Primary in Alexandria.
• Candidates who withdrew from the race after the ballot was printed are listed on signs inside each voting booth.

Other Deadlines
Deadlines for candidacy are approaching for the November General Election. Independent Candidates for U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate have until 7 p.m. on June 10, to file their candidacy papers with the State Board of Elections. For candidate bulletins, go to sbe.virginia.gov/index.php/candidatepac-info/candidate-bulletins