Nor’easter, Hurricane Joaquin Expected This Week: Are You Prepared?

The National Weather Service (NWS) has forecast a Nor’easter that will bring heavy rain and gusty winds to our area beginning on Friday, October 2. Currently, NWS has issued a Flood Watch and a Flash Flood Watch for Alexandria, from Friday morning through Saturdayevening. Hurricane Joaquin, currently forecast to approach the Mid-Atlantic region, may affect weather for the entire Mid-Atlantic region, with heavy rainfall and possible flooding.

The City is prepared for a wide range of potential storm impacts and urges all residents and businesses to review storm preparation procedures for handling possible flooding, high winds, downed tree limbs, and power outages. Residents and businesses are asked to prepare for the possibility that it may not be safe to travel or that power may be out. 

“Being prepared for an emergency—before one strikes--is the best thing you can do to protect your family or your business,” said City Manager Mark Jinks. “That means having three days of food, water, and medicine available and making a plan for what to do if you can’t travel safely. Even if we don’t get all the weather the forecast says is possible for a given storm, it’s always best to be prepared.” 

Residents and businesses can help by staying off the roads during the storm, using sandbags to protect their property, clearing leaves and debris from neighborhood storm drains, and monitoring weather reports. Residents living in low-lying areas should be prepared to evacuate if a Flood Warning or Flash Flood Warning is issued.  Do not attempt to cross a flooded roadway.  

Sandbags

The National Weather Service projects that Potomac River high tide will reach 4.43 feet at 1 a.m. on Saturday, which is expected to produce minor coastal flooding.  The City will provide up to five free sandbags per residential or business address, which may be picked up on Friday, October 2, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the intersection of King and Lee Streets and at 133 S. Quaker Lane.  Those picking up sandbags will be asked to show proof of residence or business ownership in the City of Alexandria, such as a driver’s license or utility bill.  Sandbags should be returned to either pickup location after the storm, and should not be disposed of with normal trash or recycling.  Additional instructions for how to best use sandbags are available atwww.alexandriava.gov/Flooding.

Utilities

If your power goes out, report it to Dominion Virginia Power at 866.DOM.HELP (866.366.4357) or www.dom.com. For information on food safety in the event of a power outage, see www.alexandriava.gov/Health.

To report a water main break or for questions about water service, contact Virginia American Water at 800.452.6863. 

Residents and businesses are encouraged to take steps to prevent flooding and sewer backups by clearing eaves, drains and sewer openings; checking gutters and downspouts; ensuring that sump pumps are working properly, and moving furniture and other items from basements to upper floors if located in areas prone to flooding or backups.  For additional information, see www.alexandriava.gov/Flooding.

Cancellations

The 20th Annual Art on the Avenue festival, scheduled for October 3, has been postponed until October 10. Check alexandriava.gov for other event cancellations and facility closures that may occur due to the weather.  For Alexandria City Public Schools operating status, see www.acps.k12.va.us/emergency. 

For questions or concerns about storm response, call 703.746.HELP. Please call 911 only in the case of a life-threatening emergency or serious crime.

For flooding preparedness information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/Flooding, For weather-related alerts, sign up for the City’s Alexandria eNews service, or connect online at www.alexandriava.gov/SocialMedia.

Preparation for Tropical Storm/Hurricane Joaquin

What People Should Do:

• Do not drive through high water. Stay at home as severe weather arrives.

• Know the weather terms and what you should do:  
• Be prepared to evacuate. If evacuated, do not return to your home until local officials say it is safe.  After floodwaters recede, roads could be weakened and could collapse. Buildings might be unstable, and drinking water might be contaminated.  
• Use common sense and look for information. If water is rising quickly or you see a moving wall of mud or debris, immediately move to higher ground. 
• Do not walk through moving water. What might seem like a small amount of moving water can easily knock you down. 
• If you depend on electricity for medical equipment or a mobility device, ensure all batteries are fully charged each day and be prepared to evacuate with extra batteries and any charging equipment you will need.
• If you will need to use paratransit, be sure to consider the amount of extra time you may need should evacuation be recommended. Find out now whether you will need to schedule a ride 24 hours in advance, how many personal items you are allowed to evacuate with, and whether your pets will be allowed on the paratransit vehicle. 
• If you use durable medical equipment, need medical supplies, or take critical medications, ensure you have enough on hand for 5-7 days and include these items in your go-bag in case evacuation is recommended.
• Notify your support network now and start planning ahead for any disability-related or medical needs.

Get Ready:

• Download the free Ready Virginia app for iPhone® and Android™, which features a customizable emergency plan, a checklist for gathering emergency supplies and an “I’m Safe!” feature that allows you to quickly send a text message to let family and friends know you are safe.
• Decide how and where everyone will meet up with each other if separated.
• Choose an out-of-town emergency contact for your family and give that person’s phone number to each family member.
• Sign up for text alerts/weather warnings that may be offered by your locality.
• Pre-pack a hurricane supply kit with a minimum three-day supply of essential items, such as water, non-perishable food, first aid kit, extra batteries and prescribed medications.
• Secure garbage cans, lawn furniture or anything that could become airborne and cause damage.

Drive safely:

• Know the road conditions before you travel. Go to www.511Virginia.org or dial 511 from any phone for real-time traffic information and road condition reports. 
• Do not drive into flooded areas. If your vehicle becomes surrounded by rising water, get out quickly and move to higher ground, if possible. 
• Flood water might cut off access to roads. Be prepared to stay where you are until floodwaters recede. 
• Determine in advance the safest route from your home to a safe place that can protect you from high winds or flooding. If there is a flood, you may have only minutes to get to safety.

Stay informed:

• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio and your local media to know when flood watches and warnings are issued.

• More flood preparedness information is available at www.vaemergency.gov/readyvirginia/stayinformed/floods. 

Other Resources: 

• If you need help, information or resources during or after the storm, call 211. Those with hearing impairments can call 711 to connect to the Virginia Relay Center for assistance with the call. Videophone users may dial 1-800-230-6977.
• www.vaemergency.gov – go online or on your smart phone for statewide storm updates
• @vdem – Twitter feed for storm updates from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management- 
• VAemergency – Facebook page for VDEM
  @ListoVirginia , twitter feed in Spanish and listovirginia1 on Facebook

Hope for Accreta & ICAN Blood Drive October 3

Saturday, October 3 11:00 - 4:00 Alexandria Beatley Library Alexandria, Virginia Local blood recipients and placenta accreta survivors Alexis, Dawn and Marianne from the Hope for Accreta Foundation Northern Virginia chapter and members of ICAN of Northern Virginia invite you to join us at our first joint blood drive. All three placenta accreta survivors are here today because of blood donations from people like you. Our mission at this blood drive is to raise awareness of placenta accreta, promote cesarean awareness, and help women be prepared with the blood products they might need after giving birth. Please join us at our inaugural blood drive on Saturday, October 3 at the Alexandria Beatley Library at 5005 Duke Street in Alexandria, Virginia (map). Donate Blood! If you are eligible to donate, please consider booking an appointment now with Inova Blood Donor Services through the link below by entering Sponsor Name: Hope for Accreta/ICAN, Sponsor Code: 8131, or calling 866-256-6372. If you're not sure if you're eligible check out the eligibility requirements. At the blood drive all donors complete a short medical history, receive a mini-physical in which temperature, blood pressure and iron level are measured, recline comfortably for 5-10 minutes while donating, and enjoy light refreshments before leaving. The whole process takes about one hour. If you donate regularly be sure not to donate whole blood after August 8 in order to be eligible again - you must wait at least eight weeks/56 days between donations.

Schedule an Appointment Online

Volunteer! If you are not eligible to give blood, but can volunteer at the blood drive, we could use your help. We are in need of people to greet donors when they arrive, to serve refreshments, hand out gift bags to donors, and to watch donors' children while they donate blood. Children are welcome to help as well as long as they are accompanied by a parent.

Sign Up to Volunteer

Or do both! Allow an hour to donate blood and plan to volunteer with us before and/or after your appointment. Bring your kids! The Alexandria Beatley library is a family-friendly location including a large play area for little ones next to the room where the blood drive will take place. We encourage you to bring your child(ren) and if you don't have someone to watch them while you donate we will have volunteers to help.

We will have food, refreshments and all donors and volunteers will walk away with a gift bag with some fun goodies. If you are unable to join us on October 3 be sure you are subscribed to our email list and we'll notify you of the next blood drive in the spring of 2016. Be an Accreta Hero and help support lives by donating blood! Alexis, Dawn and Marianne Hope for Accreta Northern Virginia Chapter Members of ICAN of Northern Virginia Hope for Accreta is a charitable foundation that provides research and support for Placenta Accreta, Increta and Percreta patients, survivors and their families. Approximately 1 in 333 pregnancies experience placenta accreta, increta or percreta*, a condition in which the placenta attaches itself too deeply into the wall of the uterus. There is nothing a woman can do to prevent this condition, and there is little that can be done for treatment. But we can be prepared with the blood products they might need after birth. *Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Facebook Twitter Website The International Cesarean Awareness Network, Inc. (ICAN) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve maternal-child health by preventing unnecessary cesareans through education, providing support for cesarean recovery, and promoting Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC). We are the Northern Virginia chapter, with members throughout the greater Washington, DC area. We hold support group meetings once a month, which offer a safe place for post-cesarean mothers to find healing and support and for others to learn about cesarean prevention.  Facebook Twitter Website

Reminders for Art on the Avenue on Saturday

Neighbors:

Art on the Avenue is a signature event for the Del Ray community that has helped forged our neighborhood image over year and has enhanced our profile regionally as a great place to live. Plus it's a lot of fun for the whole family. 

This fun comes with a few little inconveniences: 


- Mt Vernon Avenue will be closed from Bellefonte to Commonwealth.
- The blocks east and west of Mt. Vernon from Bellefonte to Commonwealth will be barricaded.
- Bus service (10A, 10B, AT10) will be rerouted along Monroe and Commonwealth to bypass festival blocks.  

- Closures will begin early Saturday for festival set-up. Expect all streets to be reopened by 8pm.
- There is NO farmers market in Del Ray this week. For your market fix, give Old Town a try or wait till Sunday for the Four Mile Run Farmers & Artisans Market.
- There is NO compost collection in Del Ray on Saturday. Food waste will be collected at the Old Town market and on Sunday at the Four Mile Run market.
- Musical performances will be taking place on four stages along the Avenue. If you live nearby, expect a little extra noise on Saturday.  

- MANY, MANY visitors, vendors and volunteers are expected in Del Ray for Art on the Avenue. Some of them will be looking for parking, so expect things to be especially "cozy" on Saturday.   

Art on the Avenue offers arts, crafts, music, food, and activities for kids. The festival runs from 10 am to 6 pm. 
Be sure to come out and enjoy the day! 

Firefighting History Walking Tour

Saturday, October 10, 1 – 2:30 p.m.

Mark Fire Prevention Week and explore Alexandria’s firefighting history on the “Blazing a Trail:  Alexandria’s Firefighting History” tour.  Participants learn about volunteer firefighting in early Alexandria, three devastating fires, and the five volunteer fire companies.  The tour begins at the historic Friendship Firehouse, goes east on Prince Street, and returns to Friendship via King Street. 

For age 10 and older.  $6 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. 

First Friday: “Family Art Night”, October 2

Are you looking for a memorable and inspiring evening with your family?  Plan to attend the “Family Art Night” sponsored by the Office of the Arts on Friday, October 2, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Durant Arts Center, 1605 Cameron St.   A “meet and greet” begins at 6 p.m.  Pizza, soda and water will be on hand, complements of the Office of the Arts.  Art activities begin at 6:30 p.m. Advance per person reservations: $5 residents; $10 nonresidents, and at the door: $10 residents; $15 nonresidents.   No experience is necessary.  Children must be accompanied by one adult. Reservation includes one (1) art experience, art supplies, pizza and soda.  You have three art experiences to choose from:   Paint with Teresa Brunson - Ages 4 and up with Adult. Produce your very own masterpiece that you can hang in your home. Limit: 60 people (255201.01); Create Mosaics with Patrick Kirwin - Ages 6 and up with Adult.  Design a mosaic trivet that you can give as a gift, or use in the kitchen. Limit: 20 people (255201.02); or Dance with Choreographers Collaboration Project - Ages 7 and up with Adult. Learn several dance steps, create your own family dance map, and share your dance in a performance at the conclusion of the evening.  Be prepared to move in tennis shoes or bare feet.  Limit: 20 people  (255201.03) To pay online, visit www.alexandriava.gov/webtrac The “Family Art Night” is part of the “First Fridays” Series. The Series is a project of the Office of the Arts, a division of the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities.

FREE Trees

The Tree Stewards of Arlington and Alexandria are again giving away FREE TREES for Alexandria residents only. If you live in the city of Alexandria (you need to have an Alexandria address, even if it's technically Fairfax County) you are eligible to register for a free tree.  

Details are: 

1. Register on the link below

http://alexandriatreedistribution2015.eventbrite.com/

or

http://www.eventbrite.com/e/second-annual-alexandria-tree-distribution-tickets-18690666286?aff=es2


2, Come on Saturday October 10th to the Del Ray Baptist Church on Russell Road from 9-12 to pick up your tree. Any tree not picked up by noon will be free to any person who shows up to claim it!  

3. Take your tree home and plant it!! If you could take a picture of you planting your tree or your newly planted tree and send it to us (info@treestewards.org) we will put your picture on our web site (www.treestewards.org).  

This year we're charging a small fee for you to reserve your tree. When you come to pick it up you will be refunded most of the fee (there is a fee to use the eventbrite site for using their service).

Last year we were out of trees in about a day so don't delay.  

If any of you are connected to any other list serves for the city, please forward to them, thanks.

Fall is the best time to plant trees!!

Eileen Grant
Tree Stewards of Arlington and Alexandria communications chairperson

The Art of Driving: Surviving the 5 5K

from Robin Thompson, Founder & CEO of The ART of Driving: 

I want to invite you to help keep our children safe on our roads! 

We are a 501c3 dedicated to keeping our children safe on our roads. 

Vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for all children over the age of five...we are working hard to change that.

Our event on Oct 3 at Great Waves Water Park is a fun family event. Dogs and strollers are welcome. There will be face painting,great silent auction, terrific music, and lots more. Children's National Medical Center will be there with concussion and traumatic brain injury prevention information. Lucy Activewear Totes as our race bags!  Free zpizza's for everyone!

We provide educational programs to parents, teens, community organizations and younger children regarding traffic safety. Our foundation provided all the state mandated training for teens and parents at TC Williams HS last year. We are a recipient of the Governor's Youth Traffic Safety Award for the state of VA. We have been featured on the Today Show, and local media.

I started the program in memory of my daughter,Ashley, who I lost in a vehicle crash in 2003.  I have been a school nurse for ACPS for 24 years. 

I hope you will join us to raise awareness for youth traffic safety! Please contact me with any question!

With appreciation,

Robin

www.theartofdriving.org
robin@theartofdriving.org

 @ARTofDrivingDC