Alexandria Police Christmas Tree Sales Support Youth Summer Camp

*** Christmas Tree Sale ***

The annual APYC Christmas tree sale begins Saturday, Nov 24th. This is our largest fundraiser, which covers the costs of 50% of our summer camp operations.

Where: 110 Callahan Drive, across from the Masonic Memorial

When: Mon-Fri 4PM-8PM / Sat-Sun 10AM-8PM
Why: This event will pay the way for 75 to attend camp next summer

If you want to volunteer to help at the tree lot, please email Sgt. Marcus Downey.

_____________________________________________________________________

For more than 70 years, the Alexandria Police Youth Camp has been offering children in Alexandria a place to meet friends, try new exciting adventures and participate in character building activities.

Skiing, knee boarding, tubing, kayaking, sailing, fishing, you name it and we get crazy with it! Windsurfing? We got it! Swimming pool, recreation hall, archery, campfires? We got it! Character development, team work, better self-esteem, WE LEAD IT! 

Our mission is to own and operate a camp for children, where they can receive wholesome recreation, moral, physical, mental, cultural and civil training. Since 1947, we have sent more than 20,000 children to Kilmarnock, Virginia to have the time of their lives. And with our great relationship to the Peninsula YMCA, we look forward to helping thousands more!
  

What are you waiting for? Sign your child up today!

2019 Camp Dates:

Session 1: June 23 - 28

Session 2: June 30 - July 5
Session 3: July 7 - 12

Session 4: July 14 - 19

Session 5: July 21 - 26

Session 6: July 28 - Aug 2

Session 7: Aug  4 - Aug 9

We are excited about our past but even more about our future. 
We hope you will join us!

http://www.alexpyc.org/Home_Page.php

ALIVE! Toy Drive

Please support a holiday toy drive for NEW or GENTLY USED TOYS for boys and girls in our community. 
Once again, this year I'm part of a group of Alexandria boys at Gonzaga College High School who are getting together to help ALIVE! stock their annual Christmas Toy Closet. 
Every year the ALIVE! toy closet enables families in need to select holiday gifts for their children. 
* Please donate NEW or GENTLY USED children's toys by December 11th. 
* Items may be dropped at 5 East Nelson Avenue (front porch) OR contact mjerakis@gmail.com to arrange a time for pick up.
Thank you! 

Twas the Night Before Christmas

This little guy actually reads/tells the story….

New Use for Old Shoes

I thought this was pretty ingenious  --- use yours, your husband's or child's baby shoes as ornaments.

Let the Baking Begin

Reindeer Food

Here is the recipe for Reindeer food ---

-some oatmeal
-some glitter
mix together in a bowl.



Be sure to take this magic reindeer food and sprinkle on the lawn. 
On Christmas Eve, Santa's reindeer travel miles before dawn.
The smell of oats and the glitter path will guide them on their way. 
And you'll wake up to Santa's gifts next morn' on Christmas Day. 

Favorite Christmas Baking

Here are some of our favorite recipes - some are a bit different.

Oreo Truffles

Peanut Clusters

Chinese Chews

Pretzel Wreaths

Seven Layer Cookies

Best Holiday Lights in Alexandria

I was relying on my readers and followers for the best lights in Alexandria. 
Somewhat sadly, this is what I got:  



From @McDorchester -- on streets surrounding Mt Ida. Look for house on south side of Nelson, just east of Mt Vernon- always awesome

and

409 E. Nelson



Somewhat tacky :

from @lssonoda corner of Taney and Latham


1500 block of Russell Road (same place with the big Halloween display)


Big white house in 2500 block of King St. that has the white lights up everywhere but also has all the halloween decorations up too.





Very pretty white lights:  

corner of Commonwealth Ave & East Walnut St. (across from Grape & Bean). 


If you have any other suggestions please post them in the comments of tweet them to me.  

Merry Christmas

Always time for a snowman

Here's a great way to prep for a snow day!
(thanks to a friend for sharing!)

Battle of the Elf on the Shelf

Favorite Christmas Reading

Our all time favorites are:

And a few of the others we like to read over and over:

Christmas movie quotes

We are A Christmas Story kind of family.  We love this movie!  We have the leg lamp, the board game, ornaments, magnets, and more.

But we also love Elf, Home Alone, Scrooge (the Albert Finney musical version), and The Santa Clause.  

And if I can sneak in my favorites, It's A Wonderful Life and Love Actually.   

Here are some of our favorite movie quotes that we like to throw around during the holidays and all year round.    (can you guess the movie?)

"I want an official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two Hundre Shot rifle"
"You'll shoot your eye out kid"A Christmas Story


"Santa, Oh My God, Santa's coming.  I know him!  I know him!' 
Elf


Bless this highly nutritious microwavable macaroni and cheese dinner and the people who sold it on sale. Amen
Home Alone


"If you put on the suit, you're the big guy.”
The Santa Clause


You guys give up yet? Or are you thirsty for more?
Home Alone


Fa ra ra ra ra, ra ra ra ra 
A Christmas Story


We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup."
Elf


"Stuck!" 
A Christmas Story


"This is my house! I have to defend it!"
Home Alone

The best way to spread Christmas Cheer, is singing loud for all to hear."

Elf

My little brother had not eaten voluntarily in over three years.
A Christmas Story


You used up all the glue on purpose!
A Christmas Story


Buzz, your girlfriend, WOOF

Home Alone

Oooh fuuudge!
A Christmas Story


I just like to smile, smiling's my favorite

Elf

It's a Major award!
A Christmas Story


Fra-gee-lay. That must be Italian.
A Christmas Story


I'm eight years old. You think I would be here *alone*? I don't think so.
Home Alone


Not too hot. Extra chocolate. Shaken, not stirred.
The Santa Clause

Christmas Reading

from the archives:

I thought I’d share some of my family’s favorite Christmas books. 

(And these are in no particular order)

Happy Holidays

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado

Alabaster’s Song by Max Lucado

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojceichowski

Merry Christmas Big Hungry Bear by Don & Audrey Wood

Santa’s Book of Names by David McPhail

Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry

Snowmen at Night

and

Snowmen at Christmas by Caralyn Buehner,

This is The Star by Joyce Dunbar

Santa Calls by Willam Joyce

Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck

Who’s That Knocking on Christmas Eve by Jan Brett

I’ve Seen Santa by David Bedford

The Wild Christmas Reindeer by Jan Brett

Santa Mouse & Santa Mouse Where Are You by Michael Brown

Bright Christmas, an Angel Remembers by Andrew Clements

Rocking Horse Christmas by Mary Pope Osborne

How Santa Got His Job by Stephen Krensky

Gingerbread Firehouse Contest in Old Town: Event to benefit Friendship Firehouse Museum

Gingerbread Firehouse Contest in Old Town:
Event to benefit Friendship Firehouse Museum

December 14-15, 2013

The Friendship Firehouse Museum and Office of Historic Alexandria will host the start of a new holiday tradition in Old Town Alexandria, a Gingerbread contest and exhibition focused on the city’s proud firefighting heritage.  All contest entries must depict a firefighting theme associated with an architectural structure (real or imaginary) such as a firehouse or burning building, and will be judged on the creativity or originality in the use of gingerbread and other edible materials. Participants are invited to compete in either the adult or junior division.

All entries will be judged on Saturday, December 14, 2013 at the historic Lloyd House in Old Town, Alexandria, and prizes will be awarded in each division.  The aromatic displays will remain on view through Sunday, December 15, as part of the Candlelight House Tour event, and will be supplemented by a display of antique toys.  The first floor of Lloyd House will also be decorated to the period of 1932 when William Smoot, Mayor of Alexandria, resided there with his family.

For more information or a list of the complete gingerbread contest rules and entry form, please visit www.historicalexandria.org or call 703.746.4554.

Del Ray Holiday Tree Lighting & Luminaries

FROM THE DEL RAY BUSINESS ASSOC.

Del Ray Celebration of the Holidays
Annual Holiday Tree Lighting, Luminaries, & Visit with Santa Claus!
Friday, December 6 ~ 6 pm
 
Events are at the Del Ray Farmers Market 
Corner of Mt. Vernon Avenue and East Oxford Avenue
And along Mt. Vernon Avenue
 

• Enjoy thousands of Luminaries along Mt. Vernon Avenue.
• Sing holiday carols at the Del Ray Farmer's Market led by:
• The Rainbow Lady from Rainbow Rock aka Kate Moran. 
• Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate provided by Evening Star & Buzz Bakery
• Sit on Santas lap and have a photo taken
• ·Come out and see if you can “Find the Spirits†in Del Ray.  Many businesses will be open late for shoppers & offering special holiday spirits/beverages.
• Stop by Del Ray Artisans Holiday Market to shop & enjoy festive food

 
 And, in the true spirit of the holidays, we are asking our neighbors to help those most in  need. In partnership
with Carpenters Homeless Shelter, we ask you to please bring and drop in the boxes at the tree lighting any of the following items:

• ·        Food - canned goods (soup, vegetables, canned meat)
• ·        Disposable diapers
• ·        New Twin Sheets
• ·        Towels and wash cloths
• ·        Deodorant/Razors 

 Volunteers are needed December 6 at 2 pm to distribute the luminaries along Mt. Vernon Avenue,


To help, contact Gayle Reuter at delraydrba@yahoo.com

Sponsored by the Del Ray Business Association

Special thanks to Bill Blackburn from Pork Barrel BBQ, Holy Cow & Sushi Bar for taking the day to drive all the way out to a Christmas Tree farm to cut down & bring back our beautiful tree.  If you see him, please be sure and say thanks!

Civil War Christmas at Fort Ward

Meet a patriotic Civil War Santa Claus, visit an officers’ hut decorated for the season, talk with soldiers in winter camps, and tour the historic Union fort at Fort Ward Museum’s “Civil War Christmas in Camp.” This historical holiday program will take place Saturday, December 14 from 12-4 p.m. Suggested donation is $2 per person.

The program will feature a variety of fun and educational activities for all ages. Learn about the history of Santa Claus from historian and interpreter Kevin Rawlings, who portrays a patriotic Union Santa Claus based on a period woodcut engraving from Harper’s Weekly. Civil War Santa will listen to children’s holiday wishes, read “The Night Before Christmas,” and visit troops in camp.  Reenactors will interpret how soldiers celebrated the holiday, including opening Christmas boxes from home and decorating living quarters in camp. Children can make a Victorian ornament or greeting card, and see examples of period ornaments on the Museum’s Victorian tree. The Museum and reconstructed Officers’ Hut will be decorated in period style. Soldier-led tours of the fort will be offered, weather permitting. Visitors can also enjoy hot mulled cider and shop for Civil War gifts in the Museum shop.

Fort Ward is the best preserved of the extensive network of Union forts that comprised the Civil War Defenses of Washington. The Museum offers exhibits, programs and special events throughout the year. Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site is located at 4301 West Braddock Road in the west end of Alexandria. For more information, please contact the Museum at 703-746-4848 or check the web site, www.fortward.org. 

Greenstreet Gardens Holiday Open House

City of Alexandria’s Annual Tree Lighting

For Immediate Release: November 14, 2013  

City of Alexandria’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony Scheduled for Friday, November 29 at 6 p.m.

Kick off the holiday season by making plans to attend the 2013 City of Alexandria Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, November 29, at 6 p.m. at Market Square, 301 King St. Admission is free, and the event will occur rain or shine.

At this official kickoff to the holiday season, the Mayor Euille and Santa Claus will light the City holiday tree in Market Square. Entertainment features a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, performances by the Alexandria Harmonizers and the Alexandria Choral Society, caroling and a community sing-along.

The public is encouraged to take public transit or walk to the event. Visitors to Old Town can take the Metrorail lines to the King Street Station, and then take the free King Street Trolley to the event. For DASH schedule information, call 703.370.DASH or visitwww.dashbus.com.  For Metrobus schedule information, call 202.637.7000 or visitwmata.com. For a parking map, visit www.alexandriava.gov/12490.

For additional information, please call the City’s Special Events Hotline at 703.746.5592or visit www.alexandriava.gov/Recreation.

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, Office of Special Events, at 703.746.5419 (VA Relay 711) or e-mail cheryl.lawrence@alexandriava.gov. 

St. Mary's Christmas Bazaar

St. Mary's Annual Christmas Bazaar

Saturday, November 23rd from 10 AM – 4 PM

400 Green Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314

This year, the Christmas Bazaar will feature over 60 of the region's most popular vendors specializing in arts, jewelry, ceramics, clothing, and more. In addition, the event will include a bake sale and Christmas Café, featuring the best of Alexandria's restaurants.

But that's not all!

• Children's games w prizes
• Children’s activities
• Yesterday's Books sale
• Gingerbread cookie decorating (come see Kathleen & decorate some cookies)
• Pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus
• No admission charge & fun for the entire family.
  
  

Join this Old Town tradition that brings the entire community together to celebrate and enjoy the Christmas season. Like us on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/StMarysSchoolChristmasBazaar and to get the latest news about the Christmas Bazaar, a list of merchants and special events!  No admission charge

Reindeer Food

Here is the recipe for Reindeer food ---

-some oatmeal
-some glitter
mix together in a bowl.



Be sure to take this magic reindeer food and sprinkle on the lawn. 
On Christmas Eve, Santa's reindeer travel miles before dawn.
The smell of oats and the glitter path will guide them on their way. 
And you'll wake up to Santa's gifts next morn' on Christmas Day.