<sh>Seminary Valley
<bt>If one of your New Year's resolutions is to get a bigger bang for your buck, Barbara Viney, the new PTA president at Patrick Henry Elementary School, has a deal for you. Starting Jan. 20, the school is selling 'Kidstuff' books, which contain coupons to local stores, restaurants and various entertainment sites. Each book costs $25 (rivaling the Entertainment Book you may have seen, at $35). The coupons are good until the end of 2005. Call Barbara at 703-370-5035 if you are interested in purchasing a Kidstuff book.
There are several local meetings to pencil in for January. Two involve Landmark Mall renovation plans. The first, on Jan. 18, is a West End/Landmark Mall Community meeting, sponsored by the City of Alexandria and General Growth Properties, Inc. Discussions will include design principles for the West End and for Landmark, including a Landmark concept plan update. It begins at 7 p.m. at City Hall, in Council Chambers. The second, slated for Jan. 25, is billed as a Landmark Mall Community Workshop, also sponsored by General Growth Properties. Participants are encouraged to share their vision and ideas for a new Landmark. It begins at 7 p.m. at the Mall, in the former Old Navy space. Finally, the Brookville-Seminary Valley Civic Association is having its monthly meeting on Jan. 28. Look in your BSCVA newsletter for details on time and location; agenda items include a update by Alexandria police on local crime issues, including a discussion of the stabbing in the 4200 block of Duke Street on Jan. 4.
Did you notice that the Girl Scouts are making their rounds again? For Polk's Junior Troop 357, 2005 is an important year because the girls want to raise money for an August trip to Savannah, Ga., founder Juliet Lowe's birthplace. Thus, you may notice that the price is a wee bit higher than last year.
Purchasing Girl Scout cookies may have you looking for a way to work off the calories. West Enders have almost no excuse not to get moving! The neighborhood is ideal for walking — although you should certainly have a partner on the bike path. Those favoring flat routes should consider going by the Library into Cameron Station and back. Hill fanatics can't go wrong on the Hammond or Jordan hills. If you need a more formal — and warmer — atmosphere, you can see many neighbors at Curves, in Foxchase, or at Fitness First, in Van Dorn Plaza. Still others can be found at Washington Sports Clubs at Bradlee or at Bally's on Little River Turnpike. Finally, local dance artist Jane Franklin is offering dance classes for adults and children, starting in late January; contact Jane at www.janefranklin.com. And don't forget the City has great programs close by, at the Ramsay Recreation Center and at Chinquapin. So get out there and get moving!