Ten teen acts will be competing in the final round of the
Talented Teen Competition at First Night Alexandria 2006.
The finals of the 4th Annual Talented Teen Competition will be held on December 31, at the Durant Center, located at 1605 Cameron St. in OldTown. The venue opens at 7p.m. for dancing. The finals take place between 8 and 10 p.m.
The ten 2006 finalists are: Mike Richards, a guitarist who attends West Potomac H.S.; Amber Sheriesse Prigmore, a singer from Mt. Vernon H.S.; Simone Sattler, a singer/songwriter from Osbourn H.S.; Chris Green, a hip/hop dancer from Minnie Howard Middle School; Prophit, dancers from Alexandria; Interference, a four-piece band; Tyjuane Sharpe, a singer/songwriter from Alexandria; NOVA Quartet, comprised of junior and seniors from various high schools; Cross Product, a five-piece band of high school students; and Jolt, a four-piece band comprised of junior and senior high school students.
Winners will be announced at 11 p.m. when cash prizes will be awarded. The first place act will receive a paid contract to play at First Night Alexandria 2007.
Carbon Copy, the 2005 Talented Teen winner, will play three sets at 8:30, 9:30 and 10:30 p.m.
Admission to this venue is $10 per person if purchased before December 25. After that date, admission is $15. Children 12 and under and active military are free.
First Night Alexandria 2006 officially kicks off at 5 p.m. at the Embassy Suites Hotel at 1900 Diagonal Rd. Children's venues throughout Old Town and Del Ray open at 6 p.m. The evening ends with a spectacular fireworks show at the stroke of midnight at the George Washington Masonic Temple. Free parking and shuttle services.
For more ticket and free parking information, go to FirstNightAlexandria.org or call (703) 838-4200 ext. 210.
Parlez Vous at 1407 King St. has teamed up with the Campagna Center and Alexandria Head Start for the 2006 Holiday Giving Tree. Helping a child this holiday season is as easy as 1-2-3!
* Pick an ornament from the Giving Tree located in the Parlez Vous office. Each ornament includes the age and sex of the child. (Please save the ornament as the number on it corresponds to a specific child)
* Pick up the information slip that corresponds to your child’s number. Use the information on the slip to guide you as you make your child’s wishes come true. Feel free to buy as little or as much as you can. Remember that even the smallest surprises will bring a smile to a child’s face.
* Bring your wrapped gifts back to Parlez Vous. Please be sure to put your ornament on the top of the package (or at least the number) so we know who the special child is that you have helped. Return all wrapped gifts by Thursday, Dec. 14.
Community Partners for Children Toy Sorting/Distribution Day at T.C. Williams High School cafeteria, Saturday, Dec. 16, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Dec. 19, time to be determined. Contact Pat Miller at pmiller1806@comcast.net for more.
Northern Virginia Training Center seeks volunteers for holiday gift wrapping, holiday party sponsors (civic or corporate groups), Christmas caroling, sponsors to provide gifts for residential units and individuals to play Santa at holiday parties. Contact Maureen Gregg or Ashley Breymaier at 703-323-4078, 703-323-4079, e-mail Maureen.gregg@nvtc.dmhmrsas.virginia.gov or Ashley.breymaier@dmhmrsas.virigina.gov.
Alexandria Department of Human Services 2006 Holiday Sharing Program seeks volunteers to sort and distribute gifts on Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 13 and 14, in shifts from 8:45 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Alexandria DHS, 2 Herbert St., Alexandria, or as delivery drivers on Dec. 15. Contact Suzanne Kratzok early in December, 703-519-3318, ext. 206, or Suzanne.kratzok@alexandriava.gov to help.
Since 1991, Community Partners for Children has provided toys and clothing to a cumulative 7,000 children in need through our annual Holiday Donation Drive.This year's drive continues through Saturday, December 16, which is Distribution Day at T.C. Williams High School.
Community Partners for Children collects gifts from drop boxes located throughout the city. Donors can leave toys at stores, banks or libraries. There are over 35 box locations throughout the City. Here is a sampling:
* All Alexandria Public Library Branches, Virginia Commerce Banks, Burke & Herbert, Commonwealth Federal Credit Union, Park Fairfax, Alexandria Volunteer Bureau, A Show of Hands, Chrysalis Chiropractic, Dairy Godmother, Great Harvest Bread Company, St. Elmo's Coffee Pub, Yates Automotive, Alexandria INOVA Hospital, Old Town Post Box.
* Donate toys! Leave a game, a book, clothing, or any other new toy for a deserving child at a CPC donation box.
* Volunteer to sort toys & assist families on Dec. 16 and Dec. 19. To volunteer contact Kendra Chambers 703-717-0373 or kendrajanedc@aol.com.
The first volunteer shift is from 7:30-11 a.m. Help deliver the toys to the high school, then sort and count the items.
The second volunteer shift is from noon-4 p.m. Help escort the families while they select gift items. Do craft projects with the children. Spanish speakers are needed.
* Make a cash contribution by sending a check to Community Partners for Children, PO Box 2738, Alexandria, VA 22301.
The Alexandria Community Services Board is urgently seeking volunteers to serve as legally appointed guardians for geriatric adults with mental illness. Service would start in late January 2007 or after. Ideal guardians will be compassionate persons who are able to make difficult decisions. Guardians make decisions about personal care, health care and living arrangements. Guardians meet periodically with the client and his/her social worker or service provider. The provider will give guardians pertinent information relevant to decision making.
Some of the clients in need of guardians may eventually be placed in nursing homes outside of Alexandria in locations such as Manassas, Warrenton, Fredericksburg or possibly Richmond. The guardian would then need to maintain correspondence with service providers in the location and visit as needed, approximately one or two times per year.
Guardians are bonded and court-appointed in Alexandria and will receive a copy of the Virginia Handbook for Guardians: A Practical Handbook. A tuberculosis test and training is required. The duties require approximately two hours per month. For more information about this volunteer opportunity, contact Jennifer Cohen Cordero at jennifer.cohen-cordero@alexandriava.gov or 703-838-4455, x165.
The Alexandria Fire Department, Emergency Management Division, partnered with the Be Safe Coalition need a limited number of adult and youth volunteers to sell hot chocolate at a fundraising event on New Year’s Eve at the Embassy Suites and Jefferson Houston School to raise money for fire and life safety education. The volunteers will work a two hour shift 6-8 p.m.; 8-10 p.m.; or 10 p.m.-midnight at one of the locations. Volunteers receive free passes to the First Night Alexandria events. Contact Patsieann Misiti at 703-706-3940 ext. 222.
From 5:30 a.m., Dec. 29 to 5:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, join the YMCA Alexandria at 420 East Monroe Ave. in Alexandria for a 24-hour swim-a-thon as our swim teams swim non-stop as a fundraiser to help with camp scholarships for disadvantaged children. Contact Linda Blake at 703-838-8095 for more information.
The Alexandria Community Services Board is seeking a volunteer to assist a pre-school therapist with a play group for 50 infants, toddlers and their care givers. The volunteer is needed to help with activities, monitor children and help clean up. The volunteer should be energetic, comfortable giving direction and have experience with small children. The group meets on Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Mount Vernon Recreation Center: 2701 Commonwealth Ave., Alexandria. Call 703-838-4455, ext 165.
The City of Alexandria has partnered with Rebuilding Together Alexandria, a leading volunteer community organization, to implement a new free weatherization program for low-income homeowners to help City residents increase home comfort and lower heating fuel bills this winter. For additional information on the weatherization program or to apply for assistance, call the Alexandria Department of Human Services, Office of Community Services at 703-838-0971. For more information on other types of home repair assistance, call Katharine Medina of Rebuilding Together Alexandria at 703-836-1021.
HEW Federal Credit Union (HEWFCU), a federally insured financial institution can now serve the entire City of Alexandria. All residents are able to join HEWFCU and take advantage of the low-cost products and services the credit union offers. With experienced lending and member services staff and a physical facility already located in the area, HEWFCU has the tools and infrastructure to deploy to the market as an alternative to non-traditional financial services providers. Visit HEWFCU's office located on 400 N. Columbus St.; or visit www.hewfcu.com.
Rebuilding Together Alexandria (formerly Christmas in April) is seeking homeowners who need assistance with home repairs. Teams of volunteers work on many houses throughout Alexandria, repairing and renovating homes so that homeowners may continue to live in warmth, safety, and independence. All repairs are made at no expense to the homeowner. If you are a low-income Alexandria homeowner and need help with home repairs, call for an application at 703-836-1021 or e-mail info@rebuildingtogetheralex.org for more information. Limited applications accepted.
The Alexandria Domestic Violence Program is looking for volunteers to provide hotline coverage and crisis counseling to survivors of domestic violence. Volunteers are required to participate in 40 hours of training and requested to donate 10-15 hours per month over weekends and holidays. The next volunteer training will be on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007 with a retreat from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Regular training sessions will follow on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-10 p.m. throughout the month of January. Interested individuals should contact Lacie Hughes at 703-838-4911. For more information on the program, visit www.alexwomen.com.
Virginia Tech’s Urban Affairs and Planning Program in Alexandria is presenting a New Metropolis Lecture Series during 2006-2007. The lecture series focuses on cutting-edge topics and ideas about metropolitan development in the United States and abroad. Lectures will be held from 7-9 p.m. at Virginia Tech’s Alexandria campus, 1021 Prince Street, 3rd floor main conference room, and are open to the public, free of charge.
Jan. 31, 2007, Bruce Beard, Assistant Director for Environmental Readiness Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Installations and Environment) — “Linking Landscapes—Linking Mission?”
Feb. 21, 2007, Peter Katz, author of The New Urbanism; Toward an Architecture of Community — “The New Revolution: Form-based Codes”
April 25, 2007, William Millar, President of the American Public Transportation Association — “The Future of Transit in the U.S.”
Contact Heike Mayer at 703-706-8122 or heikem@vt.edu
The Alexandria Community Services Board’s Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse is in need of volunteers to serve in the following positions. For more information about these volunteer opportunities, contact Jennifer Cohen Cordero at jennifer.cohen-cordero@alexandriava.gov or 703-838-4455.
* Representative Payees to receive Social Security checks and pay bills for persons with mental retardation or mental illness. A separate bank account is opened with automatic deposit and there are few monthly transactions. The duties require two hours per month, per account.
* Child activity leaders to participate in activities and supervise a small group of children while their parents are in English class at the Essex House Apartments, located at 375 South Reynolds St. Classes are held Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Children range in age from 1-7 years-old and there are up to eight children at a time. Essex House will provide a room equipped with games and activities near the parent classroom.
* Local Human Rights Committee (LHRC) member who is a health care provider. The LHRC reviews complaints of consumer rights violations filed by consumers of the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse. The LHRC reviews policies and makes recommendations about procedures that affect the rights of consumers. The duties require approximately three hours per month. There are 8-10 meetings per year on Wednesday evenings. The health care provider may be a nurse, doctor, social worker, residential counselor or other health care professional, and can be retired.
THURSDAY: DECEMBER 14, 2006
ALEXANDRIA BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m., Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson Street. For more information contact Linda Owens, 703.838.4800.
ALEXANDRIA BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m., Room 2000, City Hall, 301 King Street. For more information contact Peter Leiberg, 703.838.4666.
ALEXANDRIA COMMISSION ON AGING will hold its regular monthly meeting at 4:00 p.m., Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke Street. For more information contact Debbie Ludington, 703.838.0920.
ALEXANDRIA COMMUNITY CRIMINAL JUSTICE BOARD will hold a meeting at 4:00 p.m., Council Workroom, City Hall, 301 King Street. For more information contact David Ward, 703.838.4547.
ALEXANDRIA ELECTORAL BOARD will hold its regular monthly meeting at 9:30 a.m., Room 100, 132 North Royal Street. For more information contact Eric Spicer, 703.838.4050.
SATURDAY: DECEMBER 16, 2006
ALEXANDRIA CITY COUNCIL will hold its regular public hearing at 9:30 a.m., Council Chambers, City Hall, 301 King Street. For more information contact Jackie Henderson, 703.838.4550.
MONDAY: DECEMBER 18, 2006
ALEXANDRIA CITIZEN CORPS COUNCIL will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7:00 p.m., Fire Station 204, 900 Second Street. For more information contact Mark Penn, 703.838.5095.
ALEXANDRIA CONVENTION AND VISITORS ASSOCIATION BOARD OF GOVERNORS will hold its regular monthly meeting at 5:00 p.m., location to be determined. For more information contact JoAnne Mitchell, 703.838.4200.
ALEXANDRIA ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY COMMISSION will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m., Room 3000, City Hall, 301 King Street. For more information contact Bill Skrabak, 703.519.3400, ext. 163.
ALEXANDRIA GEORGE WASHINGTON BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION COMMITTEE will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7:00 p.m., Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson Street. For more information contact Janet Barnett, 703.838.4842.
ALEXANDRIA LIBRARY BOARD will hold its regular bimonthly meeting at 4:15 p.m., Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke Street. For more information contact Patrick O’Brien, 703.838.4077.
ALEXANDRIA REDEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m., Ladrey Highrise, 300 Wythe Street. For more information contact William Dearman, 703.549.7115.
ALEXANDRIA SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m., Room 3000, City Hall, 301 King Street. For more information contact Rose Boyd, 703.838.4800.
ALEXANDRIA TRAFFIC AND PARKING BOARD will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m., Council Chambers, City Hall, 301 King Street. For more information contact Robert Garbacz, 703.838.4411.
TUESDAY: DECEMBER 19, 2006
ALEXANDRIA COMMISSION FOR THE ARTS will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7:00 p.m., Durant Center, 1605 Cameron Street. For more information contact Cheryl Anne Colton, 703.838.6348.
JUVENILE DETENTION COMMISSION FOR NORTHERN VIRGINIA will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7:00 p.m., Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Home, 200 South Whiting Street. For more information contact Donna Howey, 703.751.3700.
HISTORIC ALEXANDRIA RESOURCES COMMISSION will hold its regular month meeting at 7:30 p.m., location to be determined. For more information contact Jim Mackay, 703.838.4554.
ALEXANDRIA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m., Room 2000, City Hall, 301 King Street. For more information contact Jean Niebauer, 703.838.6390.
ALEXANDRIA SANITATION AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS will hold its regular monthly meeting at 6:00 p.m., Sanitation Authority, 1500 Eisenhower Avenue. For more information contact Karen Pallansch, 703.549.3381.
ALEXANDRIA SCHOOL BOARD will hold its second meeting of the month at 7:30 p.m., School Administration Offices, Winkler Building Board Room, 2000 North Beauregard Street. For more information contact Rosemary Webb, 703.824.6614.
ALEXANDRIA WATERFRONT COMMITTEE will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7:30 a.m., Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson Street. For more information contact Janet Barnett, 703.838.4842.
WEDNESDAY: DECEMBER 20, 2006
ALEXANDRIA ARCHAEOLOGICAL COMMISSION will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7:00 p.m., Archaeology Museum, 105 North Union Street, Suite 327. For more information contact Pamela Cressey, 703.838.4399.
ALEXANDRIA BOARD OF ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW – OLD AND HISTORIC DISTRICT will hold its second meeting of the month at 7:30 p.m., Council Chambers, City Hall, 301 King Street. For more information contact Peter Smith, 703.838.4666.
ALEXANDRIA COMMUNITY POLICY AND MANAGEMENT TEAM will hold its regular monthly meeting at 3:00 p.m., Human Services Building, 2525 Mt. Vernon Avenue. For more information contact Dawnel White, 703.838.0832.