To have a notice listed, e-mail gazette@connectionnewspapers.com. Call Rebecca Halik at 703-917-6407 with questions.
Thursday/Dec. 18
Toys for Inmates’ Children. Each year, the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office provides toys and gifts to children of inmates housed in the Alexandria Detention Center to be distributed on Dec. 18 at the Public Safety Center. For more information, contact Gloria Hicks, volunteer/programs coordinator, at 703-838-4111 ext. 4904 or e-mail Gloria.Hicks@alexandriava.gov.
Healing Relationships: Guided Meditation. 1 p.m. at Mindful Hands Gallery, 211 King St. Guided meditation workshop for healing and reducing stress. $30. Facilitated by Dona Witten, PhD, of Integrated Life Path Coaching. Call 703-980-1878 for more information and to register.
Health Screening. 9 a.m. at Old Town Sport and Health Club, 209 Madison St. Get screened to reduce risk of having a stroke. To schedule an appointment, www.lifelinescreening.com or 1-800-697-9721.
Friday/Dec. 19
Holiday Toy Drive Deadline. Community Partners for Children is collecting toys for children in the Alexandria area. Donate toys at a donation box or mail cash contributions to Community Partners for Children, P.O. Box 2738, Alexandria, VA 22301. 703-717-0373.
Sunday/Dec. 21
Deadline for Holiday Toy Drive. The Alexandria/Old Town Office of Weichert, Realtors’ is running its annual holiday toy drive to benefit a local non-profit organization. The local community is invited to donate new, unwrapped toys from through Friday, Dec. 21, at its office, located at 121 N. Pitt Street, during normal business hours. All toys will be donated to The Campagna Center.
Wednesday/Dec. 31
Last Day for Diaper Drive. Landmark Career Academy SGA will pick up diapers for infants and toddlers at home on Fridays, or they can be dropped off at the academy. 703-658-6451.
Monday/Jan. 5
Free Trial Class for Newcomers. Yoga in Daily Life, 2402 Mt. Vernon Ave., offers classes for people of all ages and physical ability. Meditation classes also offered. Drop-ins welcome anytime. Lunchtime Yoga classes held on Wednesdays 12:15- 12:50 p.m. Visit http://www.yogaindailylifeus.org/ or call 703-299-8946.
Thursday/Jan. 8
The Eighth Annual Conservation Breakfast. The Northern Virginia Conservation Trust, a Virginia non-profit land trust, will host keynote speaker U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8) from 8-9:30 a.m. at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, 5000 Seminary Road. Tickets are $50. Space is limited. For reservations, call 703-354-5093 extension 22.
Saturday/Jan. 10
Application Deadline for The Women’s Opportunity Awards. Program aids women seeking to improve their economic status by gaining additional skills, training and education. The women may use the award to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education including books, childcare and transportation.
The Violet Richardson Award recognizes and honors young women, between the ages of 14 to 17, who make the community and world a better place. Applications are available by contacting Sylvia Winterling, svlwint@aol.com.
Christmas Tree Recycling. City of Alexandria will collect Christmas trees for recycling from residents who receive pick up service. Trees must be out at the curb by 7 a.m. All ornaments, tinsel and stands are removed, and to not place trees in plastic bags, as these items will contaminate the mulch. 703-519-3486 or visit www.alexandriava.gov/tes.
Saturday/Jan. 17
Christmas Tree Recycling. City of Alexandria will collect Christmas trees for recycling from residents who receive pick up service. Trees must be out at the curb by 7 a.m. All ornaments, tinsel and stands are removed, and to not place trees in plastic bags, as these items will contaminate the mulch. 703-519-3486 or visit www.alexandriava.gov/tes.
Tuesday/Jan. 20
Support Group. 6:30 p.m. at The Hermitage in Northern Virginia. Meet with other members and get information on Alzheimer’s or other memory loss ailments. Free. 703-797-3815.
Wednesday/Jan. 28
Treatment for Spine Disorders. Dr. Corey Wallach will discuss treatments for spine disorders at Inova Alexandria Hospital at 7 p.m., 4320 Seminary Road. Call Inova HealthSource at 703-750-8800 to register for this free lecture.
Saturday/Jan. 31
Application Deadline. Musicians and vocalists in junior of senior year of high school in Alexandria can compete Feb. 22 at 2 p.m. at the Goodwin House of Alexandria. For further information, competition rules, and application forms, interested persons should contact Cas Hobbs by e-mail at Cashobbs@aol.com.
Wednesday/Feb. 11
Cardiac Risks. Dr. Rafiq Zaheer will hold a lecture about "How to Manage Cardiac Risk Factors" at 7 p.m., Inova Alexandria Hospital, 4320 Seminary Road. To attend this free lecture, contact Inova HealthSource at 703-750-8800.
Thurdsay/Feb. 26
Spine Surgery Discussion. Dr. John Hamilton will discuss "Advancements in Spine Surgery" at Inova Alexandria Hospital, 7 p.m., 4320 Seminary Road. Contact Inova HealthSource at 703-750-8800 to attend this free lecture.
Ongoing
Hopkins House (www.hopkinshouse.org) is a local charity that provides preschool services for children and offers family education workshops for parents. This time of year donations of facial tissue, diapers/pull-ups, wipes, batteries, construction paper, and crayons are needed. 703-539-4232 ext. 4086.
The City of Alexandria and Volunteer Alexandria have teamed up on a program called “Snow Buddies,” to provide snow removal assistance for low-income homeowners or occupants who are elderly or disabled. The City and Volunteer Alexandria will match eligible residents with volunteers who can shovel their snow. Residents are encouraged to apply for this program in advance to ensure that their sidewalks can be cleared in enough time to avoid City fines and/or snow removal charges. To apply 703-838-4800. To become a volunteer contact Kelly Sazama of Volunteer Alexandria at 703-836-2176.
The Alexandria Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) meets at 7 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month, at the Nannie J. Lee Recreation Center, 1108 Jefferson St. Contact 703-684-6190 or visit www.naacpalexandria.org.
Greenlight Toastmasters International meets every second and fourth Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Mount Vernon Rec Center, 2701 Commonwealth Ave. Visit greenlight.freetoasthost.info or 703-569-4810.
Community Partners for Children collects toys for deserving kids in the Alexandria area, and asks the community for help. Drop off toys to any CPC donation box or send a contribution to Community Partners for Children, P.O. Box 2738, Alexandria, VA 22301. 703-717-0373 for information.
Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home at 1500 West Braddock Road invites the public to come in now through Dec. 31 to place an ornament in memory of loved ones on its Memorial Tree. In conjunction with the Memorial Tree and the Memorial Service, visitors are welcome to bring in a non-perishable food item for the ALIVE! Food bank. For more, call the funeral home at 703-998-9200.
In celebration of the holidays, ProFeed, Inc., will host a Holiday Donation Drive benefiting Homeward Trails Animal Rescue. The Holiday Donation Drive will be held at 3960G King St. and continue until Dec. 31. For more, visit www.profeedpet.com.