To have a notice listed in the Bulletin, e-mail gazette@connectionnewspapers.com. Call Rebecca Halik at 703-917-6407 with questions.
<bt> On Saturday, Feb. 23, in commemoration of George Washington’s 276th birthday, the George Washington Masonic Memorial presented the George Washington Memorial Award to James C. Rees, Executive Director of Mount Vernon. Other distinguished guests and speakers included the Honorable William D. Euille, mayor of Alexandria, Joseph Shumard, the George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee; Michael D. Brumback, President of the George Washington Masonic Memorial Association; George D. Seghers, Executive Director of the Memorial Association and other Masonic and city officials.
The Mount Vernon Republican Women will be hosting their March meeting on Wednesday, March 19 7 p.m. at the Mount Vernon Inn and Restaurant at George Washington's Estate and Gardens, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, and will feature guest speaker Keith Fimian, Candidate for the 11th District Congressional seat. Cost is $35 per person. Advance reservations and payment are required by Saturday, March 15, 2008. For more information e-mail info@mvrw.org or contact Debbie Fountain at 703-780-5942.
International Speech and evaluation competition is beginning this March. NOVA toastmasters club is holding the contest on March 19 at Falls Church High School at 7521 Jaguar Trail at 7:15 p.m. Winners from different club will compete in area level followed by Division and District. The winner of the district will have to compete at regional level before reaching at International level. The area 15 competition is scheduled on March 29 at 8:15 a.m. at United Baptist Church of Annandale, 7100, Columbia Pike, Annandale. May 1 has been set-aside by Division A spring competition at Aurora Hills Recreation Center while District 27 will hold on May 24 at Crystal City Marriot. Interested persons are invited to enjoy a unique means of learning and improving communicative abilities.
Have an attic or basement full of treasures collecting dust? Put them to good use instead by donating them to MV Big Flea. The Big Flea benefits the Mount Vernon Community School PTA in Alexandria's Del Ray neighborhood. Here's how it works: You donate items to the school PTA. They sell them and keep the proceeds. You receive a tax-deductible contribution. Donations can be dropped off on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at 409 E. Alexandria Ave. If possible, send an email to joseph.lamountain@gmail.com and let Joe know that you are coming and what you plan to bring so we can plan accordingly. You may also contact Joseph LaMountain at 202-288-5124.
On Tuesday, March 18 the Mount Vernon Genealogical Society (MVGS) will meet in room 112 of the Hollin Hall Senior Center, 1500 Shenandoah Road at 1 p.m. The meeting will feature a presentation entitled "National Environment and Your Family." The program will be presented by Constance Potter and Kenneth Heger. Free. Visit http://www.MVGenealogy.org/ or contact Harold McClendon at 703-360-0920 or haroldm@erols.com.
Every spring, the American Horticultural Society hosts its Friends of River Farm Plant Sale featuring the region’s premier plant and crafts vendors. It is typically attended by hundreds of shoppers. Applications are now being accepted for new vendors to the 2008 sale to be held April 17, 18, and 19 at River Farm. If you are interested, e-mail your business profile and additional information to schristie@ahs.org, or mail to: Sarah Christie, American Horticultural Society, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308.
This year, from March through September, Mount Vernon Archaeology will be excavating in the Upper Garden, one of two walled gardens that flank the western approach to George Washington’s home. Washington created the garden during his 1775 redesign of the Mount Vernon grounds, transforming a circa 1760 rectangular garden into an elliptical space bounded by a brick wall as well as a greenhouse and slave quarter to the north.
Opportunities to volunteer are available Monday through Friday; in addition, we will be working on Saturdays during the months of June, July and August. Work hours are between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. A typical week includes lab work on Monday and field work Tuesday through Friday; lab work is also carried out on rain days. Contact Curt Breckenridge at cbreckenridge@mountvernon.org or 703-799-6303 if you would be interested in volunteering.
In March, the Fairfax League of Women Voters will be looking at community involvement in school facilities and transportation issues, book selection and school fees. Join League members and guests for a stimulating discussion.
The organization’s unit meetings will be held during the second and third weeks of March at 13 locations throughout Fairfax County. The League’s meetings are free and guests are welcome; no registration is required. Persons interested in attending any of the meetings can call the League at 703-658-9150 for the location of the meeting most convenient for them, or visit its web site at www.lwv-fairfax.org. The study material for this meeting can be downloaded from the web site.
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization, open to both men and women, that encourages citizens to play an informed and active role in government.
Band musicians [young or old] bring instruments and play along with the Mount Vernon Community Band during their Tuesday evening band practices from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at Mt Vernon High School Band Room. 8515Old Mt Vernon Road. No auditions. Just sit in and play along even if you are "rusty." Music and music stands will be provided. Call Ed Smith 703-768-8278 or Eric Leighty 703-768-4172.
Adoption Support Groups are forming in the Mount Vernon area. All members of the adoption triad, (adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive parents) are encouraged to call for more information about the groups as well as individual, couples, and/or family counseling. The groups will be held in the evenings. Contact Diana Tracey, licensed clinical social worker, at 571-245-0054.
The Inova Mount Vernon Hospital Auxiliary is currently accepting applications for adult volunteers. Volunteering at Mount Vernon Hospital is fun, exciting, and rewarding. A variety of positions are available and every effort is made to match your availability, interests, and abilities with the volunteer opportunities within the program. The hospital is located at 2501 Parker's Lane in Alexandria. For further information, call 703-664-7260, stop by the Director of Volunteer Services office Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., or visit www.inova.org.
MOMS Club of Alexandria meet every second Wednesday of each month at 10:30 a.m. at Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church, 2001 Sherwood Hall Lane. Children are welcome to all activities. Activities include: Monthly Meetings, playgroups, Park Days, Sunshine Committee, Community Service Projects, MOMS Night Out, etc. Visit www.geocities.com/southalexmomsclub/index.html for contact information.
Take Off Pounds Sensibly, a weight loss support group, meets every Wednesday at 7 p.m., Mount Vernon Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth
Ave. Private weigh-ins. Annual fee $24. 703-299-5788.
If you are a senior choral singer come and join a bunch of guys your age and sing with the “Harmony Heritage Singers” Barbershop Chorus Rehearse twice a month on Wednesday or Friday depending on the availability of the library at Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. The group hassingers from several local organizations who sing with their regular groups as well as belonging to the Harmony Heritage Singers. Drop in on any rehearsal.
Rehearsal schedule can be found at: http://members.cox.net/the perfectpitch/ or by calling James Coulter (703)957-4597 Email: jnjcoulter@comcast.net