Making Learning Fun
The students chattered and compared paint colors as they strolled along the path at the Winkler Preserve on Friday, May 10, to launch hand-crafted model sail boats and play the cigar box guitars they had made over the past semester in their class through a joint effort by the Alexandria Seaport Foundation and Alexandria City Public Schools.
Rebuilding Together Day
Volunteers rebuild homes for those in need.
More than 700 local volunteers took part in National Rebuilding Together Day April 27 to provide critical repairs and upgrades for low-income homeowners in Alexandria.
Opposition Heats Up over City's Plans for Founders Park
Council to be asked to amend current restrictions on special events.
The proposed amendment to allow special events in Founders Park took center stage at the May 10 annual meeting of the Founders Park Community Association. “I can't believe the city is proposing this,” said one attendee who asked to remain anonymous. “There should be more respect for Ellen Pickering, Chuck Hamel and Patricia Golubin for saving this land. The park would not exist at all if it weren't for their efforts back in the '70s.”
Calendar - ro
BalletNova Open House on June 1
BalletNova Center for Dance holds a free Open House on Saturday, June 1 from 2-5 p.m. at the BNCD studios. Free 30-minute mini-classes for children and adults are offered in a variety of dance genres. Ballet, tap and hip hop for varying age groups will be available for children to try. Adults can sample from basic levels of jazz, tap, modern, ballet, dance cardio and hip hop. The Open House is a great way to sample different BNCD teachers and types of dance and conditioning, and special class discounts are available. There will also be crafts for the kids and refreshments, as well as tours of the 20,000 square foot 6-studio dance training facility. Everything is free and open to the public.
Calendar
Ongoing Food Truck Thursdays. In the surface parking lot at the corner of Crystal Drive and 18th Street. Line Dancing Class. Fridays, 10-11 a.m. Line dancing with Barbara Allen. Covers the basic steps, then combines them to music for a gentle aerobic workout. More experienced line dancers are welcome as they can assist newer dancers. At Aurora Hills Senior Center. Call 703-228-5722.
Some Like It Haute
Old Town Theater hosts Boutique District Spring Style event
The Old Town Boutique District held a Spring Style party April 29 at the Old Town Theater to introduce media representatives from throughout the region to the retail offerings available in the historic district of Alexandria.
Vote in Spite of Election Fatigue
Primary voting, absentee voting, Republican convention
Absentee voting, including “in-person” absentee voting, is already underway for the June 11 primary, a statewide Democratic party primary for lieutenant governor and attorney general, plus one delegate race in Northern Virginia. Voters in the Democratic primary will choose between Ralph S. Northam and Aneesh Chopra for lieutenant governor; and between Mark R. Herring and Justin E. Fairfax for attorney general.
It’s All About Knowing the Options for Long-Term Care
While it may be something we don’t want to think about, we will probably be faced with making long-term care decisions. What happens if I get sick, and I can’t remain in my home? How can I stay in my home, and receive care? How will I pay for all of this? Knowing what the options are, how to make preparations, and putting things into place in advance can help. Last Thursday, Senior Services of Alexandria’s Speaker Series focused on this important topic. Panelists at the SSA event covered a wide range of long-term care services and support available here in Alexandria, as well as state-wide resources. David DeBiasi, AARP’s associate state director, framed the issue and spoke about the cost of care in Virginia. The audience heard from local service provider Adult Companion Care about in-home support, and also learned about the various options available for assisted living, continuing care and nursing home facilities. Kathy McNulty from Capital Care of Alexandria talked about when palliative or hospice care may be the right choice.
Forum To Address Mental Health Issues for Youth - Details
Mental Health Forum on Children and Youth Saturday, May 18
Forum To Address Mental Health Issues for Youth
We read about the tragic results of untreated mental illness everyday. The mass shootings at Newtown, Tucson, Aurora and Virginia Tech were all perpetuated by students or young people with reported mental health issues. The effects of mental illness are not always so high profile — most people with mental illness are non-violent — but for the 1 in 17 Americans living with a serious mental illness the consequences are significant. Our youth are particularly hard hit. Mental illness frequently strikes when people are young with 50 percent the cases of mental illness starting by the time an individual is 14 and three quarters by the age of 24. The consequences can be devastating. Suicide is the third-leading cause of death for people ages 10-24. More than 90 percent of those who commit suicide have a diagnosable mental disorder.
People
People Notes
Martin Ogle, chief naturalist at Potomac Overlook Regional Park in Arlington, is the first recipient of the Arlington Green Patriot Award. The honor recognizes an individual, business or organization that exemplifies sustainability in more than one aspect of their recent life or operations to improve civic life in Arlington. Ogle was recognized for his lifelong dedication to environmental education and for emphasizing the interrelationships between people and the rest of nature. He served on the boards of several environmental and community organizations, including the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia, Arlington Food Co-op, Arlington Heritage Alliance, the Arlington/Alexandria Coalition for the Homeless and Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment.
Bulletin Board
Absentee Voting Opens On Tuesday June 11, there will be a Democratic Primary for Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General. Absentee voting for the primary began Friday, April 26. Many Alexandria voters are eligible to vote absentee, but relatively few take advantage of this option. Qualifying circumstances: commute and work for 11 of the 13 hours the polls are open; caregiver for a confined family member; unable to go to the polls in person on Election Day because of an illness or disability; or will be absent from Alexandria on Election Day because of personal business, work, school, or vacation. To learn more about these, and other circumstances in which absentee voting is an appropriate option, visit alexandriava.gov/Elections and click on “Absentee Voting,” or call 703-746-4050.
Old Town Farmers’ Market Welcomes SNAP/EBT Beneficiaries
The City of Alexandria’s Old Town Farmers’ Market is participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps. As a result, SNAP customers will be able to use their electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables and other eligible food products at the market.
Vote in Spite of Election Fatigue
Primary voting, absentee voting, Republican convention
Absentee voting, including “in-person” absentee voting, is already underway for the June 11 primary, a statewide Democratic party primary for lieutenant governor and attorney general, plus one delegate race in Northern Virginia. Voters in the Democratic primary will choose between Ralph S. Northam and Aneesh Chopra for lieutenant governor; and between Mark R. Herring and Justin E. Fairfax for attorney general.
Crime
The following incidents were reported by the Arlington Police Department. ARSON & ATTEMPTED ROBBERY, 5500 block of S. Columbia Pike. At 10:37 p.m. on May 2, a subject attempted to rob a store by demanding that a store employee give him money. When the employee refused, the subject proceeded to light coffee filters on fire and announced that no one could leave the store. The subject threw several items at store employees, including at their 16-month-old child. All of the victims barricaded themselves in another room where they stayed until police arrived on scene. The suspect knocked over shelves, broke machines, and threw store merchandise all over the store. A 49-year-old Arlington man was arrested and charged with arson, attempted robbery, four counts of abduction, felony destruction of property, and three counts of assault and battery. He is currently being held without bond.
Bulletin Board
Thursday/May 16 Speaker. 12:15-1:30 p.m. at La Cote D’Or Restaurant. The Arlington Rotary Club is hosting Mario Price, who will speak on “7 Things You Must Know About Energy Deregulation.” Friday/May 17 Bike to Work Day. 6:30-9:30 a.m. at Gateway Park. Register and be entered in to win a bicycle. Free.
Tejada on State of the County
Arlington County Board Chair J. Walter Tejada will present an overview of the economic and developmental status of Arlington County at the 12th annual State of the County on Tuesday, June 11 from 7:30 until 9:30 a.m. at the Crystal Gateway Marriott. State of the County is co-hosted by Leadership Arlington and the Arlington Chamber of Commerce.
Police Seek Additional Credit Card Victims
The Arlington County Police Department’s Burglary/Larceny Unit is investigating a suspect involved in several credit card thefts and is seeking additional victims. The suspect, Barry Jason Fig, was charged on March 27, in Montgomery County with five counts of felony credit card theft related to thefts that occurred at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex during March 2013.
Modell’s Opens Newest Store
Modell’s Sporting Goods celebrated its grand opening of its Pentagon Centre store on May 9 on 1201 S. Hayes Street. Founded in 1889, Modell's Sporting Goods offers sporting goods equipment, footwear and active apparel.
Celebrating Chantilly Day
The second annual Chantilly Day celebration was Saturday, May 4, in the Sully Place Shopping Center.