[Archived] Weekly Event Announcements for the City of Alexandria: January 3 – January 9, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  January 2, 2009

Beginning Monday, January 5 – King Street Trolley Changes Operating Schedule
The City of Alexandria’s free King Street Trolley will move to winter hours starting on January 5, 2009. The trolley, which transports riders between the Potomac River waterfront and the King Street Metro, will now operate seven days a week, from 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (instead of 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.) Trolleys will depart from the Potomac River waterfront and the King Street Metro Station every 20 minutes (instead of every 15 minutes). The Trolley will continue to operate free of charge, and passengers can hop on and off the trolley at any of the 20 designated trolley stops. For more information about the King Street Trolley Service, visit alexandriava.gov/trolley or contact Jim Maslanka, Department of Transportation and Environmental Services, at 703.838.3800.

Monday, January 5 – Registration Deadline for “Turn the Page!”
The first 500 people to register before January 5 for the Alexandria PTA Council’s community reading event “Turn the Page!” will each receive a free copy of the program’s featured book, “A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future.” The program will encourage parents, teachers and community members from across the City to come together to read and discuss “A Whole New Mind,” a BusinessWeek bestseller by Daniel H. Pink. Participants will meet to discuss the book informally in small groups, and the author will speak about the book at a special event on February 24, 2009, at T.C. Williams High School. Participants can register online and obtain more information at http://www.acps.k12.va.us/ptac/read.php.

Monday, January 5 – Wayfinding Community Open House
There will be a Wayfinding Community Open House on January 5, 2009, from 7 to 9 p.m. in City Hall, 301 King St., Room 2000. The purpose of the open house is to share progress on the wayfinding sign designs with the community and solicit input from residents regarding refinement of the program. For more information, contact Carrie Beach at 703.838.4666, ext. 325.

Tuesday, January 6 – Deadline for Voter Registration, Absentee Ballot Applications
On January 13, a special election will be held to replace Brian Moran, who resigned from the Virginia House of Delegates’ 46th District in December. The district comprises 11 Alexandria precincts in the western part of the City and the Skyline precinct in Fairfax County. Alexandria voters who wish to register to vote in person or wish to apply for an absentee ballot by mail must do so by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 6. The Office of Voter Registration and Elections will be open Monday, January 5 and Tuesday, January 6 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Voter registrations sent by mail must be postmarked for January 6. Residents may go online to www.alexandriavoter.org or call the Office of Voter Registration and Elections at 703.838.4050 to determine their eligibility to vote in the special election.
 
Tuesday, January 6 – Wayfinding Initiative Joint Work Session
There will be a Wayfinding Initiative joint work session with the Planning Commission and the Boards of Architectural Review at 6 p.m. at the Council Workroom in City Hall, 301 King St. For more information, contact Carrie Beach at 703.838.4666, ext. 325.

Thursday, January 8 – Second Thursday Art Night, “Snowy Winter Nights”
Is there holiday money burning a hole in your pocket? Turn the winter chill into a shopping thrill as you browse open studios, interact with the artists and enjoy refreshments at this free event, as the Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 North Union St., celebrates Second Thursday Art Night, “Snowy Winter Nights.” Join in on the fun from 6 to 9 p.m. For more information, visit www.torpedofactory.org.

Open through Saturday, January 24 – “Childhood Memories in Miniature: African American Dollhouses Exhibition”
Take in the memories of childhood and the spirit of the holidays with this joyful exhibit of miniature dollhouses by Sharon J. Frazier and Linwood M. Smith. This new show at the Alexandria Black History Museum (902 Wythe St.) features more than a dozen buildings and rooms in 1:12 scale, including buildings and rooms inspired by actual businesses in the Parker-Gray community, a historically African-American neighborhood in Alexandria. The exhibit is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., through Saturday, January 24, 2009. Suggested admission is $2. For more information, visit www.alexblackhistory.org or call 703.838.4356.

Open through Saturday, February 28, 2009 – Jones Point Lighthouse Exhibition
A new exhibit at The Lyceum, Alexandria’s History Museum, highlights the Jones Point Lighthouse and the Fresnel lenses that guided vessels into Alexandria along the Potomac. A scale model of the building and interpretative panels discuss the history of the lighthouse from its construction in 1856 to recent restoration efforts. Also on view are two original Fresnel lenses, one of which was actually used in the lighthouse itself. The Lyceum, located at 201 S. Washington St., is open Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Suggested admission is $2 and limited free parking is available. For more information, visit www.alexandriahistory.org or call 703.838.4994.

Coming Soon!

Saturday, January 10 and Saturday, January 17 – Christmas Tree Recycling
The City of Alexandria will collect Christmas trees for recycling from residents who receive City trash service on Saturday, January 10 and Saturday, January 17. Trees must be placed at the curb (no alleys) by 7:00 a.m. for recycling collection. There will be no additional pickups this year: Christmas trees placed at the curb after January 17 will be picked up on regular refuse collection days. For more information, visit https://www.alexandriava.gov/news_display.aspx?id=18416 or contact the Department of Transportation & Environmental Services, Solid Waste Division, at 703.519.3486 or visit www.alexandriava.gov/tes.

Saturday, January 10 – Deadline for Casting In-Person Absentee Ballots 
On January 13, a special election will be held to replace Brian Moran, who resigned from the Virginia House of Delegates’ 46th District in December. The district comprises 11 Alexandria precincts in the western part of the City and the Skyline precinct in Fairfax County. Registered voters wishing to cast an in-person absentee ballot must do so by 5:00 on January 10 at the Office of Voter Registration and Elections, 132 N. Royal Street. For complete election information, visit www.alexandriavoter.org or contact Tom Parkins, General Registrar, at 703.838.4050 or tom.parkins@alexandriava.gov.

Tuesday, January 13 – Virginia House of Delegates Special Election
On January 13, Democrat Charniele L. Herring and Republican Joe R. Murray will square off in a special election. Polls will be open 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. For complete election information, visit www.alexandriavoter.org or contact Tom Parkins, General Registrar, at 703.838.4050 or tom.parkins@alexandriava.gov.

Thursday, January 15 – Carlyle/Eisenhower East Design Review Board
There will be a Carlyle/Eisenhower East Design Review Board meeting at 7 p.m. in City Hall, 301 King St., Room 2000. For more information, contact Ben Aiken at 703.838.4666, ext. 432, or visit https://www.alexandriava.gov/planning/info/default.aspx?id=6802.