[Archived] Weekly Event Announcements for the City of Alexandria: January 24-30, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 23, 2009

Saturday, January 24 - Tile Workshop 
A team of artists will complete the tile work started in the November class. The finished art will be on display at the Dr. Oswald Durant Memorial Center in January. Workshops are open to participants of the Charles Houston Recreation Center who attended previous workshops. The morning workshop will run from 10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and the Afternoon Workshop will run from 1:15 to 4 p.m. Workshops are sponsored by the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities. For additional information, e-mail aca@alexandriava.org or call 703.838.6348.

Saturday, January 24 – “Childhood Memories in Miniature: African American Dollhouses Exhibition”
Your last chance to 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 will be on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Located at the Alexandria Black History Museum (902 Wythe St.), this show 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. Suggested admission is $2. For more information, visit www.alexblackhistory.org or call 703.838.4356.

Tuesday, January 27: Dinner and Mentoring Information Session 
In celebration of National Mentoring Month, the Alexandria Mentoring Partnership will be hosting a free Dinner and Mentoring Information Session on Tuesday, January 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the cafeteria at T.C. Williams High School, 3330 King St. The event will be an opportunity for the public to come and learn more about mentoring opportunities here in Alexandria. To RSVP, or to learn more about mentoring opportunities in Alexandria, e-mail mentoring@alexandriava.gov or call Mike Mackey, Coordinator of the Alexandria Mentoring Partnership, at 703.838.4180, ext. 242.

Tuesday, January 27 – City Council Work Session on Wayfinding and the Waterfront Plan 
There will be a City Council work session on Wayfinding and the Waterfront Plan at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall, 301 King St., Council Workroom. For more information, contact Carrie Beach at 703.838.4666, ext. 325 or visit www.alexandriava.gov/planning.

Wednesday, January 28 – Greenbuilding Forum 
There will be a Greenbuilding Forum at 7:00 p.m. at George Washington Masonic Memorial, 101 Callahan Dr. For more information, contact Rich Josephson at 703.838.4666 ext. 302, or visit www.alexandriava.gov/planning.

Wednesday, January 28 – Parker-Gray Board of Architectural Review work session
There will be a Parker-Gray Board of Architectural Review work session on the James Bland redevelopment project immediately following the adjournment of the regular public meeting in the City Council Work Room at City Hall, 301 King St. For more information, contact Historic Preservation in Planning & Zoning at 703.838.4666.

Thursday, January 29 – Foreclosure Prevention Clinic
Are you late on your mortgage payment? On January 29, the Northern Virginia Urban League is sponsoring a free Foreclosure Prevention Clinic from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at 1315 Duke St. There will be presentations about pre-foreclosure steps, understanding the foreclosure process, defending mortgage foreclosure and alternatives to foreclosure. Speak with a HUD-Certified Housing Counselor about your situation. Seating is limited: to RSVP, or for more information about this event, call the Northern Virginia Urban League at 703.836.2858 or email creloba@hotmail.com.

Thursday, January 29 – 18th Century Dance Lessons
In preparation for the Birthnight Ball on February 14, learn 18th century English country dancing from expert dance instructors at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 North Royal St. Class is 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. and costs $12. Sign up for additional classes on February 5 and 12, and pay just $30 for the series of three! Reservations are recommended. For more information, please visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.838.4242.

Open through Saturday, February 28 – 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.

Ending March 1 – Undiscovered Reality Digital Video Contest
Local youth groups, after-school programs, and/or groups of friends are encouraged to enter the Undiscovered Reality digital video contest. Youth will create videos no longer than five minutes that show the reality of issues related to teen pregnancy. Groups can film themselves or get assistance from ACAP. Entries are due March 1. Each entry will have the chance to win a $500 grand prize, a $250 first place prize or a $100 second place prize. All winning videos will be recognized at the ACAP Community Breakfast on April 1, and will be featured on www.alexgetreal.com and ACAP’s Facebook page. For entry forms, visit www.alexgetreal.com. For more information, contact Becky Griesse at 703.746.5030 or rebecca.griesse@alexandriava.gov.

Winter/Spring 2009 - Support Groups for Sexual Assault Survivors
The Sexual Assault Response and Awareness (SARA) Program is offering support groups for survivors of sexual assault in winter/spring 2009. The groups offer a safe, supportive environment for participants to connect with other survivors. Members will gain further knowledge and understanding of the effects of sexual violence and how to develop healthy coping skills. All interested individuals are required to meet with the group facilitators before group begins. To see a list of support groups, visit alexandriava.gov/women. To sign up for a group or to receive further information, contact Jen McLish at 703-746-5030.

Coming Soon!

Saturday, January 31 – Potomac Yard Planning Community Meeting 
There will be a Potomac Yard Planning Community Meeting from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the cafeteria of George Washington Middle School, 1005 Mount Vernon Ave. Residents are invited to come and learn about the planning process, meet the residents serving on the Potomac Yard Planning Advisory Group, review the initial draft planning principles and provide their own ideas and input. For more information, contact Valerie Peterson at 703.838.4666, ext. 338 or visit www.alexandriava.gov/planning.