[Archived] Weekly Event Announcements for the City of Alexandria: February 21 – 27, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 20, 2009

Saturday, February 21 – State of the City Address and Dedication of the New Charles Houston Recreation Center 
Mayor William D. Euille and the Alexandria City Council invite the public to participate in a special Citywide event as the Mayor delivers the State of the City Address before the dedication of the newly built Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe St.). The event will open with the Mayor’s address at 8:30 a.m., followed by the dedication ceremony, an Open House and tours of the facility. For additional information, contact Jack Browand at 703.838.5095, ext. 273.

Saturday, February 21 – Swordsmen’s Rendezvous
En garde! Experience this unique living history program at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum (134 North Royal St.) as you learn a skill all 18th-century gentlemen must know: swordplay! The program includes re-enactment of 18th-century swordplay and a display of 18th-century weapons. This popular family event is suitable for all ages and will include some audience participation as you practice your newfound talents. Price is $5 per person, ages five and up. Tours are from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and reservations are required. For more information, visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.838.4242.

Saturday, February 21 – “Foodways of Enslaved Virginians” 
Discover the important cultural aspects of diet and food preparation with Michael Twitty, a leading expert on African-American foodways. This lecture will explore the harvesting, preparation, and consumption of foods of enslaved Virginians. Free, 11 a.m. to noon. Located at the Alexandria Black History Museum (902 Wythe St.) For more information, please visit www.alexblackhistory.org or call 703.838.4356.

Monday, February 23 - Recycling Audits
The Department of Transportation and Environmental Services reminds residents that recycling audits will be conducted Monday through Friday from February 23 to March 6. Recycling audits are routinely performed to determine the percentage of paper or containers that make up the recycling stream. Materials will be divided into seven categories: cardboard, mixed paper, metal containers, plastic bottles and jugs, other plastic recyclable containers, glass containers, and non-recyclables and then weighed. For more information please contact Stacy Herring, Recycling Specialist at 703.751.5872.

Monday, February 23 – Tavern Toddlers
Join us for a special program for toddlers (walkers through 36 months) and their caregivers at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum (134 N. Royal St). Tavern Toddlers features a weekly open playtime in Gadsby’s historic ballroom every Monday (excluding Federal holidays) any time between 10:30 a.m. and noon. New themes each month! Cost is $7 for a group of three, which must include one adult, or $30 for purchase a 5-week pass. For more information, please visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.838.4242.

Wednesday, February 25 – Sign up to Receive Spring & Summer Recreation Program Guide
The Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities will distribute the Spring & Summer 2009 Recreation Program Guide and post it online during the week of March 2. To receive the guide by mail, individuals must visit alexandriava.gov/recreation or call 703.838.4343 by Wednesday, February 25.

Wednesday, February 25 – Foreclosure Prevention Clinic
The City of Alexandria Office of Housing and Housing Counseling Services will sponsor a Foreclosure Prevention Clinic on Wednesday, February 25, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Nannie J. Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson St., in Gold Room 1.  The Clinic will assist delinquent homeowners in seeking solutions to prevent foreclosure. Participants will be individually assessed and given the opportunity to immediately schedule a default and delinquency counseling session.  Call 202.667.7006 to register for this event.

Wednesday, February 25 – Saluting the Women of Alexandria Award Nominations Due 
The Alexandria Commission for Women and the Office on Women will celebrate Women’s History Month in March by honoring Alexandria women who have made outstanding contributions to the well-being of women and girls in Alexandria. The 29th Annual Salute to Women Awards Banquet will be held on March 30 at 6 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Alexandria. Nominations for awards are due by February 25, 2009.  For more information on the awards, or for nomination forms, visit the web site at www.alexwomen.com, or call 703.746.5030.

Wednesday, February 25 – Complete a Survey for a Healthier Alexandria
Help the Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria’s community-wide effort MAPP (Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships). MAPP’s goal is to strategically identify, analyze and prioritize health needs in Alexandria. To fill out a survey concerning your view of a healthier Alexandria, visit www.alexhealth.org/partnership/mapp.html. The survey, which can be found in both English and Spanish, must be completed by February 25.

Wednesday, February 25 – Parker-Gray Board of Architectural Review Workshop
The Parker-Gray Board of Architectural Review will hold a workshop to discuss the James Bland Redevelopment Project following the conclusion of the Parker-Gray hearing (which begins at 7:30 p.m.). The meeting is open to the public and will be held in Council Workroom, at City Hall (301 King St.) For more information, contact Julie Fuerth at 703.838.4666, ext. 544.

Thursday, February 26 – Community Meeting Regarding Eisenhower West Industrial Land Use Policy and Planning Study
There will be a community meeting regarding the Eisenhower West Industrial Land Use Policy and Planning Study from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the auditorium of Patrick Henry Elementary School (4643 Taney Ave.) For more information, contact Veronica Davis at 703.838.4666. ext. 330.

Coming Soon!

Sunday, March 1 – 2009 Business License Renewal Applications Due
The City of Alexandria reminds taxpayers that all businesses operating in the City must submit a business license renewal application and pay the annual business license tax by March 1, 2009.  Payment in full must be received or postmarked by March 1 to avoid penalties and interest.  If you have not received an application in the mail, you may download one from our web site at www.alexandriava.gov/businesstax or contact Business Tax at businesstax@alexandriava.gov or 703.838.4680.

Wednesday, March 4: City of Alexandria Schedules Community Meetings on Fort Ward Park and Facility Improvements
The Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities and the Office of Historic Alexandria invite the public to attend a community meeting to provide input on the current facilities and operations at Fort Ward Park (4301 W. Braddock Rd.) The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 4 at 7 p.m. at the Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson St. City staff will use the ideas generated from the two meetings to review community and user concerns, and to prioritize a draft action plan for park improvements. A third community meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 18 at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria of T. C. Williams High School, 3330 King St. Residents unable to attend the meetings can send written comments to the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities, Attention: Laura Durham, 1108 Jefferson St., Alexandria, VA 22314, or laura.durham@alexandriava.gov through Friday, March 13.

Ongoing Events

Now through Wednesday, April 15 – City of Alexandria Offers Free Tax Preparation Assistance for Qualified Residents 
The City of Alexandria is offering free tax preparation assistance to low-income residents during the 2009 tax season. Taxpayers are eligible for the Tax Preparation Assistance Program if their income is below approximately $22,000 for individuals and below approximately $42,000 for families. Persons requesting the assistance must bring a picture ID, W-2 forms and other income records, and records or receipts for expenses such as child care and/or education. They must also provide social security cards or ITIN letters for all family members and a copy of last year’s tax return, if possible. The sessions will be held in the lobby of the Alexandria Department of Human Services, 2525 Mount Vernon Ave. Taxpayers will be assisted on a first-come, first-served basis. Spanish-speaking volunteers will be available on-site, and electronic filing will be available to help taxpayers receive their refunds more quickly. Tax preparation sessions are scheduled from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturdays, and from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays through April 15.