[Archived] Weekly Event Announcements: April 11-17, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 10, 2009     

Weekly Event Announcements for the City of Alexandria: April 11 - 17, 2009 

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.

Saturday, April 11 – Hunt for History
Here’s a fun way to explore the Tavern and City Hotel! The history is easy to find, but where are the eggs? Help find the Tavernkeeper’s Easter eggs and learn about the past at the same time at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. Light refreshments included. Reservations are requested. Tours times from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $5 per adult, $3 per child (ages 2-17). Remember to bring your Easter basket! For more information, please visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.838.4242.

Saturday, April 11 – Alexandria Celebrates National Public Health Week
The City of Alexandria and The Alexandria Health Department encourage the public to recognize and celebrate National Public Health Week, April 6-11. The Health Department staff will be at the Del Ray Farmers’ Market (at the corner of East Oxford and Mount Vernon Avenues) from 8 a.m. to noon to provide information and answer questions about several health-related topics, including the importance of a healthy environment, health care for the underserved, protecting and promoting health, and being prepared for health emergencies.

Monday, April 13 to Friday, April 17 – WMATA Public Hearings
The City of Alexandria reminds residents that the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority will be holding public hearings throughout the region from April 13 –17 to discuss the reduction of transit services on several routes. The closest meeting in proximity to Alexandria will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15 at the Arlington County Government Building, 2100 Clarendon Blvd. For more information about the public hearings, visit www.wmata.com

Monday, April 13 – BRAC Advisory Group Meeting
The BRAC Advisory Group will meet from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the William Ramsay School Auditorium, 5700 Sanger Ave. In February of 2009, City Council created a BRAC-133 Advisory Group to serve as a forum for developing ideas and recommendations relating to transportation improvements and other issues associated with the BRAC-133 office building. For more information, contact Pat Escher at 703.838.4666 ext. 367.

Monday, April 13 – Tavern Toddlers
Join us for a special program for toddlers (walkers through 36 months) and their caregivers at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 North Royal St. Tavern Toddlers features a weekly open playtime in Gadsby’s historic ballroom Mondays, 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, April 15 – Potomac Yard Metro Feasibility Workgroup Meeting
The Potomac Yard Metro Feasibility Workgroup will meet at 7 p.m. in the Sister Cities Conference Room 1101, Alexandria City Hall, 301 King St. The City Council established the workgroup to assess the technical and financial analyses required for a potential new Metrorail Station in Potomac Yard. The group will discuss the results from a preliminary analysis of Metro station location options. For more information, contact Valerie Peterson at 703.838.4666 ext. 338.

Thursday, April 16 – Parker-Gray Work Session
A Parker-Gray Work Session regarding the James Bland Development will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Sister Cities Conference Room 1101, Alexandria City Hall, 301 King St. For more information, contact Lee Webb at 703.838.4666 ext. 338.

Thursday, April 16 – “Beat the Odds” Awards Reception
The Alexandria Bar Association (the Bar), through its Foundation, is hosting the “Beat the Odds” awards program at the Alexandria Courthouse, 520 King Street (Fourth Floor) at 6 p.m. The Alexandria “Beat the Odds” program, modeled after a Children’s Defense Fund Program, is a collaborative effort that recognizes youth who have overcome difficult situations to achieve educational or vocational goals. An RSVP to this event is requested by Friday, April 10. For more information or to RSVP, call the Alexandria Bar Association Office at 703.548.1106 or e-mail alexbar@alexandriabarva.org.

Friday, April 17 – Deadline for Tree Reservations at Earth Day Tree Sale
Alexandria’s Urban Forestry Steering Committee (UFSC) and Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities will hold a City tree sale on Saturday, April 25, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Duke St. Tree stewards will be available at the sale to consult on tree choice and care. Residents can reserve trees in advance by Friday, April 17. No deposit is necessary. To reserve a tree, call Jerry Dieruf, Arborist, at 703.838.4999, ext. 451, or e-mail jerry.dieruf@alexandriava.gov.

Coming Soon!

Saturdays, April 18, 25 and May 2 – Spring Clean-Up 2009
Citizens who receive the City of Alexandria's refuse services are invited to participate in Spring Clean-Up 2009. Scheduled pickups will be held each consecutive Saturday throughout the month of April and first weekend in May. Please check the Spring Clean-Up map at www.alexandriava.gov/tes/solidwaste to determine your assigned collection area and date of collection. For more information, call 703.519.3486.

Saturday, April 18 – City of Alexandria’s Annual Cheerleading Competition
The public is invited to attend the City’s Annual Cheerleading Competition, scheduled for 11 a.m. at T.C. Williams High School, 3330 King Street. The competition features preteen and teen cheerleading teams from the Charles Barrett, Charles Houston, Cora Kelly, Mount Vernon, Nannie J. Lee, Patrick Henry and William Ramsay Recreation Centers. For more information or to purchase tickets to the event, contact the Recreation Services Division Office at 703.838.4345.

Thursday, April 23 – Public Hearing on Proposed DASH Service Reductions
The City of Alexandria reminds residents DASH will be holding a public hearing on proposed DASH service reductions at 5:30 p.m. in the Sister Cities Conference Room 1101, City Hall, 301 King Street.

Thursday, April 23 –The 16th Annual Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day
Bring your child to work or mentor a student and give them an opportunity that will last a lifetime! Mentors are needed for local students who are participating in the 16th Annual Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day. The event will kick off with a breakfast reception at 8:15 a.m. in Vola Lawson Lobby, City Hall, 301 King St. To volunteer as a mentor, call 703.746.5030 or complete an online application at www.alexandriava.gov/women/mentorapplication.

Saturday, April 25 – The 16th Annual Alexandria Earth Day and Arbor Day Celebration
The City of Alexandria will host the 16th Annual Alexandria Earth Day and Arbor Day celebration at Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Dr., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This year’s theme, "Take the Green Route,” will focus on showing citizens the benefits of leaving the car at home and walking, cycling or using public transportation. Admission is free, and food and beverages will be available for sale. For additional information, visit www.alexearthday.org.

Thursday – Saturday, April 30 to May 2 – Second Annual Spring for Alexandria 
The community is invited to participate in Spring for Alexandria, a three-day celebration of giving and service throughout the City. Spring for Alexandria offers multiple opportunities for residents to become involved, including the Generations of Giving Gala on April 30; the Business Philanthropy Summit, Day of Service and Celebration on Market Square on May 1; and Lemonaide Day on May 2. The event is jointly hosted by the Alexandria Community Trust, the City of Alexandria, Kids Helping Kids and Volunteer Alexandria. For more information, please call 703.836.2176 or visit www.springforalexandria.org.

Tuesday, May 5 – Alexandria Elections for Mayor, City Council, and School Board
The elections for Mayor, City Council, and School Board are on May 5; polling hours are 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. The deadline for registering to receive an absentee ballot by mail is April 28. The deadline for in-person absentee voting is May 2. Check www.alexandriavoter.org or call 703.838.4050 for complete information.

Ongoing

April through May -- All Alexandria Reads 2009
The Alexandria Library presents All Alexandria Reads 2009, a community-based reading cooperative program designed to create a dialog through reading. This year’s book is Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver. Kingsolver is a Virginia author who chronicles her family’s attempt to eat home-grown and locally produced food. The book explores the origins of food and the impact that our eating habits have on the environment and economy. From April to May, Alexandria Library will hold community events that relate to the themes of Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. For more information about All Alexandria Reads, visit www.alexandria.lib.va.us.