November 28 – December 4, 2009

For Immediate Release: November 25, 2009 

Monday, November 30 – World AIDS Day Service Awards
The Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS will hold its third Annual World AIDS Day Service Excellence Awards Program, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at First Baptist Church of Alexandria, 2932 King St. The awards program will acknowledge and honor the extraordinary efforts of peer-nominated HIV/AIDS providers and advocates in Alexandria. Award recipients will be recognized in three categories: HIV/AIDS Lifetime Achievement, Prevention/Education and Client Services. To RSVP, contact Nechelle Terrell at 703.838.4400 ext. 305, or e-mail nechelle.terrell@vdh.virginia.gov.

Tuesday, December 1 – Morrison House Presents “Alexandria Exposed – Discovering the Details of Historic Photographs”
Join Lance Mallamo at the Morrison House, 116 S. Alfred St., at 6 p.m. as he discusses a variety of photographs from Alexandria’s past. Mr. Mallamo, Director of the Office of Historic Alexandria, will evaluate historic photos of people, buildings and streets from earlier periods of Alexandria, pointing out the subtle details in each that ultimately contribute to the rich heritage of the City. For more about this free lecture and others celebrating local arts, literature and history, please contact tfaa@torpedofactory.org.

Wednesday, December 2 – Annual Christmas Tree Sale Begins
The Annual Christmas Tree Sale to benefit the Alexandria Police Youth Camp will begin on December 2. The sale will be ongoing, weeknights from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and every weekend from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., until they are sold out! The sale is held by the Amtrak Station, 110 Callahan Dr.
Friday, December 4 through Sunday, December 6 - 2009 Pet Photos with Santa
Santa Claus is coming to town, and that means it’s time to have your pets’ photos made with the jolly man in the red and white suit! The AWLA will hold its annual "Pet Photos with Santa" event Dec. 4, 5, and 6. Call 703.838.4774 for an appointment. Drop-ins are welcome, but an appointment will ensure a spot. The sitting fee for this event is $45 with different photo packages available.

Coming Soon!

Saturday, December 5 – Ornament Decorating Workshop for Families
Be inspired by the colors and patterns of pottery excavated in Alexandria and make a memorable holiday keepsake! The Alexandria Archaeology Museum,105 N. Union St., #327, will host a free ornament decorating workshop from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Participants can decorate and take home dough ornaments which are shaped like artifacts from the museum’s own collection. For additional information, please call the Alexandria Archaeology Museum at 703.838.4399 or visit www.alexandriaarchaeology.org.

Saturday, December 5 – Thirty-Ninth Annual Scottish Christmas Walk Parade
The City of Alexandria invites the public to attend the Annual Scottish Christmas Walk Parade at 11 a.m. in historic Old Town. The centerpiece of the Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend, the parade celebrates the City's Scottish heritage, featuring more than 100 Scottish clans, bagpipe and drum bands, living history/reenactment groups, dog clubs, and a special appearance by Santa Claus. The St. Andrew's Society of Washington, D.C. partners with The Campagna Center and the City to sponsor the annual parade. The Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend is one of the largest fundraising activities for The Campagna Center; all proceeds from the Weekend support the Campagna Center’s programs, which help children in Alexandria arrive at school ready to learn and ensuring they are academically successful at each grade level. To learn more the Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend, call 703.549.0111 or visit www.scottishchristmaswalk.com.

Saturday, December 5 – Holiday Concert in Old Town Alexandria 
Enjoy the music of the season in Old Town Alexandria at a holiday concert at Market Square, 301 King St. At 2 p.m., the Family Choir of Beth El Hebrew Congregation will perform Hanukah favorites. For more information, call the City’s Special Events hotline at 703.883.4686 or visit alexandriava.gov/Recreation.

Saturday, December 5- Potomac River Parade
From 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Alexandria's harbor will sparkle when 50 brightly lit powerboats and sailboats fully decked out in lights and holiday décor take part in the 10th annual Burke & Herbert Holiday Boat Parade of Lights. Santa Claus will arrive by fireboat to kick off the evening festivities at 4 p.m. at the Alexandria Marina, 1 Cameron St. Kids and dogs will be able to sit on Santa's lap and get their picture taken for free. The Braddock Brass Quintet and the Bells of Mount Vernon, a hand bell choir from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will headline the live music entertainment.

Sunday, December 6 – Twelfth Annual Holiday Art Show
Find just the right gifts for everyone on your list—and something wonderful for yourself! Women artists will be selling their artwork, from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe St. More than 30 exhibitors will display pottery, handmade clothing, scarves, purses, jewelry, crafts and much more! Complimentary refreshments and raffle drawings will be held throughout the event. Fifteen percent of the proceeds will be donated by the Friends of the Commission for Women to support programs of the Office on Women. For more information, contact Lisa Baker at 703.746.5030 or e-mail lisa.baker@alexandriava.gov.

Sunday, December 6 - 35th Annual Toys for Tots Benefit Square Dance
The City of Alexandria’s 35th Annual Toys for Tots Benefit Square Dance is scheduled from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Lee Center Exhibit Hall, 1108 Jefferson St. This year’s theme, “Gonna Thrive at 35,” features a performance by Capital Squares Demonstration Team at 3 p.m. For additional information, call the City’s Special Events Hotline at 703.883.4686 or visit alexandriava.gov/Recreation

Monday, December 7 – “Tea and Talk,” Sharing Parker-Gray and Civil Rights Stories
You are invited to share the story of your civil rights experiences in Alexandria and how they were shaped by the Parker-Gray School and Charles Houston on Monday, December 7, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe St. “Tea and Talk” is free and open to the public. Reservations are required. Please reply by December 4 at 703.746.5588, or by email at aca@alexandriava.gov.

Saturday, December 12 & Sunday, December 13 – Historic Alexandria Candlelight Tours 
Take a break from the fast pace of the season and experience the unique charm and history at Old Town Alexandria’s most popular holiday event. Buy your tickets early and save up to 25 percent! Tour Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, Carlyle House, Lee-Fendall House and the Apothecary Museum by candlelight and enjoy seasonal decorations, entertainment and light refreshments. Sunday features kid-friendly tours and a special activity! Tour times are from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Cost is $20 for adults, $15 for seniors (65 and older), and $5 for children (ages 6-17). Pre-sale discounts of $15 for adults and $12 for seniors are available before December 1. Reservations are recommended. For more information or to buy tickets, please visit www.historicalexandria.org or call 703.838.4242.

Ongoing!

Community Partners for Children Kicks Off Holiday Toy Drive
Each holiday season, Community Partners for Children collects toys for deserving kids in the Alexandria area, and asks the community for help. Make a cash contribution by sending your check to Community Partners for Children, P.O. Box 2738, Alexandria, VA 22301. Leave a doll, toy truck, game, or any other new toy for a deserving child or a Grocery Gift Card at any CPC donation box. More than two dozen donation boxes are conveniently located throughout the City of Alexandria. In order to find out the nearest donation box, contact Pat Miller at pmiller1806@comcast.net or 703.683.2570. For more information on the various upcoming volunteer opportunities, contact Kendra Chambers at kendrajanedc@aol.com or 703.717.0373. The drive ends Friday, December 18.

City of Alexandria Searches for Poet Laureate
The City of Alexandria Office of the Arts is issuing a call for applications to serve as the City’s Poet Laureate. The Poet Laureate fosters an appreciation of poetry as an art form, encourages creative writing and reading, and promotes literacy through poetry. The Poet Laureate is appointed to a three-year term and receives a modest honorarium. For additional information, visit alexandriava.gov/Arts.

Donors Needed for Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Holiday Sharing Program
Be part of the holiday spirit and reach out to eligible low income families, foster children, and elderly or disabled citizens through the DHS Holiday Sharing Program. You will get “wish lists” for children or senior citizens, which will include necessary clothing (jeans, warm jacket), a toy or recreational item, a book and perhaps one family request (used computer, towels, pots and pans). Gift cards from stores such as Old Navy, Target, and Best Buy are also needed for teens in foster care. To sign up online, visit alexandriava.gov/HolidaySharing. For more information, e-mail holidaysharing@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.5663.

For more information, contact Natasha Duggal, Communications Officer, Office of Communications, at 703.746.3962 or natasha.duggal@alexandriava.gov