[Archived] Official Announcements: March 26 – April 1, 2011

Saturday, March 26 - Open House for the Draft Energy and Climate Change Action Plan
Take part in the City's Eco-City Alexandria initiative, learn about the City's climate change efforts, and give feedback on the draft Energy and Climate Change Action Plan 2012 – 2020. The Office of Environmental Quality and Environmental Policy Commission will host an open house from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room at Polk Elementary School. You may also submit your comments via e-mail to Erica Bannerman at erica.bannerman@alexandriava.gov. Comments are due by April 14, 2011.

Monday, March 28 – Kindergarten Registration Begins
Alexandria City Public Schools kindergarten registration for the 2011-2012 school year starts on March 28. Children must be five years old on or before Sept. 30, 2011, to register for kindergarten. Learn more at http://www.acps.k12.va.us/enroll/.

Thursday, March 31 - Nominations Deadline for Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award
The Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission and the Alexandria Sanitation Authority are now accepting nominations for the 3rd Annual Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award. Nominations can be for any Alexandria resident, group, club, organization or corporate neighbor who has demonstrated their commitment to protecting the natural environment and promoting environmental sustainability within Alexandria. All nominations must be received by 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 31. Detailed information is located on the Alexandria Earth Day website. The recipient(s) of the Ellen Pickering Award will be publicly recognized and have a tree planted in their honor at Alexandria Earth Day 2011 on Saturday, April 30.

Friday, April 1 – City Boards, Commissions, and Committees Application Deadline
The Alexandria City Council is seeking applicants to fill the several vacancies on City of Alexandria boards, commissions and committees. Council will act on these vacancies at the April 12, 2011 City Council meeting. All applicants must complete a Personal Data Record Form and return it to the City Clerk’s Office or file the form electronically online no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, April 1, 2011. Applications received after this deadline will not be forwarded to City Council.

Friday, April 1 - City of Alexandria King Street Tree Light Display Ends
On February 8, City Council approved the continuation of the King Street Light Display through the end of March 2011. Consistent with Council’s decision, the light display will be terminated by Friday, April 1. The King Street Light Display will be turned back on for the holiday season beginning November 2011, and will remain on through January 2012. For more information, call 703.746.4343 or email jack.browand@alexandriava.gov.

Ongoing

Spring Clean Up 2011
Annual Solid Waste Spring Cleanup begins Saturday, March 26, 2011 and will continue for the next three consecutive Saturdays (April 2, 9, and 16).  Spring Cleanup is an opportunity for Solid Waste residential customers to set out unusable or unwanted items to be collected on specific Saturdays, as designated on the map, throughout the months of March and April.  Items are disposed of at Covanta, Waste-to-Energy facility, and other local landfills. For more information, call 703.746.4410.

Comment on the Draft Energy and Climate Change Action Plan 2012-2020 
Through April 14, the City is accepting comments on the draft Energy and Climate Change Action Plan 2012 – 2020. The plan provides information on policies, measures actions the City is already taking, and establishes potential new short-term and medium-term steps to achieve greenhouse gas emission reduction targets of 10% by 2012 and 20% by 2020. E-mail comments to Erica Bannerman at erica.bannerman@alexandriava.gov.

Nominations Sought for Awards Sponsored by Commission on Persons with Disabilities
The Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities is seeking nominations for two annual awards that honor local residents. The John Duty Collins III Outstanding Advocate for Persons with Disabilities Award recognizes an individual who has advocated for persons with disabilities and includes a $500 donation in the recipient’s name to an organization that contributes to the promotion of equal opportunity for persons with disabilities. The Gerry Bertier Scholarship, sponsored by HeimLantz CPAs, awards up to a $1,000 merit based scholarship to a City of Alexandria resident with a disability or to a student at a school located in the City of Alexandria who seeks post-secondary education. Nomination forms must be submitted by April 30, and are available by contacting Mike Hatfield at mike.hatfield@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3148, Virginia Relay 711.

Free Tax Preparation for Low-Income Residents
Free tax preparation assistance is available to low-income residents through April 13 at the Alexandria Department of Community and Human Services, 2525 Mount Vernon Ave. Low-income City residents can get help filing federal and state income tax returns and applying for all applicable credits and deductions on Saturday mornings beginning at 9 a.m. and Wednesday evenings beginning at 6:30 p.m. Spanish-speaking preparers will be available. To request a reasonable disability accommodation or to receive materials in an alternative format, contact Suzanne Kratzok, Coordinator of Community Resources, at 703.746.5663 (703.836.1493 TTY) at least 48 hours prior to the session you wish to attend.

Boards and Commissions

MONDAY, MARCH 28

Alexandria City Council/School Board Subcommittee will hold a meeting at 5 p.m., Alliance for Leading and Learning Center, George Washington Middle School, 1005 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Third Floor. For more information, contact Jackie Henderson at 703.746.4550.

Alexandria Citizen Corps Council will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m., Fire Station 204, 900 Second Street. For more information, contact Kim Purcell at 703.746.3940, ext. 231.

Fairfax BRAC-133 Task Force will hold a meeting at 7 p.m., Mason District Government Center, 6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale. For more information, contact David Grover at 703.746.4061.

Alexandria Traffic and Parking Board will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m., Council Chambers, City Hall, 301 King Street. For more information, contact Robert Garbacz at 703.746.4025.

TUESDAY, MARCH 29

Alexandria Budget and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee will hold a meeting at 7 p.m., Sister Cities Conference Room 1101, City Hall, 301 King Street. For more information, contact Steven Elliott at 703.746.3746.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30

Alexandria City Council will hold a work session on the Proposed FY 2012 Budget at 7 p.m., Sister Cities Conference Room 1102, City Hall, 301 King Street. For more information, contact Jackie Henderson at 703.746.4550.

THURSDAY, MARCH 31

Edsall Road Reconstruction Project Committee will hold a public meeting at 7 p.m., Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke Street. For more information, contact Carla Johnson at 703.746.4054. 

Alexandria/Arlington Workforce Investment Board will hold a meeting at 8 a.m., 1900 North Beauregard Street, Suite 300. For more information, contact Dennis McKinney at 703.746.5882.

Juvenile Detention Commission for Northern Virginia will hold its regular monthly meeting at 6 p.m., Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Home, 200 South Whiting Street. For more information, contact Monet Paterson at 703.842.2280.