LUMINARIA… On Saturday, December 12th, the soft glow of votive candles will once again line the streets of the Village. Our annual Luminaria display makes a great backdrop for gathering with friends and family during the holiday season and shows off the spirit of our neighborhood.

Each year, the display is brought to you by volunteers. There are plenty of ways you can get involved. Prior to the 12th, we need people to prepare the bags. On the day of the event, we have a lot to do: add sand to the bags, place them along the curbs and then walk around to light the candles.  It’s a small time commitment but a great way to have a big impact and meet your neighbors. (Bonus: hot cider will be provided.)

Please contact Michael Buening (34 Kennedy) at 703-945-1786 or mjbuening@gmail.com to volunteer. On Sunday the 13th, everyone can lend a hand by discarding the extinguished candles and bags in their vicinity.

WARWICK VILLAGE ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY…MONDAY, DECEMBER 14TH… This year’s Warwick Village Annual Holiday Party will be held on Monday, December 14^th starting at 6:30 pm.  Yes…this is a change from years past.  Normally the Holiday Party is held on the 3^rd Monday of the month but this year that falls on the week of the holiday and most residents will have started their vacations.

VOLUNTEERS AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS NEEDED!! This year’s chairperson for the party is Kathy Sugrue and Don Starks.  Kathy and Don cannot do everything on their own, they need our help!!  If you can volunteer some time to be a member of the committee, volunteer to help decorate the pool house or help cook some of the food please contact Kathy at kgsugrue@comcast.net.

Warwick Village has a wide variety of cultures and holiday traditions, if you would like to donate a dish that represents your traditions, a favorite cultural dish, or a tasty treat that everyone loves email Kathy and let her know what you would like to bring.

The Holiday Party is a great opportunity to meet new neighbors, share holiday stories and traditions, and just a great time to get together with your community.  Don’t forget the stroller parking lot!!

34th Annual Alexandria Turkey Trot Running Promises Enthusiastic Turnout ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Runners in Alexandria will once again pound the pavement for the 34^th running of the Alexandria Turkey Trot, held each Thanksgiving morning in Alexandria’s Del Ray community.

This year’s five-mile road race will be held on Thursday, November 26^th at 10 a.m. at the Cora Kelly Recreation Center at the intersection of West Reed and Commonwealth Avenues. The event traditionally draws a large cross section of runners from around the region and across the country.

The race is cosponsored by the Del Ray Business Association (DRBA) and the DC Road Runners Club. The onsite entry fee — with two cans of food – is $25 for adults 22 and over and $20 for individuals aged 13-21 years. Children 12 and under can participate for $10 at the door and two cans of food. The food will be donated to ALIVE, Inc., an ecumenical organization serving Alexandria families in need.

Register online before Monday, November 23^rd and save $5! Visit http://www.dcroadrunners.org/sign-up/turkey. Alexandria Turkey Trot T-shirts can be purchased online for $10 each, for all ages, until November 23rd. Race-day t-shirt availability is limited, so order yours in advance to be sure you’ll receive the desired size.

The race traditionally draws a number of local dignitaries, including Congressman Jim Moran, Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille and Vice Mayor Kerry Donley, and Alexandria Councilmembers Rob Krupicka and Del Pepper, among others.

DRBA is a not-for-profit Virginia Corporation, whose membership consists of business and property owners, professionals, agency representatives and civic leaders who work together to improve the Del Ray community of the City of Alexandria. For more information visit DRBA at www.visitdelray.com.

About Alexandria Board Leadership Exchange (ABLE)… ABLE Fall Event… Thursday, November 5, 2009, 7:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m., Holiday Inn Old Town Alexandria 625 First Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.

ABLE is presented by the ACT for Alexandria, Leadership Alexandria and Volunteer Alexandria to provide fundamental knowledge about effective board leadership and access to training; support a vibrant network of members for sharing and learning; and foster a dynamic environment for recruitment of volunteers for board service.

Measuring success, however, is often overlooked or unclear.  One important area for measuring success is board performance and an annual self-assessment of the board of directors’ accomplishments and performance is a sign of a healthy organization.

As a board, you are responsible for building the future of your organization and reporting progress to your stakeholders.  An annual assessment will reveal leadership development needs.  It also provides an opportunity to celebrate accomplishments, an important part of your communication to your stakeholders.  And finally, it offers critical momentum from one board year to the next, ensuring progress, focus, and achievement.

In this session you will learn the components and process for an effective assessment of your board.

Presented by Cary Gray Kelly.   Cary Gray Kelly has worked in strategic marketing and organizational development for non-profits for 15 years. She has specialized in board and executive leadership development and planning.  Today, Kelly’s practice focuses on coaching executives and executive teams, including boards, to development excellence in leadership in order to effectively manage times of discernment, growth and change.

ARTIST TRADING CARD EVENT… DRA’s next Artist Trading Card event will take place at the gallery on Friday, November 13^th, 7:00 – 9:00 pm.  Since it will be Friday the 13th, we have themed this swap Bad Luck. Since the Del Ray Dozen Invitational Photography show will be on display during this swap, let the artwork inspire you to try your hand at these small (2.5″ x 3.5″) works of art.  You may then swap with others artists.

Bring a small amount of supplies to make your ATCs in the Bad Luck theme and bring some shiny, high contrast images for a packing tape photo transfer.  If you would like to learn more about Artist Trading Cards, visit www.artist-trading-cards.com.

This event is FREE and open to all.  Please RSVP to tkulstad@verizon.net so we know to expect you.  Directions are available at http://www.thedelrayartisans.org/

HOLIDAY AND PEACE CARD-MAKING PARTY… Join the fun on Sunday, November 8th, noon until 4 pm at the Del Ray Artisans gallery as we create one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted holiday and peace greeting cards with a variety of techniques. Assorted papers, images and stamps will be used.  This DRA tradition brings out your creativity and is a not-to-miss-fun event – best of all, no experience is necessary.

You may bring a light snack and some of your own paper-crafting supplies and we will share ours too.  Donation for supplies and time appreciated.  Participants may also donate their created cards to DRA stock for sale.  For information, contact Linda Silk at lindasilk1@verizon.net.  For directions, please visit http://www.thedelrayartisans.org/.