The September Village Meeting featured speakers.

Roger Blakeley, Deputy Director for Parks, will present options the community should consider as we begin a planning process for Hillside Park.  Redesigning Hillside Park was the top priority of the WVCA Parks Assessment Committee.  Next week will be the first of a series of community meetings that will lead to a plan for revitalizing the park.  Hillside Park is located at where Tennessee and Burgess Avenues meet and is bordered to the west by Grace Episcopal Church.

September Back to School Speaker is Sheryl Gorsuch, three term School Board member from Del Ray and the new principals from our neighborhood elementary schools, Mt. Vernon Community School and Cora Kelly School for Math, Science, and Technology.

The owners and developers for the soon to be remodeled “The Calvert” will be heading to City Council on the evening of September 25^th and seek their approval for their plans.  If you would like to voice your support or non-support please feel free to attend the City Council Meeting.  I believe that this will be a great asset to our neighborhood!  It will be held at City Hall at 7:00 pm.  Planning and Zoning approved the plans on September 7^th. – John Starcher

If you do wish to speak at Council, the following are the steps that you need to follow:

Speaker’s Form Instructions

• To speak at a meeting of City Council, open the docket for that meeting. If the meeting will include an opportunity for public comment, there will be a link at the top of the docket to register to speak.

• A maximum of three minutes will be allowed for your presentation, except that one officer or other designated member speaking on behalf of each bona fide neighborhood civic association or unit owners’ association desiring to be heard on a docket item shall be allowed five minutes. In order to obtain five minutes, you must identify yourself as a designated speaker, and identify the neighborhood civic association or unit owners’ association you represent, at the start of your presentation. If you have a prepared statement, please leave a copy with the Clerk.

• Additional time not to exceed 15 minutes may be obtained with the consent of the majority of the council present; provided notice requesting additional time with reasons stated is filed with the City Clerk in writing before 5:00 p.m. of the day preceding the meeting.

• The public normally may speak on docket items only at public hearing meetings, and not at regular legislative meetings. Public hearing meetings are usually held on the Saturday following the second Tuesday in each month; regular legislative meetings on the second and fourth Tuesdays in each month.

• The rule with respect to when a person may speak to a docket item at a legislative meeting can be waived by a majority vote of council members present but such a waiver is not normal practice. When a speaker is recognized, the rules of procedures for speakers at public hearing meetings shall apply. If an item is docketed for public hearing at a regular legislative meeting, the public may speak to that item, and the rules of procedures for speakers at public hearing meetings shall apply.

• In addition, the public may speak on matters which are not on the docket during the Public Discussion Period at public hearing meetings. The mayor may grant permission to a person, who is unable to participate in public discussion at a public hearing meeting for medical, religious, family emergency or other similarly substantial reasons, to speak at a regular legislative meeting. When such permission is granted, the rules of procedures for public discussion at public hearing meetings shall apply.

If a librarian has made a difference in your life, now is the chance to tell your story!

Up to 10 librarians in public, school and college, community college and university libraries will be selected to win $5,000 and will be honored at a ceremony and reception in New York, hosted by The New York Times. In addition, a plaque will be given to each award winner’s library. Winners will be announced in December 2010.

For more information and to nominate a librarian, visit www.ilovelibraries.org/ilovemylibrarian. Nominations will be open from August 2 to September 20.

Each nominee must be a librarian with a master’s degree from a program accredited by the ALA in library and information studies or a master’s degree with a specialty in school library media from an educational unit accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education. Nominees must be currently working in the United States in a public library. The award is supported by Carnegie Corporation of New York and The New York Times. It is administered by The American Library Association (ALA), the oldest and largest library association in the world, and The Campaign for America’s Libraries, ALA’s public awareness campaign about the value of libraries and librarians.

CHARLES HOUSTON RECREATION CENTER

Monday, September 20 IS THE DEADLINE… The Ad Hoc Charles Houston Recreation Center Naming Committee, established to honor individuals who made outstanding contributions to Alexandria’s African American community by dedicating recreation center rooms in their honor, seeks nominations of honorees for a second round of dedications.  Last year, the Committee facilitated the naming of the recreation center gymnasium and pool.

Specifically, the Committee seeks nominees who fit the following criteria: People who participated in the struggle to advance African Americans economically, socially, educationally, and religiously from the 1920s to 1965, who have made

• a doctrine or technical contribution;
• an innovation with an identifiable impact on Alexandria’s African American community;
• efforts that were an inspiration to others;
• any combination of the above that records the excellence of their achievements for posterity.

The goal of the committee, composed mostly of former students of the Parker-Gray School and other Alexandria schools attended by African American students before integration, is to preserve the history of those whose hard work left a legacy for others to emulate.

Nomination packets may be mailed or dropped off to RPCA, c/o Jack Browand, Division Chief, 1108 Jefferson St., Alexandria, VA 22314. Nominations must be received in person or postmarked by Monday, September 20.  For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/recreation, or contact Jack Browand at 703.746.5504, or by email at jack.browand@alexandriava.gov.

Thursday, September 16, 2010 from 6:30pm to 9pm. The topic of the meeting is the Economics of Housing Development and will feature an interactive demonstration of how the ability to provide affordable housing is impacted by development factors such as location, density, housing type and parking. An agenda is available at www.alexandriava.gov/housingplan.

The meeting will be held at John Adams Elementary School in the Multipurpose Room, located at 5651 Rayburn Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22311. Click link for map: http://www.acps.k12.va.us/maps/jaes.php

ADA Accessibility: To request materials in an alternative format or a disability accommodation, contact the Office of Housing at 703-746-4990 (Virginia Relay 711). The City is committed to compliance with the Human Rights Code and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Transit: John Adams School is located 1/2 mile from the intersection of Beauregard Street and Seminary Road, served by Dash and Metro bus routes.  Visit www.wmata.com and www.dashbus.com.

More information: Visit the City’s Housing Master Plan webpage at:  www.alexandriava.gov/housingplan or call the Office of Housing 703-746-4990.

Blue:  An Interpretation

Opening Reception: Friday, November 5^th, 7-10 pm

Show Dates: November 5-21, 2010

Alexandria, VA (September 10, 2010) “Blue” is such a simple word with so many meanings.  Is it a color, an emotion, a name?  Artist Yves Klein defined his career by developing the color “International Klein Blue”.  Pablo Picasso was certainly famous for his “blue” period.  Blue:  An Interpretation is an all member show giving the Del Ray Artisans an opportunity to test their creative genius in depicting what “blue” means to them.

Blue:  An Interpretation opens Friday, November 5^th and runs through Sunday, November 21st which, by the way, marks the occurrence of the next “blue moon”.  Meet the artists at a reception on Friday, November 5^th from 7-10 pm.  Enter the raffle to win a “blue” basket full of goodies from local shops and artisans.  Join the fun in assigning “Peoples’ Choice” awards to your favorite works!

An added treat on display will be the work of young artists from Del Ray Artisans’ Art Camp 2010.  These budding artists, ranging in ages from 8 to 14 years, spent one intensive week at the gallery with professional artists who shared their knowledge about ceramics, glass, photography, mask-making, comic strips, book-making, and soap-making among others!  Please join us to celebrate the work of these talented young artists!

The show will be at the Del Ray Artisans gallery at the Nicholas A. Colasanto Center, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, Virginia 22301.  Gallery hours are: Thursdays, 12 noon to 4 pm; Fridays, 12 noon to 9 pm; Saturdays, 10 am to 9 pm; and Sundays, 12 noon to 6 pm.  The gallery is free, open to the public and handicap accessible.

For more information, please visit www.TheDelRayArtisans.org or contact curator Betsy Mead at 202-362-6405, or interpretblue@gmail.com.

Alexandria Police Host Bicycle Registration Event

On Sunday, September 19, the Alexandria Police Department will be hosting a bicycle registration event at the Arlandria Farmers Market, located at 4109 Mount Vernon Avenue.  Officers will be at the market from 8:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.  They will be offering information on registering a bicycle and providing bicycle safety tips.  A local bicycle organization will also be performing free maintenance and tune ups on bicycles.  The purpose of this event is to encourage the public to register their bicycles.  Registering a bicycle makes it much easier to track in the event the bicycle is lost or stolen.

Additionally, officers would like to educate cyclists and pedestrians about traffic laws.  Many people do not realize that in Virginia, a bicycle is considered a vehicle and must follow the same rules as a motor vehicle on the road.  This means a cyclist has to obey all traffic lights, signs and signals.  Many accidents and injuries can be attributed to a lack of knowledge of traffic laws or high risk behavior.

September 12 to September 18 is Virginia Bicyclist and Pedestrian Awareness Week, a DRIVE SMART Virginia and Bike Walk Virginia initiative with approximately 160 companies and organization partners statewide. A key goal of Bicyclist and Pedestrian Awareness Week is to educate citizens in understanding the importance of sharing the road responsibly and with respect.

• Pedestrians should use sidewalks if available. When walking on roads, walk facing traffic and travel on extreme edge.

• Pedestrians and cyclists can improve safety by wearing bright colors during the day and reflective material or blinking lights at night. Light colored clothing is slightly helpful in making you visible at night, reflective tape or reflective fabric is much better.  Also at night, the use of a front light is required.

• Bicycles are considered vehicles when ridden on roads and streets and therefore must follow rules that apply to motor vehicles, including riding on the right side with traffic and yielding to pedestrians.

• Bicyclists must obey all traffic signs, signals, lights and markings.

• When riding at night, bicyclists must use rear reflectors; if using roads with speed limits of 35mph or more, use red tail lights visible 600 feet.

• Violation of a traffic law is a civil penalty or traffic infraction punishable by a fine or points against your driver’s license.

Park at the New James Bland Development

News Highlights

• September 23 public hearing will provide a public forum for developer Eakin Youngentob Associates to gather public comment about the Concept Plan and potential park elements that would support community use of the site.

More Information

• www.alexandriava.gov/Recreation

The City of Alexandria’s Park and Recreation Commission is hosting a public hearing to discuss the proposed concept plan submitted by Eakin Youngentob Associates (EYA) for a new public park to be located within the recently approved James Bland residential development, now known as Old Town Commons. The public hearing will provide a public forum for EYA to 1) gather community input about potential park elements that would support the community’s use of the site; and 2) discuss the concept plan for the site.

The hearing will be held Thursday, September 23, at the Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe St.), at 7 p.m. The proposed park is a required element of the development plan to serve the new residences and surrounding neighborhood.

The James Bland redevelopment is an 8.5-acre site within the Braddock East planning area and comprises five City blocks. A proposal by the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority and EYA for redevelopment of James Bland into a mixed income community was approved by the City Council in October 2008.

EYA will use the ideas generated from this meeting to refine the concept plan for the park. A revised final proposal will presented for approval by the Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission later in the fall. For more information on the plan, visit alexandriava.gov/Recreation.

Persons unable to attend the meeting can send written comments to the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities, Attention: Laura Durham, 1108 Jefferson St., Alexandria, VA 22314, or e-mail laura.durham@alexandriava.gov .

COMMUNITY PARTNERS FOR CHILDREN will hold a large Yard Sale Saturday, September 18 from 7 am to 1 pm on the Patio at A Show of Hands, 2301 Mt. Vernon Avenue.  All proceeds will go to purchasing toys for kids during the holidays.

TRULY-LIFE ECO GIFTS – Consider our small green business for your unique holiday gifts this year. We offer handmade eco friendly gifts with herbs from our garden in biodegradable packages and bicycle deliveries for all local requests in Del Ray. Visit us at www.truly-life.com. Join us and help support the Project to End Human Trafficking Benefit, September 18, 2010 at 6pm at the Sutra Lounge 2406 18 Street NW, Washington, DC 20009. Bid on donated items from Truly-Life, Ten Thousand Villages, and many others. Check out the recent article on Truly-Life in the Examiner.

eye2eye OPTOMETRY CORNER, 1502 Mt.  Vernon Avenue (703) 548-0122  Thanks Del Ray for a great 2 years!  Anniversary sale through the end of September.  30-40% off all designer frames and sunglasses. Visit us on Facebook  www.facebook.com/myeye2eye

PIZZAIOLA CAFÉ AND BAR, 3112 Mt. Vernon Avenue (In the Calvert), 703-837-0666 Come visit Pizzaiolo and take advantage of the September weekly specials:

• Monday – $. 35 Wing Night (minimum of 8 wings) from 5:00pm – 9:30pm (Dine In Only)
• Tuesday  – Buy One Pizza get One Pizza FREE with the purchase of any beverage (Dine In Only)
• Wednesday – CARRY OUT SPECIAL – Two Large 16” Two Toppings Pizza’s for $21.95
• Thursday – CARRY OUT SPECIAL – One Large 16” Two Topping Pizza for $9.95

Come visit Pizzaiolo Bar from 3:00-8:00 for additional daily specials including ½ price appetizers at the bar.

ALEXANDRIA COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL, 2400 Russell Road.  The new school year started with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Pep Rally to open our new gym, dining hall, and performing arts center!  The ACDS campus is now complete!  Our middle school students had their leadership retreat and they are all looking forward to the overnight outdoor education programs that start next week.  Lower school students have jumped right in and are busy with reading assessments.  For parents seeking a community-based independent school experience for their K-8 students, consider attending one of our Open House events this fall; October 6, November 10, December 7 and January 13. ACDS offers small classes, emphasis on character education and leadership, challenging academics, competitive athletics beginning in 5^th grade, and numerous after school programs. Visit www.acdsnet.org or call 703-548-4804.

ECLECTIC NATURE, 1503 Mt. Vernon Avenue, is chocked full of WINTER HARDY MUMS, FRESH PERENNIALS, ORNAMENTAL GRASSES AND PANSIES AND VIOLAS ARE ARRIVING THIS WEEK!  Pumpkins, cornstalks and gourds are coming soon along with spring bulbs for Fall planting.  Now that the kids are back to school, take advantage of the cooler days and nights and get your fall gardens and containers into shape!  Also, if you’re looking to consign or rent space to sell merchandise, we have space available immediately.  See you soon!
703.837.0500/Fax 703.837.0502  www.engiftandgarden.com

FireFlies, 1501 Mt. Vernon Avenue.

• Wednesday – 15 September
  Chef’s Choice Beer Dinner – 5 courses, 5 beers $40
• Thursday – 16 September
  Chris Galvan
• Friday – 17 September
  Toady Barker
• Saturday – 18 September
  Rachel Levitan
• Sunday – 19 September
  Brunch with Big Hillbilly Bluegrass
  Football starts at 1 pm
• Sunday Night game on the Big Screen!  Come watch the NY Giants take on the Indianapolis Colts; game starts at 8:20 pm
• Monday – 20 September
  Burger Night!  Our American Burger starts at $5…and Monday Night Football has the New Orleans Saints taking on San Francisco 49ers at 8:30 pm
• Tuesday – 21 September
  Trivia Night – bring your friends, bring your brains and have a great night out!  The quizzing starts promptly at 8 pm.

R & B HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING, on the Avenue since 1980. Offering Seasonal inspection as low as $89.95.  Visit our Parts Department for a Del Ray Discount.  Visit our website at www.rbincorporated.com or call one of our friendly customer service representative at 703-683-1996.

IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL, 1801 Russell Road.  Alexandria’s Original Jr. K – 8 Classical Education Academy. Due to our continued growth, Immanuel welcomes several new dynamic faculty members for the 2010-2011 school year, including Trent Demerest, Laurie Honig, Katherine Kramer and Alexandra Spears.  A classical school has many distinctives that set it apart from the average classroom experience.  There is emphasis on the ‘great books’ and classics of literature; the development of language and the knowledge of culture.  Music and the arts play an important role, as does Latin, science and real math (yes, like you learned it!)  For more information contact: Clarence Geter, Dean of Students, at clarence.geter@immanuelalexandria.org or (703) 549-7323.

STATE FARM INSURANCE is hosting an educational Long Term Care Seminar, September 18^th at 10 am.  The seminar will be held at 4401 Village Drive, Fairfax, VA.  If you are interested in attending, please call our office at 703-548-9790 to hold a seat.

DONNA MANGES: New York Life and an alternative thought about long-term care protection. NY Life Asset Preserver has been specifically designed to meet the needs of today’s consumers seeking to protect their assets from depletion due to the potentially overwhelming cost of long-term care.  Asset Preserver is an innovative, single premium, universal life insurance policy with the option to access the death benefit on an income tax-free basis during the insured’s lifetime to help cover the cost of long-term care.  I am available to discuss your options for the future.  Give me a call or email.  Donna Manges… New York Life Licensed Insurance Agent serving Delray and our Alexandria City home, play and workplace.  703-836-8758/703-835-3721….mangesd@netzero.com New York Life and Annuity…The company you keep!

BARKLEY SQUARE, 2006 Mt. Vernon Avenue.  Pease join Barkley Square, Thursday September 16th, from 6-9pm for another fabulous Yappy Hour!! We will have beer, wine, snacks, a bark bar, and of course doggie beer!  Come on down because it’s sure to be a tail waggin’ good time!  www.barkleysquarebakery.com

ST. RITA SCHOOL (K-8), 3801 Russell Road. St. Rita School provides a high quality K-8 education in a caring and learning-focused environment. Our Principal just began her 13th year leading St. Rita School’s experienced faculty.  The Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth named St. Rita School a Top School for the State of Virginia. Reasonable tuition and a dynamic curriculum make St. Rita School a great value.  For information, please see the school’s admissions site, http://www.saintrita-school.org/admissions.html, call 703-548-1888 or send an email to saintritaschool@me.com.

MIND THE MAT PILATES & YOGA, 2214 Mt. Vernon Avenue. http://mindthemat. com/; In addition to our regularly scheduled classes, we have the following WORKSHOPS coming up:  Kids’ Yoga (7-10-years-old) 6-Week Workshop Fridays 4:15 PM, $96, Starts 9/24 (register).  HOT YOGA, Fridays 8:00 AM,  $96 6-Week Workshop starts 9/17 (register).   Pilates BOOT CAMP is back!  Tuesdays 9:30 AM (register).  Therapeutic (Restorative) Pilates 6-Week Workshop Mondays 9:30 AM, $120, Taught by Dr. of Physical Therapy, Starts 10/4 (register).  Prenatal Pilates 6-Week Workshops Mondays 6:45 PM & Wednesdays 5:30 PM, $108 (each) Starts October 11 (register).  Questions? Contact info@mindthemat. com

The UPS Store, 2308 Mt. Vernon Avenue, in Del Ray’s SideWalk Sale was a big hit…50% off Caspari wrapping paper, tissue, and ribbon…all old inventory is gone and we are ordering for Christmas…thank you for your business!! We still have post cards and pup magnets for sale…September is Document Services month, so please check out our website www.theupsstorelocal.com/4244 for the theupsstore.com/print hotlink to upload your documents for printing…the interactive website converts your documents to .pdfs, lets you know when your document is ready for pickup, and even lets you pay online. A huge time and money-saver, as we offer the online printing prices at a discount…2308 Mt Vernon Avenue, in between St. Elmo’s and the Dairy Godmother….703.739.9100.

KISKADEE. 2205 Mt Vernon Ave.  Fall is flying in!  Please come see us! We are now doing regular updates on Facebook. Please Friend us!  Thank goodness we have a 20-something on staff who gets it!

A SHOW OF HANDS, 2301 Mt. Vernon Avenue.  Stop by and look at our new outdoor sculpture piece by Laurel Lukaszewski – in our new patio area.  Also, September 24 Jan Franklin Dance Company will be performing in the patio area in the evening.  For more information www.ashowofhands.biz

BELLIES & BABIES, 1913 Mt. Vernon Avenue.  Now carrying All In One Cloth Diapers!  Hand-made by local DC mom; made of quality materials.  Diaper Demo Saturday, October 2; 9:30 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.  Drawing for free prizes.

ANNE WELSH SALON, 2100 Mount Vernon Avenue. We are offering to all of the new mom’s to be (and new Mom’s this past year) a special 20% off our spa pedicure. We would like to invite you to come in and relax, take some time for yourself and enjoy this wonderful and rejuvenating pedicure. Call 703.683.2400 to set an appointment, promo code: “new moms” annewelshsalon.com

MUSIC TOGETHER ALEXANDRIA, Del Ray United Methodist Church, 100 E. Windsor Avenue, www.musictogetheralexandria.com Nurture the musical growth of your child, 0-5, regardless of your ability.  10 weekly classes, 45 minutes long, include songs, rhythmic rhymes, movement and instrument play.  Developmentally appropriate for children and easy for parents or caregivers.  Classes are held Monday – Saturday.  NEW AFTERNOON/EVENING CLASSES on Tuesdays. REGISTRATION IS OPEN.  Some classes still have openings.

DO MORE WITH LES:  Lauren Smith – After a few weeks in NYC, Do More With LES returns to DR (because there’s no place like home!) and is ready to help you “Simplify In September”. With school back in session, lessons, practice and classes, why not have Lauren help out where you need it most?!  Errands, grocery shopping, pick up the kids, whatever!  Contact Do More With LES today at lauren@domorewithles.com or call 703.963.4009 and for Do More’s NYC adventures, visit www.domorewithles.tumblr.com

ULTIMATE RESULTS, 2305 Mt. Vernon Avenue, is offering a 3 point session and 1 asssessment for $99.00 (3+1 for $99).  Contact them at 703-678-8500, myUR.com

GLADIATOR FITNESS BOOT CAMP. Del Ray’s own Outdoor Boot Camp for both men and women.  Are you looking to get really fit but lack the motivation and commitment to achieve the results you desire?  At my boot camp I will get you to do what you will never do on your own, leading you through demanding commando-style workouts that burn lots of calories, fat and builds lean muscle.  In addition to my workouts, you will also receive professional nutritional counseling and meal planning guidance as part of your enlistment.  Former Marine with over 25 years experience in training military and civilian personnel.  I encourage you to join my ranks for 3 FREE trial workouts and see if I can bring out the Gladiator in YOU!  See what my clients are saying about my boot camp @ www.gladiatorfitness.net, or contact me directly at gunnysarg@hotmail.com.   NOW offering new PM boot camp class!  Class starts 27 Sep 10 at the Lee Center.

DEL RAY ARTISANS, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue – (1) From Our Perspective – DRA Board Showcase – Come check out works representing over 200 years of photographic experience. Show runs thru Sept 19^th; (2)  Art for Hope – Fundraiser Benefiting Women with LAM, Saturday, Sept 25, VIP reception, Sunday, Sept 26, open to the public – details and Bethesda location at our website. (3) Call for Entries from all area artists – Once Upon A Time show – details and dates at http://www.thedelrayartisans.org/index.htm.

THE DEL RAY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, 2405 Mt. Vernon Avenue, 703-548 2321  Info@acousticaxis.com Free Children’s Theatre Class Workshops.  We would like to make everyone aware of the two free children’s dramatic arts workshops we have coming up this month. The first is Wednesday, September 22^nd from 6pm-8pm and the second is Sunday, September 26^th from 12pm-2pm. The workshops are being held at Labels Exchange, 2607 Mount Vernon Avenue.  Please send me an email if would like to attend one of the workshops. sattix@acousticaxis. All four of the dramatic arts teachers will be present at both workshops, so come on down and me them and have some fun. We will be dividing the kids into two groups.  3^RD – 7^TH grade and 7^th – 12^th grade.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

8:30 am – 12:30 pm

First Baptist Church Meeting Center

2932 King Street • Alexandria, VA

Join us for this FREE half day forum as we gather nonprofit, board and community leaders to discuss innovations in philanthropy and strategies for building the capacity of nonprofit organizations. Click here to register.

8:30 am – NETWORKING & CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST

9:00 am – KEYNOTE ADDRESS – Jean Case

Jean Case is an actively engaged philanthropist who, together with her husband Steve Case, created the Case Foundation.  The Case Foundation’s purpose is to expand giving, promote everyday philanthropy, deepen civic engagement, and broaden the use of new technologies to make giving more informed, efficient, and effective.

10:00 am – 11:15 am – CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSIONS

“Marketing – Telling Your Organization’s Story”

·         Find out innovative ways to market your organization and create and implement key messages that will draw people to your organization.

Panel includes: Nancy Belmont – Belmont, Inc., Kathy Jankowski – The Catalogue for Philanthropy, Brooks Kenny – Promoting Public Causes, and Capital One.

Panel moderated by David Markley, Northwestern Financial Mutual Network & ACT Board Member.

“Fundraising – Everybody Can Play a Role!”

·         This is a great session for board members.   Join us as we hear from various fundraising perspectives including Kim Fiske – Fiske & Harvey, LLC (board chair and former resource development chair), Mary-Frances Wain – MFW Consulting, Inc. (development consultant and former executive director), and Casey Golden – Small Act (entrepreneur, author, and social media expert).  Panel moderated by Lyles Carr – The McCormick Group & ACT Board Member.

“Community Building & Citizen Engagement – ACTion Alexandria”

·         Learn how you can use ACTion Alexandria, a new social media platform, to empower citizens to address community challenges and to take collective action to benefit your nonprofit and the community.

Panel includes: Bonnie Baxley – Community Lodgings, Tony Castrilli – City of Alexandria, Chris Lewis – ACTion Alexandria, and Tracy Viselli – ACTion Alexandria.

Panel moderated by Shayna Englin – Englin Consulting, LLC.

11:30 am – NETWORKING LUNCH and ACT Capacity Building Grant Training**

Network with your colleagues and learn about ACT’s Nonprofit Capacity Building Grant program which supports excellence in nonprofit management through investments in consultants, operations and infrastructure.

**Please note:  Nonprofits interested in applying for funding from ACT must attend the grant training session.

There is no fee to attend.  Click here to register. Please encourage your staff and board members to attend!  To learn more about ACT – visit:  www.actforalexandria.org.

Dear Friend,

Fall is here (I think!), and it’s time to think about the signature event for the Washington region — Del Ray’s own Art on the Avenue, a multicultural arts and music festival. On October 2, 2010, from 10 AM to 6 PM, Mt. Vernon Avenue will be transformed into a street festival of crafts, food, music, fun, and activities for the whole family. Plan to spend your day with us. Do some early holiday shopping, partake of some great ethnic food, let the kids enjoys crafts and music, and just people watch!

Art on the Avenue is celebrating their 15th year this year – can you believe it? Your patronage and support have made the first Saturday in October in Del Ray a Metro area tradition. Over 45,000 attended last year, enjoyed the food from 15 local restaurants (new this year will be a food court on the Mt. Vernon Recreation Center fields), and shopped from more than 300 craft vendors and artisans.

Now we need your help!

Art on the Avenue happens because of the hard work of dedicated volunteers and the financial contributions of local individuals and businesses. We need you to make this fun-filled day happen. We are asking you to join the effort by becoming a Friend of Art on the Avenue.

You love the music, and we pay the performers who entertain you. We buy all the children’s activities supplies so that kids can participate in art for free. We advertise and get the crowd out so that we can introduce our great community to more new folks each year. And we provide all that is necessary for a safe environment for everyone for the entire day.

Below is the sign-up sheet – just print it out, fill it out and mail it to Art on the Avenue, PO Box 2826, Alexandria, VA. Let us know how you can help and how we can get in touch with you. We hope you will join Friends of Art on the Avenue. Your name will be listed as a Friend on our web site and in the program that is distributed that day. You won’t be disappointed because you will know that your support is helping to produce one of Alexandria’s signature community events for 2010.

Sincerely,

Pat Miller, Chair

P.S. One thing we always need help with is clothes for the scarecrows. If you have any long sleeve shirts or long leg pants, please check the appropriate place on the attached form.

Yes, I want to be a Friend of Art on the Avenue

□ $25 for an individual

□ $40 for a family

□ I can’t join but want to contribute in the amount of $_____________.

□ I have some clothes I can donate for Scarecrows. Contact me.

□ I’d like to help by volunteering at Art on the Avenue. Pick your preference and what shift is best for you below.

We’ll be in touch to confirm when and where you should show up.

Set-up (Nothing else can happen if we don’t get set-up)

______ Friday evening, Oct. 1 — Mark the street and clean up.

______ 6:30 AM, Saturday, Oct. 2 — General set-up: put up signs, blow up balloons, deliver programs, unload pumpkins, and lots more. Two people are needed at 5:30 a.m. to help with street barricades.

______ 7:00 AM, Saturday, Oct. 2 — Table delivery: strong people to deliver tables and chairs with rental company.

Event Time

______ Block Captains. We need lots!! Oversee a one-block area. Ensure everything is fine and dandy, everyone is behaving, pass out programs, and trash is emptied.

______ Festival Store. We need 2-3 people for different shifts all day to sell t-shirts, posters, etc.

______ Scarecrow area. Prepare area and work with children making Scarecrows.

(Please select time)

______ Noon – 2 PM ______ 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Event Shift Choices

______ 6:30 AM – 9:30 AM (pre-event) ______ 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM

______ 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM ______ 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM

______ 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM

Put the Avenue Back Together

______ 5:30 – 7 PM Tear down: fold up tables and chairs, roust vendors, clean up, and pat each other on the back.

Name_____________________________________________________(Please Print)

Address___________________________________________________

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