Official Announcements for the City of Alexandria: March 19 – 25, 2011

Friday, March 25 - Nominations Deadline for Excellence in Aging Awards 
The Alexandria Commission on Aging is seeking nominations for the 2011 Excellence in Aging Awards. If you know an individual or an organization that has provided outstanding support or service to Alexandria seniors over the last year, please take time to nominate them for an award. The Annie B. Rose Lifetime Award will be given to an individual citizen who has served seniors for at least 10 years. A second award, in honor of Lois Van Valkenburgh, will be given to an individual with at least one year of service to seniors. The final award, the Excellence in Aging Award for an Organization, will be given to an organization that has made an outstanding contribution to Alexandria seniors. For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/Aging.

Coming Soon

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/.

Ongoing

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 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.

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. Winners will be recognized at a reception on June 28. 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 21

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 703.846.4550.

Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m., 4th Floor, Alexandria Health Department, 4480 King Street. For more information, contact Nechelle Terrell at 703.746.4933.

Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association Board of Governors will hold its regular monthly meeting at 5 p.m., location to be determined.  For more information, contact Stephanie Brown at 703.746.3302.

Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m., Room 2000, City Hall, 301 King Street. For more information, contact Bill Skrabak, 703.746.4065.

Alexandria George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m., Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson Street. For more information, contact Jack Browand at 703.746.5427.

Alexandria Housing Development Corporation Board of Directors will hold its regular monthly meeting at 6 p.m., 801 North Pitt Street. For more information, contact Mildrilyn Davis at 703.746.4990.

Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board of Commissioners will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m., Ladrey Highrise, 300 Wythe Street. For more information, contact Roy Priest at 703.549.7115.

Alexandria Sister Cities Committee will hold its monthly meeting at 7 p.m., Sister Cities Conference Room 1102, City Hall, 301 King Street. For more information, contact Rose Boyd at 703.746.4300.

Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m., Human Services Building, 2525 Mt. Vernon Avenue. For more information, contact Tresniece Perry at 703.746.5668.

TUESDAY, MARCH 22

Alexandria City Council will hold a work session with the Fort Ward Park Stakeholders Advisory Group, Alexandria Archaeological Commission, and the Historic Alexandria Resources Commission at 5:30 p.m., Council Workroom, City Hall, 301 King Street. For more information, contact Jackie Henderson at 703.746.4550.

Alexandria City Council will hold its second legislative meeting of the month at 7 p.m., Council Chambers, City Hall, 301 King Street. For more information, contact Jackie Henderson at 703.746.4550.

Alexandria/Gyumri Sister City Committee will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m., Sister Cities Conference Room 1101, City Hall, 301 King Street. For more information, contact Rose Boyd at 703.746.4300.

Alexandria Potomac Station, LLC Group will hold a meeting at 3 p.m., The Station at Potomac Yard, Community Room, 650 Maskell Street. For more information, contact Mildrilyn Davis at 703.746.4990.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23

Alexandria Board of Architectural Review – Parker-Gray District will hold its only meeting of the month at 7:30 p.m., Council Chambers, City Hall, 301 King Street.  For more information contact Al Cox, 703.746.3833.

Alexandria Commission for the Arts – King Street Gardens Park Foundation will hold a meeting at 7:00 p.m., Durant Memorial Center, 1605 Cameron Street.  For more information contact Cheryl Anne Colton, 703.746.5565.

THURSDAY, MARCH 24

Alexandria Commission for the Arts – Alexandria Arts Forum  will meet at 12 p.m., Durant Community Art Center, 1605 Cameron Street. For more information, contact Cheryl Anne Colton at 703.746.5588.

Alexandria Transit Company Board of Directors will hold its regular monthly meeting at 5:30 p.m., Sister Cities Conference Room 1101, City Hall, 301 King Street. For more information, contact Marlene Jones at 703.746.5637.