ACTion Alexandria Blog

05/23/2013
Aisha O'Brien
ACTion Alexandria

Just what IS a pocket park?

The Del Ray Citizens Association just got a matching fund to help put the finishing touches on a pocket park on E. Del Ray Ave. and Commonwealth Ave. It's been over five years in the making and they're in the home stretch. 

But what is a pocket park and is it that important? 

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Environment, Neighborhoods Alexandria, alexandria recreation and parks, Del Ray Citizens Association, Open Spaces, pocket park, urban development
05/23/2013
Marion Brunken
Volunteer Alexandria

Volunteering Hot List: Summer, Summer, Summer Time!

volunteer_handsVolunteer Alexandria has compiled the following Hotlist of local volunteer opportunities. Please contact the agency directly if you are interested in the opportunity and reference Volunteer Alexandria.

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Arts & Culture, Education, Environment, Food & Shelter, Health, Neighborhoods Alexandria, summer, Volunteer Alexandria, volunteering
05/22/2013
Aisha O'Brien
ACTion Alexandria

Beyond "Voluntourism"

 

volunteers_buildingVolunteering is up among teens, but what kinds of experiences are we giving them and will it lead to long term philanthropy? 

The intent is to expose our youth to poverty/hunger/illness; but sometimes that feels a little like using folks as props for a real-life Very Special Episode - some have termed this "voluntourism." Poverty, hunger, illness, abuse – these are more than that. And when we expose young people to these harsh realities, we should do it with care and conscientiousness. 

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Alexandria, teens, Volunteer Alexandria, volunteering, youth
05/21/2013
Tracy Viselli
ACTion Alexandria

Thanks Alexandria, It's Been A Blast!

 

don't-want-to-go-kitten
After almost three years, it’s time for me to say goodbye to ACTion Alexandria. In July, 2010, I came to Alexandria to help ACT for Alexandria implement a new online civic engagement platform after it received a grant from the Knight Foundation. As with most grant-funded projects, my position was never permanent. My job was to build a grassroots community dedicated to the local philanthropy and civic engagement.  

And with your help, that's exactly what we did!
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action alexandria, community manager, leaving, tracy viselli
05/15/2013
Kevin Beekman
The Arlandrian

Cora Kelly playground may finally get played on

cora_kelly_playground_constructionIt's been several years in the making, filled with delays and disappointments, but soon the students and neighbors of Cora Kelly Elementary School may be able to finally use that playground that they've only been able to look at through construction fences for over a year.

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Neighborhoods Alexandria, cora kelly playground, playground
05/06/2013
Aisha O'Brien
ACTion Alexandria

UPDATE: Bring Girls Rising to Alexandria's Old Town Theater

girl_rising_film_poster

MORE UPDATES: By popular demand, Old Town Theater will have another screening on June 5th so grab your tickets now before they're sold out again! 

UPDATE: We did it! We got 100 tickets in practically no time. Thanks for your help in getting this inspiring movie screened! 

The Alexandria chapter of Dining for Women wants to show the amazing documentary Girl Rising at their newly-renovated Old Town theater on Wednesday May 29, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. - and they can do it only if they get 100 seats reserved by May 17.

Help make this happen by getting your tickets now!

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Arts & Culture, Education Alexandria, dining for women, documentary, girls rising, old town theater
05/06/2013
Aisha O'Brien
ACTion Alexandria

Come Read with Us!

 

reading_connection_we_are_readernsThe Reading Connection (TRC) would like to invite you to attend the Community Reading Festival on May 11 and to participate in the 2nd Arlington Kids Read Read-a-Thon.  TRC is holding a Community Reading Festival on May 11 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Campbell Elementary School. There will be books read aloud, a visit from Clifford, crafts and treats for all.  The event is open to the public and geared towards families with children aged 3 to 12. 

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Education Alexandria, community reading festival, literacy, reading, the reading connection
05/06/2013
Aisha O'Brien
ACTion Alexandria

Art, Culture, History on Mother's Day

happy_mothers_dayYour mom is classy, so take her some place to feed your intellectual curiosity this Day of the Mother. Many Old Town museums are opening their doors for free tours and events to celebrate moms. 

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Arts & Culture, Neighborhoods Alexandria, Carlyle House, Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, lee-fendall house, mother's day, museums, Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
05/02/2013
Aisha O'Brien
ACTion Alexandria

What's Next Alexandria: Let's Make This a Success

whats-next-alexandria-logoTuesday's What's Next Alexandria Community Dialogue was all about making sure the new Civic Engagement Framework would work for City staff and community members alike.

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Neighborhoods Alexandria, civic engagement, community dialogue, Planning & Zoning, what's next Alexandria
04/29/2013
Karen Baragona
Animal Welfare League of Alexandria

Allow me to introduce myself!

I’m at my son’s soccer practice, biding my time with my dog Huckleberry. A nice granny strolls by with a toddler in her arms, sees us, and exclaims with gusto, “My granddaughter just LOVES dogs!!!!” Granny then proceeds to swoop this bundle of joy down into my dog’s face, kamikaze style, again and again, while the little girl shrieks with glee. True or false: this is a perfectly appropriate way to greet a dog. 
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