Helping Homeless Veterans, Christmas Tree Recycling, School Textbooks and More: This Week's Latest ACTion

• Many veterans are returning from war without a place to call home. Dorothy Thomas, the Homeless Coordinator for the Veterans Administration in Alexandria, wants that to change. Read about her meeting with American Legion members and other officials that will indeed change lives and help protect those who have protected us.

• Councilman Rob Krupicka recently wrote on his blog about the efforts of the Virginia Board of Education to ensure that factual errors in student textbooks are corrected. Del. David Englin is also introducing a bill in the state legislature on Monday to overhaul the state's textbook adoption process.

• Check out the extensive coverage of a new program called "Money Smart," taught by Jennifer B. Murphy, on the LocalKicks blog.  Murphy, a recent graduate of the Parent Leadership Training Institute, created the program to teach students about financial well-being.  Another course will be taught at Minnie Howard this year.

• Librarian Karen Russell, who managed at all four branches of the Alexandria Library, retired January 1st after a 38-year career.  Starting the Spanish-language collection was just one of her many accomplishments.  Congratulations Mrs. Russell and thank you for your service.

• Alexandria residents who have curbside trash pick-up can put out their Christmas trees for collection on January 8th and 15th.  The trees will be recycled and reused as mulch this spring.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons