Join us for the first meetup in our reoccurring happy hour event series. Have a drink with fellow Casa Chiri supporters to meet new people, network, learn more about the organization and learn about how you can get involved.
It'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.
Pork Barrel BBQ will donate 15% of your purchase to the Alexandria Police Memorial Fund on Tuesday, May 14th. They are open from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and are located at 2312 Mt. Vernon Ave. (corner of Mt. Vernon Ave. and Oxford St in Del Ray)
Your 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.
Tuesday'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.
Join 100+ of your neighbors at the 3rd What's Next Alexandria Community Dialogue! Hundreds of community
members have been collaborating to build Alexandria's Principles of Engagement since November. We'll be discussing the Principles and a new framework for implementation and we need your feedback and ideas.
Join 100+ of your neighbors at the 3rd What's Next Alexandria Community Dialogue! Hundreds of community members have been collaborating to build Alexandria's Principles of Engagement since November.
MAPPing Alexandria - The culminating event in Alexandria’s National Poetry Month activities, Mapping Alexandria in Poems and Pictures features readings of poems about Alexandria with Poet Laureate Amy Young. A collaboration between the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association and the Office of the Arts.
Ready to do a little shopping in Old Town and support 30+ charities at the same time? Come out to Old Town on Saturday, May 18th and be part of the largest small business – charity collaboration in the DC Metro area. This year, fibre space™ is delighted to host a fundraiser for our partner Project Knitwell!
In support of that mission and the City's goals outlined in the 2008 Pedestrian and Bicycle Mobility Plan, BPAC Is leading efforts to improve understanding of active travel patterns, through collection and analysis of information on the number and gender of bicycl
Sadly, Spring2ACTion is officially over. But today, we get to celebrate the results and the amazing generousity of our community. With your help, we raised $659,591 from 5,872 givers in just 24 hours! Thank you, thank you, thank you! None of this would be possible without YOU!
Recently named a top race by the Washington Post Express, the Parkway Classic is an area favorite for its gorgeous route, capped field size, and runner amenities.
Part of Virginia Architecture Week, the American Institute of Architects (Northern Virginia) hosts this two-hour tour through Old Town Alexandria. The tour covers the history of Alexandria as reflected through its architecture and urban design, highlighting examples from Georgian to Art Deco. The tour is free, but requires pre-registration by emailing reservations@aianova.org.
The Four Mile Run Farmers & Artisans Market has a lot of exciting news for the upcoming 2013 season, set to begin on the second Sunday in April (April 14th)!!
The City of Alexandria has been quietly rolling out a new issue reporting system on their website: alexandriava.gov over the last few years.
Back in March of 2011, we reported about a nifty new GIS-based system that not only allows you to help locate the problem on a map, it also offers you the ability to upload supporting documents or pictures and retains the request for you under your account so you can check back later to see the results.
Former Alexandria Small Business Facilitator Tom Fairchild makes the case for positive economic impacts of bike, pedestrian and transit facilities in a post at
We're playing with maps here at ACTion HQ and digging this data-rich map from Chris Persaud - Rich Blocks, Poor Blocks. It's an interactive map of income and rent costs for every city in America. The data are culled from the American Community Survey with city "blocks" outlined out using the Census.
Here's how to tell Alexandria City Council to "Keep Warwick Pool Open":
1. Write an Email or Letter. Please do this today. Your 10 minutes now can lead to an entire summer of enjoying Warwick Pool! Use the attached points in a brief letter and/or share your own personal reasons for keeping the Pool open. **If you do just one thing, send an email to City Council! **
2. Post on Twitter and Facebook. Tell Council members to "Keep Warwick Pool Open" by speaking up on social media. See www.WarwickVillage.org for a list of places to post.
3. Share this information with neighbors and ask them to act too!
The Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities is scheduling renovation of the Hooffs Run Park playground (also known as "Blue Park") located at 99 East Rosemont Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22301. The renovation will include replacement of existing play equipment, rubberized safety surfacing, new site furnishings, and plantings.
Originally posted by Patrick Boyle at SparkAction.
As more community leaders around the country see the value of creating a youth master plan, many of them wonder about the critical task of getting good public input—that's why Alexandria is inspiring its residents to get involved.
The City is hosting the second of its four part Community Dialogues on January 29, 7-9pm at First Baptist Church. This meeting, we're getting down to brass tacks.
Hmm...what was going this weekend again? Oh, right! National Day of Service and the Inauguration!
It's going to be a cold week, but Saturday is looking good which is the perfect opportunity to volunteer and do service for National Day of Service. Monday, President Obama will be sworn in. How many of you are going?
If you don't have any plans this weekend, here are some events that'll get you out and about.
The City is writing up their first Alexandria Youth Master Plan - a road map that ensures all youth from 0 to 21 thrive!
Be part of the process at any one of the planned community dialogues in February. We want as much input from the community as poosible, so there are three dates that you can come to participate:
Saturday, Feb. 9, 10am - Noon TC Williams Cafeteria, 3330 King St.
Monday, Feb. 11, 6:30pm - 8:30pm Charles Houston Center, 901 Wythe St.
Are you a cyclist or pedestrian interested in improving the walkability and bikability of Alexandria? Volunteer to help BPAC track bicycle and pedestrian movements today.
Del Ray Artisans’ 17th annual Holiday Market offers handmade work from local artists, a children’s table where little ones can shop for family members, and handmade ornaments. Bake Sale benefits the non-profit Computer CORE. Market dates: Nov 30 - Dec 2, Dec 7-9, Dec 14-16. Fridays 6-9pm (reception), Saturdays 10am-4pm, Sundays 12-4pm.
Join us for an evening of bikes, music. art and holiday cheer! Take in works of local artists while we tally our Holiday Bike Drive. Light fare and beverages will be served.
DASH representatives will be at the King Street Metro Station collecting donations for Toys for Tots. Help make this holiday season special for Alexandria’s disadvantaged children.
DASH will be onsite inside the entrance to the King St. Metro station on the following dates:
Someone once said that 80 percent of success is showing up. It's no small feat then that 165 Alexandrians showed up last night to First Baptist Church - including community leaders and city council members - for the first of four "What's Next, Alexandria?" community dialogues the City is hosting.
The MV Big Flea will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at the Mount Vernon Community Center, 2701 Commonwealth Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22305.
Our volunteers pick up donations by appointment, or you can drop them off during one of our “Shop N Drop “ dates through the year. Yes, we sell stuff then, too!
Books for America, a non profit based in the Washington D.C area, is hosting a one day book give away event. We want to provide free reading material in an effort to encourage home-libraries and a love of reading. There will be both adult and children’s books available. There will be a limit of books per person. Donated books are not to be used for resale purposes.
On November 30 & December 1, 2012, The Campagna Center will present the 42nd Annual Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend. Consistently ranked by the Southeast Tourism Society as one of the top 20 events in the South, the Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend has grown from a small informal parade to an entire weekend filled with events and festivities.
The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) has received a grant from PetSmart Charities to fund Alexandria’s first trap-neuter-return (TNR) program to help feral cats in the city. The TNR program enlists the help of concerned citizens and feral cat caretakers to humanely reduce the sizes of feral cat colonies.
The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) has received a grant from PetSmart Charities to fund Alexandria’s first trap-neuter-return (TNR) program to help feral cats in the city. The TNR program enlists the help of concerned citizens and feral cat caretakers to humanely reduce the sizes of feral cat colonies.
The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) has received a grant from PetSmart Charities to fund Alexandria’s first trap-neuter-return (TNR) program to help feral cats in the city. The TNR program enlists the help of concerned citizens and feral cat caretakers to humanely reduce the sizes of feral cat colonies.
The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) has received a grant from PetSmart Charities to fund Alexandria’s first trap-neuter-return (TNR) program to help feral cats in the city. The TNR program enlists the help of concerned citizens and feral cat caretakers to humanely reduce the sizes of feral cat colonies.
The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) has received a grant from PetSmart Charities to fund Alexandria’s first trap-neuter-return (TNR) program to help feral cats in the city. The TNR program enlists the help of concerned citizens and feral cat caretakers to humanely reduce the sizes of feral cat colonies.
It's that time of year--when the leaves begin to fall, the air is grows cold and our televisions fill with political ads--Election Day is almost here! It's time to prepare to exercise your greatest civic responsibility and vote.
We've created guide to help you get your vote on! What should you expect at your polling place? How do you get help should you need it. And nowww...
The Del Ray Citizens Association is teaming with the Office of Historic Alexandria, Historic Alexandria Resources Commission and the Alexandria Historical Society to sponsor a free symposium on Nov. 10 highlighting the unique history and architecture of the city’s Del Ray neighborhood.
Alexandria is blessed to have many engaged and well-informed citizens. Many of them are experts on issues of great importance to the City. The City offers many opportunities for public input on City decision-making, but many citizens feel that their views are not really being heard.
If you've got a smart phone, you might want to download some of these apps to keep you informed on Hurricane Sandy and get alerts from local and national government.
Mark your calendars! Building on the input you provide in the poll, our next step together is a Community Dialogue on Thursday, November 15, 7 p.m. at the First Baptist Church Activity Center, at 2932 King Street. That night, in addition to working with your fellow Alexandrians on this important issue, we’ll hear from a terrific speaker, Dr. Carolyn J.
It is with great disappointment that the Del Ray Business Association announces that the 16th Annual Del Ray Halloween Parade scheduled for Sunday, October 28th has been CANCELLED for this year.
On Saturday, October 27, bring the kids to Old Town to trick or treat with the Old Town Boutique District stores. There are 34 stores participating this year which means 34 treats for your little ones - and you perhaps! There will be events going on in several of the stores.
Got your costumes ready? May we suggest going as your favorite Action Hero? Ok, ok, if you want to go as a zombie or vampire, go ahead. But you can still be an ACTion hero this Halloween by helping out a few nonprofits collect coats and candy!
Of course, don't forget the fun events going on around town!
The Del Ray Artisans is hosting a Halloween social hour for adults on Saturday, Oct. 27. The 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. event is tied to this month's art exhibit theme, Sweet'n Salty. Mixologists, acclaimed and self-proclaimed, are invited to compete against one another to create drinks that are sweet, salty, or a bit of both.
The frightful fun starts after the Del Ray Halloween Parade. Parade marchers step off at 2 p.m. in their costume finery and finish on the fields of the Mount Vernon Recreation Center, where hot dogs and goodie bags will be served.
The City of Alexandria is kicking off a nine month outreach campaign to listen to what residents have to say about six of the City's parks. How do you use the parks? What do you like about the parks? What do you hope to see in the parks in the future?
These discussions will help guide the City's plans and decisions on how the parks evolve over time.
Operating under the motto "learning together to love their neighbors as themselves", Casa Chirilagua, a non-profit organization located in the Chirilagua-Arlandria Latino neighborhood, seeks to instill Christian values through walks, meals, friendships, celebrations and life events. Established by three inspired young women, Casa Chirilagua has created a community in which individuals are assisted for as long as necessary to create a productive lifestyle, physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual problems are all handled, and the poor, opressed, the immigrant, and the lost are all helped.
The beef is back. The Stiflers will be at 4MRMarket again this Sunday with their fabulous meat.
And Fall is here and the Four Mile Run Farmers & Artisans Market is in the homestretch. We have a great year of fantastic products and now we head into another season with more to offer.
Fabulous Fall Savory Slow Cooker Meat Loaf with What's For Dinner Now
Event chairmen Vice Mayor Kerry Donley and Councilman David Speck will be honoring the 2012 awardees - Patty Moran and W. Lyles Carr, Jr. Both have been great leaders and dedicated volunteers in our community.
Local elections are one of the purest forms of civic engagement. ACTion Alexandria and our co-sponsors, the Alexandria Branch of the NAACP and Patch, are committed to promoting an informed and diverse civic discussion.
Doors open at 6:30 pm and forum begins at 7:00 pm.
TWU runs projects and campaigns in the following areas: Education: Alexandria students and parents fighting to close the achievement gap for students of color in Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) and to ensure that all students graduate prepared to go to college.
Fall is here and the Four Mile Run Farmers & Artisans Market is in the homestretch. We have a great year of fantastic products and now we head into another season with more to offer.
Our own Tracy Viselli just came back from the Code for America Summit in San Francisco this week and brought back news of some cool apps that we could use in Alexandria. What are some of your ideas for using these apps or other apps you've seen to improve civic engagement in the city?
Adopting a shelter animal is an amazing way to change lives. Not only are you rescuing a homeless animal in need, but your life and the lives of your family members are sure to change as well. Many of us want to help homeless animals in any way possible, but the reality is that adoption simply isn't an option for everyone. However, the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria's foster care program is an excellent alternative for animal lovers that are able to provide temporary care.
Friday, October 19, 10:00am to 5:30pm; Saturday, October 20, 10:00am to 4:30pm; Sunday, October 21, 10:00am to 4:30pm. Thousands of books, DVDs, CDs and more. Wonderful deals and all sales benefit the Friends of Beatley Central Library. Located in the Large Meeting Room
ACTion Alexandria is proud to announce we're cosponsoring an Alexandria mayoral and City Council Candidate Forum Sponsored with the Alexandria Branch of the NAACP and Patch on Monday, October 15, 2012 at George Washington Middle School’s auditorium from 7:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M.
Even better than sponsoring a candidate forum, we're giving you an opportunity to be a substantial part of it.
The City is launching a new initiative, "What's Next, Alexandria?," to begin a community conversation about how Alexandrians can best participate in shaping the city's future.
You have the opportunity to be a part of history by serving as an election officer for the City of Alexandria during the November 6, 2012, Presidential Election. The Alexandria Electoral Board is looking for civic-minded individuals with basic computer user skills who are interested in the election process and are available to help on November 6.
This week we have an interactive, kid-friendly show by the Kate Moran Band from 11am-noon plus a second collection for St. Rita's Annual Clothing Drive. See below for more details on both.
The City of Alexandria’s Family Fall Festival is scheduled for Saturday, October 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Armistead L. Boothe Park, located at 520 Cameron Station Blvd. The event will be held rain or shine. In the case of inclement weather, the Festival will move indoors to the Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School, 435 Ferdinand Day Drive.
The Alexandria Bar Association and Senior Services of Alexandria are partnering to present the second annual Senior Citizens Law Day on Saturday, October 13, 2012.
We each know someone who has given much of their lives--their hearts and souls--to making Alexandria a better place to live. Living Legends of Alexandria wants to recognize these folks and the good news is that you don’t have to be a Pulitzer Prize winner to write the nomination. All it takes is a one-page description outlining the activities in which the person has excelled. Nominees who meet the criteria for consideration and their nominators will each receive a complimentary invitation to the inspiring "Meet The Legends" reception on March 21, 2013.
In case you or anyone you know or work with is interested in starting a business...please note that the ACPS Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Center is offering START IT UP: An Introduction to Entrepreneurship!
The City is launching a new initiative, "What's Next, Alexandria?," to begin a community conversation about how Alexandrians can best participate in shaping the city's future.
Dine at Del Ray Pizzeria this week (September 16–22, 2012) Starting Sunday, and with your donation of at least $3, DRP will give you a free dessert. Donations will support NOVAM’s Kids Kloset, which provides new mothers affected by HIV with infant layettes, baby equipment and monthly diapers.
What’s the best way to help Alexandria’s homeless animals? Obviously, adoption is the best and most immediate solution for the current residents of the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter, but what about the next generation of unwanted and abandoned animals? And if you’re like most of the staff and volunteers at the shelter, or most of Alexandria for that matter, what do you do if you already have a home full of animals?
The inaugural Alexandria Shelter Walk for Homeless Animals is less than two months away, and you can join us by registering online today. Create a Walk team, register as an individual walker, or find a team to join. No matter how you choose to participate, you'll be helping Alexandria's homeless animals receive the love and care they deserve until they find permanent homes.
What's Next, Alexandria? is a City of Alexandria initiative to begin a conversation about how Alexandrians can best participate in shaping Alexandria's future.
The Old Town Boutique District is celebrating its fifth anniversary by giving away more than $7,000 in gift cards from participating merchants during its Annual Scavenger Hunt, taking place Sept. 21-23. When you visit a participating store, get your passport stamped by each of the participating merchants.
In April 2012, in conclusion of a yearlong effort to study and understand the existing conditions and future needs for aquatics facilities in the City, the consultant team of Kimley Horn and Counsilman Hunsaker presented their findings to the public.
We are doing another round of bicyclist and pedestrian counting. This project has been invaluable for showing the need for better bicycle and pedestrian facilities, something that walkers, runners and bikers can all appreciate.
In just 6 hours on September 13, a new playground will be built in Old Town.
More than 200 volunteers from Alexandria and surrounding communities will arrive at the site you see on the left and work together to build an amazing new playspace for Alexandria families and their children.
Come play with us at playgrounds across Alexandria!
Community at Play is a series of play dates to get parents and children to experience local playgrounds you haven't heard about yet or that have been recently improved thanks to the Project Play Spruce Up Grants. Each event will have different activities like bubble blowing, sprinklers and more.
Alexandria’s Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) will hold an Awards Ceremony and Cookout Thursday, September 6, at 4:00 p.m. The event will be held at Alexandria Police Headquarters, located at 3600 Wheeler Avenue; and will be hosted by Mayor William D. Euille, Police Chief Earl L. Cook, Sheriff Dana Lawhorne and Liz Wixson from the Department of Community and Human Services.
The City of will host a 9-11 remembrance ceremony on Tuesday, September 11, at 6:30 p.m. in Market Square (301 King St.). The purpose of the commemoration is to remember those who died, and pay tribute to those in the community and in uniform who responded on 9-11 without fear, acted without hesitation, and gave their lives to save others.
Please join us in this new venture to bring the diverse gay community together in Del Ray. Del Ray has such a great community which respects it's diversity. One way to celebrate and come together as a group, is to introduce this Group.
We have two events coming up in September and we are reaching out to the broader VeloCity community for volunteers. These are a couple of good opportunities to get more involve with the co-op even if you don't have any mechanic skills. Duties mostly involve handing out fliers and talking to passers-by about the co-op and what we do.
We have two events coming up in September and we are reaching out to the broader VeloCity community for volunteers. These are a couple of good opportunities to get more involve with the co-op even if you don't have any mechanic skills. Duties mostly involve handing out fliers and talking to passers-by about the co-op and what we do.
This Wednesday, bring the kids to Sunset Park for another Community at Play event sponsored by the Childhood Obesity Action Network and ACTion Alexandria. Come see the enhancements at Sunset Park, made as a result of the Project Play Spruce Up Grants contest. Enjoy free refreshments, games, bubbles and have fun with your friends and neighbors!
Alexandria’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Activities has teamed with the Arlandria-Chirilagua Business Association and Lynhaven Citizens Association, Warwick Village Citizens Association and Hume Springs Citizens Association to organize DiverseCity Alexandria Multicultural Fest.
The Beauregard Rezoning Advisory Group is hosting a meeting and tour of potential open space sites on Wednesday, August 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the Jerome “Buddie” Ford Nature Center, located at 5750 Sanger Ave. in Alexandria.
The next informal Alexandria BPAC ride we be a slow moving 10 mile tour of historic sites mostly in the east end. We will see Robert E. Lee's boyhood home, the first national military cemetery, the tomb of the unknown Revolutionary War soldier and lots more. The ride will finish at the rebuilt Jones Point Park where cyclists can linger to read all the new nterpretative signs.
In partnership with ARHA, KaBOOM! and the Washington Capitals, we're building a new $75,000 playground in Old Town's Hopkins-Tancil Court neighborhood on September 13, 2012.
The public is invited to attend a community open house to discuss the design of a short term safety fence around the Windmill Hill Park Bulkhead, 501 S. Union St. In response to community comments, staff will present five (5) design options.
Tonight is the "29th Annual National Night Out" (NNO), a unique crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW).
Citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood associations and local officials from all over the United States and Canada to:
A public hearing will be held for the purpose of obtaining public comments on two items: 1) the draft FY 2013 Annual Agency Plan and 2) the Five-Year Action Plan for the period of January 1, 2013 – December 31, 2017.
Come one, come all, to an electrifying performance this Sunday from 11am-Noon this Sunday at 4MRMarket!
Wytold Lebing, an acclaimed electric cellist, and a Strathmore Artist in Residence, has volunteered to play the market this weekend, so come on out and experience a very eclectic and electric sound for a song. Donations will be accepted, but the performance is totally free! Find a music loving neighbor who has never stopped by our little neighborhood market that could and bring them along.
The Friendship Firehouse Festival celebrates the 237th anniversary of the Friendship Fire Company, founded in 1774. Enjoy birthday cake, craft and food vendors, and a special display of antique and modern firefighting equipment. Free fun for kids of all ages!
This year, ACTion Alexandria and our community has been all about Project Play, an effort to ensure that every child in Alexandria has a quality space to play. Working with our partners, Alexandria Childhood Obesity Action Network and Alexandria/Arlington Smart Beginnings, we've been able to accomplished a lot!
After adding on the almost $700 in cash donation made at Alexandria branches of Virginia Commerce Bank, our presenting sponsor, Spring2ACTion 2012 raised more than $320,000 for Alexandria nonprofits in just 24 hours! Spring2ACTion is the biggest Alexandria fundraising event ever thanks to you!
What your contributions mean for local nonprofits
Casa Chirilagua can now start an after-school middle school program for kids living in the Chirilagua area of Arlandria.
The Art League can build a new art facility to continue to provide affordable art education.
YMCA Alexandria can provide 21 more kids scholarships to summer camp.
Friends of Guest House can continue parenting classes for women coming out of incarceration to help them transition successfully back into community and family life.
Senior Services of Alexandria is able to extend its Meals on Wheels Program to serve seniors on more Saturdays and Sundays.
ACTion Alexandria's biggest action of the year, Spring2ACTion, begins at midnight on May 2, and we urge you to help us make it a record breaker. Last year, we all worked together to raise $104,000. This year, our goal is to help local nonprofits raise $200,000 in just 24 hours!
ACTion Alexandria's biggest action of the year, Spring2ACTion, begins at midnight on May 2, and we urge you to help us make it a record breaker. Last year, we all worked together to raise $104,000. This year, our goal is to help local nonprofits raise $200,000 in just 24 hours!
Civic engagement is what ACTion Alexandria is all about and what's more civic than voting? It's been a boisterous year in city politics, and with more than a baker's dozen worth of candidates running for City Council, it's hard for a lot of us to figure out which candidates best represent our vision for our community.
So, we are turning the tables on traditional political debates by giving YOU the starring role in our online forum.
On Wednesday, May 2nd, our community will come together for 24 hours of unprecedented giving.
Spring2ACTion is one extraordinary day to support the organizations that make Alexandria amazing. ACT and ACTion Alexandria, in partnership with our sponsors, are offering up to $30,000 in cash and prizes to help increase fundraising efforts by participating organizations and individual fundraisers. Real-time tracking will be displayed on the leader board at www.Spring2ACTion.org on May 2.