Toys for Tots, Columbia Pike Transit Initiative and More: This Week's Latest ACTion

• On Sunday, December 5th from 1-5 PM, the City's 36th Annual Toys for Tots Benefit Square Dance will be held at the Lee Center Exhibit Hall.  The Capital Squares Demonstration Team will perform at 3 PM.  All toys donated during the event will be given to children in the Washington Metropolitan Area.  For more info,  call the City of Alexandria's Special Events Hotline at (703) 746-5592 or visit the Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities page.

• Alexandria residents are invited to attend two meetings regarding the Columbia Pike Transit Initiative.  According to the City of Alexandria's website, plans are being made to "extend [the route] along Columbia Pike (Route 244) from the Bailey’s Crossroads/Skyline area in Fairfax County to Pentagon City in Arlington County. Alignment and yard options extend to the Northern Virginia Community College within the City of Alexandria."  Both meetings, on November 15th and 18th, will be hosted by Arlington County and cover the same topics.  The City asks that those interested attend the meeting most convenient for them.

• Barbara Maxwell, a reporter for The Examiner, writes that on Saturday, November 20th, the City of Alexandria and Covanta Energy will host a "Mercury Drop-Off" event where residents can safely dispose of devices containing the hazardous metal.  Visit the City's Household Hazardous Waste page for more details.

• City officials are encouraging all residents and visitors to recycle and reuse plastic bags.  With the Plastic Bag Recycling Initiative, the City of Alexandria hopes to promote environmental awareness and meet the goals set by the Eco-City Alexandria Initiative.  To learn more and to find out how you can help, visit the City's Solid Waste and Recycling page.

Photo courtesy of Columbia Pike Transit Initiative