Free Events: March 28th

The Lyceum in Old Town is inviting you and your kids to "Spring into Reading" at a children's book fair on Saturday, March 28th from 11 - 4. Activities include storytimes, crafts, Please Touch Artifacts, and a Family History Hunt. FREE. 201 S. Washington Street, 703-838-4994.

Also, don't forget the Community Clean-Up and Recycling Day at the South County Government Center at 8350 Richmond Highway. From 9 - 2 on Saturday, the 28th, you can get your documents shredded (limit of 5 "reasonably-sized" boxes per household), recycle those old computer monitors, televisions, electronics, and bicycles, and dispose of hazardous household waste. Also FREE.

A Mighty Oak

One of the mighty oaks in our yard died this year at close to a hundred years old. Once Dh and I agreed it was dead -- (Him: Are you sure? How can you tell it's dead? Me: Um, because it has no leaves, is turning the weird color of decay, and really huge branches keep falling off?) -- we knew we had to get it cut down. Enter Big Steve's Tree Service. Recommended by our next-door neighbors, Big Steve's gave us an estimate that was lower than the next closest one by $1200. The crew came out dispatched with our poor (and yes, very dead!) tree safely, neatly, and in short order. If you need a tree service, get them out for an estimate: 703-499-3668.

Kids Eat Free (or Nearly)

If you're in the mood to eat out with the kids, here are some area bargains to keep in mind:

Every Day: At the Denny's on Rt. 1, from 4 - 10 PM, kids 10 and under eat free with the purchase of an adult entree (2 kids per adult). 7214 Richmond Hwy 22306.

IHOP: From 4 - 8, kids under 12 eat free with the purchase of an adult entree. 7694 Richmond Highway.

Mondays: Domino's Pizza has a deal for a large, one-topping pizza for $5.99.

Tuesdays: Kids eat free all day at Chevy's Fresh Mex on Rt. 1.

Any others we forgot to add?

Cheap Date Ideas

My husband and I have been in a date-night rut. Our typical date has us ending up at one of three Old Town restaurants, with perhaps a cup of coffee (for him) and a cup of tea (for me) at Starbucks as a chaser (1.75 hours). If we've thrown all caution to the wind, we go to a movie (add 1.9 hours, $25 for the tickets, and $30 extra bucks for the babysitter). I know, I know -- who can stand the excitement?!

But a few weeks ago we took a stand against humdrum dates. We headed to the Birchmere to hear Fountains of Wayne. (They were great, by the way.) The trouble? We dropped almost $200 between babysitting, the concert tickets, and food.

If you're like us and want to move beyond the usual for your date nights (but don't want to spend a lot of money), here are some suggestions:

Second Thursday Art Nights at the Torpedo Factory. The galleries and studios are open from 6 - 9. Come stroll around, interact with artists, and enjoy refreshments. FREE.

Can't afford a romantic weekend in Paris? Celebrate all things French during the Le Festival de la Francophonie 2009. From now until April 3rd, enjoy French films, musicians, and performances, courtesy of the Smithsonian and the Francophonie Committee of Washington -- most for the price of a movie ticket.

Here's a list of the Smithsonian's "After Five" events; you'll have to cull the list for something free, but it's worth it.

Got any great date night ideas to share? Please, share them with us!

Helping Hands

I am often telling my kids to “be happy for what you have, not sad for what you don’t.” I want to teach them gratitude and get the point across that many, many people are less fortunate than they are, without actually bringing up starving children in Africa like my mom did. Especially in these financially unstable times I want them to know how lucky they are. What better way to cultivate a sense of gratitude and appreciation than to have your child volunteer and give back to the community? Here’s a partial list of local organizations who are looking for help from kids:


American Red Cross of Alexandria
123 N. Alfred Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

JUNIOR RED CROSS MEMBER
Activities include holiday decorations and treats for the elderly in nursing homes, neighborhood clean-up projects and putting together disaster bags for local house fires.
Minimum Age: 6

BLOOD SERVICES VOLUNTEER
Greet donors at blood drives, serve refreshments and escort donors.

Minimum Age: 14
Contact Joan Moser, Volunteer Manager at 703-549-8300 ext. 88527


Horton's Kids

Each Sunday, Horton's Kids needs volunteers to make lunches for all the children attending their field trips. This involves picking up the necessary groceries, putting together sandwiches Sunday morning, and bringing everything to the Capitol South metro stop by noon on Sunday. This is a great opportunity to help at home with a younger child.

Minimum Age: None
Contact Brenda Kvernan at 202-262-2590

Mount Vernon Adult Day Health Center
8850 Richmond Highway
Alexandria, VA 22309

ACTIVITIES ASSISTANT
Meet and greet the seniors upon their arrival and walk and direct seniors to and from activities. Assist staff in leading activity programs, with meals, and with social events. Participate in crafts, cooking, dancing, singing and discussion groups with seniors.

Minimum Age: 13
Skills Needed: Friendly and interested in helping adults with disabilities.
Contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 703-799-8576

Paul Spring Retirement Community
7116 Fort Hunt Road
Alexandria, VA 22308

SENIOR VISITOR
Visit with residents and help write letters, make phone calls, take walks, read and otherwise assist as needed.

Minimum Age: 13; younger if accompanied by an adult
Contact Darnall Graham at 703-768-0234

Sherwood Hall Library
2501 Sherwood Hall Lane
Alexandria, VA 22306

STUDENT VOLUNTEER
Assists the Children's Services Staff with a variety of clerical tasks and program preparation. Shelves picture books, paperbacks, and board books. Straightens children's area. Prepares craft materials, flannel boards and posters for programs.

Minimum Age: 12
Contact David Hanlon, Volunteer Coordinator at 703-765-3645



While we’re on the subject of community service, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that United Community Ministries (UCM) is in need of more food donations than ever before. Here is a pantry wish list.



Looking for more ways to help? Check out Volunteer Alexandria or Volunteer Fairfax for a full list of local volunteer opportunities.

Best Area Gas Prices

My response to the flagging economy has been to try and trim the family budget. That includes jumping ship from our usual gas station (whose prices for regular unleaded are hovering around $2 a gallon) and heading to the Exxon on the corner of Rt. 1 and Mount Vernon Highway (near Woodlawn). Given that my cost-cutting measures include strategic trips to Costco anyway -- with the strict instructions to myself to "Stick to the list!" -- this gas station isn't out of the way and at $1.85 a gallon, it's a bargain. Plus, they get into price wars with the gas station next door, which can only be a good thing for us consumers.

Can anyone top that? Let us all know about it.

Fined for Forgetfulness

I took DD to the Sherwood Hall library the other day only to discover that I'd left my library card at home. No problem. The librarians can type my name into the computer and within seconds, pull up my account. Right? Except that this particular day the librarian decided to give me a lecture via my kid. Insert sickly sweet voice: "Tell your mommy that starting this summer we'll be charging a dollar if we have to look up her name. Remind her to keep her library card in a safe place, okay?" Grrrrr. I worked as a desk page at the library all through high school and college; trust me, it takes very little extra effort to look up a record on the computer. I felt like saying to my daughter, "Tell the library lady that a dollar for ten strokes on a keyboard is highway robbery." I know it's only a dollar but still...

FREE Recycling Event for County Residents

Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 28th and head on over to the South County Government Center at 8350 Richmond Highway for a Community Clean-Up. From 9 - 2, you can get your documents shredded (limit of 5 "reasonably-sized" boxes per household), recyle those old computer monitors, televisions, electronics, and bicycles, and dispose of hazardous household waste. FREE. See the brochure for more details.