Get Your Holiday Version of the Bellefonte News!

Get the Holiday Season version of the Bellefonte news.

Download your copy here (or view a copy online, here), courtesy of Peter Mathews.

Bellefonte Wizards Defeat Shooting Stars Yet Again!

Virginia Special Olympics winners, The Bellefonte Wizards, played an exhibition game Wednesday, December 14, 2011 against the DCHS Shooting Stars, a team of staff members from the City of Alexandria’s Department of Community and Human Services and coached by DCHS Director Michael Gilmore. The game was in support of the Cora Kelly Recreation Center’s efforts to help local families by collecting non-perishable food items for distribution. In a hard-charging repeat of last year’s game, the Wizards again defeated the Shooting Stars by two points in double-overtime by a score of 27 to 25.

The Wizards finished their first season undefeated in the region, and through regular practice and hard work, last year won second place in the Senior Division of the Virginia Special Olympics. The Bellefonte Wizards live in City of Alexandria residential programs that assist adults with intellectual disabilities to develop community relationships and connections. This game kicked off the Bellefonte Wizard’s third basketball season as they again strive to win in the Special Olympics.

Thanks for supporting the Bellefonte Wizards and the Bellefonte House, we appreciate it,
Dan

Dan Keagle
DCHS Public Information Specialist
daniel.keagle@alexandriava.gov
(703) 746-3677

Missing Chihuahua Found!

The little rascal Ramsay (affectionately known as Julio) escaped earlier this week through a hole in his fence. He was found today at a local animal shelter, I believe. That is his picture above.

If you have further details or info, please comment below.

Here Ye, Here Ye!

Read the latest e-edition of the Bellefonte News, published by MOB (Members of Bellefonte).

Get your pdf copy by clicking this link: Bellefonte News, 2011 November.

Scotch and Cigar Night this Friday!

MVCS Bookfair!

This Saturday is the annual Mount Vernon Community School (MVCS) bookfair at Barnes & Noble Potomac Yard.

Stop by any time during store hours and do some holiday shopping!  Barnes & Noble has books (who knew?), e-readers and a great selection of toys.  Please mention MVCS at checkout, and a portion of your purchase will go to support our school.  We will also have gift wrapping volunteers on hand to wrap your purchases for you (and accepting donations, of course!).

Following is the schedule of events to take place in the children’s section of the store:

10:00 – Songs by the kindergarteners (awww!)
10:30 – Story readings by Principal Tina Radomsky Vice Principal Elizabeth Namba
11:00 – Regularly-scheduled B&N storytime
11:30 – MVCS Chorus
12:00 – Story readings by Vice Principal Laura Mondragon

There will also be an ongoing scavenger hunt for the kids and a craft table where they can make Christmas ornaments.

Hope to see you on Saturday, and thanks for your support!

Shawn Parish
VP of Fundraising
MVCS PTA

Occupy Alexandria Is Here!

Occupy Marchers to Hold Rally in Market Square on November 22

For Immediate Release: November 21, 2011  (from the City of Alexandria’s eNews desk)

The City of Alexandria advises the community that on Tuesday, November 22, marchers from the Occupy movement will hold a rally from noon to 3 p.m. in Market Square, followed by a march to Washington, D.C. Members of the Occupy movement may be in the City as early as today. Residents should expect to see an additional police presence around Market Square and in the area, and may experience traffic disruptions.

Parking on the 100 block of North Royal Street will be restricted beginning at 9 p.m. tonight, Monday, November 21.

The City of Alexandria supports the constitutional rights of the Occupy movement to peacefully assemble and rally in Market Square. The Alexandria Police Department will protect the public and property of Alexandria, as well as protect the rights of the marchers to assemble and rally.

To subscribe to the City of Alexandria’s eNews service, go to http://enews.alexandriava.gov.

‘Tis the Season!

City of Alexandria Holiday Concert Series

Enjoy the festive sounds of the season in Alexandria as a break between shopping, on your way to dinner, or just to get into the holiday spirit.  Come enjoy local performers with their rich talent as they entertain you during this festive time of year   Types of music featured include barbershop, folk, Hanukah favorites, hand bell ringers and good old fashioned caroling.

All the performances are free and held outdoors.  Concerts will be cancelled due to inclement weather. For up to date information, call the City’s Special Events Hotline at 703.746.5592.

For a complete list of Holiday Concerts, visit www.alexandriava.gov/Concerts.

The public is encouraged to take public transit or walk to the event. Visitors to Old Town can take the Metrorail lines to the King Street Station, and then take the free King Street Trolley to the event. For DASH schedule information, call 703.370.DASH or visitdashbus.com.   For Metrobus schedule information, call 202.637.7000 or visit wmata.com. For a parking map, visitalexandriava.gov/12490.

• Annual Talk & Tea: Afternoon of Poetry
  Sat Nov 19, 2011 4:30 PM – 9:00 PM
  The Project Discovery Advisory Board will host its annual “Talk and Tea” featuring poetry readings.
  Location: Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St.
  Contact: Ron Frazier, ron.frazier@alexandriava.gov, 703.746.5967
• Holiday Concert
  Sat Nov 26, 2011 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
  Performance by Potomac Harmony Chorus, featuring women’s barbershop.
  Location: Market Square, 301 King St.
  Contact: Special Events Office, 703.746.5592
• Holiday Concert
  Sat Nov 26, 2011 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
  Performance by NOVA/DC Institute Choir, made up of talented young adult musicians from the Washington DC metro area.
  Location: Market Square, 301 King St.
  Contact: Special Events Office, 703.746.5592
• Holiday Concert
  Sun Nov 27, 2011 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
  Performance by Steven Gellman, featuring acoustic folk.
  Location: Market Square, 301 King St.
  Contact: Special Events Office, 703.746.5592
• Holiday Concert
  Sun Nov 27, 2011 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
  Performance by Project Natale, featuring jazzy holiday music.
  Location: Market Square, 301 King St.
  Contact: Special Events Office, 703.746.5592
• Holiday Concert
  Sun Dec 4, 2011 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
  Performance by the Alexandria Singers, featuring choral holiday music.
  Location: Market Square, 301 King St.
  Contact: Special Events Office, 703.746.5592
• Holiday Concert
  Sun Dec 4, 2011 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
  Performance by Ein Lanu Z’man, a band featuring Hanukkah and other Jewish music.
  Location: Market Square, 301 King St.
  Contact: Special Events Office, 703.746.5592
• Holiday Concert
  Sat Dec 10, 2011 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
  Performance by Bell’s Angels Handbell Choir, St. John’s Lutheran Church, featuring handbells.
  Location: Market Square, 301 King St.
  Contact: Special Events Office, 703.746.5592
• Holiday Concert
  Sat Dec 10, 2011 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
  Performance by the Alexandria Harmonizers, featuring men’s barbershop.
  Location: Market Square, 301 King St.
  Contact: Special Events Office, 703.746.5592
• Holiday Concert
  Sun Dec 11, 2011 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
  Performance by the Celebration & Tower Ringers Handbell Choir,St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church, featuring handbells.
  Location: Market Square, 301 King St.
  Contact: Special Events Office, 703.746.5592
• Holiday Concert
  Sun Dec 11, 2011 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
  Performance by Angela Bryant-Brown, featuring inspirational & holiday music.
  Location: Market Square, 301 King St.
  Contact: Special Events Office, 703.746.5592
• Holiday Favorites by the Colonial Handbell Ringers
  Sun Dec 18, 2011 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
  Join the Colonial English Handbell Ringers as they present their festive holiday musical show! Get into the holiday spirit as you listen – and sing along – with their performance of holiday classics using a long set of Whitechapel bells.
  Location: The Lyceum Museum, 201 S. Washington St.
  Contact: 703.746.4994

Yeah! Potomac Avenue Is Now Open for Traffic!

Potomac Avenue

Some are delighted (me, for example), others are worried because they believe the toxic soil of Potomac Yards was not removed.

But whether you like it or not, Potomac Avenue is now open for business. Take this virtual tour offered by the Arlandrian.

Results from the Final Del Ray Chili CookOff

(Written by Laura Fries)

The 10th annual and final Del Ray Chili Cook-Off was another big success–thanks to everyone who came out. This was the last chili cook-off in this incarnation—we’ll keep everyone posted on any new developments. A HUGE thanks to Karen Helbrecht, Gordon, Janey and Maggie Johnston of the Irish Breakfast Band for providing the musical entertainment!

1st Place: Frankie Harris and the Bellefonte Wizards with Don’t Forget the Chili

2nd Place: Robyn Church with Chili Chili Bang Bang

3rd Place: Tie between Gregg Miller’s Down by de Ocean, hon (said with a Bal’more accent) and Jack Schutzius’ Chili of the Valley

Best Name: Robyn Church with Chili Chili Bang Bang

Best Cornbread: Madison Chandler and Briana LaRosa with Fiesty Fiesta