Forum To Address Mental Health Issues for Youth - Details
Mental Health Forum on Children and Youth Saturday, May 18
Forum To Address Mental Health Issues for Youth
We read about the tragic results of untreated mental illness everyday. The mass shootings at Newtown, Tucson, Aurora and Virginia Tech were all perpetuated by students or young people with reported mental health issues. The effects of mental illness are not always so high profile — most people with mental illness are non-violent — but for the 1 in 17 Americans living with a serious mental illness the consequences are significant. Our youth are particularly hard hit. Mental illness frequently strikes when people are young with 50 percent the cases of mental illness starting by the time an individual is 14 and three quarters by the age of 24. The consequences can be devastating. Suicide is the third-leading cause of death for people ages 10-24. More than 90 percent of those who commit suicide have a diagnosable mental disorder.
Bulletin Board
Absentee Voting Opens On Tuesday June 11, there will be a Democratic Primary for Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General. Absentee voting for the primary began Friday, April 26. Many Alexandria voters are eligible to vote absentee, but relatively few take advantage of this option. Qualifying circumstances: commute and work for 11 of the 13 hours the polls are open; caregiver for a confined family member; unable to go to the polls in person on Election Day because of an illness or disability; or will be absent from Alexandria on Election Day because of personal business, work, school, or vacation. To learn more about these, and other circumstances in which absentee voting is an appropriate option, visit alexandriava.gov/Elections and click on “Absentee Voting,” or call 703-746-4050.
Old Town Farmers’ Market Welcomes SNAP/EBT Beneficiaries
The City of Alexandria’s Old Town Farmers’ Market is participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps. As a result, SNAP customers will be able to use their electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables and other eligible food products at the market.
Embracing Breast Cancer Awareness
Brem Foundation addresses key issues for women.
In celebration of Mother’s Day, and to raise awareness about breast health in the global community, an international cadre of 60 women, in addition to members of Brem Foundation to Defeat Breast Cancer, gathered at the Alexandria home of Shaista Mahmood on Wednesday, May 8 for “Coffee & Conversation with Dr. Rachel Brem.”
Celebrating Stravinsky’s Legacy with ASO
Classical composer Pierre Boulez anointed Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring (1913) as the genuine “birth certificate” of modernism. Many scholars have commented on Stravinsky’s uncanny ability to embody the new sound of his century — and of the modern era.
Giving Where They Live
Associates of the Old Town Alexandria Keller Williams Realty participated in the fifth annual RED Day on Thursday, May 9. RED Day (Renew, Energize and Donate) was created to unite Keller Williams Realty offices and associates in an international day of service.
Alexandria and Mount Vernon Calendar May 15
Information on entertainment events going on in Alexandria and Mount Vernon.
Run for a Reason
Family Fun Day and 5K returns Sunday.
Join Alexandria Mayor William D. Euille for the 2nd Annual Family Fun Day and 5K on Sunday, May 19. Events include a timed 5K race with age group awards, a 1-mile kids’ course, a Tot Trot for those under 5 (100 yards), and a 5K walk. Cash prizes for top three male/female ($100, $75, $50) 5K finishers will be awarded.
Joe Guiffre: Retired But Still Connected
Responsibility means taking active role in the community.
For more than six decades Joe Guiffre has been involved in the business, civic and religious life of his community. That’s why he is a 2013 Living Legend of Alexandria.
Entertainment Calendar of Events In Alexandria
Del Ray Artisans Fundraiser, Old Dominion Boat Club fundraiser gala, and other listed events
Announcements: School Notes
Email announcements to gazette@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Thursday at noon. Photos are welcome.
Laurel Hill Golf Club To Host National Tournament
U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship coming to Lorton.
Laurel Hill Golf Club in Lorton will host a national golf tournament this summer — the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship. The U.S. Golf Association will stage the tournament July 15–20. More than 3,000 players will attempt to qualify for the championship at 71 different locations throughout the country in June.
Letter: Westgrove Park and River Towers
Westgrove Park Off Leash Dog Area (OLDA) proves its worth.
Letters to the Editor: Park Entrance
Fido’s joyous romp in West Grove Park’s new unleashed dog area might easily become a tragic auto accident. [“Barking Up The Right Tree,” May 2.] A crucial stipulation of a Fairfax County police officer’s park traffic hearing testimony could prevent that, however: Because Fort Hunt Road’s immediate north and southbound approaches to the park are the center section of a blind S curve, the officer stipulated only entry and exit right turns be permitted. No left turns into or out of the park should be allowed.
Preparing for 7th Annual Runway Ready
Students in the West Potomac Academy fashion design program are busy this week making final decisions and preparations for the upcoming Runway Ready “Concept to Catwalk” fashion show on Friday, May 10.
Hyland: Let People Vote on Meals Tax
Troubled by the Board of Supervisors’ recent decision to increase the property tax rate and its over-reliance on that source to make up for shortfalls in the county’s growing financial needs, Mount Vernon Supervisor Gerry Hyland once again urged his board colleagues to support placing on the fall election ballot a referendum to approve a meals tax, which he calls more fair than the real estate tax.
Bulletin Board
Email announcements to gazette@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Thursday at noon.
Ryan Bingham
Ryan Bingham brings his rock/country/Americana sounds to the Birchmere Friday night.
Obituary: John W. Merck
John W. Merck died on March 9, 2013, at age 87. Friends are invited to funeral services at 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 22, in the Memorial Chapel, Ft. Myer, Arlington, followed by military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.