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Connect with your local community
Keeping Arlington au naturel. | Photo by @arlparksrec
Maybe you have some extra time on your hands, or maybe you’re just in the giving spirit.
We’re sharing 30+ volunteer opportunities to get involved with around Arlington, Alexandria, and beyond.
For natural-born teachers and mentors
Campagna Center | Take part in serving 2,000+ families in Alexandria every year by tutoring school-aged kiddos K-5 or assisting its adult English language learning program for refugees and immigrants.
A Space of Her Own (SOHO) | Female mentors are wanted for weekly artmaking sessions with 5th grade girls from undeserved communities. Build relationships, impart important life skills, and redecorate her room with your collaborative creations to give her a “space of her own.”
For those on a tight schedule
Northern Virginia Bird Alliance | Rather than commit to a rolling schedule, sign up for one-off habitat restoration sessions with set weekly hours.
Homeward Trails Animal Rescue | Its Peace Out Room program allows volunteers to work, read, or watch Netflix alongside an adoptable dog. They get much needed socialization, and you get some much needed cuddles.
For the homebodies
Historic Alexandria | Passionate about sharing stories from our past? Sign up to transcribe historical documents virtually following online training with Alexandria Archaeology.
Reading Partners | No prior experience is needed for in-person or virtual volunteers offering one-on-one instruction for a little over one hour each week.
For the artsy types
Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association | Fill your free time with fine art and offer up your skills in all sorts of departments, including as gallery docents, groundskeepers, performing arts assistants, and social media personnel.
Wolf Trap | We know you’re doing this out of the goodness of your heart, but scoring free entry to select shows is a pretty sweet deal.
Tuesday, April 22 Grow Your Own Vegetables | 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Culmore Community Library, Culmore | Free | Choose from 32 vegetable seeds to put in peat pots and grow yourself.
Thursday, April 24 Drinking Local: Wines Across Virginia | 6-7 p.m. | Planet Wine, Alexandria | $39 | Learn about the history of the Virginia Wine Industry while trying six different wines and various cheeses from across the state.
Saturday, April 26 Spring Beer Fest | 12-5 p.m. | Solace Outpost, Falls Church | $50+ | Try 26 beers and two ciders at Spring Beer Fest — a portion of proceeds benefits HopeLink.
Sunday, April 27 PNC Alexandria Half | 7 a.m. | Alexandria City Hall, Alexandria | $20+ | Lace up your running shoes or grab your cowbell, it’s time for the inaugural Alexandria Half Marathon — other races include a 5k and Kids’ Dash.
The Alexandria Symphony will have its last performance of the season this weekend. Concert-goers can look forward to hearing pieces influenced by Brazilian music as well as jazz, gospel, and classical tunes with featured artist Sofya Gulyak on piano. Learn more about ticket prices and showtimes. (Alexandria Living)
Transit
DASH, Alexandria’s transit company, recently announced its new logo and mascot. The company explains that this change “represents our growth alongside our riders.” And we’re here for the new logo.
Sports
The Washington Capitals kick off their Stanley Cup playoff run today, facing off against the Montreal Canadiens in the first round. With Alex Ovechkin — the winner of most goals scored in an NHL career — on the team, we’ve got high hopes.
Feel Good
Invasive lanternflies have threatened rural areas in Loudoun County, particularly its vineyards. In response, local volunteers stepped up as part of the initiative Scrape for the Grape, focusing on protecting grapevines and other plants. This year, they successfully removed 1,000 lanternfly egg masses. (Patch)
Mansion Monday
We can’t believe this is a home, not a country club. Located on 16.5 acres of land in Alexandria and overlooking the Potomac River, it truly feels like an upscale getaway. Amenities include a pool, movie theater, gym, and a guest house.
A 2,700-year-old astronomical phenomenon will light up our skies tonight and tomorrow. Here’s what to know about the Lyrid meteor shower, which is known for producing bright fireballs. (Patch)
Try This
Join thousands of cyclists for Bike to Work Day — happening Thursday, May 15 from 7-9 a.m. — to promote the fun, healthy, and sustainable way to get around. Plus, visit National Landing’s pit stop for free bagel bites + coffee from Call Your Mother, giveaways, and more in Water Park. Register.*
Games
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Hello, NOVA! My name is Ava, and I’m super excited to be creating NOVAtoday for you folks. A little about me is that I love the outdoors, running, and pretty much all genres of music. If there is anything that you would like to see in the newsletter, please let us know by emailing us — we are always open to your suggestions.
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