KSMET E-Brief

Sponsorship of E-Briefs is available for only $25 per issue. Send your logo and up to four lines of text to ksmet@tisaraphoto.com. Send your checks to KSMET, c/o Tisara Photography, 1607 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. Past sponsors and advertisers have included Potomac Riverboat Company, Gold Works, The Alexandria Guide, Wharco Realty and The Alexandria Times. Reserve your space now. For additional information, call Nina at 703/838-8098.

E-Briefs welcomes interesting news about your business and Letters to the Editor about KSMET related issues. Email ksmet@tisaraphoto.com . NEWS UPDATE

Jamestown 400th Anniversary Celebration
May 23 to June 3, 2006

Plans are underway for this 8 day event which will begin with the arrival of the tall ship, Godspeed, at the City Marina. There will be a Jamestown settlement site along the City’s waterfront beginning at Waterfront Park and extending up to Founders Park.

Ways you can participate:

Restaurants interested in participating in the $16.07 lunch/dinner special should contact Susan Gordon, 100 King Restaurant 703/ 841-1502.

Retails shops interested in participating in the Retail Shop Book should contact Roger Parks, American Advertising Distributors of Northern Virginia, 703/304-6902.

The City’s Department of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Activities will be hosting live entertainment at King Street Gardens Park during the 8-day event.

Other opportunities, contact Merrie Morris at ACVA, 703/838-4200, ext.205

Pedestrian Plaza – 100 block of King Street
Merchants and Restaurateurs continue to meet in hopes of closing the 100 block of King Street on a trial basis, weekends only, from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day weekend. They are working with the City’s Planning Dept. and representatives from Old Town Civic Association, Founders Park Association, ACVA, and KSMET. For more information, contact Eric Foreman with the Planning Department, 703/838-4666.

KSMET awarded a matching grant of $27,520 from the Alexandria Marketing Fund
Due to the success of the city-wide holiday Retail book in 2005, the retail community requested another retail book for the 2006 summer season. Roger Parks, with American Advertising Distributors of Northern Virginia and Charlotte Hall, with Potomac Riverboat Company have planned another Retail book to debut in time for the Jamestown Celebration,and carry through from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend.

Purpose – To entice shoppers to shop in Alexandria.

Target Audience – 80,000 households in a Direct Mail Coupon Book Program within Metro D.C., focusing on a 10 mile radius of selected neighborhoods and zip codes from Alexandria.

Price to each advertiser is $860.00

Limited to 32 retailers. As of 3/30/06, there are seven spaces left available.

For more information, contact Roger Parks, 703/304-6902, or aadofnova@aol.com .

In the 2005 Holiday season, 2,253 coupons were redeemed, which accounted for $184,284 in Sales Revenue. Merchants felt that the exposure was tremendous. All participants liked the size and glossy feel of the booklet for ease of use. Many merchants commented that it was a positive and profitable advertising experience.

Results of the Candidates’ Forum
With City Council elections coming up in early May, the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a Candidates’ Forum. The candidates’ responses to critical business issues are posted on the Chamber’s web site at www.alexchamber.com.

Business Development Roundtable
The next Business Development Roundtable is set for April 18, 12:00 noon, 801 N. Fairfax Street, The topic is “Your Marketing Materials: How to Pump Them Up!" The Roundtables are co-sponsored by the Alexandria Small Business Development Center and the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce and are free to all participants. Bring a brown bag lunch.

20th Annual Public Safety Valor Awards
The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce invites you to salute those who serve in the Alexandria Police Department, Fire Department & Sheriff's Office for Heroic Acts of Valor. The Public Safety Valor Awards luncheon will be held at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, 5000 Seminary Road, Wednesday, April 5. Cost is $45 with complimentary Parking. Special guest narrator: Doreen Gentzler of NBC4. To register, call Autumn Brown, 703/549-1000, ext. 218 or register online at www.alexchamber.com.

KSMET Dues
If you haven't renewed your KSMET membership, now is the time. Dues are $100 per year. Additional memberships in the same organization are only $10 per year per person. Additional members receive all the same communications and are listed in both the web site directory and the printed directory. Associate (non-voting) memberships are $25 per year. Associate memberships are limited to individuals, not businesses, who are interested in the Old Town business community.

Advertising Opportunity
Weekly sponsorship of E-Briefs is available for only $25 per issue. Send your logo and up to four lines of text to ksmet@tisaraphoto.com. Send your checks to KSMET, Box 479, 107 S. West Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. Past sponsors have included Potomac Riverboat Company, Gold Works, The Alexandria Guide and The Alexandria Times. Reserve your space now.

Facade Improvement Program
by Mike Stuart
There is still time to take advantage of the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership Facade Improvement Program. The total funding is $50,000. Any King Street or Queen Street merchant can apply for a matching grant of up to $1500. Go to http://www.alexecon.org to download the application.

The FIP program ends June 30, 2006 (which would be the deadline) and money is given out on a first come, first serve basis. However, applicants are encouraged to apply sooner rather than later as there is a limited amount of money in the project's budget. Info: 703/739-3820.

MEMBER NEWS
Take advantage of the Member News section of E-Briefs to tell us about your business news. Moved your business? Added staff? Received awards? Elected to a Board of Directors? Send your news as part of your email (not as an attachment) to ksmet@tisaraphoto.com.

Becoming George. Join your neighbors at Metro Stage and attend the world premiere of Becoming George, a new musical about radical feminist writer George Sand. Friday, April 21, 2006, 8 PM, followed by beer and chips with the cast. Regular ticket price $40 (Save $5 as a KSMET member). Call 703/548-9044 to reserve (code word KSMET). Metro Stage is located at 1201 N. Royal Street.

Member News is a service of E-Briefs. It includes press release-type business news about our members such as "I'm renaming my business," " I've moved to new premises," "I've added a partner," class openings, etc., the sort of things that don't occur on a date. Gallery openings, open houses, etc. will be listed in the calendar.

CALENDAR (Back to top)
Occasionally meetings may be canceled without sufficient notice for us to inform you. Whenever possible, confirm with the meeting host.

Coming Attractions (more information coming):
Hard Times Cafe Music Festival—upper King Street, summer, 2006
America's 400th Anniversary of the Jamestown Settlement - Founders Park, late May/early June, 2006

Sunday, April 2, 2 to 5 PM. Torpedo Factory Mentorship Program Reception
Friends of the Torpedo Factory Art Center sponsor a mentorship program between Torpedo Factory artists and local high school students. At the end of several months of collaboration, Target Gallery exhibits the results of the partnerships.

Tuesday, April 4, 8:00 am. King Street Metro Task Force
Durant Center, 1605 Cameron Street. The King Street Metro Task Force is involved in matters of interest to businesses and residents in the King Street Metro area. All are welcome.

Tuesday, April 4, 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Eisenhower Valley Meet & Greet Council Candidates
Holiday Inn Eisenhower, 2460 Eisenhower Avenue. Free refreshments. Cash bar. Pre-registration requested. Call 703/684-5124 or e-mail to info@eisenhowerpartnership.org.

Wednesday, April 5, 11:30 AM. Alexandria Chamber of Commerce Public Safety Valor Awards Luncheon Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, 5000 Seminary Road. $45. Complimentary parking. To register, call Autumn Brown, 703/549-1000, ext. 218 or register online at www.alexchamber.com.

Saturday, April 8. Cherry Blossom Festival
Ben Brenman Park on Duke Street next to Cameron Station. Activities and entertainment for the whole family. A plaque which lists all of last year’s tree donors will be dedicated at 12:30 pm by Mayor Euille, Vice Mayor Pepper, and members of City Council. Free.

Thursday, April 13, 7:30 AM to 9 AM. Alexandria Chamber of Commerce Networking Breakfast Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, 625 First Street. $21 members; $28 non-members and walk-ins. Register online at www.alexchamber.com or call Autumn Brown, 703/549-1000, ext. 218.

Saturday, April 15th, 11 am to 4 pm. Easter at Barkley Square
1 Wales Alley, 11am to 12pm—Light Fare Easter Brunch; 12:30pm to 1:30pm - Dog Easter Bonnet Contest; 2pm to 3pm—Easter Egg Hunt for the Dogs; 3:30pm—Prize Ceremony. Cost is $5 for the bonnet contest and $10 for the Easter Egg Hunt. RSVP: AmandaH@caddmicro.com.

Tuesday, April 18, 12 to 1 PM. Business Development Roundtable
801 N. Fairfax Street, Suite 402. Topic: “Your Marketing Materials: How to Pump Them Up!" The Roundtables are co-sponsored by the Alexandria Small Business Development Center and the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce. Free.

Thursday, April 20, 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Business Reception
Finn & Porter, Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, 5000 Seminary Road. $10 members; $15 non-members and walk-ins. Register online at www.alexchamber.com or call Autumn Brown, 703/549-1000, ext. 218.

Thursday, April 20, 8 AM to 3 PM. Federal Procurement Conference
Show Place Arena, Upper Marlboro, Md. More than 40 government agencies are scheduled to attend. Registration is $100 through March 31st and $175 thereafter, including continental breakfast and lunch. Information: www.osdbu.gov.

Friday, April 21. Premier of Becoming George
MetroStage, 1201 N. Royal St. New musical about radical feminist writer George Sand. Beer and chips with the cast. Regular ticket price $40 (Save $5 as a KSMET member). Call 703/548-9044 to reserve (code word KSMET).

Saturday, April 29, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. VIN Etching Event
Cameron Run Regional Park, 4001 Eisenhower Avenue. The purpose of VIN etching is to deter the potential theft of a vehicle that has all windows etched with the Vehicle Identification Number.

Saturday, May 27 to Sunday, June 4, 2006. Jamestown Festival/Godspeed visits Alexandria The event celebrating American's 400th Anniversary of the Jamestown Settlement will take place at the southern end of Founders Park, the City Marina, and Waterfront Park. Free.

May 23 to June 3. Jamestown 400th Anniversary Celebration
8-day event which will begin with the arrival of the tall ship, Godspeed, at the City Marina. There will be a Jamestown settlement site along the City’s waterfront beginning at Waterfront Park and extending up to Founders Park. Free.

Tuesday, June 6, 8:00 am. King Street Metro Task Force
Durant Center, 1605 Cameron Street. The King Street Metro Task Force is involved in matters of interest to businesses and residents in the King Street Metro area. All are welcome.
To add an event, add a name, or delete your name from the email address list, contact ksmet@tisaraphoto.com.

INFORMATION YOU CAN USE(Back to top)

Arts Calendar
For a comprehensive listing of Performing and Visual Arts in the city, visit the Commission for the Arts website: www.alexandriacommissionforthearts.org .

Need Help With Bulk Mail-Out?
Students from St. Coletta School can help. High-school aged students in our vocational training program would like to help KSMET members with their mail out preparations, including collating and labeling. Please contact: Deborah Hammer, Director of Vocational/Transitional Services, St. Coletta School of Greater Washington, 703/683-3686, ext. 146.

KSMET.COM.
Visit our website, www.ksmet.com, and check out your directory listing. Notify ksmet@tisaraphoto.com of any corrections/additions needed. You can also find the latest edition of E-Briefs. Be sure to refer prospective members to the site to learn about us and to print out a membership application.

Community Calendar
Visit the Chamber of Commerce website, www.alexchamber.com to see The Alexandria Community Calendar, a comprehensive source of what's happening in the City of Alexandria. The Community Calendar is free and available to everyone, both members and non-members alike. Access to post your events is readily available through the Chamber's website. Simply select "Community Calendar" from the homepage menu and then click on "Email us to request access". Your login and password will be sent to you quickly so you can begin to promote your events right away. For more info contact Autumn Brown, abrown@alexchamber.com or Barbara Lord, blord@alexchamber.com.

AlexMap.com
Visit the new interactive map developed and launched by the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce for the 8,000 U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (PTO) employees to familiarize and inform them about where to dine and shop in the City of Alexandria. Log on to www.alexmap.com which shows both member and nonmember businesses within a one-mile radius of PTO. As well as helping PTO employees assimilate into Alexandria, the map is also helpful for residents and visitors in Alexandria by currently showing over 500 retail businesses, restaurants, and professional services.

Senior Services of Alexandria (SSA)
SSA offers free employment services. To list your employment needs, call or e-mail Ron Hoekstra or Moya Atkinson. SSA refers qualified, experienced persons, each of whom is at least 55 years old and a resident of the City of Alexandria. Phone: 703.894.0311; Fax 703.836.1252; E-mail: jobsssa@pop.net.

Small Business Development Center
The Alexandria SBDC provides counseling, training, and information in all aspects of small business management. The SBDC can help you start, manage, and grow your business. It provides confidential services at no charge. For a complete listing of free or low cost local courses, visit www.AlexandriaSBDC.org.

PTO Shuttle
Contact Vanessa Vega, Rideshare Coordinator, vanessa.vega@alexandriava.gov, 703/519-3400, X179, for an email copy of the route map for the new shuttle bus. Anyone can use the free bus which operates from 11:30 to 2 PM.

DASH About
Remind your customers and friends about the FREE Dash About bus that runs Fridays from 7 PM to midnight, Saturdays, 10 AM to Midnight and Sundays, 11 AM to 7 PM. Dash About buses run on King Street every 15
minutes from the King Street Metro station to Market Square. For more information about DASH bus service, go to www.dashbus.com or call 703/370-DASH.

TEENS WORK
Need help? Check out this city website TEENSWORK! web site:
http://ci.alexandria.va.us/joblink/employers.html.

To add an event, add a name, or delete your name from the email address list, contact ksmet@tisaraphoto.com. (Back to top)