Calling All Blood Donors! INOVA Needs You!

INOVA needs blood and has issued a call for blood donors.

Via Old Town Alexandria Patch

Inova Blood Donor Services is calling for eligible blood donors to visit their local blood center or mobile blood drive to donate blood or platelets as soon as possible.

Donors may schedule an appointment, or find a blood drive or donor center in proximity by visiting www.inova.org/donateblood or calling 1-866-BLOODSAVES, or 866-256-6372.

"The inventory of blood at Inova has been severely impacted by a lower than normal blood donor participation rate attributable to an unseasonably mild early spring coupled with summer activities and vacations,” said Inova Blood Donor Services Director Terri Craddock. “This has lead to critically low inventory levels of blood and platelets, leaving hospitals vulnerable in response to emergency patients as well as challenged in meeting in or out-patient procedures requiring the use of blood and blood products."

Inova must collect daily approximately 250 units to keep up with demand, yet collections have dropped to between 150 to 200 units daily. All blood types are needed, but especially O positive, O negative, B negative and A negative in order to meet patient demand this summer.

Blood testing can take 24 to 48 hours before the blood is available to patients.

DASH Bus Service Alert: 4th of July Holiday

If you take the bus to get around, DASH will be operating on a SUNDAY schedule for the Independence Day holiday on Wednesday, July 4, 2012.

For more information on DASH routes and schedules, visit www.dashbus.com.

Reminder: No Fireworks Allowed In Alexandria, Virginia

The Alexandria Fire Department reminds those who visit, live, and  work in the City of Alexandria that it is unlawful for any person to store, offer for sale, expose for sale, sell at retail, use or explode any fireworks (including sparklers) within the City limits.  The Fire Marshal will, at the owner's expense, seize and take all fireworks found in the City.  The above offenses are Class One misdemeanors in the City of Alexandria and are punishable by a $2,500 fine and/or up to 12 months in prison.  Fireworks violations may be reported to the Alexandria Fire Department at 703.746.5227 or the Alexandria Police Department at 703.746.4444.

Decades of tragic experience have proved that fireworks are too dangerous to be used at home by amateurs.  Improper handling of fireworks and sparklers all too often results in injuries.  Some interesting statistics:

• In 2010, U.S. hospital emergency rooms saw an estimated 8,800 people for fireworks-related injuries.  (Source: CPSC’s NEISS)
• Half (52%) of the 2010 fireworks injuries were burns, while one-fifth (21%) were contusions and lacerations.
• Two of five (39%) people injured by fireworks were under the age of 15.
• Males accounted for 65% of the injuries.
• The risk of fireworks injury was highest for children ages 5-14 with more than twice the risk for the general population.
• Sparklers, fountains and novelties alone accounted for 43% of the emergency room fireworks injuries in 2010.

The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend one of the many public displays.  Alexandrians can enjoy the excitement and beauty of fireworks at City-sponsored events.  These programs are presented by professionals working in compliance with City codes and ordinances.  For information on these events, call the Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities special events line at 703.746.5592 or 703.746.5418.

Truck Backs Into East Building Gate

Last night, we're told a moving truck backed into the East building gate nearly taking it down.

NORAD Exercises Tonight & Tomorrow Night

The North American Aerospace Defense Command and a regional component will conduct training exercises Monday and Tuesday nights over the D.C. area.

The flights will be conducted in coordination with the FAA and other authorities overnight both Monday and Tuesday, between 11 p.m. and 5:30 a.m.

Civil aircraft, F-16s, and a U.S. Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin helicopter will by flying over the region.

NORAD says the exercises will test interception and identification operations, as well as a visual warning system. It will also use the opportunity to certify new command and control personnel.

Absentee Voting Deadlines for June 12 Democratic and Republican Primaries (CORRECTION)

On Tuesday, June 12, there will be a Democratic primary for U.S. House of Representatives and Alexandria City Council and a Republican primary for U.S. Senate. There is no party registration in Virginia, however, voters may only vote in one primary and are required to express their political party ballot choice.

Alexandrians who qualify to vote absentee for this election may request an absentee ballot to be mailed to them, or they may cast an absentee ballot in person.

Absentee Voting By Mail
The deadline to submit an application to have an absentee ballot sent by mail is 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 5.

Absentee ballot applications are available online from alexandriava.gov/Elections, or by contacting the Alexandria Voter Registration Office at 703.746.4050. Completed absentee applications can be submitted by mail to the Voter Registration Office at the address below. They may also submitted in-person, by fax (703.838.6449), or by scanned email attachment to Anna Leider, anna.leider@alexandriava.gov.  Please be sure to indicate in which primary you wish to vote.

Absentee ballots obtained by mail must be received by the Voter Registration Office on or before Election Day, Tuesday, June 12, at 7 p.m.

Absentee Voting in Person
The deadline for casting an absentee ballot in person is Saturday, June 9, at 5 p.m. To cast an absentee ballot in-person, go to the Alexandria Voter Registration Office at 132 N. Royal St., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22314.

In-person absentee voting hours are Monday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with extended hours on the following days:

• Thursday, May 31 from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Monday, June 4 from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, June 5 from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

There are many reasons registered voters in the City of Alexandria may qualify to vote absentee, for example, if they are:

• Away on business, vacation, active military service, or at school.
• Working and commuting for 11 or more hours between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Election Day.
• A “first responder” (firefighter, law enforcement, emergency medical technician).
• Physically unable to go to the polls, or a primary caregiver for a family member who is ill.

New Voting Equipment
Beginning with the June primary, voters in Alexandria will be able to use the new eScan paper ballot voting system—it’s accurate, secure and easy-to-use. In addition, Alexandria will still have an accessible eSlate voting machine in every precinct (with headphones) to ensure that all Alexandria voters can vote privately and independently.

For more information on absentee voting, sample ballots and Alexandria’s new voting system, see alexandriava.gov/Elections or call 703.746.4050.