One of our pleasures at Learning Life is discovering the talents of the people who volunteer and intern with us. This past summer, we happily discovered the artistic talents of one of our interns, Anjali Jacob.
Anjali is currently in her sophomore year as a psychology major at Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia. An honor roll student and National Honor Society member as a student at Chantilly High School in Chantilly, Virginia, Anjali was awarded a Presidential Scholarship to attend Marymount.
Given a keen interest in the arts and letters, Anjali writes both poetry and prose, blogs on current events and social issues, does photography, sings, and plays guitar and piano (the latter for 12 years now). In 2011-12, in her high school senior year, Anjali became art editor and manager for her high school’s literary magazine in the 2011-12 academic year. That same year, the magazine won a Columbia Scholastic Press Association award and first place in the magazine division for the Virginia High School League’s annual publication awards.
Anjali started her internship with Learning Life by gathering university contacts, and researching and writing up facts for website and social media distribution. But we soon discovered Anjali’s artistic talents when she used Photoshop to begin producing art work to accompany some of the facts we distribute – the combination of which our interns called “instafacts.” By the end of her internship in August, Anjali had produced 24 instafacts, one of which we display here with her profile. We used her material to launch a page on Pinterest, which you can access here to view all of Anjali’s art work.
Anjali also produced remarkably professional draft t-shirt and napkin designs for funding projects Learning Life is pursuing. As we told Anjali, she has a promising future in design if she wants it.
However, Anjali is keen on going to graduate school after college in order to become a licensed therapist. She aspires to help children suffering from mental and emotional disorders, and has accordingly worked in summer and after-school programs to help children in need.
Asked why she chose to intern with Learning Life, Anjali replies, “I was looking for something that had a platform I could believe in, one that I felt was worth putting time and energy into. After some research, I found that Learning Life seeks to empower people through incidental learning, which is something I believed I could definitely contribute to through visuals and graphics. I’ve always felt that ignorance is much too great a problem amongst both youth and elders today; taking this internship meant that I could actually attempt to do something about it.”
We at Learning Life greatly appreciate Anjali’s distinctive contributions to our organization and wish her the very best in her future. Thanks, Anjali!
To learn more about interning or volunteering with Learning Life and other ways you can help, contact us at email@learninglife.info.
Sponsoring Learning Life
Learning Life’s mission is to inform and empower more people by spreading knowledge on the surfaces of everyday life.
That mission doesn’t happen on its own. It takes sponsors.
Our sponsors are individuals, businesses, governments and non-profits that want to help themselves as well as their communities.
Learning Life approaches sponsorship differently. It’s not a mention in an event program or presentation, or inclusion in a list of sponsors online. We put our sponsors on one side of thousands of paper beverage napkins we print and distribute in restaurants, bars, cafes, ice cream parlors, and other eateries in the Washington D.C. metro area.
Learning Life uses the other side of each napkin to inform and engage metro D.C. residents about the volunteer opportunities and low-cost or free services that local nonprofits provide.
Thus, our sponsors get to promote themselves in an innovative, eye-catching way – on napkins in eateries, where people sit or stand and gaze – while they simultaneously help promote local nonprofits and community learning. And, the sponsorship is fully tax-deductible.
To learn more about sponsoring Learning Life, email me directly at paul@learninglife.info.
News & Photos of Learning Life’s November 7 Launch Party
Learning Life held its launch party on Thursday, November 7, 5:30-8pm, at the Lyceum at 201 S. Washington Street in Alexandria, VA, where Learning Life is based.
In line with our November-December “Buy Local, Learn Local” project promoting learning about Alexandria’s rich history, the event featured:
**An Alexandria history quiz show hosted by the Office of Historic Alexandria’s Director, Lance Mallamo, with prizes
** Learning Life fortune cookies offering not fortunes but Alexandria history questions, with answers at this website
**A scrolling overhead presentation of Alexandria history highlights while live music played during the reception
Caboose Café & Bakery generously served delicious smoked gouda salad, injera bread with spicy lentils, Caesar salad and turkey wraps, a variety of cakes and cookies, and more.
Thanks to all those who came, including Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille, newly elected Commonwealth’s Attorney Bryan Porter, State House Delegate Rob Krupicka, Alexandria Historical Society President Bill Dickinson, representatives from BB&T Bank, TD Bank, School Readiness Consulting, and many others.
Special thanks to our launch party star sponsors, BB&T Bank, TD Bank, School Readiness Consulting, and the Tell Me Town Foundation, as well as our party sponsors Alphagraphics, and SixHalfDozen.
After Learning Life founder, Paul Lachelier, thanked those assembled for coming, Alexandria Historical Society President Bill Dickinson aptly asked, “what’s next for Learning Life?”
In answer, through December 31 of this year, Learning Life is busy implementing its first projects with our partners — the “Buy Local, Learn Local” project with the Office of Historic Alexandria, and our project with D.C.’s Newseum to promote learning about JFK’s presidency.
We will also be offering our holiday smart cookies in vanilla, chocolate and strawberry flavors in a number of Alexandria stores. The cookies will feature Alexandria history facts and questions, leading to more learning at this website. Stay tuned for more about our JFK project, plus our smart cookies and locations offering them!
In 2014, Learning Life aims to work on new projects to improve health, civic engagement, financial literacy, and more. Stay tuned for more about these projects as they develop. If you’d like to learn more or get involved in these projects, please contact us at inquiries@letlearninglive.org.
Thank you for your support for Learning Life!
“Buy Local, Learn Local” Holiday Discounts in Alexandria, VA through Dec. 31!
This holiday season, through December 31, 2013, Learning Life is promoting both local business and local history in Alexandria, VA, where Learning Life is based.
With support from the Alexandria Market Fund, the Office of Historic Alexandria and local sponsors (see the full list of sponsors below), Learning Life is now offering “Buy Local, Learn Local” wallet cards and tote bags (see the adjoining images) free to area residents.
With these wallet cards and tote bags, area residents benefit from special discounts at participating Del Ray businesses and Alexandria history museums (see participating businesses and museums below, including their discounts and contact info), but only through December 31, 2013. You can pick up your own discount card free at any of the fourteen Del Ray businesses listed below.
Sign up to receive details via email. We’ll send you one “Buy Local, Learn Local” email per week in November and December only (and we won’t share your email with anyone else). Each email offers:
* An Alexandria history fact of the week
* Opportunities to win rewards for learning about local history
* Fun day-out or night-out ideas for the holidays
* The discount and deal details below
In addition, area residents will have the opportunity to win gift certificates to participating Del Ray businesses by takingLearning Life’s five-question Alexandria history quiz. Every week in November and December, a new winner is randomly selected from among those who score an A or B on Learning Life’s five-question Alexandria history quiz. Each week’s winner is announced via our “Buy Local, Learn Local” holiday email. Sign up now!
Details on the Del Ray and Alexandria history museum holiday discounts, as well as the list of our “Buy Local, Learn Local” sponsors follow below. This project was made possible foremost through the support of the Alexandria Marketing Fund.
DISCOUNTS FROM PARTICIPATING DEL RAY BUSINESSES
(now through December 31, 2013!)
Click here to see the fourteen participating Del Ray businesses arrayed on a map, all within easy walking distance of each other.
1) Caboose Café & Bakery Serving American favorites and our heritage’s Ethiopian specialties for nearly a decade — from Ethiopian Injera to fresh-baked artisan breads, sandwiches and delectable cakes there is something for everyone on our diverse menu!
Address: 2419 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301
Tel #: 703-566-1283
Hours: Mon-Sat 7am-9pm, Sun 8am-5pm “Buy Local, Learn Local” holiday discount: 10% across the board
2) The Clay Queen Pottery Functional stoneware pottery made by Renee Altman, and ten week wheel-throwing classes
Address: 2303 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301
Tel #: 703-549-7775
Hours: Call for hours “Buy Local, Learn Local” holiday discount: 10% off all pottery. Cannot be used in conjunction with any gift certificate.
3) Dairy Godmother Frozen custard and nostalgic treats
Address: 2310 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301
Tel #: 703-683-7767
Hours: Sun-Mon 12-9pm, Wedn-Sat 12-10pm, closed Tuesdays “Buy Local, Learn Local” holiday discount: Buy an ice pop, get an ice pop free before 6pm. One daily.
4) Del Ray Pizzeria Southern-style comfort food and craft beer
Address: 2218 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301
Tel #: 703-549-2999
Hours: Mon-Thurs 11:30am-10pm, Fri 11:30am-11pm, Sat 10:30am-11pm, Sun 10:30am-10pm “Buy Local, Learn Local” holiday discount: 25% off all specialty pizzas, applies Mon-Fri up to 5pm
5) Del Ray Variety Modeled on the enduring five and dime stores of the past, Del Ray Variety is an upscale shop offering toys, party supplies, helium balloons, arts and crafts, school supplies, greeting cards, gifts, candy, household products, hardware, health and beauty, pet supplies, ice cream and more!
Address: 203 E Custis Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301
Tel #: 703-683-2418
Hours: 9am-8:30pm Mon-Sat, 11am-6pm Sun “Buy Local, Learn Local” holiday discount: 10% off ice cream and arts and craft
6) The Happy Tart A gluten-free patisserie. Visit Paris in the heart of Del Ray.
Address: 2307A Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria 22301
Tel #: 571-244-3662
Hours: Tues-Fri 11am-7pm, Sat 9am-7pm, Sun 10am-4pm “Buy Local, Learn Local” holiday discount: Free cupcake with purchase of $10 or more
7) The Healing Tree Your one-stop for massage and wellness in Del Ray
Address: 2101 Mt Vernon Av, Alexandria
Tel #: 703-706-9500
Hours: 10am-7pm Mon-Fri, 10am-5pm Sat, by appointment “Buy Local, Learn Local” holiday discount: $10 off first massage of 60, 75, 90 or 120 minutes
8) Joi Dreams Salon A wonderful little salon serving women, men and children with all types of hair textures with expertise and a personal touch
Address: 2101A Mt Vernon Av, Alexandria VA 22301
Tel #: 703-518-5141
Hours: 8:30am-5:30pm: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sat: 7-11am “Buy Local, Learn Local” holiday discount: $5 off men’s haircuts, $15 off women’s, and half off your haircut when you receive a chemical service. Only new clients. One time only. Cannot be combined with other offers. By appointment only, please no walk-ins. Appointments based on availability.
9) Kiskadee A specialty boutique in the heart of Del Ray, offering women’s apparel, shoes and accessories, home, garden & gifts for all occasions.
Address: 2205 Mount Vernon Av, Alexandria, VA 22301
Tel #: 703-549-0813
Hours: Mon-Wedn 10am-5pm, Thurs 10am-7pm, Fri-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm “Buy Local, Learn Local” holiday discount: $10 off any item
10) Nature’s Nibbles Natural food for healthier pets
Address: 2601 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301
Tel #: 703-931-5241
Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-7:30pm, Sat 9am-7pm, Sun 11am-7pm “Buy Local, Learn Local” holiday discount: 20% off everything
11) Pork Barrel BBQ Del Ray’s neighborhood barbecue joint
Address: 2312 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301
Tel #: 703-822-5699
Hours: Mon-Sun 11:30am-10pm, bar open later
Restaurant: Mon-Sat 11:30am-10pm, Sun 11:30am-9pm
Bar: Sun-Thurs 11:30am-12:30am, Fri-Sat 11:30am-1:30am “Buy Local, Learn Local” holiday discount: 10% off all to-go orders
12) A Show of Hands Locally made craft and art work
Address: 2301 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301
Tel #: 703-683-2905
Hours: Tues-Fri 11am-7pm, Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 12-5pm “Buy Local, Learn Local” holiday discount: 10% on any one item, one visit only
13) St. Elmo’s Café
St. Elmo’s the Community Gathering Place offering fresh brewed coffee, baked goods, life music, and much more.
Address: 2300 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301
Tel #: 703-739-9268
Hours: Mon-Fri 6am-10pm, Sat 7am-10pm, Sun 7am-6pm “Buy Local, Learn Local” holiday discount: one 1/2 price coffee drink per day.
14)Los Tios Grill A Salvadoran Tex-Mex restaurant specializing in fajitas
Address: 2615 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301
Tel #: 703-299-9290
Hours: Sun-Thurs 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11am-11pm “Buy Local, Learn Local” holiday discount: Deal varies daily. Show your tote bag or wallet card to the manager to get daily deal.
PARTICIPATING ALEXANDRIA HISTORYMUSEUMS
Click here for a map pinpointing the participating Alexandria history museums below.
1)Archaeology Museum Address: 105 N. Union Street, #327, Alexandria
Tel #: 703-746-4399
Museum hours: Tues-Fri, 10am-3pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 1-5pm
Admission: Free
2)The Black History Museum
Address: 902 Wythe St, Alexandria, VA 22314
Tel #: 703-746-4356
Museum hours: Tues-Sat, 10am-5pm
Admission: $2
3)Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site
Address: 4301 W. Braddock Rd, Alexandria, VA 22304
Tel #: 703-746-4848
Museum hours: Tues-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm, Park hours: Daily, 9am-Sunset
Admission: Free
4) Friendship Firehouse Museum
Address: 107 S. Alfred St, Alexandria, VA 22314
Tel #: 703-746-3891
Museum hours: Sat and Sun 1-4pm
Admission: $2
5)Gadsby’s Tavern Museum
Address: 134 N. Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
Tel #: 703-746-4242
Museum tour hours: November-March: Wedn-Sat 11am-4pm, Sun 1-4pm. Last tour 3:45.
Admission: Free
6) The Lee-Fendall House
Address: 614 Oronoco St, Alexandria 22314
Tel #: 703-548-1789
Museum hours: Wedn-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 1-4pm, tours at the top of each hour.
Admission: $4 for adults, $3 for kids ages 5 to 17
7) Living Legends of Alexandria Living Legends of Alexandria is an ongoing, not-for-profit, photo-journalism project to identify, honor and chronicle Alexandria’s recent history makers. For information or to nominate a future Legend, visit the website, or call 703-625-8191.
8)The Lyceum
Address: 201 S. Washington St, Alexandria, VA 22314
Tel #: 703-746-4994
Museum hours: Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm
Admission: $2
9) Stabler-Leadbetter Apothecary Museum
Address: 105-107 South Fairfax St, Alexandria, VA 22314
Tel #: 703-746-3852
Museum hours: Wedn-Sat 11am-4pm, Sun 1-4pm, last tour at 3:45pm
Admission: Free
OUR SPONSORS
Learning Life thanks our “Buy Local, Learn Local” Project sponsors:
Anjali is currently in her sophomore year as a psychology major at Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia. An honor roll student and National Honor Society member as a student at Chantilly High School in Chantilly, Virginia, Anjali was awarded a Presidential Scholarship to attend Marymount.
help children in need.
