Because of PC W., I got involved with volunteering at Computer CORE. It's a great local…read moreorganization that helps low-income adults computer skills to advance their career (CORE provides a refurbished computer to the student to take home to practice). I have been involved for about a year, mostly working on event photography. I am really seeing the impact of the organization and the volunteers' help with all the students, when you can tell the students' confidence at graduations. PC W's review provides more details about the program. ----------------- Ways to help: 1) Computer donations (They are in need for keyboards and mouses for the next sessions. CRT monitor also!) - http://www.computercore.org/index.php?sec_id=10 2) Volunteers - http://www.computercore.org/index.php?sec_id=9 3) $$ - http://www.computercore.org/index.php?sec_id=8

It has never been a better time to get involved with Computer C.O.R.E. (Community Outreach and…read moreEducation) than now! See my previous review for all the details on what C.O.R.E. is all about. Now into it's 9th year, C.O.R.E. has graduated hundreds of once un- or under-employed adult students into the working world with computer skills, polished resumes and the confidence to get that new job, promotion, pay raise, go back to school or to start a business. Volunteers are vital to the success of students at C.O.R.E. and any skills you have can be put to task from technical to marketing communications to accounting to teaching. If you'd like to get involved, there are plenty of one-time, short-term and long-term opportunities and you can get started at http://www.computercore.org/index.php?sec_id=9. This spring our beloved Executive Director and C.O.R.E.'s founder Deb Roepke passed the torch to Lynn O'Connell. Having worked with Lynn, I can attest that she is a passionate leader with a great vision for change at C.O.R.E. especially in the areas of fundraising and program development. I am confident that C.O.R.E. is in the midst of an evolution that has been a long time coming and we need volunteers to help usher in these changes. Furthermore, C.O.R.E. has expanded and launched one class to a satellite location at the Literacy Council of Northern VA in Falls Church. This is the first time in C.O.R.E.'s history that we will have 5 classes, one of which is offsite. If this test class goes well, who knows, C.O.R.E. classes may start popping up in other cities in NoVa because there is a need for C.O.R.E.'s programs and services beyond Alexandria. So why am I updating this review? I got hyper-involved again since I wrote the original review and I want to make the yelp community aware of this organization. In January, I returned to be a Success Strategies Assistant to teach an 18-week hourly class on career skills such as goal-setting, resume writing, interviewing, etc. I am super jazzed because last night was the first class of the July-Dec term which I'm teaching again. Our teaching team of four has 13 students who are so excited to start a new path in their lives. The energy in the classroom was undeniable. There is no better feeling than knowing that this group of students lives will be dramatically different 6 months from now. I have also been diligently working on writing the 2007 Annual Report, I continue to contribute to writing for the print and online newsletters and most recently, I had the honor of being nominated to be Co-Chair of the planning committee for the Annual Wine & Chocolate Fundraiser. If you have an interest or skill, C.O.R.E. can put it to work. I have contributed almost 300 volunteer hours over the last 2.5 years and I'm always being asked about what is it about this organization that keeps me dedicated. I have too many reasons to count but I'll share this example. Last year, I was on the admissions interview committee for the incoming Fall Term 2007. Over several weeks, I interviewed dozens upon dozens of applicants and shared feedback with the committee and staff members. Our goal is to admit students that have the aspirations, commitment and the drive to get through the rigorous course and to enter new careers. Most of the applicants have faced tough challenges personally and professionally and desperate for change so the process of selecting students is an emotional one. A few people stood out in my mind including an unemployed, blond woman - particularly because we don't get many caucasian American applicants (many of C.O.R.E.'s applicants come through word-of-mouth in several ethnic communities) but more so because she had a sadness but hopefulness about her future if she could get computer training. After making my recommendations for the students that I felt would make the best fit for C.O.R.E., I hoped that they would all find success. Fast-forward a year later, in walks this confident business woman to the podium to give her alumni speech at graduation. Since graduating CORE in the December 2007 term, this woman was hired by an organization in Alexandria in a coordinator position and recently was promoted to a supervisor position. Her supervisor also spoke and said that she had an edge above the other employees - the skills she developed at Computer C.O.R.E. - that really made her stand out and most qualified for a promotion to a supervisory role. This same woman sat across from me last year thinking she didn't many options left because she didn't know how to use a computer, and now has transformed her life and has a career. This is just one of the many success stories that are shared in the halls of C.O.R.E. and this is why I continue to support C.O.R.E.

I figured it was about time I did another review for this place. (an update) I really recommend…read morethis place for those who are interested in the arts (aside from music and acting and such). Depending on the class you're taking, it can be really fun, or just really relaxing. I take manga/comic classes, which I take basically every semester, it's just a class I really love. They now have an adult class for that class, so hopefully, the adults won't waste their money anymore, for a lot signed up for the ages 10 to adult class and were for some reason disappointed to see a class full of kids. So it was really good that they finally added an adult class. I also took an expressive figure drawing class a couple of times, which can be a difficult class if you don't fully understand the action line and such yet. (but I recommend taking the class! Ms. Susan is a super enthusiastic/encouraging teacher! one of my favorites there!). And they now have digital art classes! I have yet to take it, but I'm happy they added a class for those of us who draw digitally! The classes are around $200 for 7-9 classes, one class a week, and most are 2 1/2 hours long. There are all sorts of classes that you can take, a lot of different types of teachers, and students that take it as well! MY ONLY CON ARE THE BATHROOMS RIGHT BY THE ENTRANCE! I really recommend buying wet ones or other types of cleaning wipes, for little boys (and possibly some grown men honestly) tend to go on the seat. I prefer going to the bathroom before waiting for my bus, but it seems 9 out of 10 times I go in the bathroom, there's always a little and (very rarely) a lot of drops all over the seat. Id still use these bathrooms over portapotties though. (for Alexandria birthday firework thing, I actually did walk to this building to go to the bathroom instead of using the portapotties)

I've taken ceramics and mosaics through the Art League at the Madison Annex, which is essentially a…read morebuilding with different studio classrooms. Although the Art League is technically located the in Torpedo Factory, most of their classes are held here. I actually like that it's not located in the heart of Old Town, because street parking in the area is usually available and students can also use the lot behind Sport & Health. If you're enrolled in a ceramics class, you're also able to pay for open studio time which is pretty cool. I've gone and met some really amazing artists who can be a great resource for additional input for your art projects. Overall, the environment is diverse, welcoming, and lots of fun. I absolutely love taking classes here and would highly recommend the Art League.

It's a nice art studio located in an industrial area that offers various workshops ranging from…read moremosaic lamps of different sizes and styles, lighted moon texture art, pressed flower art, rug tufting, vitrail glass painting and turkish coffee making workshops. All the classes are held in the same open studio but in different areas. They offer complimentary snacks and tea. They have one restroom available in the studio. Book online in advance. I called to inquire about a military discount and the owner answered and provided me with a discount code. They give you about 2-2.5 hours to decorate your lamp. Our instructor Kayla gave us step by step instructions and was available for help as needed. You choose your size lamp you want when booking online, however if you decide when you arrive to choose a different style/size they can easily change it and you pay the difference on the spot. You have a choice of a variety of colored tiles and they have a template of various designs to choose from or you can design your own. You also get to choose the colors for your filler beads. Once your lamp is completed, the instructor attached the bulb and the base and she lines up everyone's lamps lit up. It was a cool experience to do for my birthday, someone else was celebrating theirs as well. Although make sure you bring your patience, focus and best fine motor skills! Although, i'm not local - we drove up 3.5 hours, they do have some other pretty neat workshops to try.

What a fun place and fun way to spend a few hours with your date or friends. There are plenty…read moreoptions to choose from for glass and beads. Instructors guide and help you throughout the whole process so it's easy to follow and no prior skills are necessary. Definitely check it out!

My friend & I had a really good time. Workshop was well organized. I would go here again.read more

We had the best girls night here! This is the first time we've tried this type of crafting and it…read morewas a very fun and pleasant experience. As a person that is not gifted in the crafting area, the staff (Dante, Nick, Kendra and Miss Opal) did a fantastic job walking us through everything. They were patient, kind, fun and super friendly. They did NOT rush us and checked in with us every step of the way. They serve beer and/or wine and provide little snacks. Even though you will be busy with your board there is plenty of time in between steps to chat with your friends. Since we were beginners, our boards didn't turn out perfect. The staff spent an extra 20 minutes or so fixing all of our imperfections. They were literally sitting there fixing the smeared paint and bad lettering. Overall a really fun experience and we will definitely be back to make some other items.

Horizon Hall is home to the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) at George Mason…read moreUniversity, boasting six floors, and is centered right in the heart of the campus. CHSS's many departments and interdisciplinary programs are all finally in one place rather than being spread across campus. Inside you'll find active learning classrooms on the first two floors, among many other classrooms which are spacious and have enough room for 24 to 120 students, all rooms equipped for video collaboration to maintain continuity with hybrid learning. Plenty of study spaces as well as student service/resources available. Very impressive and well kept, as it should be, considering Horizon Hall was only built a few years ago.

We just had my son's birthday party here with under the sea glow party. It was definitely one of…read morethe most special birthday party for us. Science experiment, glow in the dark face/hand painting, as well as learning about sea animal. Wow! The kids were all so excited!!! Staffs are all wonderful and very attentive!!! Helping us to decorate and serving food. The Science Place has so many different themes and we will definitely have another birthday party here and my son will love to take some classes from the Science Place as well.

Had twins 4 year old bday party there with their classmates. Everything was so much fun the kids…read morecouldn't pull themselves away from the activities for pizza and cake! Staff was super helpful and organized. They had four science related activities tailored to the twins interest in dinosaurs and space. Everyone got a chance to participate. Moms and dads were happy because it was educational but the kids were super stoked going from one adventure to the other. Super clean and spacious. First time for us but won't be the last- considering them for our summer camp.

Last year I took the "Tile, Grout, and Thinset" class with the DIY Academy. It was a fantastic…read moreexperience and it gave me the confidence to fix up one of the smaller bathrooms at my house. With my master bathroom repair-and-renovation looming, I wanted to expand my knowledge base more, and Rich and the DIY Academy were once again there to help. Instead of a class, I participated in the volunteering arm of the program and assisted in the demolition and subfloor preparation of an actual master bathroom. It was a whole day of cutting, grinding, smashing, and trashing, but it certainly affirmed the old maxim, "The best way to learn is to do." A lot of times it seems educators in any field see fit to show and tell, but not so here. Rich was always there to supervise and provide support, but it was apparent that he was dedicated to having the student learn by action and not by observation. His methods provided a great blend of experience-based learning and direct instruction. Being able to take part in each process necessary to strip a room down to its bones eliminated two obstacles that scare off most homeowners from attempting to do their own renovation work. First, it removed the mystery of a home's construction: every layer of material holding the old bathroom together could be seen and held. Second, it provided some level of expectation: now having seen how the various surfaces and materials are held together, I know my own bathroom's construction will not be terribly far off. This all works together to establish a sort of baseline muscle memory for the work to be done in the future. This was another great experience with DIY Academy and I hope more such opportunities arise in the future!

After a big misunderstanding with the accounting system that resulted in a couple of charges, the…read moreowner refunded our credit card and was very apologetic about the situation and ensured she would get the system fixed so the issue doesn't happen again. Very understanding of our situation and feelings about the problem.

Love this place. My daughter has been taking classes here for 5 years and has learned so much. You…read morecan tell that the owner / teacher really loves her kids and art. The classes are focused on the age / skill group for each class and she offers different classes for different skills/ ages. They are taught theory, history and technique while making everyone feel comfortable. My daughter looks forward to these classes so much! Absolutely recommend!