It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - The North Ridge Tree Sale is Coming to Town!

WHERE: The Parking Lot across from Trinity Methodist Church (2911 Cameron Mills Rd.)

WHEN: December 3-5, 2021

• Friday, Dec. 3rd: 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  
  
• Saturday, Dec. 4th: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  
  
• Sunday, Dec. 5th: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM

PRE-ORDER ONLINE: Pre-order your tree and schedule pick up from our longtime supplier, Almost Heavenly Trees:

https://almostheavenlytrees.com/pages/locations/hours

When you get to the payment stage in your "shopping cart," be sure to check the NRCA Fundraiser box! This is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the citizens' association.

TIPS: If you want to select your tree at the lot, please come to the church parking lot on Dec. 3, 4, or 5. You can pre-pay online, or pay on-site.

Tree selection is largely self-service, but staff and volunteers will assist with fresh cuts and loading into vehicles.

VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED! Seeking helpers to work three-hour shifts each day, and to help with set-up on Friday (Dec. 30) and clean up on Sunday (Dec. 5).

To volunteer, email Jay Friedman by [board email address to be added] or contact [board email address to be added].

SPONSORED BY THE NORTH RIDGE CITIZENS' ASSOCIATION (NRCA)

Channel your inner Clark W. Griswold, North Ridge, and join in the fun for the 1st annual "Deck the Hills" holiday home decorating competition! All nominations are due by Monday, December 9th. Results will be announced at the North Ridge Tree Lighting at the Pit (aka Beverley Park) on Sunday, December 15th. Spread the word - download a contest flyer!

THIS PROGRAM IS ENDED FOR 2019 - THANKS TO ALL!

Categories Include:

Best Wreath/Doorway Display - Instagram-worthy entrance decor to dazzle family and friends.
Best Holiday Lights - Best (dare we allow for most excessive?!) use of outdoor lighting and decorations.
Festivus for the Rest of Us (Most Creative) - Inflatables, homemade decorations - anything goes, just bring the WOW factor
Santa's Favorite Stop - Bring out your inner kid with a delightful & heartwarming tribute to the Jolly Old Elf and his magic.
Best Holiday Spirit for a Local Business - Tis' the season to support our most festively-decked out local business.

To Enter/Eligibility:

• All homes within the North Ridge civic association boundaries are welcome to participate / all major holidays (Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Festivus) are included.
  
  
• Homes must be registered by an owner/admirer or "nominated" by our roaming neighborhood elves in order to be part of the judging. Note: Your dazzling decor must be visible from the street.
  
  
• Homes must be decorated and nominations must be received by Monday, December 9th, 2019.
  
  
• Judging will take place from December 11th to December 13th between 5:00 PM and 9:30 PM, so make sure to have your lights on as soon as it gets dark!
  
  
• Results will be announced at the North Ridge Tree Lighting at the Pit (aka Beverley Park) on Sunday, December 15th.

Awards:

• Honorees will receive a winner's sign to display, along with a full year of neighborhood bragging rights for being someone who makes North Ridge a great community!

Contest Rules:

• Participation is free and open to all residents within the boundaries of the North Ridge Citizens' Association. All major winter holidays are included.
• NRCA Board members who are not judging, or directly associated with any of our volunteer judges, may enter. Executive Officers are not eligible.
• Contestants must register or be nominated in order to participate.
• Contest is for exterior decorations and yard/curb appeal, but can include those visible in windows from the street. .
• Participants agree to have their name (or business name) and one or more photos of their decorated exterior appear on the NRCA website and other outreach materials (ie. newsletter, social media). Winners agree that no compensation of any kind will be provided for such postings/publicity.
• Participants understand that all judging will be done during late afternoon/evening hours listed after the sign up period has closed.
• Participants are responsible for ensuring that lights, inflatables, animations and/or decorations are in place and activated during the judging period.
• Awards are limited to the categories listed.
• Winners will be contacted by email or telephone after conclusion of the judging period. NRCA will make every effort to ensure that arrangements can be made for an awards presentation/photo opportunity at the Tree Lighting ceremony.
• Be nice (not naughty) and treat this contest like the community-building effort it is - everyone who participates helps spread good cheer!

This fun event invites neighborhood children to decorate up their bikes, wagons, and any other (nonmotorized) wheeled vehicle to parade down Old Dominion Boulevard from the circle to the church. It has been an annual tradition in Beverley Hills since the 1940's.

Due to the Corona Virus shutdown, this year's parade was not held. Neighborhood kids were encouraged to decorate their bikes, etc on May 30 as they rode around the neighborhood. Many families created innovative displays in their front yards.

Join this North Ridge tradition every May (Memorial Day Weekend)! Details are posted here.

TREE CANOPY: The layer of leaves, branches and tree stems that covers the ground when viewed from above.

The average tree canopy coverage for North Ridge has declined by an estimated forty percent since our neighborhoods were first built, yet research continues to prove how important trees are to community health. With your help, we can re-grow our urban forest. Take a class on becoming a Tree Steward, volunteer, or simply JOIN NRCA today and help us restore, enhance and protect our tree canopy!

Need Help with a Tree Issue in a Public Space?

Contact: City Arborist's Office (703.746.5499) | City of Alexandria Tree Planting and Replacement Program

What Can You Do to Make a Difference?

PLANT

NRCA supports the locally-run Tree Champions effort to restore North Ridge's canopy. Get full list of North Ridge Smart Tree Selections.

NOW TAKING ORDERS FOR THE NORTH RIDGE CANOPY TREE CAMPAIGN - FALL 2020

Merrifield is providing the trees at 25% off retail - and includes planting, mulching, and calling Miss Utility. Types of trees to choose from:

• White Oak
• Scarlet Oak
• Northern Red Oak
• Willow Oak
• Tulip Poplar
• Nyssa Sylvatica
• American Sycamore

PRICING

$300 for a 15 gal container tree 10-12 ft in height.

$540 for a 2” caliper Ball &Burlap tree 15ft in height.

Tree Champions will be happy to assist with a home consultation so you can get an idea of which tree(s) might be best suited for your property.

Contacts: Jane Seward | [board email address to be added] // Lynn Gas | [board email address to be added].

VOLUNTEER

Donate to NRCA or help with tree planting efforts. You can also separately volunteer to be part of the Tree Champions effort, or simply donate a tree for a public space in North Ridge.

Bench Donation Contact: [board email address to be added] | Tree Donation Contact: [board email address to be added]

TAKE ACTION

There are many ways you can do your part to help restore North Ridge's precious tree canopy:

• Join NRCA/Donate
• Be a Tree Champion
• Volunteer
• Contact the City for help with tree issues/replacement in public spaces

The Adopt-a-Park program for picking up trash is currently finished. It is scheduled to restart in the Spring of 2021.

This is a program where neighbors volunteer to take turns picking up trash in Beverley Park (AKA the Pit). The City inspects the park weekly, then pays NRCA for the assistance.

Please contact Mary Kent at [board email address to be added] if you would like to sign up. Thanks for your interest in keeping our parks clean.

DID YOU KNOW…?

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) is currently planning for a modernization of George Mason Elementary School.

OUR COMMUNITY GOALS:

CONTACT OFFICIALS TODAY: