Fort Ward is a must-see; whether you're a history buff visiting the area or a long-time local -…read morethere is much to see and learn here. It doesn't cost a thing to visit the museum, which is staffed by city of Alexandria employees. There are brochures and fact sheets upon entering the museum and the staff will be happy to answer questions. They have events throughout the year and there's a donation box for those that want to support their ongoing efforts. The park itself is a nice retreat from the city. There are a few areas that are off-limits in terms of picnics and events - and most people seem to respect that. It's pet and kid friendly as well.

Fort Ward Park is a former Union Civil War defense in Alexandria that protected Washington, D.C…read more from 1861-1865. Now it's a public park and museum. Here's why it's worth a visit: 1) History: There's a small museum (currently closed due to COVID-19 as of July 27, 2020) and a trail that leads through a white gate to earthworks that are mostly still intact. Signs along the way explain the history behind the defense. 2) Space: It's now a large park with a free parking lot and paved trails for strollers, joggers and dog walkers. 3) Amenities: There's an amphitheater for performances and a playground in the park that my toddler loved. The park is wooded well so expect more shade than other public parks in the area.

I know this is going to depend largely on what you need to come in for. I was here only to help my…read moremother get her DL renewed, changed into a 'Real ID' she would be utterly useless without my help. Having said that, do your due diligence, and look up what you need to bring in as required documents. Though she already had a valid DL that expires in a month, we still needed to bring in a SSC and birth certificate. In her case a naturalization certificate, as well as enough documents showing her name changes and current address. We filled out the paperwork ahead of time (it was sent to her in the mail as a reminder) We were able to head directly to the three windows that were *only* doing Real ID, and spoke to a very nice young woman immediately. I'm sorry I don't remember her name, she was at booth #1. After a bit of typing, a quick eye test, and a photo, we were ready to go. Visited on a Friday around 9:30am. Smoothest DMV experience ever, but like I said... really depends on what you go in for.

First of all the letter we received from DMV was the most confusing letter to renew real ID license…read morethat I've ever seen. They need to simplify the letter. It is totally ridiculously incomprehensible. We are not dumb people, but we could not understand what we needed to do as there were several different directions that applied to us without knowing exactly what we had to do. That's how it started. So i make an appointment online for my elderly mother. When we arrive at the site, there's no clearcut instruction for where the handicap need to park. We see handicap parking on the left for this office but directions are saying do not enter. Apparently he had to go all the way around the building. You guys need to put a sign up. Please go around building or have a sign for handicap parking go right around the building so we park anyway right there which was the exit and of course it took the security person no less than five seconds to berate us instead of greeting us and allowing us to go through. Very rude so then we get into a particular line. The lady was talking a mile a minute. I know she was busy but we had a 2 o'clock appointment and I still don't understand why she made us go through this hoopla. So we fill out the required form go to the particular desk and some gentleman is carrying on a conversation with another gentleman while we're standing there for five minutes without even so much is greeting us very rude. They're carrying their own conversations behind the screen. This office manager needs to shape up this office one explicit signs when you enter the site for where handicap people need to park. Please post a sign that says please follow the arrows for handicap. Parking in front entrance is on the other side of the building. there's no such thing only do not enter the first thing you see is a negative sign. How about something like welcome to the DMV if you are handicap, please go around the building including other people around the building is the front entrance. And please get some customer service done for your workers who are very rude. Please instruct them to say hello to people when they come to your cubicle, we don't have to stand for five minutes, staring at you carrying on a conversation. This office is a disaster.

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.

The building location sucks. The Sushi is GREAT in the café on the first floor. The café doesn't…read morehave much that is good and it's all overpriced but the Sushi is one of the best I've ever had...but I'm not "the" or even "a" critic on sushi.

The land of confusion. A Roman bureaucracy like no other. A replica of the DMV with the same vision…read moreof doing nothing but the least minimum by referring you to the website. Need help with transfer ? Enrollment ? good luck. ID card expires but guess what it does not say so on the card !! You cannot enroll because your record is missing something that the system and the human forgot to plug in... somehow it is always your fault as the student .... The fakest news is that you can are saving $$$ ..... not even that as a silver lining.

Most professors are great and flexible. Classrooms always clean and with new equipments. The…read morecost-effective way to college.

I don't know why it took me so long to get a library card, but the sign up process was super easy!…read moreYou just download the app on your phone, enter personal information, and have to verify your information in person within 30 days of signing up with an ID. In the mean time, you can browse the extensive catalog, which is shared among the nine libraries across Arlington. I was able to pick up the book I wanted to read within 3 business days of signing up! I'm super excited to discover more books through the library.

Wow - what a very pleasant experience! I haven't been to a public library in years and today, I was…read morein and out in five minutes! I got a library card and checked a book out. Everything was super efficient and the staff member I worked with was very helpful. And three weeks for a book is so generous! Can't wait to come back.

Average USPS, nicely located in the corner of the shopping center. Lines can be somewhat busy but…read morePaul does a great job servicing his customers quickly. I was out within 5 minutes of waiting even with a line. Besides the service, the location is a bit hidden so I wasn't crazy about that. I've lived in Alexandria area for over a year now and I'm just now finding out there was a USPS so close by.

If Paul is behind the counter the line moves smoothly. He knows what he's doing and he's quick and…read moreefficient. If he isn't there it's not so great.