[Archived] Weekly Event Announcements for the City - Dec. 1-7

Weekly Event Announcements for the City of Alexandria
December 1 - 7, 2007

Saturday, December 1 – Cooking Demonstration at Market Square
Chef Roberto Donna of Galileo Restaurant will give a cooking demonstration at the Alexandria Farmers’ Market, located at Market Square, 301 King St. He will demonstrate how to prepare a variety of culinary delights; following the demonstration, samples will be available for tasting. Please call Jack Browand at 703.838.4343 for more information.

Saturday, December 1 – Scottish Walk Parade
The City of Alexandria invites the public to attend the 37th Annual Scottish Christmas Walk Parade on Saturday, December 1, at 11 a.m. in historic Old Town. The parade will be held rain or shine, and the parade route starts at the intersection of Wilkes and South St. Asaph Streets. For more information, please call the Campagna Center at 703.549.0111, or visit www.scottishchristmaswalk.com.

Saturday, December 1 – Ornament Decorating Workshop
Celebrate the holiday season with at a free ornament-making workshop from 1 to 4 p.m., at the Alexandria Archaeology Museum (105 N. Union St., third floor). Participants will decorate take-home ornaments using shapes, colors and patterns based on the museum's collection of excavated artifacts. Be inspired by unique designs from Alexandria’s past while creating new keepsakes! This event is open to all ages and all supplies will be provided. For more information, please call 703.838.4399, or visit www.alexandriaarchaeology.org.

Saturday, December 1 – Kwanzaa Craft Workshop
Join staff in a fun interactive program at the Alexandria Black History Museum (902 Wythe St.) from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Review the principles of this unique African American holiday at this free event. This workshop is perfect for those who are not familiar with the traditions of the holiday and those who want to learn more. Staff will also instruct participants in ways to make Kwanzaa gifts, known as zawadi. For more information, please call 703.838.4356 or visit www.alexblackhistory.org.

Saturday, December 1 – Mayor’s Tip-Off Challenge
The City of Alexandria will showcase its four high school boys’ basketball teams and the T.C. Williams girls basketball team in the first annual “All-Alexandria Tip-Off Challenge” at T.C. Williams High School, 3330 King St. In addition, T.C. Williams’ new gymnasium will be dedicated to Alexandria native Earl Lloyd, the first African American to play in the National Basketball Association. Proceeds from the event will provide free preschool education to at-risk children in Alexandria through the Child & Family Network Centers and the Hopkins House. For more information, please contact Toni Andrews at 703.549.6600, or Steve Nearman at 703.683.4660.

Saturday, December 1 – City of Alexandria to Hold Annual Holiday Parade of Boats
The public is invited to attend the 2007 Holiday Parade of Boats on Saturday, December 1, 3 p.m. at the City Marina, 0 Cameron St. Admission is free, and the event will be held rain or shine. For additional information, call the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association at 703.838.4200 or visit www.funside.com.

Sunday, December 2 –Women, Art and Shopping Holiday Spectacular!
Join the Friends of the Alexandria Commission for Women and the Commission for Women for an afternoon of fun, art, music, and wine! The Women, Art and Shopping Holiday Spectacular will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Durant Center, 1605 Cameron St. Admission is free and complimentary refreshments will be served. Purchase art and crafts from emerging women artists (jewelry, handbags, children's items, photography, pottery, and more) just in time for the holidays. Fifteen percent of all proceeds benefit the Commission for Women and Alexandria Office on Women projects. For more information, please call 703.746.5030.

Sunday, December 2 – Ray’s the Steaks restaurant to donate $5 per plate to Alexandria’s SOHO—Space Of Her Own program.
Voted "Best Steaks" in washingtonpost.com's Best Bets 2006 Readers' Choice contest, Ray’s the Steaks offers some of the best beef in the area. On Sunday, December 2, from 5 to 8 p.m., Ray’s will offer a 3-course menu ($25-$35) and donate $5 per plate to SOHO, Alexandria’s art-based mentoring program for at-risk girls. The restaurant is located at 1725 Wilson Blvd., in Arlington, Virginia. Reservations are not accepted; however, patrons can stop by as early as 4:00 p.m. to put their names on a waitlist for a time later in the evening. SOHO is a collaborative effort between the City of Alexandria, The Art League, and the Alexandria Court Service Unit. To learn more about the program, please visit www.alexandriava.gov/soho.

Sunday, December 2 – City of Alexandria to Hold 33rd Annual Toys for Tots Benefit Square Dance
The public is invited to attend the 33rd Annual Toys for Tots Benefit Square Dance on Sunday, December 2, from 1 to 5 p.m., at Lee Center Exhibit, 1108 Jefferson St. This year’s theme is “Full of Glee at 33,” and features a special performance by the Capital Squares Demonstration Team at 3 p.m. For additional information call the City’s Special Events Hotline at 703.883.4686 or the Special Events Office at 703.838.4844.

Continuing Exhibit – “God Has Made a Way in Leesburg”
“God Has Made a Way in Leesburg,” a photography exhibition by Big Al Carter, is open at the Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St. These large format images, on display for the first time, showcase Carter’s family members and their community in Loudoun County during the early 1970s. Admission is free! Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information please visit www.alexblackhistory.org or call 703.838.4356.