[Archived] Alexandria Weekly Event Announcements: April 5-11

Weekly Event Announcements for the City of Alexandria
April 5-April 11

Saturday, April 5 – 14th Annual Homeownership Fair
Come learn how the City can help you in purchasing your first home! Free seminars on the home buying process, financing your home purchase, and understanding your credit will be offered in both English and Spanish. The Fair will feature exhibitors from area lenders, real estate agencies and non-profit agencies, and many door prizes. The event will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at George Washington Middle School, 1005 Mount Vernon Ave. For more information, contact the Office of Housing at 703.746.4990.

Saturday, April 5 – Duncan Branch Library Book Sale
The Duncan Branch Library, located at 2501 Commonwealth Ave., is hosting a book sale from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Many books will be half price! For more information, please call 703.838.4566 or visit www.alexandria.lib.va.us.

Each Saturday in April (April 5, April 12, April 19, April 26) – Spring Clean Up 2008 
Residents who receive the City of Alexandria's refuse services are invited to participate in Spring Clean Up 2008. Scheduled pickups will be held each consecutive Saturday throughout the month of April. Please check the Spring Clean Up Map at alexandriava.gov/tes to determine your assigned collection area and date of collection or contact the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services, Solid Waste Division at 703.519.3486.

Monday, April 7 – Tavern Toddlers
Because it’s never too early for kids to appreciate history, Gadsby’s Tavern Museum developed this special program for toddlers (walkers through 36 months) and their caregivers. Tavern Toddlers features a weekly open playtime on Mondays at the museum, 134 North Royal Street. In April, the theme is Having Fun, where kids take part in play activities from the past and present. Cost is $10 for a group of three and the program runs from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more information, please visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.838.4242.

Tuesday, April 8 – Infill Task Force
Joint Work Session with Planning Commission and City Council
The Infill Task Force will be meeting in a joint work session with members of the Planning Commission and City Council. The purpose of the meeting is to brief the Planning Commission and City Council on the preliminary recommendations of the Infill Task Force, and provide opportunity for input and questions. The meeting will be held at 5 p.m. in the City Council Workroom, City Hall, 301 King St. For more information, please contact Valerie Peterson at 703.838.4666, ext. 338.

Wednesday, April 9 – Potomac Yard Design Advisory Committee
The Potomac Yard Design Advisory Committee will meet at 7:30 p.m. in the Sister Cities Conference Room 1101, City Hall, 301 King St. The Potomac Yard Design Advisory Committee meets monthly to review applications for preliminary development plan approvals in Potomac Yard for compliance with the Potomac Yard Urban Design Guidelines, and to make recommendations to the Planning Commission and City Council for their consideration. The public is welcome to attend. For more information, please contact Matt North at 703.838.4666 ext. 326.

Thursday, April 10 – Eighteenth-Century Dance Lessons
In preparation for the Grand Ball on April 19, learn 18th-century English country dancing from expert dance instructors at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 North Royal Street. Lesson runs from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and cost $12 per class. Reservations are recommended. For more information, please visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.838.4242.

Now through Wednesday, December 31 -- Drawings by William Lydston, Jr. Exhibition
Exhibition of Civil War artwork at Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site, 4301 West Braddock Road Original, has been extended through the end of the year. Civil War drawings by soldier, artist and musician William Lydston, Jr., are featured in this exhibit with musical instruments and related objects as part of the statewide celebration of Virginia’s musical heritage. Admission to the museum is free. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. For more information, please visit www.fortward.org or call 703.838.4848.

Coming Soon!

Saturday, April 19 – Annual City-Wide Cheerleading Competition
The public is invited to attend the City’s Annual Cheerleading Competition, scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 19 at T.C. Williams High School, 3330 King St. The competition features preteen and teen cheerleading squads from the Charles Barrett, Charles Houston, Cora Kelly, Mount Vernon, Nannie J. Lee, Patrick Henry and William Ramsay Recreation Centers. For additional information, call the Youth Sports Office of the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities at 703.838.4345.

Saturday, April 26 – Annual City of Alexandria Earth Day Celebration
The City of Alexandria’s Earth Day Celebration is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Dr. The festival features environmental and family-friendly activities including Arbor Tree planting, musical entertainment, environmental displays, Blue Sky Puppet Show, food, fun and much more. Admission is free and the event will be held rain or shine. For more information, visit www.alexearthday.org, or call the Special Events Office at 703.838.4844.

Saturday, April 26 – Alexandria’s Urban Forestry Steering Committee to Hold Third Annual Alexandria Earth Day Tree Sale 
Headlined as “Great Trees, Great Prices, and Great for Alexandria,” Alexandria’s Urban Forestry Steering Committee and the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities will hold a City tree sale from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Dr. Tree stewards will be available at the sale to consult on tree choice and care. Shade and ornamental trees will be available for $30, and evergreen trees will be available for $40. If 10 or more trees are purchased and will be planted on one site, assistance with planting can be requested for an additional fee. To reserve a tree, call Jerry Dieruf, Arborist, at 703.838.4999, ext. 451, or e-mail jerry.dieruf@alexandriava.gov.

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