[Archived] Weekly Event Announcements: May 17-23

May 15, 2008     

Weekly Event Announcements for the City of Alexandria
May 17 – May 23 

Saturday, May 17 – Preservation 101: Workshop
Learn how to maintain your historic property with this series of lectures and workshops throughout May! Restoration carpenter David Gibney will host two hands-on workshops at Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington St. Attend “Repairing Historic Windows,” 10 a.m. to noon, and “Managing your Historic Porches,” 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., for $15 each or $25 for both. Please visit www.historicalexandria.org or call 703.838.4554 for more information.

Saturday, May 17 – All Alexandria Reads Event: Puppy Puppets Craft
Children from the ages of 4-12 are invited to drop in for a “Puppy Puppets Craft” activity anytime between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. at the Burke Library, 4701 Seminary Rd. The event is free and sponsored as part of the All Alexandria Reads Marley and Me program. For more information, please call 703.519.6000.

Saturday, May 17 – All Alexandria Reads Event: Dog Clicker Training and Pet Massage at Duncan Library
The Duncan Branch Library (2501 Commonwealth Ave.) will host a Dog Clicker Training with Sandy Modell at 10 a.m. Pet massage classes with Joyce Tischer will be held at 11 a.m. and noon. The event is free and sponsored as part of the All Alexandria Reads Marley and Me program. For more information, please call 703.838.4566.

Saturday, May 17 – Friends of Barrett Library Book Sale
The Friends of Barrett Library are hosting a book sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Barrett Branch Library, 717 Queen St. For more information, please call 703.838.4555.

Saturday, May 17 – “Avoiding Plan B” City at Peace Performance
Teens are invited to an exciting performance by City at Peace at Cora Kelly Recreation Center. Registration and dinner will begin at 5 p.m., followed by the City at Peace performance at 6 p.m. The performance, Avoiding Plan B, explores the lives and relationships of a group of teenagers as they approach high school graduation and deal with the perceptions and implications of sex in their lives. The performance will be followed by informative and interactive workshops given by the City at Peace performers and Game Show Night at Cora Kelly. For more information, contact Becky Griesse at rebecca.griesse@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.5030.

Sunday, May 18 – West End Farmers’ Market at Ben Brenman Park
Shop at the West End Farmers’ Market beginning at 9 a.m. at Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Dr. Featuring home baked goods, breads and pastries, and locally grown produce, this farmer’s market is one of a kind on the City’s West End. The West End Farmers’ Market will be open Sundays, May through October, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. For additional information, call the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities at 703.838.4343.

Sunday, May 18 – HistoricAlexandriALIVE
The City’s historic past comes to life between noon and 5 p.m.! See live, engaging performances at the Waterfront behind the Torpedo Factory. Meet with Alexandria visitors and residents from the 18th century along the waterfront and lower King Street, courtesy of McLean High School’s Project Enlightenment program. For more information, please visit
oha.alexandriava.gov/oha-main/oha-historicAlexandriaLive.html.

Monday, May 19 – Ad Hoc Motorcoach Task Force
The City of Alexandria has established an Ad Hoc Motorcoach Task Force to develop a proactive approach to motorcoach management that recognizes the economic value of the industry and balances its operational needs with measures to limit intrusive effects on Alexandria’s neighborhoods, the environment, quality of life, traffic and parking. The Task Force will hold its kickoff meeting at 7 p.m. in Room 2000, City Hall, 301 King St. For more information, call 703.838.4966.

Monday, May 19 – Duncan Library Book Discussion Group
The public is invited to participate in the Duncan Book Discussion Group, who will meet to discuss The Zookeeper’s Wife by Diane Ackerman.  Join the discussion from 7 to 8 p.m. at Duncan Branch Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave. For more information, please call Ruth at 703.838.4566.

Monday, May 19 – "From Books to Bottles" Reception and Opening
The grand opening of the photography exhibit "From Books to Bottles" will begin at 6:15 p.m. in the Vola Lawson Lobby in City Hall, 301 King St. "From Books to Bottles" is a photography display created by the Alexandria Youth Council depicting teen pregnancy through the lens of a camera. Youth Council members took photos, interviewed teen moms and dads, and created scenes showing the consequences and responsibilities of teen pregnancy. The full exhibit will be showcased at City Hall from May 20-23.  For more information, please contact Becky Griesse at rebecca.griesse@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.5030.

Tuesday, May 20 - Public Hearing on Public Art to Honor Charles Houston
The public is invited to attend a public hearing to provide input and to develop criteria for art that will honor the memory and contributions of civil rights attorney Charles H. Houston at the Charles Houston Recreation Center, which is currently under construction. The public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, May 20 at 7 p.m. at the Dr. Oswald Durant Memorial Center (1605 Cameron St.). The Commission’s regular monthly meeting will follow the public hearing. For additional information, call the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities at 703.838.6348.

Tuesday, May 20 – Preservation 101: Lecture
Learn how to maintain your historic property with this series of lectures and workshops throughout May! Find out about Archaeology and Your Backyard with City Archaeologist Pamela Cressey. The lecture begins at 7:30 p.m. at Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington St. Cost is $10. Please visit www.historicalexandria.org or call 703.838.4554 for more information.

Thursday, May 22 – World Short Story Discussion Group
The World Short Story Discussion Group will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. to talk about the last three stories in Art of the Story by David Halpern. The group will meet at the Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Rd. For more information, please call Mark Schwartz at 703.519.3498.

Friday, May 23 – “Lunch Bunch” Concerts at Market Square
The City’s Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities and General Services is once again sponsoring the “Lunch Bunch” concerts at Market Square, 301 King St. The concerts, which feature students from local and visiting schools, are free and open to the public. All concerts begin at 12:15 p.m. Please note that in case of inclement weather, concerts may be canceled. To check the status of concerts, please call the Special Events Hotline at 703.883.4686. The May 23 performance features the Harrison Singers, of the Harrison School for the Arts in Tempe, AZ

Friday, May 23 – "Let's Talk about Sex: A Workshop for Parents"
Parents are invited to attend this workshop at 1 p.m. in the Lee Center, Conference Room #1, to learn more about how and when to talk to your child about sex. Learn what is important to know about sex and why it is important to pass on that information to your children. For more information contact Becky Griesse at rebecca.griesse@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.5030.

Now Enrolling – Archaeology Summer Camp 2008
Young people ages 12 to 15 will discover Alexandria’s history through archaeology at this unique day camp. Assist professional archaeologists at a real excavation site; go on special field trips, and more! Applications are being accepted for two week-long sessions in July. For more information, please visit www.alexandriaarchaeology.org or call 703.838.4399.

Now Open through Monday, September 8 – Living Legends of Alexandria Exhibition
The Lyceum (201 S. Washington St.) is hosting Living Legends of Alexandria, which celebrates and documents individuals who have made remarkable contributions to the quality of life in Alexandria. Living Legends of Alexandria features photographs of 48 nominees by Nina Tisara, with information about their contributions by Christa Watters. The Lyceum, Alexandria’s History Museum, is open Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission and parking are free. For more information, please visit www.alexandriahistory.org or call 703.838.4994.

Now through Wednesday, December 31 – Drawings by William Lydston, Jr. Exhibition
The Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site (4301 W. Braddock Rd.) has extended this exhibition of Civil War artwork through the end of the year. Civil War drawings by soldier, artist, and musician William Lydston, Jr., are featured, with musical instruments and related objects as part of the statewide celebration of Virginia’s musical heritage. Admission is free. The Museum is 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! 

Monday, May 26 – 31st Annual Memorial Day Jazz Festival
The City of Alexandria will host the 31st Annual Memorial Day Jazz Festival from 1 to 7 p.m. at Fort Ward Park, 4301 W. Braddock Rd. Admission is free. (In case of inclement weather, the festival will be relocated to the Lee Center’s Kauffman Auditorium, 1108 Jefferson St.) The festival features music from the Difficult Run Jazz Band; Project Natale; Larry Brown Quintet; Sandra Johnson Quintet, and Al Williams. For more information on the City of Alexandria’s Annual Memorial Day Jazz Festival, call the Special Events Hotline at 703.883.4686 or the Special Events Office at 703.838.4844.