[Archived] Weekly Event Announcements: August 16 - 22, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  August 15, 2008

Weekly Event Announcements for the City of Alexandria
August 16-22, 2008

Saturday, August 16 – Transportation Workshop
In an effort to help residents cope with increasing energy costs and other economic pressures, the City will hold the first of two transportation workshops to educate participants on how to travel by bicycle, rideshare, and public transportation. The first workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Samuel Tucker Elementary School, 435 Ferdinand Day Dr. For more information or to register, please visit www.alexandriava.gov/localmotion or call Donna Norfleet at 703.838.3800.

Saturday, August 16 – Archaeology Family Dig Days!
Help City archaeologists and trained volunteers screen excavated soil for artifacts from a real "dig" located on the grounds of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial (101 Callahan Dr.) from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Wear comfortable clothes, protect yourself from the sun, and bring a water bottle. Please, no sandals. All necessary equipment will be supplied. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a participating adult. Cost is $5 per person and reservations are required. Call 703.838.4399 to save your spot!

Sunday, August 17 – West End Farmers’ Market at Ben Brenman Park
Shop at the West End Farmers’ Market, beginning at 9 a.m. in Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Dr. Summer’s bounty just gets more and more delicious. The vendors at the West End Farmers Market are now displaying a sumptuous array of tomatoes. Mounds of large multi-colored heirloom tomatoes can be found next to baskets of cherry tomatoes, yellow and red plum tomatoes, and the all time summer favorite, large juicy red tomatoes, right off the vine. The West End Farmers’ Market is 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, August 17 – HistoricAlexandriALIVE
Alexandria's historic past comes to life between noon and 5 p.m.! See live, engaging performances at the Waterfront behind the Torpedo Factory. Musician Stephen Christoff explores early American music, playing an octave mandolin, hand-flute, saw and more! Meet and talk with Alexandria visitors and residents from the 18th century along the waterfront and lower King Street. For more information, please visit oha.alexandriava.gov/oha-main/oha-historicAlexandriaLive.html.

Monday, August 18 – Duncan Book Discussion Group
The Duncan Book Discussion Group will meet from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. to discuss The Sweet Hereafter by Russell Banks. The discussion group meeting will be held at the Duncan Branch Library (2501 Commonwealth Ave.) and it is free and open to the public. For more information, please call 703.838.4566.

Tuesday, August 19 – Gang Prevention Brown Bag Lunch Meeting
A gang prevention brown bag lunch meeting will be held from 12 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the Lyceum, 2nd floor, 201 S. Washington St. The topic for the meeting is “Reading Underachievement: Some Problems and Some Solutions.” The meeting is open to the public. For more information or to RSVP, please call 703.838.4180 ext. 242.

Wednesday, August 20 -- Upper King Street Fresh Farmers Market
The Upper King Street Fresh Farmers’ Market offers area residents and commuters the opportunity to shop for fresh, locally grown produce, home made goods and bakery items. The market, located at King Street Gardens Park (1806 King St., just a few steps from the King Street Metro), is open from 3 to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays, August through October, rain or shine.

Thursday, August 21 – Homeschool Day
Explore the City of Alexandria from the Colonial period to the present! The program begins at Gadsby's Tavern Museum, 134 North Royal St., and includes a tour and hands-on activities. Then head out for a short walking tour of Old Town and visit Friendship Firehouse and the Lyceum, Alexandria’s History Museum. Tour times between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Registration is $5 per child (ages 4 and up) and parents are free! Call to 703.838.4242 to reserve your time or visit oha.alexandriava.gov/HomeschoolDay.pdf to learn more!

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, visit www.alexandriahistory.org or call 703.838.4994.

Open through Wednesday, December 31 – Drawings by William Lydston, Jr. Exhibition
This exhibition of Civil War artwork at Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site (4301 W. Braddock Rd.) 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. The exhibition is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.fortward.org or call 703.838.4848.

Coming Soon!

Sunday, August 24 - Annual Cambodian Community Day
The City of Alexandria's Annual Cambodian Community Day Festival will be held from noon to 6 p.m. at Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Dr. Admission is free and the event will be held rain or shine. The City's Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities and the Cambodian Community Day Committee are cosponsoring the festival. For additional information, visit www.cambodiancommunityday.org.