[Archived] Weekly Event Announcements: August 30 - September 5, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 29, 2008    

Weekly Event Announcements for the City of Alexandria
August 30-September 5, 2008 

Sunday, August 30 – West End Farmers’ Market at Ben Brenman Park 
The public is invited to shop at the West End Farmers’ Market beginning at 9 a.m. at Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Dr. Shoppers will find bushel baskets of watermelons and cantaloupes, pint baskets of plump blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, plums, and apricots, and mounds of juicy Virginia peaches. 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 31 – HistoricAlexandriALIVE
Between noon and 5 p.m., watch Alexandria's historic past comes to life! See live, engaging performances at the Waterfront behind the Torpedo Factory. Meet “Charlotte,” the enslaved head seamstress to Martha Washington, and hear about her life and survival as she visits Alexandria. Shakespeare’s plays became increasingly popular in the 18th century and you can take in your favorites as actors present scenes from Romeo and Juliet, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Taming of the Shrew and others! For more information, please visit oha.alexandriava.gov/oha-main/oha-historicAlexandriaLive.html.

Tuesday, September 2 – City of Alexandria Hosts Fifth Annual Doggie Day Swim
The City of Alexandria’s Fifth Annual Doggie Day Swim is scheduled for Tuesday, September 2, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Old Town Pool, 1609 Cameron St. Admission is $5 per dog. Following the end of the summer pool season, the annual event provides dogs with the opportunity to swim and play games in one of the City’s pools. Treats and toys will be provided; fifty percent of the event proceeds will benefit the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. For additional information, call the Chinquapin Park Recreation Center at 703.519.2160.

Tuesday, September 2 – Celebration for Naming of Bernice Fedder Sanders Picture Book Area
The public is invited to a reception to celebrate the naming of the Bernice Fedder Sanders Picture Book Area at Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library, 5005 Duke St. The event will begin at 10:30 a.m. and refreshments will be served. For more information, please contact Mark Schwartz at 703.519.3498.

Tuesday, September 2 – City of Alexandria Firefighters and Police Officers Pension Plan Board Meeting
The City of Alexandria Firefighters and Police Officers Pension Plan Board will hold a special meeting beginning at 3:50 p.m. The Board will meet with the City Council Employee Pension Compensation Committee beginning at 4:00 p.m. The purpose of both meetings is to discuss the proposed Eighth Plan Amendment. Both meetings will be held in the second-floor Council Workroom, Room 2410, City Hall, 301 King St. For more information, contact Steven Bland at 703.838.4505 or e-mail steven.bland@alexandriava.gov.

Wednesday, September 3 – 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. For additional information, call Debra Monahan with the Upper King Street Neighborhood Association at 703.683.1696.

Wednesday, September 3 – Braddock East Advisory Group Meeting
The next meeting of the Braddock East Advisory Group meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Jefferson-Houston Elementary School, 1501 Cameron St. The mission of the Braddock East Planning process is to create a redevelopment plan for the public housing sites within the larger Braddock area including James Bland, Bland Addition, Samuel Madden Uptown, Ramsey Homes and Andrew Adkins. For more information, please contact Andrea Barlow at 703.838.4666 ext. 665.

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!

Saturday, September 6 – Soldier-Led Walking Tours
At 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., a Union soldier in period uniform will lead walking tours of Fort Ward, 4301 W. Braddock Rd. The hour-long tours will introduce visitors to the history of the Defenses of Washington, the building and role of Fort Ward, 19th-century fortification engineering, and the troops stationed in this area during the Civil War. To explain his duties, this soldier carries an artillery haversack of reproduction tools used to fire cannons. Walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing recommended. Admission is free. For more information, please visit www.fortward.org or call 703.838.4848.

Wednesday, September 10 – Public Hearing for the Proposed Renovation of the Patrick Henry Recreation Center
The Park and Recreation Commission will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, September 10, to discuss plans and ideas for the proposed renovation of the Patrick Henry Recreation Center. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at the Patrick Henry Recreation Center, 4643 Taney Ave. A regular meeting of the Park and Recreation Commission will follow the public hearing. For additional information, call William Chesley, Deputy Director, at 703.838.4842.

September 13-14 - 6th Annual Alexandria Festival of the Arts
Voted one of the top 100 art festivals in the country by Sunshine Artist magazine, the 6th Annual Alexandria Festival of the Arts is one not to be missed! Discover spectacular paintings, life-size sculptures, jewelry, photography, ceramics and more. This popular outdoor event will feature art for every taste and budget, with prices ranging from $20 to $20,000. More than $15 million in art will be on display and visitors will have the opportunity to meet the artists behind the work and hear first-hand what inspired them to create their pieces. Free admission and event will be held rain or shine. For additional information, visit alexandriava.gov/recreation.