[Archived] Weekly Event Announcements: October 18-24, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 17, 2008    

Weekly Event Announcements for the City of Alexandria
October 18 -October 24, 2008

Saturday, October 18 – “Build/Renovate Your Own Castle III” Seminar
From 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., join Port of Harlem magazine and top experts at the Alexandria Black History Museum (902 Wythe St.) for ideas, advice, and solutions on how to make your home your castle while you save money. Personal mortgage counselor Donna Smith, architect Genell Anderson, interior and furniture designer Pat Terrell, art collector and historian Barry Lester, and insurance expert Rudy Alton III will guide participants through different aspects of home ownership and renovation at this free seminar. Space is limited to 30 registrants so please call 703.838.4356 for reservations.

Saturday, October 18 - 2nd Annual Paws in the Park
The Old Town North Community Partnership and the City of Alexandria will host the Second Annual Paws in the Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Montgomery Park (Montgomery and N. Royal Streets). Proceeds from the event will benefit the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria and the Dog Run Improvement Project for Montgomery Park. The cost for entrance is $10 per family including pets. Paws in the Park is a fall festival with events and activities for dogs, their families and the community at-large. Activities include “Doga” classes (Yoga for Dogs), a Halloween Costume Parade, and a Blessing of the Animals. For additional information, visit www.oldtownnorth.org, e-mail info@oldtownnorth.org or call the Old Town North Community Partnership at 703.836.8066.

Sunday, October 19 – 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. The West End Farmers’ Market is open Sundays, May through October, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. This Sunday’s market features free face painting for children! Enjoy sampling the multiple varieties of apples, pairing them with Tommy Tompkins artisan cheeses, and choose from a great fall selection of fresh vegetables. Find your Halloween pumpkins from displays of large and small pumpkins, and pick from a variety of gourds for Thanksgiving decorations. For additional information, call the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities at 703.838.4343.

Sunday, October 19 – 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. Musician Stephen Christoff explores early American music, playing an octave mandolin, hand-flute, saw and more! Join Mr. Thomas Wall, Gentleman Fencer, who will showcase the finer points of fencing and begin recruitment for new students. For more information, please visit oha.alexandriava.gov/oha-main/oha-historicAlexandriaLive.html.

Sunday, October 19 – Tea with Martha Washington
Ever wonder how the first First Lady entertained her guests? What is the proper way to hold a teacup with no handles? Here is your chance to experience history with Martha Washington at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum (134 N. Royal St.) from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. She will discuss 18th-century tea customs and clothing of the period. Eighteenth-century tea includes the museum's special blend of tea, pound cake, dried fruit, and assortment of cookies. Admission is $25 per person, and reservations can be made by calling 703.838.4242.

Monday, October 20 – Tavern Toddlers
Because it’s never too early for kids to appreciate history, Gadsby’s Tavern Museum developed a special program for toddlers (walkers through 36 months) and their caregivers. Tavern Toddlers features a weekly open playtime every Monday through April at the museum, 134 North Royal St. Cost is $7 for a group of three and the program runs 10:30 a.m. to noon. For more information, please visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.838.4242.

Monday, October 20 – Duncan Book Discussion Group
The Duncan Book Discussion Group will meet at 7 p.m. to discuss Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin. The group meets at the Duncan Branch Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave. For more information, call 703.838.4566.

Monday, October 20 – Landmark/Van Dorn Advisory Group Meeting
The Landmark/Van Dorn Advisory  Group will meet at 6:30 p.m. in the meeting room adjacent to Lane Bryant at Landmark Mall. The advisory group will discuss plan recommendations and plan refinement, and conduct a review of the Planning Commission work session. For more information, contact Pat Mann at 703.838.4666 ext. 303.

Tuesday, October 21 – Potomac Yard Small Area Plan Advisory Group Meeting
The Potomac Yard Small Area Plan Advisory Group will meet at 7 p.m. in the Sister Cities Conference Room 1101, Alexandria City Hall, 301 King St. The group will kick off a discussion of the amendment process of the Potomac Yard Small Area Plan. For more information, contact Valerie Peterson at 703.838.4666 ext. 338.

Tuesday, October 21 – Waterfront Committee Meeting
The Waterfront Committee will meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson St. The purpose of the Alexandria Waterfront Committee is to study and deal with issues relating to private and commercial uses of the waterfront. For additional information call 703.838.4842.

Tuesday, October 21 – Dine Out and Shop for the Walk to Fight Breast Cancer
Mark your calendar for the 4th Annual Dine Out and Shop for the Walk to Fight Breast Cancer. Restaurants, retail stores, spas, and many other businesses throughout Alexandria will be contributing a portion of their proceeds throughout the day to the Walk to Fight Breast Cancer. All funds raised from this event will go to support Alexandria's Breast Cancer Fund at Inova Alexandria Hospital Foundation. View a list of participating restaurants, stores, spas, & more!  For more information, visit www.alexcancerwalk.com or call 703.746.5030.

Wednesday, October 22 – Rape Aggression Defense Classes Begin
The first of four Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) classes for women begin on Wednesday evenings. RAD classes are “designed to develop and enhance the options of self-defense, so they may become viable considerations to the woman who is attacked.” Classes include identifying personal safety issues and learning risk reduction strategies and basic principles of self defense. Instructors will demonstrate and teach various self-defense actions, incorporating strikes and kicking motions. For more information or to register, visit www.alexwomen.com. If you have any questions, please contact Patricia at 703.746.5030.

Wednesday, October 22 – Children’s Story Time at Beatley Central Library
A Children’s story time will be held at 4 p.m. at Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke St. The theme for the story time is “Going Batty” and will feature a program on bats. The program is designed for children from ages 5 to 12. For more information, call 703.519.5900 ext. 4.

Wednesday, October 22  – Upper King Street Fresh Farmers’ Market
The 2008 Upper King Street Fresh Farmers’ Market is open from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the King Street Gardens Park, 1806 King St., just a few steps from the King Street Metro. It is open rain or shine. The market offers area residents and commuters the opportunity to shop for fresh, locally grown produce, home made goods and bakery items. For additional information, call Debra Monahan with the Upper King Street Neighborhood Association at 703.683.1696.

Thursday, October 23 – World Short Story Discussion Group
The World Short Story Discussion Group will meet at Burke Branch Library (5701 Seminary Rd.) from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to discuss Raymond Carver selections from The Art of the Short Story. For more information, contact Mark Schwartz at 703.519.3498.

Friday, October 24 - 2008 Alex Awards presentation at a "Taste for Giving"
The annual Alex Awards will be presented at a “Taste for Giving” at 7 p.m. at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St. The Alex Awards recognizes individuals, organizations, schools and businesses that have made exceptional contributions to the cultural life in the City of Alexandria. Tickets for the event are $75 and include food, drink and a silent auction to benefit local charities. For ticket information, call 703.535.1200. For additional information regarding the Alex Awards, call the Alexandria Commission for the Arts at 703.838.6348, e-mail aca@alexandriava.gov, or visit www.alexandriacommissionforthearts.org.

Open through Saturday, November 15 – “Ah, THAT Jack and Jill!” Exhibition
“Ah, THAT Jack and Jill! Parents Empowering African-American Children,” is now on exhibit at the Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street. Jack and Jill of America, Inc., a national organization of mothers and children, is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. The exhibition highlights the organization’s history and the role of chapters in providing cultural, educational, recreational and community service opportunities to enhance and enrich the lives of children. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and admission is $2. For more information, please visit www.alexblackhistory.org or call 703.838.4356.

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, October 25 – Walk to Fight Breast Cancer
The Alexandria Walk to Fight Breast Cancer will begin at 8:00 a.m. This year’s Walk, sponsored by the City of Alexandria and the Inova Alexandria Hospital Foundation, will begin and end at the AMC Hoffman Center Theaters, located at Eisenhower Avenue and Swamp Fox Road in Alexandria. For more information and to register, visit www.alexcancerwalk.com or call 703.746.5030.