[Archived] Weekly Event Announcements: November 8 - 14, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 7, 2008    

Weekly Event Announcements for the City of Alexandria
 November 8 -November 14, 2008 

Saturday, November 8 – Be Ready Alexandria/Arlington Medication Dispensing Exercise
The City of Alexandria and Arlington County need you to volunteer to help test our ability to deliver medications to residents during a public health emergency. Volunteering takes about 30 minutes on Saturday, November 8. Just walk into one of the five exercise sites between 9:00 a.m. and noon to pick up simulated medications for yourself, your family and any neighbors you would assist in the event of a real emergency. For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/health.
 
Saturday, November 8 – Veterans Day Soldier-Led Walking Tours
In recognition of Veterans Day, a Union soldier in period uniform will lead two walking tours of Fort Ward Historic Site, 4301 West Braddock Road, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The free, hour-long tour 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 who were stationed in this area during the Civil War. Walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing recommended. For more information, please visit www.fortward.org or call 703.838.4848.

Monday, November 10 – 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.

Tuesday, November 11 – Veterans Day Program
Honor the service of our military heroes at the annual Veterans Day program at the Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street. Program begins at 11 a.m. and features guest speaker Will Gunn, a retired Air Force colonel and Harvard-educated attorney. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please visit 703.838.4356 or visit www.alexblackhistory.org.

Tuesday, November 11 – 22nd Annual Dementia Caregivers Conference
A special conference, “Putting the Pieces Together,” will be held for those caring for or concerned about family and friends living with dementia. The conference is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at T.C. Williams High School, 3330 King St., in the Cafeteria. The cost is $25 for family caregivers, $45 for professional caregivers, and $10 for .5 CEU from George Mason University. For more information on the conference or about registration, please call Debbie Ludington at 703.838.0920.

Tuesday, November 11 – Virginia Author Event at Barrett Branch Library
The public is invited to attend a Virginia Author event from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Barrett Branch Library, 717 Queen St. Virginia author William Gorham will discuss his mystery novel Soapstone Park. For more information, call 703.838.4555.

Wednesday, November 12 – Free Foreclosure Prevention Clinic
Area residents who are experiencing difficulty in meeting their monthly mortgage payments, and those who are already in the process of foreclosure, are eligible to attend a Foreclosure Prevention Clinic, a free training and counseling service offered by Housing Counseling Services (HCS). The clinic will be held on Wednesday, November 12, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Nannie J. Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson St., in Gold Room 1. For more information, or to RSVP for the Foreclosure Prevention Clinic, please contact HCS at 202.667.7006.

Wednesday, November 12 - Community Meeting on Proposed Pocket Park
The public is invited to attend the third community meeting to review and discuss draft design for the pocket park at 1 and 7 East Del Ray Avenue. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Avenue. The property was acquired in January 2008 as part of the City’s Pocket Park Program. For additional information, call Laura Durham, Open Space Coordinator, at 703.838.5095, ext. 350.

Wednesday, November 12 – Potomac Yard Design Advisory Committee Meeting
The Potomac Yard Design Advisory Committee Meeting will meet at 7:30 p.m. in the Sister Cities Conference Room 1101, Alexandria City Hall, 301 King St. The Potomac Yard Design Advisory Committee’s role is to review preliminary development plan approvals for compliance with the Potomac Yard Urban Design Guidelines and to send its recommendations to the Planning Commission and City Council for their consideration. For more information, contact Matt North at 703.838.4666 ext. 326.

Wednesday, November 12 – “Let’s Talk Books” Event
The public is invited to a “Let’s Talk Books” event from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Barrett Branch Library, 717 Queen St. Local author John Sullivan will discuss his novel Gatekeeper. Registration is recommended. For more information or to register, please call 703.838.4555.

Thursday, November 13 – 18th-Century Dance Lessons
In preparation for the Governor’s Ball on November 22, learn 18th-century English country dancing from expert dance instructors at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 North Royal Street. The class is scheduled from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and costs $12 per class. Reservations can be made by calling 703.838.4242 or visiting www.gadsbystavern.org.

Friday, November 14 through Sunday, November 16 – Historic Alexandria Antiques Show
The 2008 Historic Alexandria Antiques Show at the Holiday Inn, 625 First Street, features more than 40 dealers offering fine examples of antique furniture and decorative accessories, glass, ceramics, textiles, rugs, silver, clocks, nautical items, prints, paintings, folk art, jewelry, fashion accessories and more. Admission is $15, and proceeds benefit the Historic Alexandria Foundation. The show is open on Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. For more information, please call 703.549.5811 or visit http://www.historicalexandriafoundation.org/antiques_show.htm

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!

Monday, November 17 – Second Half 2008 Real Estate Tax Due
The City of Alexandria reminds property owners that the second half 2008 Real Estate Tax and Refuse Fee payments are due today. The City's Treasury Division will be open Saturday, November 15, from 9 a.m. to noon, in preparation for the upcoming Real Estate Tax due date on Monday, November 17. Homeowners may pay their real estate tax bill in person at City Hall, 301 King Street, Room 1510. If you have not received a bill, you should contact the Treasury Division at payments@alexandriava.gov or call 703.838.4777.

Monday, November 17 – Eco-City Action Plan Open House
The City of Alexandria invites residents to attend the Environmental Action Plan Open House from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson Street. The Eco-City Action Plan will be used as a road map for City leaders, staff, and citizens to implement the Eco-City Environmental Charter. The public is encouraged to attend and provide input on the draft Environmental Action Plan, which is currently being developed to establish short term and long term policy objectives, identify programs and resources, set tentative timelines, and develop measures of success to fulfill the vision of the Eco-City Environmental Charter. For more information, please visit www.alexandriava.gov/Eco-City or http://ecocity.ncr.vt.edu/ or e-mail Eco-CityAlexandria@alexandriava.gov. 

Friday, November 28 - 2008 City of Alexandria Tree Lighting Ceremony
The public is invited to attend the 2008 City of Alexandria Tree Lighting Ceremony at 7 p.m. at Market Square, 301 King St., officially opening the holiday season. Admission is free, and the event will be held rain or shine. Entertainment features a message from the Mayor, a visit from Santa, performance of Santa’s Frosty’s Follies by the Metropolitan Fine Arts Center, plus caroling and a community sing along. For additional information, please call the City’s Special Events Hotline at 703.883.4686 or the Special Events Office at 703.838.4844.