[Archived] This Week in Alexandria, May 16-22

Weekly Event Announcements for the City of Alexandria: May 16 – 22, 2009
For Immediate Release: May 15, 2009 

Saturday, May 16 – The Mayor’s Get Healthy for Life, Alexandria! Initiative Kick-off Event
Mayor William D. Euille invites residents to Market Square Farmers’ Market (301 King St.) from 8:30 to 10 a.m. to celebrate the launch of the Mayor’s “Get Healthy for Life, Alexandria” initiative. The initiative, developed in collaboration with the Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria and local health and fitness organizations, is a program designed to encourage Alexandrians to eat better, start moving, and get healthy. The kick-off event features an appearance by former Redskins player Roy Jefferson, a “Challenge Walk Off” (for prizes, including a $100 Visa gift card and an iPod),  a healthy cooking demonstration featuring a Majestic Restaurant chef, and special activities for young people. For more information, contact Carrie Fesperman at 703.838.4400, ext. 263.

Saturday, May 16 – 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 who were stationed in this area during the Civil War. Walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing recommended. Admission is free. For more information, please visit www.fortward.org or call 703.838.4848.

Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17 – 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 as she discusses 18th-century tea customs from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum (134 N. Royal St.). Learn about life in the 18th century from Mrs. Washington as you enjoy the museum’s special blend of tea, accompanied by pound cake, dried fruit, and an assortment of cookies. Party attire requested. Cost is $25 per person and reservations are required. Please visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.838.4242 for more information.

Sunday, May 17 - West End Farmers’ Market Open
The public is invited to the opening of the West End Farmers’ Market at 9 a.m. on Sunday, May 3 at Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Dr. The West End Farmers’ Market is open to the public on Sundays beginning May 3 through November 22 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The market features fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables, fresh-baked breads, cheeses, jams, jellies, coffee, local honey, and free-range, grass-fed beef and chicken. For additional information, visit alexandriava.gov/recreation.

Monday, May 18 – Thursday, May 21 – “Lunch Bunch” Concerts at Market Square
The City’s Departments of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities and General Services are 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. Scheduled performances this week include:
May 18   St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School String Orchestra
May 19   Episcopal High School Orchestra
May 21   Douglas MacArthur Elementary School Chorus, Recorders and Step Team

Thursday, May 21 – Stand Up for Mental Health with Counselor David Granirer
In recognition of National Mental Health Month, the Alexandria Community Services Board presents internationally recognized stand-up comic and counselor, David Granirer. Granirer will perform I’m Ok, But You Need Professional Help: Using Humor to Fight Stigma, at 6:30 p.m. at T.C. Williams High School, 3330 King St. There is no cost to attend. Granirer’s hilarious presentation is part comedy and part education. Granirer, who lives with depression, looks at how humor can fight the stigma around mental illness. For more information, contact Jennifer Cohen-Cordero at 703.746.3484 or e-mail jennifer.cohen-cordero@alexandriava.gov.

Thursday, May 21 - Confident City Bicycling Classes
The City of Alexandria is partnering with the Washington Area Bicyclist Association to teach residents how to ride safely and skillfully through city traffic. Residents may attend one of two free workshops:  Saturday, May 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Cora Kelly Recreation Center, 25 West Reed Ave. or Thursday, May 21 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at Mount Vernon Community Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Ave. For more information, contact Yon Lambert at 703.519.3400, ext. 183, or visit alexandriava.gov/localmotion. To register, visit www.waba.org.

Opening Friday, May 22 – “Living Legends” Exhibition – The Lyceum
The latest class of Living Legends will be featured at a new exhibition opening this week at The Lyceum, Alexandria’s History Museum, 201 S. Washington St. This photography exhibition, featuring the work of Nina Tisara, celebrates people who have made remarkable contributions to the quality of life in Alexandria. “Living Legends of Alexandria 2008-09” showcases 26 nominees who have worked to improve life in Alexandria. The exhibition will be to the public daily from through Sunday, September 20 in the Coldsmith Gallery.

Coming Soon!

Saturday, May 23 – Swordsmanship Workshop
Interested in learning about historic fencing? Are you a fencer looking to expand your repertoire and support historic sites like Gadsby’s? Register for the Living History Foundation’s Swordsmanship Workshop, held at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St., from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Lunch is included, but participants must provide their own equipment or rent from the instructor. All skill levels and ages 12 and above are welcome. Cost is $49 for individuals, $29 for students, and $90 for professionals. To register or get more information, please call Gadsby’s Tavern Museum at 703.838.4242.

Saturday, May 23 – Teddy Bear Tea
The Teddy Bear Tea is a wonderful way to introduce young people to etiquette. This year’s event is from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St. Children ages 5 to 10 will learn to manage china plates, teacups and saucers, and linen napkins while enjoying Earl Grey tea, cucumber sandwiches, scones and fruit tarts. Reservations are requested by Monday, May 18, and can be made by calling 703.838.4356 or visiting www.alexblackhistory.org.

Monday, May 25 – 32nd Annual Memorial Day Jazz Festival
The public is invited to attend the 32nd Annual Memorial Day Jazz Festival at Fort Ward Park, 4301 W. Braddock Rd. from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. For a list of performers, visit alexandriava.gov/recreation. For more information, call the Special Events Hotline at 703.883.4686 or the Special Events Office at 703.838.4844.

Ongoing

April through May – All Alexandria Reads 2009
The Alexandria Library presents All Alexandria Reads 2009, a community-based reading cooperative program designed to create a dialog through reading. This year’s book is Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver. Kingsolver is a Virginia author who chronicles her family’s attempt to eat homegrown and locally produced food. From April to May, the Alexandria Library will hold numerous community events that relate to the themes of Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. This week’s featured event is on Wednesday, May 20, at 7 p.m. at Beatley Library, where nutritionist Jennifer Moore Howe offers secrets to identify the foods
that weigh us down and then ease in foods that strengthen and create more energy. For more information about All Alexandria Reads events, visit www.alexandria.lib.va.us.

2009 Summer Camps, Playgrounds & Teen Activities
The Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities offers a variety of summer program opportunities for children and teens ages 3 to 17. Camp opportunities include Recreation Camps (Ages 3-12); Jerome "Buddie" Ford Nature Center Camps (K-6th grade); Summer Programs for Children with Disabilities (Ages 3-17); Summer Playground Camps (Ages 6-12); and Summertime Fun Just - 4 – Teens. For additional information, visit alexandriava.gov/recreation.

Save the Date!

Saturday, June 27 -- City of Alexandria Hosts AHS Garden School

The City of Alexandria, in cooperation with the American Horticultural Society (AHS), hosts a new Garden School, "Green Garage®: Sustainable and Earth-Friendly Solutions for the Landscape," from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Lee Center (1108 Jefferson St.). Participants will learn about environmentally friendly gardening practices, ranging from organic lawn care and water conservation to soil health and creating wildlife habitats. Registration is ongoing. AHS members and City of Alexandria residents will receive a registration discount. Space for this exclusive program is limited, so early registration is recommended. To register, visit http://www.ahs.org/events/garden_schools/09/index.htm, or call 703.768.5700, ext. 132.
For more information, contact Jennifer Harris, Communications Officer, Office of Communications, at 703.838.5078 or jennifer.harris@alexandriava.gov 

PIO#140-09