For Immediate Release: September 25, 2009

Weekly Event Announcements for the City of Alexandria: September 26–October 2, 2009

Saturday, September 26 – Civil War Shelter Program
At the Civil War Shelter Program held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., learn about the various forms of living arrangements for Civil War soldiers at Fort Ward Museum, 4301 West Braddock Road. The program reviews shelter structures, tents, winter quarters and huts. Tents are erected to show size and design, plus methods of heating soldier quarters, including the display of an original Sibley stove. The event is free, and donations are welcomed. For more information, please visit www.fortward.org or call 703.838.4848.

Saturday, September 26 – Grocery Store Donation Day
The Alexandria Domestic Violence Program (DVP) needs volunteers, ages 18 and up, to help with "Grocery Store Donation Day" from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Morning and afternoon shifts are available. The grocery stores are located in the City of Alexandria. DVP will be soliciting items needed for the Domestic Violence Shelter, which houses women and children fleeing from abusive homes. For more information, please contact Jen Clayton at jen.clayton@alexandriava.gov or 703.838.4911.

Saturday, September 26 – International Coastal Cleanup
The City of Alexandria encourages residents to participate in the Clean Virginia Waterways Cleanup and the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup. Volunteers will be collecting and tallying trash from 10 a.m. to noon (rain or shine) at the Potomac River shoreline, Founders Park, 351 N. Union St. No experience necessary, and families and groups are welcome! For more information, contact Jesse Maines at Jesse.Maines@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.4065.

Saturday, September 26 & Sunday, September 27 – Third Annual Alexandria Film Festival 
Join us for the Third Annual Alexandria Film Festival at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, 101 Callahan Dr., across from the King Street Metro. Sponsored by the Alexandria Commission for the Arts and the Office of the Arts, the Festival brings high-quality independent short and feature-length films, documentaries, filmmaker panels, and arts presentations to Alexandria. For more information, to screen film trailers and to purchase tickets, visit www.alexandriafilm.org or call the Durant Center at 703.746.5560.

Sunday, September 27 – West End Farmers’ Market 
The public is invited to the West End Farmers’ Market at Ben Brenman Park, located at 4800 Brenman Park Dr. The West End Farmers’ Market is open to the public, Sundays through November 22, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, visit alexandriava.gov/Recreation.

Monday, September 28 – Tavern Toddlers
Join us for a special program for toddlers (walkers through 36 months) and their caregivers at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. Tavern Toddlers features a weekly open playtime in Gadsby’s historic ballroom Mondays, excluding Federal holidays, through November 16 any time between 10:30 a.m. and noon. New themes this fall! Cost is $7 for a group of three, which must include one adult, or $30 for purchase of a five-week pass. For more information, please visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.838.4242.

Monday, September 28 – Community Event with Santino Quaranta
In recognition of National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, the Alexandria Community Services Board will present Santino Quaranta, the D.C. United midfielder-forward who was forced to interrupt his soccer career after admitting to drug addiction, but is now in recovery and has revived his career. Julie Carey, of NBC News4, will interview “Tino” at a community event at 7:15 p.m. in the T.C. Williams High School auditorium, 3330 King St., followed by a public question and answer session and autographs. There is no cost to attend. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. 

Tuesday, September 29 – Town Hall Meeting on H1N1 and Seasonal Flu 
The City of Alexandria has scheduled a Community Town Hall Meeting on H1N1 and Seasonal Flu, hosted by Mayor William D. Euille and members of the Alexandria City Council. Learn what the City of Alexandria is doing in response to H1N1 from Health Director Dr. Lisa Kaplowitz, Fire Chief Adam Thiel, and many others. Health officials will also answer questions about H1N1 vaccine distribution plans. The event will begin at 7 p.m. at the Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe St.

Wednesday, September 30 – Upper King Street Fresh Farmers’ Market
The public is invited to the Upper King Street Fresh Farmers’ Market, located at the King Street Gardens Park, 1806 King St., just a few steps from the King Street Metro. The Upper King Street Fresh Farmers’ Market is open Wednesdays through October 28 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, visit the Farmers’ Market Online.

Coming soon!

Saturday, October 3 – Fifth Annual Fall Tree Sale 
The City of Alexandria’s Urban Forestry Steering Committee (UFSC) and the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities will hold a City fall tree sale on Saturday, October 3, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 2911 Cameron Mills Rd. The goal of the sale is to promote the preservation of Alexandria’s tree canopy by encouraging the planting of trees on private property throughout the City. Alexandria Tree Stewards and Master Gardeners will be on site to answer questions about tree selection, planting and care. For more information, call Jerry Dieruf, Arborist, at 703.746.5498, or e-mail jerry.dieruf@alexandriava.gov.

Wednesday, October 7 – Grant Workshop Fiscal Year 20010-2011
The Alexandria Commission for the Arts will conduct a grant workshop from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Dr. Oswald D. Durant Center, 1605 Cameron St. The workshop will provide information about the Commission’s annual grant program, which provides funding to non-profit arts organizations for various arts programs, and instructions for the on-line grant application process. All applicants, including past grant recipients, are strongly encouraged to attend one of the grant workshops. For more information, visit www.alexandriacommissionorthearts.org and alexandriava.gov/Arts.

Saturday, October 10 – Civil War Fall Bus Tour
Register now to join the Friends of Fort Ward on their fall bus tour of the Battle of Second Manassas (Bull Run) with military historian Colonel Robert Hudson on day-long guided tour from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Learn how the 1862 battle paved the way for Lee’s invasion of the North. Tour stops include Manassas, Thoroughfare Gap, Brawner’s Farm, Chinn Ridge, and Henry House Hill. Tour fee is $110 for members of the Friends of Fort Ward and $125 for non-members. Meet at Fort Ward 4301 West Braddock Road. Advance registration is required so sign up now by calling 703.838.4848.

Ongoing!

Enhanced Service Hours at the Charles Houston Recreation Center
Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe St.) offers enhanced service hours, Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Participants can use the center’s fitness room, game room, gymnasium and computer lab. Single and multi visit admission passes are available for purchase. For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/recreation, call Sheila Whiting, Center Director, at 703.746.5552, or e-mail sheila.whiting@alexandriva.gov.

City of Alexandria in Search of Holiday Tree
During the holidays, Market Square glistens with the sparkling majesty of a Holiday Tree, made possible only through a generous donation each year. The City of Alexandria is once again in search of a Colorado Blue Spruce, Leyland Cypress or other well-formed evergreen tree, approximately 25 to 35 feet tall, to serve as the City’s official 2008 Holiday Tree. The City will remove the tree from the donor’s property in mid-November and grind the stump at no cost. The tree will be decorated and displayed at Market Square (301 King Street) throughout the holiday season. Persons in the Washington metropolitan area who are interested in donating a tree should contact John Noelle, City Arborist, at 703.746.5496 or e-mail john.noelle@alexandriava.gov.