[Archived] Weekly Event Announcements for the City of Alexandria: November 14 - 20, 2009

November 13, 2009

Saturday, November 14 – America Recycles Day & Plastic Bag Recycling Stream Clean Up
From 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., help clean up litter along Holmes Run to reduce the negative environmental impact of plastic bags and other litter in the City of Alexandria. Volunteers should meet at the Beatley Bridge, located at the intersection of N. Pickett St. and Holmes Run Pkwy. For more information or to sign up as a volunteer, e-mail Stacy Herring, Recycling Coordinator, at stacy.herring@alexandriava.gov.

Saturday, November 14 – Chef’s Cooking Demonstration at Alexandria Farmers’ Market
Acclaimed chefs from Alexandria’s finest restaurants will give cooking demonstrations Saturday mornings at the Alexandria Farmers’ Market, located at Market Square, 301 King Street. Local chefs will show you how to prepare a variety of culinary delights and samples will be available for tasting following each demonstration. The cooking demonstrations are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. This week, the demonstration features Jameison Grill-Continental Cuisine. For additional information, call 703.746.5504.

Saturday, November 14 – Book Signing & Authors’ Reception
The public is invited to a book signing and authors’ reception from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Fort Ward Museum, 4301 W. Braddock Road, to celebrate the publication of the new and revised edition of Mr. Lincoln’s Forts:  A Guide to the Civil War Defenses of Washington (Scarecrow Press, 2009) by B. Franklin Cooling III and Walton H. Owen II. The new edition of Mr. Lincoln’s Forts is the long-awaited successor to the first edition published in 1988. Books will be sold at a special reduced rate at this event only. For more information, visit www.fortward.org or call 703.838.4848.

Saturday, November 14 – “Blacks Without Borders” Film Screening
View “Blacks Without Borders: Chasing the American Dream in South Africa” at the Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St., at 4:30 p.m. This groundbreaking documentary takes a heartfelt look at the emotional journey of a group of African Americans who called it quits in the U.S. to start a new life in South Africa. Free screening to be followed by a discussion of the film. For more information, visit www.alexblackhistory.org or call 703.838.4356.

Sunday, November 15 – 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, November 16 –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 open playtime in Gadsby’s historic ballroom 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.

Thursday, November 19 – 18th-Century Dance Lessons
In preparation for the Late Harvest Ball on November 21, learn 18th-century English country dancing from expert dance instructors at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. The class is scheduled from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and cost is $12. Reservations are recommended. For more information, please visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.838.4242.

Coming soon! 

Saturday, November 21 – Behind the Counter Tours
Take time to truly explore Alexandria’s hidden jewel, Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, 105-107 South Fairfax St. Witness the evolution of the Stabler-Leadbeater pharmaceutical business through the museum’s buildings and collection. Examine the objects, archival materials, and the building itself – behind the counter! These exclusive access tours are offered on the third Saturday of the month between 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $25 a person and include a light breakfast. Advance reservations are required. Please call 703.838.4242 for more information.

Saturday, November 21 – Late Harvest Ball
As the harvest season comes to a close, the social season in 18th-century Alexandria begins with the Late Harvest Ball at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. This 1770s-style ball will take place from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., in the historic ballroom where George Washington and other notable Alexandrians danced. The evening will feature a variety of English country dances, live music, seasonal dessert collation and a cash bar. Period costume optional, “after-five” attire encouraged. Cost is $45 in advance, $50 at the door (if tickets are available) and reservations are required. For more information, visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.838.4242.

Friday, November 27 - City of Alexandria’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony 
Kick off the holiday season by making plans to attend the 2009 City of Alexandria’s Tree Lighting Ceremony at 7 p.m. at Market Square, 301 King Street. Admission is free, and the event will be held rain or shine. Entertainment features a message from the Mayor, a visit from Santa, a performance of Santa’s Frosty’s Follies by the Metropolitan Fine Arts Center, and caroling with 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 703.746.5418.

Ongoing!

Donors Needed for Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Holiday Sharing Program
Be part of the holiday spirit and reach out to eligible low income families, foster children, and elderly or disabled citizens through the DHS Holiday Sharing Program. You will get “wish lists” for children or senior citizens, which will include necessary clothing (jeans, warm jacket), a toy or recreational item, a book and perhaps one family request (used computer, towels, pots and pans). Gift cards from stores such as Old Navy, Target, and Best Buy are also needed for teens in foster care. To sign up online, visit alexandriava.gov/HolidaySharing. For more information, e-mail holidaysharing@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.5663.

Open through Saturday, January 9, 2010 – Spirits in a Bottle Exhibition
Artist Barbara Hardaway decorated more than a hundred Arizona Tea bottles for this exhibition of decorative expressions of an ancient African tradition. This whimsical show at the Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St., pays homage to the 9th- and 10th-century Congolese tradition of adorning the ends of tree branches with colorful bottles that would catch the sunlight. Hardaway updated this ritual by festooning her bottles with feathers, fabric, beads, netting, ribbons and seashells. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Suggested admission is $2. For more information, please visit www.alexblackhistory.org or call 703.838.4356.