[Archived] Weekly Event Announcements for the City of Alexandria: January 30 – February 5, 2010

Saturday, January 30 – Archaeology Lecture
Join the Friends of Alexandria Archaeology at a free Java Jolt event at the Alexandria Archaeology Museum, 105 N. Union St., #327. At 10 a.m., Jack Hranicky, author and former chair of the Alexandria Archaeological Commission, will present “The Sandy Hill Adena Cache of Dorchester County, Maryland,” an illustrated lecture exploring a significant artifact collection. Hranicky will discuss his successful efforts to move the Sandy Hill Cache from a private collector to the Maryland Historic Trust. Found in Dorchester County in 1927, the cache includes outstanding examples of the Adena culture. Please call 703.746.4399 or e-mail ruth.reeder@alexandriava.gov to reserve your seat.

Tuesday, February 2 – The Birds and the Bees II: Continuing Conservation
Please join the Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy (ACAP) at 9 a.m. at the Alexandria Health Department (4480 King St., 5th Floor Conference Room) for a free “Birds and the Bees” workshop. The workshop will provide opportunities for practicing skills to provide youth the information they want and need about sex and introducing peer pressure refusal skills. A continental breakfast will be available to all participants. For more information, please contact Kim Hurley at 703.746.5030 or kim.hurley@alexandriava.gov.

Thursday, February 4 – 18th Century Dance Class
In preparation for the Birthnight Ball on February 13, 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 costs $12. Reservations are recommended. For more information, please visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.746.4242.

Thursday, February 4 – New Exhibit Opening Reception
The Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St., welcomes its new exhibition, “Grass Roots: African Origins of an American Art” with a free reception from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Explore the history of coiled basketry in Africa and America with this traveling exhibition from the Museum for African Art. “Grass Roots” will be open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., through Saturday, March 13. Reservations for the reception are requested. For more information, please visit www.alexblackhistory.org or call 703.746.4356.

Coming Soon!

Saturday, February 6 – African American Genealogy Lecture
During Black History Month, discover your own family history with expert techniques for tracing African-American ancestors! Join genealogist Char McCargo Bah at the Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St., for a free lecture at 11 a.m. exploring the use of cemetery, church and death records in family history research. The featured cases are from Char’s research of descendants of people buried at historic Freedmen’s Cemetery in Alexandria. Reservations are requested. For more information, please visit www.alexblackhistory.org or call 703.746.4356.

Saturday, February 6 – Historic Alexandria Museum Gala
Preserve Alexandria’s heritage as you celebrate it at the Historic Alexandria Museum Gala, hosted at the Holiday Inn Old Town, 625 First St., from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Join the Historic Alexandria Resources Commission for an evening of cocktails, dinner, live music and dancing to benefit Alexandria’s museums and historic sites. Show your support by attending the optional pre-gala reception at one of Alexandria’s finest private homes at 5 p.m. Tickets start at $150 and advance reservations are required. Please visit www.historicalexandria.org or call 703.746.4554 for more information.

Saturday, March 13 – Naomi Project Volunteer Training
The Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy invites volunteers who are interested in mentoring Alexandria pregnant teens and new moms to attend an upcoming training with the Naomi Project. The training is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Falls Church Presbyterian Church. The Naomi Project is a free, confidential, interfaith program that matches one volunteer with one pregnant or newly parenting woman in a mentoring friendship that extends through pregnancy and the baby's early development.  If you have 4 hours a month and want to help make a difference in the life of a pregnant woman, then this opportunity is for you! To learn more or to register, contact Laura Greenspan at 703.860.2633 or visit www.naomiproject.org.
 
Ongoing!

30th Annual Salute to Women Awards Banquet
The Alexandria Commission for Women seeks nominations for its 2010 Salute to Women Awards recognizing women leaders who have made outstanding contributions to women and girls living in Alexandria. The deadline to submit nominations is Wednesday, February 17 at 5 p.m.  For more information or to make nominations, please visit www.alexwomen.com.

Nominations for Student Human Rights Awards
The Alexandria Human Rights Commission (AHRC) will award up to three Student Human Rights Awards to recognize high school juniors and seniors, and first-year community college students who have contributed significantly toward improving basic human rights and fairness for all in the City of Alexandria. Recognized students will receive a commemorative plaque and a monetary award. Submissions must be sent or delivered to the Director of the Alexandria Office of Human Rights, 421 King Street, Suite 400, Alexandria, Virginia 22314, by Friday, February 26. The Alexandria City Council created the AHRC in 1975 to advise the City Council on matters related to human rights affecting the City and to oversee the Office of Human Rights. For more information, please contact Jean Kelleher Niebauer, Alexandria Office of Human Rights, at 703.746.3140.

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 April 26 any time between 10:30 a.m. and noon. 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 703.746.4242.

Open Through Saturday, May 31, 2010 – “Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts”
A new exhibition at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St., blends historical photographs, artifacts and reflections to tell the story of Girl Scouting in the Washington metropolitan area. “Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts” features a collection of Girl Scout uniforms from the 1910s, 1930s and 1960s; Brownie items from as early as 1937; a display of cookie fundraising materials; extensive camping and hiking exhibits; and official Girl Scout gear including a canteen, collapsible cup, pocket knife, compass and more. Suggested admission is $2 and the exhibition is open through May 31, 2010. The Lyceum is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sundays, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, please visit www.alexandriahistory.org or call 703.838.4994.