[Archived] Weekly Event Announcements for the City of Alexandria: February 20 – 26, 2010

Saturday, February 20 – Swordsmen’s Rendezvous
En garde!  Experience this unique living history program at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum (134 N. Royal St.) as you learn a skill all 18th-century gentlemen must know – swordplay! The program includes re-enactment of 18th-century swordplay and a display of 18th-century weapons. This popular family event will include some audience participation as you practice your newfound talents. The cost is $6 per person. The program is recommended for first grade and older (adults will have fun too!). Tours are conducted from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and reservations are required. For more information, call 703.746.4242 or visit www.gadsbystavern.org.

Tuesday, February 23 - iMovie Mentors Volunteer Orientation 
The iMovie Mentors Volunteer Orientation will be held on Tuesday, February 23. The iMovie Mentor Program is a mentorship for at-risk, minority and immigrant boys in sixth and seventh grades. The kids are paired up with an adult mentor from Alexandria and the two work over the course of the year shooting and editing a short film based on life around town. For more information, please contact Linda Odell at linda.odell@alexandriava.gov.

Thursday, February 25 – Deadline for 2010 Salute to Women Awards Nominations 
Due to the inclement weather and related closing of Alexandria government offices last week, the deadline to submit nominations for the 30th Annual Salute to Women Awards has been extended until 12 p.m. on Thursday, February 25. For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/Women or contact Angela Johnson at Angela.Johnson@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.5030.

Friday, February 26 – Deadline for Student Human Rights Awards Nominations
The Alexandria Human Rights Commission will award up to three Student Human Rights Awards to recognize high school juniors, 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. For more information, contact Jean Kelleher Niebauer, Alexandria Office of Human Rights, at 703.746.3140.

Coming Soon!

Saturday, February 27 – Little Conductors Day
All aboard! Let your little one be the conductor at a special train event at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St. Children ages 3 through 7 will love visiting train activity stations, including operating Lego trains presented by the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area LEGO Train Club, a train-related craft, a train bean bag toss, Thomas the Tank Engine play table, Lego play area, and a miniature train display. Space is limited so advance reservation and ticket purchase is recommended. Timed admission for the event occurs on the half-hour between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Admission is $5 per child and free for caregivers. For more information, visit www.alexandriahistory.org or call 703.746.4994.

Saturday, February 27 – “Feeding Our Founding Fathers” Lecture
Culinary historian Michael Twitty returns to the Alexandria Black History Museum (902 Wythe St.) to explore the role and work of enslaved African Americans in providing food to founding fathers George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and James Monroe. His illustrated lecture will begin at 11 a.m., and he will examine who the enslaved cooks were, how they were trained, and how they prepared and served food to our nation’s first leaders. Reservations are requested for this free event. Please visit www.alexblackhistory.org or call 703.746.4356 for more information.

Saturday, March 6 – 29th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade
The City of Alexandria will host the Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 6 at 12:30 p.m. The celebration will include many additional activities, including an Antique Car and Dog Show. For more information, visit www.ballyshaners.org.

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 four 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!

Every Monday Through April 26 – 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, March 13 – “Grass Roots” Exhibition
“Grass Roots: African Origins of an American Art” is now open at the Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St. Explore the history of coiled basketry in Africa and America with this traveling exhibition from the Museum for African Art. “Grass Roots” traces the evolution of an ancient art while examining rice-growing societies which, through the trans-Atlantic slave trade, exported their cultures to America. See baskets from the Lowcountry of South Carolina and Georgia as well as from diverse regions of Africa. Suggested admission is $2. The Alexandria Black History Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, please visit www.alexblackhistory.org or call 703.746.4356.

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.