[Archived] Weekly Event Announcements for the City of Alexandria: March 6 – March 12, 2010

Saturday, March 6 – 29th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade
The City of Alexandria will host the Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade beginning 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.

Sunday, March 7 – Ten Thousand Villages Celebrates Women Shopping Event 
In honor of International Women’s Day, Ten Thousand Villages, located at 915 King Street in Old Town Alexandria, will donate 10 percent of the day’s sales from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. to the Alexandria Office on Women’s Domestic Violence Program. Please plan to stop by, and bring your friends! For more information, visit www.alexwomen.com.

Monday, March 8 – ‘Turn the Page’ Community Reading Event Special Presentation
“Turn the Page” will conclude its community reading event with a special presentation by Co-Author Ashley Merryman at 7:30 p.m. at T.C. Williams High School, 3330 King St. Merryman will discuss her book “NurtureShock: New Thinking about Children” and will be available to sign copies of it after the program. The event is free and does not require reservations. For more information, call 703.824.6635.

Tuesday, March 9 – iMovie Mentors Volunteer Orientation 
The iMovie Mentors Volunteer Orientation will be held at George Washington Middle School, 1005 Mount Vernon Ave., from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The iMovie Mentor Program is a mentorship for at-risk, minority and immigrant boys in sixth and seventh grades. Each child is paired up with an adult mentor from Alexandria and they work together over the course of the year shooting and editing a short film based on life around town. For more information, contact Linda Odell at linda.odell@alexandriava.gov.

Coming Soon!

Saturday, March 13 – 8th Annual March Madness Festival at Burke Branch Library
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library will be holding their 8th annual March Madness Festival from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 4701 Seminary Rd. The event will include book readings, face painting, a balloon show, folk dancing and more! For more information, call 703.519.6000.

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. To learn more or to register, contact Laura Greenspan at 703.860.2633 or visit www.naomiproject.org.

Saturday, March 13 – Recruiting Day
Ever thought about donning a wool uniform or putting on a hoop skirt? Interested in portraying the lives of persons who experienced the Civil War? Find out about this fun hobby at “Recruiting Day” at Fort Ward Museum (4301 W. Braddock Rd.) and get a chance to explore Civil War reenacting. From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., soldiers and civilians of the 3rd U.S. Regular Infantry will be on hand to talk about a soldier’s uniform and equipment, demonstrate drills, and explain the roles of military and civilian re-enactors. Visitors can also inquire about how to join local reenactment units and learn what kind of clothing and equipment a novice re-enactor requires. Fun for men, women and kids! For more information, please visit www.fortward.org or call 703.746.4848.

Saturday, March 13 – African American Storytelling
Master storyteller Baba Jamal Koram presents two free programs at the Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St.  At 11 a.m., explore the Gullah culture through traditional stories with “African Stories in De Americas: The Gullah People.” These exciting stories are fun for the whole family! Then at 1 p.m., learn how to give your stories dramatic impact and cultural flavor with “Black Storytelling 101.” During this workshop, Koram will outline the characteristics, philosophy and practice of the black storytelling concept and share the art of telling a spellbinding story. Reservations are requested and can be made by calling 703.746.4356. For more information, please visit www.alexblackhistory.org.
 
Ongoing!

Ongoing through Sunday, March 7 – 2nd Annual 'Turn the Page' Community Reading Event
Parents, teachers and community members from across the city are invited to participate in the 2nd Annual “Turn the Page” event by reading “NurtureShock: New Thinking about Children” by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman. Book discussion groups, open to all, are scheduled at venues throughout the city through March 7. Visit www.acps.k12.va.us/ptac/read for an up-to-date schedule and additional information. For more information, call 703.824.6635.

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.

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, 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.