[Archived] Weekly Event Announcements for the City of Alexandria: April 3 - 9, 2010

Saturday, April 3 – Easter Tea
Come to Gadsby’s Tavern Museum (134 N. Royal St.) in your Easter finery to enjoy tasting a variety of herbal teas and sweet treats, with seating at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Costumed interpreters will serve tea and provide tours of the museum, and everyone will receive a treat to take home. This 18th-century tea includes the museum's special blend of tea, pound cake, dried fruit, and assortment of cookies. The cost is $25 per person. For more information, please visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.746.4242.

Thursday, April 8 – 18th Century Dance Class
In preparation for the Grand Ball on April 17, learn 18th-century English country dancing from an expert dance instructor at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. Class is 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.

Friday, April 9 – DEADLINE EXTENDED! Nominations Due for Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award
The City of Alexandria, the Alexandria Sanitation Authority, and the Environmental Policy Commission announce the City's second annual award program to formally recognize outstanding residents who have demonstrated their commitment to protecting the natural environment and promoting environmental sustainability. Nomination criteria and guidelines are available at www.alexearthday.org. Nominations should be submitted to the Office of Environmental Quality, 301 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314 by Friday, April 9. The award will be presented at Alexandria Earth Day on April 24 at Ben Brenman Park.  

Coming Soon!

Saturday, April 10 - Potomac River Watershed Cleanup 
Do you want to do something for Earth Day this year?  You can volunteer to participate in the Alice Ferguson Foundation’s 22nd Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup and the City of Alexandria’s Plastic Bag Initiative, alexandriava.gov/PlasticBags Four Mile Run Stream Clean Up on April 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 (noon).  The Stream Cleanup will be taking place at three locations on Four Mile Run: 3700 Commonwealth Avenue, Mt. Vernon Avenue, and 801 Four Mile Rd . For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/environment. To RSVP, e-mail Jesse.Maines@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.4071.

Saturday, April 10 - 16th Annual Homeownership Fair
The Office of Housing will host the 16th Annual Homeownership Fair on Saturday, April 10, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at George Washington Middle School, 1005 Mount Vernon Ave. The Fair provides an opportunity for first-time homebuyers to learn about the home buying process, affordable financing opportunities, and ways to overcome barriers to homeownership. For more information, visit alexandriava.gov/Housing.

Saturday, April 10 - Alexandria Invitational Cheerleading Competition
The Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities is hosting an Invitational Cheerleading Competition at 11 a.m. at T.C. Williams High School, 3330 King St. This year’s event includes teams from around the metro DC area to expand the competition with talent throughout the region.  For additional information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/recreation.

Saturday, April 17 – 10-Year Anniversary of Beatley Central Library
The public is invited to Beatley Central Library to enjoy the official celebration of the 10-year anniversary of Beatley Library. The 60,200 square foot library opened in the winter of 2000 and was named for Charles E. Beatley, Jr., Mayor of Alexandria from 1967 to 1976 and 1979 to 1985. Many activities are planned throughout the day for the anniversary celebration and National Library Week. Visit www.alexandria.lib.va.us for details.

Ongoing!

Entries Wanted for Alexandria Health Department's Public Health Week Photo Contest
Public health isn't only about your local health department—it’s also about public safety, community outreach, law enforcement, immunizations, and so many other things. Public health is everywhere – show us how public health impacts your life by submitting a photo of “public health in action” in the City of Alexandria. The Alexandria Health Department is sponsoring a photo contest to celebrate National Public Health Week, April 5-11. Please submit your photos (in JPEG format only), along with your name and photo title to publichealthphoto@gmail.com. All photos must be submitted by midnight on Sunday, April 11. For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/Health.

3rd Annual Earth Day Tree Sale - Reserve Your Tree Today
The City of Alexandria’s Urban Forestry Steering Committee (UFSC) and the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities will hold a tree sale on Saturday, April 24, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. during the City’s Annual Earth day Program at Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Dr. 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. Residents can reserve trees for purchase in advance through April 21. No deposit is necessary. To reserve a tree, call Jerry Dieruf, Arborist, at 703.746.5498 or e-mail jerry.dieruf@alexandriava.gov.

Early Morning Fitness at Charles Houston
The Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities provides early morning fitness and recreation opportunities, Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe St. Participants have access to 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 alexandriava.gov/recreation, call 703.746.5552 or e-mail sheila.whiting@alexandriava.gov.

Every Tuesday - Women’s Domestic Violence Support Group
Women who are residents of the City of Alexandria and are survivors of domestic violence or currently involved in an abusive relationship are invited to a support group on Tuesdays from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Childcare is provided. The group will help you understand the impact of violence on your relationship and provide you with tools to keep you safe and empowered. For more information, call 703.838.4911.

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 on 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.

Nominations for John Duty Collins III Outstanding Advocate for Persons with Disabilities Award and Gerry Bertier Scholarship
The Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities is seeking nominations for two annual awards that honor local residents. The John Duty Collins III Outstanding Advocate for Persons with Disabilities Award recognizes an individual who has advocated for persons with disabilities.  The Gerry Bertier Scholarship awards up to a $1,000 merit based scholarship to a City of Alexandria resident with a disability or to a student at a school located in the City of Alexandria who seeks post-secondary education. Forms must be submitted by April 30, and are available by contacting Mike Hatfield at mike.hatfield@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3148 (711 TTY).

Open through Saturday, May 31 – “Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts” Exhibition
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, and extensive camping and hiking exhibits highlighted by a tent and official Girl Scout gear including a canteen, collapsible cup, pocket knife, compass, and more. Suggested admission is $2. The Lyceum, Alexandria’s History Museum, 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 703.746.4994.