[Archived] Weekly Event Announcements for the City of Alexandria: April 17 - 23, 2010

Saturday, April 17 – Plastic Bag Recycling Exchange
Participate in the Plastic Bag Recycling Initiative - Plastic Bag Exchange by turning in your plastic bags and film for a free reusable bag at the Del Ray Farmers Market, located at Mt. Vernon Ave and E. Oxford Ave. Bring your bags between 9 a.m. and noon. For more information visit www.alexandriava.gov/PlasticBags.

Saturday, April 17 – 10-Year Anniversary of Beatley Central Library
Enjoy the official celebration of the 10-year anniversary of Beatley Library, beginning at 9 a.m. and continuing throughout the day. 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, including author talk with Kirstin Downey (author of The Woman Behind the New Deal) and Fun and Games with Jordan the Jack Russell (as seen on Late Night with David Letterman). Visit www.alexandria.lib.va.us for more information.

Saturday, April 17 - Spring Clean-Up Area II
Spring Clean-Up for Area II is scheduled on April 17, and residents who receive the City’s trash collection services are eligible to participate. Materials should be set out no later than 7 a.m.  For more information visit www.alexandriava.gov/SolidWaste.

Saturday, April 17 – Grand Ball
Held in the historic ballroom of Gadsby’s Tavern, this springtime ball will be presented in the 1780s.  Enjoy live music, dessert collation, cash bar, and “gaming,” from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Gadsby’s Museum, 134 North Royal Street. Period costume is optional, “after-five” attire encouraged. Cost is $45 in advance and $50 at the door, if tickets are available. Reservations are required so please call 703.746.4242 or visit www.gadsbystavern.org.

Wednesday, April 21 – George Washington Lecture
Join Dr. Peter Henriques, Professor Emeritus of History from George Mason University, as he presents “Washington’s Last Lecture: I Am Not Afraid,” at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 North Royal Street. Washington was always “on stage” and he knew that his example would be important. The manner in which he prepared for and faced his “final debt of nature” tells us much about the man and his philosophy, and can provide inspiration as we consider the best way to live and die. Tickets are $12 per person or $10 for GTMS and GTM volunteers. Doors open at 7 p.m., lecture begins at 7:30 p.m. For more information, please visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.746.4242.

Wednesday, April 21 – Deadline to Reserve Trees at Annual Earth Day Tree Sale 
A tree sale will take place on Saturday, April 24, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. during the City’s Annual Earth Day Celebration. Residents can reserve trees for purchase in advance through April 21. The tree sale promotes the preservation of Alexandria’s tree canopy by encouraging the planting of trees on private property throughout the City. No deposit is necessary. To reserve a tree, call Jerry Dieruf at 703.746.5498 or e-mail jerry.dieruf@alexandriava.gov.

Wednesday, April 21 – Seventh Annual Beat the Odds Award Presentation and Reception
Attend the Seventh Annual Beat the Odds awards presentation and reception at 6 p.m. at the Alexandria Courthouse (520 King St, 4th Floor). Beat the Odds is modeled after a Children's Defense Fund program and assists young people who have quite literally beaten the odds and are both excelling personally and contributing to the Alexandria community. For more information, contact Jean Kelleher Niebauer at 703.746.3140.

Coming Soon!

Saturday, April 24 – Annual Earth Day Celebration
Come to the 17th Annual Alexandria Earth Day and Arbor Day celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Dr. This year’s theme is "Teach (Green), Learn (Green), Live (Green)” and is based on the need to promote education and lead us all to a green and sustainable future, in keeping with the goals of the Eco-City Alexandria Initiative. This is a zero-waste and carbon neutral free event! For more information, visit www.alexearthday.org.

Saturday, April 24 – Her Story: Women in Action for Brownies
Celebrate women and learn about issues important to women and girls in your community at this special event for Brownie Girls Scouts at The Lyceum, 201 South Washington Street. In two afternoon sessions, Brownies will participate in hands-on activities as they learn about programs helping women today and talk with a panel of Girl Scouts and discover how scouting empowered them. Advance registration is required and cost is $6 per girl. Sessions run from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, please visit www.alexandriahistory.org or call 703.746.4994.

Saturday, April 24 – Duncan Library Book Sale Blast & Kid Fun Fest 
Thousands of books, CDs, DVDs and more will be sold at Duncan Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave. from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will also be performances and activities for the kids, such as singing, dancing, face painting, and interactive storytelling! Call 703.838.4566 for more information.

Sunday, April 25 – Rabies Vaccination Clinic
The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) will host a rabies vaccination clinic at the shelter (4101 Eisenhower Ave) from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. A veterinarian will vaccinate any pets needing either a one- or three-year rabies vaccination. Rabies vaccinations cost $10, payable by cash or check only. Appointments are not necessary. Please make sure that all dogs are on leash and cats are in a carrier. Call 703.838.4774 ext. 225 for more information.

Thursday, April 29 through Saturday, May 1 – Spring for Alexandria
Celebrate giving and service by registering for Spring for Alexandria events today! Purchase your ticket to the Generations of Giving gala and the Business Philanthropy Summit, sign up online as a volunteer on community service projects, and more! Advance registration required for some events. Visit www.springforalexandria.org for details.

Sunday, May 2 - Opening of the West End Farmers Market
The West End Farmers Market will officially open at 9 a.m. on Sunday, May 2, at Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Dr. This year, the West End Farmers Market is open to the public on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., from May 2 through November 21. This outdoor market is one of a kind in the City’s west end. Multiple vendors lay out colorful displays of fresh, locally grown, in-season vegetables and fruits.  For more information, call 703.746.4343.

Saturday, May 8 -  Build Your Own Rain Barrel Workshop
Interested in saving the environment, living “green” and protecting the Chesapeake Bay? The City of Alexandria, in partnership with local jurisdictions invites residents to attend a “Build Your Own Rain Barrel” workshop from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at James K. Polk Elementary School, 5000 James Polk Ave.  For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/Environment or to register for the event visit: www.arlingtonenvironment.org. 

Saturday, May 8 – A “Splendid Fabulous Affair”
Don’t miss the “Splendid Fabulous Affair,” the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria’s 24th annual gala dinner-dance and auction that helps make college a reality for hundreds of T.C. Williams graduates.  The gala, Saturday, May 8 at the Hilton Mark Center Alexandria; 5000 Seminary Rd, is where Alexandria comes together to celebrate the generosity of this community, which privately funds nearly $700,000 in scholarships annually.  The evening will also honor the achievements of past scholarship recipients and raise contributions to benefit future grads of T.C. Williams. Visit www.AlexScholarshipFund.org/gala.php to learn more.

Ongoing!

Prince Michel Winery and the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) Team Up
For every $5 wine tasting enjoyed at the Prince Michel Tasting Room (1309 King Street), $1 will be donated to the AWLA. Whether you love pets or wine, this is a wonderful way to sample Prince Michel’s award-winning wines! The tasting room is open Sunday through Wednesday from noon until 6 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday, noon until 8 p.m. This benefit continues throughout the month of April, so bring some friends, have a glass and help our homeless animals!

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. For more information, please visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.746.4242.

All Alexandria Reads
Alexandria Library system invites the community to read the humorous travelogue The Geography of Bliss: One Grump’s Search for the Happiest Places in the World by Eric Weiner.  Join Weiner as he explores places such as Qatar, Switzerland, Bhutan, Thailand, and Holland, in his search to discover what makes people happy. All Alexandria Reads is made possible through a generous grant from the James M. Duncan, Jr. Library Foundation, Inc. and the support of many local companies including Bombay Café, Fannon Fine Printing, Fresh Tulips USA, and the Whistle Stop. Log on to the Alexandria Library’s webpage (www.alexandria.lib.va.us) for a complete list of all the events scheduled for All Alexandria Reads 2010 or visit one of the four Alexandria Library branches.

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).