[Archived] Weekly Event Announcements for the City of Alexandria: May 29 – June 4, 2010

Monday, May 31 – 33rd Annual City of Alexandria Memorial Day Jazz Festival
The 33rd Annual Memorial Day Jazz Festival will take place at Fort Ward Park, 4301 W. Braddock Rd., from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. The park features amphitheater and grass seating. Attendees can bring lawn chairs and blankets. Food will be available for purchase, picnic baskets are welcome, and grills are available in the park at the picnic sites. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/12678.

Monday, May 31 – Friends of Captain Rocky Versace Memorial Day Ceremony
The "Friends of Captain Rocky Versace" invite the public to the 8th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony at the Captain Rocky Versace Plaza and Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial at 11 a.m. at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Ave. The event will honor the 67 Alexandrians who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War.

Tuesday, June 1 – Alexandria Domestic Violence Program Volunteer Training
The Alexandria Domestic Violence Program (DVP) will begin volunteer training on June 1. As a program that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, volunteers play a key role in providing services to those affected by domestic violence. For more information, contact Jen Clayton at 703.838.4911 or e-mail jen.clayton@alexandriava.gov.

Coming Soon!

Saturday, June 5 – Historic Alexandria Museum Gala
Preserve Alexandria’s heritage as you celebrate it at the Historic Alexandria Museum Gala, at the Holiday Inn Old Town, 625 First St. Join the Historic Alexandria Resources Commission for an evening of cocktails, dinner, live music and dancing, from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., to benefit Alexandria’s museums and historic sites. This year’s Gala will honor American Legion Post 24 for its preservation work. 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.

Thursday, June 10 through Sunday, June 13 – Alexandria Archaeology Institute
Do you watch the History Channel and imagine yourself excavating a real historic site? Well, here’s your chance to grab a trowel and dig in! Join Alexandria archaeologists for a unique opportunity to excavate the Shuter’s Hill site on the grounds of the George Washington Masonic Memorial (101 Callahan Dr.) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gain hands-on experience in site-excavation methods and record keeping. Learn how to use a transit, process and catalog artifacts in the laboratory, and interpret new discoveries. Advance registration is required. For more information, visit www.alexandriaarchaeology.org or call 703.746.4399.

Ongoing!

H1N1 Flu Response Survey
How well did you think the City responded to the H1N1 flu? Let us know! The Alexandria Health Department has designed a brief survey to collect feedback on Alexandria's response to H1N1 flu. Answering these questions will help the City better respond to future public health emergencies and improve the health of Alexandrians. Fill it out online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/V2K6PTS.

All Alexandria Reads 
During the month of May, Alexandria Library invites the community to read The Geography of Bliss: One Grump’s Search for the Happiest Places in the World by Eric Weiner. Join Weiner in his search to discover what makes people happy. This coming week, All Alexandria Reads will host a free chocolate sampling, a meditation class, and a world musical showcase. Visit www.alexandria.lib.va.us for a complete list of locations, dates, and times for all events.

West End Farmers’ Market 
The West End Farmers’ Market is open to the public on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through November 21 at Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Drive. This outdoor market is one of a kind in the City’s west end, featuring colorful displays of fresh, locally grown, in-season vegetables and fruits, gourmet coffee, fresh squeezed orange juice, and fresh baked pastries. For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/farmersmarket.

Upper King Street Fresh Farmers’ Market 
The Upper King Street Fresh Farmers’ Market, located at King Street Gardens Park, 1806 King St., is just a few steps from the King Street Metro Station. Offering area residents and commuters the opportunity to shop for fresh, locally grown produce, meat, dairy and bakery items, the market is open Wednesdays through October 27 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. For additional information, visit www.upperkingstreet.org 

Through Sunday, June 27 – “Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts” Exhibition
This exhibition has been extended at The Lyceum (201 S. Washington St.)! It blends historical photographs, artifacts and reflections to tell the story of Girl Scouting in the Washington metropolitan area. The exhibition 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. Suggested admission is $2. 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, visit www.alexandriahistory.org or call 703.746.4994.

Monday, June 28 through Friday, July 2 – Civil War Kids’ Camp
Fort Ward Museum still has a few slots available for its annual Civil War Kids’ Camp, a week of learning and fun for boys and girls ages 8 to 12. Participants explore the lives of Civil War soldiers and civilians with marching, drilling, re-enactor guest appearances, games, crafts and other activities from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Fort Ward (4301 W. Braddock Rd.) Registration, including souvenirs and healthy snacks, costs $200 per child, and there is limited scholarship assistance based on financial need. For more information or to sign up, please contact Fort Ward Museum at 703.746.4848 or visit www.fortward.org.