[Archived] Weekly Event Announcements: September 18 – 24, 2010

Saturday, September 18 – African-American Genealogy Workshop
Noted historian and genealogist Char McCargo Bah will conduct a workshop and illustrated lecture at the Alexandria Black History Museum (902 Wythe St.) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. She will show how she successfully traced descendants of people buried at Freedmen’s Cemetery and explore the use of church records and civic group networks in family history research. This event is $5, and advance registration is required. To register, call 703.746.4356, or for more information, please visit www.alexblackhistory.org.

Sunday, September 19 – Talk Like a Pirate Day
Aye thar, matey! Historic Alexandria is teaming up with Old Town businesses to celebrate Alexandria’s waterfront heritage during Talk Like a Pirate Day. Kids can download a treasure map and explore Alexandria’s seafaring past, while collecting lots of pirate booty along the way! This free event runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and is ideal for families with children 8 and younger. From noon to 6 p.m., all shoppers can also take advantage of a bounty of savings at the History Center and Museum Store, with 10% off all pirate merchandise! For more information, call 703.746.4760, visit www.historicalexandria.org or www.potomacriverboatco.com/pdf/Pirate-Map.pdf.

Monday, September 20 – 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 each Monday, excluding Federal holidays, through November 15, any time between 10:30 a.m. and noon. Crafts change weekly! 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, visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.746.4242.

Monday, September 20 - Commission for the Arts Hosts Grants Program Workshops
The Alexandria Commission for the Arts will conduct two grant workshops on Monday, September 20 and Wednesday, October 6 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Durant Arts Center, 1605 Cameron St. The workshops will provide information about the Commission’s annual grant program, which provides funding to non-profit arts organizations for various arts programs, and instructions for the online application process. All applicants, including past grant recipients, are encouraged to attend one of the grant workshops. For more information on the grants program, contact Cheryl Anne Colton at 703.746.5565.

Wednesday, September 22 - Pledge to Un-Car for a Day! 
Take part in a worldwide movement and celebrate sustainable transportation on Car Free Day, Wednesday September 22. Go Car Free or Car-Lite and make a difference for a day by bicycling, walking, teleworking, carpooling, vanpooling or taking transit. Pledge today and you’re automatically entered into a raffle for cool prizes! You can still pledge even if you’re already car free. For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/localmotion.

Wednesday, September 22 – Helicopter Community Forum
Have you ever heard helicopters flying overhead and wondered what’s going on? Want to know who is flying helicopters and why? Come to a public forum and find out the answers to these questions, and more! The forum will be held at the Arlington County Board Room, 2100 Clarendon Blvd., Room 300. For more information, visit www.mwcog.org.

Friday, September 24 & Saturday September 25 – Alexandria Forum
Explore “Coveting, Curating and Collections: The Art of the Public and Personal Museum” at the 52nd Annual Alexandria Forum on decorative arts. On Friday, enjoy guest speaker Peter J. Gomes of Harvard University and a banquet at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum (134 N. Royal St.) from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Then on Saturday, attend a series of lectures at The Lyceum (201 S. Washington St.) from 9 a.m. to noon, followed by an afternoon of workshops on collecting antiques, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., at Lloyd House (220 N. Washington St.). Advance registration is required. For more information, visit www.historicalexandria.org or call 703.746.4554.

Coming Soon

Saturday, September 25 – Paws in the Park
Have fun with Fido and friends at the fourth annual “Paws in the Park,” from 11 a.m to 1 p.m. in Montgomery Park on the corner of North Royal and Montgomery Street. The “Paws” is a dog friendly, family friendly event with K-9 games, DOGA, Pumpkin Painting, Costume Parades and more. Proceeds will benefit the Montgomery Dog Park Improvement Fund, the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, and the K-9 Unit. A donation of $15 is suggested. For more information, visit www.oldtownnorth.org or call 703.836.8066.

Sunday, September 26 – Olde Towne Dogge Walke
Alexandria is home to many dog lovers, and there is plenty of fun in store for dogs and their owners at the Old Towne Dogge Walke! This year’s course takes in many of Old Town’s famous sights, with a start and finish at Market Square on King Street. The event will also include another fitness-minded friend: the Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria. All proceeds from the walk benefit the furry, finned and feathered residents of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. Register for the event and get more information at alexandriaanimals.org.

Wednesday, September 29 – Charles Houston “Krunch Bunch” Senior Center
The Charles Houston “Krunch Bunch” Senior Center invites you to celebrate the Center’s 38th Anniversary at 11 a.m. at the Charles Houston Community Center, Multipurpose Room, 901 Wythe St. To reserve lunch, please R.S.V.P. to Vanessa Green no later that Monday, September 27, at 703.746.5456 or e-mail vanessa.greene@alexandriava.gov. Suggested meal donation for guests under age 60 is $5.82.

Thursday, September 30 – Alcohol and Drug Recovery Awareness Event
Hear from former athletic stars and T.C. Williams graduates Tony "Da Beast" Suggs and Tracey "Unstoppable" Fells, who will speak about how they recovered their lives after drugs and prison time shattered their dreams. Learn how recovery is possible at this special alcohol and drug recovery awareness event from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at George Washington Middle School, 1005 Mt. Vernon Ave. For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/mhmrsa.   

Now Registering

Saturday, October 2 – “Grapes of Wrath” Civil War & Vineyard Bus Tour
Explore Civil War sites while you sample the best of Virginia’s vineyards on the Friends of Fort Ward “The Grapes of Wrath” fall bus tour! This tour will focus on two key events from Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan’s 1864 Shendandoah Valley Campaign. The tour will visit sites related to the Battle of Third Winchester (Opequon Creek) and the Battle of Cedar Creek. Participants will enjoy popular tour leader Col. Robert Hudson's historical discussion, which will be combined with tastings at two local wineries. The registration fee is $140 before September 18, and $160 after that date. The bus will depart Fort Ward Museum parking lot, 4301 West Braddock Road, at 7:30 a.m. and return at approximately 5:30 p.m. For more information or to register, please contact Fort Ward at 703.746.4848.

Thursday, October 21 through Sunday, October 24 – 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

Take the Local Motion Survey 
The City of Alexandria’s Local Motion program is currently conducting an online survey about transportation issues and services in the City. The results of the survey will be used to identify residents' and employees' travel needs and to develop new travel services. The survey will take about several minutes to complete and your answers will be completely confidential. Complete the survey and enter for a chance to win a $50 Best Buy gift card or a $50 SmartTrip transit card.

Alexandria Mentoring Partnership Seeks New Volunteers
The Alexandria Mentoring Partnership is looking for mentors for Alexandria’s children this school year—there is a shortage of 100 mentors right now! Won’t you consider helping? Mentoring is proven to keep kids in school, avoid trouble and expand their horizons. Please consider donating one to two hours a week during this school year.  Call Loralei Coyle at 703.746.4506 or Loralei.coyle@alexandriava.gov.

Out of School Time Program
The Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities is now accepting registrations for the 2010-2011 school year Out of School Time Programs. Program hours begin when school is dismissed until 6 p.m. Out of School Time Programs include the Power–On Program for elementary students from 5 (registered in Kindergarten) to 12 years of age, and the Power-Up Program is for middle school students in grades 6, 7, and 8. For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/recreation.

Assist in the Restoration of the City’s Tree Canopy
The City of Alexandria experienced the loss of hundreds of trees and extensive damage throughout the City as a result of winter snow and summer thunderstorms in 2010. Residents who want to help replenish the City’s tree canopy have a variety of options available. For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/recreation.

City of Alexandria Farmers’ Markets 
The City of Alexandria is host to a variety of farmers’ markets, including the Old Town Farmers’ Market and Del Ray Farmers’ Market on Saturday; the West End Farmers’ Market and Four Mile Run Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market on Sunday; and the Upper King Street Fresh Farmers’ Market on Wednesday. Markets feature colorful displays of fresh, locally grown, in-season vegetables and fruits, gourmet coffee, fresh squeezed orange juice, meat, bakery items and artisans. For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/farmersmarket.