[Archived] Weekly Event Announcements: September 25 – October 1, 2010

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.

Saturday, September 25 – Museum Day
Four Historic Alexandria museums are participating in the Smithsonian’s sixth annual Museum Day! Between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., Gadsby’s Tavern Museum (134 N. Royal St), Alexandria Archaeology Museum (105 N. Union St., #327), the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum (105-107 S. Fairfax St.) and The Lyceum, Alexandria’s History Museum (201 S. Washington St.) will be offering free admission to anyone presenting a Museum Day Ticket. The Museum Day Ticket is available to download at www.smithsonian.com/museumday. Visitors who present the official pass will gain free admission for two people to participating museums and cultural venues. For more information, call 703.746.4242 or visit www.historicalexandria.org.

Sunday, September 26 – Olde Towne Dogge Walke
Walk a hound, and lose a pound at this year’s Old Towne Dogge Walke! The course takes in many of Old Town’s famous sights, with a start and finish at Market Square on King Street. This year’s event includes 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.

Monday, September 27 – 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.

Wednesday, September 29 – Charles Houston “Krunch Bunch” Senior Center Anniversary
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 – Tracey “Unstoppable” Fells and Tony “Da Beast” Suggs Speak on Overcoming Addiction
In recognition of National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, Tony “Da Beast” Suggs and Tracey “Unstoppable” Fells, T.C. Williams graduates, will speak about how their athletic careers were derailed by drugs. Suggs was on his way to boxing on the Olympic Team until he faced charges for drug use. Fells was a football star, an all-state performer and also a drug dealer. Both will speak about how they recovered their lives after drugs and prison time shattered their dreams. This free event will be held 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.

Coming Soon

Saturday, October 2 – Art on the Avenue
The 15th annual Art on the Avenue festival will take from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mount Vernon Avenue in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria. The event is free and open to all. The multicultural arts and music festival features more than 350 local arts and crafts vendors selling their original works, delicious international food for purchase, and three stages with live music. Free children's craft activities and entertainment, artists' demonstrations and a pie-baking contest complete the day's program. For more information, visit www.artontheavenue.org.

Saturday, October 2 – Apothecary Open House
In recognition of October’s designation as National Pharmacy Month, the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum (105-107 S. Fairfax St.) will host a free open house from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors are welcome to explore the Apothecary and its collection featuring a special exhibition of curious objects rarely displayed. Participate in Curator Talks, experience the wonders of “modern” science as presented by re-enactors, and talk with a pharmacy professor and discover how far the modern pharmacy has come since the Apothecary Shop closed its doors. For more information, visit www.apothecarymuseum.org or call 703.746.3852.

Saturday, October 2 – Archaeology Scavenger Hunt
Kick off Virginia Archaeology Month at this family-friendly scavenger hunt between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. at the Alexandria Archaeology Museum (105 N. Union St., #327). The hints to this free scavenger hunt for kids are found in the museum’s exhibits of excavated artifacts, which include a very interesting pet dog burial. For more information, visit www.alexandriaarchaeology.org or call 703.746.4399.

POSTPONED: Saturday, October 9 – SOAR SPA Day of Exploration & Celebration 
The SOAR SPA retreat for survivors of sexual assault and their families, which had been scheduled for October 9, has been postponed until spring. SOAR SPA (Speaking Out About Rape – Something Positive Afterward) is designed to enhance the healing process by rejuvenating the spirit and fostering supportive relationships and bonds.  The event was being hosted by the Sexual Assault Response and Awareness Program. For more information, contact Jen McLish at 703.746.5030. 

Now Registering

Thursday, October 21 to 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.

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.