[Archived] Weekly Event Announcements for the City of Alexandria: October 16– 22, 2010

Saturday, October 16 –Family Fall Festival
Alexandria’s Family Fall Festival is scheduled for Saturday, October 16, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Armistead L. Boothe Park, 520 Cameron Station Blvd. The event will be held rain or shine. Entertainment features Beale Street Puppet Theatre and the sounds of solo acoustic performer Banjer Dan playing banjo, guitar, mandolin and dobro. Family friendly activities include exhibits from the Jerome "Buddie" Ford Nature Center and the Alexandria Fire Department; face painting, pumpkin painting, hay rides, a visit from Robbie the Recycling Squirrel and more. For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/recreation.

Saturday, October 16 – Wonders of Science
Investigate the wonders of 18th century science at the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, (105-107 S. Fairfax St.) from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. See demonstrations by Project Enlightenment, McLean High School’s historical reenactment society, as they conduct scientific demonstrations, which are certain to expand visitors’ knowledge about science in the 1700s. Project Enlightenment will also explore Thomas Jefferson, Man of Science! Tour the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary, a family-run business for over 100 years, and be awed by a large variety of curious objects, from poison bottles to dragon’s blood. Tours last approximately one hour and admission is $6 per person. For more information, visit www.apothecarymuseum.org or call 703.746.3852.

Saturday, October 16 – Family History Workshop CANCELED
This weekend’s family history workshop at The Lyceum has been canceled. “Saving Your Stories for Seven Generations: A Family History Workshop” was to be held on Saturday, October 16, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at The Lyceum, 201 South Washington St. Organizers hope to reschedule, but a new date has not been set. For more information, visit www.alexandriahistory.org or call 703.746.4994.
 
Monday, October 18 – Confident Cycling Classes
Interested in commuting to work by bike, or perhaps just bicycling around town safely? Join the City of Alexandria and the Washington Area Bicycle Association (WABA) for a free Confident City Cycling class in Alexandria on Monday, October 18 at the Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe St. This class is open to all, and is designed to provide cyclists with the skills they need to ride on city streets for errands, commuting, and fun.  For more information, visit: www.alexandriava.gov/localmotion.

Monday, October 18 – 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 Mondays, 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, please visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.746.4242.

Wednesday, October 20 – John Yagerline Lecture Series: Federal Washington
At Gadsby’s Tavern Museum (134 N. Royal St.), Scott Berg presents “The City as a Work of Art: Intended and Unintended Meanings in L’Enfant’s Plan for Washington, D.C.” as part of the John Yagerline Lecture Series. This season’s series explores the early planning of the Federal City. Doors open at 7 p.m., and lecture begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 per person and advance reservations are recommended. For more information, visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.746.4242.

Thursday, October 21 – Transit Corridor Work Group Meeting
The City of Alexandria invites the public to attend the High Capacity Transit Corridor Work Group meeting on Thursday, October 21 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., in the Sister Cities Conference Room at City Hall. The meeting will focus on the Transitway Corridor Feasibility Study.  For more information contact Steve Sindiong, Transportation Planner at 703.746.4047, or visit www.alexandriava.gov/HighCapacityTransit 

Thursday, October 21 – Masquerade Ball Dance Lessons
In preparation for the Masquerade Ball on Saturday, October 23, learn 18th-century English country dancing from expert dance instructors at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum (134 N. Royal St.) from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Lesson is $12 or $30 for the series of three. Reservations recommended. For more information, visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.746.4242.

Coming Soon

Saturday, October 23 – Project Sticker Shock Kickoff
The Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria's Sticker Shock campaign will kick-off with a press conference at 720 N. Saint Asaph St. at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 23.  Speakers will include: Alexandria Mayor William D. Euille, Deputy Alexandria Police Chief Hassan Aden, Alexandria Chamber of Commerce President Tina Leone, and T.C. Williams students Charlotte Clinger and Nancy Martinez. Teams of youth and adults will join forces in Alexandria to carry out Project Sticker Shock. During the campaign, the teams will visit Alexandria stores to place stickers on multi-packs of beer, wine coolers and other alcoholic products highlighting the penalties for providing alcohol to minors. For more information, visit www.abc.state.va.us/Education/stickershock/sticker_shock.html.

Saturday, October 23 – Fall Tree Sale
Alexandria’s Urban Forestry Steering Committee (UFSC) and the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities will hold its sixth annual tree sale on Saturday, October 23, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the George Washington Middle School, 1005 Mt. Vernon Ave.  The goal of the sale is to promote the preservation of the Alexandria’s tree canopy by encouraging the planting of trees on private property throughout the City. Alexandria Tree Stewards and Master Gardeners will be on site to answer questions about tree selection, planting and care. For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/recreation.

Saturday, October 23 – Volunteers Needed for Wilkes Street Cemeteries Cleanup 
Volunteers are needed to assist with annual fall clean-up activities at the City-maintained cemeteries at the end of Wilkes Street in south Old Town Alexandria. Activities include trash collection, weeding, debris removal, light shrub pruning and general beautification efforts. For more information, call Barry Stauffer at 703.629.5476.

Thursday, November 4 – Alexandria Film Festival Opens
Opening at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 Union St., on Thursday, November 4, the 2010 Film Festival exhibits both curated and juried films ranging in length from 5 minutes to 2 hours, covering a wide range of subject matter. This year, the Alexandria Film Festival’s Program and Executive Committee selected 36 films to be shown Thursday, November 4 through Sunday, November 7. For more information, visit www.alexandriafilm.org.

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.

Saturday, October 23 – Walk to Fight Breast Cancer
Lace up your tennis shoes and get ready to participate in the 17th Annual Walk to Fight Breast Cancer on Saturday, October 23 at 8:00 a.m., sponsored by the City of Alexandria and the Inova Alexandria Hospital Foundation. Walkers can choose from a 1.5K/3.5K/5K walk or run, and the route is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. The Walk will begin and end at the AMC Hoffman Center Theaters, located at the intersection of Eisenhower Ave. and Swamp Fox Rd. in Alexandria. Prizes will be given to participants who raise the largest amount in pledge dollars. All proceeds from the Walk support the Alexandria Breast Cancer Walk Fund. Registration costs $30 for adults and $15 for children, if pre-registered by October 20. On-site registration will cost $40. For more information, including registration and location details, visit www.alexcancerwalk.com or call 703.746.5030.

Ongoing

Volunteers Needed to Teach ESL Class
The Hispanic Orientation and Education Program seeks volunteer teachers for its English language and acculturation classes for foreign-born Alexandria residents to prepare them to move into the American mainstream, to understand American values, and to become financially secure. The English as a Second Language and Citizenship classes are conducted by a corps of volunteers. Teacher training is provided. The life skills workshops on topics such as HIV/AIDS, crime prevention, domestic violence, employment, and health issues are led by representatives from private and public agencies. Classes meet weekday evenings from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at George Washington Middle School, 1005 Mt. Vernon Ave. To volunteer, contact Ricardo Drumond at 703.746.5712 or ricardo.drumond@alexandriava.gov.

Take the Local Motion Survey 
The City of Alexandria’s Local Motion program is 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 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 SmarTrip 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, help them to 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. Visit www.alexandriava.gov/recreation for more information.

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.

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 fruit, gourmet coffee, fresh squeezed orange juice, meat, bakery items and artisans. For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/farmersmarket.