[Archived] Weekly Event Announcements: November 13 – 19, 2010

Sunday, November 13 – Top of the Town Walk Around
Join Mayor William D. Euille’s “Get Healthy Alexandria!” initiative for the “Top of the Town Walk Around” from 8 a.m. to noon at the Masonic Memorial Temple at 101 Callahan Dr. In addition to the Mayor, Vice Mayor Donley, Rep. Moran, and the Wounded Warriors will be walking in honor of our veterans. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the walk will start at 9 a.m. Activities after the walk include awards and raffles. The event is free and open to everyone. For more information, visit www.healthieralexandria.org/healthylifestyles.

Saturday, November 13 – ACPS and PTA Viewing of “Waiting for Superman”
Join Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) and the Alexandria PTA Council (PTAC) for a community viewing of “Waiting for Superman” at 10:45 a.m. on Saturday, November 13, at AMC Loews Shirlington at 2772 S. Randolph St. in Arlington. Tickets are $4 at the door. The documentary takes a bold stand on the state of public education in the United States and offers some controversial and thought-provoking ideas to improve it. The movie will be followed by a group discussion, including ninth-graders who have been discussing the film as a class project. Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis. For more information, including financial and transportation assistance, e-mail pres.ptac.22314@gmail.com.

Saturday, November 13 – “The Principal Story” Film Screening
Watch “The Principal Story” at 4:30 p.m. at the Alexandria Black History Museum (902 Wythe St.) and learn about the difference a dedicated principal can make in public schools. Tresa Dunbar is a principal at Chicago’s Nash Elementary, where 98% of students come from low income families. In Springfield, Illinois, Kerry Purcell has led Harvard Park Elementary, a school with similar demographics, for six years. This free screening is part of Movies with a Mission, a series of films about the African Diaspora that seek to inform and inspire dialogue. For more information, visit www.alexblackhistory.org or call 703.746.4356.

Saturday, November 13 and Sunday, November 14 – Tea with Martha Washington 
Ever wonder how the first First Lady entertained her guests? What is the proper way to hold a teacup with no handles? Find out at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum (134 North Royal Street) as Martha Washington discusses 18th century tea customs as well as clothing and dancing of the period. This 18th century tea, scheduled from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., is ideal for families and Girls Scouts. Treat yourself to the museum’s special blend of tea, pound cake, dried fruit, and assortment of cookies. Party attire is requested and tickets are $25 per person. For more information, visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.746.4242.

Monday, November 15 – America Recycles Day
Celebrate America Recycles Day on November 15 by taking the America Recycles Day pledge throughout the month of November. Residents who take the pledge will be entered into a regional prize drawing. For more information about the City’s role in America Recycles Day, visit www.alexandriava.gov/recycling.

Tuesday, November 16 – “Start, Manage, Grow Your Business” Workshop Series
The Alexandria Small Business Development Center is hosting the first of three workshops designed to assist existing and future businesses in the City. Workshop #1 will run from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Lyceum on 201 S. Washington St. and will cover changes in City processes to help business owners better understand their options and requirements. The event will feature remarks by City Manager Jim Hartmann, a panel of City officials, and a question and answer session. Free continental breakfast will be served. For more information, visit www.alexandriasbdc.org or call 703.778.1292.

Coming Soon

Saturday, November 20 – Mercury Drop-off
The City of Alexandria and Covanta Energy invite residents to drop off mercury-containing devices between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. at the City’s household hazardous waste collection center, located at 3224 Colvin St. Residents and city-based HVAC contractors are invited to drop off mercury-containing measuring devices to prevent hazardous waste from being disposed of improperly. For more information, visit the City’s Household Hazardous Waste website.

Friday, November 26 – City of Alexandria Tree Lighting Ceremony
Celebrate the official opening of the holiday season in the City of Alexandria at the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. Activities include the lighting of the City’s official holiday tree, community caroling, Frosty’s Follies dance performance, and a visit from Santa Claus. For information, call the Events Hotline at 703.746.5592 or the Office of Special Events at 703.746.5418.

Tuesday, December 7 – iMovie Mentors Film Festival
Support Alexandria's newest film-making talent at the 4th Annual iMovie Mentors Film Festival from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Old Town Theater at 815 ½ King St. Adult male mentors attend a weekly workshop with 6th grade boys to establish mentoring relationships and learn movie-making essentials. The film festival debuts short films that have been created by the boys and their mentors. Attendees are encouraged to arrive by 5:50 p.m. to greet the youth as they arrive via limousine and “walk the red carpet” into the theater. Suggested donation for the event is $5, which includes popcorn and soda.  The event is sponsored by the Alexandria Court Service Unit with funding from the Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant. For more information, contact Kelly Robinson at Kelly.Robinson@alexandriava.gov. 

Now Registering

Friday, November 19 – Historic Beer Dinner at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum
Savor a four course period dinner perfectly matched with history-inspired beers at the Historic Beer Dinner at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 North Royal St, from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The beers from Philadelphia’s Yards Brewery include General Washington’s Tavern Porter, based on Washington’s original recipe, and others to complement dinner from Gadsby’s Tavern Restaurant. Tickets are $85 per person inclusive and advance reservations are required. For more information, visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.746.4242.

Ongoing

Style and Identity: Black Alexandria in the 1970s, Portraits by Horace Day
At the Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 S. Wythe St., view this new exhibition of 32 paintings by Horace Day featuring Alexandria street scenes and portraits of African American Alexandrians. Described as an American scene or regional painter, Day created this body of work at a time when “Black” was becoming “Beautiful,” but when media still promoted stereotypical, demeaning images of African Americans. Day’s portraits reflect the dignity and beauty he saw in his subjects. Museum is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Suggested admission is $2. For more information, visit www.alexblackhistory.org or call 703.746.4356.

Winter 2011 Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities Program Guide 
The Winter 2011 Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities Program Guide will be available online on December 6. To be added to the mailing list to receive a hard copy of the Program Guide, you may submit a request for a free subscription online or by telephone. Requests must be received by Tuesday, November 16 to guarantee receipt of the Winter 2011 Program Guide by mail. To subscribe, visit www.alexandriava.gov/recreation or call 703.746.4343.

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.

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.