[Archived] Weekly Event Announcements for the City of Alexandria: November 20 – 26, 2010

Saturday, November 20 – Mercury Collection
Residents and city-based HVAC contractors are invited 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. For more information, visit https://www.alexandriava.gov/tes/solidwaste/info/default.aspx?id=19206.

Friday, November 26 - Alexandria Offers Free Parking at City Garages
On one of the biggest shopping days of the year, the City of Alexandria is offering free parking in all City-owned garages on Friday, November 26. Commonly known as “Black Friday,” the day after Thanksgiving marks the time when the season for holiday shopping begins, and free parking is a special incentive for shoppers to visit Old Town to make their holiday purchases. Dozens of the City’s merchants are opening early, some as early as 6 a.m., and offering deep discounts. For more information, go to www.VisitAlexandriaVA.com.

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 more information, call the Events Hotline at 703.746.5592 or the Office of Special Events at 703.746.5418.

Friday, November 26 -- AWLA “Black Friday” Pet Adoption Promotion
This Black Friday, the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria will reduce adoption prices for all-black or partially-black companion animals. This special includes any companion animal at the League, including guinea pigs, rabbits, dogs, cats and other adoptable pets. All League pets are current on vaccinations and have been microchipped and altered. The shelter's adoption areas are open every day except Wednesdays. For more information about this promotion, call 703.746.4774 or visit www.alexandriaanimals.org.

Coming Soon

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.

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.

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.