New Events in Alexandria and Fairfax in September

The Calendar of Events has been updated for September and October 2010. Now that the older kids are returning to school, the weekday events are aimed at preschool age children. The City of Alexandria has scheduled quite a few family events for Saturdays in September.  Notice that the Apothecary Museum is now open on Saturday afternoons.

The weather should be mild enough for all to enjoy some outdoor activities. The Alexandria waterfront concert series as well as the Collingwood concerts continue, and the free movies are still playing on Sunday nights at National Harbor.

As the school sports seasons start up, I will start posting reminders of the various varsity games. Kids who love sports love to watch even high school students play, and the admission tickets are friendly to the family budget.

Enjoy your Fall!

Mommy and Me movie

Another great movie opportunity.

 

Mommy & Me Movie Next Week! Join us for a "Mommy & Me" showing of Nanny McPhee 2 at Potomac Yard Regal Cinema on Thursday, September 2nd at 1:35pm. The lights will be on and the sound will be lowered so bring your little ones and come hang out and enjoy a movie! Also, mark your calendars, the next Mommy & Me movie will be on September 28th and we'll be watching the animated flick, "Alpha and Omega".

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Donate School Supplies & Ride FREE on DASH

This is a great cause. Please offer them your support.

On Wednesday, August 25, 2010, Alexandria Transit Company (ATC) will be conducting a School Supply Drive in partnership with Community Partners for Children.

Passengers who bring new school supplies (i.e. backpacks, notebooks, lunchboxes, etc.) will receive a FREE ride on ATC's DASH bus system. Riders are requested to place their donation in the special blue plastic bags attached to the side of the farebox.

The Old Town Transit Shop, 1775-C Duke Street, Alexandria (across from the King St. Metro Station) is also one of the collection sites for Community Partners for Children School Supply Drive. Should riders wish to make additional donations, there will be a collection box at that location until September 3rd.._,___

New events listed

This is a short post due to being on vacation. The calendar of events has been updated into September. I've added bookstore activities, festivals, and the free movies at National Harbor. There continue to be a lot of free music events, so enjoy them during the last few weeks of summer.
Elizabeth Maurer

Free Old Town Alexandria history-themed events August 7, 2010

Celebrate Alexandria's heritage this Saturday. The historic center of Old Town will be hosting several free events designed to interest kids and families in the area's rich history.

Friendship Firehouse - 107 South Alfred Street, Alexandria, VA

- The Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association holds its annual Firehouse Festival each year on the first Saturday in August. The popular family event features antique fire apparatus, craft booths, displays by Alexandria merchants, and live music. In addition to the day's outdoor events, festival participants will enjoy visiting the Friendship Firehouse Museum, originally built as a firehouse in 1855. Now a philanthropic organization focusing on fire-fighting history and fire safety, the Friendship Fire Company remains active in community events, including the annual Festival. Food and beverages are available. Children will receive free fire helmets, meet a real Dalmatian, and are treated to a supervised visit inside the City's fire trucks.  Learn about fire safety. Eat cake. Tour the historic fire house and see the equipment that was used 236 years ago. 

- Hours are 9 am to 12 pm. 

A Fine Beginning: Housewarming at Carlyle House - 121 N. Fairfax St. Alexandria, VA

- In addition to being friends with George Washington, John Carlyle was a prominent Alexandria businessman in his day. His house was considered one of the city's finest. Carlyle was also a family man, and in this program children will learn about family life in 18th-century Virginia. The free program will feature historic characters who will talk with kids and their parents about the Carlyle family, including their new baby William.  Children are invited to make their own canvas floor cloths, in good 18th-century fashion. 

- Carlyle House normally charges an admission fee, but this event is free.  

- Hours are  12 pm to 4 pm. 

- Phone: (703) 549-2997 and 

Gadsby's Tavern Museum, 134 North Royal Street, Alexandria, VA

- Have you passed by Gadsby’s Tavern Museum and never gone in? Take this opportunity and experience life in the 18th century with continuous tours of the historic site by costumed guides and the chance to learn to dance like George and Martha Washington. Light refreshments served. Experience Alexandria’s five-star hotel of the 18th century, made famous by John Gadsby and whose guests included George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. Tours are led by costumed guides. Enjoy period music and light refreshments.

- Gadspy's Tavern is waiving the usual $5.00/$3.00 fees and offering these tours for free.

- Hours are 1 pm to 5 pm

- Phone: 703.746.4242 

Free weekday movies continue to entertain

Regal's Summer Festival
What do you do when you have young kids to keep entertained for 12 weeks of summer?  When the outside temperatures hover in the 90s?  When budgets are tight?  A number of savvy Northern Virginia moms and dads eagerly take advantage of Regal Cinema's awesome, summer movie festival. Every Tuesday and Thursday Regal Cinemas across the county show two kids' movies . .  absolutely for free. You don't even have to buy popcorn, but they staff the concession stand just in case.

Each week the theaters offer a choice of two movies at 10 a.m. One is always G-rated and clearly aimed at the younger of the younger set. The other is usually PG and selected with the 8 to 12 year old movie goer in mind. The movies are second run, meaning they came and went some time way in the past. But kids are kids, and if they like movies they will be happy with the selections. There are three more weeks, get your seats while you can.

Know Before You Go
Getting in is pretty easy, at least at the Kingstowne theater. By-pass the box office to enter the lobby directly. The usher at the ticket stand will ask which movie you plan to see, write down the number of people in your party, and direct you to the correct theater. Be aware that this is a VERY, VERY popular event. The theaters will fill up quickly, especially the PG option. In order to ensure a seat, plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before the show time and 30 is even better. These movies are popular with summer camps, and  you will be vying for seats with several bus and van loads of children in matching camp tee-shirts. Previews and commercials are not shown in advance; therefore, the actual movie starts right at 10 a.m.

There are two Regal Cinemas near Alexandria.


Potomac Yard Stadium 16
3575 Jefferson Davis Highway
Alexandria ,VA 22305
703-739-4054

Kingstowne Stadium 16
5910 Kingstowne Towne Center
Alexandria (Kingstowne) ,VA 22315
703-719-0784

Movie List:

08/10/2010-08/11/2010
 Doogal (G)
 Aliens In The Attic (PG)

08/17/2010-08/18/2010
 Tale of Despereaux (G)
 Alvin And The Chipmunks Squeakquel (PG)

08/24/2010-08/25/2010
 Space Chimps (G)
 Hotel For Dogs (PG)

Five fun things to do before the end of the summer

The countdown to the end of summer has begun.  The water parks were fun, and we've visited every museum on the mall. Here are five suggestions for activities you may not have tried yet.


1.  Tour the Washington Monument

How long have you lived in metro DC and never visited the top of the Washington Monument? Go to the National Park Service's web site to make reservations. Tickets are free, but there is a $1.50 per ticket surcharge for booking on-line. 

2.  Ride the Canal boat at Great Falls
Pack a picnic, plan a hike, and get your tickets for the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal boat ride. The leisurely one hour trip takes you up and down the canal while a historic interpreter describes canal boat life from 100 years ago. The tickets are only $5 per person and should be purchased as soon as you arrive at the park. Just for fun, watch this video before you go. Shot by Thomas Edison himself in 1917, it shows a trip down the same C&O Canal.


3.  National Postal Museum
You don't have to be a philatelist to love this museum. This Smithsonian is kid-friendly because they make kids a priority with hands-on exhibits and special programming.  Speaking of special programming, Owney Days Family Festival is scheduled for August 6 and 7 (Friday and Saturday).


4. The United States Botanic Garden
It's sustainable, green, and local. It's the nation's Botanic Garden. Sign up for the Junior Botanist Program, receive a back pack of activities for your visit, and follow up afterwards at home.


5.   Potomac River Lunch Bunch Cruise
Try your sea legs with this special program from The Potomac River Boat Company. Beginning August 3, 2010, enjoy a picnic lunch cruise up and down the Potomac. Bring your own food or purchase from the snack shop. Offer details are here. The lunch cruise is Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. A separate Pirate Cruise is offered on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.


Bring a grandparent, he or she rides for free with this coupon.


Summer is almost over.  Make the most of it!