ARHA and the Charles Houston Recreation Center Host Santa’s Winter Wonderland

The Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority (ARHA) and the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities will host the second annual Santa's Winter Wonderland from Monday, December 20 through Wednesday, December 22 at the Charles Houston Recreation Center, 1108 Jefferson St. ARHA and the Charles Houston Recreation Center will welcome hundreds of children to a holiday celebration filled with gifts from Santa, music, food, mimes and a host of festive activities. The schedule of activities is as follows:• Monday, December 20 & Tuesday, December 21 - Open to the General Public6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Christmas music, holiday activities, refreshments and unwrapped gift donations• Wednesday, December 225 p.m. – Santa arrives on his Big Red Fire Truck5 p.m. to 9 p.m. – Santa and his Elves present gifts and holiday treats to children The 2010 event is made possible through the help of a variety of community-based organizations and private corporations who are providing volunteers, financial support, and in-kind donations. Special guests include ARHA Board Members, Congressman Jim Moran, Mayor William D. Euille, City Officials, and other Business and Community residents. Come out to join Santa and his elves as they hand out toys and treats to the children from ARHA land in the festive Winter Wonderland Village. For additional information, contact Sandra Fowler at 703.549.7115, ext. 231 or by email at sfowler@arha.us.

Duncan Library Open House - December 15

FRIENDS OF DUNCAN LIBRARY: Please join the Friends of Duncan Library and the Duncan Library Staff for the annual Duncan Library Holiday Open House on Wednesday, Dec. 15 from 6pm to 8:30pm, featuring holiday cheer, jazz from Project Natale (starting at 6:30pm) and an Author Talk from award-winning local novelist Thomas Kaufman at 7:30pm. In the spirit of the season, please consider bringing a new, unwrapped toy for Community Partners for Children.

James M. Duncan, Jr. Branch, 2501 Commonwealth Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22301

December 11 & December 12 – Annual Historic Alexandria Candlelight Tours –

• Four Historic Sites Take a break from the fast pace of the season and experience the unique charm and history of Old Town Alexandria at its most popular holiday event. Tour Gadsby's Tavern Museum (134 North Royal Street), Carlyle House (121 North Fairfax Street), Lee-Fendall House (614 Oronoco Street) and The Athenaeum (201 Prince Street) by candlelight and enjoy seasonal decorations, entertainment and light refreshments. Sunday features kid-friendly tours and a special activity! The tour is self-guided, and the sites may be visited in any order, with a free shuttle running in a continuous loop among the sites. Tour times are from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Cost is $20 for adults, $15 for seniors (65 and older), and $5 for children (ages 6-17). Reservations are recommended. For more information or to buy tickets, please visit www.historicalexandria.org or call 703.746.4242.

December 11 – Kwanzaa Events – Alexandria Black History MuseumThe Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street, is hosting three Kwanzaa events. The Pre-Kwanzaa Program, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., is a free event exploring the history and significance of Kwanzaa. Participants will learn about the principles of Kwanzaa, a seven-day cultural celebration that begins December 26 and ends January 1. Brian Sales, who studied with Kwanzaa founder Dr. Maulana Karenga, will instruct participants in the basic history of Kwanzaa, provide advice on celebrating it at home, and perform a traditional libation ceremony. Then from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., families can take part in a Children's Kwanzaa Craft Workshop. Jessica Smith, founder of Culture Kingdom Kids, and Kwanzaa educator Pier Penic will direct children (ages 4-12) and their parents in making Kwanzaa crafts. This event will be located in the Museum's Watson Reading Room. Advance reservations are requested and a $5 fee covers craft supplies. Finally, at 4:30 p.m., attend a free screening of "The Black Candle: A Kwanzaa Celebration." This vibrant documentary from M.K. Asante uses Kwanzaa as a vehicle to explore and celebrate the African-American experience. Narrated by Maya Angelou, "The Black Candle" traces the holiday's growth out of the Black Power Movement in the 1960s to its present-day reality as a global, pan-African holiday embraced by over 40 million celebrants. For more information, call 703.746.4356 or visit www.alexblackhistory.org.

Christmas in Camp Open House at Fort Ward Museum

On December 11 this family-fun holiday event at Fort Ward Museum, 4301 West Braddock Road, will interpret how Christmas was observed during the Civil War. From noon to 4 p.m., enjoy living-history interpreters, a Victorian Christmas tree, refreshments, readings of "The Night Before Christmas" and a patriotic Santa Claus. Guided tours of the fort will be given, weather permitting. Suggested donation of $2 for adults, $1 for children. For more information, visit www.fortward.org or call 703.746.4848.

Area churches host live nativity events

National Community Church is sponsoring a free live nativity on December 10. Embrace the spiritual side of the holidays by transporting back in time to the nativity scene of the first century. Live animals, a manger scene, hot apple cider, hot chocolate and a choir will be a part of this wonderful event. The event is scheduled for Friday, December 10th from 6:30-8:30 pm at TopGolf Alexandria, 6625 S. Van Dorn St.

Aldersgate United Methodist Church presents the annual JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM on Sunday, Monday & Tuesday, December 11, 12, and 13. Free, continuous guided tours are offered from 6 - 8 pm on the Aldersgate front lawn. Refreshments served  at end our tours. 1301 Collingwood Road - Alexandria, VA 22308

Virginia Hills Baptist Church presents "Follow the Star," a drive through live nativity on December 17 and 18, 2010 from 6:30 to 9:30 pm each night. The nativity will feature live animals, scenery, dramatic actors dressed as wise men, angels, inn keepers, and Mary and Joseph. Virginia Hills Baptist Church is located at  6507 Telegraph Road, Alexandria, VA 22310. 


Harvest Church has scheduled a live nativity on Friday, December 10 and Saturday, December 11 at 7:00, 7:30, and 8:30 p.m. Harvest Church is located at 7401 Beulah St., Alexandria, VA 22315.

Wobble Rocket Stage Launches Free Youth Theatre Workshops

Wobble Rocket Stage invites students of all ages to explore the world of improvisation, and ignite their imaginations with a free workshop.


Wobble Rocket workshops introduce students to team-based performance genres, such as improvisation and devised theatre. Each workshop provides a detailed sampling of the Winter 2011 course offerings, including the Test Rocket Series, and Satellite classes. Students and parents will learn about the educational and artistic benefits of improv. Give it a try, and have a blast!


A free workshop will be held on December 12th and January 15th from 12-1:30pm, at Labels Exchange in Del Ray, Alexandria. The winter session begins January 24th. Early registration rates end January 1st. Visit www.WobbleRocket.com to RSVP for a workshop, or to learn more about the winter session.


For more information: www.wobblerocket.com.
Contact: info@wobblerocketstage.com

Celebrate the holidays with seasonal festivities at Frying Pan Farm Park from 1 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, December 4, 2010.

The farm will be abuzz with activities such as equestrian and blacksmithing demonstrations, wagon rides, photos with Santa and his sleigh, children's holiday shopping, pony rides, and live music. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet farm animals up close and tour the farm house decorated for the holidays. A pair of warming fires will take away the chill while strolling carolers will warm souls with their traditional yuletide tunes. Bring your camera and have your picture taken with Frying Pan's famous draft horses, Jesse and Michael. Storytelling and children's activities will entertain visitors of all ages. A handful of lucky revelers will win holiday turkeys (frozen, of course!) during the 60th Anniversary celebration at 5 p.m. A spirited and hilarious performance by the band, Company Store, will end the day on a high note. In honor of the Park Authority's 60th anniversary, menu items at Gordon's Grille will be sold for $.06 to $6. Park admission is free; some activities have fees. An Old-Fashioned Country Christmas on the Farm is sponsored by the Fairfax County Park Foundation. Frying Pan Farm Park is located at 2709 West Ox Road in Herndon, VA. More information about the park is available here. For more information please call Frying Pan Farm Park at 703-437-9101.
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Open House Set For Old Colchester Park December 4

The Fairfax County Park Authority wants to invite the neighbors over to Old Colchester Park
and Preserve! The Park Authority through its Cultural Resources Management and Protection
Section (CRMP) has begun archaeological studies on the Old Colchester Park and Preserve.
These investigations are exploring the rich cultural history of the area including significant
Native American sites as well as portions of the historic colonial port town of Colchester.

The Park Authority invites neighbors and individuals interested in the history and archaeology of
the region to attend a site open house scheduled on Saturday, December 4, 2010 from 1 to 4 p.m.
This informal event provides an opportunity to talk about the history of the area, discuss current
projects, view recently discovered site artifacts and discuss volunteering with the projects. Team
members will be in attendance.

The Park is located at 10709 Old Colchester Road in Lorton, VA. The field lab is located in the
back, lower level. For more information call 703-339-5459 (Colchester Lab).
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Dance to Benefit Toys for Tots Drive

The Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities and United States Marine Corps Reserve are hosting the 36th annual benefit square and round dance for the United States Marine Corps' Reserve Toys for Tots drive. Donation per couple is a new unopened toy or a minimum $10 contribution. The event will be held at the Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson St., from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. A toy contribution may be dropped off at the Exhibit Hall before 3 p.m. For more information, call the Events Hotline at 703.746.5592 or the Special Events office at 703.746.5418.
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Saturday, December 4 – 11th Annual Burke and Herbert Holiday Boat Parade of Lights

Alexandria's harbor lights up when more than 50 illuminated boats cruise the Potomac River at the historic waterfront. Festivities at the Marina (located at the foot of Cameron St.) run from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. with Santa arriving by fireboat at 4:15 p.m. to take free photos with kids and pets. The boat parade begins at 6 p.m. For more information, contact Jay Atkinson at 703.304.1523 or visit www.visitAlexandriaVA.com/HolidayBoatParadeofLights.
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Holiday Sharing 2010 Campaign Begins

Take advantage of opportunities to suppor your community


As the holidays approach, please reach out to the neediest in our community and join us to Sponsor a Family, a Senior Citizen or Disabled Individual, a Foster Child, or a Teen. You can help with your TIME by volunteering or with your RESOURCES by donating gifts. On this website is a form that lists all the different ways groups and individuals of all ages can help. Please note the suggested level of support is approximately $75 - $100 per person or family member. You will receive family or individual Wish Lists to guide your donation decisions. The value of all your contributions is tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.

SPECIAL NOTE:


The number of senior/disabled citizens in the Holiday Sharing Program has doubled this year! There currently is a need for community sponsors for approximately 50 individuals. Most of their "wishes" are modest, but all need grocery gift cards in these difficult times. Please consider this option when making your donation selection. Of course, gift cards for teens in foster care and sponsorships for small families continue to be needed, too. Many thanks for your generosity.



Thanks for supporting our Alexandria neighbors in the best spirit of the holidays.


* Learn more by reading the Holiday Sharing Letter


* Sponsor or Volunteer by submitting a Donor Form


* Learn about other Donation opportunities via online eCheck