Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Explore Civil War Alexandria

June 4 – R.E. Lee Camp Hall Museum Open
 Tour the R.E. Lee Camp Hall Museum, 806 Prince Street, from noon to 2 p.m. During the Civil War, this 1850s house served as a hospital for the Union army, and after the war, it became the hall for the R.E. Lee Camp #2 for the United Confederate Veterans. Today the museum houses a collection of Civil War artifacts, including Confederate uniforms, flags, and camp items and other artifacts of the 17th Virginia Infantry Regiment CSA. Several Lee family items are also housed there. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. For more information, emailrelcamphall@hotmail.com or call 703.519.2123.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Enjoy Sears House Tours, Ice Cream And Community

Old Fashioned Community Day

Enjoy a wonderful treat and get a taste of what life used to be like this Memorial Day. Join with the Fairfax County Park Authority and members of the Centreville Community for an Ice Cream Social at the Spindle Sears House in Historic Centreville Park on Monday May 30, 2011 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Take a step back in time to the 1940's and tour the Spindle Sears House. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy ice cream for dessert. The Prince William Sound Barbershop Quartet will sing songs from the era. There will be tug of war and other family games, costumed interpreters, and the chance to honor those who have served. Sully District Supervisor Michael Frey and American Legion Post 1995 will focus on honoring those who have served Centreville and the nation.

The Sears House is located at 5714 Mt Gilead Road, Centreville VA 20120. Parking will be on the grass across the street. FREE Admission. For more information contact E.C. Lawrence Park at 703-631-0013

Friday, May 27, 2011

Alexandria Introduces Civil War IPhone App

Historic Alexandria Walking Tour Takes the Civil War into the 21st Century

On May 24, 1861, 150 years ago today, federal troops from Washington, D.C., took over Alexandria, a Union officer and Alexandria civilian were killed at the Marshall House on King Street, and hundreds of local men loyal to the South met at Prince and Washington streets to march off and fight with the Confederacy. For the next four years, Alexandria would remain occupied by Union troops, the longest occupation of the Civil War.

 

Now "Civil War Alexandria," a new, free iPhone app from the Office of Historic Alexandria, allows users to explore Alexandria's Civil War history as they tour the city – either in person or virtually – through historic images, a stop guide, GPS map and more!

 

Users will discover how Robert E. Lee's hometown of Alexandria became a major operations center for Union forces, while thousands of African Americans came to the former slave-trading town seeking freedom and security behind Union lines. Alexandria's unique Civil War heritage gives visitors today the chance to see a Union fort, a Confederate memorial, and museums dedicated to African American history. Check out more than two dozen distinctive sites and learn why Alexandria's position as an occupied city made its Civil War experience unlike any other town in America – and why today Alexandria embraces its diversity as well as its past!

 

"Civil War Alexandria" is available for free at the Apple iTunes store athttp://itunes.apple.com/us/app/civil-war-alexandria/id437084134. "Civil War Alexandria" was created by Historic Alexandria staff and by TourBuddy, a multimedia tour developer.

For more information, call 703.746.4554 or visit www.historicalexandria.org.


City of Alexandria Announces Spring & Summer 2011 Concert Schedule

Music, music, music

The Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities is pleased to announce the Spring & Summer 2011 concert schedule. Held at a variety of locations throughout the City of Alexandria, enjoy the sounds of the Alexandria Harmonizers; Villa Synfonia String Orchestra from San Francisco, CA; "The Band of the Nation's Capital," the 257th Army Band, and many more.

Visit www.alexandriava.gov/concerts for a complete list of what the City has to offer.


Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Enjoy these Memorial Day Events

The National Memorial Day Parade inWashington, DC is a flag-waving event with patriotic marches and floats.

Date and Time: Monday, May 30, 2011, 2 p.m. The parade will be preceded by musical performances and ceremonies at the reviewing stand at 1 p.m. at theNational Archives, at the corner of 7th St. and Constitution Avenue.  Parade Route: The National Memorial Day Parade begins at at the corner of Constitution Avenue and 7th Streets, NW and proceeds along Constitution Avenue, past the White House, ending at 17th Street.  


Fort Ward Park, Alexandria, Virginia
Monday, May 30, 2011, 1-7 p.m. The annual Memorial Day Jazz Festival features big band, swing, and contemporary jazz music. Picnics are allowed and food and beverages will also be for sale. In case of inclement weather, the festival will be relocated to the Lee Center's Kauffman Auditorium, 1108 Jefferson St. Admission is free.  


Falls Church Memorial Day Parade
Monday May 30, 2011, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.The City of Falls Church, Virginia celebrates Memorial Day with a festival featuring pony rides, arts and crafts booths, live entertainment, food and a community parade.  Viva Vienna


May 28-30, 2011. Vienna, Virginia celebrates with a community festival including food, crafts, music, carnival rides and a Memorial Day tribute.
Wolf Trap Farm Park


Sunday, May 29, 2011, 8:00 p.m.Summer Blast Off! "The President's Own". The park for performing arts kicks off the summer season with a free performance by the U.S. Marine Band followed by fireworks. The Filene Center gates openat 6:30 p.m. Arrive early because the park closes once capacity is reached.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Tall Ship to Visit Alexandria


Tall Ship Gloria to Visit City of Alexandria on Tuesday, May 24 through Wednesday, 25

The tall ship Gloria will visit the City of Alexandria from Tuesday, May 24 to Wednesday, May 25. The vessel, first anchored off the City Marina, will offer free public tours on Tuesday, May 24 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and on Wednesday, May 25 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Robinson Terminal South, located at 2 Duke St.

Gloria is the official flagship and sail-training ship of the Colombian Navy, and her home port is Cartagena. Built in 1968 as a sail-training ship in the Celeya shipyard in Spain, the Gloria is over 56 meters (257ft) long - one of the biggest tall ships still afloat.

For additional information, call the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities at 703.746.4343.

City of Alexandria to Hold African Heritage Cultural Festival – "Reaching Back Moving Forward"

The City of Alexandria will host the African Heritage Cultural Festival on Saturday, June 18, from noon to 6 p.m. at the Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe St. The Festival theme is "Reaching Back Moving Forward," highlighting the African-American experience from the Civil War era to the celebration of Juneteenth and current events in Alexandria. The festival will be held rain or shine.

Featured performers include Sandra Johnson, contemporary jazz; SAMO'O and the band JFC, with Caribbean sound; Elikeh, Afro funk music; and the Michael Stephens Project (MSP) R & B. Additional performers include the Alexandria Community Children Theater (ACCT); Hot Topics All Stars Cheer Group; Recreation Center youth performances; and performances by the Alfred Street Baptist, Roberts Memorial United Methodist and Shiloh Baptist church groups performances.

Festival displays showcase traditional arts, crafts, paintings and souvenirs; a Film Festival in the Alexandria Black History Museum, and exhibits & workshops inside of the Charles Houston Recreation Center. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

The City's Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities and the African Heritage Cultural Festival Committee are cosponsoring the festival. The Office of Historic Alexandria and the Alexandria Black History Museum contributed to the planning of the festival.

Visitors to the historic district are encouraged to take the Metro Yellow or Blue lines to the Braddock Road Station in Old Town, take DASH or Metro Buses. Visitors parking in some residential area and metered parking is limited. For DASH schedule information, call 703.370.DASH or visit www.dashbus.com. For Metro bus schedule information, call202.637.7000 or visit www.wmata.com.

For additional information, visitwww.alexandriava.gov/recreation, or call the City's Special Events Hotline at703.746.5592 or the Office of Special Events at 703.746.5418.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Saturday, May 21 2:30pm - Sprayparkand Treehouse to Open at Lee District Family Recreation Area


After years of planning and fundraising and several months of construction, the Family Recreation Area at Lee District Park in Franconia, VA will open on Saturday, May 21, 2011. Ribbon cutting ceremonies at 3 p.m. will mark the completion of Phase I construction of Our Special Harbor sprayground, a fully-accessible Treehouse and a one-of-a-kind seating area. The festivities are hosted by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, the Fairfax County Park Authority Board, the Fairfax County Park Foundation as well as The Joey Pizzano Memorial Fund (JPMF) and other generous donors.

This family activity area is unlike anything else in Fairfax County. The facility strives to engage children in physical activities and spark their imaginations with creative play. Family adventures may include picnics, a sprayground visit, time in the treehouse and in the future, a playground and carousel – all fully-accessible for everyone!   

The Special Harbor, a fully-accessible sprayground, is being donated by the Joey Pizzano Memorial Fund. The zero-water-depth sprayground was specifically designed for individuals with disabilities by recognizing the challenges those families raising children with disabilities face and understanding the importance of feeling comfortable in public settings while enjoying new experiences together. Access and inclusion were key factors for building the sprayground. Serving as a sensory and creative family destination, Our Special Harbor's unique design breaks down barriers, encourages interaction, and provides families and children of ALL abilities a place to play and have fun together. Disabilities will vanish amid the fun and excitement of the Chesapeake Bay setting! Our Special Harbor has been built to be a special harbor for the special needs community and to serve all families in the greater DC area. The sprayground, designed and built by the Joey Pizzano Memorial Fund, is being turned over to the Fairfax County Park Authority, where it will be operated free of charge to all individuals.  For more information on Our Special Harbor and the Joey Pizzano Memorial Fund, visitwww.jpmf.org .

The Family Recreation Area is located inLee District Park at 6601 Telegraph Road in Franconia. Festivities will begin at 2:30 p.m. with a steel drum band and "pirates" roaming the area. Official ceremonies start at 3 p.m. The sprayground will open to the public at 5 p.m. Admission is free on opening day. Due to potentially large crowds, additional parking will be located offsite and shuttle bus service will be available at Virginia Hills Administration Building (formerly elementary school) located at 6520 Diana Lane in Alexandria, VA. Shuttle service will run between 2 and 6 p.m

For information regarding opening ceremonies contact the Public Information Office at 703-324-8662. For information about the Lee District Family Recreation Area call 703-922-9841 or visit online. For information on how to contribute to this or other Park Authority programs and projects visit the Park Foundation 

Friday, May 13, 2011

City of Alexandria Hosts 34th Annual Memorial Day Jazz Festival on Monday, May 30

City of Alexandria Hosts 34th Annual Memorial Day Jazz Festival on Monday, May 30

The City of Alexandria will host the 34th Annual Memorial Day Jazz Festival on Monday, May 30, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Fort Ward Park 4301 W. Braddock Rd. Admission is free. In case of inclement weather, the festival will relocate to the Lee Center Kauffman Auditorium, 1108 Jefferson St.

The performance schedule is as follows:

  • 1 p.m. - The Tom Cunningham Orchestra
    Featuring big band swing music and vocals, has consistently performed in the Washington, DC area for more than 30 years winning a "Wammie" Award as the region's outstanding big band/swing group
  • 2 p.m.The Bruce Swaim Quartet
    Featuring mainstream jazz standards and original compositions by Jay Cooley and Bruce Swaim.
  • 3 p.m.The Lovejoy Group
    Features energetic jazz, funky blues and smooth Latin rhythms, fronted by Karen Lovejoy, vocalist and bandleader.
  • 4 p.m.Al Williams
    An Alexandria favorite and "Wammie" Award winner for 2008 Best Jazz Recording of the Year, specializes in contemporary jazz.
  • 5 p.m.The Village Jazz Band
    Featuring traditional Dixieland jazz and upbeat New Orleans style music has been performing in the area since 1982.

Fort Ward Park features amphitheater and grass seating. Attendees of the festival can bring lawn chairs and blankets. Food, such as ice cream, hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, subs, shaved ice, fresh fruit and vegetable juices are available for purchase, but everyone is welcome to pack a picnic supper and grills are available in the park at the picnic sites. No alcoholic beverages allowed, and pets should be left at home.

Parking will be available on both sides of West Braddock Rd. Additional parking is available at the Minnie Howard School, 3801 West Braddock Rd.

The public is encouraged to take public transit, walk or bike to the event. Fort Ward Park is served by DASH and Metrobus transit lines. For DASH route and schedule information, call 703.370.DASH or visit www.Dashbus.com. For Metrobus schedule information, call 202.637.7000 or visit www.wmata.com.

Bicyclists may visit alexandriava.gov/localmotion for the City's Bikeways Map, which features the City's best on street and off-road bikeways, as well as locations of grouped bicycle parking.

The City of Alexandria is committed to compliance with the City's Human Rights Code and the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation or to request materials in an alternative format, call Cheryl Lawrence of the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities at 703.746.5419 (TTY 703.838.4902), or e-mail cheryl.lawrence@alexandriava.gov.

For more information on the City of Alexandria's Annual Memorial Day Jazz Festival, call the Special Events Hotline at 703.746.5592 or the Special Events Office at 703.746.5418.




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City of Alexandria Holds Memorial Day Ceremony to Honor 67 Alexandrians KIA /MIA in the Vietnam War


City of Alexandria Holds Memorial Day Ceremony to Honor 67 Alexandrians KIA/MIA in the Vietnam War

The "Friends of Captain Rocky Versace" invite the public to the 9th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony at the Captain Rocky Versace Plaza and Vietnam Veterans' Memorial at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 30 at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center at 2701 Commonwealth Ave. The event will honor the 67 Alexandrians who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War.

The Program will include reading the names of the 67 heroes, a Tribute to Capt. Rocky Versace written by his fellow POW, COL James N. "Nick" Rowe (USMA 1960), guest speakers, a wreath laying, playing of "Taps" and the singing of "God Bless America."

The Captain Rocky Versace Plaza and Vietnam Veterans' Memorial at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center is dedicated to Captain Rocky Versace and the 66 other men who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War. The Memorial is an ongoing tribute, not just to the 67 listed on the benches, but to all Alexandrians who served in America's longest war. The Versace Memorial was dedicated on July 6, 2002 and the Medal of Honor was posthumously presented to the Versace family at the White House two days later.

For more information about Rocky Versace, visit

For more information on the Memorial Day Ceremony, visit http://www.virginia.org/Listings/EventsAndExhibits/MemorialDayCeremonyAlexandria/.

The City of Alexandria is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation or to request materials in an alternative format, call Elsie Akinbobola at 703.746.5475 (TTY 703.838.4902) or e-mail elsie.akinbobola@alexandriava.gov.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humbert_Roque_Versace.


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Monday, May 9, 2011

Hershey Track and Field Games

Track Events for Tweens and Young Teens

Friday, May 20 – 5:00 p.m. (youth ages 9-10)

Saturday, May 21 – 9:00 a.m. (youth ages 11-14)

Falls Church High School – 7521 Jaguar Trail, Falls Church, VA 22042

If you are a kid between 9 and 14 years old who loves to run, jump, and throw, the Hershey Track and Field Games are for you!  Come on out and join in the fun by competing in basic track and field events and earn opportunities to advance to compete in the annual North American championships in Hershey, PA.  Beginners and track enthusiasts are all welcome.  Events include the 50 meter dash, 100 meter dash, 200 meter dash, 400 meter dash, 800 meter run, 1600 meter run, 4 x 100 meter relay, standing long jump, and softball throw. Everyone's a winner because you are making the choice to get fit! 

Participation is FREE but pre-registration is required by Friday, May 6.  For more information, please call 703-324-5533, TTY 711.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Whistle Stop Hobbies Celebrates National Train Day



Location: 130 South Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 549-4912
Date(s): Saturday, May 7, 2011(Official National Train Day), May 6-8 (Weekend Store Activities)
Time: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

Event Description:
  Locally-owned trains, toys, and hobby shop Whistle Stop Hobbies is calling all kids, young and old, to join in the weekend festivities at their store as they celebrate National Train Day (http://www.nationaltrainday.com).  Train lovers will enjoy free kids activities, model train displays, special one-time promotions on popular train toys (Thomas the Train, Lionel),  conductor visor giveaways, and drawings to win deluxe prizes such as a Thomas the Train Party or a LEGO Party Package.

Weekend Schedule
May 6-8 (Fri-Sun) - Choo-Choo Sale
-20% off all wooden Thomas the Train characters & accessories
-Select Lionel, Half of O and N Scale starter train sets on sale 

May 7-8 (Sat-Sun)
 - Kid Activities, Prizes, Drawings, Free
11AM-4PM
-Register to win a Thomas the Train Party ($200 Value) or a LEGO Party ($150 Value)
-Kid friendly snacks/goodies
-Make Your Own Conductor Train Visors
-Bean Bag Toss, Coloring Station, Paint Wooden Thomas Train
-Operation Lifesaver Train Safety Demos
-"Train Doctors" from Lionel Trains & American Flyer (Saturday Only)