Under the Big Top

Do you have what it takes to be a circus performer? 

Walk the NCM tightrope, try your hand at plate spinning, and have your face painted. Make your own juggling ball and learn how to use it and other lofty juggling props. Come one, come all!

Special guest, Dave Ritter, Calleva's Ropes Course Director, will be present to lead children in balancing and leaping challenges from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 

Sat, Sep 25, 2010, 11:00am - 4:00pm

The Launch Zone, 112 Waterfront St., National Harbor, MD 20745

For more information about Calleva and the Calleva ropes course at National Harbor, visit www.calleva.org.

10th annual National Book Festival coming Sept. 25, 2010

Feeling like a good read?

The 10th annual National Book Festival, organized and sponsored by the Library of Congress, will be held on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., between 3rd and 7th streets from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama are honorary chairs for the event. The festival, a celebration of the joy of reading for all ages, is free and open to the public. Street parking is limited, so plan to take Metro or seek garage parking.

Authors of children's books who will be present at the 2010 National Book Festival include:

• Mary Brigid Barrett
• Timothy Basil Ering
• Exquisite Corpse Adventure
• Jules Feiffer
• Mem Fox
• Margaret Peterson Haddix
• Norton Juster
• Pat Mora
• Marilyn Nelson
• Linda Sue Park
• Jerry Pinkney
• James Ransome
• Judith Viorst
• Rosemary Wells


Kids' and Teachers' Guide to the Festival

This online guide to the National Book Festival offers kids and teachers tips for taking part in this annual celebration of books and reading. Learn more about the authors, get creative writing and illustrating tips from the experts and discover how to host your very own book festival!

Bicycle safety event

The Fairfax County Police Department, Trails for Youth, and the Rebecca Johns Family would like to invite the community to a Bike Rodeo! 

The Bike Rodeo is an opportune time to review biking safety tips. Bring your helmet and your bike.

TIME: Saturday, September 25 · 9:00 am - 11:00 am

LOCATION:
Clermont Elementary School
5720 Clermont Drive
Alexandria, VA

Free performing arts workshops this weekend in Alexandria

Let your creativity shine

Wobble Rocket Stage has two free workshops this week! They're teaming up with Del Ray Performing Arts Center to give a taste of what different genres of classes are like at both organizations, from improv classes to Shakespeare classes. Here are the details:

Wednesday, Sept 22nd, 6-8pm and/or Sunday, Sept 26th, 12-2 pm. There will be two simultaneous workshops on both dates, one for teens (7th-12th grades) and one for 3rd-6th grades. Improv will be taught by Wobble Rocket Stage, and Shakespeare and Musical Theatre will taught by Del Ray Performing Arts Center.

Location: Labels Exchange/Blueberry Art Gallery 2417 Mt. Vernon Ave.

Improv Blast Off and Creative Collisions classes will begin on Oct 4th. They're still looking for more students ages 8-teen, so spread the word.

Go to www.wobblerocket.com for more information.

E-mail Tiffany at tiff@wobblerocketstage.com to reserve your spot!