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.  

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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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.