Mount Vernon Calendar
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Mount Vernon Calendar

<i>Send announcements to the Gazette-Packet, by e-mail to gazette@connectionnewspapers.com, by fax to 703-917-0991 or by mail to 1604 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314. Deadline is Friday at noon for the following week’s paper. Photos and artwork encouraged. Call Meghan Williams at 703-917-6407 with questions.</i>

<b>Thursday/Oct. 6

</b>Flu Clinic. 9 a.m.-noon at the St. Martin Senior Center, 4650 Taney Ave. Sponsored by Inova Health Care. Clinicians will give flu shots and discuss Medicare prescription drugs. Free for individuals with Medicare B — please bring card. Translators will be available for speakers of Spanish, Korean and Farsi. Call 703-751-2766.

Slide Lecture. 7:30 p.m. Alexandria League of Women Voters presents "Come PARK With Us." A look at the History and Current Status of Alexandria Parks with a slide-illustrated history of city parks and the waterfront, presented by former Member of Council, Ellen Pickering. George Washington Middle School, 1005 Mount Vernon Ave.

Sheriff's forum. Holmes Run Park Committee will be hosting a forum with the candidates for sheriff at 7 p.m., Beatley Library, Duke Street. All are welcome to listen and ask questions of Bill Cleveland and Dana Lawhorne.

Local Pollinators will be the topic during the Potowmack Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society. Edward Barrows, a biology professor with the Laboratory of Entomology and Biodiversity at Georgetown University, will present a talk on our local pollinators, including information on pollination as a major force in the Earth’s ecology. 7:30 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens Park, 4603 Green Spring Road in Alexandria. Free. Call 703-534-8179.

Scholarship Fund-Raiser. Dine at Hard Times Café in Old Town and show the server a copy of this notice. Hard Times will then donate a portion of the food bill to the Alexandria Gay and Lesbian Community Association’s Scholarship Fund. The scholarship is awarded annually to a T.C. Williams graduate. Visit www.aglca.org.

Falling Leaves at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, 9:30-10:30 a.m. or 11 a.m.-noon. Make colorful leaf rubbings from fallen leaves and learn why deciduous trees change color in the chilly days of autumn. $5. Call 703-642-5173 for reservations or visit www.greenspring.org.

Garden Stroll and Tea, 1-3 p.m. 20 demonstration gardens are followed by a full English tea. Groups may contact the Historic house to make arrangements for tours and teas. $24. Call Historic Green Spring at 703-941-7987, TTY 703-324-3988.

<b>Friday/Oct. 7

</b>Northern Virginia Democratic Business Council October Meeting at 7:30 a.m. Special guest will be Helen Thomas, Former White House Bureau Chief. Visit www.nvdembiz.org.

Del Ray Dozen Invitational Photography Show, featuring the work of 13 photographers, will hold its opening reception at the Nicholas A. Colasanto Center, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave. 7-10 p.m. The reception will include a silent auction of photography pieces by the artists. Call Rob Rudick at 301-270-2323 or visit www.delrayartisans.org.

Evelyn LaPierre Awards Annual Benefit 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Durant Center, 1605 Cameron St. Ticket: $35/person. Call 301-693-1346.

Wine Festival and Sunset Tour at George Washington's Mount Vernon Garden and Estate. Bring a blanket, relax on the lawn and sample wines from 16 Virginia wineries, 6-9 p.m. $25. Call 703-780-2000 or visit www.mountvernon.org.

U.S. Air Force Chamber Series is giving a free public concert at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, 101 Callahan Drive, beginning at 8 p.m. Call 202-767-5658 or visit www.USAFBand.com.

Hauptmann at Port City Playhouse, 1108 Jefferson St., 8 p.m. $12. Call 703-838-2880 or visit www.portcityplayhouse.com.

<b>Saturday/Oct. 8

</b>Evening of Magic. 7:30 p.m. at Bishop Ireton High School, 201 Cambridge Road, Alexandria. Tickets are $5 for students, $8 for adults and $20 families. Call 703-212-5166.

Canine Games at Episcopal High School. Over 600 dogs of all athletic abilities compete in a variety of fun events. The top three finishers in each game will be awarded bronze, silver and gold Canine Games medals. Packet pick-up and on-site registration begin at 9 a.m., with the opening ceremony commencing at 9:45 a.m. Call Sue Sands at 703-838-4774, Ext. 206.

Colors of the Season. Take a walk through the Dora Kelley Nature Park while fall colors are at their prime. Learn how and why leaves change colors and what to expect next. 2-3 p.m. Suitable for children ages 6-12. Call 703-838-4829 or visit www.alexandria.gov/recreation.

Bus Tour. The Friends of Fort Ward will sponsor a day-long bus tour to Chancellorsville, the site of the May 1863 battle considered by many to be Gen. Robert E. Lee’s “masterpiece”. The tour will be led by military historian and author Brig. Gen. Phillip Bolte. Advance reservations are required and must be made by October 5. The fee is $75 for current members of the Friends of Fort Ward and $85 for non-members. Transportation, a box lunch and refreshments are included in the fee. To obtain a registration form for the bus trip, call Fort Ward Museum at 703-838-4848. The tour leaves Fort Ward Museum parking lot, 4301 West Braddock Road, Alexandria, promptly at 7:45 a.m., and will return at 5 p.m.

Alexandria Seaport Foundation's Family Day. Boat-building, rides, children's activities, and a selection of boats on display. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at Waterfront Park, on Strand Street, between King and Prince Streets. Reservations required for boat-building. Call 703-549-7078.

Violin Cyndee and The Maximalists presented by the Society of Art Rockers at the Old Town Theater, 815 1/2 King St. 10 p.m. $12. Call 703-758-2569.

Falling Leaves at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, 10-11 a.m. Make colorful leaf rubbings from fallen leaves and learn why deciduous trees change color in the chilly days of autumn. $5. Call 703-642-5173 for reservations or visit www.greenspring.org.

"Tantra Intensive" 10-4 p.m., at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 6744 S. King's Highway. Early registration required. Call Sandy at 703-971-2214, or go to JoyfulHeartYoga.com.

Les Nubians Echoes at The Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., 7:30 p.m. $27.50. Call 703-549-7500 or visit www.birchmere.com.

Archaeology Day 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at 101 Callahan Drive. City archaeologist give free one-hour site tours of the Shuter’s Hill excavation site located behind the George Washington Masonic National Memorial at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Learn about archaeology and conservation techniques through table-top displays. For all ages. Call 703-838-4399.

Home lawn care class taught by Dr. Mike Goatly, from Virginia Tech University, at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Rd, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. $11. Call 703-642-5173 or visit www.greenspring.org.

Birdwatching and breakfast at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, from 8-11 a.m. Enjoy an English breakfast after a stroll through gardens with a bird guide. $24. Call 703-941-7987 or visit www.greenspring.org.

Wine Festival and Sunset Tour at George Washington's Mount Vernon Garden and Estate. Bring a blanket, relax on the lawn and sample wines from 16 Virginia wineries, 6-9 p.m. $25. Call 703-780-2000 or visit www.mountvernon.org.

Hauptmann at Port City Playhouse, 1108 Jefferson St., 8 p.m. $12. Call 703-838-2880 or visit www.portcityplayhouse.com.

<b>Sunday/Oct. 9

</b>

Eclipse Chamber Orchestra concert at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, 101 Calahan Drive. 3 p.m. $20, $15 for seniors, $5 for students. Free post-concert reception. Visit www.eclipseco.com.

Paul Curreri, Kat Mills and Pat Wictor at Church of the Resurrection, 2280 N. Beauregard St., 7 p.m. $15. Curreri covers country-blues and folk traditions while Mills' background features bluegrass and smoky soul. Pat, a slide guitarist, has a varied background featuring rural blues, gospel, and country music. Call 703-380-3151.

Alexandria Seaport Day 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Waterfront Park, between King and Prince Street. Activities include watching 20 family teams build their own wooden rowboat, model boat building for the kids and maritime exhibits. Free. If you are interested in participating as a family boat building team, please contact the Seaport Day Staff at 703-549-7078, info@alexandriaseaport.org or visit www.alexandriaseaport.org.

Wine Festival and Sunset Tour at George Washington's Mount Vernon Garden and Estate. Bring a blanket, relax on the lawn and sample wines from 16 Virginia wineries, 6-9 p.m. $25. Call 703-780-2000 or visit www.mountvernon.org.

The United States Air Force Chamber Series is giving a free public concert at the Lyceum Museum, 201 S. Washington St., at 4 p.m. Call 202-767-5658 or visit www.USAFBand.com.

<b>Tuesday/Oct. 11

</b>King Street Task Force Meeting at the Durant Center, 1605 Cameron St., 8 a.m. The King Street Metro Task Force is led by Councilman Ludwig Gaines and deals with matters of interest, particularly transportation and parking, in the King Street Metro Area. All are welcome.

Hauptmann at Port City Playhouse, 1108 Jefferson St., 8 p.m. $12. Call 703-838-2880 or visit www.portcityplayhouse.com.

Flower Arranging Workshop. "Mastering the Mechanics of Using Wintergreens" at Northern Virginia Wholesale Florist, 4406 Wheeler Ave., Alexandria. 7 p.m. Workshop fee $50. Call 703-461-8833.

<b>Wednesday/Oct. 12

</b>Renee Austin to open for Delbert McClinton at The Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave. Call 703-549-7500x14 or visit www.Birchmere.com for ticket prices and show times.

Denice Franke and Mary Ann Rossoni will perform on Steve Key's Music Showcase, 7-10 p.m. at Stella's, 1725 Duke St. Call 703-519-1946 or visit www.stellas.com.

Living Whole Health and Fitness Together Present: Food and Energy, 7-9 p.m. at Alexandria Whole Health, 300 South Washington St., Suite 300. Organic refreshments will be served. $10. At the end of the session, you will be able to: identify foods that "give" energy and foods that "deplete" energy, select and plan healthy breakfast meals and snacks, and be aware of 10 strategies for getting more energy. Call 703-360-8791 to hold your space.

<b>Thursday/Oct. 13

</b>Accepting Accountability: 2005 Virginia Candidates Speak Out. The Young Professionals Network of The Northern Virginia Urban League and the NAACP are hosting this political forum at the Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St. Refreshments will be served at 6:30 p.m. and the program will begin at 7 p.m. The candidates running for the offices of governor, lieutenant governor and the attorney general have been invited. RSVP at ypnevents@yahoo.com.

Latin American Book Discussion Group

Stories by Latin American authors. Discussions in English. Free, 7-8:30 p.m. Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library, 5005 Duke St., Alexandria. 703-519-5900. Call Mark Schwartz at 703-519-3498.

A Community Digs Its Past: The Lee Street Site at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 North Union St., 327, 6-9 p.m. Call 703-838-4399.

Second Thursday in Old Town, celebrate Oktoberfest with traditional biergarten, food, and music at the Torpedo Factory, Market Square and Wales Alley/Union Street. Shops and galleries are open late, a guided gallery tour leaving from Market Square, a model train exhibit at Market Square, and canine cruises with the Potomac Riverboat Company. 6-9 p.m. Call 703-838-4565, ext. 6.

<b>Friday/Oct. 14

</b>Volunteer Appreciation and Anniversary. Alexandria's Tapestry Theater celebrates ten years of play performances with Volunteer Appreciation Night, 7-10 p.m. The 10th Anniversary celebration will be held at the Oswald Durant Memorial Center at 1605 Cameron St. The party is free and open to the public. Call Peggy Jones at 703-960-3398.

A Taste for Art, featuring original artwork from Torpedo Factory artists and cuisine from Alexandria restaurants. 7:30–10:30 p.m. at the Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St. Proceeds benefit at risk youth & senior citizens. $65 per person or $100 per couple. Corporate sponsorships available. Call 703-683-0693.

Jazz Performance. Jazz guitarist Rick Whitehead will be a guest performer with Swing Speak, beginning at 9 p.m. 219 Restaurant, 219 King St., Alexandria. No cover charge. Call 703-549-1141 for reservations.

Social Dancing with the Friday Nighters Dancing Club at Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, Windmill Lane, 8:30-11:30 p.m., with live music provided by The Family. Guest fees are $12.50 per person; reservations are required. Call 703-229-5118.

Hauptmann at Port City Playhouse, 1108 Jefferson St., 8 p.m. $12. Call 703-838-2880 or visit www.portcityplayhouse.com.

<b>Saturday/Oct. 15

</b>City Council Public Hearing, 9:30 a.m. at the City Hall Council Chamber, 301 King St.. The Alexandria City Council will conduct a public hearing to receive public views, needs, and priorities regarding the upcoming Fiscal Year 2007 Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program.

SunTrust Heritage Day celebrating a presence in the Alexandria community since 1811. Visit SunTrust Old Town Branch, 515 King St., 9 a.m.-2 p.m., to see historical photos of branch interiors through the decades. Entertainment by barbershop quartet, celebrity sightings of George Washington, MIX 107.3 radio personalities and other activities. Other prizes and giveaways will be available throughout the day. Breakfast and lunch samplings provided as well.

Family Fall Festival. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Armistead L. Boothe Park, 520 Cameron Station Blvd. The festival features a variety of family activities, entertainment, exhibits, food and beverage. Admission is free, and the festival will be held rain or shine. Family activities include scarecrow making, pumpkin painting, pony and hay rides, moon bounce, and bouncy boxing. Entertainment includes the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders, Beale Street Puppet Theater, Jay Armsworthy and Eastern Tradition. Exhibitors include the Alexandria Fire Department, the Alexandria Police Department Bicycle Safety Team, Smokey the Bear, and karate demonstrations by United Studios of Self-Defense.

Rummage Sale. At Tauxemont Cooperative Preschool. This annual fund-raiser features children’s clothes, toys, household items, furniture, books and more. All proceeds benefit the school to fund upkeep, improvements, and teacher education. 7719 Fort Hunt Road, 8 a.m.-noon. Contact 703-780-8904 to

offer donations or e-mail deewalk1@aol.com.

The Ark of Art Open Studio Show. Von Brahler Ltd./Gallery at 1437 Powhatan St. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 703-798-8686. Continues Oct. 16.

Hollin Hall Mega Craft Sale: The nonprofit senior center will have its only fundraiser of the year 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at 1500 Shenandoah Road. There will be over 35 crafters, a silent auction with services and new merchandise, a bake sale, door prizes and lunch. Admission is free. Call 703-765-4573.

Gardening Symposium at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. This symposium on shade gardening explores well-designed shade gardens and shows imaginative solutions to challenging problems. Speakers investigate design components, introduce interesting shade plants and promote moss gardens. $89. Fee includes symposium, refreshments and lunch. Call 703-642-5173 for reservations or visit www.greenspring.org.

Heritage Trail Guided Bike Tour meets at 101 Callahan Drive from 10 a.m.-noon. A guided bike tour of a 20-mile loop of the Alexandria Heritage Trail. Involves some street cycling and hills. Helmets required. Free but reservations required. Tour begins and ends in the George Washington Masonic National Memorial parking lot. Call 703-838-4399.

Italian Night Concert at the Council Hall, 8592 Richmond Highway, will feature Melissa O'Connor, soprano and Anthony Torchia, tenor, singing operatic favorites. $25 per Person includes a dinner of Italian-style entrees (choice of 4), antipasto, and dessert. There will be a cash bar. Babysitting services are available. Dinner is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. followed by the concert, 8-10 p.m. Call 703-360-1964 Ext. 4 for reservations.

Hauptmann at Port City Playhouse, 1108 Jefferson St., 8 p.m. $12. Call 703-838-2880 or visit www.portcityplayhouse.com.

Trunk Show. Noon-4 p.m. at Kelly's Art & Frame, 510 N. Washington St., Alexandria. A large selection of quality original paintings, limited edition prints and jewelry. Meet the artists and enjoy live music by the Sal De Raffele Duo.

<b>Sunday/Oct. 16

</b>Candidates Forum Brunch at Agudas Achim Congregation, 2908 Valley Drive, 10 a.m. to noon. Candidates for Virginia House of Delegates 45th and 46th District seats and for Alexandria Sheriff will be present. Admission $5. Reservations suggested. Call Steve Newman at 703-548-9485.

The Ark of Art Open Studio Show. Von Brahler Ltd./Gallery at 1437 Powhatan St. Continues 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 703-798-8686.

Susan Tedeschi with Jackie Greene at The Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., 7:30 p.m. $45. Call 703-549-7500 or visit www.birchmere.com.

Tom Teasley will perform, 3 p.m at Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, 1909 Windmill Lane. $15. Contact Joanne Masterson at BELBenefit@mvuc.org or 703-721-0336.

Discover 18th Century Communication at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St., 1-4:30 p.m., tours are 1 hour with the last starting at 3:30 p.m. Travel back in time at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum and uncover how life was in the 18th-century by making and writing with a quill pen, finding messages in food and drink, and cracking secret codes used during the Revolutionary War. $5 per person ages 5 and up; reservations required. Call 703-838-4242.

<b>Monday/Oct. 17

</b>The First Grace Cup Annual Golf Tournament starting at noon at Belle Haven Country Club, 6023 Fort Hunt Rd. All our welcome and lunch is included. There will be a closest to the pin contest and a hole-in-one contest. Grace Episcopal School will donate 10 percent of the proceeds to the Campagna Center. Call 703-739-6013.

Monthly Monday Member Meet-Up at The Christmas Attic, 125 S. Union St., 5:30-7:30 p.m. Guests welcome.

Elementary Education Meeting. 7:30 pm. The Upper King Street Neighborhood Association and the Inner City Civic League will hold a special joint meeting focusing on elementary education. Guest speakers include School Superintendent Rebecca Perry; School Board Member Melissa Luby; Mayor Bill Euille; new Jefferson Houston School Principal Annette Shupe; and new Jefferson Houston Parent Teacher Association president Lane Browning. The two civic leagues will meet at the Durant Recreation Center at 1605 Cameron St., Alexandria. Contact Trey Hanbury at 703-535-6766 or trey.hanbury@gmail.com. Visit www.upperkingstreet.org.

King Street Metro Enterprise Team will meet for its Monthly Monday Member Meet-Up, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Christmas Attic, 125 S. Union St. The King Street Metro Enterprise Team provides, networking, advocacy and marketing for a variety of businesses located east of Alexandria Union Station. Street parking is available. Guests are welcome. Call Lois Walker at 703-549-4696.

<b>Tuesday/Oct. 18

</b>Lecture. The Mount Vernon Genealogical Society will present: "Using All the Census Data: Agricultural, Manufacturing, Population, Slave and Social." Free. Hollin Hall Senior Center, 1500 Shenandoah Road, Room 112, Alexandria. Visit http://www.mindspring.com/~mvg or call Harold McClendon at 703-360-0920.

Dine Out. The Walk to Fight Breast Cancer is pleased to invite the community to participate in its first-ever Dine Out for the Walk to Fight Breast Cancer. Seventeen Alexandria restaurants in Old Town, Del Ray, and the West End will be donating a portion of the proceeds from their sales throughout the day to the Walk to Fight Breast Cancer. Visit www.alexcancerwalk.com.

<b>Wednesday/Oct. 19

</b>Awards Ceremony for Empowered Women International held at the Durant Center, 1605 Cameron St., 6:30-9:30 p.m. The third Evelyn LaPierre Awards features Nora Partlow, a successful entrepreneur from Cuba, Flory Jagoda, a sephardic musician and composer from Bosnia, and Klara Sever, a sculptor and restorer from Czechoslovakia. The event includes a sculptural exhibition of Klara Sever, silent auction and music. $35 includes hors d'oeuvres buffet and drinks. E-mail Marga at cfripp@aol.com or call 301-693-1346.

Concert. Lesson Zero will perform at the Old Town Theatre, 815 King St., 9:30 p.m. Free.

Lisa Loeb at The Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., 7:30 p.m. $19.50. Call 703-549-7500 or visit www.birchmere.com.

Rachel Cross will perform on Steve Key's Music Showcase, 7-10 p.m. at Stella's, 1725 Duke St. Call 703-519-1946 or visit www.stellas.com.

Dwight Young Lecture Series at Gadsby's Tavern, 134 N. Royal St., 7 p.m. He will discuss the history of cemetery design and art in America. $12. Free to teachers and students. Call 703-838-4242 or visit www.GadsbysTavern.org.

<b>Thursday/Oct. 20

</b>Great Books Discussion Group. 7-8:30 pm, to discuss a selection from "The Theory of the Leisure Class" by Thorstein Veblem. 29 pages. For information, call Bill Scouton: 703-931-3559.

Garden Stroll and Tea, 1-3 p.m. 20 demonstration gardens are followed by a full English tea. Groups may contact the historic house to make arrangements for tours and teas. $24. Call Green Spring at 703-941-7987, TTY 703-324-3988.

Hal Ketchum at the Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., at 7:30 p.m. $25. Call 703-549-7500.

<b>Saturday/Oct. 22

</b>Anniversary Ball. Dance the night away to a selection of smooth, Latin and swing. 7-11 p.m. at Dance Studio Lioudmila, celebrating its fifth anniversary. 18 Roth St. Appetizers and desserts will be served, and there will be performances by Pro-Am dance champions. Semi-formal attire requested. $25 in advance or $28 at the door. Call

703-751-8868 or visit www.dancelioudmila.com.

Grand Opening Gala for the James M. Duncan, Jr., Branch Library. 11 a.m-3 p.m. Duncan Library has expanded by 5,000 square feet. The renovations include a naturally lit adult reading area, an exciting new and enlarged children's area and an additional entrance provided from Commonwealth Avenue and a green roof.

Painting with Leaves. Leaves come in all shapes, sizes, and fall colors. Come and create a work of art using different leaves. There will be painting, so dress accordingly. 10:30 a.m.-noon. Suitable for families. Call 703-838-4829 or visit www.alexandria.gov/recreation.

Bulbing Basics. Tulips? Daffodils? Both? Learn how to prepare a beautiful yard for the spring. 2-3:30 p.m. Call 703-838-4829 or visit www.alexandria.gov/recreation.

"Jazz at St. James" at St. James United Methodist Church, 5000 Echols Ave., 6:15 p.m. with a worship service at 5 p.m. Call 703-518-8800, ext. 228.

Thomas Jefferson High School Class of 1985 will hold a class reunion at the Hilton in Arlington. Call 1-800-655-7971 or visit GreatReunions.com.

The Walk to Fight Breast Cancer, a 1.5K/3.5K/5K walk/run in Eisenhower Valley at 8:30 a.m., which supports the Alexandria Breast Cancer Walk Fund at Inova Alexandria Hospital. The cost is $25 for adults, $10 for children and $35 after Oct. 19. Register online at www.alexcancerwalk.com or call 703-838-5030.

“Warming the Troops: Alexandria’s Crimean Ovens.” A two-hour Java Jolt lecture with Wally Owen, Assistant Director, Fort Ward Museum and Steve Shephard, Assistant City Archaeologist. 10 a.m.-noon at Fort Ward Museum, 4301 West Braddock Road. Free but reservations required. Call 703-838-4848.

Fall Harvest Family Days. Harvest celebration with dancing, blacksmithing, wagon rides, bake sale, and free pumpkin for children under 11. George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway. 9 a.m.-5 p.m $11. Call 703-780-2000 or visit www.mountvernon.org.

<b>Sunday/Oct. 23

</b> Fall Harvest Family Days. Harvest celebration with dancing, blacksmithing, wagon rides, bake sale, and free pumpkin for children under 11. George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway. 9 a.m.-5 p.m $11. Call 703-780-2000 or visit www.mountvernon.org.

<b>Tuesday/Oct. 25

</b>Feeding Your Whole Family Healthy, from 5:30-7 p.m. at Neurofeedback Consultants, Inc., 2121 Eisenhower Ave Suite 604. Learn how a childs behavior/moods can be affected by their diet, and how to get the entire family to eat healthier. $30 includes, lecture, healthy snacks and recipes. Space is limited, call 703-684-0334 or 703-360-8791.

<b>Wednesday/Oct. 26

</b>Lecture by S. Eugene Poteat titled "The Heroic Women Spies Who Altered the Course of American History." Poteat is the President of the Association of Former Intelligence Agents. The lecture will be given to the Alexandria Historical Society, at the Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St., 7:30 p.m. Free. Call 703-683-2636 or visit www.alexandriahistorical.org.

The Hickories will perform on Steve Key's Music Showcase, 7-10 p.m. at Stella's, 1725 Duke St. Call 703-519-1946 or visit www.stellas.com.

<b>Saturday/Oct. 29

</b>Tours of Fort Ward, 4301 West Braddock Road. The free walking tours will be conducted by guides in period uniform. The tours will introduce visitors to the history of the Defenses of Washington, the building and role of Fort Ward, 19th-century fortification engineering, and the troops who were stationed in this area during the Civil War. Walking shoes are recommended. Open to the general public. Call 703-838-4848.

Squirrels Everywhere. How are pinecones, acorns, holes in the ground and squirrels all linked together? Join a naturalist on an exploration to find out. Take a hike and conduct an official squirrel count. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Suitable for preschool age children. Call 703-838-4829 or visit www.alexandria.gov/recreation.

Business Awards Dinner at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, First St., 6:30 p.m. The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce will pay tribute to their Business Leader of the Year and honor outstanding small businesses in Alexandria. $75. Call Elizabeth Randolph 703-549-1000, Ext. 207 or registration online at www.alexchamber.com.

Kinderfest at the Hollin Hall Senior Center, 1500 Shenandoah Road,12-3 p.m. All families are invited to come for an afternoon of games, crafts, pumpkin decorating, activities, a moon bounce and food. There will be a 30-minute reptile show at 3 p.m. and live music by Lesson Zero. Children are encouraged to come in costume. No admission fee, but there is a nominal fee for games, activities and food. Contact Tara at 703-768-8915 or Marilyn at 703-768-4747.

<b>Monday/Oct. 31

</b>Eliza Gilkyson to open for Richard Thompson at The Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave. $17.50. Call 703-549-7500 for time and prices. Additional performance Nov. 1.

<b>Tuesday/Nov. 1

</b>King Street Metro Task Force meeting at the Durant Center, 1605 Cameron St., 8 a.m. The King Street Metro Task Force is involved in matters of interest to businesses and residents in the King Street Metro area. All are welcome.

Eliza Gilkyson to open for Richard Thompson at The Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave. $17.50. Call 703-549-7500 for time and prices. Additional performance Oct. 31.

<b>Wednesday/Nov. 2

</b>Peter Henriques Lecture Series at Gadsby's Tavern, 134 N. Royal St., at 7 p.m. He will discuss the Leadership of George Washington. $12. Free to teachers and students. Call 703-838-4242 or visit www.GadsbysTavern.org.

<b>Saturday/Nov. 5

</b>Morning Bird Walk. Enjoy a peaceful morning walk through the woods. Field guides will help identify flying friends. 9-10:30 a.m. Suitable for adults. Call 703-838-4829 or visit www.alexandria.gov/recreation.

Festive Fall Crafts. Get creative with fall. Make crafts that will help decorate any home for the fall season. 2-3 p.m. Suitable for families. Call 703-838-4829 or visit www.alexandria.gov/recreation.