Send announcements to the Gazette, by e-mail to gazette@connectionnewspapers.com. Photos and artwork are encouraged. Deadline is Friday at noon for the following week's paper. Call Rebecca Halik at 703-917-6407 with questions.
<b>Thursday/March 22
</b>Curiosity Club. 4 p.m. John Marshall Library. 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Stories, science experiments and activities. Children 4-6 with adult. Free. 703-971-0010.
Pets of All Kinds. 10:30 a.m. Martha Washtington Library. 6614 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria. Stories, fingerplays, songs and a craft. Ages 2-5 with an adult. Free. 703-768-6700.
Computer Security Class. 2 p.m. Martha Washtington Library. 6614 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria. Learn how to protect your home computer form virus, hackers and other threats. Free. 703-768-6700.
<b>Friday/March 23
</b>Lunch Bunch. Noon. John Marshall Library. 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Bring your lunch and listen to stories. Children ages birth – 5 with adult. Free. 703-971-0010.
Knitting for Beginners. 12:30. Martha Washington Library. 6614 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria. Bring your own supplies. Free. 703-768-6700.
Music Performance. The Rick Whitehead Jazz Trio will be performing at 219 Restaurant at 9 p.m. Located at 219 King St. in Alexandria, Virginia. 703-549-1141 for reservations. $5 cover charge.
West Potomac Academy's Second Annual Fashion Show and Charity Benefit. 7 p.m. West Potomac High School. 6500 Quander Road, Alexandria. An innovative, student-organized presentation including fashion, music, and jazz dance. A percentage of the evening's proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross of the National Capital Area. Come a little earlier at 5:30 p.m. to do some shopping. Registration required, 703-718-2750 or mimi.boyd@fcps.edu.
Frog Fantasy. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Bryant Alternative High School Auditorium. 2709 Popkins Lane, Alexandria. Frog Pond Early Learning Center hosts a musical celbration of the nonprofit preschool and child care center's seven full school years. Silent and live auctions held. Free, with donations welcome. No registration required, 703-795-3379.
Music Performance. All of the schools in the Mount Vernon Pyramid will come together in song at 7 p.m. in the Skinner Field House at Mount Vernon High School, 8515 Old Mount Vernon Road. This year’s concert is titled, "Colors of the World," and it is a celebration of diversity. 703-619-3100.
<b>Saturday/March 24
</b>Fundraising Gala. "Rhapsody in Red Gala – Tango in La Boca." Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is hosting a fundraising ball featuring tango dancing, Argentine cuisine, and an auction to benefit the Alexandria Red Cross. $200. Reservations at 703-299-2503. More information at www.alexandriaredcross.org.
Annual Gala. Good Shepard Housing and Family Services will hold "Starry, Starry Night" gala from 6-11 p.m. at Mount Vernon Country Club, 5111 Old Mill Road, Alexandria. Tickets $150, which include open bar, choice of dinner, live and silent auction and dancing. 703-768-9404.
League of Women Voters of Alexandria are having a free open meeting at Duncan Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave., Alexandria on Saturday, March 24 from 10:30 a.m.-noon. This an update on the league position on metropolitan Washington airports. 703-548-5168.
Great Rum Punch. 7-9:30 p.m. at Gadsby's Tavern, 134 N. Royal St., Alexandria. Enjoy six different rum creations from local distilleries, restaurants and caterers and vote for your favorite one. $50/person includes food and drink or $100/person includes admission and patron bag. Reservations required www.gadsbystavern.org or 703-838-4242.
Author Signing. 2-3 p.m. St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub, 2300 Mt. Vernon Ave, Alexandria. Michelle Katz, MSN, author of "Healthcare for Less" will be on site for discussion, questions and answers and a book signing. 703-739-9268.
Invasive Species Removal. 12-3 p.m. Monticello Park. 3104 Russell Road, Alexandria. The Northern Virginia Conservation Trust is hosting this event to remove organisms, partcicularily English Ivy, that cause harm to many valuable natural resources. Refreshments provided. Bring clippers and loppers. Free. No registration required, 703-354-5093 ext 25.
Spelling Bee Event. For Alexandria students from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Score!, 6550 Little River Turnpike. Open to children of all ages. Students will be asked to spell grade-appropriate words in a group setting. Prizes will be given for the best speller in each grade. To register 703-642-3190 or e-mail Score_Alexandrias@kaplan.com.
Silent Auction. The Charles Barrett Elementary School PTA will hold its annual Silent Auction, known as the "Panda Soiree" from 6:30-10 p.m. at the George Washington Masonic Temple. Tickets are $12/person in advance or $15/person at the door. Contact Sharon Forrer at s_forrer@msn.com.
<b>Sunday/March 25
</b>Music Performance. "The President's Own" United States Marine Band, Chamber Orchestra and Chamber Ensembles will perform at 2 p.m. at Schlesinger Concert Hall, 3001 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria. Free. Visit www.marineband.usmc.mil or 202-433-4011.
Music Performance. The Duke Ellington School of the Arts presents a show choir concert at 4 p.m. at Alfred Street Baptist Church, 301 S. Alfred St. , Alexandria. Free. 301-420-0000.
Meet the Artists. 1-3:30 p.m., meet the artists of "Artistic Duo," Stephen and Carolyn Gawarecki from Feb. 28-April 30 at Green Spring Gardens Park, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. Landscape and floral watercolors by Carolyn and photographs by Stephen. Visit www.greenspring.org.
Art Reception. 2-5 p.m. at Elizabeth Stone Gallery, 1127 King St., Suite 201, Alexandria. Katherine Janus Kahn, illustrator of Sammy Spider series will autograph books and show off new art. Visit www.elizabethstonegallery.com.
Upstairs Downstairs. 1-3 p.m. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. A complex look at the history and lives of the domestic servants who were once kept "below stairs," despite the integral role they served within their households. Traditional English tea follows. $24. Registration and reservation required, 703-941-7987, TTY 703-324-3988. '
Theater Performance. Mount Vernon United Methodist Church presents "The 'Honest' Emperor's New Clothes" at 5 p.m. at the Church, 2006 Belle View Blvd., Alexandria. $4 at the door. Contact Dawn Meadows at 703-627-4570 or studiogolddance@starpower.net.
Brunch Meeting. Gold Star Wives of America will meet at 11 a.m. for a brunch and a meeting at noon at Ft. Belvoir Officers Club in Ft. Belvoir. Call 703-758-7625 or 703-255-9447 for more information.
<b>Monday/March 26
</b>First Page. 7 p.m. Kingstowne Library. 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. A group for all aspiring writers. Adults. Free. 703-339-4610.
Salute to Women Banquet. 6 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel, 901 N. Fairfax St., Old Town. $75/person and can be purchased at www.alexwomen.com. Deadline to RSVP is March 21. Proceeds from the Banquet will benefit programs of the Office on Women. Contact Jen Harris at 703-838-5030 ext.112, by e-mail at jennifer.harris@alexandriava.gov, or visit www.alexwomen.com.
Hot Coffee/Hot Topics. 10 a.m. Beth El Hebrew Congregation. 3830 Seminary Road, Alexandria. Dr. Carl Steiner, Professor emeritus at George Washington University will discuss the book "Turmoil in the Middle East and Israel: Hope or Despair." 703-354-5654.
Mystery Book Group. 7 p.m. Martha Washtington Library. 6614 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria. "Open Season" by C.J. Box. Free. 703-768-6700.
Children's Adventures. 1:30 p.m. at Olsson's Arlington, 2111 Wilson Blvd. Illustrator Jackie Urbanovic will present her new book "Duck at the Door." Free. School and day care groups welcome. 703-525-4227.
<b>Tuesday/March 27
</b>Book Discussion. 7:30 p.m. Kingstowne Library. 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. "Martha Washington: An American Life" by Patricia Brady. Adults. Free. 703-339-4610.
Compost Workshop. 7-8:30 p.m. at Mount Vernon Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Ave. Free. Learn the basics of growing healthy gardens. 703-228-6414.
<b>Wednesday/March 28
</b>Writer’s Group. 7 p.m. Kingstowne Library. 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Library Writers Peer Review Group. For those seriously pursuing publication. Adults. Free. 703-339-4610.
History Lecture. Alexandria Historical Society presents "Virginia and the China Trade" lecture at 7:30 p.m. at the Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St. , Alexandria. Free. The speaker will be David Taylor, author of "Ginseng, the Divine Root" and Old Town resident. 703-838-4994.
March Madness Musical Event. 7:30 p.m. West Potomac High School. 6500 Quander Road, Alexandria. A wide selection of upbeat music from the school's band. Also featuring guest artists and conductors from the community. Free. No registration required, 703-765-1548.
Author Talk. 7-9 p.m. at Virginia Tech's Alexandria campus, 1021 Prince St., Main Conference Room, 3rd floor. Peter Katz will present "The New Revolution: Form-based Codes." Free. Contact Heike Mayer at 703-706-8122 or heikem@vt.edu.
Spring Fling. The Aldersgate Spring Fling will take place from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Church, 1301 Collingwood Road. There will be photographers, artists, jewelers and more on site. 703-329-6768.
Theater Performance. "The Snow Queen" presented by the McKinley Children's Theater at 7 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room at McKinley Elementary, 1030 N. McKinley Road, Arlington. Free however donations to the theater program will be accepted at the door. 703-228-5280.
<b>Thursday/March 29
</b>Spring is Here. 1 p.m. Kingstowne Library. 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Stories and activities. Ages 2-5 with adult. Free. 703-339-4610.
Music Performance. The John Adams Elementary School Orff Ensemble, a group of student percussionists, will perform at 6 p.m. at the Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. N.W., Washington, D.C. Free. Visit www.kennedy-center.org.
Lunch and Learn. 10:30 a.m. The Fountains at Washington House. 5100 Fillmore Ave., Alexandria. Enjoy lunch and a tour, while learning more about retirement living at The Washington House. Registration required, 703-845-5075.
Spring Fling. The Aldersgate Spring Fling will take place from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Church, 1301 Collingwood Road. There will be photographers, artists, jewelers and more on site. 703-329-6768.
Theater Performance. "The Snow Queen" presented by the McKinley Children's Theater at 7 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room at McKinley Elementary, 1030 N. McKinley Road, Arlington. Free however donations to the theater program will be accepted at the door. 703-228-5280.
<b>Friday/March 30
</b>Basic Gardening Series: An Introduction to EcoSavvy Gardening. 1:30-2:30 p.m. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. An educational program on how to garden in an environmentally-friendly way. $11. Registration required, 703-642-5173.
Music Concert. The United States Air Force Band Chamber Players will perform at 8 p.m. at George Washington Masonic National Memorial, 101 Callahan Drive, Alexandria. Free. Visit www.usafband.com or 202-767-5658.
<b>Saturday/March 31
</b>Workshop: Teacup Garden Ornaments.
9:30-11:30 a.m. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. Bring your own teacup and saucer, and learn from staff horticulturist, Nancy Olney, how to turn these two items into a unique ornament for the garden. Paint, accessories and tools provided. $20. Registration required, 703-642-5173.
Family Fun: Backyard Bird Watching. 2-3:30 p.m. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. Learn how to identify neighborhood birds and make a special treat for those in your own community. $5 per family/project. Registration required, 703-642-5173.
Design and Decor Catalogue Auction. 10 a.m. The Potomack Company. 526 North Fayette Street, Alexandria. Including a portion of the historical Cliff Collection and other fabulous items from local designers. 703-684-4550 or www.potomackcompany.com
Distillery Opening. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., the George Washington Whiskey Distillery, located three miles from Mount Vernon Estate, will have costumed distillers and millers operating the machines. There will be family games, music and other events. $4/adult; $2/children 6-11. Visit www.mountvernon.org.
Author Signing. 1-5 p.m. Jean Marie Ward will sign copies of "With Nine You Get Vanry" and "Illumina: The Art of J.P. Targete." There will be chocolated, prizes and a drawing. At Waldenbooks in Landmark Mall, 5801 Duke St. 703-370-6869.
<b>Sunday/April 1
</b>Palm Sunday Event. 3 p.m. First Christian Church of Alexandria, 2723 King St, Alexandria. "The Seven Last Words of Christ" by Theodore DuBois. Free. 703-549-3911.
Music Performance. The Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic will perform at 5 p.m. at the Schlesinger Center, 3001 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria. Tickets are $15/adult and students are free and can be purchased at the door or online at www.wmpa.us.
Distillery Opening. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., the George Washington Whiskey Distillery, located three miles from Mount Vernon Estate, will have costumed distillers and millers operating the machines. There will be family games, music and other events. $4/adult; $2/children 6-11. Visit www.mountvernon.org.
Music Performance. The Eclipse Chamber Orchestra performs at 3 p.m. at the Masonic National Memorial, 101 Callahan Drive, Alexandria. Tickets $20/adults; $15/senior; $5/student. Visit www.eclipseco.com or call 703-256-2956.