E-mail announcements to the Gazette, gazette@connectionnewspapers.com. Photos and artwork are encouraged. Deadline is Thursday at noon for the following week's paper. Call Rebecca Halik at 703-917-6407 with questions.
Ongoing
Bike Ride. Every Sunday at 2 p.m. at Cameron Run Regional Park Parking lot, 4100 Eisenhower Ave. Come ride on the Holmes Run Greenway. Anyone can ride, children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Free. Ride either 5.6 miles or 6.9 miles. Visit http://bike.meetup.com/288 or call Susan Schneider, BikeWalk Alexandria, at 202-403-1148.
America's oldest and largest display of historic and contemporary needlework open competition is showcased each day of March (1-31) at Woodlawn's 1805 mansion, 9000 Richmond Highway from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Nelly's Needlers' Tea Room offers lunch and desserts from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. (cash and checks only). Group luncheon reservations for 10 or more are required — call 703-960-9012. All proceeds benefit Woodlawn. Visit www.woodlawn1805.org or 703-780-4000.
In March and April, in fun and informative "seminars" local residents can learn how to find treasures along Richmond Highway. There will be guided "field trips" to find great treasures in thrift shops and antique shops. WIth the help of an expert, the treasure hunters will explore the wonderful local sources for antique, vintage, collectible and gently used great finds. Sign up for one session or a series. 703-819-4512 for more information.
The Alexandria Library invites the community to read “Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World’s Worst Dog,” by John Grogan this spring as part of the inaugural All Alexandria Reads program. From April through June, all residents of Alexandria are encouraged to check out “Marley & Me,” and get involved in discussion groups, special events, and activities that focus on animal-based themes from the book. Extra copies of the book are available at every library in Alexandria—check out your copy today and be a part of this exciting program. As part of this year’s All Alexandria Reads activities, the Alexandria Library has planned a number of other spring programs featuring information on dog health, obedience, and even massage. For a complete listing of events, visit a branch of the Alexandria Library or visit www.alexandria.lib.va.us
See “National Treasure” tours through March 31 at 10:30 a.m. or 2:30 p.m. at Mount Vernon Estate. $2/person including the admission: $13/adult; $12/senior; $6/child. Visit www.mountvernon.org for more.
Visit George Washington’s Distillery & Gristmill through Oct. 31 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. See how whiskey got started. $4/adult; $2/child. Get discounts with admission to Mount Vernon Estate. Visit www.mountvernon.org for more.
Take a seasonal walking tour from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Mount Vernon Estate. This 30-minute tour explores a variety of contributions. Free. Visit www.mountvernon.org for more.
On Sundays take a Potomac River Sightseeing Cruise at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. $9/adult; $5/child in addition to Mount Vernon Estate admission. Visit www.mountvernon.org for schedules.
Other Stuff
High school students from the Greater Washington Metropolitan Area are being offered entertaining instruction in a cappella harmony during the 2008 Youth Harmony Festival, sponsored by the Alexandria Harmonizers Chorus, on Saturday, March 29, at the Dr. Oswald Durant Memorial Center, 1605 Cameron St. This inaugural event is open to young men and women in grades 8 to 12, and choral music educators from schools in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. Registration required. Further information and registration forms are available at www.harmonizers.org or by calling Brad Jones at 301-460-6362.
Friday/March 21
Music Performance. The Mount Vernon Swing Band will perform from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at Hollin Hall Senior Center, 1500 Shenandoah Road. $4/person. 703-765-4573.
Opening Reception. 6 p.m.-midnight Art Whino, 717 N. Saint Asaph St., presents “Texas Made” from March 21 through April 4. Spotlight is on 10 emerging artists from Texas. Cash bar. Free. Visit www.artwhino.com or 703-462-4135.
Ceremony. 11 a.m. at Mount Vernon Estate, see Gardener’s House, meet “William Spence,” Washington’s gardener and more. $13/adult; $12/senior; $6/child. Visit www.mountvernon.org or 703-780-2000.
Saturday/March 22
Cat Care Series. 2:30 p.m. at PetSage, 2391 S. Dove St. Learn the latest information and advice on cat healthcare and more. $40/session or $90 all three session. 703-299-5044 to register.
History Easter Egg Hunt. 1 a.m.-4 p.m. at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. Search for eggs while learning about Gadsby’s Tavern. $5/adult; $3/child. Reservations can be made at 703-838-4242. Visit www.gadsbystavern.org.
Master Gardeners Class. 9:30 a.m.-noon at Fort Ward Park, 4301 W. Braddock Road. Learn how to prune a garden. Free. To register or information, 703-228-6414.
Book Fair Fun. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St. Children can go on a history scavenger hunt, enjoy story time, crafts and more. Books will be available for purchase. Local author Betty Bruce Shepard will discuss her new book. Free. 703-838-4994 or visit www.alexandriahistory.org.
Saturday Stories. 2 p.m. at Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Road. For all ages. Free. 703-519-6000.
Author Talk. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St. Meet Vannessagrace, author of “The Dark Before the Light at Dawn,” local history writers Nathania Branch Miles and Jane Taylor Thomas, authors of “Fort Washington,” and more. Free. Visit www.alexblackhistory.org or 703-838-4356.
Monday/March 24
Writers’ Group. 7 p.m. at Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre. Bring material to read and get feedback. Free. 703-339-4610.
Mystery Group. 7 p.m. at Martha Washington Library, 6614 Fort Hunt Road. Call for title. Free. 703-768-6700.
Little One-Ders. 10 a.m. or 10:45 a.m. at Beatley Library, 5005 Duke St. Children ages 12-23 months. Registration required, 703-519-5900 ext. 4.
Family Story Night. 7 p.m. at Beatley Library, 5005 Duke St. For all ages. Free. 703-519-5900.
Mother Goose Time. 9:30 a.m. at Barrett Branch Library, 717 Queen St. For children ages 12-24 months. Free. 703-838-4555.
Tuesday/March 25
Book Discussion. 7:30 p.m. at Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre. Discuss “All the King’s Men” by Robert Penn Warren. Free. 703-339-4610.
Time for 2’s. 10 a.m. at Beatley Library, 5005 Duke St. Children ages 24-36. Registration required, 703-519-5900 ext. 4.
Story Time. 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. at Duncan Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave. For children up to age 4. Sign up half hour before. Free. 703-838-4566.
Tuesday Tots. 11 a.m. at Burke Branch, 4701 Seminary Road. For children ages 2-3. Free. 703-519-6000.
Stories to Grow On. 11 a.m. at Barrett Branch Library, 717 Queen St. For children ages 2 and up. Free. 703-838-4555.
Wednesday/March 26
Writers’ Group. 7 p.m. at Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre. Bring material to read and get feedback. Free. 703-339-4610.
W is for Windy. Children ages 2-5 can enjoy alphabet fun and stories at 10:30 a.m. at Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane. Free. 703-765-3645.
Del Ray Centennial Lecture. Leland Ness will give an illustrated lecture on the history of Del Ray at 7:30 p.m. at the Lyceum, 201 South Washington St. Free. Information at www.alexandriahistorical.org or 703-683-2636.
Music Performance. The Navy Band’s “Commodores” jazz ensemble performs at 7:30 p.m. at T.C. Williams High School, 3330 King St. Free. Visit www.navyband.navy.mil or 202-433-2525.
Drop in Board and Card Games. 3-5 p.m. at Duncan Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave. Children ages 8 and up can enjoy a variety of games. Free. 703-838-4566.
Pajama Party. Children ages 3-6 can enjoy stories and activities at 7 p.m. at Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Road. Free. 703-519-6000.
Mother Goose Time. 9:30 a.m. at Barrett Branch Library, 717 Queen St. For children ages 12-24 months. Free. 703-838-4555.
Stories to Grow On. 11 a.m. at Barrett Branch Library, 717 Queen St. For children ages 2 and up. Free. 703-838-4555.
Lecture. 7-9 p.m. at Virginia Tech’s Alexandria Campus, 1021 Prince St. Richard Martinez will discuss “Immigration and American Cities: Opportunities and Challenges.” Free. E-mail kanacker@vt.edu or 703-706-8160.
Story Time. 10:30 a.m. at Olsson’s Old Town, 106 S. Union St. Children ages 3-5 can enjoy a picture book. Free. 703-684-0077.
Thursday/March 27
Science and Stories. 4 p.m. at John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive. Children ages 4-6 can enjoy stories, activities and science experiments. Free. 703-971-0010.
Spring is Here. Celebrate spring with stories, fingerplays and activities at 1 p.m. at Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre. For children ages 3-5. Free. 703-339-4610.
Meet the Author. Lori Smith discusses “A Walk with Jane Austen: A Journey into Adventure, Love and Faith” at 7 p.m. at Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre. Free. 703-339-4610.
Everything Grows. 10:30 a.m. at Martha Washington Library, 6614 Fort Hunt Road. Children ages 2-5 can enjoy stories, fingerplays and more. Free. 703-768-6700.
Story Time. 10 a.m. or 3 p.m. at Beatley Library, 5005 Duke St. Children ages 3-5. Free. 703-519-5900.
Thursday Story Time. 11 a.m. at Duncan Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave. For children ages 3-5. Free. 703-838-4566.
Mother Goose Time. 9:30 a.m. at Duncan Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave. For children ages 12-24 months. Free. 703-838-4566.
Short Story Discussion. 7 p.m. at Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Road. Discuss stories from “Art of the Story” by David Halpern. Free. 703-519-3498.
Story Time. 4 p.m. at Barrett Branch Library, 717 Queen St. For children ages 3-5. Free. 703-838-4555.
Movie. Watch “The Violin” at 7 p.m. at The Caboose Café & Bakery, 2419 Mount Vernon Ave. Free. 703-566-3565. Music Performance. The St. Charles String Quartet will perform with guest pianist Andrew Dias at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St. Performance starts at 7:30 p.m. Free with donations accepted. Contact Neil Puzon at 240-416-3105 or visit www.stcharlesquartet.com.
Friday/March 28
Lunch Bunch. Noon at John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive. Children up to age 5 can bring lunch and listen to stories. Free. 703-971-0010.
Time for 2’s. 10 a.m. at Beatley Library, 5005 Duke St. Children ages 24-36. Registration required, 703-519-5900 ext. 4.
Music performance. There will be a Mount Vernon Pyramid choral concert featuring Mount Vernon High School, Walt Whitman Middle School and more at 8515 Old Mount Vernon Road. Free. E-mail justin.duff@fcps.edu for more. Music Performance. Mount Vernon Pyramid presents “On With the Show” at 7 p.m. at 8515 Old Mount Vernon Road. Free.
Saturday/March 29
Evening of Magic. 6:30 p.m. at Bishop Ireton High School, 201 Cambridge Road. See local magicians perform in the lobby and performance starts at 7:30 p.m. $10/person. Visit www.magi-whirl.org or 703-698-6953.
Saturday Stories. 10:30 a.m. at Beatley Library, 5005 Duke St. All ages. Registration required, 703-519-5900 ext. 4.
Music Performance. 8 p.m. at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St. Beverly Cosham sings Cabaret. $25/person. Visit alexperformingartsassociation.com or 703-505-0700.
Great Rum Punch Challenge. 7-9:30 p.m. at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. Enjoy seven different rum punches created by local distilleries. $50/person or $100/person which includes a special patron bag. Both prices include unlimited food and drink. Reservations required, 703-838-4242 or www.gadsbystavern.org. Annual Dance for All Ages. 7-9 p.m. at T.C. Williams High School, 3330 King St. Enjoy a “Sock Hop” for all ages with prizes and awards. Free. RSVP by March 21 to Robert Gordon 703-838-4831.
Author Talk. 1:30 p.m. at Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane. Mar-Carroll Potter will discuss “Prolonging a Lifestyle that We Treasure.” Free. 703-765-6690.
Martial Art Display. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. at Studio Ondas in Landmark Mall, 5801 Duke St. Watch this art while listening to music, participate in workshops and more. For more information, visit: http://ondascapoeira.com
Sunday/March 30
Fine Art Auction. 2:30 p.m. at Belle Haven Country Club, 6023 Fort Hunt Road. Browse through 150 pieces of art including art by Torpedo Factory artists. $25/person includes hors d’oeuvres, dessert, coffe and a glass of wine. Benefits local charities. Call Joe for tickets 703-971-8148.
Music Performance. The “President’s Own” Marine Band Orchestra will perform at 2 p.m. at Schlesinger Concert Hall, 3001 N. Beauregard St. Free. Visit www.marineband.usmc.mil or 202-433-4011.
Open Reception. 1-3 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, artist Kim Stenberg will show her recent work in acrylics in a two-month exhibition from Feb. 26 through April 27. Works included in the exhibition are landscape and floral paintings on paper and canvas.
Opening Reception. 1-3 p.m. see “Canvas Garden II” by Marni Maree through April 28 at Green Spring Gardens Park Horticultural Center, 4601 Green Spring Road. See watercolors painted on canvas. Visit www.marnimaree.com or 703-642-5173.
Monday/March 31
Little One-Ders. 10 a.m. or 10:45 a.m. at Beatley Library, 5005 Duke St. Children ages 12-23 months. Registration required, 703-519-5900 ext. 4.
Family Story Night. 7 p.m. at Beatley Library, 5005 Duke St. For all ages. Free. 703-519-5900.
Mother Goose Time. 9:30 a.m. at Barrett Branch Library, 717 Queen St. For children ages 12-24 months. Free. 703-838-4555.
March Madness Band Concert. 7:30 p.m. The West Potomac High School Band presents its annual performance of spirited march music, joined by guest artists and conductors from the community. Springbank Auditorium, 6500 Quander Road. Free. 703-765-3019.
Show-Style Review. Fourth grade staff and students will host “Deal or No Deal: A Review of the SOLs” at 6:30 .m. at Jefferson Houston, 1501 Cameron St. Free. 703-706-4400.
Wednesday/April 2
Science Unrestricted. 4:30-7:30 p.m. at Institute for Defense Analysis, 4850 Mark Center Drive. Students, families and teachers can build a computer, make slime and more, including contests, prizes, toys and more. Free. 703-824-6639.
Story Time. 10:30 a.m. at Olsson’s Old Town, 106 S. Union St. Children ages 3-5 can enjoy a picture book. Free. 703-684-0077.
Friday/April 4
Music for Brass Quintet. 8 p.m. at Masonic Memorial, 101 Callahan Drive. Free. Hear music by the United States Air Force Band Chamber Players. Visit www.usafband.af.mil or 202-767-5658.
Saturday/April 5
Music Performance. 8 p.m. at the Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, 3001 N. Beauregard St. The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra will perform with the Metropolitan Chorus and Heritage Signature Chorale. 420$80/person. Visit www.alexsym.org or 703-548-0885.
Sewing Bee. Make colorful, lightweight cotton Recovery Covers for breast cancer surgery patients from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Del Ray Artisans Gallery in the Colasanto Center, 2407 Mount Vernon Ave. Sewing machines will be on hand, but if you want to bring another and scissors, thread (all colors) and straight pins, please do. A simple pattern is available. If you have questions, please call Jane DeWeerd 703-548-2612 or Theresa Kulstad 703-283-0399.