I went out for a jog yesterday and actually detected a tinge of fall in the air. This can mean only one thing: The Annual Mile-Long Yard Sale is fast approaching! The sale, held along the length of Taney Avenue between Van Dorn and Latham Streets, is set for Saturday, Sept. 26, rain or shine. Get to know a neighbor and ask to share his front lawn. The Brookville-Seminary Valley Civic Association sponsors this event, and volunteers from that organization will be collecting token table fees and also membership fees, if you are so interested. This is a great event, and the proceeds benefit many West End community projects. Given the tough financial times, I predict that there will be deals to be had!
The following weekend of Oct. 3 has many Valley residents busy. Sandy Yamamoto, our resident Animal Welfare League advocate, will be recovered from the "Dogge Walk" in Old Town and will be putting on her finery for the group’s Annual Dinner and Silent Auction. The League is taking care of 30 percent more animals this year, primarily due to owner surrender … so if you can help by attending this event, go to www.awla.org and get the details.
Also on that day, T.C. Williams band students will be fanning out all over the city for the group’s annual "Band Day," its primary fundraiser. Every dollar helps this self-sustaining organization, of which many Seminary Valley families have members and alumni. If you won’t be home to answer the door, put your contribution in the mail and send it to: Brian Thomas, Band Director, T.C. Williams Marching Band, 3330 King Street, Alexandria VA 22302.
The band students (and probably some dogs too) will be consorting with the throngs of folks visiting our neighbors over in Del Ray for the annual Art on the Avenue. Many local artists, including Seminary Valley’s own Tamara Wilkerson, have shown their wares at this event. Vendors (both art and food) set up their tables all along Mt. Vernon Avenue; it is truly a community celebration of Alexandria’s creativity.
With the summer over, some vacations are a distant memory. Neighbors Sarah and Richard Glassco probably traveled the most distance, all the way to Alaska, to hike and camp and raft and, well, you name it. I am going to ask Sarah to write a column about her adventures in the near future. The only down side? The trip was timed around a home renovation and, you guessed it, it’s not quite done.
Mia Jones
mamamiajones@gmail.com