October 3
Back-to-School Workshop – Nationally-recognized expert Kirk Martin, who has trained over 35,000 parents and teachers how to most effectively teach intense children, will provide practical strategies at a Back-to-School Workshop. Teachers, parents, grandparents and all caregivers are encouraged to attend. The workshop will be held from 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at Heritage Presbyterian Church, 8503 Fort Hunt Rd. For more information, please contact Kirk Martin at kirk@celebratecalm.com or visit www.CelebrateCALM.com.

Olympic Diving Champion Greg Louganis – The Alexandria Domestic Violence Program and Sexual Assault Response and Awareness Program invite the public to a special evening on Friday, October 3 to hear Olympic gold medalist Greg Louganis speak about his experience of surviving domestic violence. This free event will be held at the Hilton Mark Center, 5000 Seminary Rd. The evening begins with a silent auction to benefit the DVP and SARA programs at 6 p.m., followed by the program at 7 p.m. Seating is limited, so the public is encouraged to RSVP to 703-838-5030. Free parking will be available in the hotel garage.

October 3 – 5
Mount Vernon Wine Festival and Sunset Tour – Mount Vernons Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour celebrates the history of wine in Virginia with evening tours of the mansion and cellar, appearances by George and Martha Washington, and live blues on the east lawn overlooking the Potomac River. Visitors can bring a blanket and relax on the lawn as they sample wines from 16 Virginia wineries on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 3, 4 and 5, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are $30 (includes admission) and are available at Mount Vernons Ford Orientation Center or through www.MountVernon.org. Guests must be prepared to show identification for wine service. Designated drivers will receive free soft drinks.

October 4th
Art on the Avenue – Come and celebrate Art on the Avenue, a multi-cultural arts festival on Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Over 325 area artists and craftspeople selling their original works, international food, and three stages of live music. Free trolley transportation will be provided from the Braddock Road Metro station to the festival. For more information, www.artontheavenue.org. or call 703-683-3100.

Civil War Artillery Program – 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery re-enactors portray a Union Civil War regiment stationed at Fort Ward and conduct firing demonstrations, set up camp, and discuss the varied tools and skills of the artilleryman. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site, 4301 W. Braddock Road. For more information, visit  www.fortward.org or call 703-838-4848.

October 4 5
“O’ Inner Voice” presented by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra and Bowen McCauley Dance. Featuring: Massenets Meditation from Thais; Vaughn Williams Fantasia on Greensleeves and Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1 (Mvt. 1) with Jeffrey Watson, pianist. Performances are at 8 p.m. Sat.; 3 p.m. Sun. Tickets are $20-$80. Sunday Matinee youth tickets (ages 8-18) are only $5! Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, 3001 N. Beauregard St. For more information, visit www.alexsym.org or call 703-548-0885.

October 4 – December 31
Dr. Seuss For President” Art Exhibition – Coinciding with the historic 2008 U.S. presidential election, this unusual show features Dr. Seusss rarely seen political work, including the first release of Knotty Problem, a cartoon on the issue of taxes and Capitol Hill created by Seuss in 1942; the first print of the Triple Sling Jigger from Seusss Butter Battle Book, and four environmentally friendly prints from The Lorax. Admission is free. P & C Art Gallery, 212 King St. For more information, visit  www.pcart.com or call 703-549-2525.

October 5
Blessing of the Pets – This special service takes place in the beautiful churchyard of historic Christ Church, 118 N. Washington St., at 3 p.m. Free and open to all. For more information, visit www.historicchristchurch.org or call 703-549-1450.

October 7
About Architecture – What is Green Remodeling? – The City of Alexandria Lyceum and the AIA Northern Virginia Chapter will host the third of our new quarterly forums called About Architecture. William Brown, AIA, LEED AP, Chair of the AIA Northern Virginia Committee on the Environment, will introduce a presentation by Doug Horgan, vice president of BOWA Builders, Inc. The event, held at the Alexandria Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St., at 7 p.m., is free and reservations are not necessary. Refreshments will be served. For questions, please contact aianova@aianova.org or call 703-549-9747.

October 8
Alexandria Nonprofit Excellence Forum – Alexandria Community Trust  presents the fourth annual Nonprofit Excellence Forum from 8:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church, Alexandria.  Ted Leonsis will be delivering the keynote address.  ACT will host professional development breakout sessions on marketing & branding, financial accountability, strategic planning, fundraising in challenging times, and technology.  ACT will also announce the 2009 grant opportunities organizations interested in applying for capacity building grants must attend the event. For more details, please visit www.actforalexandria.org to download the registration form or email rsvp@actforalexandria.org.

October 9
Second Thursday Art Night: Dig It! – At the Torpedo Factory Art Center from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., visitors are invited to celebrate Second Thursday Art Nights Dig It! Join in on fun activities throughout the night, including a free prize drawing and scavenger hunt. Browse open studios, interact with the artists, and enjoy refreshments at this free event. 105 North Union Street. For more information, call 703-838-4565 or visit www.torpedofactory.org.

October 11
Alexandria Arts Safari The Torpedo Factory Art Center will host the 13th annual Alexandria Arts Safari, a FREE day of hands-on craft activities for kids and their families. From noon until 4 p.m. at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St. Children will enjoy the Clay Experience, Arts Safari Painting, Fabric Collage, Treasure Box Making, Papier Mache Animal and more! Children should arrive with big imaginations and wearing clothing that can get a little dirty. Most activities are appropriate for children kindergarten age and above with parent supervision. For more information, call 703-838-4565 or visit www.torpedofactory.org.

October 16 November 9
Pearl BaileyBy Request – MetroStage presents Roz White as the legendary songstress and irrepressible show biz personality. Performances are Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m. All tickets $35. For more information, visit www.metrostage.org or call 800-494-8497.  1201 North Royal St. Please note:
The first preview is Thursday, Oct. 16 at 8 p.m. and is a Pay-What-You-Can performance (tickets available at the door one hour before the show).

October 18
2008 International Gold Cup  – The 2008 International Gold Cup presented by Porsche of North America marks the 71st running of this prestigious race. Riders from across Europe who are official members of the International Federation of Amateur Riders will compete with U.S. jockeys for the World Cup of Nations at Great Meadow in The Plains. General admission car passes are $55 in advance, $65 week of the race. For ticket information contact the Virginia Gold Cup Association at 540-347-1215 or order online at www.vagoldcup.com.

Through October 18
Farmers Market at National Harbor – Experience the American Market the high-end farmers market at National Harbor.  Stroll along the outdoor promenade and choose from a vast offering of fine goods and specialty foods from the area’s premiere sellers including handmade crafts, floral, produce and wine. Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, visit www.americanmarketnh.com.

October 18 – 19
Fall Harvest Family Days – Mount Vernon welcomes the autumn season with Fall Harvest Family Days, Oct. 18 and 19 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Potomac River sightseeing cruises are half-price while supplies last. Fall Harvest Family Days is included with admission to the estate this weekend: $13 adults; $12 seniors; $6 children 6-11; free for children under 5. George Washingtons Distillery & Gristmill are free this weekend with estate admission. For more information, call 703-780-2000 or visit www.mountvernon.org.

October 22
Underground Railroad Lecture – Author Mary Kay Ricks will discuss Escape on the Pearl: The Story of the Largest Attempted Escape on the Underground Railroad and Its Links to Alexandria at 7:30 p.m. at the Lyceum, 201 South Washington Street.  This exciting pre-Civil War story, much of which took place in Alexandria, led to the famous book Uncle Toms Cabin. Free. Open to the public. No reservations needed.  Information at www.alexandriahistorical.org or 703-683-2636.