September 18
A Call to Greatness – What can our next president learn from his predecessors? Alexandrian Dr. David M. Abshire, president of the Center for the Study of the Presidency, will discuss his seventh book, A Call to Greatness: Challenging Our Next President.  The free lecture will be held at the Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St., at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.alexandri
ahistorical.org or call 703-683-2636.

Enigma: A Magical Mystery Visionary artist and bestselling author Graeme Base will discuss and sign his latest childrens book Enigma: A Magical Mystery at Hooray for Books, 1555 King St., at 7 p.m. For more information, visit www.hooray4books.com or call 703-548-4092.

Crystal Market Eastern Market Comes to Crystal City The colorful shopping experience of DCs Eastern Market comes to Crystal City with the introduction of Crystal Market, which will offer a unique assortment of paintings, ceramics, glasswork, jewelry, hand-made soaps, candles, and clothing, as well as live musical performances during lunchtime and early evening hours. Located in the 2200 Crystal Drive courtyard, every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. from September 18 through October 25.  

September 19
Outdoor Yoga at the Lee-Fendall House – Join instructors from Yoga in Daily Life for an hour of yoga in the Lee-Fendall House garden, 614 Oronoco St. Classes will be on Friday mornings at 10 a.m. and run from September 19 through October 10. Walk-ins are welcome but class size is limited. For more information, visit www.leefendallhouse.org or call 703-548-1789.

September 19 – 21
The Madam C.J. Walker Story – The talented troop from Sal St. George Productions returns for another historical play suitable for all ages, The Madam C. J. Walker Story. Set in the year 1919, this inspirational play tells the story of Madam Walker, a child of slaves who defied poverty and prejudice by creating her own hair-care business and became the first African American self-made millionaire in the United States. Tickets are $10. Performances are at 8 p.m. Fri. and Sat., and at 2 p.m. on Sun. For more information, visit www.alexblackhistory.org or call 703-838-4356.

September 19 – 27
Lorton Arts Foundation Grand Opening – Set on 55 acres of land in the former D.C. Workhouse and Reformatory, the Workhouse Arts Center provides a home for more than 100 of the regions finest professional and emerging artists, classes and arts education programs for people of all ages and artistic abilities, cooperative studios, performance and theatre venues, dedicated gallery and exhibition space, and event facilities. Located at 9601 Ox Road, Lorton, the week-long celebration will feature a range of both free and ticketed events showcasing the programs, events and educational opportunities that will be available at the Workhouse. For more information on the full schedule of events, visit www.WorkhouseArts.org or call 703-495-0001.

September 20
Family Dig Day – Help City archaeologists and trained volunteers screen excavated soil for artifacts from a real dig located on the grounds of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, 101 Callahan Dr. All necessary equipment will be supplied. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a participating adult. 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. $5 per person. Reservations required. E-mail archaeology@alexandriava.gov or call 703-838-4399 to save your spot! For more information, visit www.alexandriaarchaeology.org or call 703-838-4399.

Their Voices Can Be Heard Genealogy Workshop – Noted genealogist Char McCargo Bah presents Their Voices Can Be Heard: Tracing Descendants to Alexandrias Freedmens Cemetery, a unique African-American genealogy workshop. Bah will discuss and demonstrate genealogical techniques that can be used for any cemetery research. Free, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St.  Reservations suggested but not required. For more information, visit www.alexblackhistory.org or call 703-838-4356.

St. Lukes Episcopal Church Craft and Fun Fair- Located at 8009 Ft. Hunt Rd. Crafts from over 40 vendors, pony rides, a petting zoo, a fire truck, food and face painting will be featured during the fair from 9:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free. Call 703-417-9219 for more information.

Odyssey 2008 – Concerned about gas prices?  Want to reduce your carbon footprint?  Northern Virginia Community College is hosting Odyssey 2008, a free, public event that showcases alternative fuel transportation options and a pathway to energy independence.  Area new-car dealerships and automobile manufacturers will be displaying alternative and advanced technology vehicles at the NOVA Alexandria Campus, 3001 N. Beauregard St., from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call 703-323-2357.

September 21
Cameron Station 10th Anniversary – Cameron Station Communitys 10th Anniversary Celebration, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free events open to the public in Ben Brenman Park, 5000 Duke St., Alexandria. Art in the Park craft show with jazz entertainment. West End Farmers Market, south parking lot of Brenman Park. Kite flying, Brenman Park near Duke and Somervelle streets. Canned food collection for ALIVE! in front of Food Matters restaurant, 4906 Brenman Park Drive.

Crystal City 2nd Annual Vintage Crystal Wine and Food Festival – The 2nd Annual Vintage Crystal A Taste of Wine & Jazz, on Sunday, Sept. 21 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the courtyard at 2200 Crystal Drive. The afternoon will showcase wines from around the world and culinary samples from restaurants in Crystal City and the metropolitan area. For a complete listing of wines and participating restaurants visit www.crystalcity.org.
Tickets will be sold on-site the day of the event for $20 and will include sips, tastes, sounds, a commemorative wine glass, and access to Crystal Market, where patrons can purchase paintings, ceramics, glasswork, jewelry and other hand-made items. Designated driver tickets are $10 and admission for kids is free.

September 20
– November 11
Picnic by William Inge – The Little Theatre of Alexandria presents William Inges Pulitzer winning play. A Labor Day picnic turns into a life-changing event as Madge, the local beauty, must decide between Allen, who offers wealth and security, or Hal, who offers love and uncertainty. This powerful summer romance won the 1953 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Performances are at 8 p.m. Wed. through Sat., 3 p.m. Sun., at The Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe St. For more information, visit www.thelittletheatre.com or call 703-795-0659.

September 24
An Evening with Charlie Wilson- Town Hall Meeting hosted by Congressman Jim Moran at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Centre, Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria Campus, 3001 N. Beauregard Street.
 A Conversation on U.S. Foreign Policy in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Middle East featuring Charlie Wilson, former member of Congress, whose life story is depicted in the hit movie Charlie Wilsons Wa
r.  Event is free and open to the public; no registration required. Seats are on a first-come, first-serve basis. 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
 
September 25
Research your family tree – Join us at 7 p.m. at the Lee-Fendall House Museum, 614 Oronoco St., as local genealogist Harold McClendon discusses basic genealogy techniques and specific resources that will help you research your own family history. Free; reservations required. For more information, visit www.leefendallhouse.org or call 703-548-1789.

Recount – HBOs behind-the-scenes look at the controversial Florida recount of the 2000 presidential election stars Kevin Spacey, Ed Begley, Jr., Laura Dern, John Hurt, Denis Leary and Tom Wilkinson. Part of Reel Politics, the Second Annual Alexandria Film Festival. Free, at Market Square in front of City Hall, 301 King St., 7:30 p.m. or more information, visit www.AlexandriaCommissionfo rtheArts.com or call 703-838-6348.

September 25 28
Reel Politics Alexandria Film Festival – Four days of films with perspectives on the United States and its unique political system. For additional information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/recreation or call the Commission for the Arts office at 703-838-6348.

September 26
Carpenters Shelter Presents Urban Country Night Celebrate 20 years of service to the community at the Carpenters Shelter Urban Country Night at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Historic terminal A from 8 p.m. until midnight. Featuring food, live music and silent auction. Tickets are $100 and include complimentary parking. For more information, visit www.carpentersshelter.org or call 703-548-7500, ext. 231.

September 26 – 27
Alexandria Harmonizers Fall Extravaganza – The Alexandria Harmonizers present their annual fall show, The Steamer Trunk, Memories and Harmonies, featuring the award-winning barbershop chorus and quartets. Performances are Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. at Bishop Ireton High School, 210 Cambridge Rd. For more information, visit www.harmonizers.org or call 703-425-8755.

September 27
67th Annual Tour of Historic Alexandria Homes The 67th Annual Historic Alexandria Homes Tour will feature nine venues: seven beautiful residential and two charming commercial properties, Saturday, September 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 on tour day.  An Artisans Show will be held simultaneously at the Old Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall at 316 S. Royal St., until 4:30 p.m. The Homes Tour is hosted by The Twig, Junior Auxiliary of Inova Alexandria Hospital and all proceeds benefit the Twig Pavilion, a 16-bed telemetry unit. For tickets and information, call 703-683-5544 or visit www.thetwig.org.

Slave Memorial Commemoration at Mount Vernon – Black Women United for Action and the Mount Vernon Ladies Association join in commemorating the slaves who lived at Mount Vernon with a wreath laying ceremony and musical presentation at the Slave Memorial at Mount Vernon. This event features dramatic readings and uplifting music presented to reflect, remember and recognize the slaves for their sacrifices, accomplishments and contributions to the early formation of this nation. For more information, visit www.MountVernon.org or call 703-780-2000.

Through September 29
Tavern Toddlers – A special program for toddlers (walkers through 36 months) and their caregivers, Tavern Toddlers features a weekly open playtime in the historic ballroom of Gadsbys Tavern, 134. N. Royal St., Mondays, excluding Federal holidays, anytime between 10:30 am and noon. Themes change monthly. Cost is $10 for a group of three, which must include one adult, or purchase a 5-week pass for $35. For more information, visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703-838-4242

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 to: create a stress-free homeeliminate yelling, arguing and whining; Improve focus, attention and behavior in class; create stress-free discipline and homework time; and channel disrespect and defiance into positive experiences.
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.

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. Tickets are limited and all sales are final. This is a popular event; early ticket purchase is suggested. Guests must be prepared to show identification for wine service.