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.leefendallhous
e.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. For more information, visit www.Alexandria
Commissionfor
theArts.com or call 703-838-6348.

September 25 – 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 final weekend 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 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 26 – 28
Old Town Premier Shopping Weekend – The Premiere Shopping Weekend event celebrates the arrival of fall fashions in 19 participating Old Town boutiques, with popular brands such as Tory Burch, Lily Pulitzer, Bugaboo, L.A.M.B., Thomas the Train, Kiehls, Judith Ripka, Diane Von Furstenburg, Nanette Lepore, Splendid, Manhattan Toys, Ergo, Molton Brown, Bettye Muller, and many more. The Old Town Boutique District features unique specialty stores all within a few cobblestone blocks of each other in Old Town Alexandria, including: Hysteria, The Shoe Hive, Apple Seed, Red Barn Mercantile, Bellacara, Bella, Lawrence Miller and Co., Mystique Jewelers, Whistle Stop Hobbies, The Christmas Attic, Ninas Closet, Treat, The Little Monogram Shop, Greetings and Salutations, Tickled Pink, Chinoiserie, Diva, Stanton Gallery and Gallery Lafayette. For more information visit www.oldtownboutiquedistrict.com.

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.

Cora Kelly Community Day – Cora Kelly Recreation Center, 25 W. Reed Ave, noon to 5 p.m. For additional information call the Cora Kelly Recreation Center at 703-838-6464.

Seaport Day – Waterfront Park, 1A Prince St., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For additional information call Joe Youcha at 703-549-7078.

September 28
Do It For Dad! 10K to Fight Prostate Cancer – Eisenhower Avenue/Cameron Run Regional Park, 4001 Eisenhower Ave., 8 a.m. For additional information call Betsy London at 888-245-9455. 

Young At Art Exhibit and Opening Reception – Art is ageless and so are those who create it! The 22nd Annual juried art show for Alexandria area artists aged 55 and older is currently on exhibit at the Durant Center in Alexandria.  The public is invited to view the art and meet the artists at the opening reception this Sunday, September 28 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.  The awards presentation will be at 3:00 p.m.  The Durant Center is located at 1605 Cameron Street in Alexandria, just a short walk from the King Street Metro station.  For questions about the Young At Art program, contact Janet Barnett, Executive Director, Senior Services of Alexandria at 703-836-4414 or Jeanne Jacob, Executive Director, Goodwin House Foundation at 703-824-1345.

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 d
  iscipline and homework time.
• 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.
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. Tickets are limited and all sales are final. This is a popular event; early ticket purchase is suggested.  Friday and Sunday shows are already sold out. Guests must be prepared to show identification for wine service. Designated drivers will receive free soft drinks.

October 4
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 childrens craft activities, entertainment, artists demonstrations and a pie-baking contest. Free trolley transportation will be provided from the Braddock Road Metro station to the festival. For more information, visit www.artontheavenue.org or call 703-683-3100.

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. Horgan has worked in residential remodeling for 19 years, and holds several green building designations. Horgan also serves on the DC AIA Committee on the Environment and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry Metro DC Green Building Committee, and is an instructor for the NARI Green Remodeling class.  The event, held at the Alexandria Lyceum, 201 South Washington Street, at 7 p.m., is free and reservations are not necessary. Refreshments will be served. For questions, please contact AIA Northern Virginia at aianova@aianova.org or call 703-549-9747.

October 16 November 9
Pearl BaileyBy Request – MetroStage presents Roz White as the legendary songstress and irrepressible show biz personality. An evening of marvelous songs and memorable stories directed by Thomas W. Jones II. 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).

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 areas 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 19
Historic Huntley Open House – enjoy this twice-a-year opportunity to visit Historic Huntley, a Federal-style unrestored villa built in 1825 for Thomson Francis Mason, a grandson of George Mason.  Kids of all ages will enjoy the puppet show featuring Thomson Francis Mason and some of his family.  Sponsored by the Friends of Historic Huntley and the Fairfax County Park Authority.  Free Admission.  Rain or shine.  Light Refreshments. 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Historic Huntley is located at 6918 Harrison Lane, Alexandria.