July 10
Music at Twilight Concert  – The Music at Twilight Concert series will feature Swing Command (Jazz) at 7:30 p.m. at Fort Ward Park, 4301 W. Braddock Rd. Concerts are cancelled in the event of inclement weather and subject to change without notice. For up-to-date information, call the Special Events Hotline at 703.883.4686 or visit alexandriava.gov/recreation.

Firefighters and Police Officers Pension Board meeting – The City of Alexandria Firefighters and Police Officers Pension Plan Board will hold an interim meeting beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the City Council Workroom (second floor), Alexandria City Hall, 301 King St. The Board will discuss the 2007 actuarial valuation, technical corrections to the pension and disability plans, service credit buyback, investment issues, and other issues brought to the Boards attention. Technical corrections are issues that are required for compliance with federal regulations or clarifications in the plan document that are not intended to change benefits, eligibility, or contributions. For more information contact Steven Bland, 703.838.4505 or e-mail steven.bland@alexandriava.gov.

Latin American Book Discussion Group – The group will meet from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke St. They will discuss stories by Latin American authors Campbell, Mendoza, and Valenzuela. For copies of the stories, please contact Mark Schwartz at (703) 519-3498. This event is free and open to the public.

July 11
International Magic Lantern Festival – An International Magic Lantern Festival will be celebrated in the Washington, DC area July 10-13, 2008. Four continents will be represented in the programs, which recreate and examine the popular 19th and early 20th century medium. Visit www.magiclanternsociety.org for details. Located at Crowne Plaza National Airport – 1480 Crystal Drive. The event is $10. For a full listing of events, visit http://www.crystalcity.org/events.asp

July 12
Little Theatre of Alexandrias 75th Anniversary
The Little Theatre of Alexandria is celebrating its 75th anniversary this Saturday evening with a Diamond Anniversary Gala. Festivities commence at The Little Theatre of Alexandria , 600 Wolfe Street, at 6 p.m. with a walking tour of past theater locations in Old Town. A Gala reception will take place at Gadsbys Tavern Museum, 134 North Royal Street, from 7-9 p.m. and conclude with a dessert reception from 9-11 p.m. back at The Little Theatre of Alexandria. Some tickets may still be available. For information, call The Little Theatre of Alexandria at  (703) 683-5778.

Archaeology Family Dig Days George Washington Masonic Memorial – 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. Wear comfortable clothes, protect yourself from the sun, and bring a water bottle. Please, no sandals. All necessary equipment will be supplied. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a participating adult. The event is 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m and cost $5 per person. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (703) 838-4399. Located at 101 Callahan Drive. Visit www.alexandriaarchaeology.org for more information.

Annual USA & City Birthday Celebration  – The City of Alexandria will celebrate its 259th and the USAs 232nd birthday on Saturday, July 12, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison St., located at the Potomac River between Fairfax, Pendleton and Madison Streets. The main event features Maestro Kim Allen Kluge and the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra presenting an explosive night of fun and fanfare featuring Big Band Sound followed by a grand finale fireworks display. Admission is free.

City of Alexandria Hosts Build Your own Rain Barrel Workshop – Interested in saving the environment, living green, and protecting the Chesapeake Bay? The City of Alexandria, in partnership with other regional organizations, invites residents to attend a Build Your Own Rain Barrel workshop on Saturday, July 12 from 9:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m. at Francis C. Hammond Middle School, 4646 Seminary Drive, Alexandria, VA 22304.  For more information about the Rain Barrel Workshops please contact Jesse Maines, Office of Environmental Quality, Department of Transportation and Environmental Services, at 703.519.3400 ext. 166.

July 13
Shannon Curtis – Shannon Curtis plays the piano and sings love songs, in a gorgeous, sultry voice. Her style is classic and classy, with influences from  the 40s and 60s. The Los Angeles Times has described her as … a  beautiful piano player who sounds like the love child of Fiona Apple and Norah Jones. Shannon Curtis plays Jammin Java at 227 Maple Avenue in Vienna on Monday, July 13 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $10.

Historic 1749 Land Auction Market Square – Celebrate Alexandrias 259th birthday with a unique public auction of early town lots. The historic 1749 auction of Alexandrias land will be re-created and the public is invited to participate by bidding. Bids must be placed with pound notes and all successful landowners will receive commemorative deeds. To participate in the auction, embrace the bartering spirit of the 18th century and bring non-perishable food items for donation to Alexandria ALIVE, the community food bank. Bidders will receive 5 pounds for every single food item (canned fruit, soup, jar of peanut butter, etc.). For those preferring the modern method, donate $2 in lieu of a canned good. 2 p.m. 703.838.4554. 301 King Street www.historicalexandria.org

Historic AlexandriALIVE! Waterfront – Alexandrias 18th-century heritage comes to life on Sunday afternoons along the waterfront. Enjoy history-inspired performances on the docks by the Torpedo Factory. Meet and greet people from the past as re-enactors portray early Alexandria residents and travelers near the Waterfront and along lower King Street. The event is free from Noon to 5 p.m. www.historicalexandria.org 

July 16
Free Treatment Options Program at Alexandria Kidney Center
Sponsored by Fresenius Medical Care, the Alexandria Kidney Center is hosting a free Treatment Options Program for anyone who wants to learn more about kidney disease and the different kinds of dialysis treatment available to them. This program is designed to help people facing dialysis make informed decisions about which kind of dialysis best suits their health and lifestyle needs. The next session will be held on July 16, 2008, at 4141 Duke Street at 12:00 pm.  For more information, contact Dan Xu at 703.370.8250 or  www.ultracare-dialysis.com.