October 16
The Road to Wisdom, Plain and Simple Join author and educator Dr. Searetha Smith-Collins as she discusses how parents can influence a childs intelligence and talent through common sense approaches. She will discuss and sign her book, The Road to Wisdom, Plain and Simple: Shaping Intelligence – Black Style. Reservations are requested but not required. The Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St., from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. For more information, call 703-838-4356 or visit www.alexblackhistory.org.

October 16 – November 9
Pearl Bailey…By Request – MetroStage presents Roz White as the legendary songstress. 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 17
Blessed Sacrament Handbell Concert – The Bells of Blessed Sacrament handbell choir will celebrate its 20th anniversary at 8 p.m. with a concert featuring special guests the Chapel Ringers from Fort Myer Chapel and the Westminster Ringers from Westminster Presbyterian Church in Alexandria. Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church is located at 1427 West Braddock Rd.  The concert is free and open to the public.  A free will donation to benefit the Blessed Sacrament Music Ministries will be accepted at the door.  For further information call 703-998-6100.

ACCTs Dearly Departed – Aldersgate Church Community Theater presents the opening of the comedy Dearly Departed, directed by C. Evans Kirk, in Wesley Hall, Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1301 Collingwood Rd. Performance dates:  Oct. 17, 18, 24, 25, 31, and Nov. 1 at 8 p.m., Oct. 26 at 7 p.m., and Oct. 19 and 26 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors 65 and older.  For further information, call 703-660-2611. Tickets are also available through www.presaleticketing.com.

October 18
2008 International Gold Cup  – Riders from across Europe 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 at National Harbor.  Stroll along the outdoor promenade and choose from a vast offering of fine goods and specialty foods. 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 a.m. to 5 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 19
St. Pauls Chamber Concert – Organist David Beck and the D.C. Brass Ensemble join in presenting a chamber music concert to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Casavant organ in St. Pauls Episcopal Church, 228 S. Pitt St., at 3 p.m.  The D.C. Brass Ensemble is a quintet whose members belong to various military bands in the area and are professional musicians. Concert is free.  A $15 donation is suggested.

Oktoberfest Beer Tasting – The Del Ray Artisans and Lee-Fendall House Museum celebrate Oktoberfest with a beer and cheese tasting in the gardens of Lee-Fendall House, 614 Oronoco St. Sample eight beers and receive a beer glass hand-painted by a Del Ray Artisan or Lee-Fendall House Friend. From 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., reservations required. Tickets $40. For more information, visit www.leefendallhouse.org or call 703-535-6510.

Concert With a Cause – The Sage Chamber Players will present a recital at the Old Presbyterian Meeting House entitled, Concert with a Cause. A dynamic ensemble comprised of young professional musicians from the D.C. area, the group was met with resounding approval at their packed debut concert at the Kennedy Centers Millennium Stage. The 4 p.m. concert is free and open to the public. A freewill offering will be collected to benefit the Community Coalition for Haiti. For more information, visit www.sagechamberplayers.com

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. Free Admission.  Rain or shine.  Light Refreshments. 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Historic Huntley is located at 6918 Harrison Lane, Alexandria.

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.  For more information, visit www.alexandriahistorical.org or 703-683-2636.

October 25
Heritage Trail Bike Ride – Join Alexandria Archaeology for this years Heritage Trail Bike Ride. Meet at Daingerfield Island at 10 a.m. for a 10-mile guided tour, with a shorter 3-mile family ride to Founders Park and back. Tour returns to Daingerfield Island at 1 p.m. Free, but reservations and helmets required. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a participating adult. For more information, visit www.alexandriaarchaeology.org or call 703-838-4399.

Through October 27
Tavern Toddlers – A special program for toddlers (walkers through 36 months) and their caregivers, Tavern Toddlers features a weekly open playtime in the historic Gadsbys Tavern ballroom, 134 N. Royal St., anytime on Mondays (excluding Federal holidays) between 10:30 a.m. and noon. $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.

Through October 29
King Street Fresh Farmers Market – Locally grown produce plus dairy and baked goods at the regions newest farmers market. Held every Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in King Street Gardens, just steps from the King Street Metro. For more information, call 703-683-1696.

October 30 – 31
Poe in Alexandria – Actor David Keltz
recreates Edgar Allan Poes visit to Virginia in 1849. The performance at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St., includes recitations from classic works such as The Raven, Annabel Lee, The Tell-Tale Heart, and many others. From 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. For more information, visit www.alexandriahistory.org or call 703-838-4995.

November 1
Mount Vernon Scouting Days – Historic Mount Vernon welcomes all Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Camp Fire Club members (in uniform or wearing an official pin) to FREE admission during its Scouting Days program beginning Nov. 1 and running through Feb. 15, 2009. Special activities for scouts Nov. 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Scouts have an opportunity to earn merit badges through projects and stations set up with professional surveyors, Mount Vernon archaeologists, woodworking projects, and cooking demonstrations. In addition to these activities, scouts are encouraged to make their own wreath to lay at the tomb of George Washington. For more information please visit www.MountVernon.org.

Through November 2
Death Comes to Carlyle House – To commemorate the 227th anniversary of the death of John Carlyle and to honor the memory of the many untimely deaths associated with his family, Carlyle House, 121 N. Fairfax St., presents an exhibit on the mourning practices of 18th-century Virginia through the experience of the Carlyle household. For more information, visit www.carlylehouse.org or call 703-549-2997.

November 3
Good Shepherd Christmas Bazaar  – This years Good Shepherd Christmas Bazaar will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at GSSC, 8710 Mount Vernon Highway.

November 7 – 30
Beat It To Bead It! 3! – The Del Ray Artisans present Bead it! 3  to celebrate the art of bead making and beading. The juried show will run from Nov. 7 – 30 at the Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mt. Vernon Ave. The opening reception, free and open to the public, will be held Nov. 7 from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. The show also includes the Bead It Marketplace where visitors may purchase unique bead art. For more information, visit www.thedelrayartisans.org or call 703-838-4827.

November 8 – 9
Its All About You! – Inova Alexandria Hospital Womens Health Expo 2008. Bring your daughters, neighbors and friends for a day of health education and fun. Free seminars, flu shots, free screenings, infant CPR class, free massages and health and wellness booths. Learn about breast health, pre-pregnancy and pregnancy health and menopause myths and facts. Inova Alexandria Hospital, 4320 Seminary Rd., 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free parking on site. Please register by calling 703-750-8800 or visit www.inova.org/events for more information.             

Through November 11
Picnic by William Inge – The Little Theatre of Alexandria presents William Inges 1953 Pulitzer Prize-winning play. 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.

November 15
Ft. Hunt Preschool Fall Festival – Enjoy a carefree afternoon treating yourself to multi-cultural food and baked goods while the children are entertained with a moon bounce, storytelling, calligraphy, truck touch, games and crafts. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1909 Windmill Lane (on Mason Hill off Ft. Hunt Road). For more information call 703-768-7584.

Through November 15
Ah, THAT Jack and Jill! Exhibition – Celebrate the 70th anniversary of Jack and Jill of America with the Alexandria Black History Museum. The exhibition shows how Jack and Jill empowers children and builds strong African-American communities. Located at 902 Wythe St., the museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.alexblackhistory.org or call 703-838-4356.