Send announcements to the Alexandria Gazette Packet, by e-mail to gazette@ connectionnewspapers.com; by fax to 703-917-0991; or by mail to 1604 King St., Alexandria VA 22314. Photos and artwork are encouraged. Deadline is Friday at noon for the following week’s paper. Call Meghan Williams at 703-917-6407 with questions.
Thursday/June 15
Alexandria Singers. The hometown ensemble performs at 7:30 p.m. at Fort Ward Park, 4301 W. Braddock Road. Free. 703-883-4686.
Poetry Reading. Claudia Emerson, associate professor of English at Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, and this year’s winner of the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry, will read from her new book, Late Wife: Poems. A woman explores her disappearance from one life and reappearance in another as she addresses her former husband, herself, and her new husband in a series of epistolary poems. 7 p.m. Olsson’s Old Town Alexandria, 106 S. Union St.
Women Without Borders. Immigrant and American Artist Exhibition and Reception at The Art League Duke Street Annex, Rooms 1-2, One Duke St. Features 20 artisans from Empowered Women International’s entrepreneurial training in the arts and EWI’s artist members. Paintings, photography and wearable art of women from Sudan, Israel, Belize, Honduras, Iran, Pakistan, Bolivia, Liberia, Ethiopia, the Caribbean and the USA. 6-9 p.m.
A Celebration of Equality and Social Justice sponsored by Councilmen Rob Krupicka and Paul Smedberg at the home of Rob Krupicka. Patrons $500, Sponsors $250 and Supporters $50. Proceeds support the Alexandria Gay & Lesbian Community Association scholarship. RSVP to Elizabeth Jones at 703-684-2032 or elizabeth.jones@comcast.net.
Mother Goose Time. 10 a.m., for 12 to 24 months. James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave. 703-838-4566.
Latin American Stories Discussion Group. Stories by Latin American authors. Discussions in English, 7-8:30 p.m. Discuss: Sanson Garcia (ÒSamson GarciaÓ) by Camilo Jose Cela, La visita (ÒThe Green BottleÓ) by Ricardo Elizondo Elizondo, and Las buhardilla del fin del mundo (ÒGarrets of the WorldÓ) by Eduardo Garcia Aguillar. Call Mark at 703-519-3498 or visit Beatley’s Reference/Information desk.
Great Books Discussion Group. 7-8:30 p.m., discuss Carpenter’s Gothic by William Gaddis. For more info, call Bill Scouton: 703-931-3559. Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library, 5005 Duke St.
Practice Your English. Conversation group for people learning English. Adults. No registration is required. 7 p.m. John Marshall Community Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, 703-971-0010.
Friday/June 16
Lunch Bunch. Bring a lunch and come for a story. Birth-5 with adult. Noon. John Marshall Community Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, 703-971-0010.
Saturday/June 17
Council Public Hearing. 9:30 a.m. Council Public Hearing, Council Chambers.
Pickin’ on the Neck Bluegrass Fest. Four bands — Skystone, Flatland Bluegrass Band, Bluegrass Gospel Express and Gospel Ridge — perform 11 a.m.-7 p.m. at Mason Neck State Park. Refreshments available; bring a lawn chair or blanket. Admission $15, $5 for children under 10. 703-799-0372.
Civil War Camp Day. Living history program featuring Union and Confederate re-enactors and civilian interpreters. This late-war event features camp scenes, children’s games, period music, vignettes, firing demos. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. with torchlight tours 7-9 p.m. Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site, 4301 W. Braddock Road. $2, $1 for children. www.fortward.org or 703-838-4848.
Red Cross Waterfront Festival. Music, food and family activities. For additional information call the Alexandria Chapter of American Red Cross at 703-549-8300. Continues Sunday.
Kayaking Trip. Northern Virginia Conservation Trust kayak trip noon-3 p.m., on Belmont Bay, leaving out of Mason Neck State Park. Participants should wear clothes and shoes that can get wet and a hat with a brim. Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a bottle of water are highly recommended. In case of inclement weather: 703-354-5093, ext. 6. Park’s address is 7301 High Point Road, Lorton. Meet at the car-top boat ramp at noon. Registration required, $40 per person. Contact Whitney Bailey at 703-354-5093 or wbailey@nvct.org.
Edison High School Flea Market. 5801 Franconia Road, 6:30 a.m.-1 p.m. In case of rain, the market will be held the following weekend. Proceeds fund student projects. Call Dennis Belyea at 703-924-8120.
Juneteenth Celebration. Blues, Caribbean, gospel and step performances, hands-on arts and crafts, African merchandise vendors, food. Free admission. 1-6 p.m., 900 Wythe St. Call the Alexandria Black History Museum, 703-838-4356 or www.alexblackhistory.org; e-mail black.history@alexandriava.gov.
Black Authors Book Discussion Group. Upstate by Kalisha Buckhanon. Adults. No registration is required. 10:30 a.m. Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, 703-765-3645.
Car Wash Fund-Raiser. Increasing Community Education Center, a new program founded by Sierra Leone Relief & Development Outreach, Inc. sponsoring a community car wash to raise funds to support the free computer training course that is offered at the Duke Street Location. Car wash 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at Hayfield Exxon, 6948 S. Kings Hwy. 703-823-3600. Additional event June 24.
Sunday/June 18
Father’s Day.
Father’s Day at Gadsby’s. Celebrate with your father where the father of the country ate, drank and influenced history. Gadsby’s Tavern Museum , 134 N. Royal St. , offers free tours for all visiting fathers. 1-5 p.m. Cost $4 for all other adults, $2 for children ages 11-17. www.gadsbystavern.org or 703-838-4242.
Father’s Day at Lee-Fendall. Fathers and grandfathers are invited to tour the historic home for free when accompanied by their children, regardless off age. Tours at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Tours $4, $2 for students 11-17, under 11 free. 614 Oronoco St. www.leefendallhouse.org or 703-548-1789.
Pipes, Pedals, Praise and Prayer. The historic Old Presbyterian Meeting House, 321 S. Fairfax St., presents a 30-minute concert at 5 p.m., followed by a reception (and service at 6:30). Mary Mozelle of the National Presbyterian Church with trumpeter Charles Siepp. Free with donations going to emergency aid for Alexandria families. www.opmh.org or 703-549-6670. Additional concert June 25.
Red Cross Waterfront Festival. Music, food and family activities. For additional information call the Alexandria Chapter of American Red Cross at 703-549-8300. Begins Saturday.
Monday/June 19
Duncan Book Discussion Group. 7-8 p.m. Will discuss The Time and the Place by Naguib Mahfouz. Call Ruth at 703-838-4566. James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave.
City Council Retirement Party for Councilwoman Joyce Woodson. All are invited to a City Council retirement party for Councilwoman Joyce Woodson. The event is free and will be held at the Residence Inn, 1456 Duke St., 6-8 p.m. Free parking is available in the rear of the hotel. This event is sponsored by ACVA and the Hotel Association. RSVP: 703-838-4200, Ext 203.
Tuesday/June 20
Story Time. 10 or 11 a.m., all ages, with an adult. Sign up 30 minutes before Story Time. Repeats Tuesdays. James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave. 703-838-4566.
Mother Goose Time. 10 a.m., for 12 to 24 months. Repeats Tuesdays. Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library, 717 Queen St. 703-838-4555.
English Language Workshop. Free ESL Workshop for adults in Beatley’s Meeting Room. Every Tuesday, 3-5 p.m.. Call Mark at 703-519-3498. Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library, 5005 Duke St.
Personalized Internet Training. Learn how to use the Web, or increase your skills. Call for appointment. Adults. 6:30 p.m. John Marshall Community Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, 703-971-0010.
Wednesday/June 21
Lunch Bunch Concerts. Enjoy lunch outdoors when school groups perform at 12:15 at 44 Canal Plaza. Free. 703-883-4686.
Book Discussion Group. White Butterfly by Walter Mosley. Adults. No registration is required. 7:15 p.m. John Marshall Community Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, 703-971-0010.
Meeting and Reception. The Campagna Center 2006 Annual Meeting & Reception at The Campagna Center, 418 S Washington St. RSVP: 703-549-0111 or zconde@campagnacenter.org.
An Evening with Sen. Barack Obama on family, fatherhood, faith and leadership, benefiting Hopkins House programs for children and families. Reception, dinner and entertainment at Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, 6:30 p.m. Call 703-549-4232 or visit www.hopkinshouse.org. Special guests: Minnie Howard 9th Grade Students, T.C. Williams High School students, and Hopkins House alumni.
Democratic Book Club, at La Madeleine, 500 King St. The book this month is The Great Deluge, Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast by Douglas Brinkley. Douglas Brinkley is a New Orleans resident and professor of history at Tulane University. He tells the story from his own perspective. For information call Lois Walker 703-549-3360.
Thursday/June 22
Wine and Cheese Party and Silent Auction. Hosted by the Alexandria Commission for Women to benefit Alexandria’s Walk to Fight Breast Cancer. 228 S. Washington St., 5-7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person, $30 at the door. Cash or checks only are accepted for payment and checks should be made payable to Walk Fund 2006 and mailed to Donna Udvari, Burke and Herbert Bank, PO Box 268, Alexandria, VA 22313. RSVP to 703-550-4949 dudvari@burkeandherbert.com.
Wildlife Myths: The Truth Behind the Tails. Nature secrets revealed by The Wildlife Center of Virginia. Sponsored by the Friends of the George Mason Regional Library. Age 6-12. 2:30 p.m. John Marshall Community Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, 703-971-0010.
Practice Your English. Conversation group for people learning English. Adults. No registration is required. 7 p.m. John Marshall Community Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, 703-971-0010.
Friday/June 23
Jefferson-Jackson Dinner. 6 p.m. Holiday Inn 625 First Ave. Speakers include Congressman Jim Moran and Virginia’s newly nominated U.S. Senate candidate. Tickets are $60 each and sponsorship opportunities are available. RSVP to 703-549-3367 or e-mail office@alexdems.org.
Lunch Bunch. Bring a lunch and come for a story. Birth-5 with adult. Noon. John Marshall Community Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, 703-971-0010.
Saturday/June 24
Family Appreciation Day. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Storytelling, crafts, photos and refreshments at A Likely Story Children’s Bookstore, 1555 King St. Photos taken free at Tisara Photography, 1607 King St. Face painting and refreshments at Parlez Vous, 1407 King St. 703-838-8098.
20th Century Pop: Broadway, Bebop ‘n’ Blues. The Alexandria Singers present their 30th anniversary song and dance spectacular, 8 p.m. at Bishop Ireton High School, 201 Cambridge Road. Tickets $15-$20 with discounts for students, seniors and the military. www.alexandriasingers.com or 703-941-SING. Continues Sunday.
Janna Lee Community Day. UCM’s Communities in Action & Youth in Action hosts games, food, face painting, jewelry classes, cultural dance show. 7966 Janna Lee Avenue #103. Call Jennifer Ortega 703-360-9088 ext. 106.
Car Wash Fund-Raiser. Increasing Community Education Center, a new program founded by Sierra Leone Relief & Development Outreach, Inc. sponsoring a community car wash to raise funds to support the free computer training course that is offered at the Duke Street Location. Car wash 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at Hayfield Exxon, 6948 S. Kings Hwy. 703-823-3600. Additional event June 17.
Sunday/June 25
Pipes, Pedals, Praise and Prayer. The historic Old Presbyterian Meeting House, 321 S. Fairfax St., presents a 30-minute concert at 5 p.m., followed by a reception (and service at 6:30). Diane Heath of St. Columba’s. Free with donations going to emergency aid for Alexandria families. www.opmh.org or 703-549-6670. Additional concert June 18.
20th Century Pop: Broadway, Bebop ‘n’ Blues. The Alexandria Singers present their 30th anniversary song and dance spectacular, 2 p.m. at Bishop Ireton High School, 201 Cambridge Road. Tickets $15-$20 with discounts for students, seniors and the military. www.alexandria singers.com or 703-941-SING. Begins Saturday.
Beth El Hebrew Congregation Yard Sale. 8 a.m.- 2 p.m. The sale includes household items, electronics, glassware, clothing, baby items, toys, clothing, and collectibles. Beth El Hebrew Congregation is at 3830 Seminary Road. Sale will be held rain or shine.
Monday/June 26
Little One-ders. 10 or 10:45 a.m., ages 12-24 mos., with an adult. Registration required, call 703-519-5900, ext. 4. Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library, 5005 Duke St.
Family Story Night. 7 p.m., all ages. Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library, 5005 Duke St.
Tuesday/June 27
Story Time. 10 or 11 a.m., all ages, with an adult. Sign up 30 minutes before Story Time. Repeats Tuesdays. James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave. 703-838-4566.
English Language Workshop. Free ESL Workshop for adults in Beatley’s Meeting Room. Every Tuesday, 3-5 p.m.. Call Mark at 703-519-3498. Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library, 5005 Duke St.
Time for 2’s, 10 a.m. only, for ages 24-36 months, with adult. Registration required, call 703-519-5900, ext. 4. Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library, 5005 Duke St.
Personalized Internet Training. Learn how to use the Web, or increase your skills. Call for appointment. Adults. 6:30 p.m. John Marshall Community Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, 703-971-0010.
Wednesday/June 28
Successful Aging Senior Expo. The Alexandria Commission on Aging and the Alexandria Office on Aging and Adult Services will present the Expo at the First Baptist Church, 2932 King St., 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. A Òone stop shop” of organizations and service providers who can address the needs of seniors and the families who support them. Includes a luncheon and Keynote speaker is Bill Thomas, MD. Cost is $15 for those who register on or before June 21. 703-838-0920.
Summer Quest 2006. Bob Brown Puppets present ÒThe Reluctant DragonÓ for ages 6 to 12. 4 p.m. Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library, 5005 Duke St.
Thursday/June 29
Story Time. 10 a.m., ages 3-5. Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library, 5005 Duke St.
Under the Sea. Learn about crabs, starfish, sea snails and other live animals. Sponsored by the Friends of the George Mason Regional Library. Age 6-12. 10:30 a.m. John Marshall Community Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, 703-971-0010.
Practice Your English. Conversation group for people learning English. Adults. No registration is required. 7 p.m. John Marshall Community Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, 703-971-0010.
Friday/June 30
Time for 2’s, 10 a.m. only, for ages 24-36 months, with adult. Registration required, call 703-519-5900, ext. 4. Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library, 5005 Duke St.