Author Archives: delraybaby

Jun 25, 2012

Alexandria Library’s SummerQuest & SummerQuest Jr.

Sign-up now for SummerQuest

Summer is here and SummerQuest kicks off this week at our Alexandria city libraries!

Check the calendar for tons of fun programs for infants all the way up through school age children.

Bill Jenkins kicks off Summer Quest Jr. in DelRay’s Duncan branch on Monday June 25th, 10-11 a.m. for kids aged 1-5

and Shazam Magic be kicking off SummerQuest for kids 6-12 on Wed., June 27th at 3:30 p.m.

The kick off at Barrett Library starts with The Great Zucchini on Thur., June 28th at 11 a.m.

There’s also a program is your kids are between the ages of 6-12. Sign up and have your child read ten books to qualify for a prize! To pick up your prize, go to your local library any time between July 9 – August 31, 2012. In addition, everyone who reads at least ten books will be entered into a drawing for a set of four tickets to the Cirque du Soleil show, Totem! To be entered in the drawing, your child must have ten books read by August 20, 2012.

*Five-year-olds entering first grade in the fall may sign up for SummerQuest.

May 31, 2012

Kids love Del Ray’s yummy foods too!

The fourth annual Taste of Del Ray will run from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on June 3 in the parking lot behind Virginia Commerce Bank just off Mt. Vernon Avenue.

More than a dozen Del Ray restaurants are getting in on the event, which is presented by the Del Ray Business Association.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12 and can be purchased in advance at the Del Ray Farmers’ Market this Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon as well as on the day of the event.

Former “Hell’s Kitchen” reality show winner Rock Harper, a 1995 T.C. Williams High School graduate, will serve as celebrity judge.

Festival-goers will be able to place votes for the People’s Choice Award, while Harper will select his own Judge’s Choice winners. The awards will be announced shortly after 3 p.m.

This year’s participating restaurants include:

•Artfully Chocolate

•Caboose Cafe and Bakery

•Cheesetique

•Del Ray Cafe

•Del Ray Pizzeria

•Evening Star Cafe

•FireFlies

•The Happy Tart

•La Strada

•Monroe’s

•Pork Barrel BBQ

•St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub

•Taqueria Poblano

•A Thyme & Place

Adding to the fun and festivities of the afternoon, performing in the lot of the Del Ray Farmers Market during the Taste of Del Ray will be one of the areas most popular bands, Elroy Jenkins.

May 25, 2012

Wheel Day!

Looking for some local fun for Memorial Day Weekend?

Everyone is invited the North Ridge Citizens’ Association Wheel Day! Sunday May 27th beginning at 3 p.m. (Rain date: May 28th)

Wheel on down Old Dominion Boulevard in style at the annual North Ridge Wheel Day Parade on Sunday, May 27th. Kids of all ages are invited to decorate their bike, trike, scooter, skates, stroller, doll carriage, or anything with wheels and join the fun. Arrive at 2:45 PM to line up for the parade of rolling children, which starts at Beverley Circle on Old Dominion Boulevard and rolls down hill to the Beverley Hills Church. Prizes and refreshments are included.

This event is FREE, open to all ages, and requires no reservations. Just show up your the decorated wheels of choice and have fun.

Many exciting additions have been made this year including a magician,, a cooling water mister, and appearances by the Alexandria Sheriff and Police departments!

What is Wheel Day? It’s a North Ridge tradition dating back to the early 1940s, Wheel Day was conceived by local Cub Scouts at the Beverley Hills Church and quickly evolved into an annual event. Neighbors came to watch the parade of kids make their way through Beverley Hills with wagons, doll carriages, and bicycles all brilliantly decorated and made into floats. According to the event also included a soap box derby for a number of years. Wheel Day is now celebrated during the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

May 21, 2012

Alexandria City Memorial Day Jazz Festival

Bring the whole family to Alexandria’s 35th Annual Memorial Day Jazz Festival on Monday, May 28, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Waterfront Park, 1A Prince St.

In case of inclement weather, the festival will be relocated to the Lee Center’s Kauffman Auditorium, located at 1108 Jefferson St.

Admission is free.

The performance schedule is as follows:

1 p.m. – The Commodores Navy’s premier jazz ensemble, featuring 18 of the Navy’s top jazz and “big band” musicians.

2:30 p.m. – Marcus Johnson Renowned jazz keyboardist, composer and producer who has been included among the ranks of contemporary jazz greats such as Wynton Marsalis, Christian McBride, and Vanessa Williams.

3:30 p.m. – Barbara Martin Trio featuring Liz Barnes Features straight ahead jazz standards and original compositions by vocalist/guitarist, Barbara Martin and pianist Liz Barnes.

4:30 p.m. – Al Williams Alexandria favorite and 4 time WAMMIE Award winner, the latest, for 2010 Best Jazz Best Jazz Instrumentalist.

Waterfront Park features grass seating, and attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Food, such as barbeque, fried chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers, snow cones and funnel cakes are available for purchase, but everyone is welcome to pack a picnic lunch or supper. Grilling and alcoholic beverages are not allowed in the park.

May 18, 2012

Alexandria loves to read!

Did you hear the news that a new survey from Amazon.com deems Alexandria the most well-read city in the United States!

This is based on sales of books, magazines and newspapers in both print and Kindle formats since last June. It’s the second time Amazon has conducted this survey. Last year we came in at 2nd place behind Cambridge, Mass.

Want to promote the love of reading with your little one? Be sure to check out this great blog from a Del Ray mom.

What to Read to Your Kids
Unique recommendations from a book-obsessed mom

Her blog posts will help you come up with an outstanding reading list for your kids. Be sure to add this to your favorites list and spark a love of reading in our children.

May 17, 2012

Cinema Del Ray

Cinema Del Ray kicks off this coming Saturday night showing “Rio”

Saturday, May 19th, 2012 7 p.m. (be prepared to wait until sunset for the movie to start), at the fields at Mount Vernon Recreation Center

The movie is free. Pack a picnic dinner while waiting for the movie to start. There is usually popcorn and candy for sale and plenty of room for the kids to run around and a playground next to the field. Sponsored by Jen Walker of McEnearney Associates.

Cinema Del Ray has a full line up this summer of fun-filled movies!

May 15, 2012

Wobble Rocket Student Showcase

Wobble Rocket Stage presents the 2012 Student Showcase, a comedy show for all ages right here in Del Ray on Friday, May 18, 2012, 7:30pm at 350 Calvert Ave.!

Two troupes will be performing, ages 9-11, and 12-17. These young artists have been working/playing hard, and have made great strides of intellectual and artistic growth this semester. The Student Showcase includes improv, 3 original short plays written by the students, and sketch comedy. This event is first come first served, and is Pay What You Can. (no reservation necessary).

May 03, 2012

First Thursday- Health and Wellness

Please join us for the first of the “First Thursdays” on The Avenue here in our hometown of Del Ray slated for Thursday, May 3rd 2012 from 6 – 9 pm. This year’s theme for May is “Health & Wellness” which is sponsored by the neighboring health & wellness centers throughout Del Ray. Fun and interesting demonstrations throughout the evening at the Farmer’s Market with live music courtesy of our own bands from Rock of Ages Music, terrific raffle prizes for children and adults, and some surprises along the way.

Bring the kids, grab the dog and your bicycle and join us for a fun night!

In conjunction with First Thursday, don’t miss Mount Vernon Community School’s Bike Rodeo from 6-8 p.m. at the school. Practice bicycle street smarts by going around obstacles and over ramps in a fun, safe setting. The rodeo is designed for children who already know how to ride a bike. Experienced instructors will guide participants, and bikes and helmets will be on hand for borrowing. Free helmets and safety equipment will be available to those who need them on a first-come, first-served basis. Children also may bring their own bikes for inspection by Velocity. The rodeo is funded by a grant from the Alexandria Be Safe Coalition and VITAL Wellness Center. In the event of poor weather or lighting conditions, rodeo times may change. For more information, contact the school at 703-706-4460.

Apr 27, 2012

HEALTHY KID’S DAY at the YMCA

Saturday April 28th the Alexandria YMCA at 420 East Monroe Ave. will hold HEALTHY KID’S DAY from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

HEALTHY KID’S DAY is the Y’s national initiative to improve the health and well being of families across the country. On this day, Y’s in DC, MD and VA hold events and encourage parents to make Play dates with their kids.The Y created Healthy Kids Day to celebrate and teach good health for kids, encouraging active play, and inspire a lifetime love of physical activity.

Activities will include: Face Painting, Master Twister, Fire trucks, & safety, Police cars, & safety, Pony Rides , Games, Giveaways, and much more

Mar 31, 2012

Grab your Easter baskets!

Easter is only one week away and our community has plenty of opportunities for our kids to fill their Easter baskets. Today at 11 a.m. the Easter Bunny will be visiting Eclectic Nature Garden Center to hide goody filled Easter eggs and give out hugs and high fives to all young, old and in between.
There will be hot dogs, drinks and pictures with the Easter Bunny.

Next you can stroll down the Avenue and Bellies and Babies will be hosting their inaugural Easter Egg Hunt from 4:00 – 5:30 for ages 3 and younger.

On April 8, Easter Sunday, Del Ray United Methodist Church will host an Easter Egg Hunt after the Prayground on the church’s front lawn! The hunt will begin at 9:30 AM. Everyone is welcome to come join the fun!