Looking for things to do in and around Alexandria VA this weekend, try these fun filled activities:

• Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour, October 3-5 at Mount Vernon, Visit www.MountVernon.org or call 703-780-2000
• Art on the Avenue in Del Ray, Saturday October 4 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., visit www.ArtOnTheAvenue.org
• Takoma Park Street Festival, Sunday October 5 at the Takoma Park metro station, call 240-253-4229

In the Garden - Prepare the lawn or garden for falling temperatures.  Remove weeds, seed and fertilize the lawn, and plant any spring-blooming bulbs.  In areas where the ground freezes, consider mulching flower beds.  The mulch will protect plants when the weather gets cold.  Container gardens also should be moved indoors or protected from falling temperatures with a burlap wrap.

On the Patio - Clean outdoor furniture and equipment with a mild soap solution and water.  If possible, bring it indoors for the winter.  No room to store all that gear in the house or garage?  Wrap it tightly with a tarp or other cover that will protect it from the strong weather and the rays of the sun.

In the Garage or Closet - Store beach and camping gear away in the back of the garage or closet, since it won’t be needed until next year.  Move fall sporting and yard equipment to accessible areas so they’ll be within reach.

In the Entryway - Cooler temperatures mean warmer jackets and heavier shoes.  Don’t let these items clutter up the entryway.  Carve out a space near the doorway to store them, if you don’t have a coat closet, consider hanging coat hooks and setting out baskets or a shoe storage bin for the shoes and boots.

In the Clothes Closet - Comb through your family’s closets.  Store summer dresses and tops to make room for fall wardrobes.  Now is a good time to make a donation to the local Salvation Army or thrift store.  Make sure clothes are organized and ready for the children to grab on mornings when they’re hurrying to school. 

In the Bedroom - Fall temperatures also mean cooler autumn nights.  It’s time to pull out the blankets that you’ve stored away in the spring.

The fall brings out the best in music, art, and performances from around the area.  Check out these terrific events for some jazzy September fun:

• Alexandria Festival of the Arts - Sept 13-24, ArtFestival.com. King Street becomes an outdoor gallery featuring 200 of the nation’s top award-winning artists.
• Mount Vernon’s 18th Century Craft Fair - Sept 13-14, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., MountVernon.org. The fair is a re-creation of an early American marketplace with artist demonstrations, family entertainment, and 18th century amusement.
• Rosslyn Jazz Festival - Sept 6, 12:30-7 p.m., RosslynVa.org, Enjoy a day of jazz concerts in Rosslyn, VA.
• DC Shorts Film Festival - Sept 11-18, various locations, DCShorts.com. During the week, 102 films will be screened and 6 screenplays will be read in 9 rotating showcases.
• Prelude 2008 - Arts Across America, Weekends, Aug 23-Oct 19, Kennedy Center, Kennedy-Center.org.  This annual event brings together talents from every region of our nation, from American masters and bearers of tradition to young innovators developing their craft.
• Bethesda Art Walk - Sept 12, Bethesda.org. Free guided tours of 11 art galleries that feature painting, sculpture, photography, pottery, jewelry, and mixed media.

See You There!

What’s So Funny About Work? 

 (Note: my office is really much neater than this!)

In honor of Labor Day, September 1, and all workers, here’s a look at the lighter side of labor :

My first job was working in an orange juice factory, but I got canned…couldn’t concentrate.

Then I worked as a lumberjack, but I couldn’t hack it, so they gave me the ax.

After that I tried being a tailor, but I wasn’t suited for it…and it was a so-so-job.

Next I tried working in a muffler factory, but that was too exhausting.

My best job was being a musician, till I found I wasn’t noteworthy.

I wanted to start a bakery, but I couldn’t raise the dough.

I studied a long time to become a doctor, but I didn’t have any patience.

I became a professional fisherman, until I couldn’t live on my net income.

I managed to get a good job with a pool maintenance company, but the work was just too draining.

So I applied for a job in a gym, but they said I wasn’t fit for the job.

So I finally got a job as a historian until I realized there was no future in it.

My last job was working at Starbucks, but I quit because it was always the same old grind.

Hope you had an enjoyable Labor Day! 

 (Thank you… thank you very much!)