Manchester Lakes Photos and Scenery:
Still Waiting For That 35 Degree High

Well, hell hasn’t frozen over, but some of the ponds at Manchester Lakes have.  Check out the geese walking on the pond.  Do you think they’re ready for a swim or what?  Maybe they’re just hanging around and waiting for Happy Hour …it’s 5 o’clock somewhere right?

Frightfully Fun Halloween Events In Alexandria VA
October 2009

For all of you witches, ghouls, and goblins looking for a spooky party or haunting event that just may scare your socks off, check out these fun filled events in and around Old Town Alexandria VA this Halloween 2009:

• Old Town Halloween Tour – 18th century costumed guides lead you by lantern with ghost stories, legends, and folklore about colonial Alexandria.  October 30, 31 @ 6:30-9:00 PM. King and Fairfax Streets, reservations suggested. 703-519-1749
• Poe in Alexandria at The Lyceum – A recreation by actor David Keitz of Poe’s visit to Virginia in 1849, includes recitations from “The Raven”, “Annabel Lee”, “The Tell-Tale Heart”, and many others. October 30-31, 8-10 PM, 201 S. Washington Street. 703-838-4994
• Woodlawn’s Haunted History – Tour “one of the most haunted plantation houses in Virginia.” Guests will hear the tales of Woodlawn’s “other worldly” in habitants while experiencing the history of the mansion’s past.  Come explore this unique site and visit areas normally closed to the public.  October 30-31. Tours from 6:00- 8:40 PM every 20 minutes. Reservations required. 703-780-4000 x26327. Admission fee required.
• Ghost Walk in Washington D. C. – Among the historic streets, manicured gardens, and Victorian row houses of DC’s finest neighborhood, lies deep, dark secrets about a forgotten past.  Come along to hear about the ghosts and spirits that still haunt our fine little city…if you dare. Daily. DCGhostTours.com

Are you feeling lucky?  If so, you’ll have plenty to do this month in Old Town Alexandria and Washington DC to keep you busy.  Here some great activities that will be fun for everyone:

• March 7 – St. Patrick’s Day Celebration and Parade, 301 King Street and Market Square, festivities include the Fun Dog Show at 10:30 AM, parade starts 12:30 PM at King and West Streets
• March 15 – Annual DC St. Patrick’s Day Parade will run straight down Constitution Avenue, from 7th Street NW to 17th Street NW. Visit www.dcstpatsparade.com/ for more info.
• March 21 – Gunston Hall Kite Festival, located at Gunston Hall Plantation, kites available on-site at the museum and gift shop or bring your own! Fun starts at 12 noon and continues until 5:00 PM.
• March 28 – Smithsonian Kite Festival, who would have known that this popular windy sport attracts participants from all over.  Visit www.kitefestival.org/ for more info.

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!)