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April 2016
Live Well Festival
In honor of Earth Day, Historic Downtown Manassas announces the 10th Annual Live Well Festival (formerly Spring Cleaning Day) to be held on Saturday, April 16th.
Head over to the Harris Pavilion for free health screenings, fitness classes, kid activities, entertainment, and more. Recycle those gently used household items or clothes to a worthy cause, visit with the recycling and environmental exhibitors, and help the kids make earth friendly art projects. The day includes exhibitors from non-profit and civic organizations providing recycling and environmental information.
The Shredding Truck will be back again this year at a new location. Bring those documents to be shredded to the parking lot in front of the Train Depot!
This year, there will also be the option to purchase tickets for a farm to table brunch prepared with fresh goods straight from the Farmer’s Market. Stay tuned for details.
Go to www.visitmanassas.org for more details as they become available.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1677741415818420/Hunter’s Island Hike
Captain John Smith, exploring the Rappahannock River in 1608, met at its fall line a hail of arrows from native fishermen. Explore the legacy of Hunter’s Island with its owner, local architect and history enthusiast Mary Ellen Wheeler. Bring a bag lunch for a picnic. Minimum age is 8 years. Meet at Friends of the Rappahannock home office, 3219 Fall Hill Avenue, Fredericksburg. Event is 10 am – 3 pm. Backup date: next day. $30 indiv/$90 family ($24/$72 for members). For more information visit riverfriends.org or call 540-373-3448.
www.riverfriends.orgMADISON’S MOUNTAIN HERITAGE: AN OPEN HOUSE AT GRAVES CHAPEL
Join The Piedmont Environmental Council for a trip back in time to learn about the mountain culture of Virginia’s Blue Ridge. On the land of Graves Chapel, which was organized in 1885, this event will include tours of the Chapel building, family photo displays, memorabilia, oral histories, and a historical overview of the Graves Mill area.
Members of the Graves, Aylor, Berry, Creel, Estes, Fitzhugh, Hawkins, Kendall, Kite, Knighting, Lillard, McDaniel, McMullen, Melone, Slaughter, Shotwell, Sims, Smith, and many other families will be present to discuss their memories of the mountain life in Madison. Archival materials, including early film footage of the area and historic maps, will also be on display.
Want to visit home sites of some of your descendants or just interested in looking at the remains of homesteads in the Park? Graves Chapel is not far from some of the area’s best hiking trails, many of which pass by historic features that are partially hidden in the forest. With a little closer look, you can often see old home sites, rock walls, garden terraces, and cemeteries – particularly before the plants begin to bloom. PEC is in the process of securing shuttles to the nearby trailheads to access these sites. If you are interested, please contact Kristie Kendall below.
The DnA Band will share their musical talents. Enjoy light refreshments and conversation at the Chapel throughout the day.
The event is free, but pre-registration is required. Driving directions to the event parking area will be emailed prior to the event. Elderly or disabled visitors can be dropped off at the church. Check in with parking staff upon arrival.
Take a moment to check out the webpage for Graves Chapel at gravesmillchapel.com. Donations to Graves Chapel are appreciated.
http://pecva.org/events/madison-s-mountain-heritage-an-open-house-at-the-graves-chapelMadison’s Mountain Heritage: An Open House at Graves Chapel
Join PEC for a trip back in time to learn about the mountain culture of Virginia’s Blue Ridge. This event will include tours of the Graves Chapel building, family photo displays, memorabilia, oral histories and a historical overview of the Graves Mill area. Want to visit home sites of some of your ancestors or just interested in looking at the remains of homesteads in the Park? Graves Chapel is not far from some of the area’s best hiking trails, many of which pass by historic features that are partially hidden in the forest. With a little closer look, you can often see old home sites, rock walls, garden terraces, and cemeteries – particularly before the plants begin to bloom. PEC is in the process of securing shuttles to the nearby trailheads to access these sites. If you are interested, please contact Kristie Kendall below.
Members of the Graves, Aylor, Berry, Creel, Estes, Fitzhugh, Hawkins, Kendall, Kite, Knighting, Lillard, McDaniel, McMullen, Melone, Slaughter, Shotwell, Sims, Smith, and many other families will be present to discuss their memories of the mountain life in Madison. Archival materials, including early film footage of the area and historic maps, will also be on display.
The event is free, but pre-registration is required. Driving directions to the event parking area will be emailed prior to the event.
http://pecva.org/events/madison-s-mountain-heritage-an-open-house-at-the-graves-chapelFrom the Rappahannock, For the Rappahannock
From the Rappahannock, For the Rappahannock is a celebration of land and water conservation in the Rappahannock River watershed and the partnerships that help us succeed. Join Friends of the Rappahannock, The Piedmont Environmental Council, and the John Marshall Soil and Water Conservation District for a day at the iconic Marriott Ranch in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
We will have Rappahannock River oysters from the Oyster Company of Virginia, catered barbeque from Marriott Ranch, local wines and beers from the piedmont, live music, hay ride tours of the property and conservation practices, and more! With a back drop of spectacular mountain views, this is a working farm that the Rappahannock River flows directly through.
In the morning, we will be working with volunteers to plant trees and other vegetation in a riparian buffer along a stretch of a Rappahannock River tributary called Fiery Run. This conservation best management practice will provide wildlife habitat, decrease erosion and sedimentation, and help improve water quality. All attendees who join us for the restoration project are invited to join us for the celebration free or charge.
At 1:00pm we will be at the Marrtiott Pavillion with a wide range of food, drink, and activities. Children under 14 welcome at no charge.
Staff from a variety of conservation organizations will be available to answer questions and talk about conservation practices and cost share programs available in the region.
Hofmann@riverfriends.org 540-373-3448 ext 112
Pranapiloga – Mandala Market
Located at 133 E Davis St, Ste 350. 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Mandala is Sanskrit for Circular. Don’t throw your unwanted items away. Let someone else use them. Leave something, take something, it’s that simple! Contact: 540-317-5518 Website: http://www.pranapiloga.com/
Annual Bluebell Festival at Merrimac Farm
Please join us to welcome spring, celebrate nature close to home and meet local organizations and people who are working to improve our community.
With some of the best Northern Virginia naturalists leading tours and activities, we’re looking forward to a special day at an outstanding natural area. We hope you can join us.
Merrimac Farm, 15020 Deepwood Lane, Nokesville
Terrarium Workshop at The Market at Grelen
Terrariums require minimal care, make great gifts and are simply beautiful which is why they get so much attention in the gardening world. The Market at Grelen customers continue to show plenty of passion for the subject, so we are offering this popular class again. Come get your hands dirty and learn how to create one of these beauties using one of our Garden Terrarium Kits. Everything you need is included in the kit, except miniature plants. You can choose from a terrarium that sits on a table (8″, 10″ or 12″) or one that hangs (see photos). We have a huge selection of mini succulents, house plants and cacti. Plants & Miniatures will be 15% off for all participants on the day of the workshop. There is no “workshop fee” as we are only charging for materials. Coffee is included. If you’d rather make a terrarium using a different type of terrarium (we have lots!), that is fine, but please email info@themarketatgrelen so that we can sign you up and quote you a custom price. Reserve TODAY… Lunch will be available in the cafe 11:30 – 2:30 a la carte.
https://squareup.com/store/the-market-at-grelen“Project Wild Thing” Screening
The Land Trust of Virginia, in conjunction with the Goose Creek Association and Blue Ridge Wildlife Center, will host a free screening of Project Wild Thing on Friday April 22, 2016 at The Hill School Performing Arts Center in Middleburg, VA. The 4:30 screening will be preceded by a visit from the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center’s Animal Ambassadors and a second screening will be held at 7:15 pm. Admission is free.
Project Wild Thing is a documentary chronicling one man’s personal quest to get his children off the couch and into the great outdoors and is an ambitious, feature-length documentary that takes a funny and accessible look at a complex issue, the increasingly fragile connection between children and nature.
David Bond is a filmmaker and a father. Things have really changed since he was a kid. His children are hooked on screens and don’t want to go outdoors; they want iPads, TV and plastic toys. The marketing departments of Apple, Disney and Mattel control his children better than he can. Determined to get them up and out, David appoints himself as the Marketing Director for Nature. With the help of branding and outdoor experts, he develops and launches a nationwide marketing campaign to get British children outside. But the competition is not going to lie down and let some upstart with a free product steal their market. Project Wild Thing is the hilarious, real-life story of one man’s determination to get children out and into the ultimate, free wonder-product: Nature.
The Hill School is located at 130 S. Madison St, Middleburg, VA.
www.landtrustva.orgMay 2016
Shenandoah National Park Wildflower Weekend
Take a day or two to appreciate the diversity of wildflowers growing here in the Blue Ridge. More than 1,300 species of plants thrive in Shenandoah National Park, a mountain island surrounded by farmland, towns, and expanding developed areas. The park is a haven for native woodland wildflowers. For more information about Shenadoah’s wildflowers click here.
Take time to observe. See how flowers rely on butterflies, bees, birds and other animals to pollinate them and spread their seeds. Watch the daily battles taking place over a plant’s resources.
Contemplate a wildflower and you might discover your own connections to the natural world.
Wildflower Weekend activities are free with your park admission. No pre-registration is necessary.
” If you’ve never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom.”
~ Audra Foveo
The Piedmont Environmental Council is holding bird walks
To be held at the Jones Preserve, the property of Rappahannock residents Bruce and Susan Jones, 601 Long Mountain Rd., Washington, at 7:30 a.m. during the height of the bird migration. PEC’s Carolyn Sedgwick leads both walks. On the “Birdwatching for Beginners” walk (May 12) learn how to identify backyard birds, even by their song, and the importance of land conservation in preserving birds. No previous birding experience necessary; binoculars provided to those who need them. On May 17 (rain date, May 18), experienced birders are invited to join Carolyn for another walk. No fee for the walks, but registration is required. Contact csedgwick@pecva.org with questions or sign up at pecva.org/events.
Eagles, Beetles, and Wild Edibles
Join Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR) on a nature walk with Joella and Michael Killian of the University of Mary Washington’s Department of Biological Sciences on Saturday, May 14, from 9:30 a.m. until noon. We meet at the FOR home office and hike FOR’s trails and the canal path. We explore birds, plants, insects and natural edibles along the Rappahannock River. All ages and families are invited. The backup date is the next day. The cost of the event is $5 per individual and $10 for families, or $4 and $8 for FOR members. For more information call (540) 373-3448. Please pre-register at www.riverfriends.org.
www.riverfriends.orgFauquier County Historic Property Research Workshop
In celebration of National Historic Preservation Month and the 50th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act, the Fauquier County Community Development Department and the Architectural Review Board, in partnership with the Warrenton Architectural Review Board, will present the Fauquier County Historic Property Research Workshop on May 14 in the historic Warren Green Hotel.
Michael Spencer, Associate Professor at the University of Mary Washington, will speak about dating building materials and using nondestructive forensic technologies to document historic structures. Professor Spencer’s research has involved such new technologies as infrared thermography (IRT), resistance drilling, and micro-timing.
Wendy Wheatcraft, Fauquier County Preservation Planner, will present different methods of property research and outline the various primary source materials available in Fauquier County.
http://www.fauquiercounty.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/7059/Land Trust of Virginia Garden Party
The Land Trust of Virginia Garden Party will be held on May 22, 2016 at Orion, the home of Gayden and Robin Parker, in Northern Fauquier County. The estate is nestled in heart of Orange County Hunt territory, with near 180-degree views of rolling hills, pastures and the Blue Ridge from a lovely terrace and garden setting. Join LTV for an afternoon celebrating conservation efforts to save Virginia’s open space, natural resources, and cultural heritage.
The Garden Party will again feature a “wet paint” auction, Painting for Preservation, where artists will create individual and unique artworks from selected locations in the Orion garden. Party guests will be able to bid on these works of art during the party to secure their opportunity to take a canvas home. In addition, there will be a silent auction featuring items from local shops and restaurants for consideration.
www.landtrustva.org
Brandy Station Foundation Sunday Lecture Series presents Kevin Walker
CEO of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation, he will be speaking about “The Battle for the West Woods at Winchester.” Starts at 2 p.m. The location of the Sunday Lecture Series is at the Graffiti House, 19484 Brandy Road in Brandy Station. Free, donations to the BSF welcome. Light refreshments are provided. For more information, please go to the Brandy Station Foundation’s website: http://www.brandystationfoundation.com
June 2016
Civil War Paddle
This daylong canoe trip will highlight many of the Civil War sites along the Rapidan River. Bring a bag lunch, sunscreen, and plenty of water. Minimum age is 12 years and this is a strenuous event. Backup date: next day. The cost is $50 individual/$150 family ($40/$120 for FOR members). Please pre-register at riverfriends.org/eventspage.
riverfriends.org/eventspageSummer Safari
Enjoy wildlife tours at the world-renowned Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia, followed by cocktails and dinner on Racetrack Hill, which overlooks Shenandoah National Park and surrounding landscapes. This event is a collaborative benefit for PEC, the Shendandoah National Park Trust and the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute.
http://pecva.org/events/summer-safari-2016James River Batteau Festival, June 18-25
An 8-day journey down the James River from Lynchburg to Maidens Landing using recreated late 18th & early 19th century cargo boats called James River Batteaux. A program of the Virginia Canals & Navigations Society.
http://www.vacanals.org/batteau/Middle Street Gallery to Help Celebrate 100 Years of the National Park Service
The Middle Street Gallery, a non-profit artists cooperative and gallery in Sperryville, Virginia, will join with Shenandoah National Park and Shenandoah National Park Trust in a series of special exhibitions this summary celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Park Service. Photographers, painters, sculptors and print-makers will show new works inspired by National Parks all over the country, from Acadia National Park in Maine to Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona to Dry Tortugas National Park in Florida. There will be a special emphasis on Shenandoah National Park, which lies just to the west of the Sperryville gallery.
The special exhibit by the cooperative’s 22 members will be at the gallery from June 24 through July 31, with a public reception on Saturday, June 25, from 3pm until 5pm. The gallery is delighted to have representatives from the Shenandoah National Park Trust and Shenandoah National Park join us for the reception to help celebrate the centennial of the Park Service.
Please come and enjoy this special collection of art celebrating the 100 birthday of the National Park Service, and remember that any purchases of art will help to support the Shenandoah National Park Trust.
The gallery is located next to River District Arts, 3 River Lane, in Sperryville. Hours are Fri., Sat. and Sun. 11am to 5pm. Please call 540/987-9330 or visit www.middlestreetgallery.org for more information.
July 2016
Piedmont Green Party Meeting
A gathering of anyone interested in preserving and protecting our environment and landscape and keeping this on the agenda of politicians. It is also for those who believe a third choice is needed for US President in 2016
https://www.facebook.com/events/283799835343448/