Saturday, October 30, 2010

4MRMarket Report: The Finish Line

Whether headed home from a rally, on your way to watch a marathon, enjoying some last minute campaigning before Tuesday, or just getting the last minute items for Halloween, the Four Mile Run Farmers & Artisans Market is a convenient stop.

October 31st, Halloween, marks the end of our first season.  So now's your chance to check it out before the long winter hiatus.  4MRMarket will be back in April bigger and better with a lot more exciting surprises in store.

But this week, check out the folks from VeloCity and get your bike tuned up.  Visit with Zelda's Nova Soul, just back from a taping of the Oprah Show (well, from the audience) and on their way to an on-camera appearance on WUSA Channel 9 (Tuesday at noon).  Catch the prepared foods from our newest vendor, Harvest Market and check-in with rest of our regular vendors.


But rest assured, it's not the end. It's just the beginning.

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The Four Mile Run Farmers and Artisans Market (Alexandria, Virginia 22305) brings fresh, nutritious food to people of all income levels, provide an opportunity for local artisans and producers of goods to bring their wares to market, strive to reflect the diversity of the community, and improve the quality of life for Arlandria residents and visitors. It is part of an overall vision to expand and improve Four Mile Run park and the surrounding neighborhood.

4MRMarket is open every Sunday from 8am until 1pm from April through October in Four Mile Run Park at 4109 Mt Vernon Avenue, Alexandria.
Or contact us at: 4mrm@arlandria.org

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Architects Anonymous win for Four Mile Run Park Designs

Architects Anonymous at AIA Northern Virgina Annual Dinner 
(photo by Kathryn A. Brown)
The Northern Virginia Chapter of the American Institute of Architects awarded a group of local architects for  their pro-bono work on the plans to expand Four Mile Run Park and rehab the old Duron paint store on Mt Vernon Avenue in Arlandria.

AIA Chapter Award
Discussed in more detail previously on the Arlandrian, the informal group of small-firm architects, referring to themselves collectively as Architects Anonymous, used some of their 'free' time develop this breathtaking vision for 4MR Park.

The architects envision inexpensively re-purposing the old Duron building at 4109 Mount Vernon Avenue into the focal point of a series of 'outdoor rooms' for community use. The building itself would be open-air and primarily for daytime, fair weather use unless significant funds become available in the future (the costly HVAC system needs replacement for indoor uses). Their vision, based on the 4MR Restoration Master Plan, has impressed and excited area residents and the award from their peers comes as no surprise.

The presentation of the plans have often been on view Sunday mornings at 4MRMarket and will be there again for the last two Sundays, when representatives of Architect Anonymous will be on hand to solicit support for volunteers to help realize their award-winning vision. Come on out and see the plans, congratulate them and offer our thanks!

Architects Anonymous Unveiled (plus one).
Photo by Kathryn A. Brown

Monday, October 18, 2010

4MRMarket Report: "October 24th Harvest Party" Edition


Next Sunday morning, October 24th, from 8am to 1pm, the Four Mile Run Farmers & Artisans Market plays host to the 4MR Harvest Market with FREE eco-friendly, re-usable trick-or-treat bags for the first 30 kids in costume!

The 4MR Harvest Market will feature live performances and vendors (some even in costume) with cider (while supplies last) and the usual fresh seasonal vegetables, meat, prepared foods and crafts.

A special treat will be a fresh re-telling of a familiar story: Hansel and Gretel is about a lot more than a Gingerbread House.

Join us at 4MRMarket on Sunday, Oct 24th as award winning actress, Gale Nemec performs this classic Fairy Tale by the Brothers Grimm. Three shows: 9:00am, 10:30am and at noon.

(Donations are welcome. A portion of the proceeds will go to support the efforts of the Entertainment and Education Foundation and “The Bea & The Bug Extravaganza for Children!”)

Anyone on hand at the close of the market is invited to walk, ride or run down with us to the 14th Annual Del Ray Halloween Parade starting at 2pm.

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The Four Mile Run Farmers and Artisans Market (Alexandria, Virginia 22305) brings fresh, nutritious food to people of all income levels, provide an opportunity for local artisans and producers of goods to bring their wares to market, strive to reflect the diversity of the community, and improve the quality of life for Arlandria residents and visitors. It is part of an overall vision to expand and improve Four Mile Run park and the surrounding neighborhood.

4MRMarket is open every Sunday from 8am until 1pm from April through October in Four Mile Run Park at 4109 Mt Vernon Avenue, Alexandria.
Or contact us at: 4mrm@arlandria.org

Saturday, October 16, 2010

4MRMarket Report: "More Than Just a Novelty" Edition


When we began planning the 4MRMarket back in May with the hope of opening in little more than a month, we had no idea whether we'd make back the money we invested, let alone make it through the season.  Now, as we wind down this year's market in the final few weeks, we are happy with what we've accomplished, but eager to build and grow and provide more opportunities fulfill our mission statement:
"bring fresh, nutritious food to people of all income levels, provide an opportunity for local artisans and producers of goods to bring their wares to market, strive to reflect the diversity of the community, and improve the quality of life for Arlandria residents and visitors, as part of an overall vision to expand and improve Four Mile Run park and the surrounding neighborhood".
Next week, October 24th, our penultimate market of the season, will be the 4MRMarket Harvest Party complete with music games and live performances.  Stay tuned for details shortly.

This week, the Four Mile Run Farmers & Artisans Market still always has plenty to offer folks, whether they walk, drive or come on a bicycle, but this week we spotlight the many folks who come to market using our great system of nearby trails and bike lanes. VéloCity returns to the 4MRMarket this Sunday with their mobile bike repair shop.

Biking in with VéloCity, entertainer Aaron Lee will be providing music in the market lounge.  Aaron is a ukulele songwriter on a all-bicycle-powered concert tour. About a month ago he played at VéloCity in Old Town, and he will be back in the area tomorrow (Sunday, Oct. 17) at 4MRMarket. One goal of his tour is to promote local community organizations, like the Four Mile Run Market and bike co-op.

This 4MRide event is again another oppurtunity to educate citizens in understanding the importance of sharing the road responsibly and with respect and encouraging folks to try out our amazing park trails. So get on your bike and come on out.


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The Four Mile Run Farmers and Artisans Market (Alexandria, Virginia 22305) brings fresh, nutritious food to people of all income levels, provide an opportunity for local artisans and producers of goods to bring their wares to market, strive to reflect the diversity of the community, and improve the quality of life for Arlandria residents and visitors. It is part of an overall vision to expand and improve Four Mile Run park and the surrounding neighborhood.

4MRMarket is open every Sunday from 8am until 1pm from April through October in Four Mile Run Park at 4109 Mt Vernon Avenue, Alexandria.

For more info see: http://www.4mrmarket.org/

Friday, October 15, 2010

The Arlandrian News Round-up: Getting Along With the Neighbors

Bridging the Run
Alexandria and Arlington joined forces yesterday to discuss a full docket (7MB PDF) of key issues affecting both sides of the border.  Key items for Arlandria include the Four Mile Run (4MR) restoration and  transportation and development Route 1 corridor (more on that here). We had an Arlandrian editor on the scene and will have follow up in an upcoming post (Alexandria Times has the pre-meeting basics, Washington Post has more back story, AlexandriaNews.org has some coverage).

BRAC in Business?
A Future Crystal City? (From ArlNow.com)
The re-envisioning of Crystal City received a unanimous stamp of approval from the Arlington County Board. The plan calls for additional density, transportation infrastructure, and turning Crystal City into a full time city and not just a urban office park by day, ghost town by night. With Defense Department jobs being moved to Ft. Belvoir and elsewhere as part of BRAC, Arlington is taking the opportunity to try and re-build Crystal City for the future. (Washington Post)

Streetcars, New Metro Entrance Among Big Changes Coming to Crystal City
Here's a quick list of transportation improvements involved in the Crystal City 2050 plan and a video walking you through some of the high level stuff. (ArlNow)

Greening NoVA
The Northern Virginia Conservation Trust held its annual fundraiser this week.  The Trust aims to link the green space across N.Va.  Right in our backyard, Four Mile Run Park is a key portion of Alexandria's "Green Crescent", an area of open space that runs from 4MR Park along the Potomac to Jones Point Park.  Alexandria partners with the Trust and aims to have 100 acres preserved by 2013. (Washington Post)

Transit Improvements
If approved, all aspects of the Blue and Orange lines will receive a $272 Million overhaul that will last 6 years.  The overhaul covers 23 stations and 27 miles of track in operation since 1977. (Dr. Gridlock, Washington Post)  Somehow, Braddock Rd station is not in queue for repairs despite conditions that sent Mayor Euille to the hospital after a bad fall. (Alexandria Times)

Arlandria's Treasure
How much do you know about The Birchmere: America’s Legendary Music Hall? It harbored such new talent as Lyle Lovett, the Seldom Scene, Vince Gill, and many more. "New?" you might ask... they were at the time.  Read about Arlandria's own cradle for new talent, and legacy of proprietor of 44 years, Gary Oelze. What's his biggest frustration? Well, you may want to lobby City Council to find a way to get rid of Alexandria's entertainment tax, which could yet drive the cherished institution away from our fair neighborhood. (Alexandria Gazette-Packet)