Good Causes

AIDS Walk Washington
(10/03/2009; www.aidswalkwashington.org)
The AIDS Walk Washington is an honorable reason to get off that couch and join in the 5K fundraising walk and timed run which benefits the Whitman-Walker Clinic, a non-profit community-based health organization which provides dependable, high-quality, comprehensive and accessible health care to those infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS. See the below instructions to make a generous donation or join the walk against AIDS.

1. Register as an individual or start a team online.
2. Set a personal fundraising goal and then encourage friends, family, neighbors and colleagues to support your efforts.
3. Have supporters donate online or by check.

Steps for submitting donations:

1. Walker donations online must be received by Sept. 28, 2009, and mail-in donations must be postmarked by Sept. 25, 2009, in order to receive your incentive gifts on the day of the walk. General donations and walker supporting donations can still be turned in on Walk day at the designated location.
2. Supporter checks should be made payable to 'AIDS Walk Washington'.
3. Checks should be accompanied by a 'Support a Participant' form with the participant name on it. The form is located in 'Downloadable Documents' under the 'Information' menu to the left. To guarantee proper attribution, the walker name should be noted on the check's memo line.
4. Checks should be sent to AIDS Walk Washington, PO Box 73768, Washington, DC 20056-3768. Please do not send cash by mail.

Note: All donations are tax-deductible.

The Capital Challenge Walk MS
(10/03/2009 - 10/04/2009; 18000 M Street, N.W.)
The Capital Challenge Walk MS is a challenge hosted by the National MS Society which is a fundraiser to end multiple sclerosis, promote good health and physical fitness and also increase public awareness of the disorder. The 50 kilometers is covered over the span of 2 days and will host hundreds upon hundreds of volunteers and hopes to raise thousands of dollars. See below for more details.

Walkers can register by:

1. Completing the online registration form
2. Attending a free "Explore the Challenge" meeting or social event (upcoming meetings will be posted on our website as they are scheduled)
3. By calling the Society at 1-800-FIGHT-MS

American Red Cross of National Capital Area 2009 Fire and Ice Ball
(Saturday, 10/17/2009; Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium; 1301 Constitution Ave., NW; 6p.m.)
Guests will salute our great nation's Armed Forces' service to this country and honor the Red Cross' history of supporting the United States service men, women and their respective families. Awards will also be presented to members for a lifetime of achievement.

Thai Talents 2009

(Thursday, September 17, 2009 - Saturday, September 26, 2009; The Royal Thai Embassy, 1024 Wisconsin Avenue, NW)

Thai Talents '09 will take place in The Royal Thai Embassy and will be showcasing a series of exhibits dedicated to Thai arts including projects in film, theatre, literature, music, photography and more. On September 12, 19, and 26 from 7pm-9 pm, there will also be small meet and greets with light bites and drinks. Although admission is free, reservations are required. Call 202-298-4819 or email chormaneem@thaiembdc.org for more info.

The OnBoard RoundAbout

More often than not, tour buses don’t offer visitors the simple luxury of stopping at stations of their choosing. That’s why OnBoard DC Tours has launched its latest venture, OnBoard RoundAbout, a clever combination of a hop-on, hop-off tour bus and a transportation system, which takes you to the places you want to go all over the Greater DC Area including stops in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia!
The stops on the 2 hour loop include the following:

• Old Post Office (Smithsonian, National Archives, White House)
• Jefferson Memorial (FDR Memorial, Cherry Trees, Tidal Basin)
• Lincoln Memorial (Vietnam War Memorial, Korean War Memorial, World War 1 & 2 Memorials, Washington Monument)
• Arlington National Cemetery (Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Kennedy grave sites, Lee Mansion)
• Fashion Centre at Pentagon City (shopping & dining)
• Crystal Gateway Marriott (Crystal City Underground shopping & Marriott convention center)
• Old Town Alexandria (King Street, Water Taxi, shops, restaurants)
• National Harbor (Gaylord National, Awakening Statue, shops, restaurants)
• Holiday Inn Capitol
• National Air & Space Museum
• Union Station (Capitol Building, Library of Congress, US Supreme Court)

(One day, unlimited pass- $29.00)

D.C. Fashion Week

(September 14-20, 2009)

The weeklong D.C. Fashion Week is a dazzling showcase of fashion, clothing, merchandising and modeling. Featured designers are from all over the world including places like Mongolia, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Mozambique, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and of course, the United States. The eight day event will host a slew of networking parties, meet and greets as well as designer trunk shows and a seminar.

National Book Festival 2009

(National Mall b/w 7th & 14th Sts; September 26, 2009; 10a.m.-5:30p.m.)
The National Book Festival is an annual celebration which is sponsored by the Library of Congress and is hosted by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. The festival allows visitors to meet with over 70 award winning authors, poets, and illustrators. The Library of Congress Pavilion will showcase a variety of interactive family-friendly activities which signify the importance of literacy, cultural preservation, and the digital culture.

2009 National Book Festival Participants

Children's Authors - Mary Brigid Barrett, Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi, Kate DiCamillo, Shannon Hale, Craig Hatkoff, Nikki Grimes, Steven Kellogg, Lois Lowry, Megan McDonald, Charles Santore (illustrator of the festival poster), Jon Scieszka and David Shannon, and Mo Willems

Teens & Children Authors - Judy Blume, Pat Carman, Sharon Creech, Paula Deen, Carmen Agra Deedy and Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah, Shannon Hale, Liz Kessler, Jeff Kinney, James Patterson, Jerry Pinkney, Rick Riordan, Sharon Robinson and Kadir Nelson, James L. Swanson and Jacqueline Woodson

History & Biography Authors - Dan Balz, Douglas Brinkley, Ken Burns, Dayton Duncan, Kirstin Downey, Annette Gordon-Reed, Gwen Ifill, Haynes Johnson, Sue Monk Kidd, Mark Kurlansky, Jon Meacham, Rickey Minor, Simon Schama, Patricia Sullivan, Ann Kidd Taylor and David A. Taylor

Fiction & Fantasy Authors- Sabiha Al Khemir, Julia Alvarez, Junot Díaz, John Grisham, John Irving, Katherine Neville, Jodi Picoult, Nicholas Sparks, Jeannette Walls, Colson Whitehead and David Wroblewski

Mysteries & Thrillers Authors - David Baldacci, Lee Child, Mary Jane Clark, Margaret Coel, Michael Connelly, Craig Johnson, Walter Mosley, James Patterson, George Pelecanos, S.J. Rozan, Lisa Scottline and Daniel Silva

Poetry & Prose Authors - W. Ralph Eubanks, Julia Glass, Edward Hirsch, Jane Hirshfield, Ana Menendez, Azar Nafisi, student winners in the Poetry Out Loud competition Marilynne Robinson and Kay Ryan, Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress.

Bethesda Row Arts Festival

10/18/2009
(One block west of Wisconsin Avenue and east of Arlington Road)

Each October, Bethesda Row is lined with stalls and booths transforming the streets into an outdoor art festival with crafts and fine art. The festival, which began in 1997, has hosted more than 200,000 people in the past and continues to be one of the best festivals of the season. The festival showcases work from over 180 artists and crafters from around the country. The work includes ceramics, drawings, fabrics, glass, graphics, jewelry, metalwork, paintings, photography, printmaking, sculpture, and mixed media.

2009 Taste of Georgetown

(Georgetown Wisconsin Ave & M St NW; 10/10/2009)
The 15th annual Taste of Georgetown festival is a spectacular showcase of the delicious cuisine from over fifty restaurants which also includes wine pairings and jazz shows.

LIVE! Concert

(September 10-September 16, 2009; noon - 1:30p.m.; Woodrow Wilson Plaza at the Reagan Building; 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW)

The Live! Concert taking place September 10-16, 2009 on Woodrow Wilson Plaza is showcasing some of the most exciting performances for free! The event features salsa, swing, hip-hop, blues, African dance and more. Visitors can also enjoy a to-go lunch from Aria Fresca Market to Market located in the area. See schedule below for more info.
• Thursday, September 10
Step Afrika's South African Party featuring Mahala Township Jive
• Friday, September 11
Dakshina - Indian dance
• Monday, September 14
Mr. Kigawa - Classical piano
• Tuesday, September 15
Joe Falero's Latin Jazz All-Stars - Latin music
• Wednesday, September 16
Batala Percussion Band - Afro-Brazilian band

Arts on Foot Festival 2009

(Thurs & Fri. on F Street sidewalk, b/w 7th & 9th Sts; On Saturday from 6th to 9th Sts
Market: Thurs & Fri; 11am-7pm; Festival: Saturday, September 12; 11am-5pm)

The Washington Examiner's Arts on Foot Festival is four blocks of activities for the whole family. The event is held in beautiful Penn Quarter neighborhood and features a three day fine arts market with over 100 exhibitions, restaurant sampling menus from 30 eateries, cooking demonstrations, and two entertainment stages. Regardless of rain or shine, you should definitely be there.

Opera in the Outfield

(09/12/2009; Washington Nationals; Nationals Park; www.nationals.com; 202.572.3057: Free)
The Washington National Opera is hosting a free opera session in Nationals Park of Rossini's comedic opera, The Barber of Seville on September 12, 2009 at 7p.m. This event makes for a great romantic evening!

2009 Annual Adams Morgan Day Festival

(09/13/2009; 18th Street b/w Columbia Rd. & Florida Ave.)

The 31st annual Adams Morgan Festival 2009 is an exciting festival in the popular Adams Morgan neighborhood of D.C. which is overflowing with culture, traditions and diversity. The festival will host two headlining musical performances along with live music acts including jazz, funk, soul, American rock, salsa, Latin rock and more! Come by for food and lots of fun!

2009 Das Oktoberfest-National Harbor

Getting ready to go to Das Best Oktoberfest on Saturday, September 26th? What with all the great food (sausages, potato cakes, sour beef, schnitzel), entertainment (Miss Oktoberfest Competition, Biggest Beer Belly Competition) and of course beer galore! So the big question remains, who’s going to be the designated driver?

Instead of flipping coins and paper, rock, scissors, why not allow OnBoard Tours to help you out? We are offering a roundtrip ticket from The Old Post Office to National Harbor for only $17 or buy a ticket for the DC The Lights! Tour and receive special discount roundtrip tickets for only $10! Take advantage of this amazing deal and enjoy a worry free fun filled day with OnBoard Tours!

Maryland State Fair

(Daily now through September 7; Timonium Fairgrounds; 2200 York Rd.; Timonium, MD 21093; http://www.marylandstatefair.com/)
The Maryland State Fair is a classic family fair that includes all of summer’s favorite treats; lemonade, cotton candy, petting zoos, roller coaster rides and fair games.

Maryland Renaissance Festival

(1821 Crownsville Road; Crownsville, MD 21032; September 7; 10a.m.-7p.m.; Saturdays; 10a.m.-7p.m. (ends October 24); Sundays 10a.m.-7p.m. (ends October 25); $18)
Giant turkey legs, jousting contests and beautiful costuming are just a few of the perks at the annual Renaissance festival. Other activities include shopping, old school games, Shakespeare recitations, hypnotists, and dancers. There are also a number of interesting performances and acts to enjoy while sipping on your mead. Visit http://www.rennfest.com for more information.