On the last Sunday of every month, take a free guided nature tour of the grounds of the Belmont Estate, home of artist Gari Melchers, with Virginia Master Naturalists. Tours start outside the Museum Shop and Stafford Visitor Center at 2:00pm. Members of the Central Rappahannock Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalist program will lead tours of the woods and fields at Belmont. Aside from the historic house, carriage house, and outbuildings, the walk covers about 1 mile of trails and touches on the historic ruins that illustrate Belmont's past - including a grave-site, springs, pumphouse, and river overlook. The trail covers steep and rough terrain, and may be muddy at times, so sturdy footwear is recommended. Tours will take place in rain, snow or shine. No reservations are necessary.

Trail Map

Last Sunday of each month, 2 p.m.

Belmont

224 Washington Street,

Fredericksburg, VA 22405

540.654.1015

http://www.umw.edu/gari_melchers/

Moonlight Trail Rides and More @ Reba Farm Inn

Take the Moonlight Trail Ride and ride atop a 1000 lbs animal in the Blue Ridge Mountains with the trails lit by the moon! This is a great outing for adults, especially couples, or just gather up your friends for a wonderful evening. Complimentary refreshments following the ride and bonfire! If you want a fuller experience, try out the Overnight Camping Trail Ride. Depart at 2pm and arrive back at noon the following day, and everything is provided! Reba Farm Inn also offers resort-like amenities in a Bed & Breakfast setting with the very best in personalized service.

Please visit http://www.rebafarminn.com to book reservations, for prices, and for more event specials.

Reba Farm Inn & Saddle Soar Equitainment

1099 Reba Farm Ln

Bedford, VA 24523

540.586.1906

888.235.3574

rebafarminn@rebafarminn.com

Manassas Art Guild eARTh 5

On April 23, the Manassas Art Guild will be hosting eARTh 5, their largest annual art exhibit. Artists working in all media will be exhibiting art relating to nature, gardens, the environment, recycling, life, or other "earth-friendly" themes. Both members and non-member artists are invited to enter. Includes art demos, live music, kid's corner, and door prizes.

There will also be an 'art supply swap' where you can bring in unwanted art supplies and trade them in for something useful or give them to another who does need them. Supplies should be dropped of at the festival between 10 and 11am on Saturday, April 23. Any supplies left over by 2pm will be donated to the local schools.

Free admission. Children, pets welcome.

Saturday, April 23 ... 10am- 3pm

Harris Pavilion

9116 Center Street

Manassas, VA 20110

http://www.manassasartguild.com/

Eggsplosion! @ Curtis Park in Stafford

Join the excitement in this fun-filled day to celebrate spring. Children will enjoy a day of activities including an egg hunt, inflatables, pony rides, and Jonathan Austin's 24-Hour Emergency Juggling & Magic Service! Radio station B101.5 will be on-site providing music! Vendors will be selling food. Ages 10 and under. Advanced admission $7; cost at the gate is $9 (no charge for adults).

Saturday, April 16 ... 11am - 3pm

Admission Fee

$7 in advance; $9 at gate

Curtis Park

58 Jesse Curtis Lane

Stafford, VA 22556

540.658.5116

http://co.stafford.va.us/

Band of Oz @ Eagles Lodge

Celebrate spring and with a great night of friends, music, and lots of dancing! The party features "Band of Oz" - an east coast band guaranteed to get you out on the dance floor! The event will be held at the Eagles Lodge. Hosted by the Virginia Gentlemen, half the proceeds will be donated to Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR) River Protection Programs. Tickets on sale at FOR Headquarters.

Saturday, April 16 ... 8pm - 11.30pm

Admission: $60

Eagles Lodge

21 Cool Springs Road

Fredericksburg, VA 22405

http://www.bandofoz.com/

http://www.riverfriends.org/

AHS Spring Garden Market

The American Horticultural Society’s Spring Garden Market features a variety of vendors of plants, garden supplies, garden art, and other related products. The Spring Garden Market at River Farm is one of the premiere plant sales in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, with more than 2,000 shoppers.

Visitors are also welcome to tour River Farm’s 25-acre grounds, which will be in full spring bloom with thousands of bulbs, flowering trees, and shrubs. An ongoing art exhibit will also be on display in the Estate House.

Parking is free to AHS members and $3 for non-members (with a valid AHS membership card or mailing label from the current issue of The American Gardener as proof of membership). Only members will be allowed in the sale during Members’ night.

Admission into Garden Market is free.

Members’ Only Night: Thursday, April 14 from 4-8 p.m. Members have the opportunity to shop during these hours, getting first pick of the wonderful plants and products offered.

"In the Garden with Andre Viette” Radio Show: On Saturday from 9-11 am, listen to gardening expert Andre Viette broadcast his weekly radio show, live at River Farm!

Fairfax County Master Gardeners:On Friday, April 15 and on Saturday, April 16 the Fairfax County Master Gardeners will be available to answer gardening questions.

Raffle: A raffle of items donated by vendors at the Spring Garden Market will take place during the Market.

American Art League: While at the Market be sure to stroll through the Estate House to view our latest art exhibits presented by Bob Gilbert and Salon 8.

AHS Garden Shop: The River Farm Garden Shop will be open, offering unique and hard to find garden accessories, books, and tools for sale.

Friday, April 15 ....... 9am - 6pm

Saturday, April 16 ... 9am - 5pm

The American Horticultural Society's Headquarters at River Farm
7931 East Boulevard Dr
Alexandria, VA 22308

http://www.ahs.org/river_farm/events.htm

Avalon Live Action Role Play in Prince William Forest Park

Avalon is an organization that tells the story of a rich and detailed fantasy world by providing either day or weekend long events that take place in a rustic, medieval setting.

During these events, people play characters and interact with each other in a world created by it's creative staff of Storytellers. These events are live-action, which means that the players dress in costume and role play their characters, much like impromptu theater. The events, which are put on by Vyrose LLC, involve In-Character mock combat which adheres strictly to the Avalon Code of Conduct.

Vyrose LLC also sponsors Boy Scout of America, Venturing Crew 1433

If this is your first event, please visit http://www.avalonlarp.com/firstevent.htm for more information.

Murshank City State Event

April 8-10

Admission Fee: $50.00

Prince William Forest Park

Camp 5, Joplin Road

Triangle, VA

http://www.avalonlarp.com/

Join Christopher, his best friend Pooh, and the whole animal crew for a delightful, eye-opening adventure told with the hands and voices of deaf and hearing actors. Along the way you just might pick up a few lessons in friendship, loyalty and acceptance. Featuring the brilliant talent of Sign Stage On Tour in its 15th touring year, this family production is signed and spoken simultaneously.

Sign Stage is an organization whose mission is 'to produce educational programs and performances about Deaf Culture that promotes awareness and demonstrates the value of cultural diversity between the Deaf and Hearing communities.'

Saturday, April 09

7.00pm

Admission Fee:

$15 Adult

$12 Student/Senior

Franklin Park Arts Center

36441 Blueridge View Lane

Purcellville, VA 20132

www.franklinparkartscenter.org

Happy Vitamin C Day!!

Today marks the anniversary of the discovery of the antioxidant, Vitamin C.

During the late 1700s, British sailors discovered using lime juice prevented a common disease known as scurvy, which unbeknown to them was caused by a nutritional deficiency. Dr. Charles Glen King of the University of Pittsburgh and Albert Szent-Györgyi, a Hungarian physiologist who had won the Nobel Peace Prize in Physiology or Medicine, both worked in their respected countries on the project of isolating the key factor in such foods as lemons and limes that counteracted scurvy in the late 1920s. After years of work, Vitamin C was identified.

Vitamin C can be found in all citrus juices and in such vegetables as broccoli, cauliflower and Brussel sprouts. Having a deficiency in this vitamin can cause serious health complications so, if you or your child are not too fond of Brussel sprouts or happen to be on the road, stop in to rest at the Hampton Inn. Catch up on some sleep and enjoy our complimentary breakfast in the morning, complete with orange juice and cantaloupe in our mixed fruit bowl- no Brussel sprouts included :)

International Pillow Fight Day DC 2011

On Saturday April 2, there will be massive pillow fights in cities worldwide! If you are in the NOVA/DC area this weekend, head over to the National Mall for an experience not to be missed. International Pillow Fight Day DC 2011 will be hosted by Capital Improv, as part of the the Urban Playground Movement- a group dedicated to organizing free, fun, for all ages, public events.

You may be thinking to yourself, "Why? What is the point of hundreds of people gathering together to hit each other with pillows?" Well, the Urban Playground Movement creates such gatherings in the hopes of making 'these unique happenings in public space become a significant part of popular culture, partially replacing passive, non-social consumption experiences like watching television, and consciously celebrating public spaces in our cities as our “urban living rooms.”'

For more information on Pillow Fight Day (including a 'how-to guide' and a list of participating cities), please visit: http://www.pillowfightday.com/

Saturday, April 2 · 2:00pm – 5:00pm

The National Mall – Washington D.C. on the block closest to the capitol. The first pillow fight will break out @ 2pm somewhere near the Capitol Fountain. Gather with your pillow hidden and act like you’re just out there to enjoy the day. A couple of our group members will get into a fake yelling match to start the first fight – only join after you see them pull out pillows. After 15 minutes of pillow fighting, we’ll move to DuPont Circle for more fights and events!

For more information on the DC event

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=205640972779682

http://capitolimprov.com/pillow-fight-day-2011-announced/#more-616