AROUND TOWN/Resurrecting Halloween, Chef's Delights and Paws in the Park and Chef

Photo by Gale Curcio/Local Kicks Lee Braun dances in "The Cage" at her much-anticipated annual Halloween party.

ALEXANDRIA, VA - All Hallows Eve came early this year at the Braun's house as an annual tradition was resurrected and celebrated a week early.

Lee Braun loves Halloween so much that she spends several weeks and several hundred dollars to get ready for her annual shindig. (So much so that last year, her husband, Peter Braun, put a stop to it!)

Photo by Gale Curcio/Local Kicks Chef Gordon Forester serves up praline bacon, candied apples and biscuits and gravy during the Live Chefs’ Series held at the Alexandria Farmers' Market.

After friends and family rebelled, the party was back again this year. It was bigger and better than ever. As usual, there was a theme and this year was no exception.

This year’s theme was "Circus," and no detail was missed. When guests arrived, they were "framed" in front of a circus backdrop (Lee’s mother-in-law, Claire Braun, spent three weeks buying empty frames at garage sales).

A palm reader was on hand to read palms, while guests could try their luck at winning a goldfish by throwing hoops on a stake or getting a ball into a carnival clown’s mouth.

In addition to the food that guests brought, there were packages of popcorn, hotdogs and cotton candy cookies.

And then there was THE CAGE – an elaborate red and white striped contraption built by the Brauns – with lots of help by friends. It was occupied all night by rowdy party-goers ready to dance.

Yet, while everybody had a great time, there was a serious side to it all. A "cover" charge of $10 was collected and donated to United Community Ministries – a total of $1,377 for the UCM to provide basic needs to citizens in and around the Route 1 corridor.
 

Photo by Gale Curcio/Local Kicks Shoppers at the Alexandria Farmers' Market flock to sample the praline bacon, candied apples and biscuits and gravy prepared by Union Street Public House's Chef Forester during the Live Chefs' Series.

Saturday's Buzz at the Farmer's Market
 
Fast forward to this past weekend. The Alexandria Farmers’ Market was busy as usual, with a few additions. A group of students from St. Rita’s School were on hand selling baked goods to raise money to purchase books.

On the other side of the market, Chef Gordon Forester from Union Street Public House was serving up praline bacon, candied apples and biscuits and gravy. The weekly Chefs’ Series will continue for a few more Saturdays, weather permitting.

Paws in the Park
 
Meanwhile, Montgomery Park was going to the dogs’ as the Old Town North Community and the City of Alexandria united to benefit the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria’s Sarah’s Fund and the Dog Run Improvement Project for Montgomery Park.
 
Jay Palermino started the Paws in the Park event with the encouragement of the Old Town North Community Partnership.  

“I produced it for the first year in 2007, from my involvement in Taste of Old Town North, years prior,” said Palermino. “Margaret Townsend continued with it the past two years.”

Photo by Jay Palermino for Local Kicks Students from St. Rita's School hold Fundraiser for Book Sales.

Paws in the Park is a community fall outdoors festival with events and activities for dogs, their families and the community at-large. Activities included “Doga” classes (Yoga for Dogs), a Halloween Costume Parade, judging for all and in addition a Blessing of the Animals.  

Folk Artist Author Patricia Palermino was on-site to sign her newest children’s book, The Doggie Tails of Alex and Andria in Alexandria.
 
Other sponsors included Cetacea Pet Gear, Old Town School for Dogs, River’s Edge Toga Center and Old Town's Crowne Plaza Hotel. The Alexandria Red Cross offered demos of pet first aid and CPR with "Dog about Town" Daisy Mae.
 
“The portion of the proceeds to be donated to the league will be earmarked for our Sarah’s Fund, which is so important because it allows us to care for animals with more extensive medicals needs,” said Tara Blot, executive director of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.   

“With this fund we can do things like treat heartworm and address significant orthopedic and dental needs; in many shelters that is just not possible for financial reasons,” added Blot.
 

Photo by Jay Palermino for Local Kicks Councilman Rob Krupicka addresses and thanks patrons for supporting the 3rd Annual Paws in the Park at Montgomery Park.

Durwood Gould, the director of marketing for the Crowne Plaza, has been involved since its inception, along with event organizer Margaret Townsend, in establishing the affair as one not-to-be missed.  

“It is especially heartwarming to be partnering with these organizations, in our backyard, and we look forward to continuing our relationship to help raise needed monies for the cause,” Gould said.
 
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Photo by Jay Palermino for Local Kicks Councilwoman Del Pepper applauds guests of the 3rd Annual Paws in the Park held on October 31.

Photo by Jay Palermino for Local Kicks Au Domaine European Wine Source Owner Rick Raunswinder picks the next winner at Paws in the Park.

Photo by Jay Palermino for Local Kicks Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille addresses attendees of Paws in the Park.

Photo by Gale Curcio/Local Kicks This creative couple came complete with realistic ice cream cones at the Brauns’ Halloween party.

Photo by Gale Curcio/Local Kicks Nick Wasilewski and Trish Fineran appear as the 'Burger King' and a matador at the Brauns’ Halloween party.