November 2015 6th – 8th 9th Annual Alexandria Film Festival AMC Hoffman 22 Theater and Beatley Central Library http://www.alexandriafilm.org The Alexandria Film Festival is a yearly celebration of film, presenting short and feature length films of all genres from emerging and established, local and international filmmakers. Last year, the festival brought more than 60 films and 50 filmmakers to Alexandria from as far as Sri Lanka and Uruguay. All ticketed events will be held at the AMC Hoffman Theater 22, with Beatley Central Library offering free programs to the public. 15th 3rd Annual .US National 12K Race starts at 7:30 a.m. Begins and ends at Oronoco Bay Park, Old Town Registration/$60, Members, military, police, firefighters/$55 (Prices increase on November 1st) http://www.national12k.us Open to runners of all abilities, the .US National 12K will unite road racers and local fitness enthusiasts with some of the best athletes USA Track & Field has to offer, on a course through Alexandria. Runners and families can enjoy a kid fun run, live entertainment and a beer garden. Festival is dog-friendly. 25th – December 27th “A Broadway Christmas Carol” at MetroStage Wednesday-Thursday, 8 p.m.; Friday, 8 p.m.; Saturday, 3 & 8 p.m.; Sunday, 3 & 7 p.m. MetroStage, 1201 N. Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 703-548-9044 $50 metrostage.org Created by Kathy Feininger and directed by Michael Sharp, this MetroStage holiday tradition is a delicious cross between the classic Dickens’ tale and uproarious song parodies of 33 Broadway show tune favorites by Rodgers and Hammerstein, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen Sondheim and many more. 27th City of Alexandria Tree Lighting Ceremony 6-8 p.m. Market Square in front of City Hall, 301 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 703-746-3301 Free At this official kickoff to the holiday season, the mayor and Santa Claus will light the…
By Frank Britt COOPER VINEYARDS Louisa, Virginia Cooper Vineyards is located in Louisa, just a short drive from Richmond, Charlottesville and Fredericksburg. Situated among rolling hills in a traditional farming community, the winery consists of 103 acres, 22 of which are planted with a number of varietals including Albarino, Cabernet Franc, Chardonel, Chardonnay, Petit Verdot, Vidal Blanc and Viognier. Future plantings of Chambourcin and other varieties are being explored. A new vineyard in Free Union, which is part of the Monticello AVA, is planted with Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Viognier varietals. The first Free Union harvest is expected in 2017. Plans are underway for a new wine processing facility and enclosing the pavilion for year round use. Both projects are expected to be complete by the end of 2016. Licensed in July 1999, Cooper Vineyards was Virginia’s 53rd Farm Winery. The first year production was 250 cases compared to approximately 6,000 cases that Cooper now bottles. The winery is a member of the Heart of Virginia Wine Trail. Meet the New Owner – David and Susan Drillock purchased Cooper Vineyards this past July. They relocated to Virginia in 2014 from New Jersey when David retired from his job of 36 years as an accountant with a large industrial company. Susan is a retired surgical intensive care nurse. In New Jersey, they owned and restored a small 12 acre farm that included an original 200-year old barn and an almost 100-year old farmhouse. The Drillocks moved to Virginia with their six draft horses (two of which are Clydesdales), two miniature donkeys, five dogs (four Newfoundlands and one Pekinese) and 3 barn cats. Thrilled at being part of Cooper Vineyards at such an exciting time in the Virginia Wine Industry, they want to continue the Cooper Vineyards mantra…