4MRMarket Report: "What's in Your Basket?" Edition

As the summer ushers in all varieties of fresh, delicious produce, so too does 4MRMarket grow!!

Show 4MRMarket some love!! And help us continue to attract more vendors!

Pledge to celebrate at 4MRMarkets this summer and the folks at American Farmland Trust will send you a free "No Farms No Food" bumper sticker. Your pledge will help show prospective vendors that there's community support. (Donations to support AFT are optional.)

Don't forget all your old favorites, as well:  produce, pasture raised beef, artisan cheese, herbal teas, and much more! There's more reason than ever to check out 4MRMarket this weekend!

And of course, the 4MRMarket Stage will be humming again from about 10am to Noon with 4MRMarket veteran musician Jong Lee. Jong runs Jive Sound a bass guitar shop on the Avenue in Arlandria and his performance earlier this year was a lot of fun.

Jong Lee performs 10am - Noon

Remember, the concert is free, but Jong and all our performers welcome tips and friendly applause for sharing their craft with you on a lovely Sunday morning.
____________

Don't forget that the Buy Fresh, Buy Local and Win campaign continues this weekend at 4MRMarket!

Bring your “Farm. Fresh. Pledge.” punch card if you already have one. If you didn't get started yet, just ask for one at 4MRMarket and earn one punch for each $10 you spend on Virginia Grown products.

The Junewinners!

Collect all 14 punches for a chance to win a Virginia Grown® / Virginia’s Finest® gift basket valued at $250. (See the official rules for more details). 4MRMarket will also award prizes to monthly drawings from all punch cards received.

You can fill up your bags with a great selection of produce, meat, cheese, teas, health and beauty products, and more.

____________

Here is what's at 4MRMarket this week.  Plus, there may be one or two more new items in store beyond even these!

• C &T Produce (White Oak, VA) - A huge selection of locally grown produce from a locally, family-run farm in Stafford, Virginia.
• The Stifler Farm aka "What's For Dinner Now" - Farm-raised Black Angus beef, humanely raised on lush pasture fields of the Shenandoah Valley, naturally farmed pork...and now... Uncle Frank's Grilling Sauce!!
• Tom's Amish Cheese Store (Lancaster, PA) - Artisan Cheese and yogurt, farm-fresh eggs, and Pennsylvania honey.
• Whole Health (Alexandria) -  Organic teas and body scrubs from one of the largest Message and Acupuncture Therapy businesses in Northern Virginia (approved by the Alexandria Health Department).
• St. Elmo's Coffee Pub (Del Ray) - Brewed coffee, tea, and always a few extra goodies!
Old Town Suds - (Alexandria) This maker of eco-friendly soaps, cleaning supplies, bath bombs, and more! Old Town Suds started because Steffanie was allergic to most commercial soaps on the market; then she became really sick and wondered if her health was being made worse by everyday chemicals. Their decadent soaps & nose-pleasing cleaning products are tough on dirt but easy on humans, pets, and the Earth. Look for Port City Beer soap & Legend (Richmond, VA) Beer soap plus the Cup of Joe soap that looks like a latte!
• Charlette Marie Beauty (Centreville, VA) - A naturally effective, eco-friendly, line of handmade bath and body skin care goodies. Her products are made with bio-dynamic, natural botanical active ingredients.
• Raining Cats & Dogs - Gourmet Organic and Gluten Free Pet Treats
• Kenya Microcrafts - Fair trade handmade baskets and jewelry from Kenya.
• Others pending!

Artisanal Crafts available on a rotating basis...
like these hand-made, natural soaps from Old Town Suds.

See below all the ways to help and participate in the market!
____________

The supercool 4MRMarket t-shirt

BUY. Proceeds of our 4MRMarket T-shirts go to support the expansion and revitalization of 4MR Park. They cost $12 and come in 4 colors. See us model a few at the market.  You can pre-pay online via Pay-Pal (send money to 4MRM@arlandria.org).

DONATE. Help 4MRMarket help 4MRPark. Tax-deductible donations can be made to support us in our efforts to revitalize Four Mile Run Park. Donate to the City's Living Landscape Fund to fund tree and other amenities at 4MRExpand More information here.

HELP. If you'd like to volunteer with the 4MRMarket, go to: volunteer.4MRMarket.org to sign up or look for the "volunteer" tab on our website. You'll be able to volunteer to help process SNAP/EBT and Credit / Debit Card sales, help us keep our books, help set up or tear down for the market, or help us find musicians to play the market. You can also find a Market Manager to ask to help, or email us at 4MRMarket@arlandria.org for more info.

READ. Keep up to date on all the goings on by following 4MRMarket on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or via our website and blog.

SPREAD THE WORD.  Please tell folks about us. And tell folks about some of the great things we're doing. For instance, all SNAP/EBT participants can take advantage of the Inova-sponsored "Double Dollar" program again this year that doubles the first $10 SNAP participants spend at the market. 4MRMarket is the first farmers’ market in Northern Virginia (and still the only) to accept SNAP. And C&T Produce now accepts SFMNP vouchers!

__________________________________

Buy Fresh Buy Local 4MRMarket products.

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 14th until November in Four Mile Run Park at 4109 Mt Vernon Avenue, Alexandria. 

(click here for directions)

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

On Facebook: facebook.com/4MRMarket
On Twitter: @4MRMarket

Contact us at: 4MRMarket@arlandria.org

Or call the 4MRMarket hotline: (804) 4mi-Run1

4MRMarket Report: "Something Old and Something New" Edition

New vendor Ritu with her company
"Ekaa, Hands That Create"

As the summer ushers in all varieties of fresh, delicious produce, so too does 4MRMarket grow!!

Between last week and this, we welcome three new vendors into the fold. Last Sunday saw Ekaa, Hands That Create brighten up the market with their fantastic and affordable handmade clothing.  Raining Cats & Dogs also joined in with gourmet organic and gluten free pet treats. Both will be here again this week!

This weekend, Furloughed Feds will be the newest market member. These two local women are finding some "free time" to bake to their heart's content, and 4MRMarket customers will be the lucky beneficiaries.

Don't forget all your old favorites, as well:  produce, pasture raised beef, artisan cheese, herbal teas, and much more! There's more reason than ever to check out 4MRMarket this weekend!

And of course, the 4MRMarket Stage will be humming again from about 10am to Noon with 4MRMarket veteran musician Mike Elosh. Mike is a roots and folk musician that you've probably heard at past markets and during his monthly performances at St. Elmo's Coffee Pub.

Sunday at 10am at 4MRMarket Stage!
See the FaceBook event page for more details.

Remember, the concert is free, but Mike and all our performers welcome tips and friendly applause for sharing their craft with you on a lovely Sunday morning. Please come out and support this Dylan-like folk rock singer/songwriter. Mike uses guitar, piano and harmonica to accompany his roots-based music.

Don't forget that the Buy Fresh, Buy Local and Win campaign continues this weekend at 4MRMarket!

Bring your “Farm. Fresh. Pledge.” punch card if you already have one. If you didn't get started yet, just ask for one at 4MRMarket and earn one punch for each $10 you spend on Virginia Grown products.

The Junewinners!

Collect all 14 punches for a chance to win a Virginia Grown® / Virginia’s Finest® gift basket valued at $250. (See the official rules for more details). 4MRMarket will also award prizes to monthly drawings from all punch cards received.

You can fill up your bags with a great selection of produce, meat, cheese, teas, health and beauty products, and more.

Here is what's at 4MRMarket this week.  Plus, there may be one or two more new items in store beyond even these!

• C &T Produce (White Oak, VA) - A huge selection of locally grown produce from a locally, family-run farm in Stafford, Virginia.
• The Stifler Farm aka "What's For Dinner Now" - Farm-raised Black Angus beef, humanely raised on lush pasture fields of the Shenandoah Valley, naturally farmed pork...and now... Uncle Frank's Grilling Sauce!!
• Tom's Amish Cheese Store (Lancaster, PA) - Artisan Cheese and yogurt, farm-fresh eggs, and Pennsylvania honey.
• Furloughed Feds - Home baked goodies (cupcakes, brownies, coffee cakes, caramel candies) and breakfast treats (muffins, biscotti, granola), served (for a reasonable price) to the public, in lieu of serving the public. "Let Them Eat Cake...and other Goodies!!"
• Whole Health (Alexandria) -  Organic teas and body scrubs from one of the largest Message and Acupuncture Therapy businesses in Northern Virginia (approved by the Alexandria Health Department).
• St. Elmo's Coffee Pub (Del Ray) - Brewed coffee, tea, and always a few extra goodies!
• Charlette Marie Beauty (Centreville, VA) - A naturally effective, eco-friendly, line of handmade bath and body skin care goodies. Her products are made with bio-dynamic, natural botanical active ingredients.
• Raining Cats & Dogs - Gourmet Organic and Gluten Free Pet Treats
• Ekaa, Hands That Create, (Columbia, Maryland) Hand-crafted Home and Fashion accessories.
• Others pending!

Crafts available on a rotating basis.

See below all the ways to help and participate in the market!

The supercool 4MRMarket t-shirt

BUY. Proceeds of our 4MRMarket T-shirts go to support the expansion and revitalization of 4MR Park. They cost $12 and come in 4 colors. See us model a few at the market.  You can pre-pay online via Pay-Pal (send money to 4MRM@arlandria.org).

DONATE. Help 4MRMarket help 4MRPark. Tax-deductible donations can be made to support us in our efforts to revitalize Four Mile Run Park. Donate to the City's Living Landscape Fund to fund tree and other amenities at 4MRExpand More information here.

HELP. If you'd like to volunteer with the 4MRMarket, go to: volunteer.4MRMarket.org to sign up or look for the "volunteer" tab on our website. You'll be able to volunteer to help process SNAP/EBT and Credit / Debit Card sales, help us keep our books, help set up or tear down for the market, or help us find musicians to play the market. You can also find a Market Manager to ask to help, or email us at 4MRMarket@arlandria.org for more info.

READ. Keep up to date on all the goings on by following 4MRMarket on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or via our website and blog.

SPREAD THE WORD.  Please tell folks about us. And tell folks about some of the great things we're doing. For instance, all SNAP/EBT participants can take advantage of the Inova-sponsored "Double Dollar" program again this year that doubles the first $10 SNAP participants spend at the market. 4MRMarket is the first farmers’ market in Northern Virginia (and still the only) to accept SNAP. And C&T Produce now accepts SFMNP vouchers!

__________________________________

Buy Fresh Buy Local 4MRMarket products.

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 14th until November in Four Mile Run Park at 4109 Mt Vernon Avenue, Alexandria. 

(click here for directions)

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

On Facebook: facebook.com/4MRMarket
On Twitter: @4MRMarket

Contact us at: 4MRMarket@arlandria.org

Or call the 4MRMarket hotline: (804) 4mi-Run1

Update on 4MR Park Plan

4MR Park Plan Mobile Workshop

From May through June, the City of Alexandria Park Planning staff sought feedback on the draft Park Improvement Plans for Four Mile Run Park and other large City parks and held “mobile workshops” at Alexandria’s farmers markets and community businesses and institutions.

Throughout the rest of summer the Park staff will be finalizing the Four Mile Run Park Improvement Plan prior to going before the Park and Recreation Commission and City Council this Fall.

The first draft of the long range plan for Four Mile Run Park was released for public review and feedback in May. 

Here's a summary of some consistent themes from the feedback received on the 4MR Park plan:

Relocate and Fence Dog Area:
 “My Dog will be happy.” “...it’s a good way to get to know your neighbors.”

The majority of survey and workshop participants expressed excitement for a fenced dog park at Four Mile Run Park. Participants noted how the fenced dog park would be a great place for nearby dog owners to meet each other. The dog park’s year-round use would increase the sense of safety at Four Mile Run Park. There was also a general consensus that the dog park should be located close to parking but away from the playground. Participants stated that the proposed dog park could be made better with additional shade, suitable surfaces, and adequate amenities.

Add new hard and soft trails:
“Absolute Must…These connections are crucial to make the park attractive and more accessible.”

Feedback on 4MR Park Plan

Workshop participants noted that better accessibility within Four Mile Run Park was as a clear concern. The feedback on the draft plan showed that many park users liked the idea of a trail along the water’s edge giving visitors access to the water and wetland area. However, respondents also expressed a major concern for the preservation of the natural resources along the proposed trail. Any trail would be designed for very low intrusion so as not to degrade the parks’ precious wetlands.

Improve perimeter trees to create “green alleys”: 
“More trees are always good” “improves effect of green space”
There was a general consensus that planting “green alleys” along Four Mile Run Park’s western edge would create an aesthetically pleasing buffer between the residential neighborhood and park. Additional trees would also increase the quality of the entire park. Some respondents stated the importance of planting the trees in a manner that maintains the neighborhood’s and police visibility of the park.

Add Adult Fitness Equipment:
“People would definitely use it”
Although not included in the original draft plan, many participants from every feedback method felt that Four Mile Run Park would be a great place for adult fitness equipment. It was suggested that these fitness stations could be used by the active people taking the trail and could draw pedestrians to the park.

Establish new community garden: 
“Lots of advantages” “This needs to be approached very carefully”
While many citizens liked the idea of establishing a community garden, there were concerns about the garden’s design and management. Citizens were concerned that the garden would take up too much of the park’s limited passive space and would not be well-integrated with the rest of the park. The feedback showed the need for considering the proper management that would ensure the gardens are well kept and accessible to as many residents as possible.

Additional Feedback included:

• Add lighting throughout the park
• Add water fountains and restroom access
• Separate playground and the dog park
• Plant more trees
• Consolidating the playground and courts is a good idea
• Accommodate pick-up soccer near the consolidated play courts

About the draft 4MR Plan:

Alexandria's Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities began this multi-year process last year to develop a Citywide Large Park Improvement Plan, the goal of which was to review the existing conditions and future needs for Alexandria’s large, city-owned, multi-use parks. Along with Four Mile Run Park, the other parks studied include: Simpson Stadium Park, Chinquapin Park, Henlsey Park, Holmes Run Park, and Ben Brenman/Boothe Parks (click on each to go straight to the draft plans).

Four Mile Run Park Draft Improvement Plan

The full Four Mile Run Park Draft Plan is available online, here.

Here's what the Parks department heard from the park users (click here to see a full Summary of Community Feedback on Four Mile Run Park):

Ranking of 4MR Park Priorities

Athletics

• Develop better pick-up game areas
• Install covered dugouts and fix the backstops
• Renovate the courts
• Re-orient field #3 for better shade and enhance seating area
• Install netting along Frank Mann field
• Improve parking for athletic fields

Natural Resources

• Preserve and enhance the Park’s natural areas, including the wetlands
• Remove invasive species
• Plant trees along the alleyways

Access

• Improve the connections between the trail, pathways and Park uses
• Build a bridge over the channel to connect areas of the Park near Cora Kelly
• Re-pave the asphalt trail through the Park and connect it to Cora Kelly Recreation Center and School 

Athletics

• Develop better pick-up game areas
• Install covered dugouts and fix the backstops
• Renovate the courts
• Re-orient field #3 for better shade and enhance seating area
• Install netting along Frank Mann field
• Improve parking for athletic fields

Design and Fixtures 

• Increase Park security through CPTED
• Cluster activities at entrances
• Formalize the overlook at the entrance to the wetlands
• Install area for fitness equipment behind Cora Kelly Recreation Center
• Add more park furniture
• Remove unfenced dog area and provide a fenced dog area
• Install a community garden
• Install mile markers
• Locate the playground in a more visible location
• Provide natural play spaces such as boulders and climbing features 

4MR Park Existing Conditions

Through the Citywide Large Park Improvement Plan, the park staff intends to determine budgeting priorities and recommendations for both short and long term incremental improvements.

Contact Dana.Wedeles@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.5491 with questions or concerns.

Previous related posts from The Arlandrian:

• Help Inform Revised 4MR Park Plan
• Help keep the trees alive with water!
• Two Dozen New Trees Grow in Arlandria
• Volunteers plan massive tree planting in 4MR Park this weekend
• Spring for Four Mile Run Park
• 4MR Park Plans ready for review
• Cora Kelly's Playground Dream Realized
• Four Mile Run DOWNSTREAM Clean-up April 6th
• Tales of an Arlandria Twitcher
• Four Mile Run Park is for the birds!
• Tales of an Arlandria Twitcher: The Ides of March Edition
• Community Comments on 4MR Park
• New Views on 4MR Expand
• Architects Anonymous win for Four Mile Run Park Designs
• Why plan a park?
• Discuss Path Forward for 4 Mile Run Park Expansion Sites
• "Architects Anonymous" Donates Time, Vision To Four Mile Run Park
• How Alexandria City Bureaucracy Didn’t Steal Christmas

4MRMarket Report: "Sunny Sundays with the Rainbow Lady" Edition

Meet Sunny this Sunday at 4MRMarket!  (Image from AWLA)

On Sunday July 14, local sisters Claire and Nora (ages 8 and 4) will hold a lemonade fundraiser at the 4MRMarket from 9am to 1 pm (or until the lemonade runs out!) with all proceeds supporting the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. They will also be collecting new or gently-used, machine washable blankets for our furry friends.

Cool off with a refreshing drink and support Claire and Nora as they help AWLA help Alexandria's homeless animals.

Also this weekend, give you and your kids a sunny outlook on the day with all the excitement and fun that you get at a Kate Moran Band show, shrunk down to size for your little dudes! The Rainbow Lady (Kate Moran), Princess Fiddlesticks (Lynn Rovelli) and Captain Toe Tappin (Derek Evry/Kevin de Souza) will entertain your little ones with a combination of classic and original children’s tunes.

Kate Moran Band, Sunday at 10am at 4MRMarket Stage!

This trio will keep you bopping in your socks until you just can’t rock anymore! Inside their box of fun, they always bring tambourines, shakers and more for your little one to join in the fun.  If they are feeling like completing their rock star appearance, how about a nice little temporary Rainbow tattoo or sticker, from none other than Pattycake Patty (Patty Moran)!!

Sunday at 10am at 4MRMarket Stage! See the FaceBook event page for more details.

Learn more about the show:
http://www.rainbowrockband.com/
http://www.katemoranband.com/

The Buy Fresh, Buy Local and Win campaign continues this weekend at 4MRMarket!! Remember to bring your “Farm. Fresh. Pledge.” punch card if you already have one. Or, if you didn't get started yet, just ask for one at 4MRMarket and earn one punch for each $10 you spend on Virginia Grown products.

The July winners!

Collect all 14 punches for a chance to win a Virginia Grown® / Virginia’s Finest® gift basket valued at $250. (See the official rules for more details). 4MRMarket will also award prizes to monthly drawings from all punch cards received.

You can fill up your bags with a great selection of produce, meat, cheese, teas, health and beauty products, and more.

Here is what's at 4MRMarket this week:

• C &T Produce (White Oak, VA) - A huge selection of locally grown produce from a locally, family-run farm in Stafford, Virginia.
• The Stifler Farm aka "What's For Dinner Now" - Farm-raised Black Angus beef, humanely raised on lush pasture fields of the Shenandoah Valley, naturally farmed pork...and now... Uncle Frank's Grilling Sauce!!
• Tom's Amish Cheese Store (Lancaster, PA) - Artisan Cheese and yogurt, farm-fresh eggs, and Pennsylvania honey.
• Whole Health (Alexandria) -  Organic teas and body scrubs from one of the largest Message and Acupuncture Therapy businesses in Northern Virginia (approved by the Alexandria Health Department).
• St. Elmo's Coffee Pub (Del Ray) - Brewed coffee, tea, and always a few extra goodies!
• Charlette Marie Beauty (Centreville, VA) - A naturally effective, eco-friendly, line of handmade bath and body skin care goodies. Her products are made with bio-dynamic, natural botanical active ingredients.
• Raining Cats & Dogs - Gourmet Organic & Gluten Free Pet Treats
• Ekaa, Hands That Create, (Columbia, Maryland) Hand crafted Home & Fashion accessories.
• Others pending!

Crafts available on a rotating basis.

See below all the ways to help and participate in the market!

The supercool 4MRMarket t-shirt

BUY. Proceeds of our 4MRMarket T-shirts go to support the expansion and revitalization of 4MR Park. They cost $12 and come in 4 colors. See us model a few at the market.  You can pre-pay online via Pay-Pal (send money to 4MRM@arlandria.org).

DONATE. Help 4MRMarket help 4MRPark. Tax-deductible donations can be made to support us in our efforts to revitalize Four Mile Run Park. Donate to the City's Living Landscape Fund to fund tree and other amenities at 4MRExpand More information here.

HELP. If you'd like to volunteer with the 4MRMarket, go to: volunteer.4MRMarket.org to sign up or look for the "volunteer" tab on our website. You'll be able to volunteer to help process SNAP/EBT and Credit / Debit Card sales, help us keep our books, help set up or tear down for the market, or help us find musicians to play the market. You can also find a Market Manager to ask to help, or email us at 4MRMarket@arlandria.org for more info.

READ. Keep up to date on all the goings on by following 4MRMarket on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or via our website and blog.

SPREAD THE WORD.  Please tell folks about us. And tell folks about some of the great things we're doing. For instance, all SNAP/EBT participants can take advantage of the Inova-sponsored "Double Dollar" program again this year that doubles the first $10 SNAP participants spend at the market. 4MRMarket is the first farmers’ market in Northern Virginia (and still the only) to accept SNAP. And C&T Produce now accepts SFMNP vouchers!

__________________________________

Buy Fresh Buy Local 4MRMarket products.

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 14th until November in Four Mile Run Park at 4109 Mt Vernon Avenue, Alexandria. 

(click here for directions)

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

On Facebook: facebook.com/4MRMarket
On Twitter: @4MRMarket

Contact us at: 4MRMarket@arlandria.org

Or call the 4MRMarket hotline: (804) 4mi-Run1

Evaluating the MetroBus

A set of public meetings and an online survey have been set up to gain public input for improvements to service on the 10A, B & E MetroBus lines.

Begun in May, Metro is looking to identify the strategic needs and review the capacity, productivity, reliability, and quality of the Route 10A, 10B & 10E lines with and eye toward proposing recommendations and changes that will improve service. The factors that Metro is interested in trying to improve include: reliability, frequency, crowding, travel time, bus stop amenities, and customer communications.

Metro has set up two public meetings designed to be "open house"-style. No presentations will be given. Instead, participants may arrive at any time between the start and end time of each meeting to speak directly with project team members. Citizens will get to hear about preliminary recommendations for improvements and provide input about service changes they would like to see. All members of the public are invited, and no RSVP is required.

The study team will also analyze the input it receives from rider survey respondents.

Metro plans to analyze data and the input it receives from and present a set of final recommendations to the Metro board for approval in fall of 2013.

There will be two public meetings this month for evaluation of Metrobus Routes 10A, 10B, and 10E:

Thursday, July 18
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Charles Houston Recreation Center
905 Wythe Street, Alexandria
A 5-minute walk from Braddock Road Metro; or take the 10A or 10B to Pendleton Street, get off at Patrick or Columbus Street, and walk one block north to Wythe.

Monday, July 22
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
James Duncan Branch Library
2501 Commonwealth Avenue, AlexandriaConvenient to both Arlandria and Del Ray; one block west of Mt. Vernon Avenue. Take the 10A, B, or E to Mt. Ida (northbound) or Uhler (southbound) and walk one block west on Uhler.

Information about the study and on the rider survey are available at WMATA's MetroBus Studies webpage.

4MRMarket Report: "Chard of Summer" Edition

Swiss Chard: Your Go-To Heat-Wave Summer Green
available from C&T Produce

With the rains finally (or hopefully) subsiding, it's time to stop work on that ark and head back to 4MRMarket for the bounty of Summer.

This Sunday C&T Produce is highlighting their Swiss Chard, known as the "Go-to Heat-wave Summer Green". Here's a suggestion for preparations from The Southern Kitchen.

This Sunday's 4MRMarket is here to help conclude your 4th of July weekend and all those cookouts and parties you have planned. Make sure to load up on pasture-raised beef and local pork from Stifler Farms and lots of great sweet corn and other grillable veggie goodies from C&T Produce. Top off burgers like a true gourmand with a perfectly crafted cheese of your choice from Tom's Amish Cheeses!

The key ingredients you need for a great, sustainably sourced 4th of July are right in your back yard at this Sunday's 4MRMarket! Some come on down.

Sunday will also be the 4MRMarket Stage debut of the Scrub Pines. Andrea and Nelson from Hyattsville, Maryland will be "sharing a collection of acoustic ballads and instrumentals, gathered from deep in the woods, along the river and up in the hills" from about 10am till Noon.

Check out some of their some their recordings on the Scrub Pines webpage and in our the 4MRMarket event listing. Here's their original tune "Rider": 
 


Please see the 4MRMarket FaceBook event page for more information about the show!

The Buy Fresh, Buy Local and Win campaign continues this weekend at 4MRMarket!! Remember to bring your “Farm. Fresh. Pledge.” punch card if you already have one. Or, if you didn't get started yet, just ask for one at 4MRMarket and earn one punch for each $10 you spend on Virginia Grown products.

Collect all 14 punches for a chance to win a Virginia Grown® / Virginia’s Finest® gift basket valued at $250. (See the official rules for more details).

You can fill up your bags with a great selection of produce, meat, cheese, teas, health and beauty products, and more.

Here is what's at 4MRMarket this week:

• C &T Produce (White Oak, VA) - A huge selection of locally grown produce from a locally, family-run farm in Stafford, Virginia.
• The Stifler Farm aka "What's For Dinner Now" - Farm-raised Black Angus beef, humanely raised on lush pasture fields of the Shenandoah Valley, naturally farmed pork...and now... Uncle Frank's Grilling Sauce!!
• Tom's Amish Cheese Store (Lancaster, PA) - Artisan Cheese and yogurt, farm-fresh eggs, and Pennsylvania honey.
• Whole Health (Alexandria) -  Organic teas and body scrubs from one of the largest Message and Acupuncture Therapy businesses in Northern Virginia (approved by the Alexandria Health Department).
• St. Elmo's Coffee Pub (Del Ray) - Brewed coffee, tea, and always a few extra goodies!
• Charlette Marie Beauty (Centreville, VA) - A naturally effective, eco-friendly, line of handmade bath and body skin care goodies. Her products are made with bio-dynamic, natural botanical active ingredients.
• Old Town Suds - (Alexandria) This maker of eco-friendly soaps, cleaning supplies, bath bombs, and more! Old Town Suds started because Steffanie was allergic to most commercial soaps on the market; then she became really sick and wondered if her health was being made worse by everyday chemicals. Their decadent soaps and nose-pleasing cleaning products are tough on dirt but easy on humans, pets, and the Earth. Look for Port City Beer soap and Legend (Richmond, VA) Beer soap plus the Cup of Joe soap that looks like a latte!
• Others pending!

Crafts available on a rotating basis.

See below all the ways to help and participate in the market!

The supercool 4MRMarket t-shirt

BUY. Proceeds of our 4MRMarket T-shirts go to support the expansion and revitalization of 4MR Park. They cost $12 and come in 4 colors. See us model a few at the market.  You can pre-pay online via Pay-Pal (send money to 4MRM@arlandria.org).

DONATE. Help 4MRMarket help 4MRPark. Tax-deductible donations can be made to support us in our efforts to revitalize Four Mile Run Park. Donate to the City's Living Landscape Fund to fund tree and other amenities at 4MRExpand More information here.

HELP. If you'd like to volunteer with the 4MRMarket, go to: volunteer.4MRMarket.org to sign up or look for the "volunteer" tab on our website. You'll be able to volunteer to help process SNAP/EBT and Credit / Debit Card sales, help us keep our books, help set up or tear down for the market, or help us find musicians to play the market. You can also find a Market Manager to ask to help, or email us at 4MRMarket@arlandria.org for more info.

READ. Keep up to date on all the goings on by following 4MRMarket on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or via our website and blog.

SPREAD THE WORD.  Please tell folks about us. And tell folks about some of the great things we're doing. For instance, all SNAP/EBT participants can take advantage of the Inova-sponsored "Double Dollar" program again this year that doubles the first $10 SNAP participants spend at the market. 4MRMarket is the first farmers’ market in Northern Virginia (and still the only) to accept SNAP. And C&T Produce now accepts SFMNP vouchers!

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Buy Fresh Buy Local 4MRMarket products.

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 14th until November in Four Mile Run Park at 4109 Mt Vernon Avenue, Alexandria. 

(click here for directions)

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

On Facebook: facebook.com/4MRMarket
On Twitter: @4MRMarket

Contact us at: 4MRMarket@arlandria.org

Or call the 4MRMarket hotline: (804) 4mi-Run1