The Arlandrian: 4MRMarket Report: "Furloughed Feds Fight Fair" Edition

They're baaaack. Enjoy all the baked goods
they can whip up in time for Sunday!

Congress sure doesn't fight fair, throwing 800K federal workers out on their temporarily unemployed butts in exchange for... who knows?
However, the Furloughed Feds will be fighting for their financial fortitude the best way they know how: with fine frippery for you, the 4MRMarket goer. (Note: Furloughed Feds planned for their last appearance to be a few weeks ago, but Congress had other ideas. So, enjoy one last hurrah of the Furloughed Feds this Sunday!)

Also, we'd like to apologize for the absence of the INOVA Mobile Health Unit last weekend. Their driver, a firefighter, was injured on the job and we were informed the morning of the market about the cancellation. We all hope he is doing better and we will see the INOVA Mobile Health Unit on another day in the near future.

We know this is a repeat, but please check out the 4MRMarket "virtual tour" to see what all the hubbub is about! Thanks go out to talented musician Mike Elosh for the background music! (Click on this link if the video below doesn't load)

Watch this video and enjoy a virtual tour of 4MRMarket from last Sunday.

It's worth dropping by 4MRMarket each week just to see what new items you'll find.

_____________________

On Stage!

Janna Audey will be on from 10am to noon!

4MRMarket Stage will host a local talent Janna Audey for the second time this weekend (see Janna's facebook page here)! Janna is a singer and songwriter from a musical family with over 2,000 live shows under her belt. We're very lucky to have her back for another performance this Sunday! She'll be on from 10am to noon.

Janna performs a mix of her own material and adaptations of songs by her favorite artists and songwriters. Read more about Janna and learn more about this weekend's show on the 4MRMarket event page!

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

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

_____________________

Free Swag and Contests!

We still have INOVA sponsored Buy Fresh, Buy Local bags left over from National Farmers Market Week just a month ago! Come by the market and pick yours up this weekend!
We should hear about the winner of the The Buy Fresh, Buy Local and Win campaign soon. The winner receives a Virginia Grown® / Virginia’s Finest® gift basket valued at $250.

_____________________

4MRMarket Vendors this week:

C &T Produce (White Oak, VA) - A huge selection of locally grown produce from a locally, family-run farm in Stafford, Virginia.
What's For Dinner Now - aka The Stifler Farm. 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!! (On vacation...so, leave orders!)
Tom's Amish Cheese Store (Lancaster, PA) - Artisan Cheese and yogurt, farm-fresh eggs, and Pennsylvania honey.
St. Elmo's Coffee Pub (Del Ray) - Brewed coffee, tea, and always a few extra goodies!
Whole Health (Alexandria) - Organic teas and body scrubs from one of the largest Message and Acupuncture Therapy businesses in Northern Virginia
Raining Cats & Dogs - Gourmet Organic and Gluten Free Pet Treats

Return of
mobile boutique!

The Artisans

**NEW** Perigee Tribal and Wildlife Art - (Virginia) Elena works with a number of coops in Africa and Peru and carries beaded dog collars from the Kenyan Collection, Tinga Tinga Paintings from Tanzania, Monkeybiz beaded animals from South Africa, and other items from artisans from Peru.
Ekaa, Hands That Create - (Columbia, Maryland) Hand-crafted Home and Fashion accessories.
Rustic Refineries (Alexandria) - This local due makes and sells refinished furniture, salvaged antiques and vintage items, plus jewelry made from old skeleton keys and wreaths and ornaments made from vintage music paper.
Whitney's World, Kenya Microcrafts - Fair trade handmade baskets and jewelry from Kenya.
Colorful Life (McLean, VA) - Food trucks may not be permitted yet in Alexandria, but this roving truck selling contemporary Women's apparel will bring the goods to market! Like any boutique, the customer can walk aboard the truck stocked with trendy clothing and accessories and even try on the pieces in our dressing room.
Others pending!

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, come talk to us any Sunday. 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)