Welcome to the Northern Virginia Writers Club!

2010 VWC Annual Meeting

The Northern Virginia Chapter is honored to host the 2010 VWC Annual Meeting at the historic Mount Vernon Inn (www.mountvernon.org), from 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., November 13, 2010.

Please use this page as your guide to the event. Included below are the agenda, luncheon choices, speaker information, registration and transport information, and suggestions for sampling some of the attractions of Northern Virginia.

We're delighted to have you in our neck of the woods and are looking forward to seeing you all at the meeting!

Venue
This year's meeting will be held at the historic Mount Vernon Inn, adjacent to George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens. The Inn is 16 miles south of Washington DC along the banks of the Potomac River and just 8 miles south of Old Town Alexandria. For tours of Mount Vernon, please see below, under "Things to Do".

Directions
The Inn is located on the grounds of historic Mt. Vernon, just south of Alexandria, Virginia, and accessible by Route 95, Route 1, and the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Detailed driving directions are available on Mt. Vernon's website.

For mapping purposes, the Mount Vernon Inn is located at 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, Virginia 22309.

Parking
Two large visitor parking areas for Mt. Vernon, located a short distance from the Inn, are free to guests. There is a passenger drop-off area in front of the Inn.

Agenda

11:00 - 12:00    Meet & Greet - Registration, music, raffle, and book sales

12:00 - 12:45    Business Lunch - Welcome, luncheon, contest & membership awards, elections

1:00 - 2:00    Guest speaker John Gilstrap

2:00 - 2:15    Interlude, raffle winners announced throughout afternoon

2:15 - 3:00    Book signing with John Gilstrap

2:15 - 4:00    Book sales by VWC authors, invited booksellers and publishers

3:00 - 4:00    Two moderated roundtable discussions: Poets in the Parlor and Memoirists in the Hall

Guest Speaker - John Gilstrap
John Gilstrap, a Virginia-based New York Times bestselling novelist and screenwriter, has authored seven popular thrillers, including this year's release Hostage Zero, which is the second in a series featuring Jonathan Graves, a freelance hostage rescue specialist. John also adapted his debut novel Nathan's Run and three other best-selling novels for the big screen. John teaches the craft of writing for the popular Smithsonian Associates programs and at various writers' forums. The title of his talk will be The Secret to Overnight Success (After a 38-Year Day).

Learn more about John's writing at johngilstrap.com.

Luncheon
Our meeting luncheon includes a tossed salad, homemade corn muffins, and a slice of apple or cherry pie alongside tea, coffee, or soft drink. Entree choices include:

Vegetable & mozzarella lasagna (vegetarian)
Roast beef with gravy, homemade mashed potatoes, fresh garden vegetable
Turkey with cornbread stuffing, homemade mashed potatoes, fresh garden vegetable

Registration
All VWC members will receive an invitation both via post and email that includes a registration form. It may also be downloaded here. VWC members may bring one guest to the event. Please mail your registration with a payment, (check payable to June Forte, Lifetime Members exempt) of $35 (member) or $60 (member + guest) to:

June Forte, NOVAWC Treasurer
12702 Valleywood Dr.
Woodbridge, VA 22192

The deadline is October 31!

Donations Needed!
We need books and writerly-type donations (pens, creativity items, writer-themed gifts, etc.) for the Annual Meeting Raffle, proceeds to benefit the VWC Educational Fund. PLEASE ship these items in advance (by October 28), so we can organize the donations the week before the event. We also welcome donations of writer's services (editing, instruction, illustration, etc.) if these are of a professional and usable nature. Donors will be acknowledged unless requested otherwise.

Please ship to (or contact):

Dianne Hennessy-King
10000 Murnane St. | Vienna, VA 22181
tuckking@aol.com

Attention Authors!
Did you publish a book in 2009 or 2010?
You are invited to display and sell your new book at our Annual Meeting during the 11:00-12:00 "Meet & Greet" time, and from 2:15 - 4:00 p.m. following our keynote speaker. We will have a limited number of tables, so please RSVP early! (Please, sales are limited to VWC member authors who register and pay to attend the annual meeting and who have books that were released in 2009 or 2010 only.)

Things to Do

Mount Vernon

About Mt. Vernon
Mount Vernon is the most popular historic estate in America. Located just 16 miles south of Washington, D.C. and 8 miles south of Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, the plantation rests on the banks of the Potomac River. Mount Vernon was the beloved home of George and Martha Washington from the time of their marriage in 1759 until General Washington's death in 1799.

The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association purchased Mount Vernon from the Washington family in 1858 and opened the estate to the public in 1860. Since that time, nearly 80 million visitors have toured Washington's home. Mount Vernon is independent of the government and no tax dollars are expended to support the 500-acre estate, its educational programs or activities.

Touring Mt. Vernon
Visitors are invited to tour the Mansion house and more than a dozen outbuildings including the slave quarters, kitchen, stables, and greenhouse. Stroll four different gardens, hike the Forest Trail, and explore the George Washington: Pioneer Farmer site, a four-acre working farm that includes a re-creation of Washington's 16-sided treading barn. George and Martha Washington rest in peace in the tomb where wreathlaying ceremonies are held daily, and the Slave Memorial and Burial Ground is nearby.

Forty-five acres of the estate are open to the public. A spectacular view of the Potomac River from the Mansion's piazza transports visitors back in time. Four gardens showcase heirloom plants known to have been at Mount Vernon in the late 1700s. Washington himself designed the landscape which includes 13 trees that stand today as the last living witnesses of Washington's lifetime.

There are 25 new theaters and galleries that tell the detailed story of George Washington's life. More than 500 original artifacts, eleven History Channel videos, and immersion theater experiences illuminate the remarkable story of the first American hero.

Plan to spend at least several hours touring Mount Vernon. Admission includes access to the grounds of the estate and a docent-led tour. A National Treasure tour, highlight areas featured in the movie National Treasure 2 is separately available ($5 additional charge; you must reserve tickets; advanced tickets recommended).

Purchase of tickets is the responsibility of each member.

More information
www.mountvernon.org

Old Town Alexandria

Old Town Alexandria is a thriving historic district located on the Potomac River. The restaurants, shops, historic buildings, and walkable streets make the area a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. Most attractions can be found along the King Street corridor, a 10-block area running east from Route 1 (known as Patrick Street) to Union Street on the Potomac River, and a block north and south to either side.

Visitors Center
Ramsay House, 221 King St | (703) 838-5005

Named for William Ramsay, Scottish merchant and city founder, the Ramsay House is Old Town Alexandria's Visitors Center. Stop by for sightseeing brochures, maps, etc. Gift shop. Save 50% when you purchase a Key to the City Pass with admission to nine historic attractions and special offers on Alexandria shops, restaurants and attractions. Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily (January through March 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Handicap assistance is available at the lower King Street entrance.

Attractions
Christ Church - 118 N. Washington Street
This beautiful English country-style church was built between 1767-1773 and was attended by George Washington & Robert E. Lee. Tours available Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun. 2-4 p.m., with Sun. morning and evening worship services.

Lee Fendel House - 614 Oronoco Street
From 1785-1903, the house served as the home to 37 members of the Lee family.

Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum - 105-107 S. Fairfax Street
Opened in 1792 by young Quaker pharmacist Edward Stabler, the family business operated for 141 years. Over 8,000 early medical care items are still in place. Patrons included George & Martha Washington and Robert E. Lee.

Torpedo Factory Art Center - 105 N. Union Street
Constructed in 1918 for the manufacturing of torpedoes, the Torpedo Factory now features 82 working artists studios, six galleries, the Art League School and Archaeology Museum.

Transportation to Old Town
Old Town Alexandria is 8 miles north of Mt. Vernon, located directly on the George Washington Memorial Parkway (which becomes Washington Street in town). Free 24-hour parking proclamations are available at the Alexandria Visitors Center at Ramsay House, 221 King St. Passes are valid at two-hour metered spaces and available to non-Alexandria residents. Parking garages, metered parking, and free street parking (a few blocks away from most attractions) are also abundant and available.

For those staying in Washington DC, the area's subway and light rail system, Metro, has stops at Braddock Road and King Street (both are Yellow line stops). See www.wmata.com for details.

Parking Garages

220 N Union St, Alexandria, VA - (703) 739-9650
108 N Fairfax St, Alexandria, VA - (703) 549-3237
112 S Henry St, Alexandria, VA - (703) 549-7970
418 Cameron St, Alexandria, VA - (703) 836-9122
1101 King St, Alexandria, VA - (703) 519-9932

Transportation Within Old Town
Most of Old Town is walkable, but another option is the City of Alexandria's free King Street Trolley, which transports residents, visitors, and those who work in Old Town between the King Street Metrorail Station and the Potomac River waterfront. The free trolley operates along the one-and-a-half-mile route seven days a week, running every 20 minutes, from 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., providing access to accommodations, dining, entertainment and shopping. Look for King Street Trolley signs.

Plan Your Trip
http://visitalexandriava.com/

Lodging