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| Your Neighborhood. Your Market. |
In case you missed it earlier, this season we are excited to instate a new series showcasing our vendors in the many facets of their lives. Here you’ll learn more about the person on the other side of the table, their motives and a little about their rich history which led them to be a part of the WEFM community.
Add Comment In its basest description, the West End Farmer's Market is just that- a market, a commercial center. However, we know that produce and money are not the only things exchanged here. Our vendors are worlds in themselves; travelers, backyard farmers, musicians, artists, parents, all of whom have more to offer than baked goods and handmade jewelry.
So, it’s time we were all properly introduced. It will be extremely difficult to choose only one thing for your mom at the market. There are so many great, terrific artists: I am going to list a few than give you a little more info about a few. See our vendor website for the complete list. FLOWERS & PLANTS Magali's Plants Billie's Flowers De L'Arbre trees and planters JEWELERS: Bella Tierra: Ernie creates splendid sophisticated pieces from large semi-precious stones and minerals House of Glass and Stone: One of a kind, exquisite - can't even describe Arts of Asia: Rich brings back fair trade jewelry and scarves from Asia. Knock your socks off! Kalinka Malinka: Lovely, polished and unique Marietha Mayen: A favorite at the market Marietha's creations are colorful and fun. Paper, Scissors, and Clay: Patrice makes bright cheerful earrings and bowls from paper bits. Sparkle Designs: New jeweler Christina makes matching earrings, bracelet, & necklace sets. Stone Blue Designs: Another new jeweler whose brightly colored earrings catch your eye right away OTHER STUFF: Free Mind Photo: Ian Bellamy is new to the market. Make an appt for a photo session or buy a photo card from him. Pottery in Bloom: Also new to the market, Gabriela specializes in wheel-thrown potters in a variety of designs and colors. Who can resist! See you at the market! The market opens up in less than 7 days! There are so many exciting new things this season and if you're keeping up with our Facebook and Twitter you'll find all sorts of snippets of what's to come! We're spicing up spring- beginning with your repertoire of vegetables. Bring your appetite (and picky eaters) to the market where you'll get introduced to bok choy, parsnips and radishes, all in season right now and in single serving giveaway bags, compliments of the West End Farmer's Market. Never cooked with these? No problem, we'll also be handing out recipes so you can begin your delicious relationship as early as lunch! Also come to help with a very important project which requires two simple things: goodwill and a shoebox. For the most vulnerable members of our community, a simple shoebox filled with personal care or emergency preparedness items can make a big difference. That's why we're teaming up with the United Way of the National Capital Area in their 2012 Shoebox Project. All you have to do is fill a decorated shoebox with items like toothbrushes, socks, and soap and bring them to our Sunday farmer’s market! These will then be given to nonprofits serving veterans, the elderly, and the homeless around the greater D.C. area. We will also have empty, undecorated shoeboxes to pick up. Just be sure to stop sure to swing by the United Way table! For those of you that participate don’t forget to submit a picture of your Decorated Shoebox to win Great Prizes! To enter:
Prizes will be awarded to the top three best decorated shoeboxes!
This is only the beginning of what is promising to be a fantastic season. Hopefully everyone is as excited as we are to begin the new market year. We hope to see you all on Opening Day and beyond! Hello, If you are missing buying your favorite foods from our vendors - fear not! Some of our intrepid farmers, bakers and OJ making vendors are braving the cold at some of the other Alexandria markets that are open all winter. Here is the list of who is standing out in the cold waiting for you and at which market. OLD TOWN MARKET: Courthouse Square on Saturdays from 5:30AM to 11AM. (I know, I know - it is early!) Herbal Curiosities: Salves, creams, lip balm and herbal concoctions to keep you healthy. http://www.facebook.com/HerbalCuriosities Billie's Flowers: Billie and his motley crew are still giving away free single blooms to entice you to stop and smell (and buy) the roses - and daisies and carnations and evergreen bouquets Fresh Joseph: Cheryl and Joseph provide a big dose of Vitamin C with their fresh-squeezed OJ. Don't forget to stock up for the week of Christmas! DEL RAY MARKET: Mount Vernon Avenue in downtown Del Ray on Saturdays from 8Am to noon. Run over to Del Ray and have some breakfast, stock up on some vegies, fruits, nuts, cheese and baked goods, then have a good time walking up and down and checking out the stores. You are bound to be entertained! Tommy's Cheese Store and More. Our favorite skamp - Tommy Tompkins is holding down the winter fort at Del Ray. If you miss his cheese, dairy, jams, honey and baked goods - it is not that far to go. The Dressed Up Nut. Oh my they keep coming up with the most delicious new flavors of nuts - so terrific they will make your knees buckle. Marianna's Macarons: Marianna and her handsome hubby did so well at our market they decided to extend the season by selling at Del Ray until Christmas. If you want some of her macaroons after that you will have to order them at: http://www.getmacarons.com/wordpress/. They are perfect for parties and she has a new Italian-made Macaron tower that will make your party look like Ivana Trump decorated it! I hope this makes each of you want to run out this weekend and see your favorite vendors. I will keep you posted on other vendor The West End Farmers Market had a terrific year! Like the proverbial postal carriers our customers came out to the market every Sunday despite rain, heat, hurricanes and cold weather. We want to thank every one of you for making the market a success and such an integral part of your Sundays. Our last Sunday is right before Thanksgiving, November 20th. There is still time to order a free-range turkey from On the Gourmet Truck, as well as pies and desserts from K&M Cupcakes, Vera’s Bakery, Tommy at the Amish Cheese Store and More, Marianna’s Macarons and On the Gourmet Food Truck. The fresher the ingredients the tastier the recipe so don’t forget to stock up on your root vegetables, and apples for Thanksgiving. The West End Farmers Market hopes you have a great Holiday season and a terrifically fun winter. Just when you think winter will never end, the market will open again the first Sunday in May: May 5th. When you get to missing the market visit our website and facebook account. We have dozens of photos – maybe you can find yourself – to tide you over until we open again. www.westendfarmersmarket.org Facebook search for Alexandria West End Farmers Market. Thanks again. See you at the Market!  How can a wild, baby African elephant and a semi-urban, American housecat become friends? Find out in Ruby and Baby... an unlikely friendship. Author Mary Jane O’Loughlin is a native Washingtonian who currently lives in Alexandria, Virginia. Mary Jane volunteers at a local animal shelter; she found and adopted Baby in 2005. Mary Jane traveled to Kenya for 2 weeks with Micato Safaris. While initially her interest was in meeting a very special rhinoceros named Morani, she was unaware that she would fall in love with elephants. She had never seen them interact with each other in their world, where they belong. When she came home, she told her little cat, Baby, all about her trip and showed her all the pictures she took of the animals. (If you are an animal lover, you are smiling and nodding your head right now.) The gorgeous pictures in the book were drawn and hand-painted from ideas and sketches by Lizzy Lahive, based on Mary Jane's photographs of Baby and a 3 month old baby elephant named Bidi. Mary Jane will be selling her signed and inscribed copies of her book at the West End Farmers Market on Sunday, November 6. The 2011 market season for the West End Farmers Market is coming to an end. Special orders will be taken on November 6 and November 13. Pick up your pre-ordered specialty items on November 20. Tom's Amish Dairy Products*
On the GOurment
*Samples available on November 6 only. The West End Farmers Market has grown substantially since it first opened. In 2007, there were about 200 visitors each week. In 2010, attendance increased to around 850 people each week! Special thanks to the following people: Yellow Pepper Patrons Joyce Wilbur and Ed John Nick of Nick's Night Club: NoVa's Premier Live Country Venue Peachy Peach Patrons Kathy Nerger and John Nerger Mike of Mango Mike's Restaurant: Exotic Eats. Caribean Beats. Blueberry Patrons Rebecca A, Hillary Harms, Sarah Noble, Kelly Groth, Paula Jarvis and Natasha Fox If you believe in the West End Farmers Market and would like to see it grow, please help us!
All supporters are eligible to receive news and information about the West End Farmers Market by email.  Eric Davis, Judith Salter-Davis and Ellie Beagle are the Winners of the Best Farmer Costume AND the Winners of the Best Family Costume (for 3 or more members in the same theme).  Winner of the Best Pet Costume  Winner of the Best Vegetable Costume  Tied for Winner of the Best Fruit Costume The prize for each winner includes: 1) a bag of fresh produce in a reusable Virginia Grown tote bag 2) a box of brownies from K & M Cupcakes https://www.facebook.com/pages/K-M-Cupcakes/114390505319723 3) a coupon for a free glass of fresh squeezed orange juice from Fresh Joseph's http://www.westendfarmersmarket.org/1/post/2011/05/fresh-josephs.html Prizes will be distributed at the West End Farmers Market on Sunday, November 6. | West End Farmers Market
Every Sunday  CategoriesAll ArchivesNovember 2012  |
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