Be Prepared, Grease Is the Word, S'mores Please, Dig Your Own Potatoes, Be Patriotic

Summer is winding down and August takes its last breath over the weekend. Enjoy some of the season's lingering outdoor warm-weather activities like outdoor film screenings and that summer staple - s'mores.

September is National Preparedness Month. Take the time today to make sure you and yours are ready for any emergency. The City of Alexandria offers preparedness tips at http://alexandriava.gov/areyouready and http://alexandriava.gov/health 

Grease is the word. And it’s also the movie showing at Arlington’s Gateway Park in Rosslyn on Friday. The PG-13 movie begins showing at dusk. Will good girl Sandy and greaser Danny be able to rekindle their summer romance? The park is located at the foot of Key Bridge, 1300 Lee Hwy, two blocks from the Rosslyn Metro.

S’mores, stories and songs are featured at the Rascally Raccoons campfire at Gulf Branch Nature Center in Arlington, 3608 N. Military Rd. in Arlington. The Saturday event runs from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a fee of $5. Registration required by calling 703-228-3403. 

It’s a worthwhile trek to get out to Bluemont, Va., to pay a visit to Great Country Farms. This Saturday and Sunday, it’s the pancake breakfast and the Big Dig where you dig your own potatoes.  It’s $10 per child and $12 per adult, which also includes a wine tasting at Bluemont Vineyard. All you can eat pancakes 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Military families as well as children two and under get in for free. Potatoes are 89 cents a pound.

The sidewalk as canvas is part of the inspiration for chalk artists Julia Benton and Whitney Waller who create works of art by the Corcoran Gallery of Art, 500 17th St., NW in Washington. Call 202-639-1770 for more information about the Saturday event, which runs 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free.

The National Symphony Orchestra performs a Labor Day Capitol Concert at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC at East Capitol and First streets. The Sunday event is free and starts at 8 p.m.