Through Sunday, July 12: Much Ado About Nothing at the Hamner theater, Thursday through Sunday, with Saturday evening performances at Cardinal Point (July 4th) and Mountain Cove Vineyard (July 11th). Further info http://www.hamnertheater.com/

Saturday, July 4: 10:00 a.m.Independence Day Celebration and Naturalization Ceremony on Monticello’s West Lawn. This year's ceremony features the remarks of U.S. Representative Tom Perriello. (free).

Wednesday, July 8 - Saturday, July 18: National Review Cruise from Rome through the Mediterranean and Adriatic. "Exclusive cocktail receptions and smokers (featuring H. Upmann cigars), scintillating seminars and intimate dining with guest speakers." $5,000 - $14,000 per couple. Featured fellow passengers/speakers include Karl Rove, Michael Novak, John Bolton, Tony Blankley and Dick Morris. Further info http://www.nrcruise.com/

Saturday, July 11: 9:30 a.m. Natural History of Trees. A two-hour walking tour explores the natural history of Monticello’s native trees. Learn to identify about 50 species through an understanding of their ornamental, cultural, and historical character. Peter Hatch will lead this relaxed morning ramble through a typical Central Virginia hardwood forest. Meets at the Garden Center Thomas Jefferson Visitor Center, 9:30 a.m.; $10. Reservations required and can be made by calling (434) 984-9880; advance tickets can be purchased online at www.monticello.org.

Saturday, July 11: 11:30 a.m. Float down the James river from Hatton to Scottsville in the third annual Left of Center tubing trip! Always lots of fun! Car pooling is being organized--email Christine (below) to offer or ride. Directions etc. at James River Runners website (below)

If you have a large (up to but no larger than 54 quarts) hard case cooler, we'd love you to bring it. Email Christine to let her know we can count yours in. Bring $25 cash or check, (no credit cards, sorry!) which includes the shared cooler tubes (it'll probably be a little less than that), or $20 plus $8 ($28 total) if you want your very own cooler tube. Bring your lunch or snacks, your "beverages" : ) (not in glass bottles), your sunglasses with tether. Wear water shoes, bring a towel.

Please know that children under 18 with a signed consent form from parents are welcome, but ALL participants must be at least 6 years of age and able to swim.

Payment by cash, travelers checks, money orders, or local personal checks only (no out of state checks accepted). To make things speedier, you can fill out the release form in advance: http://www.jamesriver.com/Jrrlia.htm rsvp to christine@deercottage.net

Saturday, July 11: 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monticello After Hours. "Make it a special summer Saturday by strolling the gardens and grounds of the mountaintop, tasting Virginia wines in the courtyard of the new visitor center, and seeing Monticello’s new film and innovative exhibitions. The Monticello Museum Shop and the Café at Monticello also will be open (prepared meals available from Café by calling 434-295-1092). 6 to 8 p.m., Thomas Jefferson Visitor Center. $20; advance tickets can be purchased online at www.monticello.org".

Saturday, July 18 - Sunday July 19: Fee-free weekend at National Parks. And concessionaires are also offering discounts. Information at http://www.nps.gov A full list of the fees that you won't be paying in our neighboring park is at http://www.shenandoah.national-park.com/visit.htm#fee

Saturday, July 18: 9:30 a.m. Democratic Breakfast, JABA, 674 Hillsdale Drive. Joe Szakos will talk about the Virginia Civic Engagement Table, a group of 22 organizations working on non-partisan activities in the state to include voter registration, GOTV, public policy reform like health care, energy, etc. He is the state-wide chair and Virginia is one of 16 battleground states that have such efforts. A light breakfast is served and a voluntary donation will be requested.

Saturday, July 18: Rain Barrel Workshop 9:30 a.m. Garnett Mellen will lead this two-hour workshop on the benefits of collecting rooftop water with rain barrels. Easy to do, and such a positive step in preserving our water supply, no landscape should be without them. Meets at Tufton Farm. Reservations required; $10. For $45, participants may build their own barrel to bring home with them; the deadline to register for building your own barrel is July 10.

Saturday, July 18: Noon. Cookout With Cindy Sheehan "Please join Cindy for lunch at noon on Saturday, July, 18, 2009, rain or shine, at 707 Gillespie Ave, Charlottesville, VA, 22902. Cindy will talk about her new book. Kids are welcome!

There is no charge, but it is appreciated if you bring something to eat or drink. Please go to this page and post a comment that you are coming and how many are coming with you. And if you are able to bring something to eat or drink and know what it will be, please post that:"

Saturday, July 18: 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. 8th Annual African American Heritage Scholarship Program at the Kessler Conference Center Martha Jefferson Hospital Outpatient Center on Pantops, 595 Peter Jefferson Pkwy The event is free and open to the public--donations are gratefully accepted. Summer Chic – Ethnic Attire is recommended. Seating is limited, please call 434-977-3265 or email cvilleafricanfestival@yahoo.com to reserve a space. More information at: www.cvilleafrican-amfest.com

Saturday, July 18: 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monticello After Hours. Stroll the gardens and grounds of the mountaintop, tasting Virginia wines in the courtyard of the new visitor center, and seeing Monticello’s new film and innovative exhibitions. The Monticello Museum Shop and the Café at Monticello also will be open (prepared meals available from Café by calling 434-295-1092). 6 to 8 p.m., Thomas Jefferson Visitor Center. $20; advance tickets can be purchased online at www.monticello.org.

Saturday, July 25: 9:30 a.m. Woody Plant Propagation. Propagating trees and shrubs from seeds, cuttings, or layers is one of the most gratifying of the horticultural arts. Marc McVicker will lead this 2½-hour workshop at the propagating facilities at Tufton Farm. He’ll discuss the principles of seed sowing – timing, stratification, and soil mediums – and review the fundamentals of asexual propagation. Bring pruning shears. Reservations required. Meets at CHP's Tufton Farm nursery. $10

Saturday, July 25: 11:00 a.m. First debate between gubernatorial candidates Creigh Deeds and Bob McDonnell. The Virginia Bar Association hosts the event at the Homestead this year. For the first time, everyone will be able to watch the debate instead of just the few hundred lawyers attending the association's annual meeting.

Saturday, July 25: 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monticello After Hours. Stroll the gardens and grounds of the mountaintop, tasting Virginia wines in the courtyard of the new visitor center, and seeing Monticello’s new film and innovative exhibitions. The Monticello Museum Shop and the Café at Monticello also will be open (prepared meals available from Café by calling 434-295-1092). 6 to 8 p.m., Thomas Jefferson Visitor Center. $20; advance tickets can be purchased online at www.monticello.org.

Wednesday, July 29: 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Meet Cynthia Neff, Democratic candidate for House of Delegates, 58th District, at the home of Kevin Lynch, 609 Locust Avenue, Charlottesville. Please RSVP to: lionel@cynthianeff.com