The To Do List

The Cast of "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown," opening at the H Street Playhouse this weekend.

October is here and you can almost smell the change of seasons in the air.  This means you need to get out there and enjoy some of these fun weekend activities.

Friday, October 1
St. Marks Episcopal Church at 3rd & A SE is hosting their first “First Fridays” happy hour from 6-8pm.  Anyone is welcome to join church members for wine and small nibbles in their church office, Baxter House, at 118 3rd Street, SE.

The H Street Playhouse welcomes the No Rules Theatre Co.’s production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” over the next three weekends.  Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening shows are at 8pm and Saturday and Sunday matinees are at 2pm.  Children 12 and under can see the show for $15 and adults pay $25.

Saturday, October 2
In honor of St. Francis of Assisi, October 2nd marks the annual Blessing of the Animals at St. Monica and St. James Episcopal Church.  All pets (and owners) are invited — regardless of any and all religious backgrounds — to celebrate with neighbors and have their pets blessed at 10am. Pet treats will be available.  The church is located at 11th and East Capitol Sts., SE.   For more information, contact Mary McCue, Mccuem@aol.com 202-543-3152.

For another great way to enjoy sunny fall weather, head down to the Southwest Waterfront for the 3rd Annual Cantina Regatta, which features a full day of sailing with over 100 participants to benefit the DC Sail’s adult sailing education programs. Sailors will be racing DC Sail’s Lasers, FJs and Flying Scots during this event as well as other keel boat fleets from the area.

The DC Lady Arm Wrestlers (DCLAW) are DC metro-area women who wrestle for charity. This Saturday between 7:30pm and midnight, they’ll be at the American Legion Post 8 (224 D Street SE), to wrestle and raise money for SWAN (the Service Women Action Network).  Here’s how it works: Each competitor has her own wrestling persona, complete with costume, bio, theme song, and a posse of supporters to get the crowd fired up and betting on its wrestler. All proceeds raised from “bets” and the $5 cover charges go to the chosen charity.  This weekend you can watch Amy Smackhouse, Armed and Dangerous, Jenny Krueger, Holly Go Fightly, Miss Fire, Plunder Woman, Roller Grlll and Wild Irish Rose try to “dethrone” the reigning champ, Mommie Dearest. Seriously.  This is a real event to support a real charity.  Check it out.

Sunday, October 3
Head over to the National Arboretum for a free exhibit entitled, “Autumn Ikebana of the Sogetsu School.”  This look at arrangements in the Japanese style of flower arranging is open from 8am-5pm.

Or, check out the new exhibit at the National Building Museum, “Designing Tomorrow:  America’s World Fairs of the 1930s.” This exhibit opens Saturday and has been selected a “Best Bet” by the Washington Post for it’s exploration of the legacy of the World Fairs held in Chicago, San Diego, Dallas, Cleveland, San Francisco and New York during the Great Depression.

These items should keep you busy, but what else do you recommend for this weekend?