<cal2>Toy Drive. Through Dec. 16, Long & Foster will conduct its 13th annual Toy Drive. Each of the company’s 187 sales offices will collect toys for distribution to financially and/or physically disadvantaged children within the local community. Drop new, unwrapped toys at the closest Long & Foster office. Once the toys are collected and presented to area Marines, they will be distributed to local churches, social welfare agencies and to the needy children throughout the region.
Seasonal Splendor. The Loft Gallery, 313 Mill St., Occoquan. Artist Maria Lynn Torpfer presents her latest exhibit of new oil and watercolor paintings, Dec. 3-Jan. 5. Opening Reception, Saturday, Dec 7, and Sunday, Dec. 8, 1-5 p.m. Contact 703-490-1117.
"A Merry Artful Holiday," featuring the works of 14 Northern Virginia artists, will continue through Jan. 6 at The Artists' Undertaking Gallery, 309 Mill St., Historic Occoquan. The gallery is open Monday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. For gallery information, call 703-494-0584.
The Artisans United Craft Gallery will feature "American Autumn" in a craft exhibition and sale through Jan. 8, 2003 at Artisans United, located at 4022 Hummer Road, Annandale. The opening hours are Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 12-4 p.m. until Christmas. The exhibition includes handmade and decorated pottery, baskets, porcelain and more. Admission is free. Call 703-941-0202.
The Celebration Singers, an all-volunteer, 40-voice, three-part harmony choreographed and costumed women's show chorus, invite women interested in singing, including a potential backup pianist, to join them. Rehearsals take place on Wednesdays and alternate between Heritage Hunt Club in Gainesville from 10:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Springfield United Methodist Church from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Call 703-354-3788.
"La Sensual" Latin band will perform every Friday at Rene's Supper Club, located at 3251 Old Lee Highway in Fairfax, from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. $10. Proper attire required. Over 21 with ID. Call 703-759-9380 (day) or 703-385-0077 (evening).
Rene's House Band will perform every Saturday at Rene's Supper Club, located at 3251 Old Lee Highway in Fairfax. $8. Proper attire required. Over 21 with ID. Call 703-759-9380 (day) or 703-385-0077 (evening).
"Luz De America" Latin band will perform every Sunday at Rene's Supper Club, located at 3251 Old Lee Highway in Fairfax. $10. Ladies free before 10 p.m. Proper attire required. Over 21 with ID. Call 703-759-9380 (day) or 703-385-0077 (evening).
A Ceili (Irish country dance) sponsored by the Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann (CCE) will take place on the second Saturday of every month (except July and August) at the John Wood Center, located at 3730 Old Lee Highway in Fairfax. Lessons start at 7:30 p.m. The Bog Wanderers Ceili Band plays from 8 p.m. to midnight. Members $10, nonmembers $12. Ages 6-16 $6, children under 6 free. Maximum family charge $25. Coffee, tea and soda bread free. Soft drinks 75 cents. Call Vickie Barr at 703-521-4340.
Burke Toastmasters Club, which focuses on improving communication skills, meets at The Oaks Community Center, located at 5708 Oak Leather Drive in Burke, on the first and third Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. Call Raj Manda at 703-426-8784 or Clint Conerly at 703-250-9504.
The Springfield Chapter 893 of NARFE, National Association of Retired Federal Employees, hosts a meeting the second Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m. at St. John's United Methodist Church, 5312 Backlick Road, Springfield. The meetings include information on how to preserve economic security, the public's perception of federal workers, and how to strengthen political influence at both state and national levels.
Flea Market, co-sponsored by the Merrifield Lions Club and the Arlington-Fairfax Elks Lodge, takes place every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, located at 8421 Arlington Blvd. (Route 50) in Fairfax. No rain dates. 175 vendor spaces are available on a first come, first serve basis. Reservations for vendors can be made by calling 703-560-3023. Charge for vendors is $15 per space. Food service will be provided by Elks Lodge.