<cal1>NOV. 14 TO JAN. 3
<cal2>Santa, angels, the universe and an enchanted forest — the Miracle of Lights — Northern Virginia's only drive-thru holiday light show will open Friday, Nov. 14 from 5:30-10:30 p.m. until Jan. 3, 2004. It features holiday theme groups, including Planet Holiday, Victorian Virginia, Noah's Ark, Santa's Woods, The Angel's Playground and The Enchanted Forest and more than two miles of lighted entertainment. Admission is $12 per carload (1-14 people), $25 per commercial van (15-34 people) and $50 per busload (35 or more). Discount coupons are available at www.miracleoflights.com. A portion of the proceeds goes to the Medical Care for Children's Partnership. At Bull Run Regional Park, 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville. Call 703-709-KIDS (5437) or visit www.miracleoflights.com.
<cal1>NOV. 15, 23, 30
<cal2>Fair Oaks Mall is offering "Santa Paws" to its customers! Pet Owners can bring their dog or cat to have a photo taken with Santa. Pets must be on a leash or brought in a lightweight carrier; be up-to-date on shots; and enter through the Arby's entrance. Photos are available after the center closes on Sundays, Nov. 16, 23 and 30 from 7-9:30 p.m. For every "Family Photo Package A" purchased, Fair Oaks Mall will donate $5 to the local Fairfax County Animal Shelter.
<cal1>NOV. 15-DEC. 24
<cal2>Santa will chat with youngsters at Fair Oaks Mall starting Nov. 15 through Dec. 24 in his holiday home — a 36-foot Fountain Court Tree House growing in the middle of a garden filled with life-sized and life-like animals. Children who visit Santa will receive a complimentary gift. Photo packages are available starting at $10.99 each.
<cal1>SATURDAY/NOV. 15
<cal2>The Northern Virginia Model Railroaders Inc. will be holding an open house on Saturday, Nov. 15 from noon to 4 p.m. Come and see the action on Northern Virginia's largest fixed operating "HO" scale model railroad. Featuring digital control, sound, and smoke. The club is located in the historic "Washington & Old Dominion Railroad" station, 231 Dominion Road (on the NoVa Regional Parks WO&D Trail) in downtown Vienna. Admission is free. However, donations (at the door) are accepted. Additional information and directions can be obtained by going to the Web site at www.nvmr.org‚ by e-mail at nvmrinc@hotmail.com, or by calling 703-938-5157 on the day of the open house.
<cal1>NOV. 15-16
<cal2>The Center for the Arts’ Pied Piper Theatre will opens its 2003-2004 season with the musical production of "Jack and the Giant." Join Jack, played by P.J. Rechter of Liberty Middle School, as he climbs the magic bean stalk and encounters the Giant, and his henchman, the Troll. Centreville resident Laura Fraase sings the lead role of the Giant’s housekeeper as Kristy McKain adds her talent as Lady Stumble. With a cast of 40 local youth, this comedy complete with a singing harp, a squawking chicken, and a lovable dancing cow, will provide an entertaining evening for the entire family.
"Jack and the Giant" will be performed Saturdays, Nov. 15 and 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays, Nov. 16 and 23 at 3:30 p.m. at Osbourn Park High School, 8909 Euclid Ave., Manassas. Tickets are $7 in advance and $8 at the door. Group rates are also available. Call the Center for the Arts at 703-330-ARTS.
<cal2>Model Train Weekend at Fairfax Station Railroad Museum. The Washington, Virginia, Maryland Garden Gauge model railroaders and Monty and his Lego trains will be back on Saturday, Nov. 15 from 4-8 p.m. On Sunday, Nov. 16, the Northern Virginia NTRAK club will be running its N Scale model trains in the museum and caboose from 1-4 p.m. Adults $2; children 4-10 $1. Located at 11200 Fairfax Station Road. Call 703-425-9225.
<cal2>To help individuals prepare for the possibilities that today's markets have created, American Express Financial Advisors Inc. is presenting a financial education seminar on Saturday, Nov. 15 from 10 a.m. to noon at its office located at 5870 Trinity Parkway, Suite 100, Centreville. The seminar, Making Your Retirement Money Work for You, will offer facts about IRAs in a concise, easy-to-understand format. Learn the following:
* The pros and cons of your IRA options and how to choose the one that's best for you.
* Ways to ensure that you'll enjoy the retirement of your dreams.
* Answers to your questions about whether you should convert to a Roth IRA.
* The tax consequences of your investment choices.
* How to fund your retirement and still accomplish other goals, such as home ownership or education funds.
The seminar will be presented by Pam Sams and Satonya Garner-de Kouadio, senior financial advisors with American Express.
Lunch will be served and all attendees will receive a workbook to assess their current financial situation. Seating is limited. Call 703-653-8929.
<cal2>Children are invited to kick off the holiday season with a special Breakfast with Santa hosted by Fair Oaks Mall on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 9–10:30 a.m. at the Waterford at Fair Oaks, across the parking lot from Sears at Fair Oaks Mall. Children attending the event will receive breakfast, personal time with Santa and Ms. Claus. Tickets are $5 per person (children under 2 years of age are free). Tickets can be purchased at the Customer Service Center. Call 703-359-8301.
<cal1>MONDAY/NOV. 17
<cal2>The Fairfax chapter of Amnesty International will meet on Monday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m., at Brookfield Elementary School's conference room, on Lees Corner Road. There will be a report from delegates to the Regional AI Conference. Visitors are welcome to participate in these activities, and to share in support for human rights around the world. Call 703-830-4194, or write amnestyusafairfax@lycos.com
<cal2>Centreville Toastmasters is the place to improve your communication and leadership skills. The club meets from 7-8:15 p.m. on Mondays at the Centreville Regional Library. Guests are welcome. Prepared speeches, oral evaluations and impromptu speeches (table topics) will be on the agenda. Upcoming meetings: Mondays, Nov. 17, Dec. 1, Dec. 15, Jan. 12, and Jan. 26. Call Lynn Griesmer 703-263-2468.
<cal2>The Greenbriar Woman's Club will meet Monday, Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m., at the Greenbriar Community Center, 4615 Stringfellow Road, Fairfax. The featured speaker is Barbara Ferris, president of Gilda's Club Greater Washington. Gilda's Club Greater Washington is currently raising $3 million to purchase, renovate, decorate and open a Clubhouse in Washington, D.C. Gilda's Club Greater Washington is one of the organizations the GWC has supported from funds raised through sales of White House ornaments.
Gilda's Clubs are named in honor of the "Saturday Night Live" comedian, Gilda Radner, who died in 1989 from ovarian cancer. Guests are always welcome at GWC meetings and events. Membership is open to all women 18 and over living in Greenbriar and the surrounding communities. Call 703-378-6009 or 703-266-7032. GWC is a member of the General Federation of Women's Clubs (www.gfwc.org), the largest volunteer organization of women in the world.
<cal1>TUESDAY/NOV. 18
<cal2>New Mothers Luncheons are held every Tuesday for mothers and newborn babies to 8 months old. The group meets for lunch, speakers, discussions and fun — a different program every week. Bring a friend or come alone — it's a great way to meet other new moms and babies in the area. Meets Tuesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Il Lupo Italian Restaurant, 4069 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax. Lunch is $20; four-lunch series is $75. Reservations required. Call Rochelle Goldberg at 703-961-9179 or email: eventbuilders@hotmail.com.
* Tuesday, Nov. 18 — Healthy Eating Habits/Picky Eaters (even as infants), Leigh McCarthy, MA, CCC-SLP;
* Tuesday, Nov. 25 — No lunch;
* Tuesday, Dec. 2 — Early Infant Communication, Diane Robey, MS, CCC, Children's Speech and Language Therapy Center;
* Tuesday, Dec. 9 — Physical Movement for Infants, Christina Souci, The Little Gym;
* Tuesday, Dec. 16 — Allergies — Your Questions and Answers, Food allergy and Anaphylaxis Network;
* Tuesday, Dec. 23 — No lunch;
* Tuesday, Dec. 30 — No lunch.
<cal1>NOV. 18, DEC. 16
<cal2>The League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area presents "More Power to You." The program, comprising sessions explaining how local government works and how it relates to state government, will take place once a month from 7 to 9 p.m. in Fairfax Government Center. The sessions will be on Nov. 18 and Dec. 16. The program costs $25. Those who complete the program will receive a certificate. Pre-registration is required; call 703-227-2231.
<cal1>THURSDAY/NOV. 20
<cal2>Centreville Quilters Unlimited is having an auction on Thursday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. It will be at Centre Ridge Elementary School on New Braddock Road in Centreville. Pictured is a Mock Cathedral Windows queen-size finished quilt. It will be auctioned along with many other handmade items including table runners, pillows, placemats and other quilts. There will be a live auction, silent auction and a Chinese auction. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.
<cal2>Mother’s First-Chantilly/Centreville is a support group for women making the transition from careers to at-home motherhood. Join moms and tots of all ages for meetings, lectures, field trips, moms night out, etc. The next meeting is Thursday, Nov. 20 at the Centreville Regional Library from 10:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org for more information.
<cal2>The Westfield High School PTSA will sponsor an Elected Officials Night on Thursday, Nov. 20, at 7:30 p.m. at Westfield High School. All current and recently elected state senators, delegates, county supervisors, and Fairfax County School Board members with representation in the Westfield High School area have been invited to attend this important forum, where they will be given time for remarks followed by a question and answer session with the public. Community members are encouraged to attend this event to speak with their elected representatives and voice their concerns about education and other pertinent issues. Westfield High School is located on Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. Contact Birgit Retson, Westfield PTSA president, at 703-488-6300.
<cal1>FRIDAY, NOV. 21
<cal2>Historic Manassas Inc. is now accepting applications to compete in the 6th Annual Gingerbread Contest. There are three competition categories: Professional, Adult, and Child. The gingerbread structures will be judged on overall appearance, quality of construction, intricacy of design, and originality/uniqueness. The first-place winners will be selected by a panel of judges and announced on Friday, Dec. 19. This year, contest participants have the option of donating their gingerbread house to Annaburg Manor, SERVE, or Prince William Hospital. The deadline for submitting applications is Nov. 21. Call 703-361-6599.
<cal2>The MOMS Club of Centreville North will hold an all-member meeting and Thanksgiving Potluck social on Friday, Nov. 21 at 10:30 a.m. Learn about the club's activities (playgroups, social events, speakers, etc.) for mothers and their children. The meeting is at the Sully Government Center on Stonecroft Blvd. Children welcome. Call 703-830-7580 or visit the Web site at www.momsclubccva.org.
<cal1>SATURDAY/NOV. 22
<cal2>The 23rd annual St. Timothy School Craft Fair will be held on Saturday, Nov. 22 in Chantilly from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be over 150 artisans and crafters from the Northeast selling their homemade crafts, furniture and food items. Shop early for those one-of-a-kind items for that special person on your list. Don't miss this wonderful shopping opportunity. Contact Chris Gregory at 703-787-3560 or Kelly Schmank at 703-222-3823 or Karen Yee at 703-803-0460 for details, or log onto sainttimothyschool.org.
Centreville Baptist Church is holding its semi-annual Community Clothing Giveaway on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 8 a.m. to noon at 15100 Lee Highway in Centreville. Come if you are in need of fall and winter clothing.
<cal2>A Holiday Home Party will be held Saturday, Nov. 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be Longaberger baskets, Southern Living, Discovery Toys, Creative Memories, Stampin Up, Wine Lights, Tastefully Simple, Premier Designs, Pampered Chef and more. The location is 13403 Cavalier Woods Drive. Call 703-803-2822.
<cal2>A Holiday Extravaganza Craft Show will take place Saturday, Nov. 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, 6560 Braddock Road in Annandale. Sponsored by the Jefferson Crew Boosters and produced by Wild Iris Productions. Call 703-321-8373.
Parkinson's Disease Support Group meets monthly on the fourth Saturday, Nov. 22 at 10 a.m., at Sully Senior Center, 5690 Sully Road (Route 28), Centreville. No charge. Patients and family members welcome. Call Darryl Edwards at 703-38-9213.
<cal1>NOV. 22-23
<cal2>Families are invited to join Volunteer Fairfax for the 5th Annual National Family Volunteer Day on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 22-23. On this day, families across the region take part in service projects that help make Fairfax a cleaner and stronger community. This year's projects include food sorting, creating Thanksgiving holiday food baskets for families in crisis, decorating flower pots and planting flowers with senior citizens, assisting disabled citizens, and walking for the Fannie Mae Help the Homeless Walkathon. Volunteering together is a great way for busy families to spend quality time together working as a team. While having fun and making a significant contribution to the community, children learn positive values and the importance of giving back. If you would like to take part in National Family Volunteer Day, contact Volunteer Fairfax at 703-246-3460 or VolsRUs@volunteerfairfax.org.
<cal2>The Joan Izzo Academy of Dance of Centreville presents "The Kingdom of Sweets" from the Nutcracker on Nov. 22 and 23 at the Middleburg Community Center in Middleburg. Tickets are $12/each, $10 for Girl Scouts and their families. The times are Saturday, Nov. 22 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 23 at 2 p.m. matinee show (sold out) and 7 p.m. evening show. To purchase tickets, call Kris Wooldridge at 703-403-0037, or e-mail Cheryl Royal @ croyal@ctacorp.com
<cal1>NOV. 28-30
<cal2>The 21st annual Art and Craft Showcase presented by members of Northern Virginia Handcrafters Guild will be held at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry Street, SE, Vienna on Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 28, 29 and 30. Show hours are Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $1. Some 75 juried Guild artisans and artists will display and sell their finest quality work in six display areas of the community center. There will be fine art, collectibles and decorative accessories, stained glass and fused art glass, jewelry, folk art, hand weaving, watercolors, fine art note cards and prints, pottery, photography, turned wood, dolls and more. Call Cele Sinnott at 703-938-8306.
<cal1>SATURDAY/DEC. 6
<cal2>The 14th Annual Model Train Display, sponsored by the Friends of Fairfax Station, will be held on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 7, noon to 4 p.m., at the railroad museum (11200 Fairfax Station Rd. Fairfax Station.) Many different gauges, all moving. Bring your model train problems to the Loco Doctor. Caboose & gift shop open. Refreshments. Cost/$3 adults, $1 children. Call 703-425-9225.
<cal1>DEC. 13-14
<cal2>Centreville High School's PTSA will sponsor the fifth annual Mia Saunders School of Ballet benefit performances of The Nutcracker this December at Centreville High School. Half of the proceeds from the two performances will go to scholarships for graduating Centreville seniors. Last year four $750 scholarships were awarded to Morgan Gammon, Katherine Hahm, Andrea Palombella, and George Panagakos. The other half of the proceeds will go to a charity of Ms. Saunders' choosing. This year she has again selected Western Fairfax Christian Ministries Emergency Services Fund for families in need in Western Fairfax County.
Performances are held in the Centreville High School auditorium on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 2 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 adults, $8 seniors, and $6 children/students. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance by calling Francine Fuhrer at 830-2558 or Christine Marshall at 222-2988.