<cal1>Public Speaking
<cal2>Speechcraft. An eight-week program helps individuals with public speaking, March 1-April 19, from 7:30-9:30 p.m., at Oaks Community Center, 5708 Oak Leather Drive in Burke. Space is limited to 15 people. Reservations will be taken on a first come, first serve basis. Fee is $60 and includes 6 months of Toastmaster membership. For more information and to register, call Clint Conerly at 703-250-9504 or Michelle Harper at 703-323-0955.
<cal1>George Mason University
<cal2>Cycling. A program that explores America's longest Rails-to-Trails project in Missouri by bicycle is being offered as a four-credit course by the recreation and parks department at the Annandale Campus of Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) starting Friday, Feb. 20. Casually paced (about 35 miles per day), on virtually flat groomed trails, the goal of the class is to learn about the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and trace the 200-year anniversary of Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery journey. Cyclists will follow the 227-mile Katy Trail along the Missouri River, which spans the state of Missouri. It is a supported ride, with meals, snacks, water, first aid and a free ride to the next junction on request. Additional sightseeing is also planned. The program cost is approximately $1,100, all expenses included (hotel, transportation, meals and snacks bicycle rental, bicycle support, airfare and train ticket). Participants must provide their own helmet, "Camelback" hydration system and spending money. The class will meet Friday, Feb. 20, 5-9 p.m., with practice rides on Saturday, Feb. 21 and Saturday, Feb. 28 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Travel dates are March 6-14.
Outdoor Challenges. The NVCC Annandale Campus is also offering three courses geared towards challenging outdoors activities: caving, recreational camping and kayaking.
Caving (RPK 198 37N) meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, Feb. 24, 26, March 2 and 4. Field experience, Friday-Saturday March 5-6. Overnight optional.
Recreational Camping (RPK 215 01N) meets Tuesday and Thursday, April 13 and 15. Field experience, Friday-Sunday, April 16-18. Overnight required.
Kayaking (RPK 198-38N) meets Thursday, April 15; Tuesday April 20; Thursday, April 22. Field experience, Friday-Sunday, April 23-25. Overnight required.
A non-refundable contractor's fee applies to all three classes. For more information about any of the above classes, contact Nancy Chamberlain at 703-323-3230 or e-mail nchamberalin@nvcc.edu. Visit www.nvcc.edu/prk.
Classes for Professionals. Credit and non-credit courses on the weekends to help working professionals in the advancement of their educational goals, while meeting the demands of work and family. Courses include Intellectual Property, Alliance Management, Global Affairs, Project Management, Paralegal, Geographic Information Sciences, SHRM, BIS and Test Prep in Praxis and TOEFL. New programs will be added on an ongoing basis. Call 703-993-2109. Visit www.weekend.gmu.edu.
<cal1>Art
<cal2>Art Classes in Burke. Drawing and watercolor painting for youth, teens and adults. Classes take place at the Woods Community Centre, Burke Centre. The instructor is Carol Zeitlin, a member of the Springfield Art Guild and Sumi-e Society, D.C. Chapter. Call 703-250-6930 or visit www.geocities.com/czeitlinschneier, for more information.
Art Classes in Springfield. The Springfield Art Guild offers classes in the Kings Park Community Room at the Kings Park Shopping Center, located in the triangle formed by Braddock, Rolling and Burke Lake Roads, Springfield. The entrance to the community room is to the left of CVS. Park along Rolling Road on the other side of Giant. Call Carrie Cole at 703-455-6630 or Traci Oberle at 703-323-6994, if interested.
<cal1>Photography
<cal2>Digital Photography of Nature. Learn new skills and improve skills in a class offered by the Fairfax Audubon Society in Annandale. The class costs $150 for Fairfax Audubon Society members and $175 for non-members. For more information, dates and times, visit the FAS Web site at www.fairfaxaudubon.org or call 703-256-2060.
<cal1>BOATING
<cal2>Recreational Boating Safety. Learn the "rules of the road" for vessels on waterways, navigation techniques and more. Safe boating classes are offered by the Northern Virginia Sail and Power Squadron, a nonprofit organization dedicated to safe boating through education. Courses are conducted by certified Virginia State and United States Power Squadron. Visit www.usps.org/localusps/nva. Classes are offered on Monday, Feb. 23, at Robinson Secondary School, 5036 Sideburn Road, Fairfax, and Tuesday, April 27, at West Springfield High School, 6100 Rolling Road, Springfield. Register with the Fairfax County Park Authority at 703-222-4664. Materials are $39.
<cal1>Languages
<cal2>Greenspring Village’s English As a Second Language (ESL). Instruction to assist employees who want to improve their language skills. ESL classes meet twice a week. Volunteers who wish to enroll are asked to pay a $20 registration fee to be refunded at the completion of the course. Follow-up ESL courses for students who wish to continue are now in the planning stage. Greenspring Village, developed and managed by Erickson Retirement Communities, is headquartered in Catonsville, Md. For more information, check out their Web site address: www.ericksonretirement.com.
Adult English as a Second Language (ESL). Classes offered by Hogar Hispano of Catholic Charities at 24 locations in Northern Virginia. The cost is $40 per semester, textbook included. Call 703-534-9805 Ext. 222 or visit www.ccda.net for schedule.
<cal1>Dancing
<cal2>Social Dancing. Tuesday nights beginning Feb. 24. Ballroom dancing, Latin, swing, night club, country western/polka at the Oaks Community Center, 5708 Oak Leather Drive, Burke. Six sessions. Cost is $52 per person. Free make-up class. Call Cy Richardson at 703-250-5360.
Israeli Dance Class. Tuesdays, 8-10 p.m., at the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax. Beginners, intermediates and advanced. $5/session/JCCNV member; $6/non-member; $4/student or senior. Reservations not required. 301-982-0937.
Tap-dance lessons for Fairfax County Senior Citizens 55 and older will be held at Little River Glen Senior Center, Barker Court, located just off Route 236 and Olley Lane in Fairfax, on Wednesdays. Free. Call 703-370-1466.
<cal1>Seniors
<cal2>Exercise Program. Seniors are invited to sample a seated/standing exercise program from 12:30-1:30 p.m., at Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St. The class will be held every Friday through March 12, providing aerobics, stretching and strength and balance training. The fee for each session is $6 for Town residents; $7.50 for all others. Call 703-255-6360.
Mature Operator's Driver Improvement Program (MOPDIP). This eight-hour class for Virginia residents 55 and older covers safe-driving information. The course is sanctioned by the American Automobile Association (AAA) and is presented by certified Fairfax County Auxiliary Police officers. On completion of this course, drivers are eligible for the Virginia state mandated insurance premium reduction (check with individual insurance carriers for the amount). Classes take place the second Saturday of each month, except December. Franconia District Station located at 6121 Franconia Road. Seminars are scheduled for Feb. 14 and March 13. The fee for this course is $10 per person for books and materials. Call 703-924-6588.
<cal1>Knitting/Crochet
<cal2>The Yarn Barn. Classes offered at 9413-C Old Burke Lake Road in knitting, crocheting and basket weaving. $5 Project Help Workshops are held Wednesday mornings, 10 a.m.-noon; Wednesday evenings, 6-8 p.m.; and Saturday Mornings, 8-10 a.m. For more information contact Penny Sampson, at 703-978-2220 or 1-800-762-5274. Visit www.geocities.com/theyarnbarnonline.