To have community events listed free in the Vienna Connection, mail to 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail Mary Anne Weber at vienna@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is Friday before publication. Photos/artwork encouraged.
<cal1>ONGOING
<cal2>Toastmasters International, McLean Chapter, meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the meeting room of the Dolley Madison Library. Join them to work on improving your communication skills, to become more effective in meetings and to convey your message more concisely. Contact Melissa Adkins, vice president of membership, at work at 703-262-5373 or at home at 703-815-4304, or e-mail her at madkins@cnri.reston.va.us.
The Vienna Toastmasters meet twice a month at 7:30 p.m. at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St., Vienna. Participants will have the opportunity to improve communication skills. For more information, call Valerie Hall at 703-426-8073.
Toastmasters Saturday Morning. Too busy during the week for Toastmasters? Join this club, which meets Saturday at 10 a.m. twice a month in Vienna Presbyterian Church, Room 376. Improve communication and presentation skills in a supportive environment. Contact Ian Wright at 703-812-2740 or e-mail enrite@rocketmail.com
The Great Falls Women's Club offers bridge lessons, a knitters and crocheters group, a tennis group and a book discussion group. Anyone interested in joining the club is welcome to attend. Membership is open to all Fairfax County residents. Call Patty Staas, 703-356-5845.
The Newcomers Club of Vienna and Friends is a women's social club open to everyone in Northern Virginia. The club has three non-smoking bridge events each month: a social bridge club held on the first Tuesday of the month and a duplicate bridge club on the third and fourth Wednesday of every month. All the events are at the Marco Polo Restaurant in Vienna and include a buffet lunch. The club also has a monthly book exchange lunch bunch and various trips and tours on a monthly basis. For reservations and information, call 703-560-4437 or 703-938-3505.
The Fairfax Jubil-Aires, members of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America, meet Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Town Hall in Fairfax. Visitors are always welcome. For information on membership, call 703-968-4292. For information on performance, call Mike Huddleston at 703-228-3250 or at 703-968-0263 or visit www.thefairfaxjubilaires.org.
Club Phoenix Teen Center at the Vienna Community Center features a big screen TV, jukebox and CD player, Dreamcast, pool and pingpong tables and more for Vienna-area middle-school students. Hours of operation are Wednesday and Thursday from 3-6 p.m., Friday from 3-10 p.m. and Sunday from 12-4 p.m. For more information, call 703-255-6360.
Access Services, the Library Branch that serves individuals with disabilities, sponsors a support group for seniors and people with low vision, at the Patrick Henry Library in Vienna. The VIP (Visually Impaired Person) Vienna Group meets at 10:30 a.m. on the third Thursday of each month. Patrick Henry Library is located at 101 Maple Ave. E. in Vienna. For more information, call 703-938-0405.
Colvin Run General Store. Visit this restored building with fixtures from 100 years ago, and browse through the old-fashioned merchandise. Hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m., every day except Tuesday. Call 703-759-3403.
The Women's Center hosts the Job Hunters Forum the second Wednesday of each month from 7:30-9 p.m. The forum offers support for women and men who are actively searching for jobs. Cost is $10 members, $25 nonmembers each session.
Open Mike Showcase at The Old Brogue, the first and third Thursday of every month, 9 p.m.; sign-up, 8:30 p.m. 760 Walker Road. 12 artists per evening.
New Beginnings, a nonprofit support group for separated and divorced individuals, has six meetings a month in the area on different nights in various locations in members' homes. Call 301-924-4101 or visit www.newbeginningsusa.org.
Mothers & More of Northern Virginia is a support organization for mothers who have altered their career path to care for their young children at home. General meetings are held the first Thursday of each month at the Fairfax County Government Center at 7:30 p.m. Call toll-free at 866-716-7766 for more information.
JAM! Jazz McLean, a teen jazz band directed by Rob Holmes, meets every Monday, 6-8 p.m., at the Old Firehouse Teen Center in McLean. Bring an instrument. For more information, call 703-893-0910 or visit www.geocities.com/jam4teensva.
Swing Dancing will take place every Wednesday night at the Potomac Swing Dancing Club Room, 146 Maple Ave. E., Vienna, across from Whole Foods. Beginning jitterbug/Lindy Hop lessons are at 7:30 p.m., and dancing continues 8:30-11 p.m. Club members pay $10 for the lesson and dance, $6 for dance alone. Nonmembers pay $12 for lesson and dance, $8 for dance alone. For more information, call Donna Barker at 703-978-0375 or visit www.erols.com/swing4me.
McLean Newcomers Club, a social organization made up of newcomers and some not-so-newcomers from McLean and its environs. Create new friendships and socialize with the community. Meets the first Wednesday of every month at 10:30 a.m. at a private home. Potluck luncheons, a book group, bridge groups, play groups, local tours and more. Call 703 237-3138 or 703 734-1840 or visit www.geocities.com/mcleannewcomers.
Ranger Talks. 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. during the weekends; see the daily program schedule for weekday times. Join a ranger at Overlook 2 to learn more about Great Falls Park and the Potomac River at Great Falls Park. Check daily program schedule for times during the weekdays. Call 703-285-2965 for more information. Free.
Bird Watching. Rain or shine on Sundays from 8-10 a.m. Join an informal group of bird watchers to catch a glimpse of resident and migratory birds in Great Falls Park. Meet in the Visitor Center courtyard dressed for the weather. Call 703-285-2965 for more information.
Friends of the Great Falls Library. A group of book-lovers and library users who support special programs for children and adults at the Great Falls Community Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike. The board meets monthly, September through June. For information on becoming a library "friend," call 703-757-8560.
PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) meets every second Tuesday at 8 p.m. at Beverly Hills Methodist Church, 3512 Old Dominion Blvd. For more information, call 301-439-FLAG or visit pflagdc.org.
The McLean Photo Club meets every second Tuesday of the month, September through June, at the McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Ave. Meet-and-greet at 7 p.m. is followed by the program at 7:30 p.m. Contact Bill Prosser, president, at ProsserWM@aol.com or 703-821-2670.
Personalized Internet Tutoring. Learn how to use the Web or improve skills. Call for an appointment. Adults. At Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, 703-757-8560.
Open Mike with host Steve Key will take place every Monday at 7:30 p.m. at Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna, 703-255-1566, Ext. 8, www.jamminjava.com.
“Banjo Man.” The Banjo Man, Frank Cassel, performs a musical children's show every Friday at 10:30 a.m. for 45 minutes at Jammin' Java, 227 Maple Ave., Vienna. A donation of $5 per child is recommended. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
Tai Chi practice. Saturdays, 8-9 a.m., through March, at St. Luke's Catholic School Gymnasium, 7005 Georgetown Pike, McLean. Sponsored by the Tai Chi Study Center of Great Falls. Open to all ages and skill levels. Free. For more information and directions, visit www.taichicenter.com or call 703-759-9141.
Vienna Theatre Company production of "The Nerd" has tickets on sale. Performances are Jan. 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 and 31, 8 p.m., and Jan. 18, 2 p.m. (signed performance), at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St. S.E., Vienna. Tickets are $8 general admission and $7 for students and senior citizens 65 and older. For more information, call 703-255-6360.
Birthdays on the Wild Side. Come celebrate a birthday by discovering nature. Explore the world of reptiles and amphibians, uncover clues about forest animals, learn about bird life or become an archaeologist for a day. Each party is active and will keep the group on the move. For children 3-12, at Riverbend Nature Center. For reservations, available dates and cost, call the park, 703-759-9018.
Nature Escapes — Geology. 12-5 p.m., at Riverbend Nature Center, 703-759-9018. Take part in self-guided activities including crafts, exhibits and animal watching. Free.
Adult English as a Second Language (ESL) classes offered by Hogar Hispano of Catholic Charities at 24 locations in Northern Virginia begins registration in January. The cost is $40 per semester, textbook included. Call 703-534-9805, Ext. 222, or visit www.ccda.net for schedule.
Personalized Internet Training. Learn how to use the Web, work with e-mail, or use the library databases. At Great Falls Public Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. Call for an appointment, 703-757-8560. Adults.
Personalized Internet Training. Learn to use the Web or increase skills. At Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library, 7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. Call for an appointment, 703-790-8088. Adults.
Springfield Music Club is a local organization that meets September through May on the second Tuesday of the month. Meetings and programs usually take place at Jordan Kitt's Showroom on Gallows Road in Vienna at 10 a.m. The 30-minute business meeting is open to members, and programs that follow the meetings are open to all interested. Programs range from opera to baroque trios to member recitals. The club also offers workshops for music teachers. The club is made up of over 150 members who are professional music teachers, performers and music lovers. To learn more about the club or its programs, contact Marcia Chaplin, president, at 703-281-5342.
"Personal Safety," the crime prevention class for women, takes place in four parts with sessions on Jan. 21, 26, 28 and Feb. 4, 7-10 p.m., at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St. S.E. The class includes basic education in crime prevention and risk reduction measures, and practice in physical self-defense techniques. The instructor is Officer Virginia Palmore of the Vienna Police Department. Cost for all sessions is $5 for Town of Vienna residents and $7.50 for out-of-town participants, plus a $15 materials fee. For more information, call the Vienna Parks and Recreation Department at 703-255-6360.
Scottish Country Dancing. Classes for Scottish country dancing for all Northern Virginia residents begin Wednesday, Jan. 7, 7:30 p.m., at the Jefferson-Houston School, next door to Alexandria's Durant Center. The school is located at 1605 Cameron St., Alexandria, about two blocks from the King Street Metro. The first two classes are free for beginners. Call 703-379-5779 for more information.
<cal1>Wednesday/Jan. 7
<cal2>Night Photography. Vienna Photographic Society hosts guest speakers Gary Silverstein and Dave Carter to speak about night photography at its meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at Thoreau Middle School, 2505 Cedar Lane, Vienna, in the lecture hall. The event is open to the public and requires no advance reservations or registration. All levels of photographic experience and interest are welcome. For more information call Mo at 703-816-2423 or visit www.safeport.com/vps.
Big & Little Squeak. Mouse stories and activities. Age 3-5 with adult. 10:30 a.m., at Dolley Madison Library, 1244 Oak Ridge Ave., McLean. Call to register, 703-356-0770.
Stories for All. Tales and activities. Age 2 only with adult. 10:30 a.m., at Great Falls Public Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. Call to register, 703-757-8560.
Mother’s First – Great Falls. Support group for women making the transition from careers to at-home motherhood. Activities include lectures, field trips, book club, moms night out, etc. Meetings are at 10 a.m. the first and third Wednesdays of each month. January meetings are Jan. 7 and 21, at the Great Falls Library. Call for 703-827-5922 for more information.
Paul Schneider and Mike Zero perform live music at 8 p.m., at Jammin' Java, 231 Maple Ave., Vienna. Tickets are $8. Call 703-255-1566 Est. 8.
<cal1>Thursday/Jan. 8
<cal2>The next regular luncheon meeting of the Newcomers Club of Vienna and Friends will be held Thursday, Jan. 8 at noon at the Marco Polo Restaurant. Guest speaker will be local author John Gilstrap whose books "Nathan's Run" and "At All Costs" have been purchased by Warner Bros. for the movies rights. He is a graduate of William and Mary and worked as a volunteer with the Burke Fire Department. For information or reservations call 703-938-3505 or 703-560-4437.
Louise Taylor, singer-songwriter, and Tom Kimmel perform at 8 p.m., at Jammin Java, 231 Maple Ave. E., Vienna. Tickets are $12, 703-255-1566.
Jan. 8
Vusi Mahlasela, known as "The Voice" in his home country of South Africa for both his music and his expression of the political ideals of the anti-Apartheid movement, performs at 8 p.m., at The Barns of Wolf Trap. Tickets are $18. For more information, call 703-218-6500, or visit www.wolftrap.org.
The Shepherd's Center of Oakton-Vienna hosts its open house and registration for the winter session of Adventures in Learning from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., at the Seventh Day Adventist Church, 344 Courthouse Road, Vienna. The registration fee of $30 ($20 for Friends of the Shepherd's Center) covers four classes each Thursday from Jan. 15 through March 4. Classes include T'ai Chi, World Affairs, Writing Your Life Story, Sharing Poetry, Immigration-Personal Stories, Bridge and a health series on Loss. A beginning computer class has an additional fee of $10 and a drawing class has an additional fee of $25. A brown bag lunch break provides time for socializing with new and old friends.
The Shepherd's Center is an interfaith community of adults 50 and older to give enrichment and service by and for seniors. For more information, call the Shepherd's Center office at 703-281-0538.
<cal1>FRIDAY/JAN. 9
<cal2>The Peabody Trio, winners of the Naumburg Chamber Music Award, will perform pieces by composers such as Mozart and Tchaikovsky as part of the 2003-04 Discovery Series. 8 p.m. at The Barns of Wolf Trap. Tickets are $25. For more information, call 703-218-6500, or visit www.wolftrap.org.
"Kid's Night Out." 6-9 p.m., at Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St. S.E. Children 5-10 can enjoy an evening of pizza, crafts and a movie. Admission is $15 per child for Town of Vienna residents and $20 for out-of-town participants, plus $6 for each additional child in the family. For more information, call the Vienna Parks and Recreation Department at 703-255-6360.
The Lunch Pack. Bring a lunch and hear a story. Age 2-6 with adult. 12:30 p.m., at Dolley Madison Library, 1244 Oak Ridge Ave., McLean. Call to register, 703-356-0770.
Toddler Time-Wild About Woodpeckers For toddlers and adults. 10:30 a.m., at Riverbend Nature Center on Friday, Jan. 9. Fly on over for games, songs and a story and take a short hike to search for the knocking bird. Reservations and advanced payment required. $5. 703-759-9018.
"Start the New Year Off with a Bang" dance. Area middle-schoolers are invited to a dance from 6:30- 9:30 p.m., at Club Phoenix Teen Center, located in the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St. S.E. Admission is $4 per person. For more information, call 703-255-6360.
<cal1>SATURDAY/JAN. 10
<cal2>John Jennings & Friends perform at 7:30 p.m. at The Barns of Wolf Trap. Tickets are $18. For more information, call 703-218-6500, or visit www.wolftrap.org.
Meet Local Author Bill Gavin. He has written a new political spoof called "One Hell of a Candidate." Adults. 3 p.m., at Dolley Madison Library, 1244 Oak Ridge Ave., McLean. Call to register, 703-356-0770.
Jan. 10
Babysitter's Class. 9 a.m.-3 p.m., at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St. S.E. Youths 11 and older can learn preparatory skills to care for infants through school-age children in a home setting. Arts and crafts, daily home happenings, diapers, meals and basic first aid are covered. Each attendee receives a workbook and certificate of completion. Registration is required. Fee. Stop by the Vienna Community center or call 703-255-6360.
Falls Walk. Visit Great Falls Park and take this 30-minute walk with a ranger to Overlook 2. Along the way, explore the natural and cultural aspects of the park. Wear comfortable shoes and meet at 1 p.m. at the Visitor's Center.
Don't Hate Me Because I'm Ugly. 2-2:45 p.m. What are those big birds soaring over the Great Falls of the Potomac? Learn about the vultures flying over Great Falls Park. A ranger discusses what these birds have come to represent while taking a walk through the park to observe them in their natural habitat. Meet the ranger at the Visitor Center desk. The program is free; reservations required. Call 703-285-2965.
A concert for high-school students featuring live bands will take place at Club Phoenix, located within the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St. S.E., on Saturday, Jan. 10, 7-11 p.m. Admission is $5. For more information, call 703-255-6360.
<cal1>SUNDAY/JAN. 11
<cal2>Concerts at the Alden. 3 p.m. at Alden Theatre in McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean. Features violinist Sungah Min, candidate for doctor of musical arts at the University of Maryland. Free. For more information, call 703-324-8344 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library.
BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet performs Cajun music at 7:30 p.m., at The Barns of Wolf Trap. Tickets are $22. For more information, call 703-938-2404, or visit www.wolftrap.org. Tickets can be purchased online of by calling Tickets.com at 703-218-6500.
Music from Oberlin at Oakton. The Jasper String Quartet from the Oberlin College Conservatory performs at 7:30 p.m., in the sanctuary of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax, 2709 Hunter Mill Road Oakton. The quartet, drawn from outstanding and advanced students, presents works by Beethoven and Mendelssohn. Free. An informal reception for the artists follows the performance. For additional information, call 703-893-9072.
Falls Walk. Visit Great Falls Park and take a 30-minute walk with a ranger to Overlook 2. Along the way, explore the natural and cultural aspects of the park. Wear comfortable shoes and meet at 1 p.m. at the Visitor Center.
Many Hats of a Park Ranger. 2-2:45 p.m. Learn about the different things park rangers do at Great Falls Park and parks all over the country. Learn how to help park rangers and the parks in efforts to conserve parklands. Meet at the ranger program area near Overlook 2, or, if weather is inclement, at the Visitor Center auditorium. The program is free; reservations required. Call 703-285-2965.
<cal1>Monday/Jan. 12
<cal2>"Why Good Wills Go Bad." 10-11:30 a.m., at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St. S.E. Join attorney David G. Hoffman for a discussion of Virginia will law, organizing assets, when to change a will, talking to the will's executor, reducing probate, will copies, do-it-yourself tax plans and more. Free. For more information, call 702-255-6360.
Keyboard Extravaganza. Organ virtuoso Cameron Carpenter performs classical, nontraditional and improvised works on pipe organ, piano, theater and electronic organs on Monday, Jan. 12, at 8 p.m., at Vienna Presbyterian Church, 124 Park St. N.E., Vienna. Tickets are $10. 703-938-9050.
<cal1>TUESDAY/JAN. 13
<cal2>The Laura Ratcliffe Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy meets on Tuesday, Jan. 13, at 6:30 p.m., at the Patrick Henry Library in Vienna. The library is located on Maple Avenue at Center Street. Any woman interested in membership is invited to attend. Membership is open to women descendants of people who served honorably in the Army, Navy, or Civil Service of the Confederate States of America, or those who gave material aid. For more information, call Catherine DeLano, 703-356-4685.
Newcomers of Great Falls hosts its January luncheon on Tuesday, Jan. 13, at Blue Oasis Cafe, 10123 Colvin Run Road, Great Falls. Social begins at 11:30 a.m., followed by lunch at 12:15 p.m. Residents, new and established, are welcome to attend. The program features a discussion with author Victoria Schmidt. Schmidt will speak about her book, "Triumph in Exile," the story of Madame de Stael, who helped to bring down Napoleon Bonaparte. Cost is $22.50 per person. For more information and to reserve a space, call 703-326-GFVA or visit www.greatfallsnewcomers.com. Reservations must be made no later than Jan. 9.
Identity Theft Presentation. At the monthly meeting of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE), at the McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Ave., Deputy Sheriff Stacie Talbot will speak about dealing with identity theft. An identity thief co-opts some piece of personal information without the owner's knowledge to commit fraud or theft. This affects everyday transactions that require the use of personal information such as bank and credit card numbers and Social Security numbers, as well as name, address and phone numbers. Bring a dish to share for the pot luck luncheon at 12 p.m., which will be followed by a brief business meeting and the special presentation at 1 p.m. For details, call 703-560-8648.
Fairfax Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) offers an optional, informational orientation session for those interested in learning how to help abused and neglected children in the Fairfax County court system. On the evening of Wednesday, Jan. 13, and Wednesday, Feb. 5, from 7-8:30 p.m., prospective volunteers can meet current CASA volunteers and staff to learn about the program. Fairfax CASA is now accepting applications and interviewing potential volunteers for the spring training session, which begins March 2. The Fairfax CASA office is located at 4103 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 200, Fairfax. For information, call 703-273-3526, e-mail staff@casafairfax.org, or visit www.casafairfax.org.
Newcomer's Playgroup Meeting. Mothers and their young children (preschool and younger) who might be interested in joining a McLean Newcomer's playgroup are invited to a meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 13, at 10 a.m. The meeting will take place at a member's home. To RSVP and obtain directions to the meeting, call 703-790-8284.
<cal1>WEDNESDAY/JAN. 14
<cal2>Windham Hill Winter Solstice Tour, featuring new age and pop instrumentalists Philip Aaberg, Barbara Higbie and Tracey Silverman, will perform at 8 p.m. at The Barns of Wolf Trap. Tickets are $22. For more information, call 703-218-6500, or visit www.wolftrap.org.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear. Bring a favorite teddy bear for stories and activities. Ages 2-3 with adult. 10:30 a.m., at Dolley Madison Library, 1244 Oak Ridge Ave., McLean. Call to register, 703-356-0770.
Penguins and Polar Bears. Stories and activities. Ages 11-25 months with adult. 10:30 a.m., at Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library, 7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. To register, call 703-790-8088.
The Vienna Town/Business Liaison Committee hosts a coffee to introduce its new retail shopping guide on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 7:30-9:30 a.m., at Vienna Town Hall, 127 Center St. S. All retail business owners and managers within the Town of Vienna are invited to attend the coffee and list their businesses in the guide. The coffee gives business owners and managers the opportunity to meet with the mayor and Town Council members. For more information, e-mail tblc@ci.va.us or call 703-255-6342.
Teen Center Open House for Parents. An open house for parents takes place, 6-7 p.m., at Club Phoenix Teen Center, located in the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St. S.E., Vienna. View the facility, share information, meet the staff, complete a registration form and discuss issues of concern. Sign up to be a volunteer or serve on the Club Phoenix Parent Advisory Committee. For more information, call Brandy Mullen at 703-255-5721.
The McLean Photo Club has its next regular meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 14, at the McLean Community Center. Meet and greet, 7-7:30 p.m. Meeting starts at 7:30 p.m.