<cal1>SATURDAY/JAN. 31
<cal2>"From Now On" is a fun, energizing one-day workshop on Saturday, Jan. 31 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. that will demonstrate how to easily program yourself to get in the "goal getting zone" where taking action and getting the results becomes a habit. Learn exciting ways to ... run your own brain using NLP. The workshop will be held at 14435 Four Chimney Drive, Centreville. Cost is $90. To register, call 703-615-9033 OR e-mail: sterling@resurgenthinking.com OR sallyramsden@yahoo.com.au.
<cal1>JAN. 30-FEB. 1
<cal2>Join the Parrotheads of the Old Dominion on Jan. 30-Feb. 1 as they bring the warmth of tropical fun and music to Brady's Irish Pub, 8971 Center Street, Manassas. Six different musical talents bring a bit of Key West to Manassas. Net proceeds go to benefit SERVE, Manassas Jaycees and Cystic Fibrosis. Go to www.piratesofthepotomac.com and click on the Midwinter Meltdown.
The Sugarloaf Crafts Festival will be held Jan. 30-Feb. 1 at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly. More than 300 fine artists and craft designers will be on hand — offering everything from pottery to hand-made designer clothing to fine art to leather goods. There will be entertainment, craft demonstrations and specialty foods. Hours are Friday, 10-6, Saturday, 9-6 and Sunday, 10-5. Cost is $7/adults, children under 12 free. Visit www.sugarloafcrafts.com or call 1-800-210-9900.
<cal1>MONDAY/FEB. 2
<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. Call Lynn Griesmer 703-263-2468. Upcoming meetings:
Monday Feb. 2, Tuesday, Feb. 17, Monday, March 1, Monday, March 15, Monday, April 5, and Monday, April 19.
<cal1>TUESDAY/FEB. 3
<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 11:45 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, Feb. 3 — "Nanny Agencies and What They Can Provide (more than what you think)," Jerry and Susan Milwit, Metropolitan Nannies;
* Tuesday, Feb. 10 — "Developmental Milestones From Birth to Age One," Patti Turner, MS, OTR/L;
* Tuesday, Feb. 17 — "Getting Fit After Pregnancy," Nancy Karabaic, High Energy Fitness;
* Tuesday, Feb. 24 — "Great Books for Infants and Parents," Sheilah Egan, A Likely Story Bookstore, Alexandria;
* Tuesday, March 2 — "What New Moms Want to Know About Infant Sleep," Mary Peck, RN, Greater Washington Sleep Disorders Center;
* Tuesday, March 9 — "Mudpies," a great Mother's Day gift for grandmas;
* Tuesday, March 16 — "Dollars and Sense: Planning for Your Child's Financial Future," Deana Withrow, Morgan Stanley;
*Tuesday, March 23 — "Babyproofing Your House," Mary Baker, BabyGuard;
* Tuesday, March 30 — "Safety In and Around Your House," Officer Liz Barrington, Fair Oaks Police, Office of Public Safety.
<cal1>THURSDAY/FEB. 5
<cal2>Fairfax Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is offering 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 Thursday, Feb. 5, from 7-8:30 p.m., prospective volunteers are invited to meet current CASA volunteers and staff to learn about the Fairfax CASA program. Fairfax CASA is now accepting applications and interviewing potential volunteers for the Spring training session, which begins March 2. Orientation will take place at the Fairfax CASA office located at 4103 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 200, Fairfax, VA 22030. Call 703-273-3526 or e-mail staff@casafairfax.org or visit the Web site at www.casafairfax.org.
<cal1>FRIDAY/FEB. 6
<cal2>Mothers First — Centreville/Chantilly is a support group for women making the transition from careers to at-home motherhood. Activities include lectures, field trips, moms night out, etc. February meetings are Feb. 6 and Feb. 19 at 10:15 a.m. at the Centreville Regional Library. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org.
<cal1>WEDNESDAY/FEB. 11
<cal2>The Friends of Fairfax Station Inc. will host a Fairfax Station Railroad Museum Forum on Wednesday, Feb. 11. Speaker Art Candenquist will be discussing a topic that is counter to our perception of Victorian morals and principles during the Civil War period. His presentation, "The War Between the Sheets," will be addressed through narration and slides. The forum meets at the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum from 7:30-9 p.m. Donations are appreciated. Located at 11200 Fairfax Station Rd. Call 703-425-9225.
<cal1>SATURDAY/FEB. 14
<cal2>The Manassas Art Guild will present "Marketing Yourself as an Artist," a program featuring tips on self-promotion, effective presentation, and other topics regarding the business of fine art on Saturday, Feb. 14. The program will be presented by Mary Reilly, a full-time professional artist who has been successfully marketing herself and her gallery for many years. Since 1991 Mary and artist Linda Parker have jointly owned the Creative Brush Studio in Old Town Manassas. Mary's presentation to members of the Manassas Art Guild will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. at the community room of the Bull Run Regional Library, 8051 Ashton Avenue, Manassas. This program is free and open to the public. Call 703-791-5767.
Joe Gibbs' Youth for Tomorrow is offering a special opportunity for couples to spend a memorable Valentine's evening and help at-risk youth in Northern Virginia. The Annual Sweetheart Ball and Benefit Raffle are scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 14 at the Sheraton Premiere Ballroom in Tysons Corner. Doors open at 7 p.m.; dinner will be served at 8:15 p.m. The event will include a candlelight gourmet dinner, dancing to the Tom Cunningham Orchestra, a swing dance demonstration, auctions and the benefit raffle drawings. Tickets for the black-tie optional event are $200 per couple and there is a special $300 YFT Sheraton Valentine package for two. A listing of sponsorship opportunities and raffle prizes can be found at www.youthfortomorrow.org. Call 703-631-3360.
<cal1>FRIDAY/FEB. 20
<cal2>Do you know someone who tutors a child or feeds the homeless? Would you like to recognize someone for making a significant contribution to our community? The public is invited to nominate outstanding community service volunteers for the 12th annual Fairfax County Volunteer Service Awards hosted by Volunteer Fairfax. Businesses, individuals, nonprofit organizations, public agencies, schools, and civic groups have the opportunity to make a nomination by Feb. 20. To receive a nomination form, contact Renee Hoyt Atkinson at rhatkinson@volunteerfairfax.org or 703-246-3460. Nominees and award winners will be honored at a breakfast ceremony on Thursday, April 22, at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner. Belle Wheelan, Virginia Secretary of Education, will be the keynote speaker. The cost of the breakfast is $30 per person, with invitations to be mailed in early March. This year's theme is "Volunteers are Shining Stars!"
<cal1>FEB. 21 AND FEB. 28
<cal2>Opportunities, Alternatives & Resources (OAR) of Fairfax County is a non-profit agency that provides positive influences on the lives of offenders in the Fairfax County jail, as well as assistance to their families. OAR is currently seeking volunteers to conduct one-to-one mentoring sessions with inmates and teach classes in the jail. Volunteers can also work with families of offenders during visiting hours in the Adult Detention Center. Emphasis is on helping an offender make a successful transition into our communities. Special skills are not required. The next training will be on Feb. 21 and Feb. 28. Call 703-246-3033.
<cal1>SATURDAY/FEB. 21
<cal2>With the increasing threat of international terrorism and the subsequent tightening of security throughout the United States, many Americans are examining the effect of these regulations on our civil liberties. To address this issue, the League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area (LWVFA) will present a public forum on "Civil Liberties: the Patriot Act" on Saturday, Feb. 21 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. The location will be the Westpark Hotel located at 8401 Westpark Drive in Tysons Corner. The forum will be open to the public and free of charge.
Moderating the panel discussion will be William Sessions, former head of the FBI and former federal judge. Panelists will be Dan Bryant of the U.S. Department of Justice, Alice Fisher of the law firm of Lathem and Watkins, Lara Flint of the Center for Democracy and Technology and Patrice Webb of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). After the moderator’s introduction, short presentations by each panelist and questions and discussion among the panelists, the forum will be open to questions from the audience.
Following the forum, attendees are invited to attend a luncheon with League members for a charge of $20. For further details concerning the event or to make reservations for the luncheon, call 703-658-9150.
<cal1>FEB. 26-29
<cal2>The Capital Home & Garden Show will be held Feb. 26-29 at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly. The show features 14 dream gardens created by top landscape companies, more than 600 remodeling, gardening and decorating exhibits in two big exhibit halls providing inspiration and a million ideas, a gardening stage featuring local and HGTV experts, a cooking stage featuring cooking tips and outdoor entertaining ideas, a feature stage with celebrity appearances, and the latest hot picks for the spring season with HGTV's Karl Lohnes.
Show times are 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 27 and Saturday, Feb. 28; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 29. The Dulles Expo Center (www.DullesExpo.com) is located at 4368 Chantilly Place, in Chantilly.
Show admission is $9 for adults, $3 for children ages 6 to 12, and free for kids 5 & under. Tickets can be purchased at the Dulles Expo Center box office during show hours.
Visit www.capitalhomeshow.com or call 1-(800) 274-6948 (producer - ext. 211, exhibitor sales - ext. 204) or (703) 533-4848 (show hotline).