Send announcements to The Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to
herndon@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. For more information, call Jennifer Lesinski at 703-917-6454.
This free listing is reserved for activities and events that are open to the public at no or minimal cost.
Gilbert Engel of Reston will have a solo art show at Cafe Montmartre, located at Washington Plaza in North Reston, often referred to as Lake Anne Plaza. The show will feature approximately 30 pieces of Engel's work, including many from 2004. The opening night party is Oct. 23 and will include complimentary finger foods. Open to the public. The art work will be on display in the restaurant for about six weeks.
Vienna photographer and League of Reston Artists member Lillian O'Connell has a one-woman exhibition at the Cascades Executive Center, 12007 Sunrise Valley Drive, fourth floor through Oct. 29. The show, titled, "A Search for One's Soul in the Land," features a series of toned and hand-colored black and white images taken in Northern Ireland in the last decade. The exhibit is open to the public from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Mondays-Fridays.
Third annual Art Exhibit and Sale, Oct. 15, 16 and 17, at the Historic Pleasant Grove Church, 8641 Lewinsville Road, McLean. All media art show and sale by ÒSix Designing Women,Ó featuring Jamie Brooks of Vienna, Janice Burns of Reston, Barbara Chiminello of Alexandria, Brenda Howard of McLean, Pauline Lorfano of Vienna and Marie Straw of McLean. Free admittance. Meet the artists. Open 10 a.m. -5 p.m. daily. More information call 703-938-8539 or 703-938-8104.
Reston Art Gallery and Studios (RAGS) will be exhibiting "Nature's Spectrum" through Nov. 4, featuring artwork of the 10 gallery artists depicting some form of nature. 11400 Washington Plaza, Lake Anne, Reston. Call 703-481-8156 for more information. Hours, Friday, noon-2:30 p.m.; Saturday/Sunday, noon-5 p.m.
WIC, a supplemental nutrition program that serves pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants, and children under 5, has just opened an office at the Neighborhood Resource Center in Herndon. WIC provides nutrition education, private and group sessions with a nutrition expert, free nutrition checkups, support and help with breastfeeding, referrals to other services that can help families, healthy recipes and access to healthy foods. The supplemental foods provided are milk, eggs, cheese, peanut butter, beans, juice and cereals. Now-Oct. 31, WIC will be providing fresh fruits and vegetables for women and children through WIC authorized farmer's markets. WIC is located at 1086 Elden St., in Herndon. For more information, call 703-435-7814.
The League of Reston Artists/Reston Photographic
Society presents its Annual Judged Photography Exhibition through Oct. 31, at the Jo Ann Rose Gallery located in the Reston Community Center at Lake Ann Plaza in Reston. An opening reception will take place Sunday, Oct. 17, from 2-4 p.m. The exhibition features judged works of contemporary photography by LRA/RPS photographer members. $300 in prize monies will be presented at the opening reception awards ceremony by this year's judge Joshua Taylor. For directions to the exhibit visit http://www.leagueofrestonartists.org.
Frying Pan Park's Mini Farmers' Market takes place every Wednesday, from 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m., through October. Farm-fresh fruit, baked goods, garden-grown vegetables and potted plants and herbs are available for purchase. The markets are held in front of the Country Store at the park, located at 2709 West Ox Road, Herndon. For more directions, visit the Web site, www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/fpp/directions.htm or call 703-437-9101.
Train for the Marine Corps Marathon to raise awareness and funds for multiple sclerosis. Each runner pays an $80 registration fee, which counts towards their commitment to raise $1,500 in pledges. Benefits the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, National Capital Chapter. A limited number of spots in the program are still available. The Marine Corps Marathon will take place Sunday, Oct. 31. Call 202-296-5363, visit www.MSandYou.org or e-mail MarathonStrides@MSandYOU.org for more information.
The Closet in downtown Herndon carries many specialty items ranging from glassware, to compact discs, to books, to clothes for the whole family, including evening wear and wedding dresses.Ó The Closet, located at 845 Station St., is open for business Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Spanish Chats. Informal refresher for adults who want to practice Spanish. Chats will be held at the Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, every Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. To register, call 703-689-2700.
Frying Pan Park. Farm animals at Kidwell Farm, open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., daily. Sheep, pigs, goats and cows. Pet the animals, take a hay ride or watch farm hands at work. Daily hay rides, held Monday-Saturday, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., weather permitting, cost $2. Frying Pan Park is located at 2709 West Ox Road, Herndon. Call 703-437-9101.
Gymside & Trailside Walkers. Join other seniors at the Herndon Community Center, 814 Ferndale Ave., for exercise, indoor or outdoor, Monday-Friday, 7:30-9 a.m. No fee, but first-time walkers need to register. Call 703-435-6868.
Open Poetry Readings. Lake Anne Coffee House, Lake Anne Village Center Shopping Center, Reston, every Tuesday, from 7-9 p.m. Contact Megan McDonald at 202-879-0517 days.
Parent and Child Workshop. Drop in from 10 a.m.-noon, every Saturday at the Reston Museum at Lake Anne. Led by local artist Pat Macintyre. No charge, no pre-sign up. Call the museum at 703-709-7700, or call Pat at 703-471-1445 work, or 703-860-5554 home.
Practice English. Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, hosts conversation groups for adults. Mondays, at 7 p.m., intermediate level; Thursdays, at 7 p.m., beginner's course; and Thursdays, at 1 p.m., intermediate. Call to register at 703-689-2700.
In observance of National Preparedness and Fairfax Prepares Month, the American Red Cross of the National Capital Area's Fairfax/Falls Church Office, in conjunction with the Fairfax County Citizen Corps Council, will sponsor an Emergency Preparedness Clinic once a month for the next year. The clinics will be held in a different location in the County, the schedule will posted in libraries, on the Web Site, and other public locations. To host a clinic or attend one, please contact Rebecca Kurylo, community outreach coordinator at the American Red Cross of the National Capital Area Chapter, at 703-805-2332 or kurylor@usa.redcross.org.
Senior Center. Fairfax County seniors 55 years of age or older are invited to participate in a variety of activities, such as strength training, Tai Chi, low impact aerobics and line dancing, at the Reston-Herndon Senior Center, 1850 Cameron Glen Drive, Suite 200, in Reston. Most activities are free of charge. Transportation may be available. Lunch time meals are available with one-day advance notice on a sliding-fee scale. The center welcomes new participants. Contact director Tara Fitzpatrick at 703-481-4200, TTY 703-222-9693 or via e-mail at tara.fitzpatrick@fairfaxcounty.gov. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/rec and go to senior services.
Senior Trips. The Reston Association sponsors trips throughout the year for people 55 and better. For upcoming dates and to get on the mailing list, call 703-435-6577.
Skating Pavilion. Equity Office Skating Pavilion at Reston Town Center opens Nov. 1 for skating and lessons. Call 703-709-6300. Visit www.restontowncenter.com.
Wood Shop. Reston Community Center's open wood shop meets Tuesdays, 6-10 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The wood shop offers workspace and has equipment such as table saws, sanders, drills, worktables and a lathe. The wood shop is located at the Reston Community Center, Hunters Woods. The wood shop fee is $5 for people who live or work in Reston and $7 for others. The Reston Community Center is located at 2310 Colts Neck Road in Reston. Call 703-476-4500 (TTY).
Live band swing dancing at the Dulles Hilton, located at the corner of McLearan Road and Route 28 in Herndon, every Friday night with Sue and Gary Caley. Cost is $12 and includes a half-hour beginner class at 8:30 p.m. followed by dancing from 9 p.m.-midnight. For a complete line up of the bands, visit www.gottaswing.com.