<cal1>SEPT. 16-25
<cal2>Creative Brush Studio/Gallery will be having an art exhibit featuring oil paintings by the students of Linda Parker. The exhibit takes place at the studio on Center Street, Sept. 16-25. The featured artists are Linda Allred, Jessica Bolton, Pat Cava, Mary Exline, Katie Horiuchi, Nancy Knoerl and Beth Wright. Creative Brush Studio is located at 9082 Center St., Manassas. Business hours are Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Call 703-335-8005.
<cal1>Sept. 17-18
<cal2>The Broadway Gallery Art Showcase takes place Friday, Sept. 17, and Saturday, Sept. 18, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Stop in to see works of art by a wide variety of artists, featuring many new collections. Works include originals on paper and canvas, serigraphs and etchings. Free. The gallery is located at 12231 Fair Lakes Promenade Drive, Fairfax; 703-273-3267.
<cal1>SATURDAY/SEPT. 18
<cal2>The Civil War encampments of the 1800s will come to life at Walney Visitor Center at E.C. Lawrence Park on Saturday, Sept. 18, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Experience Civil War camp life depicted by the 42nd Virginia and the 28th Massachusetts Infantry regiments. Gain a first-hand glimpse of the daily routine of the soldiers who once camped at Walney and in Centreville. Learn about the lives and diets of civilians during the war. The event is free. Call 703-631-0013. Walney Visitor Center is located at 5040 Walney Road in Chantilly.
<cal2>The Manassas Art Guild will present a guest artist discussion and demonstration at its first fall membership meeting on Saturday, Sept. 18 at 10 a.m.
The Guild's speaker will be Amy Mann, a successful Washington area artist who works in oil, pastel, oil pastel, and charcoal. She is knowledgeable of the effects of light. Her presentation will emphasize glass objects in still life oil paintings.
The Guild's meeting and Mann's presentation are free and open to the public at the Bull Run Regional Library Community Room, 8051 Ashton Avenue, Manassas.
Additionally, the Guild's new membership drive is still underway. Any local artist, young or old, beginner or expert, can contact Debbie at 703-754-0354.
<cal2>The Chantilly community of Greenbriar will hold a yard sale on Saturday, Sept. 18, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. The rain date is Saturday, Sept. 25. Many of the 1,900 homes in the community will participate. Greenbriar is on Route 50 just west of the Fairfax County Parkway. The community is also accessible from Stringfellow Road at the intersections of Melville Lane, Poplar Tree Road and Point Pleasant Drive.
<cal2>The Northern Virginia Model Railroaders Inc. will be holding an open house on Saturday, Sept. 18 from 1-5 p.m. Come and see the action on Northern Virginia's largest fixed operating "HO" scale model railroad. Also, visit the W&OD railroad's real caboose next door. The club is located in the historic "Washington & Old Dominion Railroad" station, 231 Dominion Road (on the WO&D Trail) in Vienna. Free admission. However, cash or check donations (at the door) are gratefully accepted. Additional information and directions can be obtained 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>SEPT. 18-23
<cal2>“Open A Book, Open A Mind” during the sixth annual Fall for the Book, a week-long series of events celebrating literature and the arts, Saturday, Sept. 18, through Thursday, Sept. 23, on the Fairfax campus of George Mason University. Leading the list of world-renowned authors attending this year, Tobias Wolff and Joyce Carol Oates will receive the Fairfax Prize for lifetime achievement in literature on the opening and closing days of the celebration.
Additional highlights range from an all-day family festival on Saturday to a reenactment of the famous courtroom scene from "To Kill a Mockingbird" on Sunday (as part of the first-ever All Fairfax Reads project) to a series of Thursday events centered around the 50th anniversary of the landmark court case Brown v. the Board of Education. For regularly updated information about Fall for the Book, visit www.fallforthebook.org.
<cal1>SUNDAY/SEPT. 19
<cal2>Slovaks of Slovak heritage, friends and neighbors, are invited to join members of the Slovak American Society of Washington, D.C., at its annual picnic to be held on Sunday, Sept. 19 from 1-4 p.m. The gathering place will be the home of Millie Schoepe and her husband Jim Evans at 12910 Westbrook Drive, Fairfax. Reservations must be made no later than Sept. 17 by calling Ann at 703-533-0088, or Millie at 703-830-3628. Members will be charged $6, non-members $8, children under 12 free. Persons with their last names starting with A-L are asked to bring a dessert. Those with last names starting with M-Z are asked to bring a side dish. If you have a special dish that has been passed down from the "old country," bring it along to share. Also bring your appetites for kolbasy (sausage), old world bread, and Slovak pastries.
<cal1>MONDAY/SEPT. 20
<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 e-mail eventbuilders@hotmail.com.
* Monday, Sept. 20 — “Another Branch on the Family Tree — Learn How to Trace Your Roots," Adeena Mignogna, Genealogist;
* Monday, Sept. 27 — “Attachment,” Lisa Friedman;
* Monday, Oct. 4 — “Mudpies,” Location to be announced.
* Monday, Oct. 11 — “Toys! Toys! Toys!” Susie Waterstreet, Tree Top Toys;
* Monday, Oct. 18 — “Traveling with a Baby,” Rochelle Goldberg;
* Monday, Oct. 25 — “How to Take Great Pictures of Your Kids,” Johanna Waisley, Simply Create Photography.
<cal2>Fairfax Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) needs volunteers to help abused and neglected children in the Fairfax County court system. Fairfax CASA will be presenting a volunteer orientation for prospective volunteers on Monday, Sept. 20 and Tuesday, Oct. 5, 7:30-9 p.m., at the CASA office located at 4103 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 200, Fairfax. This event is for prospective volunteers to learn about the CASA program and to meet and talk with CASA volunteers who work with children. For more information or to learn how to speak up for a child, call 703-273-3526, e-mail staff@casafairfax.org or visit the Web site at www.casafairfax.org.
<cal2>The GFWC-Western Fairfax County Woman's Club (formerly Greenbriar Woman's Club) has its first meeting of the new 2004-2005 club year Monday, Sept. 20, at 7:30 p.m., at the Greenbriar Community Center, 4615 Stringfellow Road, Fairfax. This will be a new member social event. All women living in communities in the Western Fairfax County area are invited to come and learn about the club's involvement in service to the local community. Call Lee Conley, president, at 703-266-7032 or Barbara Cale, vice president, at 703-378-6009 for more information. R.S.V.P. appreciated.
<cal1>Tuesday/Sept. 21
<cal2>Fathers looking to spend more time with their children are invited to come and bring their children to an introductory meeting for the Y Adventure Guides (formerly known as the Y Indian Guides) on Tuesday, Sept. 21, at 7 p.m., at the YMCA Fairfax County Reston. The YMCA address is 12196 Sunset Hills Road, Reston, across from Target near Fairfax County Parkway.
The meeting will last for about one hour and 15 minutes and will include the ceremonial opening and closing, a brief craft, game and refreshments. Mothers are welcome, too. The programs are for children from kindergarten through in grade 4, with additional programs for grades 5-8. Generally, groups known as "circles" meet once per month for an evening meeting and once per month for an outside activity such as camping, ice skating, bowling, etc.
For more information contact Bruce Hamilton at 703-378-9145 or visit www.yadventureguides-fairfax.org.
<cal1>Wednesday/Sept. 22
<cal2>On Wednesday Sept. 22, 7-8:30 p.m., join members of the community for Conversation Café, a lively, hosted, drop-in conversation group. Discuss everything from everyday feelings and thoughts to the actions of society. Topic of the week: "What's the state of marriage today?" Jammin' Java, 227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna, in the Glyndon Shopping Center between Safeway and Outback. Call 703-554-9595 for more information or visit www.conversationcafe.org.
<cal1>Sept. 23-Oct. 22
<cal2>The Big Apple Circus (BAC) is coming, Sept. 23- Oct. 22, to Dulles Town Center, bringing its art-inspired theme "Picturesque." The international cast of award-winning performers will be bringing the works of Renoir, Picasso, Calder and more to life through the use of sound and lighting. The BAC is a nonprofit that is able to provide free shows that entertain children with visual and hearing impairments through the use of special headsets.
<cal1>Sept. 24-26
<cal2>Remodeling and decorating ideas, inspiration and advice abound at Capital Home Show, Sept. 24-26, at the Dulles Expo Center. The Capital Home Show is the region's largest and most popular home show that provides local homeowners with new products, new ideas and expert advice. Highlights include appearances by Kia from Trading Spaces, Dr. Gadget, HGTV's Karl Lohnes, Annie Groer and Jura Koncius from the Washington Post/washingtonpost.com. Hours are Friday and Saturday, Sept. 24 and 25, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 26, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., at the Dulles Expo Center, 4368 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly, 703-378-0910, www.dullesexpo.com. Admission is $9 for adults, $3 for children ages 6 to 12, free for children 5 and younger. Tickets are available during show hours. Discount coupons are available online at www.capitalhomeshow.com. For information, call 703-533-4848.
<cal1>Friday/Sept. 24
<cal2>The Navy Band performs at 7:30 p.m., at Westfield High School, 4700 Stonecroft Blvd., Chantilly. Free.
<cal1>Saturday/Sept. 25
<cal2>Join Russell Buddy Helm, author of "The Way of the Drum," for a drumming workshop on Saturday, Sept. 25, from 7:30-10 p.m. It is a time of fun, rhythm and community. No drumming experience needed. There will be a few drums and percussion provided, but bring an extra drum. Any drum will do. Dessert and drinks provided. Cost is $35. For more information, call the church office at 703-263-7645 or visit www.unitylife.org. Universal Life Church is located at 14088-C Sullyfield Circle, Chantilly.
<cal1>MONDAY/SEPT. 27
<cal2>Noodles & Noggins' Story Time will host a concert series this month for ages 1-6. Sing, clap and tap along! The series features a different performer from 10:30-11:30 a.m. in the Clifton Town Meeting Hall, 12641 Chapel Road in Historic Clifton. $5/child fee. Call the store at 703-815-8600.
* Monday, Sept. 27 — Oh Susannah
<cal1>WEDNESDAY/SEPT. 29
<lst>Join members of the community for Conversation Cafe, a lively, hosted, drop-in conversation group that will make your cup of joe a little more interesting on Wednesday, Sept. 29, from 7-8:30 p.m. The group discusses everything from feelings and thoughts to our actions as a society in this complex, changing world. Topic of the week — "What's the state of friendship today?" Meets at Jammin Java, 227 Maple Avenue E., Vienna (in the Glyndon Shopping Center between Safeway and Outback). Call 703-554-9595 for more information or visit www.conversationcafe.org.
<cal2>The League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area (LWVFA) has devised a method to answer questions such as: Confused about who makes decisions for Fairfax County? Don’t understand the tax system and who really has taxing power in Virginia? Don’t know why schools and roads are overcrowded or why elections occur every year?
The LWVFA presents “More Power to You,” an overview of how local government works and relates to Virginia state government. Four sessions are scheduled on Wednesday evenings from 7-9 p.m. in the Fairfax County Government Center.
* Sept. 29 — Evolution and Powers of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors;
* Oct. 13 — Navigating Authorities, Commissions and Departments;
* Oct. 27 — Functions of the Fairfax County School Board.
Each class will have a guest speaker representing aspects of county government. The fee for the four two-hour evening sessions is $25 which covers all materials. Participants who attend all four sessions will receive certificates of completion. Pre-registration and payment for the classes can be arranged by calling 703-227-2231.
<cal1>THURSDAY/SEPT. 30
<cal2>Discover Market Vision and what the Web can do for your business. Attend a seminar Thursday, Sept. 30 from 1-3 p.m. at Market Vision Inc., 5268 Lyngate Court, in Burke. The cost is $55; pre-registration $40 before Sept. 1. Register online at www.mktvis.com or contact Eloise Lepesqueur at 703-425-4810, ext. 105.
<cal2>Take Off Pounds Sensibly Club (TOPS) invites you to an open house on Thursday, Sept. 30, from 7-8 p.m. This will take place at the Centreville Presbyterian Church, 5690 Sully Road, Centreville. TOPS is a nonprofit, non-commercial weight loss support group.
There is no obligation or charge for the open house. Call Susan at 703-392-7937.
<cal2>The Northern Virginia Association for Volunteer Administration (NVAVA) presents a workshop, "Cultural Norms and How They Shape Volunteer Outreach and Recruitment" on Thursday, Sept. 30 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. This workshop will provide representatives from some of the larger cultural groups in the area and volunteer managers the opportunity to share information and experience in recruiting and utilizing the strengths and talents of culturally diverse volunteers. The workshop will take place at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax in conference rooms 2 and 3. RSVP by Friday, Sept. 24, by email to Lorraine Walker at: Lorraine.Walker@fcps.edu or telephone Ellie Fusaro, 703-437-3477.
<cal1>Oct. 1-2
<cal2>The Center for the Arts' Pied Piper Theatre is holding auditions for children ages 8-18. Actors, singers and dancers are needed for "Sleeping Beauty."
* "Sleeping Beauty" auditions are Oct. 1 and 2 for performances on Jan. 15, 16, 22, 23.
Call 703-330-ARTS for an appointment.
<cal1>SATURDAY/OCT. 2
<cal2>The Fairfax Station Railroad Museum will host a tour on Saturday, Oct. 2 of seldom seen Civil War sites in Prince William County. Stops include the 1st Military Railroad, Blackburn's Ford, Mayfield Fort, Confederate fortifications in and around the Manassas Museum, Jackson's famous Manassas Junction raid, the Canon Branch Fort, the Bristoe Station Battlefield, and more if time allows. Tour starts at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. from the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum, 11200 Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station. Via carpool. Cost $25/members, $30/non-members. All proceeds go to the museum. Bring money for lunch in Old Town Manassas. Call 703-425-9225.
<cal2>The Annual Fall Jubilee is a community-spirited, family-oriented event combining educational exhibits with interesting community and local information. The event will take place Saturday, Oct. 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Historic Old Town Manassas. This year's Jubilee includes live music, Street Scenes featuring performances by local groups, and rides. The Washington Post’s KidsPost Corner will feature performances by children’s entertainers, an interactive robot, and other hands-on activities. More than 75 juried artists and crafters attend the event, providing a head start for holiday shoppers. The Tastefully Virginia section highlights vendors who offer regional foods such as Virginia food mixes, fresh baked breads, and Virginia wines. For more information, contact Maryanne Toal, Event Coordinator for Historic Manassas Inc., at 703-361-6599 or maryanne@historicmanassasinc.org.
<cal2>The Amish Quilt and Craft Sale takes place 9 a.m.-5 p.m., at the Dulles Expo Center in the South Hall, 4320 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly. The sale features a selection of over 250 quilts, over 500 wall hangings, pillows, dolls, art work, toys furniture, rugs, books and more from the Amish and other craftspeople from Lancaster County, Penn. Admission is free. Visit www.amishcountryquiltscrafts.com.
Wild Birds Unlimited, located in the Sully Plaza Shopping Center at 13950 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway, Chantilly, 703-961-0198, will host three educational events during the month of October. They are as follows:
* Backyard Birding, Saturday, Oct. 2, 9:30 a.m. Slide show and discussion of how to attract and provide habitat for birds in the back yard.
* Live Birds of Prey, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2 p.m. The Raptor Conservancy of Virginia will present an educational program exhibiting live owls, falcons and hawks.
* Birdfeeding for Kids, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2 p.m. Children will make an edible bird feeder while discussing and identifying local birds. Reservations required for adequate supplies.
<cal1>SUNDAY, OCT. 3
<cal2>Battle of Bull Run Sporting Clay Tournament is taking place on Sunday, Oct. 3 at 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. (Last entry). NVRPA’s Bull Run Regional Park Public Shooting Center, 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville. Take aim; enjoy the challenge at this National Sporting Clays Association contest sponsored by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority’s Bull Run Shooting Center. No advance registration. For fees and more information, call 703-830-2344.
<cal1>Tuesday/Oct. 5
<cal2>Fairfax Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) needs volunteers to help abused and neglected children in the Fairfax County court system. Fairfax CASA will be presenting a volunteer orientation for prospective volunteers on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 7:30-9 p.m., at the CASA office located at 4103 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 200, Fairfax. This event is for prospective volunteers to learn about the CASA program and to meet and talk with CASA volunteers who work with children. For more information or to learn how to speak up for a child, call 703-273-3526, e-mail staff@casafairfax.org or visit the Web site at www.casafairfax.org.
<cal1>THURSDAY/OCT. 7
<cal2>Mothers First — Chantilly/Centreville is dedicated to supporting women that have chosen to alter their careers to raise their children at home. Activities include parent/child morning meetings and field trips, moms night out, and lectures. The next meetings are Thursday, Oct. 7 and Thursday, Oct. 21 from 10:15 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at the Centreville Regional Library, 14200 Saint Germain Dr. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org.
<cal1>OCT. 22-24
<cal2>The Friends of the Chantilly Regional Library are sponsoring a Used Book Sale Friday, Oct. 22 through Sunday, Oct. 24. The library is located at 4000 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly. Call ages. Call 703-502-3883.
<cal1>Sunday/Oct. 31
<cal2>Clifton Horse Society is sponsoring the CHS Costumed Great Pumpkin Ride on Oct. 31, at Fountainhead Regional Park, Fairfax Station. Call 703-222-8253 or write to wkime@cox.net for more information.
<cal1>SUNDAY, NOV. 7
<cal2>A Fun Shoot: Partner Shoot Tournament will be held on Sunday, Nov. 7. The start time is 10 a.m. and entries will be allowed until 2 p.m. NVRPA’s Bull Run Regional Park Public Shooting Center, 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville
Take aim; enjoy the challenge at this contest sponsored by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority’s Bull Run Shooting Center. No advance registration. For fees and more information, call 703-830-2344.
<cal1>FRIDAY, NOV. 19 - SATURDAY, JAN. 8
<cal2>Miracle of Lights will be run from Fri., Nov. 19-Sat., Jan. 8, It will be open from 5:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. nightly at Bull Run Regional Park, 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville, VA.
Santa, angels, the universe and an enchanted forest—the Miracle of Lights—Northern Virginia’s only drive-thru holiday light show, features five holiday theme groups and more than two miles of lighted entertainment.