<cal1>SEPT. 30-OCT. 2
<cal2>Sewing and quilting enthusiasts and the public can join together at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly to craft scarves for cancer survivors. As part of The 10th Original Sewing & Quilt Expo on Thursday, Sept. 30 through Saturday, Oct. 2, a booth has been set up with fabric, machines and assistants, where participants can sew scarves. These scarves will be donated to the Washington Cancer Institute to be distributed to patients as part of the Images Program. The Exhibit Hall is open 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Contact Maryland Sew and Vac, at 301-856-7200.
<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 the musical production of Sleeping Beauty. Actors, dancers, and singers ages 8-18 are needed. Auditions will be held Oct. 1 and 2 in Manassas and the performances will be Jan. 15, 16, 22, 23, 2005. Actor, director, and stage combat expert Kevin Robertson will direct this production with Graham Clark as music director and Maureen Hallett as choreographer. Call the Center for the Arts at 703-330-ARTS for an audition appointment.
<cal1>SATURDAY/OCT. 2
<cal2>The 12th annual Fall for Fairfax, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 2 on The Ellipse at the Fairfax County Government Center, offers a full day of family-friendly activities and entertainment. Admission is free. Fall for Fairfax emphasizes interactive exhibits focusing on health, fitness, safety, educational and environmental activities. New is the Cox Communications Cultural Stage featuring performances by storyteller Baba Jamal Koran, the Indian dance troupe Cham Cham Payal Bajey, and El Tayrona Colombian Folklore Music and Dance. The CareFirst BlueCross/ BlueShield Stage features vocal acts and comedy from Jim Moyer's Circus Club, the a cappella talents of Almost Recess, Beowulf T. Wonderbunny Traveling Show of Mystery, Reptile World, and Kidsinger Jim.
<cal2>The next meeting of the Lane’s Mill Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, is Saturday, Oct. 2 at 10:30 a.m., at the Centreville Library. Members will then visit the Family History Center. Contact Jennifer Smith at jsmithtot@aol.com for more information.
<cal2>The Women's Club in Chantilly is hosting a CPR and First Aid class taught by American Heart Savers. The class will be held on Saturday, Oct. 2 from noon to 3 p.m. The cost of the class is $60, and CPR training is $40. Pre registration is required. Call 703-817-0700 to register. The Women's Club is located at 14175 Sullyfield Circle.
<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>MONDAY/OCT. 4
<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, 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.
<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.
<cal2>The Fairfax County Public Library Foundation Inc. will offer a free Legacy Giving Workshop at the Chantilly Library on Tuesday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. It will cover information about the tax and financial benefits of supporting the county's library system through financial contributions. Topics include how to maximize estate planning tools and planned gift options. To sign up, call 703-324-8300 or by e-mail at info@fcplfoundation.org.
<cal1>WEDNESDAY/OCT. 6
<cal2>Come join Sully Senior Center for a Pumpkin Patch Extravaganza on Wednesday, Oct. 6 from 6-8 p.m. Enjoy live entertainment as you sample various pumpkin dessert delights to judge the best Sully baker. Kids will delight in Fall-themed craft making, and information from local agencies will be available. Located at 5690 Sully Road, Centreville at the intersection of Route 28 and I-66, inside the Centreville Presbyterian Church. Call 703-322-4475.
<cal2>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, Oct. 6, from 7-8:30 p.m., the group discusses everything from everyday feelings and thoughts to our actions as a society. Topic of the week: "Is sports eternal?" 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.
<cal1>THURSDAY/OCT. 7
<cal2>A portion of all proceeds from flu shots given at Centreville Urgent Care this season will be donated to the Centreville Volunteer Fire Department. Flu shots are $20, and can be obtained beginning Thursday, Oct. 7 at 14001-A St. Germain Drive in Centreville Square II, across from the Grand Mart, at Route 28/Route 29 intersection. Call 703-830-8113, or visit www.centrevilleurgentcare.com, for more information.
<cal2>Mothers & More of Northern Virginia will have a general meeting on Thursday, Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m. Mothers & More is a support organization for women 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. Visitors are invited! Free! Call (toll free) 866-716-7766 or visit www.novamoms.org <http://www.novamoms.org/> for more info.
<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>Saturday/Oct. 9
<cal2>Fall Festival. The City of Fairfax sponsors its annual Fall Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. More than 400 juried crafters and food vendors sell their wares along the streets of historic downtown Fairfax from Armstrong Street to North Street. Activities include children's rides, inflatable games and family entertainment. For more information, call 703-385-7858.
<cal2>Bring a blanket or lawn chair to Sully Historic Site for the Harvest Moon Musical Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 9 from 7-9 p.m. With the 1794 house as a backdrop, listen to live bluegrass performed by Jericho Bridge. Performers from diverse musical backgrounds make up this Baltimore area band, mixing traditional, contemporary and original songs and instrumentals. While bluegrass fills the autumn air take a ride on the hay wagon or just keep warm by the campfire. Snacks will be for sale. For reservations call 703-437-1794. The cost is $6 for adults and $4 for children. This program does not include a house tour.
<cal1>SUNDAY/OCT. 10
<cal2>Clifton Day will be held Sunday, Oct. 10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Town of Clifton. The event includes crafters, local music, pony rides, Civil War encampments, food, antiques and fine arts, children's activities along the streets. Ride the VRE from Manassas or Rolling Road or Burke Station to Clifton (www.vre.org). Admission is free. VRE rides from Clifton are $5. Parking is $5. (Rain date is Oct. 17). Visit www.cliftonday.com. Call 703-968-0740.
<cal1>WEDNESDAY/OCT. 13
<cal2>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, Oct. 13 from 7-8:30 p.m., the group discusses everything from everyday feelings and thoughts to actions as a society in this complex, changing world. Topic of the week: "Read out loud." Having read something interesting/inspiring/funny or just plainly absurd recently? Want to share/discuss them with other strangers? 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.
<cal1>Wednesday, Oct. 13
<cal2>The Dillon Rule is used in interpreting state law when there is a question of whether or not a local government has a certain power. Dillon's Rule construes grants of power to localities very narrowly. It will be the subject of discussion at the October unit meetings of the League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area.
The Fairfax Station unit, comprised primarily of residents of Clifton, Fairfax Station and Burke, will meet on Wednesday, Oct. 13 at 9:30 a.m. Everyone is welcome. For directions, call the hostess at 703-690-0908 or the membership chair at 703-335-9723.
For a meeting at a more convenient day or time, call the League office at 703-658-9150. The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan, community-based political organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
<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.
* 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>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>OCT. 22-23
<cal2>Come experience recent works of art by local artists Elaine Florimonte, Krister Killinger, Rory Marcaccio Schaffer, Pat Washburn, and Pam Young. The show will be open Friday, Oct. 22 and Saturday, Oct. 23, at the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum, 11200 Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station. A donation to the railroad museum is encouraged for admission. An opening reception will be held Friday evening from 6-10 p.m. The show will be open Saturday from 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Call 703-994-9329 or email Artsgr8@aol.com.
<cal1>FRIDAY/OCT. 29
<cal2>Halloween Hunt at Bull Run Regional Park — Paint a pumpkin, decorate trick-or-treat bags and gather up a mass of candy — that's the Halloween fun planned at the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority's Bull Run Regional Park near Centreville on Friday, Oct. 29, with check-in and crafts from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. and the candy hunt at 7 p.m. Children ages 2-9 should come in costumes and be ready to parade for a costume contest. The fee is $6 per child. Children may pose for spooky pictures for $2 each and a meal deal of slice of Papa John's pizza and a beverage will be available for $2. Reservations are required by Thursday, Oct. 28; call 703-631-0550, ext. 103 or email bullrunpool@aol.com. Space is limited.
<cal1>SUNDAY/OCT. 31
<cal2>The 17th annual Mall-O-Ween takes place on Halloween, Sunday, Oct. 31, at Fair Oaks Mall. Thousands of young ghosts, goblins, clowns, and other costumed children will parade through the mall from 4-6 p.m. Children and parents are invited to trick-or-treat throughout the mall at participating retailers. Friendly over-sized costumed characters will stroll throughout, greeting children along the way. For more information, visit www.ShopFairOaksMall.com or call 703-359-8302.
<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.