Send announcements to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to loudoun@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.
The Salvation Army of Loudoun County is in need of donations of chairs and/or pews for its new Chapel, which it plans to open in February. Contact Capt. Syung Young Lee at 703-771-3371.
The Loudoun Arts Council is a recipient of a $1,000 grant from Target Corporation. The grant will be used for general operating funds.
Groups interested in learning about the application process for the Loudoun County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program are encouraged to attend a workshop, from 10 a.m.-noon, Friday, Feb. 11, on the second floor of the Shenandoah Building, 102 Heritage Way, N.E. in Leesburg.
Through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the CDBG program provides funding on an annual basis for local projects that address housing and community development needs. Eligible applicants for CDBG funds include local government entities, nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Proposed projects should meet the goals of the CDBG program, which include providing affordable housing, revitalizing neighborhoods, renovating substandard housing and expanding economic opportunities, especially for persons of low and moderate income.
The CDBG competitive application will be available starting Feb. 11, online at www.loudoun.gov/housing or by contacting Jan Boothby, CDBG program manager, at 703-777-0389 (V/TTY) or jboothby@loudoun.gov. Applications will be accepted through March 4, at 4:30 p.m.
The Hispanic Heritage Awards Foundation is seeking top Hispanic high-school seniors in 12 regions, including the Washington, D.C., region, in an effort to identify and promote the next generation of role models. Students can apply online at www.HispanicHeritageAwards.org. In addition, applications are available at participating Subway restaurants. Applications are due Feb. 11.
Students can win gold or silver medallions, along with educational grants and possible other prizes, in the categories of academic excellence, community service, engineering and mathematics, health care, journalism and sports.
To qualify for the awards, each applicant must demonstrate an interest in the category to which they apply, in addition to excellence in academics and a commitment to community service. The candidates must also write an essay about the influence of their Hispanic heritage in their lives. Local selection committees are established in the 12 regions to choose the award recipients and, subsequently, special events are coordinated in every city in celebration of the Regional Youth Recipientsâ achievements. Visit www.HispanicHeritageAwards.org.
The Loudoun Senior Information Network announces the 8th annual Senior Lifestyle Expo, May 12, from 3-6:30 p.m. The vendor registration deadline for new vendors will be Feb. 12 for the 2005 Senior Lifestyle Expo, which is designed to be the primary showcase for senior services available in Loudoun County. Businesses, community organizations, volunteer groups and government services all participate annually. New vendors interested in obtaining a registration form may e-mail or call Marilyn Huddell at the Loudoun County Area Agency on Aging (AAA) mhuddell@loudouncounty.gov or 703-777-0259. There is a registration fee based on the type of organization or business.
The Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department is taking applications for the 5th annual Miss Snow Princess Pageant, open to all girls between the ages of 3-19 years. Crown, banner and trophies will be awarded in each age division. New optional events have been added.
The pageant will be held at Harper Park Middle School on Feb. 12. For an application, entry fee or information on a new pageant workshop, call the Douglass Community Center at 703-771-5913, or e-mail dcc@loudoun.gov.
A public information workshop/public hearing on the draft Environmental Impact Statement regarding the construction of two new runways at the Washington Dulles International Airport has been scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 22, at Farmwell Station Middle School, 44281 Gloucester Parkway, Ashburn. The information meeting will take place in the cafeteria, from 5-8 p.m., with the hearing in the theater, from 6-8 p.m.
The Federal Aviation Administration will accept comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement until March 7. The public may submit verbal and written comments during the public hearing/workshop or may mail comments to the project manager, Brad Mehaffy, FAA, Washington Airports District Office, 23723 Air Freight Lane, Suite 210, Dulles, VA
20166.
The complete draft is posted on the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority Web site,ÊÊ www.mwaa.com/dulles/EnvironmentalStudies/RunwaysEIS.htm. It can also be viewed at the following locations: Ashburn Library; Rust Library; Middleburg Library; Purcellville Library; Sterling Library; Eastern Loudoun Regional Library; Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Washington Airports District Office, 23723 Air Freight Lane, Suite 210, Dulles; and
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Airport ManagerÕs Office, Main Terminal Baggage Claim Level, Dulles.
Loudoun MADD seeks entries for its 2005 poster/essay contest, with a theme "Stay Alive; Don't Drink And Drive."
All entries must appropriately communicate the contest theme, although the actual theme does not have to be written on the entry. Attractiveness, use of color, expression, are items to consider with posters. Spelling, grammar, emotional appeal, are things to remember when writing an essay. Clarity and visual impact are important in any black-and-white photograph, as well as in a video PSA. New for 2005: PSA's may be submitted on either VHS or DVD formats. Radio "spots" may be submitted on compact disc.
The contest is broken into different divisions based on grade level. For more details, e-mail maddloudoun@aol.com or leave voice mail message at 703-771-8127.
Deadline to enter is Feb. 28. Mail entries to MADD Loudoun County, P.O. Box 4252, Leesburg, VA 20177.
Entry Forms can be downloaded from the Web site at www.maddloudouva.org. The contest is open to all public, private and home-schooled Loudoun County students. Last year, Loudoun MADD $2,500 worth of savings bonds were awarded to the winning students. The 2005 winners will be announced at the award ceremony in April.
Loudoun Volunteer Services (LVS) is seeking nominations for the Loudoun County Outstanding Volunteer Awards, an annual program that honors citizens and organizations throughout Loudoun County who donate time and service to their community. Nomination forms are available in the Loudoun Volunteer Services office at 1 Harrison St., S.E. or on the Web at www.loudoun.gov/pio/volunteer.htm and must be returned by March 11 for consideration. Those eligible for nomination include individuals or groups whose volunteer services have directly benefited Loudoun County. Nominations may be submitted for a single individual or a team of volunteers to be honored. Call Lisa Rose, volunteer coordinator, at 703-777-0113.
The Loudoun County Electoral Board is seeking 600 Officers of Election for the 2005 elections in which Virginia voters will choose a governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and members of the House of Delegates.
A Dual Primary election is scheduled for Tuesday, June 14, and the General and Special election is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Election officers must be United States citizens and registered to vote in Virginia. Officers of Election are required to be at the voting precincts on Election Day from 5 a.m. until the polls close, the results are called in and all equipment is packed and ready to return to the Office of the General Registrar.
Election officers are paid for their time Ñ $100 for the entire day, $50 for a half-day and $15 for the training session that
will be held prior to the election.
More information about the duties of an election officer, including a set of forms to fill out and return to the Electoral Board, is available on the Loudoun County Government Web site at www.loudoun.gov/government/officers.htm or by calling 703-777-0548. Questions can also be directed to Dianna Price, Secretary of the Electoral Board, at dprice@loudoun.gov.
On Saturday, Sept. 10, Claude More Park will be sponsoring its 1st Annual Autumn Arts & Crafts Show in the Lanesville Historic Area. At this time, Claude Moore Park is searching for arts and craft vendors who may be interested in participating in this yearÕs show.
The show will run from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and set-up time will begin at 7:30 a.m. For $20, vendors will be provided with a pre-assigned 10x10 area; vendors must provide their own tents, tables, and chairs. Some limited electricity will be available as well for a small fee. Vendors will be able to park at their booth locations and this outdoor event will be held rain or shine. Only severe weather will cancel event.
Contact Claude Moore Park at 703-444-1275 between 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or visit www.loudoun.gov/prcs/park/claude. The deadline to register as a vendor is Friday, Aug. 26. Claude Moore Park is located at 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road in Sterling.
The AARP's Northern Virginia Tax-Aide Program, a free, volunteer-run tax preparation service available to taxpayers with middle- and low-income, with special attention to those age 60 and older, will be available at nine locations including Falcon's Landing Senior Residence, 20225 Falcons Landing Circle, Sterling, Thursdays, 2-5 p.m.; Saturdays, 1:30-4:30 p.m. Appointment required, call 703 404-5216 or visit the Web site at www.aarp.org/taxaide.
Loudoun Volunteer Services seeks nominations for Student Volunteer of the Month. Loudoun students will be recognized for their volunteer efforts during the 2004-2005 school year. Nominate students, or groups of students, elementary-12th grade, who volunteer their time in a variety of ways in their schools, churches, and towns. A one-page narrative may be sent to the Loudoun Volunteer Services Board at pivs@loudoun.gov or to 1 Harrison St., S.E., P.O. Box 7000, Leesburg, VA 20177.
The one-page narrative should include the student's name, address, telephone number, school and a description, including length of service of the exemplary volunteer efforts of the student. Contact information for the person nominating the student should also be included.
Volunteers will be featured in the Loudoun Volunteer Services Newsletter and on the Loudoun County Government Web site. Contact Lisa Rose, volunteer coordinator, at
703-777-0113.
The 2005 Miss Virginia American Coed Scholarship State Pageant is looking for contestants for the pageant taking place Aug. 11-14, in Richmond. This is an "All Natural" scholarship pageant for girls ages 3-22, which emphasizes academic and volunteerism and natural look. The pageant does not allow makeup on contestants under the age of 13. For an application e-mail contact@msvaamericancoed.com or call 804-305-4239. Visit our Web site www.msvaamericancoed.com.