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 groundbreaking ceremony scheduled at Claude Moore Park, Jan. 22, was rescheduled for Saturday, Jan. 29, at 10 a.m. The groundbreaking is for a new recreation center, which is planned to include an indoor lap pool, a leisure pool, locker rooms, a gymnasium, a rock climbing wall, an elevated jogging track and community meeting rooms. The park is located at 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, sterling. Contact Loudoun County Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services at 703-777-0343.
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 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.
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 Loudoun County Department of Economic Development is planning for the 2005 Farm Trail/Product Guide brochure and the Spring Farm Tour. The brochure will include a listing of Loudoun County farms that sell their products direct to consumers, and highlight farms on the Spring Farm Tour which is scheduled for May 21 and 22.
Loudoun farmers who grow products for direct sale to the public, and others who would like to participate on the Farm Tour, contact Ann Higgins at the Loudoun County Department of Economic Development, 703-777-0426 by Jan. 31.
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 County Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department is now 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.
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.
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.