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 Loudoun Youth Initiative, in partnership with the Leadership Loudoun Class of 2005, has prepared an online survey in an effort to establish the scope of services available for youth across Loudoun County. Open to all youth serving organizations until July 31. The survey results will be released later this summer. To access the survey, visit
www.leadershiploudoun.org and click on Links, then click on "Youth Initiative Teen Centered Network" and follow the instructions. Call 703-771-5511 or e-mail rgeiger@loudoun.gov.
Leadership Loudoun, a nonprofit organization that trains current and emerging leaders in Loudoun County, is accepting applications for the Class of 2006. Call 703-771-5511 or download the application at www.leadershiploudoun.org. Applications will be accepted until Sept. 1. The class year, which runs from October through June, includes topical forums, networking events, individual leadership development and hands-on community change projects.
The Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project has launched its new Web site, www.DullesMetro.com, to provide the latest information on the 23-mile extension of the regional Metrorail system from just west of the East Falls Church Metrorail Station to eastern Loudoun County.
The extension will be built in two phases, the first from East Falls Church with four stations in Tysons Corner to an interim terminal station at Wiehle Avenue on the eastern edge of Reston. The second phase will run from Wiehle through Reston and Herndon to Dulles Airport to Route 772 in Loudoun County.
At this point, all environmental impact studies on the project have been approved by state and federal agencies. The Federal Transit Administration last spring recommended the project as part of its ÒNew StartsÓ report to Congress.
The new Web site provides background on the project, its overall schedule, route, locations for all stations, maps and links to environmental studies and other reports.
Construction is anticipated to begin in late 2006 or early 2007, subject to federal funding and approvals.
The public can ask questions or comment on the project via the Web site or by e-mailing info@dullesmetro.com.
Loudoun MADD is selling the new red MADD CHOOSE COURAGE community awareness wristbands for $1, which can be mailed for an additional $.50 each. The wristbands can be purchased by sending a check to Loudoun MADD at P.O. Box 4252, Leesburg, VA 20177, with the number of wristbands for purchase. Visit the Loudoun MADD Web site at www.maddloudounva.org to see a picture of the wristbands. For questions send an e-mail to maddloudoun@aol.com.
The Loudoun County Government Web site, www.loudoun.gov, is now able to deliver news and information directly to a person's computer desktop through Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds.
The RSS technology allows Web sites to create feeds and alert subscribers when new content is posted. The RSS feeds from Loudoun County contain headlines, summaries and links back to the county Web site for more information.
RSS makes it easy for people to get information from many Web sites at once. Instead of having to check individual Web sites for new information, RSS users get the news delivered to them in one spot.
To use RSS, people need to have an RSS news reader. There are several different news readers available and many can be downloaded for free.
For more information about RSS, including how to get a news reader and how to sign up for feeds from the Loudoun County Web site, visit www.loudoun.gov/rss.
The Master Singers of Virginia is holding auditions for its 11th season. Singers in all voice parts are encouraged to audition. The Master Singers of Virginia, directed by Erik Reid Jones, is the premiere a cappella choral ensemble in Northern Virginia concentrating in 20th and 21st century choral music. and is a 28-voice ensemble that performs three major concert programs each season, each of which is performed three-four times, as well as other engagements throughout Northern Virginia and the greater Washington, D.C. area. Visit the Web site at www.msva.org. To schedule an audition call Diana Manfredi, president, at 571-213-6306.
The 2005 Annual Loudoun Farms Product Guide, which will assist consumers in finding local farm products and services
throughout the growing season, is available. Among the goods included are eggs, meats, flowers and plants, fruits and vegetables, plus salsas, wool products, soaps, herbs, and grains. To receive a copy of the guide, call the Loudoun
County Department of Economic Development at 703-777-0426 or e-mail info@LoudounFarms.org.
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 Symphony Association Inc. is seeking nominations to fill upcoming vacancies on its Board of Directors.
Board members should be residents of, or have significant business interests in, Loudoun County or the surrounding area, and they should have the time and inclination to actively support the symphony by participation on a committee and by regular attendance at meetings and symphony sponsored events. Board committees include finance, artistic, development, marketing, audience development, long-range planning, gala and special events, nominating, education and volunteer coordination.
Interested individuals should send a letter of interest along with a resume or biographical information to Loudoun Symphony Association, Nominating Committee, P.O. Box 4478, Leesburg, VA 20177. Call 703-771-8287.
Instead of throwing away old phone books with the trash, Loudoun County residents can recycle them and help save landfill space and reduce the number of trees cut down to make new paper. The Loudoun County Office of Solid Waste Management encourages residents and businesses to deposit phone books at any of the 11 Recycling Drop-off Centers in the county. For more information about these and other local recycling opportunities, call the Loudoun County Recycling Hotline at 703-771-5318 or visit www.loudoun.gov/oswm.
Arts in the Alley Õ05 on July 16, in the center of the traditional business district of Purcellville, is seeking artists and crafters to participate. Items including painting, photography, sculpture, fiber, mixed media, metal, wood, furniture, clay or glass are welcome. All items must be for sale and must be the original work of the artist. T-shirts and commercial items are not acceptable. No commission on sales. Artists may share a space, but each artist must submit photographs of work to be exhibited. Visit http://www.loudounsbest.com/art or send application form P.O. Box 479, Purcellville, VA 20134-0479, include photos representative of work and a non-refundable $25 fee. Applications will be evaluated as received. Spaces for
fine craft vendors on 21st Street are $150. Spaces for two-dimensional art in the original "Alley" are $50.
The 70th annual Loudoun County Fair, one of the oldest and longest running events in the county is looking for sponsors. The fair will run from July 25-30 at the Loudoun County Fair Grounds off Dry Mill Road just west of Leesburg. Send a donation along with your name and a contact number to: Loudoun County Fair, 117 Plaza St., N.E., Leesburg, VA. 20176, Attention: Tricia Corle.
The Sheriff's Office will hold its 23rd Women's Self-Defense Workshop July 27. The free class is open to all female residents of Loudoun County and their daughters over the age of 12. Participants will be taught basic self-defense techniques through instruction, demonstration and actual practice of the methods taught. The Loudoun County Victim Witness Program will have staff present at the workshop to provide information regarding available services for women who are victims of violence. The session will be held from 7-10 p.m., at the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy, 45299 Research Place in Ashburn. Participants are asked to wear gym-style clothing and athletic shoes. Contact Ginger Wines or Audra Vogel at the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office at 703-777-0407.
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 with hand-made items 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 Fire Marshal's Office reminds citizens that there is no open burning in Loudoun County through Aug. 31. Visit www.loudoun.gov/news/burning.htm.
The trustees of the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation have concluded their grant distribution cycle for 2005, making gifts totaling more than $4 million to various charities, including $374,500 to Loudoun-based charities this year. Among the gifts to Loudoun-based charities in 2005 are Loudoun Association of Retarded Citizens, $36,000; Loudoun Education Foundation, teacher scholarships, $25,000; Loudoun Area Project Graduation, $22,000; Loudoun Education Foundation, Monroe Tech Center, $25,000; Park View High School, $2,500; Loudoun Healthcare, $20,000; Loudoun Healthcare, nursing scholarships, $144,000; Loudoun Literary Council, $50,000; Marshall Foundation, $10,000; Bluemont-Artist-in-Education Program, $30,000; and The Journey Through Hallowed Ground, $10,000.
No more grant applications will be accepted for 2005. The foundation will start accepting grant applications for 2006 in July, visit our Web site www.claudemoorefoundation.org, the deadline for applications is Sept. 1.
The Loudoun County Office of Transportation Services is accepting applications and petitions for the establishment of pilot parking districts in accordance with the provisions of the recently enacted Residential Parking District Ordinance. Applications in the form of petitions are available at the front counter of the Office of Transportation Services, 1 Harrison St., S.E., third floor, Leesburg; by telephone at 703-737-8624; by e-mail at OTS@loudoun.gov or online at www.loudoun.gov/transportation/office.htm. Applications should be received by the Office of Transportation Services on or before Sept. 12.