<cal1>Wednesday/July 13
<cal2>"Explore the Challenge." Enjoy a complimentary lunch at this free social and informational gathering and learn more about the MS Challenge Walk, a three-day, 50-mile adventure. 11:30 a.m. at Curves Crystal City, 2345 Crystal Drive, Suite 108. Attendees can also enter a free raffle to win a one-month membership at Curves. Contact the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at www.MSandYOU.org or call 202-296-5363.
About Birds. At 4 p.m., meet wildlife instructor and artist Lois Napier and learn about birds. At Westover Library, 1800 N. Lexington St. Call 703-228-5260.
Birds of Prey. At 7 p.m., listen to artist and wildlife educator Lois Napier discuss birds of prey. Columbia Pike Library, 816 S. Walter Reed Drive. Call 703-228-5710.
<cal1>Thursday/July 14
<cal2>Cross Cultural Cinema Night consists of two movies: "At the Second Traffic Light," by local Ethiopian filmmaker Lucy Gebre-Egziabher, who will introduce the film about a car accident and subsequent traffic jam, and "Weiti's Poem," a visual interpretation of the poem "Sadness," written by a 12-year-old girl. 6:30 p.m. at Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St. Call 703-459-4918.
<cal1>Friday/July 15
<cal2>Book Discussion. At 1 p.m., come to Aurora Hills Library to discuss Erik Larson's "Devil in the White City." Located at 735 S. 18th St. Call 703-228-5715.
Harry Potter Release Party. Olsson's Arlington/Courthouse, 2111 Wilson Blvd., is staying open Friday night for the 12:01 a.m. release of "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," the sixth installment in the Harry Potter saga. There will be refreshments for kids and grown-ups, as well as trivia to keep participants amused during the countdown to midnight. Call 703-525-4227.
Summer Campfire. The whole family is invited to the Long Branch amphitheater for old-fashioned fun. This program will be filled with entertaining activities, which may include stories, special animal guests, games, songs and treats like s'mores. 8 p.m. at Long Branch Nature Center, 625 South Carlin Springs Road. Call 703-228-6535 and reference No. 644414F.
<cal1>Saturday/July 16
<cal2>Heron Hike. Cross the river and search out some of these birds in the Potomac River floodplain. Dress to get muddy. Ages 8 and up. 9-10:30 a.m. Participants will be mailed directions to the Chain Bridge area meeting site. $3 fee. Reservations required. Call 703-228-4747 and reference Program No. 643125A. Call 703-228-3403.
Whimsical Wings. Part of the Junior Ranger program. Learn about butterflies and dragonflies, where they live, what they eat and why they metamorphose. Play a dragonfly game and make a caterpillar turn into a butterfly. 1:30-3:30 p.m. $3 fee. Reservations required. Call 703-525-0168. Meet at Glencarlyn Park, 4th and S. Harrison Street entrance.
Personal Budget Management for 9/11 Survivors. This is the first of a series of free workshops and support groups being offered by Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) to help individuals directly affected by the Sept. 11 attack on the Pentagon address their recovery needs. This workshop is designed for adult survivors, first responders and evacuees of the Pentagon attack. 10 a.m.-noon at NVFS’s office in Oakton, 10455 White Granite Drive, Suite 100. Highlights of the program include learning or reviewing how to create a budget plan, taking steps to become and remain financially organized and more. Call 703-219-3920.
A Cappella Festival. Part of Arlington's Arts al Fresco. The Tone Rangers host this annual festival at 8 p.m. at Arlington’s outdoor Lubber Run Amphitheatre, N. 2nd and N. Columbus streets. They are a group of eight strait-laced men who spend their days as lobbyists and lawyers on Capitol Hill. There are also several guest groups. Free; no tickets required. Call 703-228-1850 or the Arts al Fresco Hotline at 703-228-6966, or visit www.arlingtonarts.org.
<cal1>Sunday/July 17
<cal2>Once Upon a Time: Habia Una Vez. Bilingual story hour at Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St. For children of all ages. Call 703-228-5990.
Fairlington monthly games night at the North Fairlington Community Center, at S. Abingdon and S. 29th streets. Join neighbors for bridge, scrabble, poker and other games from 7-9 p.m.
<cal1>Monday/July 18
<cal2>Fun at the Park. Team Enterprise Amusement Management, from the Office for Teens, hosts this event for all ages. Bring family and friends for games, art activities and more. 5-8 p.m. at Chestnut Hills Park, N. Harrison and N. 27th streets. Register at least three days in advance. Call 703-228-7781. For Spanish, call 703-228-7782.
Lois Napier, artist and wildlife educator, appears at Cherrydale Library, 2190 N. Military Road, at 4 p.m. Call 703-228-6330.
Theology on Tap — Re-Conversion: A Personal Testimony. Theology on Tap is a free program for Catholic adults ages 21 and older. This year it is a series of talks on the newly-elected Pope Benedict XVI. This week's program features a talk by Dr. Marie Anderson, MD, of the Tepeyac Family Center. Dr. Anderson is current secretary of the Metropolitan Catholic Medical Guild and is active on the Bioethics Committee at Fair Oaks Hospital. 7:30 p.m. at Pat Troy’s Irish Pub, 111 N. Pitt St., Alexandria.
<cal1>Tuesday/July 19
<cal2>"What's the Matter: Chemistry with Fizz, Foam and Flash!" Presented by the Maryland Science Center at 3:30 p.m. at Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St. Call 703-228-5990.
Farlington Singles Dinner at Layalina Restaurant, 5216 Wilson Blvd., Alexandria. 7:30 p.m. Call Bob at 703-379-4520 or 202-283-9610 to RSVP.
"A Midsummer Night's Dream." Part of Arlington's Arts al Fresco. Produced by the National Players, and presented at the Lubber Run Amphitheatre, N. 2nd and N. Columbus streets at 8 p.m. Free; no tickets required. Call 703-228-1850 or the Arts al Fresco Hotline at 703-228-6966, or visit www.arlingtonarts.org.
<cal1>Thursday/July 21
<cal2>Moon Madness. Meet in the Tractor Barn to learn about the moon, then go outside to study the full moon with telescope and binoculars. Adults. 8:30-9:30 p.m. at Fort C.F. Smith Park and Historic Site, 2411 N. 24th St. $3 fee. Reservations required. Call 703-228-4747 and reference Program No. 643141A.
<cal1>Friday/July 22
<cal2>"The General" (1927), starring Buster Keaton, is showing at Lubber Run Ampitheatre, N. 2nd and N. Columbus streets, at 8 p.m. as part of Arlington Arts al Fresco. This Civil War adventure-epic is generally regarded as one of the greatest of all silent comedies. Free; no tickets required. Call 703-228-1850.
National Hermanitas Summer Institute. At this two-day event, discussions and workshops are being held on prevalent and pertinent issues affecting young Latinas today. It's an opportunity to meet with other young Latinas from across the country while learning skills and information to prepare for the future. At the DoubleTree Hotel at Crystal City, 300 Army/Navy Drive. Registration fees are $45 per day or $80 for both days. Fees cover all meals and conference materials. Limited number of scholarships are available. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. To register or for more information, contact Kristen Camacho at 202-833-0060.
<cal1>Saturday/July 23
<cal2>Paint a Nature T-Shirt. Part of the Junior Ranger program. The adventure begins with a short hike to discover the wonders of trees and their leaves. Find leaves to capture and use them to decorate a T-shirt. Wear clothes that can get dirty or can get paint on them. 1:30-3:30 p.m. $3 fee. Reservations required. Call 703-525-0168. Meet at Douglas Park, 1718 S. Quincy St.
Exploring Adoption. This is a special, one-day seminar by RESOLVE of the Washington Metropolitan Area 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at INOVA Physicians Conference Center, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church. The program is specifically designed for people starting to consider adoption or just getting started in the adoption process. The seminar includes all the information needed to make an informed choice on the type of adoption to pursue and how to get started in the process of locating and choosing agencies, attorneys and other important resources. Cost is $40 per person, $60 per couple for RESOLVE members; $110 per person, $130 per couple for non-members. Lunch is included in seminar fee. Go to www.resolvedc.org to register or call 202-362-5555 for more information.
National Hermanitas Summer Institute. At this two-day event, discussions and workshops are being held on prevalent and pertinent issues affecting young Latinas today. It's an opportunity to meet with other young Latinas from across the country while learning skills and information to prepare for the future. At the DoubleTree Hotel at Crystal City, 300 Army/Navy Drive. Registration fees are $45 per day or $80 for both days. Fees cover all meals and conference materials. Limited number of scholarships are available. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. To register or for more information, contact Kristen Camacho at 202-833-0060.
The Mystic Warriors give a free performance at 8 p.m. at the Lubber Run Ampitheatre, N. 2nd and N. Columbus streets. Part of Arlington's Arts al Fresco. This group of five musicians with various backgrounds and nationalities has been performing in the Washington, D.C., area since 1982, exposing the essence of Andean music in a modern and unique way. Call 703-228-1850 or the Arts al Fresco Hotline at 703-228-6966, or visit www.arlingtonarts.org.
<cal1>Sunday/July 24
<cal2>Music of Early Virginia. David and Ginger Hildebrand perform vocal and instrumental music on period and reproduction 18th and 19th century instruments. 1-3 p.m. at the Hendry House at Fort C.F. Smith Park and Historic Site, 2411 N. 24th St. Advance tickets are $6 for adults, $3 for children ages 5-15. Tickets at the door are $9 for adults and $6 for children. Call 703-243-4342 for ticket sales.
Once Upon a Time: Habia Una Vez. Bilingual story hour at Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St. For children of all ages. Call 703-228-5990.
<cal1>Monday/July 25
<cal2>Book Discussion. Subject is Edith Wharton's "Custom in the Country." 1 p.m. at Aurora Hills Library, 735 S. 18th St. Call 703-228-5715.
"The Wizard of Oz." Come to a unique version of this classic, presented by Stevens Puppets. 4 p.m. at Cherrydale Library, 2190 N. Military Road. Call 703-228-6330.
Book Discussion. Rising sixth-graders can eat pizza and discuss a new book at 7 p.m. at Westover Library, 1800 N. Lexington Road. Participants read a new book each month. Call 703-228-5260, and ask for Megan or Anne.
Monday Evening with Friends. Discuss Christopher Tilghman's "Roads of the Heart." New members welcome. 7:30 p.m. at Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St. Call 703-228-7689.
Theology on Tap — St. Peter to Benedict XVI: Who is the Pope and How Does Having One Effect My Life? Theology on Tap is a free program for Catholic adults ages 21 and older. This year it is a series of talks on the newly-elected Pope Benedict XVI. This week's program features a talk by Fr. J.D. Jaffe, Parochial Vicar at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Alexandria. Fr. Jaffe holds an S.T.B. from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where he studied for four years. 7:30 p.m. at Pat Troy’s Irish Pub, 111 N. Pitt St., Alexandria.
<cal1>Tuesday/July 26
<cal2>Cheering Tryouts. The Office for Teenagers is looking for teens in grades 7-12 interested in cheering and dancing on a competitive squad. Tryouts are 4-6 p.m. at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center, 3501 S. 2nd St. Wear a white tank top, black shorts and tennis shoes. Register at least three days in advance. Call 703-228-7781. For Spanish, call 703-228-7782.
Storyteller Elizabeth McWilliams brings a variety of stories to Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quncy St., at 3:30 p.m. Call 703-228-5990.
<cal1>Wednesday/July 27
<cal2>"Twiggy" is a free puppet play for preschoolers being performed at 10:30 a.m. at Potomac Crescent School, a Waldorf preschool and kindergarten located in the education wing of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church at 923 S. 23rd St. A picnic is to follow at Fort Scott Park. Call 703-624-1309 or visit www.novawaldorf.org.
Brain Benders. Presented by the Maryland Science Center at 4 p.m., at Westover Library, 1800 N. Lexington St. Call 703-228-5260.
Brain Benders. Presented by the Maryland Science Center at 7 p.m. at Columbia Pike Library, 816 S. Walter Reed Drive. Call 703-228-5710.
<cal1>Thursday/July 28
<cal2>Invasive Plant ID Walk. Join a hike through one of Arlington's beautiful stream valley parks and become more familiar with the different invasive plant species that are threatening natural areas. Walking shoes and insect repellent recommended. 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Gulf Branch Natural Area, 3608 N. Military Road. Free. Pre-registration not required but appreciated. Call 703-228-7636 to register.
Book Discussion. 10:30 a.m. at Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St., join a discussion of V. S. Naipaul's "Bend in the River." Call 703-228-7689.
<cal1>Saturday/July 30
<cal2>Creepy Crawlies. Part of the Junior Ranger program. Lurking, hiding, sneaking they move among us. What could it be? Does it have legs? Does it have a tail? It is quiet? Discover what they are if you dare. 1:30-3:30 p.m. $3 fee. Reservations required. Call 703-525-0168. Meet at Dawson Terrace, 2133 N. Taft St.
<cal1>Sunday/July 31
<cal2>The Washington Shakespeare Company, at 601 S. Clark St., is presenting, “Antony and Cleopatra” at 7:30 p.m. Part of “Bard-37: Our Canon Cabaret”: The complete works of Shakespeare. Tickets $5 at the door. No reservations taken. Visit www.washingtonshakespeare.org, or call 703-418-4808.
Once Upon a Time: Habia Una Vez. Bilingual story hour at Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St. For children of all ages. Call 703-228-5990.