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 Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH) announces that Virginia Relay, the commonwealth's telecommunications system for the deaf, hard of hearing, DeafBlind and speech disabled, is one of the first state relay services in the nation to enroll in the FCC's Telecommunications Service Priority (TSP) Program.
The FCC initially established the TSP Program in 1988 in order to help reduce chaos after a disaster, when telecommunications repair companies are typically overburdened with service requests. The program presently continues to ensure that communication services most critical to national and homeland security are restored on a priority basis in the event of a national crisis. Recently, the FCC has partnered with the Department of Homeland Security to increase TSP participation.
While TSP will not provide a relay user preferential treatment over a standard telephone user, the program's successful implementation means that the circuits at the Virginia Relay Center will be restored on a priority basis. Relay users with telephone service will then be able to make and receive calls in emergencies, just like standard telephone users in the same calling areas.
Inova Blood Donor Services is holding blood drives on the following dates. For an appointment, call 1-866-BLOODSAVES (1-866-256-6372) or visit www.inova.org/donateblood.
* Tuesday, April 5, 1:30-7:30 p.m. Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road, Leesburg.
* Tuesday, April 12, 3-8 p.m. Sterling Park Safety Center, Patton Hall, 46700 Middlefield Drive, Sterling.
* Thursday, April 21, 11:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Loudoun Hospital Center, 44045 Riverside Parkway, (Lansdowne) Leesburg.
* Sunday, April 24, 7:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. St. Frances de Sales, Parish Hall, 37730 St. Francis Court, Purcellville 540-338-6313.
* Saturday, April 30, noon-3:30 p.m. Ashburn Library, 433316 Hay Road, Ashburn, Girl Scout Silver Award Drive.
The Epilepsy Foundation of the Chesapeake Region is sponsoring the following support groups for adults diagnosed with seizure disorders and caregivers.
Free of charge. Call 703-425-6660.
* Reston Epilepsy Group meets the second and fourth Friday of each month, from 7-8:30 p.m., at Herndon High School, Entrance 5, Room 123, 700 Bennett
St., Herndon. The next meetings are April 8 and April 22.
* Northern Virginia Epilepsy Group meets every Wednesday, from 7-8 p.m., at Falls Church High School, Room 100, 7521 Jaguar Trail, Falls Church. March 30, April 6, April 13, April 20, and April 27.
Celiac Disease lectures and workshops will take place April 3, 12-8:30 p.m., at Sheraton Premiere at Tysons Corner, 8661 Leesburg Pike, Vienna. Free and open to the public. Learn about living and loving every aspect of the gluten-free life, practical guidelines on preparing for social events, discovering ways for children to feel special and not set apart. Call 703-471-5047 or e-mail mvineyard40@comcast.net or visit http://www.csaceliacs.org/RegConfChp100.php.
Inova Blood Donor Services is opening a donor center April 4, at 45745 Nokes Blvd., Suite 160, near Dulles Town Center. The center will house the headquarters of Inova Blood Donors Services, a new laboratory, children's play area and will have weekend hours. Hours will be Mondays, noon-8 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday, 6 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sunday, noon-4 p.m.; with walk ins welcome. Call 1-866-Blood Saves (866-256-6372) or visit www.inova.org/donateblood.
Amputee Support Group of Northern Virginia (ASGNVA) will be meeting Tuesday, April 5, from 7:30-9 p.m., at the Telestar Court Building, 2990 Telestar Court, Falls Church, in the Gemini room. Contact Joce Graham, 703-256-0245 or Beth Harris, 540-439-3656. Meeting and parking are free, with handicap parking in front of the building. Amputees, their families and friends are invited to attend. The group meets monthly to discuss issues involved in losing a limb, such as body image, financial concerns, relationships and employment changes.
The Scholarship Committee of The Ladies Board is seeking applicants interested in the nursing profession. Previous recipients and applicants are also encouraged to apply. The scholarships are awarded to students as supplemental aid. Scholarship amounts ranged from $500 to $3,000. Scholarship applications are available at the Gift Shop at the Loudoun Hospital Center Lansdowne Campus, the office at Loudoun Nursing and Rehabilitation Center or the Twice Is Nice Thrift Shop in Leesburg, or can be downloaded at www.ladiesboard.org. Contact Margaret Vaughan at 540-338-6221 for requirements and questions. Applications are due no later than Wednesday, April 6; and should be returned to Margaret Vaughan, P.O. Box 581, Purcellville, VA 20134.
The Accessibility Summit 2005, presented by Access Ministry, McLean Bible Church will be held Friday, April 8-Saturday, April 9, in Tysons Corner. This 6th annual conference for the Washington, D.C.-area disability community brings together families and caregivers of those affected by disabilities, as well as faith-based organizations, professionals, community resource organizations and government agencies. Includes more than 36 sessions, 100 industry exhibitors and sponsors and inspirational Summit keynotes like coach Harold Jones and ÒRadio,Ó author Joel Sonnenberg and DOVE Award guest artist Ginny Owens Visit access.mcleanbible.org or contact Jan Sanders at 703-770-2938.
Alzheimer Caregivers Support Group meetings are held at 7 p.m., the second Monday of each month, at Galilee United Methodist Church, 45425 Winding Road, Sterling.
The Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization. Group provides free services including educational programs and lectures, brown-bag seminars, quarterly newsletters, and a 24-hour HOPEline. The HOPEline (703-461-9616 or 1-800-970-4411) is staffed by trained breast-cancer survivors who provide information and emotional support to callers. Call 703-461-9595 or visit www.y-menca.org for more information.
Safe Sitter Classes. Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Services and Reston Hospital Center for girls and boys ages 11-13 who are interested in babysitting. Call Broadlands Regional Medical Center at 703-858-3465 to register.
Senior Newsletter. The Loudoun Cooperative Extension is offering a newsletter for seniors, "As You Age." The research-based newsletter was created by professors at Virginia Tech in the fields of human development and nutrition, foods and exercise. For a free copy, contact Kalinda Santos or Beverly Samuel at 703-777-0373.
Compassionate Friends. A support group for parents who have lost a child meets the first Wednesday of the month at St. James Episcopal Church, Janney Parlor, 14 Cornwall St. N.W., Leesburg. For more information, call 703-724-7623 or e-mail iluvu2lauren@earthlink.net.
Sterling/Reston DRADA (Depression and Related Affective Disorders Association) Support Group meets first and third Tuesdays of each month, 7-9 p.m., in Reston. For more information and directions, call Ginny at 703-966-2510.
Loudoun Healthcare Inc.'s behavioral medicine program has changed its name to Loudoun Adult Medical Psychiatric Services (LAMPS) and has added 10 beds and two physicians. The 20-year-old program provides specialized evaluation and treatment for adults experiencing symptoms of psychiatric, emotional and/or neurological disorders. Visit www.loudounhealthcare.org.
Loudoun Community Free Clinic. Clinic needs volunteers for Wednesday and Thursday nights from 5:30-9 p.m. Needed are administrative, Spanish interpreters, physicians, nurses, lab tech and pharmacist volunteers. The nonprofit clinic provides acute, non-emergency quality health-care services to uninsured Loudoun County residents. Call Lyle Werner at 703-779-5412. E-mail info@loudounfreeclinic.org or visit www.loudounfreeclinic.org.
Domestic Violence Group for Women. A 10-week group for women previously or currently emotionally, verbally or physically abused is being offered by LAWS (Loudoun Abused Women's Shelter). Issues addressed will be the impact abuse has on children, why some people are abusive, evaluating healthy relationships and legal concerns. A children's group runs concurrently with the women's group. Call for more information at 703-777-6552.
Stroller Strides classes Ñ a fitness program for new mothers and other caregivers, incorporating the stroller and baby in an outdoor setting Ñ are now available in Leesburg. The 50-minute workouts include power walking and calisthenics. The classes are offered Mondays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m., and Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10 a.m., at Potomac Station Multi-Purpose Court, at the corner of Rivercreek Parkway and Potomac Station Drive. For more information, call Lisa Atkinson at 800-445-8748 or 703-771-7801 or e-mail latkinson@strollerstrides.net.
Tours of Birthing Inn. The Loudoun Hospital center is offering tours of the Birthing Inn on weekends and evenings. There is no charge for the tour, however registration is required. Registration may be done online at www.thebirthinginn.org or call 703-858-6360.
Asthma Auto Program. Program offered by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Maryland-Greater Washington, D.C., Chapter, is accepting donations of unwanted vehicles to raise money to fund educational programs, asthma care training, scholarships, research, and patient assistance for area residents. Call 800-727-9333.
Birth Mother's Support Group. Meets weekly in northern Virginia for any woman who has ever placed a child in adoption and would like to meet with others who have done the same. For more information call Pat Cunningham or Stephanie Hayden at Catholic Charities at 703-425-0100.
Foster Parents. To participate in the foster parent program, call Children's Services of Virginia at 703-331-0075 or visit www.childrensservicesofva.com for more information.
American Lung Association of Virginia. Organization offers an e-mail service to residents in areas affected by smog-unhealthy levels of ozone pollution, which includes the Northern Virginia-Metropolitan D.C. area. Subscribers will receive smog alerts the day before ozone pollution levels are predicted to be unhealthy. For more information on ozone pollution and to sign up for the Smog Alert, visit www.lungusa.org/virginia.
American Red Cross Classes. Classes include adult, child and infant CPR, first aid, baby-sitter training and more. Advance registration required and there is a fee. Call 703-777-7171. Visit www.redcross.org/va/loudounco.
Assisted Living. "Choosing an Assisted Living Facility: Considerations for Making the Right Decision," a booklet produced by the Consumer Consortium on Assisted Living (CCAL) in cooperation with the MetLife Mature Market Institute, can be ordered by calling 703-533-8121. Single copies are $10 each.
Reach to Recovery Program. The American Cancer Society offers free services to women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and had to undergo recent surgery. A trained volunteer who has survived breast cancer is available to talk with patients confidentially, provide helpful information and offer emotional support. A Reach "kit" is given to each patient, which includes a leisure bra, a soft prosthesis for mastectomy patients, exercise items and literature. Call 703-938-5550.