<i>Send announcements to the Reston Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, send an e-mail to reston@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is Thursday 5 p.m. for the following week's paper. Photos/artwork encouraged. Call Meghan Williams at 703-917-6407 with questions. This free listing is reserved for activities and events that are open to the public at no or minimal cost.</i>
Voce Chamber Singers, a 20-member mixed choral ensemble, announces auditions for its 2005-2006 concert series. There are openings in all voice parts and all soloists are selected from within the ensemble.
Under the direction of Kenneth Nafziger, Voce will present in its 16th subscription season: Daniel Pinkham’s Christmas Cantata with organ and brass ensemble in December; choral settings of dance music including Brahm’s Liebeslieder Waltzes in March; and a semi-staged presentation of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Trial by Jury as well as PDQ Bach’s Liebeslieder Polkas in May.
Voce rehearses on Monday evenings, September-May, in Vienna and performs in Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. Auditions will be scheduled by appointment. To schedule an audition, leave a message at 703-277-7772 or send an e-mail to VoceVA@hotmail.com. Visit Voce’s Web site at www.voce.org.
The Reston Raiders Hockey Club, a youth ice hockey club for boys and girls, has several openings in its initiation and house recreation programs for the upcoming season, which starts in October. For more information, contact the Raiders by telephone at 703-319-0000, by e-mail at info@restonraiders.com or visit http://www.restonraiders.com.
The local League of Women Voters will discuss the issue of gang problems and prevention at its October unit meetings. The meetings will examine the extent of the gang presence in the Fairfax area, discuss who joins gangs and why, and review the three-pronged approach being taken by Fairfax County officials: suppression, intervention and prevention. The group will also discuss how parents can recognize and prevent gang involvement. The organization's unit meetings will be held during the early part of October at 16 locations throughout Fairfax and Prince William counties. The evening meeting in Reston will be Oct. 5, at 7:30 p.m. at the Reston Museum on Washington Plaza at Lake Anne. The League's meetings are free and guests are welcome; no registration is required. Call 703-658-9150 or visit www.lwv-fairfax.org. The background study to be used for the discussion will be available on the Web site Oct. 1.
Mothers First Reston-Herndon is dedicated to supporting women who have chosen to alter their careers to raise their children at home. Activities include parent/child morning meetings and field trips, moms' nights out, and lectures. October's meetings are Oct. 5 and 12 at 10 a.m. at the Herndon Fortnightly Library, 768 Center Street, Herndon. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org.
MOMS Club of Reston offers playgroups, outings, community service projects, and much more. Meetings held the second Wednesday of every month, 10 a.m. Children welcome. Please call or e-mail for location. 1-800-520-0818, ext. 1524, MomsClubofReston@onebox.com. The Reston chapter is open to residents of zip codes 20190, 20191, 20194.
Greater Reston Newcomers and Neighbors Club. Meet neighbors and make new friends. Share favorite activities — reading discussion groups, bridge, fine dining, sight-seeing, needle craft and more. Women from Northern Virginia are welcome to join whether new to the community or seeking more social fun and connections. Meetings are the third Tuesday of each month. Call Chris at 703-729-3720 or visit www.member.cox.net/fhopwood/GRNCC.
The Yarn Yarn Sisterhood, an informal knitting group in the Herndon/Reston area, has begun its fall meetings. The group is free and meets the second and fourth Tuesday every month, 7-9 p.m., at the First Baptist Church of Herndon, room 200 in the education wing. The meetings are informal gatherings of people who love to knit and crochet. While it is not a class, there are always members ready to help those who want to learn and free yarn for beginners to use. The group has charity activities for those interested and there will be an opportunity in October for members to sell their projects at the First Baptist Church flea market. This is a great time to start holiday gifts, learn a new craft or just meet some fun people. All skill levels and ages are welcome. No dues, no fees, no committees, no pressure — just come and enjoy. Contact Linda Soller at drsoller@excite.com.
The French Club. Group meets the first, third and fifth Wednesday of each month at Reston Community Center at Hunter Woods, at 6 p.m., and on the second and fourth Wednesdays at La Madeleine French Café and Bakery. Call Marie at 703-620-0645 or Joan at 703-715-2692.
Birth Mothers Support Group meets weekly in Northern Virginia. It is for any woman who has ever placed a child in adoption and would like to meet with others who have done the same. The group is led by a licensed clinical social worker and a national certified counselor. Call Pat Cunningham or Stephanie Hayden at Catholic Charities at 703-425-0100. There is a modest fee based upon income.
Orphan Foundation of America is a Reston-based organization that provides scholarships and offers mentors to parentless teens leaving foster care. Passionate individuals are needed to work on tasks including reviewing student and mentor applications, contacting applicants by mail, phone or e-mail, making files, etc. Volunteers are also needed to help with development by researching foundations and organizations, preparing solicitation packets and other tasks. Call 571-203-0270 or e-mail help@orphan.org.
Overeaters Anonymous has meetings every day throughout Northern Virginia. Call 703-823-NOVA (6682) or visit www.oanova.org.
The Junior Chamber International is an organization of young professionals who focus on providing individual development while contributing meaningful help to the community. Contact Chad W. Davis at 703-850-8886 or chad@chaddaviscpa.com.
Bookends, the Reston Community Center's senior book group, meets every fourth Thursday, from 12:30-2 p.m., at the Reston Community Center, Hunters Woods to discuss a variety of books. Drinks and cookies are provided at no charge. Participants should bring a bag lunch. Books are on reserve at the Information Desk of the Reston Regional Library. This free activity is intended for adults age 55 or older. Call 703-476-4500.
The Girl Scout Council. Group needs volunteers to serve as troop leaders, help with cookie sales, plan special events, translate and conduct training for outdoor and other activities. Call 1-800-523-7898 or visit www.gscnc.org/gscnc/vol.htm.
New Social Networking Group. Join other Northern Virginia young professionals for "Suburban Nights" at eCitie in Tysons Corner. Visit www.suburbannights.com.
The Reston Garden Club. Founded in 1970, the club welcomes Reston-area gardeners to join. The club meets monthly September-June. The organization offers speakers, demonstrations, workshops, area trips and community beautification projects. The group also has an annual fund-raising activity in order to be able to donate money for nature camp scholarships and wildflower plantings in Reston. Call Terry Carter at 703-620-9392 or Ann DiGiannantonio at 703-437-7644.
La Leche League of Herndon/Reston meets twice per month to offer support to breastfeeding mothers. La Leche League offers a lending library with books on breastfeeding, childbirth, parenting and nutrition, leaders accredited by La Leche League International and 24-hour telephone help. Call Jennifer 703-708-9866, Karen 703-435-1429 or Amaarah 703-435-3044.
Reston/Herndon Branch of AAUW. The American Association of University Women meets the third Thursday of the month at Lake Anne Community Center at 7 p.m. Programs include speakers that deal with women's issues. Interest groups include book discussions (fourth Thursday of each month); gourmet group (four times a year); and tutor mentoring at Forest Edge Elementary School (Tuesdays at 3:15 p.m.). Call Judy Helmich 703-758-0361 or Suzanne Cook 703-860-4303 or visit http://www.aauwofva.org/branches/reston.htm.
Reston Philosophy Club. Read and discuss works of philosophy. Meets at 7:30 p.m. the second and fourth Mondays of each month at the Reston Community Center, Hunters Woods. Call Mitchell Kato at 703-471-4157 or e-mail mkato@gmu.edu.
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at Washington Plaza Baptist Church, Lake Anne Village Center, Reston. Free. Call 301-439-3524 or visit www.pflag.org for more information.
Herndon Woman's Club. Group is affiliated with the General Federation of Women's Clubs, and is a volunteer organization which meets regularly in support of such charities as Operation Smile, Canine Companions, the county Women's Abuse Shelter, and local school libraries. For more information, visit www.gfwc.org. Call Angela Williams at 703-430-6404.
The Folk Club of Reston-Herndon meets Tuesdays, at the Tortilla Factory, 648 Elden St., Herndon, at 7:30 p.m. Sixty percent of membership is performers. Smoke-free environment where members support each other and promote folk music. Open mics three meetings of the month; performances on the fourth. Call Sue Schier at 703-435-2402.
Dulles Business Connection. The Dulles Business Connection is a networking group that meets every Friday at 7:30 a.m. at the Silver Diner Restaurant in Reston. Visitors are welcome. Contact Bob Gifford, chairman, at 703-827-6558 or 703-863-9640.
League of Reston Artists. Open to all Washington, D.C.- area artists, photographers and individuals interested in the arts. Workshops, classes, speakers, demonstrations, exhibitions and critiques. Write to P.O. Box 2513, Reston, VA 20195-2513, call 703-481-7898 or visit www.leagueofrestonartists.org.
Reston Sketch Group. Meets Thursday nights, at Reston Regional Library, from 6:45-8:45 p.m., with a draped model. There is a model fee. Call Joan at 703-715-2692.
Bookcrossing Meetup, meet other local Northern Virginia BookCrossers monthly to discuss good books and the best places to leave and find books "in the wild." Visit http://bookcrossing.meetup.com/72/.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving sponsors groups for injured victims and for relatives and friends of those who have been killed in drunk driving crashes. Call 703-978-3025.
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. Northern Virginia Epilepsy Group, support group for adults diagnosed with seizure disorders and caregivers, meets every Wednesday, from 7-8 p.m., at Falls Church
High School, Room 100, 7521 Jaguar Trail, Falls Church.
Mothers & More. A support group for mothers who have altered their career paths to care for their children at home. General meetings are held on the first Thursday of every month, at 7:30 p.m., at the Fairfax County Government Center. Admission is free, and visitors are welcome. Call, toll free, 866-716-7766.
MOMS Club of Reston offers play groups, outings, community service projects, and much more. Meetings held the second Wednesday of every month at 10 a.m. Children welcome. Call or e-mail for location. 1-800-520-0818, Ext. 1524, MomsClubofReston@onebox.com. The Reston chapter is open to residents of zip codes 20190, 20191 and 20194.
Mothers Against Unjust Law meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month, at 7 p.m., in the library of McLean Baptist Church, 1367 Chain Bridge Road, McLean. Women experiencing difficult litigation, legal abuse, parental alienation or custody evaluations call 703-748-0072. Free.
The League of Women Voters. Group meets during the second week of most months at two locations in Reston for review and discussion of a wide range of public issues at all governmental levels. The evening group meets on the second Wednesday, at the Reston Museum at Lake Anne Plaza, beginning at 7:30 p.m.; and the day group meets at various locations in Reston, call 476-6426 or 471-6364, on the second Thursday, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Meetings are free, guests are welcome and no registration is required. The League is a nonpartisan organization that encourages citizens to play an informed and active role in government. Call 703-658-9150 or visit www.lwv-fairfax.org.
Boy Scouts. Reston Boy Scout Troop 1970 is one of several troops in the area. Monthly weekend activities include camping and focuses on a specific activity such as rafting, canoeing, fishing, back packing, hiking, biking, caving and bouldering. A high level of parent participation in the troop is a strong factor in its success. Meetings are weekly on Mondays, 7:30-8:45 p.m., which prospective scouts and their parents are invited to attend after contacting the scoutmaster at russ.housley@verizon.net. Visit www.troop1970.org.