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 Friday, 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 next monthly membership meeting of the Potomac Valley Shetland Sheepdog Club (PVSSC) will take place Monday, April 17, at 7:30 p.m., in the meeting room of the Dunn Loring Firehouse, 2148 Gallows Road, Dunn Loring. Free and open to the public.
Guest speaker, member and professional groomer, Daniela Anderson, will demonstrate the use of hydrosurge bath equipment. Time permitting, Anderson will also demonstrate some nail clipping techniques. Bring appropriate outdoor wear. Refreshments. Bring your dog and meet other Sheltie owners and breeders. Visit http://www.shetlandsheepdog.us.
Mothers First-Ashburn 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. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org. Upcoming meeting is April 25, 10:15 a.m., at the Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn.
MOMS Club of Ashburn Village Area, a nonprofit, nondenominational organization offering support to mothers and children, will be holding its next open meeting Monday, April 17. The group also covers Ashbrook, Regency, Cameron Chase, Belmont, and the Courts and Ridges. The group offers play groups, field trips, Moms' Night Out and much more. Prospective members and their children are always welcome. E-mail ashburnmomsclub@yahoo.com or visit http://www.geocities.com/ashburnmomsclub.
The MOMS Club of the Ashburn Farm Area welcomes all moms and their kindergarten-age or younger children to its spring dance party and open house. The club is a support group designed for the at-home mother; and provides a variety of activities for parent and children, including weekly events and play groups designed to encourage interaction with other moms and their children. The dance includes disc jockey food, beverages, a spring craft, dancing for the children and the moms. At the Mills Recreation Center, Grottoes Road, Ashburn, Wednesday, April 19, 3:30-5:30 p.m. Call or e-mail Theresa at 703-726-0033, e-mail membership_mcaf@yahoo.com or visit http://www.momsclub.org.
The Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, will hold an origami club for children ages 8-11, Friday, April 21, at 3:30 p.m. Explore the ancient art of paper folding. Advanced registration required, call 703-737-8105.
Mothers First-Leesburg 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. Upcoming meeting is April 18, at 10 a.m., at the Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org.
Mothers First-Sterling 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. Upcoming meeting is April 18, at 10 a.m., at the Eastern Loudoun Regional Library, 21030 Whitfield Place. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org.
Loudoun Horse Association will hold Equestrian Celebration 2006, a new and used tack and equipment auction, April 22, at Lucia Farm, Also includes vendor booths exhibiting products and information; riding, reining and driving demonstrations; door prizes. Gates open at 10:30 a.m., demonstrations begin at 1 a.m., tack auction begins at noon. Donations and consignment of tack and equipment will be accepted starting April 1 by Loudoun Horse Association at Lucia Farm. Contact Dru Lucia Roia 540-882-4421.
Proceeds to benefit the Loudoun Horse Association to further their mission to promote the benefits of horse ownership, networking, and fellowship to interested individuals. Visit loudounhorseassociation.org.
MOMS Club of Ashburn Village Area is holding an open house, Thursday, April 27, from 7-9 p.m., at the Bean Scene Cafe at 44260 Ice Rink Plaza, Suite 117, Ashburn.
The club is a nonprofit, nondenominational organization with chapters all over the world, and offers age-appropriate play groups, field trips, Moms' Night Out, volunteer opportunities and lots more. Visit the Web site at http://www.geocities.com/ashburnmomsclub or e-mail ashburnmomsclub@yahoo.com.
Guys Read, a book club for guys, ages 8 and up, at the Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, 7 p.m. Free copies of the books available at all participants who sign up. April 27, "How Angel Peterson Got His Name," by Gary Paulson. Advanced registration required, call 703-737-8105.
Nature Buddies, age 2, explore Claude Moore Park with adult buddies. Each session highlights a new seasonal theme, and all classes run Friday mornings, from 10-10:30 a.m., through June 2. The cost is $3.50 per child per class. Themes this spring include singing birds, colors of spring, jumping frogs, quack like a duck, water: drops, puddles and ponds, and butterflies. Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling. Call 703-444-1275.
Vestal's Gap Walking Club, for ages 18 and up, enjoy walking at a moderate pace with a lively group. Adults are welcome to walk with this club each Thursday; the club meets outside the Visitor Center and walks for approximately 60 minutes, depending on the route. Walkers with dogs on a leash are welcome. Must preregister. Walks are canceled if there is inclement weather. Free, runs through June 15, from 6-7 p.m. Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling. Call 703-444-1275.
Ashburn Classics seniors club gets together the second Saturday of each month at the Ashburn Library on Hay Road. Meetings begin at 10:30 a.m., with registration and offer a varied selection of guest speakers. Coffee and refreshments are available. Other events and trips are also offered throughout the year. The next seminar topic is "Disaster Prepardness" followed closely in May with the "Spring Fling Picnic." Call Pamela Halston, chairperson, 703-771-7041.
The "Happy Hookers," a knitting and crocheting group based out of the Loudoun County Senior Center at Cascades in Sterling, donated a record 344 hats, 252 afghans and numerous other warm hand made items to the less fortunate in 2005. This group uses its talents to make and deliver handmade items to premature and newborn babies, long-term care and dialysis patients and the homeless.
The group is currently seeking donations of yarn, crochet hooks and knitting needles. The group meets on Fridays. from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., at 21060 Whitfield Place, adjacent to the Cascades Library. Contact Debra Williams at 703-430-2397 or dwilliam@loudoun.gov.
School Community Coalitions (SCC) ÒCommunity Anti-Drug CoalitionsÓ are seeking anyone in the community that would like to participate in helping to reduce and prevent youth substance abuse. Youth are welcome. These coalitions are funded by a grant from the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration and the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. Local coalitions include:
* For the Sterling Area: S.E.L.F., Supporting Eastern Loudoun Families, meets the fourth Monday of month, 7:30-9 p.m., at the Cascades Library. Contact Tricia Anderson by e-mail triciaanderson@adelphia.net.
* For the Leesburg Area: L.U.C.Y., Leesburg Uniting Community & Youth, second Monday of month, 6:30-8:00 p.m., at Heritage High School. Contact Holly Chapple, chappy3132003@yahoo.com; Anna Lapedtoda, alopetoda@loudoun.k12.va.us or Linda Kinney, lmkinneylcsw@adelphia.net.
* For the Ashburn Area: K.E.Y.S., Keeping Every Youth Safe, fourth Tuesday of month, 7-8:30 p.m., at Broad Run High School Library. Contact Betsy Goodwin, mattandbetsyg@yahoo.com or Kate Trotter, kato152756@aol.com.
* For the Western Loudoun Area: C.O.P.E., Community Organization for Prevention Education, third Thursday of month, 7:30-9 p.m., at Loudoun Valley High School Library. Contact Rhonda Wells, bdwrww@aol.com; Sue Khalil, susankhalil@aol.com or the teen center manager, Philip@the-teen-center.com.
Eastern Loudoun Civil War Roundtable. Group meets at the Sterling Annex in Sterling the third Tuesday of every month, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Nonmembers are welcome. Call Steve Meserve at 703-404-0542.
Bond Between Us is a nonprofit organization dedicated to offering a support group to birth parents and their significant others. Call 703-771-7844.
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.
The Loudoun County Crime Solvers Committee is seeking new members from the community. The mission of Loudoun County Crime Solvers is to promote community participation by assisting local law-enforcement agencies in the apprehension and convictions of criminals through a system of cash rewards. LCCS allows those with knowledge of a crime who want to remain anonymous to call a dedicated local phone number, 703-777-1919. Contact the Public Information Office for the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office at 703-771-5278.
The Loudoun Family Child Care Coalition. LFCCC meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. The LFCCC's goal is to provide support for child-care providers by raising awareness of the experience of quality home-based family child care through advocacy, training and education. In cooperation with Child Nutrition Inc. and Loudoun County Social Services, LFCCC covers the Leesburg, Sterling, Ashburn and neighboring communities. Call 703-715-6656.
Mothers & More of the Dulles Area, a national support network for mothers who have altered their career paths to care for their children at home, has a monthly meeting from 7-9 p.m., every second Wednesday at the Cascades Library. Visitors are welcome.
American Legion. The Ashburn American Legion Post meets every second Thursday of the month at Wingler House located on Gloucester Boulevard in Ashburn Village. All veterans of past periods of hostilities are welcome to attend these meetings and participate in the Post activities. Call 703-858-0066.
MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) at Capital Community Church provides mothers with the support they need through resources and relationships. The group meets the second and fourth Friday of each month, from 9:30-11:30 a.m., at Capital Community Church in Ashburn Village. Child care is provided. Call 703-404-3977 or 703-430-9398.
Loudoun Toastmasters, a nonprofit public speaking group dedicated to helping people communicate better, meets the first and third Thursdays of each month at the National Conference Center in Lansdowne. Visit www.geocities.com/loudountm.
Bible Study Groups. Every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m., and the first and third Wednesday, at 10 a.m., Loudoun County Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling.
Sterling Chapter of the DAR. New membership welcome. Call 703-620-2279 or e-mail tward@mmiconnect.com.
Equality Loudoun, community and advocacy for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people and allies. Social events, issues advocacy, outreach and education to build a Loudoun community with respect for all. Write to Equality Loudoun, P.O. Box 251, Leesburg, VA 21078. Call 703-431-0882 or visit www.equalityloudoun.org.
Countryside Quilters meets at 7:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of the month, at the Community Lutheran Church, 21014 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls, Speakers, workshops, charity projects, sit and sew with friends. All levels welcome. Call Leanne, 703-304-6721.
Loudoun Photography Club meets on first and third Tuesdays of each month, September through May. First Tuesday meetings are speakers. Third Tuesday meetings are competitions. Visitors are always welcome at meetings and club events. Visit the Web site www.loudounphoto.org, e-mail loudounphotoclub@cox.net, or call 703-725-2931.
La Leche League meetings emphasize the joys of breast feeding while informing and encouraging mothers who wish to nurse their babies. Meeting discussions include the latest medical research as well as mothers' personal experiences. LLL of Sterling meets on the third Friday of each month at 10:15 a.m. Mothers with their nursing babies and mothers-to-be are welcome. For directions to the meetings or for more information, call Christine 703-404-0121, Meg 703-467-8341 or Becky 571-323-4845.
Sterling Singles. A metro-area social club for singles over 21 welcomes prospective members to their monthly mixers held every third Wednesday at Luciano's Restaurant in Herndon at 6:30 p.m. Call 703-444-5534 or visit www.sterlingsingles.org.
Ashburn Toastmasters would like to welcome those interested in developing communication, leadership and presentation skills to its meetings on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at the Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. The meetings begin at 7 p.m. Contact Kelly Nutwell at Kelly_Nutwell@hotmail.com or call 703-729-0450.
Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn, will be holding the Virginia Young Readers Book Club, 7 p.m., each month for elementary-school level, grades third-fifth, children. Includes reading one-two books each month, games and refreshments. Parents encouraged to join children in reading the selections. A limited number of free copies of each selection are available at the library for participants. Register in advance by calling 703-737-8105.
The Sterling Silvers meet every Tuesday, at 11:30 a.m., and is open to all seniors. Includes lunch Ñ order lunch or bring own Ñ short business meeting and a program. Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling, 703-430-2397.
Mocha Moms Inc. is a support network for stay-at-home mothers of color. Meetings are every first, third and fifth Wednesday, between 10 a.m.-noon, at the Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston. Visit www.restonmochamoms.org. All are welcome.
The book discussion group at Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling, meets the third Tuesday of each month at 12:30 p.m. Call 703-430-2397 for the monthly book selections.
The Virginia Young Readers Primary Book Club meets at the Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, at 7 p.m. Each month read and discuss different books from the Virginia Young Readers Primary selection. Includes an activity or craft related to the book. For children in grades kindergarten-second; home schoolers welcome. Advanced registration required, call 703-737-8105.
Non-fiction Book Club for ages 6-10, at Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. This monthÕs book, ÒTop Secret: A Handbook of Codes, Ciphers and Secret Writing,Ó by Paul B. Janeczko. Includes a slide show. Advanced registration required by Feb. 21, call 703-444-3228, Ext. 309.
Ashburn-Sterling Masonic Lodge No. 288, A.F. & A.M., meets the second Tuesday of each month, at 7:15 p.m., at the Lodge, 43881 Waxpool Road in Ashburn. All non-Masons are welcome to attend the program. Call Charles Maranto at 703-868-7896.
Are you a Virginia 4-H All Star? The Loudoun County 4-H program is trying to contact past All Star recipients who now live in Loudoun County. Contact the Loudoun County Extension Office at 703-777-0373 or by e-mail at kred@vt.edu.
The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace hosts a Lunch Bunch the first Friday of each month at a local restaurant. A minimum of six people is required for each outing. The bus leaves the center, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling, at 11:30 a.m. and returns by 1:30 p.m. Call 703-430-2397 to sign up.
At the CountrySide Women's Club's will resume meetings is September. The club is open to all women in CountrySide and the surrounding area; and meets at the Parkway Meeting Room in CountrySide, Algonkian Parkway. Call the president, Teresa Bettac, at 703-444-3035.