Send announcements, which are open to the public at no or minimal cost, 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 Matthew Razak at 703-917-6457. For additional listings, visit www.connectionnewspapers.com.
<cal1>Wednesday/Dec. 20
<cal2>Senior Movie. At the Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, 1:30 p.m. See Disney's animated movie "Cars." Rated G. Cost $2 and includes popcorn and soda. Call 703-430-2397.
Winter Concert. Dominion High School Choral Department presents it's winter concert, 7:30 p.m., in the school auditorium. Free.
<cal1>Thursday/Dec. 21
<cal2>White House Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the White House and Visitors Center. Lunch on own. Price $8 per member, $10 nonmembers and includes transportation and free tour. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
Mitten Madness. Ages 3-6. Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling, 10-11 a.m. Listen to story about a boy who lost his mittens and what happens when animals find them; search the woods for animals to fill own mittens. Adult must accompany children. Cost $4. Call 702-444-1275.
<cal1>Friday/Dec. 22
<cal2>Luncheon. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling, is holding a Christmas Eve luncheon, noon. Ham and turkey provided, participants asked to bring side dish to share. $2 for members, $4 nonmembers. Limited seating, call 703-430-2397 or tickets available beginning Dec. 9 at reception desk.
<cal1>Wednesday/Dec. 27
<cal2>White House Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the White House and Visitors Center. Lunch on own. Price $8 per member, $10 nonmembers and includes transportation and free tour. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
Bird Count. The National Audubon Society’s Annual Christmas Bird Count. North to Waterford, south to Aldie, east to Ashburn, and west to Purcellville and includes the Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, Morven Park, Ball’s Bluff and much of rural western Loudoun. Everyone is welcome, both beginners and expert birders, amateurs are teamed with experienced birders. Contact Joe Coleman at 540-554-2542 or jcoleman@loudounwildlife.org. A $5 fee for adult bird count participants, over age 18, helps offset the cost of preparing the database and it’s publication in the CBC issue of “American Birds.”
School's Out Movies. Watch "Curious George" at Cascades Library, 2 p.m., and take home some books about everyone's favorite monkey. Recommended for all ages. Call 703-444-3228, Ext. 309.
<cal1>Thursday/Dec. 28
<cal2>School's Out Movies. Watch "Cars" at Cascades Library, 2 p.m. and check out some car books. Recommended for all ages. Call 703-444-3228.
<cal1>Friday/Dec. 29
<cal2>Dance Party. New Year's Eve party and dance, Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling, 1-4 p.m. Cost $5 for members before Dec. 28; $7 for nonmembers and members at the door. Snacks and light refreshments served, transportation available through the RecTrac for additional $2. Music by disc jockey Sky Dantinne. Call 703-430-2397.
<cal1>Sunday/Dec. 31
<cal2>First Night. First Night Leesburg will have more than 100 performances at 20 indoor locations in downtown Leesburg, all within walking distance of one another. Includes jazz, classical music, puppet shows, bluegrass, folk music, magicians and much more. Concludes at midnight with a traditional Grand Illumination gathering on the courthouse green. Performances, 6-11:45 p.m., illumination, 11:45 p.m.-midnight. Ticket prices to be determined. Call 703-777-6306 or visit www.bluemont.org.
New Year's Eve Celebration. Lansdowne Resort, 44050 Woodridge Parkway, Leesburg. Includes deluxe accommodations, reception, dinner, dancing, midnight breakfast and breakfast or brunch the next morning. Cost is $525 per couple. Call 703-729-8400 or visit http://www.lansdowneresort.com.
<cal1>Thursday/Jan. 4
<cal2>Senior Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the Brewmaster's Castle and Woodrow Wilson House. Lunch on own around DuPont Circle. Price $18 per member, $20 nonmembers and includes transportation and admission. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
<cal1>Friday/Jan. 5
<cal2>Play Auditions. The Sterling Playmakers are holding auditions for the upcoming production of The Miracle Worker, 7 p.m., at Sterling Community Center, 120 Enterprise St. Call 703-430-9480.
Park Pals. Ages 2-4. 9:30-10:30 a.m. Discover the outdoors at Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling, with a grown-up friend. Look for tracks, listen for bird calls, look under logs, and more, while focusing on monthly themes. Theme: Winter Adventure. Cost $7 per child. Call 703-444-1275.
Toddler Treks. Ages 1-2. 11-11:45 a.m. Baby's on board at Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling, as they trek through the outdoors enjoying winter's frosty air. Join other parents and their little ones on a hike to discover birds, squirrels, trees, and more. Call 703-444-1275 to register. Cost $4 per adult.
<cal1>Saturday/Jan. 6
<cal2>Play Auditions. The Sterling Playmakers are holding auditions for the upcoming production of The Miracle Worker, 1 p.m., at Sterling Community Center, 120 Enterprise St. Call 703-430-9480.
Book Swap. Sterling Annex Community Center, 1115 W. Church Road, 10 a.m.-noon. Free. Trade books, books on tape, DVDs and VHS movies. Call 703-430-6673.
<cal1>Sunday/Jan. 7
<cal2>Pancake Breakfast. The monthly pancake breakfasts at your Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, Ashburn Road, Ashburn. Scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, hash browns, biscuits and gravy, juice and coffee. Adults $6, seniors $5 , children $4, under 3 free. Contact AVFRD 703-729-0006.
<cal1>Monday/Jan. 8
<cal2>Frosty Fun. Ages 3-5. 9:30-11 a.m. Discover the outdoors at Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling, when the weather's frosty. Play games explore winter weather and play in the snow, if available. Cost $10.50 per child. Call 703-444-1275.
<cal1>Tuesday/Jan. 9
<cal2>Frosty Fun. Ages 3-5. 9:30-11 a.m. Discover the outdoors at Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling, when the weather's frosty. Play games explore winter weather and play in the snow, if available. Cost $10.50 per child. Call 703-444-1275.
<cal1>Wednesday/Jan. 10
<cal2>Senior Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to see "Nunsense" at the Riverside Dinner Theatre, Frederickburg, Va. Price $55 per member, $57 nonmembers and includes transportation, show, lunch, tax and tip. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
<cal1>Thursday/Jan. 11
<cal2>Casino Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Charles Town, W.Va. Includes slots and simulcast horse racing. Lunch on own. Price $7 per member, $9 nonmembers and includes transportation and $5 cash back, subject to change. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
<cal1>Wednesday/Jan. 17
<cal2>Black Experience Luncheon. Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Learn about the Black Experience in Loudoun County at a luncheon that also pays tribute to black Americans. Sign up at the center or call Janet Brown, 703-430-2397, Ext. 103. Lunch donation suggested.
<cal1>Friday/Jan. 19
<cal2>Sports-Plex. Ages 5 and up. Sterling Community Center, 120 Enterprise St., 7-9 p.m. Watch sports-related movie. Includes pizza, soda and surprises. Cost $2. Call 703-430-9480.
Park Pals. Ages 2-4. 9:30-10:30 a.m. Discover the outdoors at Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling, with a grown-up friend. Look for tracks, listen for bird calls, look under logs, and more, while focusing on monthly themes. Theme: Nature Stories. Cost $7 per child. Call 703-444-1275.
<cal1Monday/Jan. 22
<cal2>Museums Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Washington, D.C., to visit Natural History, Gallery of Art, American Indian, Air and Space or African Art/Sackler/Freer museums. Lunch on own. Price $8 per member, $10 nonmembers and includes transportation and free admission to art museum. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
<cal1>Wednesday/Jan. 24
<cal2>Casino Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Charles Town, W.Va. Includes slots and simulcast horse racing. Lunch on own. Price $7 per member, $9 nonmembers and includes transportation and $5 cash back, subject to change. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
<cal1>Friday/Jan. 26
<cal2>Supreme Court Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the Supreme Court and Library of Congress. Lunch on own. Price $8 per member, $10 nonmembers and includes transportation and free admission. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
<cal1>Tuesday/Jan. 30
<cal2>Secret Auction. Annual secret auction at the Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, 2 p.m. Bid on wrapped items based on hints provided by the auctioneer. To donate new or like-new items, call Erik at 703-430-2397, Ext. 123.