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.
On Feb. 2, the Junior Woman's Club of Loudoun will be collecting new and gently worn formal dresses for its 4th annual Fairy Tale Closet event. Drop off items at Fitness First in Leesburg. Visit www.jwcl.org.
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. Upcoming selections include: Feb. 2, "Grover G. Graham and Me," by Mary Quattlebaum; March 2, "Fame and Glory in Freedom, Georgia," by Barbara O'Connor; and April 6, "Hana's Suitcase," by Karen Levine and "Boxes for Katie," by Candance Fleming. Register in advance by calling 703-737-8105.
The Northern Virginia Writers will kick off its 2006
First Friday series, "Getting Your Manuscript Into
Shape," with an interactive workshop, Friday, Feb. 3, 7:30-9:30 p.m., Leesburg Town Hall, 25 W. Market St., Leesburg.
Open to all who have an interest in writing, from the
beginner to the seasoned professional of every genre.
Program is followed by refreshments and networking.
The cost is $4 for members of The Writer's Center and
Leesburg residents, $6 for the general public. To
register in advance, visit www.writer.org/events. Contact nvw@writer.org or call 301-654-8664.
NOVA TownHall is hosting a lecture/discussion meeting on "America's Border Security Crisis Is Right In Your Backyard." Speaker: Erin Anderson, national security expert and lecturer on the illegal immigration and terrorist threat along the U.S.-Mexican border. Feb. 7, 7-8:45 p.m., at the Eastern Loudoun Regional Library, Meeting Room B, 21030 Whitfield
Place, Sterling. Call 703-505-9294 or visit www.novatownhall.com. Sponsored by NOVA TownHall, Herndon-Sterling Chapter.
The Leesburg novatownhall.com and loudountaxpayer.com meeting is Tuesday, Feb. 7, 7 p.m., with speaker Mick Staton, Loudoun GOP Senate nominee. Topics include Loudoun's budget, illegal immigration. The meeting will be at Leesburg Airport, third floor. Contact Charlie Markert, 540-338-1255.
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. February's meetings are Feb. 7 and 21, 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. February's meetings are Feb. 7 and 21, at 10:30 a.m., at the Eastern Loudoun Regional Library, 21030 Whitfield Place. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org.
The MOMS Club of the Ashburn Farm area is a support group for at-home moms. It provides a variety of activities for moms and their children, including weekly events and play groups designed to encourage interaction with other moms and their children. The next meeting is Wednesday, Feb. 8, from 4-5:30 p.m., at the Ashburn Village: Mills Recreation Center, 43895 Grottoes Drive, Ashburn. Includes Valentines crafts, games and lots of goodie. Call or e-mail Theresa at 703-726-0033 or tm_luby@yahoo.com. Visit http://www.momsclub.org/welcome.html.
Ashburn Classics a club for 50-somethings who are Òyoung at heart.Ó The monthly meetings take place on the second Saturday of each month, usually at the Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, at 10:30 a.m. Includes guest speakers, events and trips to places of interest within our local
area. The annual Valentines Tea Party is Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Embassy Suites on Waxpool Road, Ashburn. Includes afternoon tea with entertainment by the "I Gotta Dance" ladies dance group. The event is 1:30-4 p.m. and includes a
raffle. Cost is $25 per person. Reservations and payments by Feb. 3. Contact Pamela Halston, chairperson, at 703-771-7041 or Peggy Chapman on 703-723-3056.
The Preservation Society of Loudoun County will hold its annual Valentine membership reception Sunday, Feb. 12, from 3-5 p.m., at the historic Glenfiddich House, 205 N. King St., Leesburg. All are welcome. Annual dues are $15/individual, $25/family and $5/student. Contact Lori Kimball, president, 703-669-2506.
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. February's meetings are Feb. 14 and 28, at 10:15 a.m., at the Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org.
MOMS Club of Ashburn Village Area, a nonprofit, nondenominational organization offering support to mothers and children holds meetings on the third Monday of each month. The group offers play groups, field trips, Moms' Night Out and more. New members always welcome. The next meeting is Tuesday, Feb. 21. E-mail ashburnmomsclub@yahoo.com or visit http://www.geocities.com/ashburnmomsclub.
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. The next meeting is Feb. 21. Advanced registration required, call 703-737-8105.
Non-fiction Book Club for ages 6-10, at Eastern Loudoun Regional Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling. This monthÕs book, ÒTop Secret: A Handbook of Codes, Ciphers and Secret Writing,Ó by Paul B. Janeczko. Includes a slide show. Next meeting Monday, Feb. 27, 4 p.m. Advanced registration required by Feb. 21, call 703-444-3228, Ext. 309.
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.
Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, will play host to a monthly origami club for ages 8-11, Fridays, 3:30 p.m. Explore the ancient art of paper folding at the library. Advanced registration required, call 703-737-8105.
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 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.
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 Eastern Loudoun Regional 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 Eastern Regional Loudoun 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.
Ashburn-Sterling Masonic Lodge No. 288, A.F. & A.M., meets the second Tuesday of each month, at 7:30 p.m., at the Lodge on Waxpool Road, Ashburn. All non-Masons are welcome to attend the program.
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 breastfeeding 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.
The Lunch Bunch at the Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling, meets the first Friday of each month. The bus leaves the senior center at 11:15 a.m. and returns 1:30 p.m. This month's lunch will be Nov. 4 at O'Faolains Irish Pub and Restaurant in Sterling. 703-430-2397.
The book discussion club at the Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling, meets the third Tuesday of each month at noon. The November selection is "Witness," by Karen Hesse.
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.