<cal1>Friday/Feb. 17
<cal2>Swing dance with Soultones of Swing. Dances held at the solarium at the Dulles Hilton in Herndon (located on the corner of Route 28 and McLearen Road). Dance includes a beginner class from 8:30-9 p.m. The band plays three sets between 9 p.m. - midnight. Cost is $13 per person. Visit www.gottaswing.com or call 703-359-9882.
<cal1>Sunday/Feb. 19
<cal2>The Fairfax County Animal Shelter will host a special President’s Day Weekend Adoption Event from noon to 4 p.m. Residents of Fairfax County, and other local jurisdictions, will be able to meet homeless animals from the Northern Virginia area as well as dogs and puppies recently rescued from the Gulf Coast.
Fairfax County Animal Control Officers and an adoption counselor returned from Gulfport, Miss., on Saturday, Feb. 4 with dogs and puppies that had been left homeless after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita last summer. The dogs and puppies were all placed in foster homes for a short adjustment period after first being seen by a local veterinarian. They will make their debut at the Fairfax Shelter on Feb. 19.
<cal1>Tuesday/Feb. 21
<cal2>The next meeting of the Sully District Police Station's Citizens' Advisory Committee is at 7:30 p.m. It will be in the Sully District Governmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd., in Chantilly. Discussed will be Fairfax County's 2007 fiscal budget as it pertains to public safety. Supervisors Michael R. Frey (R-Sully) and Elaine McConnell (R-Springfield) will present their positions on the public-safety budget proposals. They'll also take questions from the community on this subject.
<cal1>Thursday-Sunday/Feb. 23-26
<cal2>The Dulles Expo Center will host the Capital Home & Garden Show, Thursday-Sunday, Feb. 23-26. Hours are Thursday, 5-9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Attendees may enjoy more than 600 exhibits of the latest products and services and will also be able to obtain expert advice from professionals in home improvements, decorating and garden projects.
Mothers First – Chantilly/Centreville 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. 23 from 10:15-11:30 a.m. at the Centreville Regional Library, 14200 Saint Germain Drive. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org.
<cal1>Saturday/Feb. 25
<cal2>Performances at noon and 2 p.m. with Virginia historian and interpreter Carson Hudson in a “show and tell” program about banjos and bones at Sully Historic Site. The origins and evolution of the banjo are highlighted. Cost is $7 adults, $5 children/seniors. Prepaid reservations are required by Feb. 17. Call 703-437-1794. Sully Historic Site is located on Route 28 in Chantilly.
<cal1>Friday/Feb. 24
<cal2>Omega Psi Phi Hosts Talent Hunt at Herndon High School. The Omicron Kappa Kappa Chapter (OKK) of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., will present its Talent Hunt Program at 7 p.m. in the Herndon High School Auditorium, 700 Bennett Street, Herndon. OKK is inviting talented high school students in the Northern Virginia area to compete for cash prizes and the opportunity to compete in the District and National Talent Hunt Programs. The first-place winner will receive $600 cash and will represent the OKK Chapter in the District Talent Hunt Program held in Norfolk. Second place receives $300 and the third place contestant will receive $150. Talent Hunt categories are Dance, Music, Poetry, Instrumental, Oratorical and Dramatic Art. Group acts may participate but are not eligible for prizes.
<cal1>Sunday/Feb. 26
<cal2>Shagun Weddings presents the Shagun Bridal Expo from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Westfields Marriott 14750 Conference Center Drive, Chantilly. Free admission and parking, free food and cake sampling. With fashion shows and entertainment. Call Manju Mehta at 571-277-7912 or creativemanju@yahoo.com. www.shagunweddings.com.
<cal1>Saturday/March 1
<cal2>The Naomi Project is having its training session for volunteers from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Falls Church Presbyterian Church, 225 E. Broad Street, Falls Church. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.
The Naomi Project is a free, confidential, interfaith program sponsored by the Virginia Council of Churches which needs volunteers who will be trained to serve as mentors to disadvantaged pregnant women and new mothers. Contact Pilar Jones at 703-860-2633 or naomiproject@hotmail.com, or visit www.naomiproject.org.
<cal1>Saturday/March 4
<cal2>Movie Premiere. The premiere of the film "The Battle of Chantilly" is at 10 p.m. at the Cinema Arts Theatre in the Fair City Mall, Fairfax, at the intersection of Main Street and Pickett Road.
This is the premiere of independent film produced by Bert Morgan and Charles V. Mauro, author of "The Battle of Chantilly (Ox Hill), A Monumental Storm." Visit www.cinemaartstheatre.com, or call 703-978-6853. Admission is $5.
<cal1>Sunday/March 5
<cal2>Vpstart Crow Productions will hold auditions for William Shakespeare's "The Comedy Of Errors" from 6-9 p.m. at The Cramer Center, 9008 Center St. in Old Town Manassas. Callbacks, if necessary, will be Tuesday, March 7, from 7-9 p.m. The production will run April 28 - May 14, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. at The Cramer Center. No appointments are necessary. Prepare a 90-second Shakespearean monologue. Callbacks will consist of cold readings from the script, which can be found online at http://wwwtech.mit.edu/Shakespeare/comedy_errors/index.html. All roles are open and paid.
First Steps Shotgun Shooting Class. Learn how to shoot a shotgun the safe, responsible and fun way at the First Steps Shotgun Shooting class offered at National Rifle Association headquarters at 9 a.m. in Fairfax. This four-hour class focuses on safety, operation, mantenance, and shooting of a standard pump action shotgun. A coached round of Trap clay-bird shooting is included as well as use of a shotgun, eye and ear protection and ammunition. Certificate awarded for completion of the course which can be used to apply for a Virginia concealed handgun permit. Adults and children 12 and above welcome. Cost is $75. Email: jamselle@nrahq.org or call 703-267-1567.
<cal1>Monday/March 6
<cal2>Vpstart Crow Productions will hold auditions for William Shakespeare's "The Comedy of Errors" from 7-9 p.m. at The Cramer Center, located at 9008 Center St. in Old Town Manassas. Callbacks, if necessary, will be Tuesday, March 7, from 7-9 p.m. The production will run April 28 - May 14, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. at The Cramer Center. No appointments are necessary. Prepare a 90-second Shakespearean monologue. Callbacks will consist of cold readings from the script, which can be found online at http://wwwtech.mit.edu/Shakespeare/comedy_errors/index.html. All roles are open and paid
<cal1>Tuesday/March 7
<cal2>"Entrepreneurship 1-1: Starting a Business in Fairfax County" seminars will continue in 2006. The Fairfax Economic Development Authority conducts the workshop for individuals interested in beginning a business in Fairfax County.
The workshops are held on the first Tuesday of each month at FCEDA headquarters, 8300 Boone Boulevard, Suite 4550, Vienna. Sessions begin at 8 a.m. with refreshments and networking. Sessions are free but pre-registration is required. Interested participants can register on the FCEDA's Web site at www. FairfaxCountyEDA.org. The dates are: March 7, April 4, May 2, June 6, Sept. 12, Oct. 3 and Nov. 7.
<cal1>Thursday/March 9
<cal2>Donald Emsberger author of "Paddy Owens' Regulars: A History of the 69th Irish Volunteers" will present and sign his book at 7:30 p.m. at the Centreville Regional Library, 14200 St. Germain Drive, Centreville. Free. Call 703-830-2223.
<cal1>Saturday/March 11
<cal2>Children’s Consignment Sale. From 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. From noon to 1 p.m., some items are 50 percent off. At the Christ United Methodist Church, 8285 Glen Eagles Lane, Fairfax Station. Call 703-690-3501. www.christchurchva.org
Huge sale with 200-plus consignors. Items for sale include quality children’s clothing, toys, games, books, videos and DVDs, shoes, infant items, maternity and more. Great bargains. Due to space limitations, no strollers are allowed in the building during sale.
<cal1>Monday/March 13
<cal2>The National Capital Region Chapter of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association is holding its 15th Annual Job Fair from 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. It will be at the Northern Virginia Center, 7054 Haycock Road, Falls Church and adjacent to the West Falls Church-VT/UVA Metro Station. All job seekers are welcome and must be in professional attire. Visit www.ncrhokies.org or contact Marvin Boyd at jobfair@ncrhokies.org.
<cal1>Friday/March 31
<cal2>The Fairfax County Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary will present its 26th annual fashion show, luncheon and silent auction at the Waterford at Fair Oaks, 12025 Lee Jackson Highway, Fairfax. Fashions will be presented by Talbots of Fair Oaks. Reservation deadline is March 17. Call Pauline Mitchell at 703-533-8739, Sylvia Laiti at 703-830-8849 or Meg McLane at 703-750-3568.
Wild Birds Unlimited of Chantilly, a business that brings people and nature together by offering expert advice and products for backyard birdfeeding and nature appreciation, invites residents to participate in the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society Great Backyard Bird Count. The Great Backyard Bird Count is the first count that invites individuals, families, schools and organizations to count birds at birdfeeders and in backyards, local parks or other outdoor locations, and then report the findings online through the BirdSource Web site at http://birdsource.cornell.edu/gbbc. Wild Birds Unlimited is a major sponsor of the Great Backyard Bird Count that will take place until Feb. 20 at 13950 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway in Chantilly. Visit the Web site at www.wbu.com/chantilly.
The League of Women Voters will discuss the politics of fear at its March unit meetings in Fairfax and Prince William counties. The League anticipates wide-ranging discussions that will consider fear as a motivator in all aspects of contemporary life – from the selection of cleaning products to the vote for the U.S. president.
The organization’s unit meetings will be held during the second week of March at 16 locations throughout Fairfax and Prince William counties. The League’s meetings are free and guests are welcome; no registration is required. Persons interested in attending any of the meetings can call the League at 703-658-9150 for the location of the meeting most convenient for them, or visit its web site at www.lwv-fairfax.org.
Mothers First – Chantilly/Centreville 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. March's meetings are March 2, March 16 and March 23 from 10:15 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at the Centreville Regional Library, 14200 Saint Germain Dr. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org.
New Moms Lunch. Mothers and babies newborn to eight months old, join in for lunch, speakers, discussions and fun — a different program every week! Bring a friend or come alone — a great way to meet other new moms and babies in the Northern Virginia area. Babies age newborn to 8 months old are welcome. Upcoming events:
* Monday, March 6 — “Financial planning — saving for the future,” Jennifer Fletcher, Certified Financial Planner;
* Monday, March 13 — “Nutrition,” The Women’s Club;
* Monday, March 20 — “Getting Organized,” Misha Keefe;
* Monday, March 27 — “Stroller Strides — Keeping in shape after having a baby,” Tabatha Mitchell, Stroller Strides;
Reservations are required for all luncheons, which run from 11:45 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Il Lupo Italian Restaurant, 4069 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax. Individual luncheon $20; 4-lunch series $75 (good for any 4 lunches). Call Rochelle Goldberg at 703-273-5593 or email: eventbuilders@hotmail.com. Check out www.event-builders.com.
Here are details about Vpstart Crow's new and improved 2006 theater season:
Feb. 24 - March 12 — "Julius Caesar";
April 28 - May 14 — "The Comedy of Errors";
July 14-30 — "Anne of the Thousand Days";
Oct. 6-22 — "The Seagull";
Dec. 1-17 — A Christmas Carol".
All performances take place at The Cramer Center, a restored church-turned-theatre, at 9008 Center St. in Old Town Manassas, on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students, seniors, and City of Manassas or Prince William County employees. Tickets are available through www.tickets.com or at the door (subject to availability) 30 minutes prior to performances. Reservations can be made by contacting Vpstart Crow at 703-365-0240 or vpstartcrow@comcast.net. Visit www.vpstartcrow.com.
The Accessibility Summit 2006, presented by Access Ministry, McLean Bible Church, will be held Friday, March 24-Saturday, March 25, 2006 in Tysons Corner. This seventh-annual conference for the disability community brings together persons with disabilities, families and caregivers, churches, government agencies and community organizations. With 25 new dynamic sessions, an exhibit hall hosting nearly 100 industry exhibitors and sponsors, and inspirational Summit keynotes like Joni Eareckson Tada, founder of Joni and Friends, Gene Stallings, former football coaching legend, and this year’s special guest, Gracie Rosenberger. Visit www.AccessibilitySummit.org or call 703-770-2938.
The Fairfax Meals on Wheels (MOW) group needs a volunteer to serve as Treasurer. This leadership position is responsible for the finances of the MOW group, including a monthly report to the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging. Volunteers are needed to deliver meals (Monday through Friday) to senior adults in the following areas: Annandale, Baileys Crossroads, Falls Church, Manchester Lakes, Centreville/Chantilly, Fairfax, Tysons, Herndon/Reston and Little River Glen. The job involves picking up meals at specified sites between 10:30 a.m. and noon, and delivering the meals to seniors by 1 p.m. Volunteer drivers can choose to deliver meals on a daily, weekly, biweekly, monthly or substitute basis. Call the Fairfax AAA Volunteer Intake Line at 703-324-5406 or E-mail melanie.mitchell@fairfaxcounty.gov
Through the end of April discover the African American presence at Sully Historic Site where tours will focus on the work of the enslaved community. Built in 1794, Sully was the home of Richard Bland Lee, Northern Virginia’s first congressman and uncle of Robert E. Lee. Without the work of 30 slaves, the fashionable lifestyle of the Lee family would not have been possible.
Tours of the house are given daily except Tuesdays from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. in February and 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. beginning March 1. The cost is $5 for adults, $4 for students and $3 for children and seniors. Call 703-437-1794.
Volunteers are needed for day and evening hours to work one-to-one with adult learners in public libraries or adult learning centers. Additional opportunities are available working with adolescents in alternative school settings. The Volunteer Learning Program (VLP) trains tutors, assesses learners, and provides materials with follow-up support. VLP is a joint community project of the Fairfax County Public Schools (Adult & Community Education), Fairfax County's Juvenile Court, and the Fairfax County Public Library. Call 703-246-2139 or e-mail VLP@fcps.edu.
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. and noon at the Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston. www.restonmochamoms.org. All are welcome.
The Northern Virginia Artists League (NOVALArt.com) is a local group of artists and photographers who meet every month for an "Art Outing" and general meeting. The group meets monthly to encourage each other, critique each other's work, and share ideas for marketing the art. There are monthly art outings for plain air painting or photography. All medias, watercolor, acrylic, oil, colored pencil, photography, etc., are welcome.
The Centreville chapter of Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) Club is moving. The club will meet Thursday evenings at the Centreville Presbyterian Church 15040 Lee Highway, Centreville. TOPS is a non-profit, non-commercial weight loss support group open to anyone 7 years of age and older. At $20 per year, this is an affordable, supportive program for weight loss and weight maintenance. Weigh-in is from 6:15-7 p.m. with the meeting starting at 7:10 p.m. Call Susan at 703-392-7937 or visit www.tops.org.
Fancy Cats Rescue Team adoption event on the first and third Saturdays and every Sunday of the month from 12-4 p.m. at the PetsMart, Fair Lakes. Cats and kittens need a loving home. Choose from a wide variety of loving cats. Visit the Web site a www.fancycats.org. E-mail to info@fancycats.org.
Starlight Starbright has teamed up with Starbucks across the country to collect books and toys to give to children in need. Centreville Starbucks, 5623 Stone Road, is kicking off the 2005 toy drive with a bang and goal of being the Starbucks with the most toys. They are challenging the community to donate a bicycle per week and the local Starbucks will match it. Call 703-502-4845.
Mothers & More is a support organization for women who have altered their career path to care for their young children at home. General Meetings are held the third Wednesday of each month in Braddock Hall at the Kings Park Library, Burke at 7:30 p.m. The group offers children's and family activities, guest speakers, book club, mom's night out, movie night, chat group and much more. Call (toll free) 866-716-7766 or visit the Web site www.novamoms.org.
Mighty Mondays with Mr. Knick Knack. Come sing, dance, and have loads fun each Monday with Mr. Knick Knack from 10-11 a.m. The event will be indoors all this month at the Clifton Town Meeting Hall, 12641 Chapel Road. Open to all ages.
Wednesdays with Noodles & Noggins Fun Club from 10 to 11 a.m. at Clifton Town Meeting Hall, 12641 Chapel Road. A new theme each week. Listen to a story, make a craft, sing songs, dance, and have fun. Suggest contribution per child. Reservations requested. Call 703-815-8600.
Thumpin' Thursdays with Mister Don from 4 to 5 p.m. Sing, play, and get the wiggles out before dinnertime. For all ages. Suggested contribution per child. Clifton Town Meeting Hall, 12641 Chapel Road.
The Meals on Wheels program is in need of volunteers to deliver meals to clients in the areas of Chantilly/Centreville. The job involves picking up meals at specified sites between 10:30 a.m.-noon and ensuring that the meals are delivered to the clients, usually by 1 p.m. Drivers can choose to deliver meals weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or to substitute as needed. Call the Volunteer Intake Hotline at 703-324-5406, TTY 703-449-1186.
A Mindfulness Meditation Class will be held every Sunday from 7-8 p.m. at the Fairfax Sun and Moon Yoga Studio, 9998 Main St., Fairfax. Free. Contact ErikaKL@aol.com or call 703-864-2807.
Northern Virginia Bookcrossing Meetup. These book lovers like to keep their books busy by reading, releasing and tracking their books' adventures with others locally, nationally and internationally. Fun book challenges, hunt for books "in the wild" and more. Share books and be part of a unique group with a different angle on book loving. Visit bookcrossing.meetup.com/72/.
Fairfax Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is recruiting community-minded citizens from diverse backgrounds to volunteer as advocates for children whose families have been cited for abuse and neglect by the Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. The role of a CASA is to investigate a child's situation and to advocate for what is in the best interest of the child in court. All CASA volunteers undergo training to prepare them for this role, and no prior experience in child welfare is required. To learn more about this volunteer opportunity and upcoming orientation and training dates, visit www.casafairfax.org or contact CASA's development and recruitment associate at 703-273-3526 or staff@casafairfax.org.
Red Hat Society. A chapter of the Red Hat Society is now in Centreville. Women age 50 and up wear red hats and purple outfits and kick up their heels. Meetings are the last Wednesday of every month at 11 a.m. in the Sully Senior Center, 5690 Sully Road (inside Centreville Presbyterian Church, off Route 28 south, near the I-66 west exit). All area seniors are welcome to join or visit. Call Mary Doerman at 703-968-7889, Scotti Brennan at 703-378-5206, or Sully Senior Center Director Carma Ryan at 703-322-4475.
<lst>To have community events listed in Centre View, mail to 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to centreview@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Photos, especially color, are encouraged. Deadline is one week before publication. Call Steve Hibbard at 703-917-6434 with any questions.