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.
StrollerFit, Exercise With Your Baby. Grand opening event Friday, Feb. 24, at the Dulles Sportsplex, 21610 Atlantic Blvd., Sterling. Come try out the class and stay after for some food, fun and prizes. Try a week for free. Contact Kathy at 571-274-8833 or visit www.strollerfit.com/sterling.
The Loudoun Academy of the Arts is offering the following workshops:
* Sumi-e Painting with Nellie Chao, Feb. 25 and 26, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., $130 includes all supplies.
* The Figure and Still Life with Dodi Petro, March 11 and 12, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days, $225 plus $40 model fee.
* Introduction to Glassblowing, two-day weekend workshops, $230 includes supplies.
The Loudoun Academy of the Arts is a 501c3 organization that offers fine art instruction, gallery exhibition space and studios for working artists. Visit www.loudounacademy.org or call 703-777-8043.
The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, Sterling, is offering an Internet class Thursday, Feb. 23, from 9:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Cost $21 for members, $22 for nonmembers. 21060 Whitfield Place. call 703-430-2397.
Crop Till You Drop Saturday, Feb. 25, from 8 a.m.-8 p.m., at the Leesburg Senior Center. Consultants will be on hand to help motivate and offer advice. Participants will learn how to use stamps, punches and other tools of the trade. $30 fee includes individual table and light snacks. Box lunch from Tuck In CafŽ is available for $7. Fee does not include any scrap booking materials.
All proceeds of the event will benefit the Douglass Community Center Advisory Board, which helps support the activities and programs of the Douglass Community Center and need-based scholarships to students in the daycare and preschool programs.
To register, contact the Douglass Community Center at dcc@loudoun.gov or 703-771-5913.
The Sterling Annex, 22084 Shaw Road, is offering adult sign language classes. Sign Language 1 will run Mondays, Feb. 27-April 17. Sign Language 2 runs from Tuesdays, Feb. 28- April 18. Both classes are from 7-8:30 p.m. Participants required to bring the book "The Joy of Signing" to class. Cost foe either course is $84 for the eight sessions. Preregistration required, call 703-430-6673.
The second annual Forum for Rural Innovation will be held Friday, March 10, at the Best Western Lee-Jackson Motor Inn & Conference Center in Winchester, Va. The purpose of the forum is to showcase replicable innovative ideas, projects or programs that enhance farm or rural business profitability, conserve farm land and natural resources or develop new approaches to rural prosperity that are viable in an expensive farmland-upscale consumer environment.
The forum will feature a series of presentations, with an emphasis on farming for high-profitability by using innovative and sound business approaches particularly suited to the Mid-Atlantic region. In addition, exhibits by agricultural suppliers, businesses and support agencies will be featured the entire day. Area agricultural businesses are encouraged to participate with exhibits and displays.
A registration fee of $35 per person will include the forum program, morning refreshments and buffet lunch. Registration information is available online at www.LoudounFarms.org or by calling 703-777-0426. Preregistration by March 3 is required.
The forum is a cooperative educational effort by the offices of Cooperative Extension and Agricultural Economic Development in Loudoun, Fauquier, Clarke and Frederick counties of Virginia and Jefferson and Berkeley counties, West Virginia and the Potomac Headwaters RC&D.
Free Latin dance class Monday, March 6, from 7-8 p.m., at the Douglass Community Center. Participants must be 14 years of age or older and no partner is required.
Preregistration is required, call the Douglass Community Center at 703-771-5913.
The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling, is offering a ceramics class, Tuesday, March 7, from 10:30 a.m.-noon; Wednesday, April 5, from 1-3 p.m.; and Thursday, May 4, from 10:30 a.m.-noon. Cost $21 fro members and $22 for nonmembers per session. Call 703-430-2397.
The Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, is offering music classes for children 0-18 months to 3 years. Classes will be held Thursdays, staring at 9:45 a.m. and the fee is $120 for 12 weeks. Call 703-430-6673 or 703-297-2627 or visit www.kamstonkidsmusic.com for registration details.
Lunch Bunch Afternoons are being offered by the Sterling Annex, 22084 Shaw Road, featuring crafts, outdoor and indoor play and lunch for children. Bring bag lunch, no microwaveable or refrigerated foods. Classes follow the Loudoun County Public Schools' schedule and meet Wednesdays and Fridays, from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Drop in fee $5 per hour. Call 703-430-6673.
On every first and third Tuesday of the month at 9 a.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., offers ESL basic computer skills needed for Internet, e-mail and word processing. Recommended for speakers of English as a second language. Limit 10 students per session. Register by calling 703-430-9500 V/TYY.
Prenatal Education. Loudoun Hospital, 44045 Riverside Parkway, Leesburg, presents workshops for expectant parents. Admission is free, but registration is required. Call 703-779-2694.
English classes Thursdays, from 7-9 p.m., at Purcellville Baptist Church. Five different leveled classes offered, including one for au pairs. One time $15 registration/book fee. Free child care and homework assistance for older children. Two days a week of English instruction offered for beginners class. Walk-ins welcome. For more information, leave your name and number at 540-338-6400.
Yoga for a Special Child, Thursdays, from 4-4:30 p.m. $5 per child or donation to UCP fund. Anahata Center for Yoga & Wellness, 112 South St., S.E., Leesburg. Call to register, 703-771-0006 or www.experienceanahatayoga.com.
'Handwriting without Tears.' The Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, Sterling, offers classes for children ages 4-6 to help them focus on the beginning techniques for handwriting in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Call 703-430-6673.
Tiny Tots Classes for Twos. Katydid Inc. at Ashburn Ice House. Activities, songs, crafts for 2- to 3-year-olds and their parents. Weekly themes. Choose Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, at 9:30 a.m. or 10:45 a.m. Call 703-481-9444 or e-mail KTdidInc@aol.com.
English as a Second Language classes for adults are offered by Hogar Hispano of Catholic Charities in Falls Church, Reston and Sterling. Cost is $40 for seven weeks of classes. Call 703-534-9805 Ext. 222. Se habla espanol.
Free English as a Second Language courses will be held every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 7:30-9 p.m. ESL courses are located 22066 Circle Drive, Sterling, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
The Growing Stage Theatre Company. Classes and workshops for all ages. Visit www.growingstage.org, or call 540-338-5367.
The firm of Rachel L. Virk Attorney and Counselor at Law/Certified Mediator holds free monthly informational seminars on family law every second Saturday of the month, 9-11:30 a.m., 21135 Whitfield Place, Suite 207, Sterling. Learn about non-adversarial confidential dispute resolution and how to craft detailed solutions to remain in control or learn about rights to offset costly contested litigation. Call 703-444-3355. Visit www.virk-law.com.
A Better Way to Fitness LLC offers a new, total-body fitness program designed to get moms and dads fit and toddlers play. Dance 'N Play classes will be offered at Douglass Community Center Thursdays, at 9:30 a.m., classes will last
approximately 45 minutes and include cardio segments done to children's music with intervals of strength training, using resistance tubing and the environment. Register by contacting Douglass Community Center at 703-771-5913. Classes cost $10 per session and are charged on a monthly
basis.
Wacky Wednesdays, for children aged 3-6, at the Sterling Community Center, from 9:30 a.m.-noon. Includes crafts, sports, story time, yoga, and more. The cost of the program is $50 for four Wednesdays. To register, call the Sterling Community Center at 703-430-9480.
Wendy Lane, flutist, will offer a flute class for beginners at her Sterling music studio, Mondays, from 7-8 p.m. for the remainder of the summer. No charge. E-mail Blane4@verizon.net or 703-404-3103. Instruments may be provided by the teacher. Beginners only but other lessons are given privately.