<cal1>Thursday/Jan. 5
<cal2>The MOMS Club is sponsoring an evening of information for parents exploring preschool placement for their children at 7 p.m. A panel of representatives from several preschools will present information about their schools. General information about how to select the right preschool for your child will also be provided. Most preschools are enrolling now for fall placements. Free and open to the public. To be held at the Centreville Library, Meeting Room 1.
<cal1>Saturday/Jan. 7
<cal2>Lanes Mill, the Centreville based chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, will hold its monthly meeting at 1 p.m. at the Centreville Regional Library. The program will discuss Chapter Achievement and Junior Membership. Prospective members are welcome to attend. Contact Regent Van Lee at van_leeatcomcast.net.
The DC Big Flea Market is at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Admission is $7 for both Saturday and Sunday.
<cal1>Sunday/Jan. 8
<cal2>Do birds fly, fish swim and bees pollinate? ... not if the environment is ruined. If environmental issues are on your mind, then attend the next meeting of the Democratic Women of Clifton on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2006, from 3-5 p.m. at the Clifton Community Hall, 12641 Chapel Road, Clifton. Speakers will address local and national environmental issues and lead discussions. All Democratic women of Northern Virginia are invited to attend and membership in the Democratic Women of Clifton is open to all interested Democratic women. Contact Cliftonwomendems@aol.com.
The DC Big Flea Market is at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Admission is $7 for both Saturday and Sunday.
<cal1>Monday/Jan. 9
<cal2>New Moms Lunch. Mothers and babies newborn to 8 months old, come for lunch, speakers, discussions and fun — a different program every week. Bring a friend or come alone. Meet other new moms and babies in the Northern Virginia area. Group meets every Monday from 11:45 a.m.-2 p.m. at Il Lupo Italian Restaurant, 4069 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax. Cost is $20, or a four-lunch series for $75. Reservations are required. Call Rochelle Goldberg at 703-273-5593 or e-mail eventbuilders@hotmail.com.
Upcoming events are:
* Monday, Jan. 9 — “Sign language for baby”
* Monday, Jan. 16 — “Kindermusik”
<cal1>Tuesday/Jan. 10
<cal2>"Entrepeneurship 1-1: Starting a Business in Fairfax County" seminars will continue in 2006 with nine dates for the upcoming year. 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 scheduled 2006 dates are: Jan. 10, Feb. 7, March 7, April 4, May 2, June 6, Sept. 12, Oct. 3 and Nov. 7.
The FCEDA promotes Fairfax County as a business and technology center. The FCEDA assists businesses by identifying possible sites and facilities, and is a source for up-to-date demographic and economic information.
<cal1>Saturday/Jan. 14
<cal2>The Northern Virginia Gamers (“NOVAG”) game club is hosting its Winter Game Day on Saturday, from 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. at Game Parlor, a retail game store located in Woodbridge. This event will feature numerous historical miniature games depicting battles from the Napoleonic Wars to World War II, and the public is invited to observe and participate. There is no admission fee to participate, and beginners are welcomed. This is a great opportunity for people to learn a bit about history, see some beautiful and artistic terrain battlefield layouts, and try their hand at commanding an army. No reservations are necessary.
<cal1>Wednesday/Jan. 18
<cal2>The next general meeting of The Northern Virginia Artists League will be held at the Sully Station Police/Government Center located on Stonecroft Boulevard on Wednesday, Jan. 18 from 7-9 p.m. To learn more about the Northern Virginia Artists League, see the Web site at NOVALArt.com or call Lorrie Herman at 703-263-9667.
<cal1>Friday/Jan. 20
<cal2>2nd Flight Productions Theatre Company presents "Noises Off" at the Cramer Center Theater located at 9008 Center St. in Manassas. The play is about the frenetic on- and off-stage high-jinx of a second-rate British touring company. The story follows the acting troupe's progress from dress rehearsal to a ruinous closing night performance of a mediocre comedy, "Noises On." The performances will be on Friday, Jan. 20 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 21 at 8 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 22 at 2 p.m.; Friday, Jan. 27 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 28 at 8 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 29 at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door the night of the performance or on-line at http://www.2ndflightproductions.com Tickets are $12 for Friday and Saturday performances and $10 for Sunday matinees. Call 703-927-5438.
<cal1>Wednesday/Jan. 25
<cal2>Luncheon and Program at International Country Club. The New Neighbors League Club (NNLC) will enjoy a speaking program by David L. Eno, a member of the Titanic Historical Society, who has researched the RMS, Titanic and mystery ship for over 20 years. Cost of the luncheon is $25 per person. A social hour begins at 11 a.m. with lunch at noon. Reservation checks must be received no later than Jan. 18. The International Country Club is located in Fairfax. Call 703-453-6116.
<cal1>Thursday/Jan. 26
<cal2>A documentary art exhibit is coming to the George Mason University Fine Arts Gallery located in the George W. Johnson Center from Jan. 23-27. The art exhibit will be on display in the GMU Fine Arts Gallery 222 from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. each day. In addition, on Thursday Jan. 26 from 7-9 p.m. a presentation will be made by the head of the Chi Heng Foundation (CHF) about the Chinese orphans that created the exhibit.
The exhibit is entitled "Living Dreams in a Dying Village" and it dramatizes the plight of orphans in central China whose parents have died of AIDS from selling blood.
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. As of Jan. 12, 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 infoatfancycats.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 ErikaKLataol.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 staffatcasafairfax.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 centreviewatconnectionnewspapers.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.