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.
Ceramics, Thursday, July 6, from 10:30 a.m.-noon, Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Cost $21 for members, $22 for nonmembers. 703-430-2397.
The Loudoun Cooperative Extension is offering a Virginia gardener short course, which will run throughout the year as a series of sessions in July 10, July 24, and Aug. 7; Oct. 30 and Nov. 6. The course will be held at the Extension Office, 30 B Catoctin Circle, S.E., Leesburg, from 6-8 p.m., on those dates.
Participants can choose to attend one session or all eight. Cost is $10 per session or $65 to register to attend all eight sessions. Those who complete all eight sessions will receive a certificate of completion at the closing of the short course in November. A registration flyer can be downloaded from the Loudoun County Extension Web site http://www.loudoun.gov/services/agri.htm or it is also available at local libraries. Call or e-mail the Master Gardener Volunteer Helpline Office and ask to have a registration flyer mailed, 703-771-5150, Ext. 107mg@vt.edu.
KidzArt preschool at the Douglass Community Center, 407 East Market St., Leesburg, for ages 3.5-5. Children are guided through an easy to follow curriculum by a certified instructor who introduces them to the "language" of art. Classes are Tuesdays and Thursday, 9 a.m.-noon, July 11 and July 13; July 18 and July 20; and July 25 and July 27, cost is $98 for each two-day class.
To register, contact the Douglass Community Center at 703-771-5913 or e-mail dcc@loudoun.gov.
Photo editing class at the Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling, Tuesday, July 11, 1-5 p.m. $29 for members, $30 for nonmembers for one session. Call 703-430-2397.
Gentle yoga, Tuesdays, July 11-Sept. 26, from 6:30-7:45 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Cost $103.50 for members, $115.50 for nonmembers for 12 classes. Open to anyone 18 years old or older. 703-430-2397.
Teen yoga with instructor Patricia Pao. Ages 12-18. Tuesday, July 11, noon, Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling, 703-444-3228; Wednesday, July 12, 12:30 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, 703-737-8100; and Tuesday, July 18, 2 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., 703-430-9500. Advanced registration required.
In July, Laney Oxman will teach Pate de Verre (Paste of Glass) in which adult students will create small, colorful glass sculptures. This session of six classes will be held Tuesday and Thursday evenings, July 11-27. Cost is $140, plus $25 for supplies.
The artist will teach Terrific Tiles to children who will decorate clay tiles using drawings, under glazing and collage. These sessions will be held the week of Aug. 14-18. Cost is $160, plus $15 for supplies. Contact the Loudoun Academy of the Arts at 703-777-8043, Gallery 222 at 703-777-5498 or www.loudounacademy.org.
Manga workshop with Manga artist Austell Callwood. Ages 12-18. Wednesday, July 12, 2 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling, 703-444-3228; Thursday, Aug. 10, 2 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, 703-737-8100. Advanced registration required.
Introduction to computers, Thursday, July 13, 9 a.m.-noon, at the Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. $21 for members, $22 nonmembers for one session. Call 703-430-2397.
KidzArt elementary at the Douglass Community Center, 407 East Market St., Leesburg, for grades first-third. Builds self-confidence and develops creative thinking and problem solving skills. Kidzart recognizes and welcomes individual style and creates a noncompetitive environment. Classes are Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays, 9 a.m.-noon, July 17-21; July 24-28; cost is $135 for each three-day class.
To register, contact the Douglass Community Center at 703-771-5913 or e-mail dcc@loudoun.gov.
Abrakadoodle-Doodlers for ages 6-13 years, at the Douglass Center, 407 E. Market St., Leesburg. Designed to ignite the imagination, foster creativity and develop new skills with paints, water colors, pastels and other materials. Each session is $30, plus $8 supply fee payable to instructor at first class. Sessions are July 18-20; and Aug. 8-10, 1:30-2:15 p.m. Call 703-771-5913.
Abrakadoodle-Twoosy Doodlers for ages 20 months-3 years, at the Douglass Center, 407 E. Market St., Leesburg. Use paints, textures, papers, glue and modeling compounds in developmentally-appropriate lessons. Each session is $30, plus $8 supply fee payable to instructor at first class. Sessions are July 18-20; and Aug. 8-10, 12:30-1:15 p.m. Call 703-771-5913.
Learn the Art of Mendhi with instructor Vanita Khandpur. Ages 12-18. Wednesday, July 19, noon, Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield lace, Sterling, 703-444-3228; 4 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, 703-737-8100. Advanced registration required.
Internet class at the Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling, Thursday, July 20, from 9 a.m.-noon. $21 for members, $22 for nonmembers for one session. Call 703-430-2397.
Aurora Studio Theatre Inc. will hold basic improvisation classes, Thursdays, through July 20, 7:30-9 p.m. Learn about the art of improvisation and practice proven techniques for refining skills on-the-fly. Co-taught by Phil Erickson, co-founder of the former Wise Guys Inc. Comedy Auction Team and Penny Hauffe. Cost $100 per student, $90 if postmarked by May 21. Visit www.aurorastudiotheatre.org to register or call 540-668-6779.
Aurora Studio Theatre is a 501(c)3 organization created to foster, encourage and develop new opportunities for actors at the high-school level and above, provide new avenues of work for playwrights, directors and producers, and entertain as well as educate the community through a commitment to excellence in the theatrical and literary arts.
The Loudoun Literacy Council provides English tutoring to adults living and working in the county. Times and locations are flexible. Registration will be Monday, July 24, at 7 p.m., at the Council building, 71 Lawson Road, S.E., Leesburg. A registration fee of $10 is required. E-mail kfetzer@loudounliteracy.org or info@loudounliteracy.org or call 703-777-2205.
Windows XP class, Thursday, July 27, from 9 a.m.-noon, Senior Center at Cascades marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Cost $21 for members, $22 nonmembers for one session. Call 703-430-2397.
The Loudoun Sheriff's Office will be holding the 25th Women's Self-Defense Workshop Tuesday, Aug. 15.
The class is open to all female residents of Loudoun County over the age of 13. Participants will be taught basic self-defense techniques through instruction, demonstration and actual practice of the methods taught.
The Loudoun County Victim Witness Program will have staff present to provide information regarding available services for women who are victims of violence.
From 7-10 p.m., at the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy, 45299 Research Place, Ashburn. Free.
Wear gym style clothing and athletic shoes. Contact Audra Vogel to register at 571-258-3049.
The Banshee Reeks Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalist Program. to become a certified master naturalist, begins in the fall. The program, a 12-week course, covers topics in Virginia biogeography, ornithology, ecology, botany, management and conservation and interpretive skills. Cost $200 and includes all books and materials. Open to anyone 18 years or older as of Sept. 1. Orientation Thursday, Aug. 29. Visit virginiamasternaturalist.org or e-mail bansheereeks@starpower.net.
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.