<cal1>Thursday/March 16
<cal2>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 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.
<cal1>Friday/March 17
<cal2>St. Baldrick's Day at Fast Eddie's: Local residents can have a lot of laughs while helping raise money toward a childhood-cancer cure by participating in the St. Baldrick's Day event in Centreville. It's this Friday, March 17, at 6:30 p.m. at Fast Eddie's in the Newgate Shopping Center. It's a laugh-filled twist on St. Patrick's Day because participants promise to have their heads shaved and then collect money from people who want to see them do it.
Nearly two dozen people have volunteered to be "shavees" — including Supervisor Michael R. Frey (R-Sully); Capt. Bill Gulsby, former commander of the Sully District Police Station; and Westfield High Principal Mike Campbell — who'll dye his hair green, beforehand. Even Cub Run Elementary fourth-grader Kate Ratliff, 9 1/2, will have her waist-long, curly blond hair shorn for charity. She's doing it in honor of her uncle Dave — a 1982 Chantilly High grad — who died of lung cancer last summer at age 40.
The Center for the Arts' Rooftop Productions presents "The Glass Menagerie" on Fridays and Saturdays, March 17-April 1 at 8 p.m. at the Kellar Theater in the Candy Factory. This well-known drama by playwright Tennessee Williams follows Amanda Wingfield and her two children as they struggle through relationships of illusion and deceit. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students or seniors 62-plus. Call 703-330-ARTS.
Horse Extravaganza at Dulles Expo Center. Ride a Quarter Horse, paint a Breyer Horse, get tips from a Gold Medal Olympic equestrian, win a custom-made saddle and find out what your pet is thinking from an animal psychic. All this and more at the third annual Equine Event East, March 17-19 at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly. There will be demonstrations and free clinics by some of the horse world's biggest stars: Cleve Wells, Clinton Anderson and Olympic riders Karen and David O' Conner. Admission is $12 for adults; $8 for children (children under 6 are free). Tickets for Pony Clubbers and 4-H members are half price ($4). Show hours: Friday 12–8 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Contact: Janice at 1-877-HORSEVA or go to www.blueribbonshows.com.
<cal1>Saturday/March 18
<cal2>An off-leash dog park will open in Centreville this Saturday, March 18, at 11 a.m. It's at 15150 Ole Lee Road, 1/8 mile north of the intersection of Old Lee and Braddock roads. There are separate areas for large and small dogs, and the fenced-in area offers benches, doggie-bag dispensers and an information kiosk. The Fairfax County Park Authority built the park, and the nonprofit CentrevilleDogs organization will run the it.
<cal1>Tuesday/March 21
<cal2>Fairfax Station Railroad Museum will hold its annual meeting at 7:30 p.m., followed by Rex Becker presenting "Tracing the Steps of the Lewis & Clark Expedition." It's at the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum, 11200 Fairfax Station Road. Call 703-425-9225.
<cal1>Thursday/March 23
<cal2>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 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.
<cal1>March 24-25
<cal2>The Accessibility Summit 2006, presented by Access Ministry, McLean Bible Church, will be March 24-25 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.
Fair Oaks Mall blooms into a festive spring wonderland complete with the Easter Bunny and a three-dimensional Central Park Display, March 25 through April 15. Meet the Easter Bunny from 10 a.m. - 8:30 p.m., Monday - Saturday and Sundays 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. In the Fountain Court, 11750, Fair Oaks, Fairfax.
<cal1>Saturday/March 25
<cal2>St. Timothy School in Chantilly is hosting its third annual Spring Craft Fair from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Spring, Easter and Mother's Day gifts will be available from more than 50 crafters, as well as coffee, lunch and baked goods. Call Karen Yee at 703-803-0460 or see www.saintimothyschool.org.
<cal1>Monday/March 27
<cal2>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 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.
<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, across from Fair Oaks Mall. 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.
<cal1>Saturday/April 1
<cal2>The Lanes Mill Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Centreville Chapter, will hold its monthly meeting at 1 p.m. at the Centreville Regional Library. The chapter will celebrate its 9th birthday and its Junior American Citizens group program will be featured. Prospective members are welcome to attend. Contact Regent Van Lee at van_lee@comcast.net.
<cal1>Saturday/April 8
<cal2>Broadway Gallery, at 12231 Fair Lakes Promenade Drive in Fairfax, will hold an opening reception for "Stepping into Spring," a group show, from 5-8 p.m. Focusing on a collection of new floral works by a variety of local artists, this show is free and the public is welcome.
<cal1>Sunday/April 9
<cal2>St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church will hold a used-bike collection from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The public is asked to donate no-longer-wanted bicycles for shipment to nonprofit, community-development programs overseas. Donated bicycles are refurbished and distributed to low-income workers and students in need of affordable transport, helping them become more productive through their own efforts.
Bikes for the World relies on volunteers to compact and ship bicycles. However, a tax-deductible $10/bike donation is requested to defray a portion of the costs. BFW will provide receipts for tax purposes. Visit www.bikesfortheworld.org or call 703-525-0931.
<cal1>April 13-16
<cal2>The Mid-Atlantic Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. (AKA) — the nation’s oldest Greek-letter organization for African-American women — is hosting its 53rd Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference in Crystal City, April 13 –16 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City Hotel. More than 1,800 women from North Carolina and Virginia along with national guests will participate in leadership training and workshops. Call Shannon Marshall Chairman at 804-502-9390. Visit the Web site at www.mid-atlanticaka.com.
<cal1>Thursday-Friday/April 20-21
<cal2>The Alliance Theatre and Centreville Boosters present Summer Stars 2006 in "The Wizard of Oz." The Alliance Theatre, a western Fairfax community theater organization, offers a program called Summer Stars. It provides adults, children and entire families the opportunity to learn and experience the techniques, discipline and creativity of acting in a live, stage performance.
All who enroll in Summer Stars will be given a part. Auditions for this year's play are Thursday-Friday, April 20-21, at 6:30 p.m. Children ages 7 and up, and adults, are needed. Call backs are Saturday, April 22, at 10 a.m. Auditions are at Chantilly High. A one-minute vocal selection from a musical or another choice is suggested. Call Lynn Broadbent at 703-830-5647.
<cal1>Saturday/April 22
<cal2>Basic Pistol Shooting Class. Learn about all types of pistols in a safe, responsible and fun way at the Basic Pistol Shooting class offered at National Rifle Association headquarters, 8 a.m.-7 p.m., in Fairfax. This 10-hour class focuses on safety, operation, maintenance, purchasing, storage and shooting of different types of pistols.
Range Safety test, range fees, and a range card are included, plus use of a pistol, eye and ear protection and ammunition. Certificate awarded for completion of the course may be used to apply for a Virginia concealed handgun permit. Cost is $125. E-mail: jamselle@nrahq.org or call 703-267-1567.
<cal1>April 23 to June 18
<cal2>The Family Zone is held on Sundays, from April 23 - June 18, from 9:30-10:10 a.m., at Centreville Elementary. It will offer local parents the opportunity to learn hands-on, how to teach their 4- to 9-year-old children about right and wrong. Call 703-502-1732.
<cal1>Sunday/April 23
<cal2>The Spring Fling in the Little Rocky Run community (formerly the Spring Egg Hunt) has attracted 200-250 families from the community. This year’s event is at noon at Recreation Center No. 3, located at 13900 Stonefield Drive. It's a free event for Little Rocky Run families and includes free hot dogs, beverages and snacks, a visit from the spring bunny, egg hunts, moonbounce, face-painting and more. See www.littlerockyrunhoa.org.
Here are details about Vpstart Crow's new and improved 2006 theater season:
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.
<cal1>Saturday/May 20
<cal2>Community Yard Sale. More than 100 Little Rocky Run residents will participate an annual community yard sale. Community maps available on the Web site (after May 15) including a guide to what people are selling and general directions. Go to www.littlerockyrunhoa.org.
While the INOVA Fair Oaks Hospital Auxiliary is always in need of volunteers to assist with various functions in the hospital, our current need is especially acute in the Thrift Shop at Fairfax Circle. Our Thrift Shop needs volunteers who can sort and price merchandise, stock shelves, process sales, and assist customers in various ways. Call 703-391-3659 for information regarding the next orientation for volunteers.
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 them 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.
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.