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. For additional ongoing events listings, visit our Web site at www.connectionnewspapers.com.
The new edition of "Inside Loudoun County" features segments on fire and life safety education and the issue of affordable housing. "Inside Loudoun County" is a 30-minute cable television program airing Mondays and Fridays, at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., on Adelphia's Government Channel 2. The show is hosted by Nancy McCormick of the Loudoun County Office of Public Information and is produced by Adelphia. The show is also available for viewing through the Loudoun County Web cast system on the county government Web site at www.loudoun.gov/webcast.
The third One Book-One Community will begin Tuesday, Oct. 3. The 2006 selection is "The Giver" by Lois Lowry. Copies of the book are available to the community at all branches of the Loudoun County Public Library.
Loudoun County Public Library's One Book-One Community promotes a culture of reading and discussion by bringing the community together around one important book. Library book discussions of "The Giver" are scheduled at all branches of the Loudoun County Public Library, the following is the schedule for these programs:
* Ashburn Library, ages 12 and up an adults, Tuesday, Nov. 14, 7 p.m.
* Cascades Library, adults, Monday, Nov. 6, 7 p.m.
* Rust Library, parent/child book discussion, ages 9 and up, Wednesday, Nov. 1, 7 p.m. and adults, Monday Nov. 13, 7 p.m. and adults, Tuesday, Nov. 14, 10 a.m.
* Sterling Library, adults, Thursday, Nov. 9, 10 a.m.
Thursday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m., at the Cascades Library, author Lois Lowry will discuss the book in a community forum.
A two-month exhibit on the Little League World Series by photographer Isabel Chenoweth will be on display through October at the Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road.
Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling, will be holding an after-hours teen center, Fridays, 7-10 p.m., for teens in grades sixth-12th. Upcoming schedule includes Oct. 6, grades sixth-seventh, magician Michael Chamberlain; Oct. 13, grades eighth-12th, Halloween party; Oct. 20, grades sixth-12th, High Strung Band; Oct. 27, grades sixth-seventh, Halloween party. Call the Cascades Library at 703-444-3228, Ext. 309.
In order to provide a safe experience for teens, the following procedures are required by the Loudoun County Public Library: No one will be admitted teen center after 7:30 p.m.; All teens attending the teen center must have a permission form signed by the parent or caregiver on file; and The teen center closes at 10 p.m. parents and caregivers must be at the library by 10 to pick up their child.
The Loudoun County Animal Shelter is holding a Dog-a-palooza Tour in honor of Adopt-a-Shelter Dog Month throughout October. The Department of Animal Care & Control will be taking dogs available for adoption to locations throughout the county.
* Saturday, Oct. 7 at SterlingFest, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at and around the Sterling Community Center.
* Friday, Oct. 13, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Ashburn Car Wash
* Tuesday. Oct. 17, at the Loudoun County Government Center, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
* Saturday, Oct. 21, Howl-o-ween at the Sterling Annex Community Center, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., includes pet costume contest and tricks for treats talent show.
* Thursday, Oct. 26, Middleburg Community Center, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
* Tuesday, Oct. 31, at the Loudoun County Government Center in Leesburg, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., includes dogs dressed in their Halloween finest and treats for both humans and pets.
All dogs adopted at Dog-a-Palooza tour stops will receive free spay/neuter surgery, if needed. View dogs available for adoption at http://www.loudoun.gov/animals.
The historic manor house at the Audubon Naturalist Society’s Rust Nature Sanctuary, 802 Children's Center Road, Leesburg, is the site of this year’s Designer Showhouse through Oct. 15. Each room and several garden areas will be professionally finished by local designers incorporating the theme “Timeless Elegance.” Open to the public, Mondays-Fridays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Thursdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturdays-Sundays, noon- 5 p.m. Tickets $15. The Designer Showhouse is a program of the Loudoun Arts Council. Call 703-777-7838 or visit www.loudounarts.org.
Painter, Dodie Petro, will exhibit her work in a show titled “The Only Dance” at Gallery 222, Oct. 4-28. A reception to meet the artist will be held Friday, Oct. 6, from 6-9 p.m. during Leesburg’s First Friday. Gallery 222 is located at 222 South King St., Leesburg. Visit www.gallery222.com.
The George C. Marshall International Center at Dodona Manor is holding a special exhibit, "With Affection and Admiration: the Letters of George C. Marshall and Winston S. Churchill," Oct. 6-10.
Dodona Manor is open to the public Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sundays, 1-5 p.m. and weekdays by reservation for groups of 10 or more. Fees $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and tours and $5 for students. Visit www.georgecmarshall.org or call 703-777-1330.
The Big Apple Circus returns to the Dulles Town Center in Dulles, through Oct. 9, with a new production, "Step Right Up!" – launching the 29th season of New York's original one-ring circus.
Tickets range in price from $16 to $40 for weekday evenings, $19 to $48 for weekend and Columbus Day performances, and from $16 to $24 for 11 a.m. weekday matinees.
Performances are Tuesdays through Fridays, 7 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 12:30 and 4:30 p.m.; weekday matinees take place Oct. 4-6, at 11 a.m. Columbus Day performances, Oct. 9, take place at 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster at 703-573-SEAT or online at ticketmaster.com. For group ticket sales, call 877-407-8497. The circus box office, located in front of the Big Top at Dulles Town Center.
Project Heart to Heart brings together teens ages 12-18 to watch and discuss films that deal with tough questions about love, life and relationships. The focus of the program is on encouraging teens to abstain from sexual activity, while the scope, especially for younger teens, is broader.
A session for middle-schoolers will be held in Ashburn, at Next Level 4 Teens, beginning Oct. 14 and running every Saturday, from 4:30-7:30 p.m. for five weeks. A parent's meeting will be held at Next Level, Oct. 12, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. to introduce the program to interested parents. All programs are free of charge.
Project Heart to Heart is sponsored by the Educational Guidance Institute, an organization based in Front Royal, Virginia, which promotes abstinence in the context of character education.
Oatlands Plantation, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg, will be holding "For Season Teas" throughout the year. Includes autumn leaf teas, Thursday, Oct. 19 and Friday, Oct. 20; teddy bear tea, Sunday, Dec. 17. Cost $24.95 plus tax per person; children 8 and under are $15.95 plus tax. Seating at 1 p.m.
Fall teas are served Thursdays-Saturdays, from Nov. 9-30, except Thanksgiving Day. Holiday teas are served Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, from Dec. 1-22 and Dec. 27-29, except Dec. 24. Cost $21.95 plus tax per person; children 8 and under are $12.95 plus tax. Seating are at 1 p.m.
Reservations required for all the teas, call 703-777-3174 or visit www.oatlands.org.
A photography exhibit by Linda Holtslander, "Through a Window - the Amaquilco Farm - El Salvador," takes place through Oct. 27, at Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road, Leesburg. The collection of photographs that depict workers on Finca Amaquilco, a coffee bean farm, which is located outside of San Salvador. Visit the Web site, www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
The all-new, 11-acre cornfield MAiZE will be open through Oct. 29, at Temple Hall Farm Regional Park, 15789 Temple Hall Lane, Leesburg. The 2006 version commemorates the 400th anniversary of the founding of America at Jamestown. Also includes hay rides, farm visits and other fall activities.
MAiZE hours are Fridays, 4-10 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sundays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission is $8 per person age 12 and older and $6 per child age 6-11. Children age 5 and younger, free. Call 703-779-9372 or e-mail templehallfarm@nvrpa.org. Various barnyard animals live at Temple Hall Farm Regional Park’s interpretive center, which is open free to the public. The farm is open to the public Tuesdays-Sundays, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sterling Library will be holding a bilingual conversation group, Tuesdays, through Oct. 31, at 11:30 a.m., at the library, 120 Enterprise St. Practice Spanish and English in this informal conversation group. Talk about music, movies, food, the weather, etc. The bilingual conversation program is a family program, recommended for all ages.
Español/Inglés grupo conversacional: Venga a la biblioteca de Sterling y practique su inglés o español en grupos informales de conversación. !Hable de música, películals, comida o el tiempo.
Layng's Fall Fest, 23520 Evergreen Mills Road, Aldie, through Nov. 5, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Includes hay rides, moon bounces, slides, tunnels, hay maze, pumpkin painting, popcorn and more. Refreshments and picnic area available. Weekday admission $5 per person, weekends and holidays $7, children 2 and under free. Evening hay rides by reservation. Call 703-327-0872 or visit www.layngsflowerfarm.com.
Christmas at Oatlands, Nov. 17-Dec. 30, Oatlands Plantation, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg. The mansion is adorned with holiday decorations that evoke a sense of the abundant, luxurious and romantic past of the Oatlands. Special candlelight tours are also offered on select evenings. Mondays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 1-5 p.m., tours on the hour; last tour at 4 p.m. Admission: $10 adults, $9 seniors, 60+/students, 6-16. Call 703-777-3174 or visit www.oatlands.org.
The 7th annual Pumpkinville fall festival, runs through Nov. 30, at the Leesburg Animal Park, 19720 James Monroe Highway, Leesburg, and includes a hay maze, giant hill slides, straw tunnels, rope swings, moon bounces, all-you-can-eat apples, fresh cider and pick-your-own pumpkin. Explore the 20 acre park featuring Fort Pumpkin and the new spooky pirate ship. Additional weekend activities include camel rides, face and pumpkin painting, all-you-can-eat popcorn, mini tractor rides and more. Free weekend entertainment includes nationally renowned comedians, magicians and puppeteers.
Open daily from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. through Nov. 6. Weekday admission is $6.50 per person; weekends are $10 per person. Children under 2 are free. Call 703-433-0002 or visit www.LeesburgAnimalPark.com.
The Loudoun Valley Homegrown Markets Association (LVHMA) Leesburg and Cascades markets will have volunteers from the Loudoun County Master Gardeners program on hand to help identify plants or diagnose pests. The Master Gardeners will be at the Leesburg Market every Saturday, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and at the Cascades Market the second Sunday of each month, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The markets operate from May-October. Visit loudouncountymastergardeners.org.
The Loudoun Valley HomeGrown Markets Association sponsors seven farmers markets in the county until the end of October, featuring home-grown, producer-only markets.
The seven locations and hours of operation are Cascades, Sundays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., The Senior Center, 21060 Whitfield Place; Leesburg, Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Virginia Village Shopping Center; Lovettsville, Tuesdays, 4-7 p.m., Game Protective Association, Route 287; Middleburg, Saturdays, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., Marshall Street; Purcellville, Thursdays, 4- 7 p.m., 21st Street, across from the train station; South Riding, Saturdays, 2-5 p.m., Town Center Parking Lot; and Sterling, Wednesdays, 4-7 p.m., Briar Patch Park, 1400 block of Sterling Boulevard.
The Douglass Community Center, in conjunction with the Leesburg Police Department, Leesburg Parks and Recreation and Loudoun PRCS Youth Services offers a youth program on Friday evenings called Midnight Madness., a recreational program for youth in grades sixth-12th. Open to any youth in the community free of charge. School bus transportation is provided to and from the community center to designated stops in northeast Leesburg. Activities include basketball, football, board games and movies.
Contact the Douglass Community Center at 703-771-5913 or e-mail at dcc@loudoun.gov.
The Lucketts Community Center, 42361 Lucketts Road, offers toddle story hour, every Tuesday, 9:15-10 a.m., for ages 1.5-5 years old. For caregiver and child and includes lively stories, movement, music and more. $6. Preregister by calling 703-771-5281.
Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling, will hold the following ongoing story times. Lapsits for 2s, Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. and Wednesdays, 11:15 a.m.; Mother Goose Nursery Time, ages 18-24 months, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.; Pajama Story Time, Tuesdays, 7 p.m.; Story Time for 3s, 4s and 5s, Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; After School Book Break, ages 5-8, Wednesdays, 4 p.m.; Terrific 3s, Thursdays, 11:15 a.m.; Saturday Family Story Time, ages 2-6, Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. Call 703-444-3228.
Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road, Leesburg, will hold the following story times. Mother Goose Nursery Time, ages 18-24 months, Wednesdays, 11:15 a.m., one-on-one with your child; Lapsits for 2s, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:30 a.m., caregivers are requested to stay with the child; Family Story Time for 3s, 4s & 5s, Thursdays, 7 p.m., sign interpreter present; Morning Story Time for 3s, 4s & 5s, Fridays, 10:15 a.m. and 11 a.m.; Saturday Family Story Time, ages 3-6 and their family, Saturdays, 11 a.m. Call 703-777-0323.
Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., will be holding the following ongoing story times. Preschool Story Times, ages 2-5, Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.; Saturday Family Story Times, ages 2-5, second Saturdays of each month, 11 a.m. Call 703-430-9500.
Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, offers the following ongoing story times. Mother Goose Nursery Time, ages 18-24 months, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m.; Terrific 2s: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:45 a.m.; Preschool Story Time, ages 3-5, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:30 a.m.; Wonderful Wednesday Stories, ages 3-5, Wednesdays, 1:30 p.m.; Pajama Story Time, ages 3-5, Wednesdays, 7 p.m.; Saturday Family Story Time, ages 2-5, Saturdays, 10 a.m. Call 703-737-8100.
On the last Friday of each month, at 7 p.m., teenagers from Loudoun and Fairfax counties are invited to the Dulles Town Center, in partnership with Next Level for Teens, for an evening devoted to teen issues and events, called Teens Talk at Dulles Town Center. Free. The Dulles Town Center is located at the intersection of routes 7 and 28. Visit ShopDullesTownCenter.com.
Dodona Manor, the restored home of Gen. and Mrs. George C. Marshall in Leesburg, is open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays. Tours are available from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., on Saturdays and from 1-5 p.m., on Sundays. Additional summer hours are from June -Aug., Mondays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The last tour for each day begins at 4 p.m.; and each tour is preceded by an introductory video exploring the professional career of Marshall, spanning more than 50 years of public service.
Admission to the museum is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and group tours and $5 for students. Reservations are required for group tours. Visit www.georgecmarshall.org or call the tour reservation line at 703-777-1301.
Weekend and holiday free parking for Dodona Manor tours is available in the Loudoun County Government Building on Loudoun Street. Additional parking is available in the Leesburg municipal/court parking lot — Red Lot — off North Street.
Leesburg Animal Park has several new animal exhibits including exotic and domestic animals, an expanded contact area to pet and feed animals, a new bird aviary, a safari ride to tour. The park will feature live entertainment on weekends.
The Leesburg Animal Park is located at 19270 James Monroe Highway, Leesburg. Admissions are $7.95 for children and seniors, $9.95 for adults. Free for children under two. Group rates are $6 with a 10-person minimum on Wednesday, Thursdays, and Fridays. Wild Wednesdays offer $2 off all admission rates, not valid with other offers. Hours are Friday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Wednesday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Visit www.LeesburgAnmialPark.com or call 703-433-0002.
Temple Hall Farm is open for the 2006 season until October with new baby animals are arriving every week. Temple Hall Farm is open, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesdays-Sundays. Contact Temple Hall Farm at 703-779-9372 or via e-mail at TempleHallFarm@NVRPA.org.
Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum, 21668 Heritage Farm Lane, Sterling, is open Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; as well as Sundays, noon-5 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 for children 2-12 and free for children under 2. On permanent display is "The Country People" where visitors travel through time and experience the past 300 years of agricultural history through 10 generations of Loudoun County residents. The Claude Moore children's Farm is an interactive exhibit area for children and their families. Visit www.loudounfarmmuseum.org or call 703-421-5322.
Leesburg First Fridays. Galleries and shops open their doors on the first Friday of each month with special events, refreshments and entertainment, from 6-9 p.m. There is no First Friday in January. Free. Call 800-752-6118. Visit www.leesburgfirstfriday.com.
Guided Nature or History Hikes for all ages at Claude Moore park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling. Nature hikes, Frogshackle Cabin Nature Center, history hikes and special request programs for school groups, scouts, community organizations, adults and families are available on a variety of topics throughout the year. Programs designed to foster an appreciation of Loudoun County's natural and cultural resources in a fun and informative way. Summer hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The park will be open free to the public Oct. 21 and 22 for the Loudoun County Farm Tour Program. The park is free for individuals. Cost is $3.50 per person for a group tour, with a minimum charge of $35. Call 703-444-1275 for reservations.
Loudoun Bluegrass Association. Weekly acoustic jam session held every Tuesday night, 7-8:30 p.m., at the Morningside House Retirement Center, 316 Harrison St. in Leesburg. All bluegrass/country musicians, singers and spectators are welcome. Free. Call Randy Kenyon
703-777-9865, home.
Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., will have a new story time, every second Saturday of the month, at 11 a.m. Includes stories, music and activities. The story time is recommended for ages 2-5. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.