<cal1>In September
<cal2>Marriage: History, current laws and Virginia's proposed "Marriage Amendment" — League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area. A stimulating discussion is guaranteed as League members and guests look at the impact of the institution of marriage on contemporary society. Subtopics will be the historical background of marriage, effects of state and federal laws on marriage, and the rights and benefits of marriage under state and federal law.
The organization's unit meetings will be held during the first and second week of September at 16 locations throughout Fairfax and Prince William counties. The League's meetings are free and guests are welcome; no registration is required. Persons interested in attending any of the meetings can call the League at 703-658-9150 for the location of the meeting, or visit the Web site at www.lwv-fairfax.org.
<cal1>Thursday/Sept. 7
<cal2>Mothers First of Chantilly/Centreville is dedicated to supporting women who have chosen to alter their careers to raise their children at home. The August meetings are from 10:15-11:30 a.m. at the Centreville Regional Library, 14200 Saint Germain Drive. Activities include parent/child morning meetings and field trips, moms' nights out and lectures. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org.
Mystery Book Club at 7 p.m. at the Chantilly Regional Library, 4000 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly. The book will be "Thirteen Steps Down" by Ruth Rendell. Call 703-502-3883.
The Waves at 7 p.m. at the Chantilly Regional Library, 4000 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly. Teen book discussion for ages 12-18. Call 703-502-3883.
Film Event. Moviegoers in 100 U.S. cities and servicemen and women at military bases on seven continents around the world, will have the opportunity to attend a "Broken Bridges" premiere event at Fairfax Towne Center 10, located at 4110 W. Ox Road, Fairfax. The event will kick off with a half-hour program featuring special musical performances by Toby Keith and Lindsey Haun, showcasing songs featured on the movie's soundtrack. For $12.50 tickets, go to www.BigScreenConcerts.com.
<cal1>Friday/Sept. 8
<cal2>Fairfax Women's Connection is hosting a "Designer's Keepsake" luncheon from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 8. Ann Littleton of Annie's Designs will show how hankies become keepsakes as art in pillows, wall hangings and pictures. Mary Ann Wiley, former campaign manager to a Virginia Senatorial candidate, will speak about a soap opera life that needed a daring rescue. The event will be held at the Hidden Creek Country Club, 1711 Clubhouse Road, Reston. Required reservations are $17. Call Fran at 703-815-4204 or email: Fairfaxwmconnect@aol.com.
Small Wonders at 10:30 a.m. at Centreville Regional Library, 14200 St. Germain Drive, Centreville. Stories and activities for ages 15-23 months with an adult. Call 703-830-2223.
Bouncing, Babbling Babies at 10:30 a.m. at the Chantilly Regional Library, 4000 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly. Rhymes and activities for ages 6-11 months with adults. Call 703-502-3883.
<cal1>Saturday/Sept. 9
<cal2>The RE/MAX Premier Rock-n-Ride is a nonprofit, fund-raising event benefiting the Children's Miracle Network (CMN), and is dedicated to helping ensure the health and welfare of children with life-threatening illnesses. It will be held at Fairfax County Police Department Fair Oaks Substation at 12300 Lee Jackson Hwy., Fairfax from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Parents and Associates of the Northern Virginia Training Center (NVTC) along with the Fairfax Civitan Club will host fund-raising Auctions (both Silent and Live) beginning at 8 a.m. Money raised will purchase needed items for residents with severe and profound mental retardation. These auctions will take place in the NVTC gymnasium located at 9901 Braddock Road, at Burke Station Road, in Fairfax between the Beltway and Route 123. The live auction will begin promptly at 10 a.m. There will be a break at noon to determine the silent auction winners, with the live auction resuming at 12:30. Call 703-726-0965.
Centreville resident John Cassara — who recently retired after 26 years of working for the federal intelligence and law-enforcement communities — just published a book called "Hide & Seek — Intelligence, Law Enforcement and the Stalled War on Terrorist Finance." He will hold a book-signing this Saturday, Sept. 9, from 2-4 p.m., at the Fair Lakes Barnes & Noble, off West Ox Road. The book has already received excellent reviews, including a "Best Pick" by the Foreign Policy Association. For more information, see www.johncassara.com.
<cal1>Sunday/Sept. 10
<cal2>Take a relaxing walk to learn more about the Little Rocky Run Watershed from 1-3 p.m. The walk will take place on one of the natural portions of this rapidly urbanizing watershed. Hear from the Friends of Little Rocky Run about their stewardship activities. Mostly easy walking over gentle terrain with one stream crossing. Walk is led by staff from the Audubon Naturalist Society, Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District, and Fairfax County. Call Ned or Lynn Foster at 703-250-6686 or email lynnfoster@ix.netcom.com.
The Sully Quilt Show will have 50 vendors from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Merchants will sell antique and new quilts, books, patterns, fabrics, antique linens, textile arts, stained glass and jewelry at the Sully Historic Site. Visit www.fairfaccounty.gov/parks/sully for directions.
<cal1>Monday/Sept. 11
<cal2>Ready to Read at 11:30 a.m. at Centreville Regional Library, 14200 St. Germain Drive, Centreville. Stories and activities for ages 4-5 with an adult. Call 703-830-2223.
'N2 Reading at 7 p.m. at Centreville Regional Library, 14200 St. Germain Drive, Centreville. The book will be "Walk Two Moons" by Sharon Creech. Age 9-12 with an adult. Call 703-830-2223.
Muddlin' through Monday at 3:30 p.m. at the Chantilly Regional Library, 4000 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly. Stories and activities for ages 6-12. Call 703-502-3883.
The Chantilly Community Coalition for Safe & Drug Free Youth will hold its first meeting of this school year from 4–5 p.m. at the Chantilly Regional Library. This is a coalition of schools, parents, students and community members who are dedicated to fostering a safe community for our children. This month they will be looking at the schedule of when and where they will be meeting this year. Information on projects and plans for this coming year will be discussed. Call 703-378-6155 or chantillycoalition@cox.net.
<cal1>Tuesday/Sept. 12
<cal2>Chillin' With Chris at 7:30 p.m. at the Chantilly Regional Library, 4000 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly. All-male book discussion. Call for title.
<cal1>Wednesday/Sept. 13
<cal2>Small Wonders at 10:30 a.m. at Centreville Regional Library, 14200 St. Germain Drive, Centreville. Stories and activities for ages 15-23 months with an adult. Call 703-830-2223.
The Western Fairfax County Woman's Club (WFCWC) will host a luncheon for Fairfax County women, 21 and older from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., at the Chantilly Library, 4000 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly, with guest speaker NBC-TV Consumer Reporter Liz Crenshaw. This event is sponsored by the GFWC Western Fairfax County Woman's Club. The luncheon is free, but a donation will be collected which will go directly to Operation Smile, a non-profit volunteer medical organization performing corrective facial surgery on children with deformities. Seating is limited and reservations are required by Sept. 8. Call 703-222-0997 (Press 4 for WFCWC) to reserve a seat.
Book Discussion Group at 7:30 p.m. at the Chantilly Regional Library, 4000 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly. The book will be "Skinny Dipping" by Carl Hiaasen. Call 703-502-3883.
<cal1>Friday/Sept. 15
<cal2>Robinson Secondary School will host a Countywide TheatreSports Competition at 7:30 p.m. in the Russell Theater. Similar to the TV show, "Whose Line is it Anyway?", TheatreSports is a team-based improvisation competition. High School teams from around the county will be participating in this freestyle format. Robinson Secondary School is located at 5035 Sideburn, Fairfax. Visit www.RobinsonDrama.org or call 703-426-2123. Cost is $5.
The National Rifle Association, certified shotgun instructor at NRA Headquarters in Fairfax, will be teaching a shotgun class, where participants will be learning about defensive shotgun use in a safe, responsible way. This four-hour class focuses on safety, operation, maintenance, storage, transportation and shooting of standard defensive shotguns. Range Safety test, range fees, and range card are included as well as use of a shotgun, eye and ear protection and ammunition. This is not an NRA approved course. Email: jamselle@nrahq.org or call 703-267-1567.
<cal1>Saturday/Sept. 16
<cal2>The Western Fairfax Women's Club is holding a foot-stompin' FUN-draiser on Saturday, Sept. 16 from 6:30-10:30 p.m. at the American Legion Post 177, 3939 Oak Street, Fairfax. Activities include a BBQ dinner, dessert, beer and soda, country line dancing (with instructions), a silent auction, and door prizes. Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and local Republican dignitaries will be in attendance. Dress to line dance! RSVP by Sept. 7, with a check for $40 made out to WFRWC and send it to: Sheila Turner, 14327 Brookmere Dr., Centreville VA, 20121.
The Spiritual Science Research Foundation is holding a free workshop on how ghosts can be at the root of stubborn problems on from 2-4 p.m. Stubborn problems include skin ailments, sleep disorders, depression, lethargy, addiction, disharmonious relationships and haunting sexual experiences.
The workshop will uncover widespread (often Hollywood-generated) myths about ghosts, levels of human and spiritual existence, how ghosts operate, some spiritual healing remedies, and basic principles of spirituality critical in any spiritual path. Visit www.SpiritualResearchFoundation.org/events.
The American Karate Academy will be hosting the 8th Annual Worldgate Challenge Karate Championship at the Worldgate Sport and Health Club in Herndon. Registration runs from 7:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. and competition begins at 9 a.m. Trophies will be awarded for 1st through 4th place as well as Grand Champion trophies. All competitors 13 and under will receive an award. Contact Barbara Kurland at 703-929-1450.
Celebrate Life at Centreville Day on from 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Give Blood at the Bloodmobile. Look for the bloodmobile parked by St. John's Episcopal Church. Enjoy McDonald's fresh baked cookies and apple juice, plus receive coupons for free snack wraps, all courtesy of Van Management. Appointments appreciated, walk-ins welcome. Call 1-866-BLOODSAVES.