Send community notes to the Connection at mclean/greatfalls@connectionnewspapers.com or 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean VA 22102. Call 703-917-6449 with questions.
The Conservatory Ballet of Reston announces its 36th annual Nutcracker performance schedule. This all-children cast of approximately 125 students from the Conservatory, ages 5 to 17, will offer eight performances at the Reston Community Center and two special Gala performances at the Madeira School Theater in McLean. Performances at the Reston Community Center, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston, 703-476-4500, are Wednesday through Saturday, Dec. 5-8 7:30 p.m. each evening, with matinees Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 8 and 9. Saturday matinees are 11 a.m. (a shortened, one-hour performance) and 3:30 p.m., Sunday matinees are noon (a shortened, one-hour performance) and 3:30 p.m. The performances at the Madeira School Theatre, 8328 Georgetown Pike, McLean, on Saturday, Dec. 15, include a matinee at 1:30 p.m. and an evening performance 6 p.m.
Tickets for the Reston Community Center performances are $20 adults, $16 youth 12 and under, $18 adults and $14 youth for the shortened performance; they can be purchased by calling 703-476-4500. Tickets for the Madeira School Theatre performances are $20 for adults, $16 youth 12 and under in advance, $22 adults and $18 youth at the door; they can be purchased by calling the Conservatory Ballet at 703-715-8366.
The performance will present five graduating Conservatory Ballet Curriculum students: Stanislav Bolosko of Reston (Cavalier), Alexandra Moffett of Leesburg and Kara Ruskin of Reston (Snow Queen), Sara Madalone of Great Falls (Waltz Solo), Chelsea Monger of Reston as (Sugar Plum). Other featured performers are Megan Kampa Oak Hill, Lexie Overholt of Oakton and Mary Kate Kronzer of Oakton.
The Great Falls Lions Club will be holding its semi annual citrus sale Thursday, Dec. 6 through Saturday, Dec. 8 from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Great Falls Volunteer Fire Department parking lot. Navel and Hamlin oranges, tangelos, pink and white grapefruit will be on sale at $25 per box or $13 per half box. All profits from the sale go to support various local and national Lions charities. Call 703-880-5445.
Holiday Toy Drive: Northern Virginia Family Service will hold their annual Holiday Toy Drive Dec. 10-21 in Oakton. Volunteers are needed to receive and sort donated toys, load and unload vehicles, and assist case managers as they choose gifts for their clients. Toys can be dropped off at the NVFS office at 10455 White Granite Drive, Oakton, Dec. 10-14. Gift cards from stores including Giant, Safeway, Shoppers, Target and Wal-Mart are also welcome. For information, call Ann Granger at 703-219-2193 or e-mail volunteer@nvfs.org.
The entire office of Loebig Chiropractic in Great Falls will be working with Toys for Tots to help generate toy donations in the Northern Virginia area. Through Dec. 12 Loebig Chiropractic will be asking new patients to donate a new, unopened toy in exchange for first day services (including exam, history, consultation, x-rays and adjustment), a $180 value, free. The office will also accept any other toy donations before Dec. 14. Contact loebigchiro@aol.com or 703-757-5817.
The 25th annual Neediest Kids Food Drive, which continues through Friday, Dec. 21, is a convenient way for area residents to help their neighbors in need during the season of giving. The drop-off locations are located in all Safeway grocery stores throughout the area. Safeway customers are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items by placing them in the designated shopping cart at the front of each store. All food donated will benefit feeding organizations that serve the community nearest the store.
Among the beneficiaries of the donations is the Capital Area Food Bank, which provides food to 750 feeding agencies in the Washington metropolitan area. They serve more than 383,000 local residents who are at risk of hunger. Anyone wishing to make a monetary donation may send it to Neediest Kids, c/o Comcast SportsNet, PO Box 31257, Bethesda, MD 20824.
The RE/MAX Gateway Great Falls Office has the 2007 White House Christmas Ornament on sale in the office. Proceeds go to charity. The 2007 White House ornament featuring the first White House wedding is $17. The White House Historical Association is also presenting its limited commemorative stone ornament for a price of $20. RE/MAX Gateway Great Falls has both ornaments available for purchase at their location at 10135 Colvin Run Road, Suite 101, Great Falls. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 703-757-5760.