Send announcements, which are open to the public at no or minimal cost, to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102 or e-mail to loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Friday, two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. For more information, call Jennifer Lesinski at 703-917-6454. For additional listings, visit www.connectionnewspapers.com.
The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace is offering a ceramics, Thursday, June 14, 10:30 a.m.-noon, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Cost: $21 for members, $22 for nonmembers. Call 703-430-2397.
New sessions of self-expressions painting will begin Saturday, June 16, from 10-11 a.m., at Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, Sterling. This class will run through Aug. 11. The cost is $80 with preregistration required. Students bring 9 inch x 12 inch or larger painting tablet and newsprint tablet. All other materials are provided. Class introduces acrylics, watercolors, pastels and crayons. Call 703-430-6673.
Italian classes at Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, Sterling. This is a beginner class, focusing on the Italian language and culture, with stories and games. For children 6 to 12. Cost: $45 with preregistration required. Classes are Wednesdays, June 20-July 25, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Call 703-430-6673.
Yvette Castro-Green, senior health educator for the Virginia Department of Health, will begin emergency preparedness seminars with "Get Ready Now: Emergency Preparedness for Seniors," Thursday, June 21, 10:45 a.m., at Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place. Free. Call 703-430-2397.
The Loudoun Museum announces its 12th Annual Children’s Needlework Seminar, at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 605 W. Market St., Leesburg, June 25-29, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Course projects are designed for beginner, intermediate and advanced stitchers. Cost: $100 per child, discounted for museum members; snacks and materials are provided. Proceeds benefit the Loudoun Museum’s Collections Fund. Call the Loudoun Museum at 703-777-7427 or e-mail education@loudounmuseum.org.
Infant/toddler family day-care parent information session, Tuesday, June 26, 10-11 a.m., at the Shenandoah Building at 102 Heritage Way, N.E., Leesburg. Learn about the indicators of quality child care and the resources available in the community to assist in the search for quality child care. To register, call 703-352-3449 or e-mail info@infanttoddler.com; cost: free.
The Douglass Community Center, 407 E. Market St., is offering the cuddle bugs playgroup for parents and children ages 6-20 months. The playgroups take place on Fridays, 8:30-9:30 a.m. and cost $1. The dates for the playgroups are June 29, July 13, July 20, July 27, Aug. 3 and Aug. 10. To register, contact the Douglass Community Center at 703-771-5913 or e-mail dcc@loudoun.gov.
Breads and reeds basket workshop, Saturday, June 30, from 9:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m., at the Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, Sterling. The cost is $28 with $15 supply fee. Preregistration is required. This basket is woven on slate with round reed and beads added to the weaving and then twined. Participants must bring a bucket, towel, utility scissors, measuring tape, pencil, awl or ice pick and several spring type clothespins. The instructor is Deborah Wells. Call 703-430-6673.
The Loudoun County Office of Virginia Cooperative Extension will offer a Virginia Gardener Shortcourse. The Shortcourse is a condensed version of the training that Trainees who are new members of the Master Gardener Volunteer program receive. The Shortcourse is held in the Loudoun Cooperative Extension conference room at 30-B Catoctin Circle, SE (Wachovia Bank Building), Leesburg. The sessions are from 6-8:30 p.m. and are spread throughout the year. Dates for this year are: July 9, 23, Aug. 6, Oct. 25, and Nov. 8. Participants may sign up for individual sessions or for all eight. Contact Debbie D. Dillion at 703-771-5838 or ddillion@vt.edu.
The Birthing Inn at Inova Loudoun Hospital is offering a free workshop providing expectant parents with information related to the birthing process. Includes educational programs covering everything from anesthesia during labor, newborn information, management of labor and newborn care to car seat safety. This interactive, educational workshop is Saturday, July 14, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The Birthing Inn will be open for tours for the workshop attendees at the conclusion of the workshop. To register, call 703-779-2694.
Leesburg Senior Activity Center, 215 Depot Court, Leesburg, is offering a Sewing and Stitch-In class, Mondays, 9-11:30 a.m. Beginner level. Sewing machines provided; bring in your sewing project. Come and sew, knit, needlepoint or crochet. Free. Call 703-737-8039.
Line Dancing, at the Leesburg Senior Activity Center, 215 Depot Court, Leesburg, Wednesdays, 1-2 p.m. Learn some new line dances. Free. Call 703-737-8039.
Beginner tap dancing, at the Leesburg Senior Activity Center, 215 Depot Court, Leesburg, Wednesdays, 2-3 p.m. Learn some new line dances. Free. Call 703-737-8039.
Leesburg Senior Activity Center, 215 Depot Court, Leesburg, is offering a National Council on Aging exercise tape class, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9-10:30 a.m. Free. Call 703-737-8039.
Leesburg Senior Activity Center, 215 Depot Court, Leesburg, is offering stretch and tone classes where participants use bands and hand weights, every Thursday, 11-11:45 a.m. Free. Call 703-737-8039.
Leesburg Senior Activity Center, 215 Depot Court, Leesburg, is offering tai chi, which involves three primary subjects: health, meditation and martial arts, Mondays, 11 a.m.-noon. Free. Call 703-737-8039.