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.
Loudoun County's home improvement programs will be the topic of a seminar 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 16, at the Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. The seminar is free, but space is limited. Call Kelly Marroccoat 571-258-3819 to reserve a spot for the seminar.
New classes for Middle Eastern dance take place Tuesdays, May 22-June 26, at Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road. Beginner and intermediate/advanced levels are being offered with instructor Katayoun "Kathy" Hutson. The cost is $70. Preregistration is required, call 703-430-6673.
Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, Sterling, is offering computer classes for adults. All classes are on Thursday nights, from 7-8:30 p.m. Computers are provided. Classes are tailored for the novice. Microsoft PowerPoint from May 17-24. The cost is $59, plus $10 materials fee. Preregistration required, call 703-430-6673.
Babygarten, an informational program for infants and parents or caregivers. Babygarten classes focus on nursery rhymes, songs and books that can enrich children’s lives from the very beginning and provide them with a foundation for later learning success. Recommended for children birth through 18 months. Advance registration required. Register online at www.lcpl.lib.va.us or call the branch.
* Ashburn, 703-737-8105, Wednesdays, at 10 a.m. or 2:30 p.m., May 16-June 20; Fridays, at 10 a.m., May 11-June 15.
* Cascades, 703-444-3228, Mondays, at 11 a.m., May 7, 14, 21 and June 4,11, 18; Tuesdays, at 2 p.m., May 8-June 12.
Conversational English. An informal conversation circle for non-native speakers to practice English will take place Wednesdays, through May 9, at 7 p.m., at Ashburn Library. This is not a class, rather an opportunity to meet new people and share cultures. Only English will be spoken. Recommended for adults. Call 703-737-8100.
Inova Loudoun Hospital will host "Have an Unmedicated Birth" class Wednesday, May 9, from 6:30-9 p.m., for couples wishing to learn about having a "natural birth" at the Lansdowne Campus at 44045 Riverside Parkway in Leesburg, in the family education room. Cost is $55. Register by calling 703-858-6360 or visit www.thebirthinginn.org.
The Loudoun Academy of Arts is offering "The Figure and Still Life" with Dodie Petro, May 12 and 13, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days. Oil paint is the primary medium; pastel and acrylic are also acceptable. Cost $265 includes the model fee. Register by visiting www.loudounacademy or calling 703-777-8043.
Kids Explore the World of Yoga. Children can explore the world of yoga with Charlotte Freckman, Monday, May 14 and June 11, 10:15 a.m., at Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. Recommended for ages 4-6. Advance registration required, begins two weeks prior to program. Call 703-737-8105 or register online at www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Green Thumbs Special, hands-on projects to plant, decorate and take home at the Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, Sterling. This workshop is offered to children 4-10 years old, Tuesday, May 15, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. The cost is $7 plus $4 supply fee. Preregistration is required, call 703-430-6673.
Inova Loudoun Hospital will host Parenting 1*2*3 Magic course, Wednesday, May 16, from 6:30-9:30 p.m., for parents wishing to learn effective parenting strategies and discipline for children ages 2-12, at the Lansdowne Campus at 44045 Riverside Parkway in Leesburg, in the patient education room. Cost is $55 per couple. No child care is provided. Register by calling 703-858-6360 or visiting the Web site at www.thebirthinginn.org.
Sterling Annex Community Center, 22082 Shaw Road, is offering a workshop for child-care providers with Marcy Henninger of Primarily Kids LCC. Tapping into Toddlers will be held Wednesday, May 16, from 7-9 p.m. The cost is $25. Preregistration required, call 703-430-6673.
Slaying the CyberDragon. Parents and caregivers are invited to learn how to use the Rust Library's resources right from their home computer, Saturday, May 19, 2 p.m. Advance registration required, begins two weeks prior to the program. Call 703-777-0323 or register online at www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
AARP driving safety class, May 23 and 25, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Must attend both days to receive certificate. $10 for members, $12 for nonmembers. Call 703-430-2397.
The Loudoun Academy of Arts is offering "Nuts and Bolts of a Critique" with Lisa Semerad, May 26, from 1-5 p.m. Participants will learn how to conduct a thorough critique of artwork using ten elements of evaluation. Cost $50. Register by visiting www.loudounacademy or calling 703-777-8043.
The Loudoun Museum's 12th Annual Children’s Needlework Seminar, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, June 25-29, 9 a.m.-noon. For ages 8-17 years. Snacks and materials provided. Cost $100. Reservations required, 703-777-7427 or e-mail education@loudounmuseum.org. Proceeds from the seminar will go to the Loudoun Museum’s Collections Fund.
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.
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.