<lst>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, contact Matthew Razak 703-917-6457. For additional entertainment listings, visit www.connectionnewspapers.com, E section.
<cal1>Wednesday/Oct. 24
<cal2>Casino Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Charles Town, W.Va. Includes slots and simulcast horse racing. Lunch on own. Cost: $7 members, $9 nonmembers, includes transportation and $5 cash back, subject to change. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.
Wool Gathering. 4 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St. Come and join a knitting circle. Bring your own needles and yarn. Recommended for ages 12 and up. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
<cal1>Thursday/Oct. 25
<cal2>Go-Go-Green. 4 p.m., Rust Library, 34D Catoctin Circle, Leesburg. Make gifts from recycled materials. Recommended for ages 6-8. Advance registration required. Register online at www.lcpl.lib.va.us or phone 703-771-5624.
Halloween Storyfest. 6-8 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. Halloween Storyfest for ages 5 and up. Decorate a mask and hear storyteller Megan Hicks tell scary tales. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is $8/person. Call 571-258-3700.
Guys Read. 7 p.m., Ashburn Library, Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Author Tim Wendel joins Guys Read, a book club for guys, to discuss his best selling book "My Man Stan." Recommended for ages 8 and up. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Spooktacular Oragami. 4 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Cascades. Come and have fun at this spooky paper-folding workshop. Fold fun Halloween decorations. Recommended for ages 7 and up. Advance registration required. Register online at www.lcpl.lib.va.us or phone 703-444-3228 ext 309.
Domestic Violence Awareness. 7-8:30 p.m., Ida Lee Community Center. A community-wide vigil will be held to observe Domestic Violence Awareness month. The vigil will include inspirational music, a slideshow featuring artwork by survivors, and information about how to take a stand against violence in our community. Visit www.notinourhomes.org.
Improv Night. 7-8:30 p.m. Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Come test your skills at the libraries "Whose line is it anyway?" Improv Night. Recommended for ages 12-18. Advance registration required. Register online at www.lcpl.lib.va.us or call 703-737-8100.
Halloween Fun Time. 3:30-5 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. Get ready for Halloween: help create a spooky story, play spider and bat games and make a bat craft. Ages 6-9. Cost: $10.50 per child. Call 571-258-3700.
Scary Tales. 6-8 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. Decorate a mask and hear storyteller Megan Hicks tell scary tales. Registration is $8 per person. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Call 571-258-3700.
Jazz. 7:30-9:30 p.m., Senior Activity Center at Leesburg, 25 Depot Court, S.E., Leesburg. Dominion Jazz Orchestra formerly known as the Loudoun Jazz Ensemble will be performing. Tickets $6 in advance, $10 at the door. Call 703-737-8039.
<cal1>Friday/Oct. 26
<cal2>Halloween Carnival. 9:30-10:30 a.m., Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road. For children ages 2-5, includes costume parade, crafts, games and a snack. Each child receives a decorated goody bag. Cost: $11. Call, 703-430-6673 to preregister.
After Hours Teen Center. 7-10 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Cascades. Halloween party for middle-schoolers. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Hauntings Walk. 6 p.m., Leesburg Town Hall. The Loudoun Museum’s 17th annual Hauntings walking tours of historic, haunted buildings in downtown Leesburg. This year’s tours feature several new sites, with spooky interpretations of new ghost stories. The Hauntings 2007 tours leave every 15 minutes from the Leesburg Town Hall; the final tour begins at 10 p.m. Cost: $13 for museum members, $15 in advance for nonmembers and $20 at the door. Call 703-777-7427 or e-mail bfriedmann@loudounmuseum.org.
<cal1>Saturday/Oct. 27
<cal2>Log and Timber Home Show. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Dulles Expo and Conference Center, South Hall, Chantilly. See Oct. 26 listing for more information.
Haunting 2007. 6-10 p.m., Leesburg Town Hall, Leesburg. See Oct. 26 listing for more information.
Bird Walk. 8 a.m., Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship. Meet at the Neersville Volunteer Fire Station on Rt. 671. Call Joe Coleman at 540-554-2542 or jcoleman@loudounwildlife.org.
Living History. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Morven Park, 17263 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. "1918: A Living History Program on World War I and the Home Front." Join Virginia Governor and Mrs. Westmoreland Davis and learn of their efforts to lead Loudoun County and Virginia through the Great War. They will be joined by Morven Park farm workers and Leesburg citizens of the time to tell the fascinating story of life on the home front. Adults $5, Children $1. Meet at Coach House Visitor Center. Visit www.morvenpark.org or call 703-777-6034.
Cyber Club. 6-10 p.m., Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, Sterling. Parents can take a break on Saturday night while the kids have fun with video games, recreational activities, movies and dinner at the C3 Cyber Club. The cost is $64 for one child and $35 for the second. Preregistration is required. Call 703-430-6673.
Help the Homeless Mini-Walk. 2 p.m., Sterling United Methodist Church, 304 East Church Road, Sterling. Participants will begin with a program, "Money for a Month." This introduction raises awareness about everyday low-income struggles. Then the group will walk up to and along Sterling Boulevard. Registration: $15 for those under 25 years old and $25 for people over 25. All proceeds go to the Wesley Housing. Call Joanna Dietz at 703-430-6455 or visit www.sterlingumc.org.
Bluegrass Series. Doors open 6 p.m., music begins 7 p.m., Lucketts Community Center, 42361 Lucketts Road. Features Flint Hollow and Michelle Nixon and Drive. Refreshments available at the snack bar. Tickets $13. Call 703-771-5281.
<cal1>Saturday/Oct. 28
<cal2>Log and Timber Home Show. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Dulles Expo and Conference Center, South Hall, Chantilly. See Oct. 26 listing for more information.
Travel through Time in the Winmill Carriage Collection. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Morven Park, 17263 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. Take a guided tour through a collection of 19th century horse-drawn vehicles, including coaches, sleighs, carts, buggies and a hearse from the 1800s. Cost: adults $5, children $1. Call 703-777-6034 or visit www.morvenpark.org. Meet at Coach House Visitors Center.
Poker Trail Ride. 9:30 - 11:30 a.m., Morven Park Equestrian Center, 41793 Tutt Lane, Leesburg. Poker Trail Ride, open for horse/riders of any discipline. Registration is $30 per horse by Oct. 21; $35 after Oct. 21. Contact Leslie Gottesman at 540-882-3697 or nagridr@hotmail.com. For registration waiver go to www.milesofsmilestraining.com/SignUp.doc.
Identifying Stream Organisms. 1-3 p.m., meet at the Rust Nature Sanctuary, 802 Children's Center Road, Leesburg. Learn how to assess and capture stream organisms by using the Water Quality Monitoring Program methodology. Find out how to keep our streams healthy. Registration required, call Cliff Fairweather at 703-737-0021 to sign up. Cost is free.
<cal1>Tuesday/Oct. 30
<cal2>Puppet Show. 7 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. A puppet show that takes a classic tale and gives it a Halloween makeover. Recommended for ages 4 and up. Tickets required, are available one half hour before performance. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
<cal1>Wednesday/Oct. 31
<cal2>Halloween Parade. 6.p.m., between Ida Lee Park and Safeway on King Street, Leesburg. Leesburg Kiwanis 50th Annual Halloween Parade. Includes bands, floats and candy. Bring a canned good or nonperishable food item. Donations will go to the Loudoun InterFaith Relief food pantry. Organizations can contact Suzanne Wright at 703-737-2175 or slwright_va@comcast.net to register a float or vehicle.
Halloween Dance Party. 2-4 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. 8th annual Halloween Party/Dance, includes prizes for costume contest, disc jockey Sky Dantinne, light refreshments and transportation afterwards. Cost: $2 per member, $4 for nonmembers. Call 703-430-2397.
State of the Regional Economy. 10 a.m., at the Waddell Theater of the Loudoun Campus of the Northern Virginia Community College, 1000 Harry Flood Byrd Highway, Sterling. A presentation by Dr. Stephen Fuller, director of the Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University's School of Public Policy. Cost is free and the public is welcome. Contact Bev Blois, 703-450-2503 or bblois@nvcc.edu.
<cal1>Thursday/Nov. 1
<cal2>Piscataway Indian Nation. 4 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Cascades. The Piscataway Indian Nation Singers and Dancers will educate and entertain audiences who want to learn more about Native American history and culture. Recommended for all ages. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
<cal1>Friday/Nov. 2
<cal2>250th Anniversary Celebration. 6-9 p.m., offered by the Clerk of the Circuit Court's office in the historic Old Courthouse at the corner of King and Market streets, Leesburg. "Appreciation for Loudoun’s Veterans." Visit www.loudoun.gov/clerk or call 703-777-0270.
First Friday. 7-9 p.m. at Claude Moore Recreation Center. For fourth and fifth grades. Riverside Presbyterian Church. To RSVP call Beth, 703-444-3528 or visit www.riversidechurch.com. Cost: $10.
From Swann’s Castle to Governor’s Mansion: Exploring an Old Southern Estate. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Morven Park, 17263 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. Learn Morven Park’s history from 19th century plantation to early 20th century hunt country estate and working farm. Includes guided tours include exhibits, carriage collection, Confederate huts and outdoor walk around property. Cost: adults $5, children $1. Call 703-777-6034 or visit www.morvenpark.org. Meet at Coach House Visitors Center.
28th Annual Loudoun Needlework Exhibition. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Rust Manor House and Nature Sanctuary, 802 Children's Center Road, Leesburg. Features hundreds of needlework entries that will be judged. The Loudoun Sampler Guild will display a special needlework exhibit to commemorate its 10th anniversary. Entrance fee: $5 and proceeds benefit the Guild Grant Fund. E-mail loudounsampler@aol.com.
Teen Murder Mystery Night. 6 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. A crime has been committed at the library. Follow the clues and figure out who done it. Includes pizza and soda. Recommended for ages 12-18. Advance registration required, sign up online at www.lcpl.lib.va.us or phone 703-737-8100.
<cal1>Saturday/Nov. 3
<cal2>Book Swap. 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, Sterling. Bring adult and children’s books to swap for something new to enjoy. Books on tape, large print books, movies and compact discs also requested. Call 703-430-6673.
Living History. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Morven Park, 17263 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. "1918: A Living History Program on World War I and the Home Front." Join Virginia Governor and Mrs. Westmoreland Davis and learn of their efforts to lead Loudoun County and Virginia through the Great War. They will be joined by Morven Park farm workers and Leesburg citizens of the time to tell the fascinating story of life on the home front. Adults $5, Children $1. Meet at Coach House Visitor Center. Visit www.morvenpark.org or call 703-777-6034.
Holiday Craft Fair. 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Sterling United Methodist Church, 304 East Church Road, Sterling. The Master’s Crafters of Sterling United Methodist Church will hold its 11th annual holiday craft fair. Features a wide assortment of handmade crafts. Call the church office at 703-430-6455 or visit www.sterlingumc.org.
28th Annual Loudoun Needlework Exhibition. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Rust Manor House and Nature Sanctuary, 802 Children's Center Road, Leesburg. For more information see Nov. 2 listing.
Casino Night. 7-10:30 p.m., Riverboat Casino Night at Oatlands Historic Home, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg. Includes food and music by the Dixie Power Trio, raffle prizes will be given. Registration required and is $100 per person. Proceeds benefit the Oatlands Historic House and Gardens. Call 703-777-3174 or visit www.oatlands.org.
Science at Ashburn Library. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Expand your knowledge through the Franklin Institute science-based program. Sessions are the following: 11 a.m., weather; 12:30 p.m., the human body; 2 p.m., hot and cold and 3:30 p.m., chemistry. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
<cal1>Sunday/Nov. 4
<cal2>Travel through Time in the Winmill Carriage Collection. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Morven Park, 17263 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. Take a guided tour through a collection of 19th century horse-drawn vehicles, including coaches, sleighs, carts, buggies and a hearse from the 1800s. Cost: adults $5, children $1. Call 703-777-6034 or visit www.morvenpark.org. Meet at Coach House Visitors Center.
Robert E. Lee, Engineer: A Book in Progress. 2 p.m., Thomas Balch Library. Brown Morton will present a progress report on his research for his forthcoming book on Robert E. Lee's life as an engineer. Register in advance by calling 703-737-7195.
28th Annual Loudoun Needlework Exhibition. 12-4 p.m., Rust Manor House and Nature Sanctuary, 802 Children's Center Road, Leesburg. For more information see Nov. 2 listing.
<cal1>Monday/Nov. 5
<cal2>From Swann’s Castle to Governor’s Mansion: Exploring an Old Southern Estate. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Morven Park, 17263 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. Learn Morven Park’s history from 19th century plantation to early 20th century hunt country estate and working farm. Includes guided tours include exhibits, carriage collection, Confederate huts and outdoor walk around property. Cost: adults $5, children $1. Call 703-777-6034 or visit www.morvenpark.org. Meet at Coach House Visitors Center.
<cal1>Tuesday/Nov. 6
<cal2>One Book Discussion. 1:30 p.m., Rust Library, 34 D Catoctin Circle, Leesburg. As part of the Loudoun County Public Library’s One Book-One Community, branches of the library system will be discussing this year’s selection "The Book" Thief by Markus Zusak. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Recycling Day. Forest Grove Elementary School, 46245 Forest Ridge Drive, Sterling, will be collecting old ink cartridges, cell phones, laptops and PDAs. Boxes will be located outside polling booths. Preserve our environment by keeping these harmful items out of landfills and raise funds for this school. Call 703-444-7590.
<cal1>Thursday/Nov. 8
<cal2>Casino Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Charles Town, W.Va. Includes slots and simulcast horse racing. Lunch on own. Cost: $7 members, $9 nonmembers, includes transportation and $5 cash back, subject to change. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.
One Book Discussion. 10 a.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. As part of the Loudoun County Public Library’s One Book-One Community, branches of the library system will be discussing this year’s selection "The Book" Thief by Markus Zusak. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
<cal1>Friday/Nov. 9
<cal2>Veteran’s Day Program. 1:30-3 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Includes veterans of different war eras in discussions and presentations. Free and open to the public. 703-430-2397.
Fabulaous Friday. 7-9 p.m. at Claude Moore Recreation Center. For first-third grades. Riverside Presbyterian Church. To RSVP call Beth, 703-444-3528 or visit www.riversidechurch.com. Cost: $10. $10.
<cal1>Saturday/Nov. 10
<cal2>Casino Night. 8 p.m., Congregation Sha'are Shalom, 19357 Evergreen Mills Road, Leesburg. This fund-raiser will benefit the synagogue. Cost: $40 a person in advance and $50 a person at the door. Prizes include trips, sports memorabilia and a boat. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres and drinks are included. Call Congregation Sha'are Shalom at 703-737-6500 or write to CSS at P. O. Box 4518, Leesburg. Visit CSS on the Internet at www.sha-areshalom.org/.
Sterling Boulevard Cleanup. 9 a.m.-noon, Park View Recycling Center, 400 W Laurel Ave. Volunteers are needed to help clean up Sterling Boulevard. Safety vests, orange bags and instructions provided. Please bring gloves. In case of inclement weather, clean up will take place on Saturday, Nov. 17. Call Kevin Chroninger at 703-406-7749 or visit www.sterlingfoundation.org.
<cal1>Wednesday/Nov. 14
<cal2>Museums Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the Natural History, Gallery of Art, American Indian, U.S. Botanical gardens, air and Space and African Art/Freer/Hirshhorn/Sackler museums. Lunch on own. Cost: $8 members, $10 nonmembers, includes transportation with free admission. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.
<cal1>Thursday/Nov. 15
<cal2>Thanksgiving Luncheon. Noon, Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Annual luncheon. Lunch donation requested. Call 703-430-2397, Ext. 103 to register.
<cal1>Friday/Nov. 16
<cal2>Shopping Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Boyd's Bear Country, Gettysburg, Pa. Includes shopping at Boyd's and downtown Gettysburg. Lunch on own. Cost: $10 members, $12 nonmembers, includes transportation. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.
<cal1>Saturday/Nov. 17
<cal2>Lanesville Open House. 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. Guided tour of the Lanesville Open House. Children must be accompanied by an adult. No registration required. Free. Call 571-258-3700.
Cyber Club. 6-10 p.m., Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, Sterling. Parents can take a break on Saturday night while the kids have fun with video games, recreational activities, movies and dinner at the C3 Cyber Club. The cost is $64 for one child and $35 for the second. Preregistration is required. Call 703-430-6673.
Piscataway Indian Nation. 1 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. The Piscataway Indian Nation Singers and Dancers will educate and entertain audiences who want to learn more about Native American history and culture. Recommended for all ages. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
<cal1>Wednesday/Nov. 28
<cal2>Casino Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Charles Town, W.Va. Includes slots and simulcast horse racing. Lunch on own. Cost: $7 members, $9 nonmembers, includes transportation and $5 cash back, subject to change. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.
<cal1>Monday/Dec. 10
<cal2>Holiday Lights Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Washington, D.C., to view the Pageant of Peace and visit the Mormon Temple grounds and visitors center. Lunch on own. Cost: $21 members, $23 nonmembers, includes transportation with free admission. Dinner on own at Union Station. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.
<cal1>Thursday/Dec. 13
<cal2>Holiday Lights Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Washington, D.C., to view the Pageant of Peace and visit the Mormon Temple grounds and visitors center. Lunch on own. Cost: $21 members, $23 nonmembers, includes transportation with free admission. Dinner on own at Union Station. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.
<cal1>Friday/Feb. 22
<cal2>YMCA FUND-RAISER. 7-11 p.m., Lansdowne Resort. 20th Annual Chocolates Galore & More, fund-raiser for the YMCA Loudoun County. Includes dessert and hors d’oeuvre competition, dancing, silent and live auction, food from local restaurants and caters. Visit www.ymcadc.org or call 703-777-9622.