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/Sept. 5
<cal2>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.
Ants, Plants and Plants That Eat Ants. 4 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. Two-part program; learn about ecosystems and how ants, plants and human beings fit into the whole thing. Recommended for ages 4-6. Advance registration required. Register online at www.lcpl.lib.va.us or phone 703-737-8100.
Senior Program. 10:45 a.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. AAPR presents identify theft with Pat Rhodes. Free. Call 703-430-2397.
<cal1>Thursday/Sept. 6
<cal2>Circus. 7:30 p.m., Virginia Academy-Community Church, 19790 Ashbrn Road, Ashburn. Cole Bros. Circus of the Stars. Includes animal acts, trapeze, acrobats and clowns. Cost: adults $17, children $12. Tent raising from 7-10 a.m. Call 800-796-5672 or visit www.colebroscircus.com.
Charity Golf. The Golf Club at Lansdowne, Leesburg. Third annual "Tee It Up With AT&T" global charity golf tour, which includes 18 local golf events across the U.S., Canada and U.K. The proceeds will be used to raise awareness and funds for cancer research and programs worldwide, primarily supporting the American Cancer Society. Contact Emily King at 703-245-3723 or visit the event Web site at www.cancer.org/teeitup.
<cal1>Friday/Sept. 7
<cal2>Cookout. 4-6 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. 8th annual Endless Summer Cookout includes a beachcomber theme, food and live entertainment. Transportation provided after event. Open to the public. Cost: $7 for members, $9 for nonmembers. Call 703-430-2397.
Harborplace Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to the Baltimore Flag House and Inner Harborplace, Baltimore, Md. Includes trip to the Flag House and Star-Spangled Banner Museum and three hours at the Inner Harborplace for lunch and shopping. Cost: $14 members, $16 nonmembers, includes transportation and museum admission. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.
Kindermusik with Beth Frook. 10:15 a.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay ROad. Music and movement activities designed to spark creativity. Recommended for ages 18 months-2 years. Advance registration required. Register online at www.lcpl.lib.va.us or phone 703-737-8100.
Circus. 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Virginia Academy-Community Church, 19790 Ashbrn Road, Ashburn. Cole Bros. Circus of the Stars. See Sept. 6 item for more details.
Spiritual Music. 7:30 p.m., Sterling Oaks Commerce Center, 22135 Davis Drive, Sterling. Soprano Linda Teasley and world percussionist Tom Teasley give American spirituals global sounds in a concert. Cost: $10. Contact Tom Teasley, Linda Teasley, 1-877-685-5432.
After-Hours Teen Center. 7-10 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Includes games and music. For high-schoolers. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us for events.
Literacy Day. 6-7 p.m., Loudoun Green located behind the town parking garage on Loudoun Street, Leesburg. Hear Loudoun authors and others including Renaldo Wynn of the Washington Redskins read their favorite books and poems. Call the Loudoun Literacy Council, 703-777-2205.
School Days Tea. 1 p.m., Oatland Plantation, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg. Includes assorted tea sandwiches, sweets, scones with preserves and cream and Oatlands Afternoon Tea Blend. Cost: $24.95 per person, $15.95 for children. Visit http://www.oatlands.org/.
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>Saturday/Sept. 8
<cal2>Summer Concert. 6-9:30 p.m., Tarara Winery, 13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg. Includes live entertainment, wine and food. Cost: $10 per person, 12 and under are free. Visit www.tarara.com or call 703-771-7100.
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.
Rock-n-Ride. Noon-3 p.m., Northern Virginia Community College, Loudoun campus, 1000 Harry Byrd Highway, Sterling. 6th Annual Re/Max Premier Rock-n-Ride, in partnership with Loudoun Crime Commission and the Sheriff's Office. Features music, motorcycles, food, silent auction and raffle. Proceeds benefit Children's National Medical Center. Riders invited to take part in 70-mile ride to Gettysburg, Pa., beginning at 9 a.m. Contact 703-802-2850 or visit www.rocknride.org.
Fall Plant Exchange. Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, Sterling. Trade your extra perennial divisions, houseplants, herbs, bulbs, seeds, etc. for something new. Everyone is welcome. No registration required. Call 703-430-6673.
Circus. 1:30 p.m., 4:3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Virginia Academy-Community Church, 19790 Ashbrn Road, Ashburn. Cole Bros. Circus of the Stars. See Sept. 6 item for more details.
Steel Drum Music. 12 p.m., Rust Library, 34 D Catoctin Circle, Leesburg. The Rust Library will celebrate its opening at 34D Catoctin Circle with music provided by Ewabo. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Face Painting. 1-4 p.m., Rust Library, 34 D Catoctin Circle, Leesburg. Professional artist Kathy Holzer will be face painting. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Language for the Eye. 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St. Learn about sound and the human ear, American Sign Language and how technology is used by both deaf and hearing people to communicate. Recommended for all ages. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
School Days Tea. 1 p.m., Oatland Plantation, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg. See Sept. 7 item for details.
Block Party. 4-7 p.m., Ox Hill Baptist Church, 4101 Elmwood St., Chantilly. The public is invited to a communitywide block party celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Ox Hill Baptist Church. Includes a climbing wall, moon bounce, petting zoo, fire truck, bingo, free food, cotton candy, snow cones, popcorn, a pie-eating contest, finger-printing for children, games and more. Call 703-378-5555, e-mail info@oxhillbaptist.org or visit www.oxhillbaptist.org.
Birding Banshee. 8 a.m., Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve. Join the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and the Friends of Banshee Reeks at the Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve for the monthly bird walk. Bring binoculars. Contact Joe Coleman at 540-554-2542 or jcoleman@loudounwildlife.org.
<cal1>Sunday/Sept. 9
<cal2>Breakfast. 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Ashburn Fire and Rescue, 20688 Ashburn Road. Includes coffee, juices, eggs, hash browns, sausage, gravy and biscuits and pancakes. The apparatus bay area is open to children of all ages. Cost is $6 adults, $4 ages 3-8, under 3 free, $5 seniors. Call 703-729-0006.
Music. 5 p.m., Belmont Country Club, 19661 Belmont Manor Lane, Ashburn. Lynyrd Skynyrd will perform in concert to support the Loudoun Foundation and Sea of Sound. Cost: advance $20, gate $25. Tickets are available online through www.ticketstobuy.com, in person at Manhattan Pizza, Kirkpatrick's Irish Pub and Spanky's Shenanigans, or by calling 804-794-6700.
Circus. 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., Virginia Academy-Community Church, 19790 Ashbrn Road, Ashburn. Cole Bros. Circus of the Stars. See Sept. 6 item for more details.
Science. 2 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Sputnik and the Dawn of the Space Age. Learn how history changed Oct. 4, 1957, when the Societ Union successfully launched Sputnik I and the start of the space race began. Recommended for teens and adults. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Pipe Organ Concert. 3:30 p.m., Leesburg United Methodist Church, 107 W. Market St., S.W., Leesburg. A free "organ smorgasbord" will be performed by Beverly Clark, dean of the Winchester (area) Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, on the 14-rank Randall Dyer pipe organ. Call 703-777-2056.
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.
<cal1>Monday/Sept. 10
<cal2>Kids Yoga. 10:15 a.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay ROad. Yoga class for children ages 4-6. Advance registration required, two weeks prior to program. Register online at www.lcpl.lib.va.us or phone 703-737-8100.
Teddy Bear Picnic. 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. Bring lunch and a teddy bear for a picnic at the library. Includes stories, songs and dancing. No peanut products. Recommended for ages 0-5. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
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. See Sept. 7 item for more details.
<cal1>Tuesday/Sept. 11
<cal2>Knitting. 6:30 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. Join the Ashburn Volunteer Knitters to knit small blankets, caps etc. to donate to area hospitals. Recommended for ages 12-18 and adults. Bring bamboo needles and worsted weight yarn. Advance registration is required. Register online at www.lcpl.lib.va.us or phone 703-737-8100.
Memorial Ceremony. 7 p.m., Leesburg Town Green, 25 West Market St., Leesburg. To mark the 6th anniversary of the events of Sept. 11, 2001, the Town of Leesburg will be holding an evening memorial ceremony. The ceremony will include messages from the mayor and the chief of police. Contact the Town of Leesburg’s Parks and Recreation Department at 703-777-1368 or visit www.idalee.org.
<cal1>Wednesday/Sept. 12
<cal2>Rewriting History. 4 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. Many important historical events could have turned out differently if only one little thing had been changed. Come explore all of the possibilities. Recommended for ages 9-11. Advance registration required. Register online at www.lcpl.lib.va.us or phone 703-737-8100.
Wee Got the Beat. 11:30 a.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St. Feel the beat and discover the joys of music with Beth Barbaro, a board certified music therapist. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
<cal1>Thursday/Sept. 13
<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.
Senior Forum. 1 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Members of the Board of Supervisors will be on hand to discuss senior-related issues. Members invited to come for lunch at noon, sign up required. Call 703-430-2397.
<cal1>Friday/Sept. 14
<cal2>Museum Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to the Hillwood Museum and Gardens in Washington, D.C. Includes tour of the former home and gardens of Marjorie Merriweather Post. Bring lunch or purchase at the museum. Cost: $17 members, $19 nonmembers, includes transportation and admission. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.
After-Hours Teen Center. 7-10 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Inlcudes games and music. For middle-schoolers. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us for events.
<cal1>Saturday/Sept. 15
<cal2>Bluemont Fair. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Route 734, Snickersville Turnpike. Country fair including crafts, local art, demonstrations, music, 10K and fun run, children's fair, animals, food, and more; no pets permitted. Cost: $5 adults, children under 12 free; free parking. Call 540-554-2367 or visit www.bluemontfair.com.
Summer Concert. 6-9:30 p.m., Tarara Winery, 13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg. Includes live entertainment, wine and food. Cost: $10 per person, 12 and under are free. Visit www.tarara.com or call 703-771-7100.
Game Day. 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Collecting donations of working video games, DVDs and gaming systems such as Game Boy, Leapster, DS, Game Cube, Playstation, etc., with any necessary wires for patients to use at Children’s Hospital.
Virginia Wine Festival. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Morven Park Equestrian Center, 41793 Tutt Lane, Leesburg. The 32nd annual Virginia Wine Festival includes premier wine and gourmet show. Cost: $20 per person in advance, $25 per person at the gate. Call 703-823-1868 or visit http://www.virginiawinefestival.org.
Vintage Wine and Cars. 12:30-5 p.m., Willowcroft Farm Vineyards, 38906 Mt. Gilead Road, Leesburg. The Early Ford V8 Club of Northern Virginia will be at the vineyards with classic model cars. Special tasting of Willowcroft archive wines. View cars from 12:30-3:30 p.m. Cost: free for car viewing, $7 per person tasting fee. Call 703-777-8161 or visit http://www.willowcroftwine.com.
Awakening Music Festival. 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Bull Run Regional Park, 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville. The fourth annual music festival will present Christian music and entertainemnt. Cost: $15 in advance, $20 at the door and free for children under 6.
Harvest Festival. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Prcellville. Harvest Festival and Lobster Feast, includes wine tasting, live music, crafters and vineyard tours, plus children's entertainment. Reservations for lobster required. Cost: $15 adults, $10 for children over 6 and designated drivers. Call 800-492-9961.
Arts and Crafts Festival. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal's Gap Road, Sterling. The 2007 Autumn Arts and Crafts Festival, includes more than 100 vendors. In addition, enjoy historic house tours, entertainers, a children's hands-on craft area, demonstrations by local crafters and shaded picnic area and pavilions. Free. Call 571-258-3700 or visit www.loudoun.gov/prcs/parks/claude.htm.
Bollywood Dancing. 2 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Presentation of Indian dancing and culture with the Cham Cham Payal Bajey dance troupe. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Language for the Eye. 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Cascades Library. Learn about sound and the human ear, American Sign Language and how technology is used by both deaf and hearing people to communicate. Recommended for all ages. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Children’s Consignment Sale. 9 a.m.-12 p.m., The Community Church, 19790 Ashburn Road, Ashburn. Includes a selection of new and preowned children’s items. Visit mychildscloset.com or call 703-203-7362.
Plant Exchange. 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Heritage Farm Museum, 21668 Heritage Farm Lane, Sterling. Plants must be labeled and potted or bagged in a leak-proof container. Registration begins at 10 a.m., the exchange starts at 10:30 a.m. Call the museum at 571-258-3800 to register.
<cal1>Sunday/Sept. 16
<cal2>Bluemont Fair. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Route 734, Snickersville Turnpike. See Sept. 15 item for more details.
Virginia Wine Festival. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Morven Park Equestrian Center, 41793 Tutt Lane, Leesburg. See Sept. 15 listing for more information.
Science. 2 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Sputnik and the Dawn of the Space Age. Learn how history changed Oct. 4, 1957, when the Societ Union successfully launched Sputnik I and the start of the space race began. Recommended for teens and adults. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
<cal1>Monday/Sept. 17
<cal2>Bat World. 4 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Learn all the facts and habitats of bats with Leslie Sturgis of Bat World Northern Virginia. See live bats. Recommended for the family. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
<cal1>Tuesday/Sept. 18
<cal2>Me and My World. 4 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Learn about pirating on the high seas in preparation for International Talk Like a Pirate Day on Sept. 19. Recommended for ages 4-6. Advance registration required at www.lcpl.lib.va.us or phone 703-430-9500.
Dog Adopting. 4 p.m., Rust Temporary Library, 34 D Catoctin Circle. October is adopt a shelter dog month. Find out what is involved in adopting a dog: the care, maintenance and time involved. Recommended for ages 5 and up. Advance registration required at www.lcpl.lib.va.us or phone 703-777-0323.
<cal1>Wednesday/Sept. 19
<cal2>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.
Senior Program. 10:45 a.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Cathy Hurley presents Family Love Letters. Free. Call 703-430-2397.
Senior Movie. 1:30 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. See "Wild Hogs," starring John Travolta, Tim Allen, Martin Lawrence, William H. Macy and Tichina Arnold. Rated PG-13, running time 99 minutes. Cost: $2 and includes popcorn and soda. Call 703-430-2397.
Music Together. 10:30 a.m. or 11:30 a.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. Bring children and join Maddy O’Neill-Dean for songs, instrument play, movement and dance for children newborn through 5 years. Advance registration required at www.lcpl.lib.va.us or phone 703-737-8100.
<cal1>Friday/Sept. 21
<cal2>After-Hours Teen Center. 7-10 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Includes games and music. For high-schoolers. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us for events.
Remodeling and Home Décor Show. 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Dulles Expo Center, 4368 Chantilly Shopping Center. The Remodeling & Home Decor Show will showcase 20 Loudoun County companies providing the latest home improvement products and services. Cost: $10 for adults, $3 for children, 6-12, and free for children 5 and under. Visit CapitalHomeShow.com.
<cal1>Saturday/Sept. 22
<cal2>Remodeling and Home Décor Show. 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Dulles Expo Center, 4368 Chantilly Shopping Center. See Sept. 21 listing for more information.
Great Grape Wine Festival. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Tarara Vineyard and Winery, 13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg. Includes wines, grape-stomping competitions, craft and food vendors, children’s Grape Escape, you-pick apples, wagon rides and live music. Cost: $15 per person at gate, $10 per person online when purchased Sept. 19, fee includes wine tasting. Call 703-771-1000 or visit www.tarara.com.
Father-Daughter Dance. 7-9 p.m., Lucketts Community Center, 42361 Lucketts Road. "This Magic Moment" father-daughter dance, features disc jockey, refreshments. Cost: $15 per couple, formal attire optional. Call 703-771-5281.