Send announcements or events, which are open to the public at no or minimal cost, to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102 or e-mail loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Friday, two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. For more information, call 703-917-6454.
Kirk Martin will provide strategies for parents and teachers to create a stress-free home or classroom at a free back-to-school workshop Wednesday, Aug. 27, from 7-9 p.m., at Tolbert Elementary School, 691 Potomac Station Drive, N.E., Leesburg. E-mail kirk@celebratecalm.com or visit www.CelebrateCALM.com.
Driver improvement clinic, sponsored By MADD Loudoun, Sunday, Aug. 31, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., 30B Catoctin Circle, Leesburg. DMV-approved course taught by Virginia Rescue Training Center Inc. Cost: $65 preregistration, $75 at the door. Call 703-675-6632 or visit www.vrtc.org. Proceeds from the class will be donated to MADD Loudoun.
The Loudoun Academy of the Arts in Leesburg is offering art classes and workshops beginning the week of Sept. 2. Beginning, intermediate and advanced artists of all ages will find a complete lineup of classes in drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics and photography. In addition, the "Get Me Started" series is offered to beginners who want to try their hand at art.
The Loudoun Academy of the Arts is a 501c3 educational Arts Center that provides fine-art instruction, gallery exhibition space for artists and studio rentals for practicing artists. The center is located at 222 South King St., Leesburg. For a full schedule of classes and workshops, including supply lists and fees, visit www.loudounacademy.org or call 703-777-8043.
Rhythm, Rhyme & Tune Time, early language learning, Thursdays, Sept. 4-Oct. 9, at 10 a.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St. Sing, chant, play instruments and move creatively as a way to explore the sounds, rhythms and patterns that make up language. Each session lasts for six weeks. Recommended for ages infant-4 years with parent/caregiver. Register online at http://library.louduon.gov or phone 703-430-9500.
Every Child Ready to Read, early literacy workshop, Monday, Sept. 8, at 7 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Learn six important prereading skills to teach babies and toddlers. For parents or caregivers of infant to 2-year-olds. Register online at http://library.loudoun.gov or phone 703-737-8100.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is offering a free, English as a Second Language program for non-English speaking adults. The LDS church holds classes three nights a week. The ESL program follows the public school year and offers three beginner courses and one advanced class. The schedule is every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening, from 7:30-9 p.m., at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 22066 Circle Drive, Sterling. Enrollment takes place Tuesday, Sept. 9, at 7:30 p.m., with classes to begin on Wednesday, Sept. 10.
Homework 101, Tuesday, Sept. 9 and Wednesday, Sept. 10, 1:30 -4:30 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. A two-day workshop designed to show the home schooled and their parents what electronic resources the library has to offer, from language programs to a "self-test" database. Register online at http://library.loudoun.gov or phone 703-430-9500.
Registration for ESL classes, computer and typing for ESL students will be held Tuesday, Sept. 9 and Thursday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m., at Faith Bible Church, 21393 Potomac View Road, Sterling.
ESL classes will start Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 7:30 p.m. Cost: $35 for the school year September 2008-May 2009. Typing class will start Tuesday, Sept. 23 and computer class will start Thursday, Sept. 25. Both classes start at 7:30 p.m. Typing class is $35 from September-December. Call church's office at 703-430-1345.
Rhythm, Rhyme & Tune Time, early language learning, Wednesdays, Sept. 10, 17, 24, Oct. 1, 8 and 15, at 11:15 a.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Sing, chant, play instruments and move creatively as a way to explore the sounds, rhythms and patterns that make up language. Each session lasts for six weeks. Recommended for ages infant-4 years with parent/caregiver. Register online at http://library.loudoun.gov or phone 703-737-8100.
Babygarten, an informational program for infants and their parents or caregivers. Classes focus on how nursery rhymes, songs and books can enrich a child's life from the very beginning and provide them with a foundation for the future. Sponsored by the Loudoun Library Foundation Inc., and branch advisory boards. Each Babygarten session lasts for six weeks. Recommended for children from birth through 18 months with their parent or caregiver.
Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Wednesdays, Sept. 10-Oct. 15, at 10 a.m.; Wednesdays, Sept. 10-Oct. 15, at 2:30 p.m.; Fridays, Sept. 12-Oct. 17, at 10 a.m. Call 703-737-8100.
Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Mondays, Sept. 8, 22, 29, Oct. 6, 20 and 27, at 10:30 a.m.; Tuesdays, Sept. 16-Oct. 21, at 2 p.m. Call 703-444-3228.
Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Wednesdays, Sept. 3-Oct. 8, at 10 a.m. Call 703-430-9500.
Novelist Tracee Lydia Garner will host a writer's conference at Dominion University, 21335 Signal Hill Plaza, Sterling, Saturday, Sept. 13, from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. The conference includes workshops from local industry leaders and a screenwriter and instructor at Northern Virginia Community College, Loudoun campus. For more information about the conference, or for reservations, call 571-296-4448 or e-mail Teegarner@aol.com.