<i>To have community events listed in Centre View, mail to 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to centreview@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Call Steve Hibbard at 703-917-6434.</i>
<b>ONGOING</b>
Austin Grill in Centreville is holding a Kids Eat Free (2 per paying adult) on Tuesday evenings from 6-8 p.m.
Yoplait Pink Lids are being collected by the Western Fairfax Alumnae of Zeta Tau Alpha. Yoplait will donate 10 cents to the Susan G. Komen Foundation and 5 cents to the ZTA Foundation for every lid sent in by Zeta. A pink drop box can be found in the Centreville United Methodist Church narthex (intersection of Route 28/New Braddock Road) on the mission table until Dec. 9.
Chick-fil-A at Fair Oaks Mall hosts "Family Night" every Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. Every week there is a free, different activity to entertain kids of all ages. Come celebrate at Fair Oaks Mall, located inside the main entrance between Sears and Macy’s. Call us 703-279-1883 or email at CFAEVENTS@aol.com.
Our Neighbors Child is the local organization that steps in during the holiday to provide toys and clothing for families in the immediate ZIP code who are having a difficult time. Through the help of 15 local churches, Western Fairfax Christian Ministries-Ways and Means, and many school counselors and social workers, ONC is able to determine the families who have the greatest need. Local volunteers then work together to meet those needs.
In its 17th year, ONC is looking for groups or individuals that would "adopt" the special needs of local families for the holiday season. The focus this year is on winter coats. Specific family information will not be available until Thanksgiving. If you are interested in helping, email to Kathy Sposa and Tracy McInturff at Sposafamily@aol.com.
The Western Fairfax County Woman’s Club is selling 2008 White House Christmas ornaments. This year’s ornament honors the 23rd President, Benjamin Harrison. The cost of the ornament is $18, and all profits go to charity. Orders may be placed through any club member or by calling 703-378-6841 or 703-378-6216.
The Clock Tower Thrift store in Centreville needs volunteers on weekdays and weekends to help in sorting out merchandise, tagging and organizing it. Volunteers (not younger than 16 years old) will also greet and assist customers that bring donations and buy store items. Northern Virginia Family Service has served low income individuals and families for over 80 years. Contact Monica Arispe at 703-219-2193 or volunteer@nvfs.org. Court-ordered volunteers are welcome.
<b>Thursday, Dec. 4</b>
Mothers First - Chantilly/Centreville is a nonprofit support organization dedicated to helping women who have chosen to alter their careers to raise their children at home. Meetings are first and third Thursdays at 10:15 a.m. at the Centreville Regional Library,14200 St Germain Dr., Centreville. Contact 703-827-5922 or www.mothersfirst.org.
<b>Friday/Dec. 5</b>
The 20th annual Santa's Ride for Children will take place Dec. 9-11 throughout the area. The Fairfax County Police Motorcycle Squad, in cooperation with the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office, Virginia State Police, Fairfax City Police, Falls Church City Police, Town of Herndon Police and Town of Vienna Police will be escorting Santa on his 20th annual Ride for Children. On Monday, Dec. 8, Santa’s elves will pick up toys and other donations from police stations and other government facilities throughout the county. On Tuesday, Dec. 9, Santa will visit several schools and police stations. Santa and his helpers will deliver the toys to children at the Georgetown Lombardi Cancer Center on Dec. 10 and INOVA Fairfax Hospital Child Life Center on Dec. 11. Anyone wishing to make a donation should bring a new, unwrapped toy, game, book, stuffed animal or other gift to any county police station. All donations should be made before 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 5.
Swing Dances are held every Friday night at the Dulles Hilton in the Red Fox Room with Sue and Gary Caley. Drop-in beginner lesson included in price of admission from 8:30-9 p.m. Live music from 9 p.m. to midnight. Cost is $15. All ages welcome, large dance floors, air conditioned. Hilton Washington Dulles Hotel, 13869 Park Center Road, Herndon. Go to www.gottaswing.com for details etc.
* Dec. 5 — Natty Beaux;
* Dec. 12 — The Grandsons;
* Dec. 19 — King Teddy (and our Winter Wonderland Dance with decorations desserts and lots of sparkle!);
* Dec. 26 — JP McDermott and the Bop, also our annual PJ party so wear your Pajama's! We'll bring the milk and cookies.
<b>Saturday/Dec. 6</b>
A jewelry show/shopping event will be held Saturday, Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jewelry by Cookie Lee for $14-$48. Jewelry made for every woman to complement or reinvent her own unique style. Great children’s Jewelry too. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Little Flock Christian School. 11911 Braddock Road, Fairfax. Call 703-591-1216. www.cookielee.biz/julielawrence to preview the jewelry.
The Arc of Northern Virginia is holding a Holiday Festival Fun(draiser) on Saturday, Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Gather for relaxed mingling and holiday shopping, a Switch Toy Adaptation Workshop (RSVP), educational books and toys, photo sessions (RSVP), wreaths, baked goods and more. Located at 98 N. Washington St., Falls Church. Call 703-532-3214 or info@thearcofnova.org.
Local artist Elaine Florimonte will be participating in a Jewelry Show and Sale on Saturday, Dec. 6 from 1-8 p.m. at the Broadway Gallery in Fair Lakes. Visit the Broadway Gallery web site at www.broadwaygalleries.net/events.php. See samples of jewelry at www.elaineflorimonte.com.
RE/MAX Gateway in Chantilly will host a pancake breakfast on Saturday, Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. featuring Santa Claus for families in the Chantilly community, to collect toys to be shared with those in need this holiday season. RE/MAX Gateway has set a goal to collect 500 toys, all to be donated to the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation for distribution to the children. Santa will make his grand entrance to the event on a fire truck courtesy of the Chantilly Fire & Rescue Co. 15. The RE/MAX Chantilly Office is at 4090B Lafayette Center Drive, Chantilly.
<b>Sunday/Dec. 7</b>
Little Rocky Run is holding a festive Holiday Fair on Sunday, Dec. 7 from noon to 4 p.m. at Little Rocky Run Recreation Center #2, 6201 Sandstone Way, just off Union Mill by Centreville High School. Bring a friend and join the fun with door prizes. Vendors include: A Great Candle (Mia Bella), Silpada Design (Jewelry,) Stampin-Up, Mary Kay, Tastefully Simple, Card Cottage and Tupperware.
Holiday Fair – Festive Holiday Fair on Sunday, Dec. 7 from 12 – 4 p.m. Little Rocky Run Rec Center #2, 6201 Sandstone Way, Clifton. Vendors include: A Great Candle (Mia Bella), Silpada Design Jewerly, Stampin-Up, Mary Kay, and more. Go to www.llrholidayfair.com.
<b>DEC. 10-11</b>
Fairfax Area League of Women Voters Gives Input to State and Regional Leagues. In December, at unit meetings throughout Fairfax County and City, League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area (LWVFA) members will be discussing issues of importance to the League for the next biennium. These meetings afford the "grassroots" a chance to sound off about topics that the state and regional Leagues should explore during 2009-2011. These meetings are open to the public. Call 703-658-9150 or go the LWVFA Web site: lwv-fairfax.org.
* Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 12 noon at Sully District Governmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd., Centreville. Contact: Susan, 703-391-0666
* Thursday, Dec. 11 at 9 a.m. (Luncheon meeting) at 2615 John Milton Drive, Herndon. Contact: Rona 703-476-5758.
<cal2>The Alliance Theatre will hold auditions for "Plaza Suite" by Neil Simon on Dec. 10, 11, 15, and 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Mountain View School in Centreville. Rehearsals are held in the evenings. Character ages are one man and one woman who can play 47. Ages 2-6 actors. Two waiters or waitresses. One younger woman 20s-30s. Readings from the script. Mountain View School, Spindle Court, Centreville. The show will be held Feb. 6-7 and Feb. 13-14, and Feb. 8 and Feb. 15 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $8-$10 at the door and the web site. www.thealliancetheatre.org.
<b>Dec. 12-14</b>
The Sugarloaf Crafts Festival will take place Dec. 12-14 at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly. The event includes more than 350 artists and designers exhibiting their handmade works in sculpture, glass, jewelry, fashion, fine arts and home decor. The Festival will also feature live demonstrations, music, and family entertainment. The hours are Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Dulles Expo Center is at 4320 Chantilly Place Center, Chantilly. Admission is $7/online purchase; $8/adult at door; free for children under 12. Free parking. Visit www.sugarloafcrafts.com or call 800-210-9900.
Encore Theatrical Arts Project presents "Over the North Pole," its 12th Annual Holiday Spectacular, in two locations. Written by Brandon Kalbaugh and directed and choreographed by Raynor van der Merwe. See www.encore-tap.org. The dates are Dec. 12 at 8 p.m.; Dec. 13 at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Dec. 14 at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. at The Richard J. Ernst Theatre, NOVA Annandale Campus, 8333 Little River Turnpike. Also playing on Dec. 20 at 1, 4, 8 p.m.; and Dec. 21 at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. at Harris Theatre, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. Cost is $15/students and seniors; $17/adults; $15 Scout Special (includes behind-the-scenes tour, pre-seating and snack). Visit www.encore-tap.org or call 703-222-5511.
<b>Saturday/Dec. 13</b>
"It’s All About the Cats" – A kitten and cat adoption extravaganza is Saturday, Dec. 13 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Centreville Regional Library, St. Germaine Drive, Centreville. There will be all breeds of cats, from Long Haired, Semi-Long Haired and Domestic Short-Hairs in a variety of colors, Black, Orange, Gray, and White, Tabbies, Patch-cats, and Tuxedoes. Sponsored by Commonwealth Cat Rescue Inc.
Chantilly Bible Church is hosting a free holiday Model Train Display on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event is especially for families with children, and will feature train displays including a large Lionel display, Lego display and an HO Modular display. Chantilly Bible Church is at 4390 Pleasant Valley Road in Chantilly.
<b>DEC. 13-14</b>
Take a candlelight tour of Sully Historic Site on Saturday, Dec. 13 and Sunday, Dec. 14. Tours begin at 5 p.m. with the last tour at 8:15 p.m. on Saturday and 7:15 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $10/adults and $7/seniors and children. Call 703-437-1794. Sully Historic Site is located at 3650 Historic Sully Way, Chantilly.
The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra is celebrating the holiday season with its "Holiday Pops" concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14, at George Mason University's Center for the Arts. The Fairfax Choral Society and the W. T. Woodson High School Select Vocal Ensemble return to join the Symphony for renditions of the season's most beloved tunes. FSO Associate Conductor, Glenn Quader, shares the podium with Dr. Douglas Mears, Music Director of the Choral Society, and Michael Ehrlich, Director of the W.T. Woodson Chorus. Tickets are $15 for children and students with valid identification, and range from $15 - $45 for adults. Tickets are available in person at the GMU box office (Tuesday-Saturday, 10-6 p.m.), online at Tickets.com, or by phone at 888-945-2468. To arrange a discount for groups of 20 or more students, call the FSO office at 703-563-1990. All seating is reserved.
<b>Monday/Dec. 15</b>
A Sierra Club Holiday Party will be held Monday, Dec. 15 from 6:30-9 p.m. Enjoy music and a potluck dinner with members and other like-minded people at Lake Anne Community Center, 1609 Washington Plaza N, Reston. Free and open to all. Contact Linda Freimark at Linda.Freimark@virginia.sierraclub.org to coordinate food contributions.
<b>DEC. 18</b>
Mothers First - Chantilly/Centreville is a nonprofit support organization dedicated to helping women who have chosen to alter their careers to raise their children at home. Meetings are first and third Thursdays at 10:15 a.m. at the Centreville Regional Library,14200 St Germain Dr., Centreville. Contact 703-827-5922 or www.mothersfirst.org.
<b>DEC. 19-21</b>
The Alliance Theatre and Westfield Theatre Boosters is presenting "A Christmas Carol" Dec. 19-21. The showtimes are Dec. 19, 20 at 7:30 p.m.; and Dec. 20-21 at 2 p.m. at Mountain View School in Centreville. Tickets are $10/adults, $8/students and seniors. Produced by Elaine Wilson and directed by Matt Lanoue-Chapman, the show features adorable Tiny Tim, those spooky Christmas ghosts, and a multigenerational cast of dozens of actors. For tickets, call 703-834-0200 or visit www.thealliancetheatre.org. Mountain View School is at 5775 Spindle Court, Centreville.