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.
The Douglass Community Center will begin holding spring Abrakadoodle classes for children from 20 months to 13 years old. Children will learn skills designed to ignite the imagination and foster creativity. To register, contact the Douglass Community Center at 703-771-5913 or e-mail dcc@loudoun.gov.
Baby Signs, Thursday, March 27 and Tuesday, April 15, 1 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. A basic baby sign class recommended for ages 6-24 months with parent/caregiver. Advance registration required. Sign up online at www.lcpl.lib.va.us or phone 703-737-8100.
The Rust Library, 34D Catoctin Circle, Leesburg, will hold a writing workshop with NVAA professor and author Nathan Leslie. On March 29, the topic will be "Writing for Publication." The workshops will begin at 3 p.m. Register online at www.lcpl.lib.va.us or call 703-777-0323.
Safe Sitter classes, which teach girls and boys ages 11-14 the skills they need to care for young children. The classes will be held April 5-6 and May 10-11. Students must attend both days. The cost is $50. The classes will be held at the Ashburn Farm Community Center on Windmill Drive. To register call 703-858-3465 or e-mail megan.descutner@hchealthcare.com or by visiting www.broadlandsrmc.com.
The Ashburn Adoption seminar will take place Monday, April 7, from 7-8:30 p.m. The seminar will highlight both domestic and international adoptions. Learn about tax relief and re-adoption and be inspired as adoptive parents share their stories. This free seminar will be held at Broadlands Community Center, 43004 Waxpool Road. To register, contact Karen Law at klawadoption@aol.com or call 703-723-4385.
The Birthing Inn at Inova Loudoun Hospital is offering a free workshop providing expectant parents with information related to the birthing process. Experts and professionals will present educational programs on many topics related to pregnancy and childbirth. This workshop takes place Saturday, April 12, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The Birthing Inn will be open for tours for attendees at the conclusion of the workshop. For additional information and to register, call 703-779-2694.
Parent/child self-defense class, Saturday, April 19, at the Sterling Community Center, 120 Enterprise St., from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Ages 4 and up. Learn important life skills. Wear comfortable clothes. Cost: $25. Call 703-430-9480.
Young at Art classes at Claude Moore Community Center, 46111 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling. Ages 4 and up. Wednesday, April 23, 4:30-5:50 p.m., spring fun. Wednesday, May 21, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Father's Day special. Cost: $9 each, materials included. Call 571-258-3500.
Co-ed self-defense class, Saturday, May 10, at the Sterling Community Center, 120 Enterprise St., from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Ages 18 and up. Learn the basics in a safe environment. Wear comfortable clothes. Cost: $20. Call 703-430-9480.
AARP driving safety class, Wednesday, May 28 and Friday, May 30, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at the Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place. Both days required to obtain a certificate. Cost: $10 for members, $12 for nonmembers. To register, call 703-430-2397.
Make a Japanese berry basket at Claude Moore Community Center, 46111 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling, Saturday, March 29, from 9:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Ages 18 and up. Cost: $28 plus $15 supplies fee. Bring towel, bucket, awl/ice pick, tape measure, pencil, heavy-duty scissors, spring-type clothespin and large plastic bag. Call 571-258-3500.
The Tri-State Riding Club will be sponsoring an obstacle clinic, Saturday, March 29, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., at Rock Hill Farm, 15483 Limestone School Road, Leesburg, to provide a safe venue for riders to bring their animals and practice overcoming obstacles in a noncompetitive and nonstressful setting. Preregistration is required at $40 per horse by completing the registration form and waiver found at www.tristaterc.org. Call Rosemary Lawler 703-795-0486 or e-mail Rosie12349@aol.
Project Learning Tree workshop, Saturday, April 5, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., at Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling. Nationally recognized environmental curriculum about trees, habitats and more through games, stories and activities. Ages 18 and up. Call 571-258-3700 to register.
Make an oval twill basket at Claude Moore Community Center, 46111 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling, Saturday, May 3, from 9:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Ages 18 and up. Cost: $28 plus $11 supplies fee. Bring towel, bucket, awl/ice pick, tape measure, pencil, heavy-duty scissors, spring-type clothespin and large plastic bag. Call 571-258-3500.
Babysigns: Parent Workshop, Saturday, May 3, 10 a.m.-noon, Claude Moore Recreation Center, 46105 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling. Ages 18 and up. Learn how to talk to your baby with sign language. Cost: $11.50 — fee covers both parents — plus $38.40 materials fee. Call 571-258-3600.
The Claude Moore Community Center, 46111 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling, is offering Music Together, Tuesdays and Fridays, from 9:30-10:15 a.m. and 10:30-11:15 a.m. The class offers developmentally appropriate early childhood curriculum for parents, children and primary-care givers. Call 571-258-3500.
The Claude Moore Community Center, 46111 Loudoun Park Lane, is offering My First Preschool, Mondays and Wednesdays, from 9-10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; and Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 9-10:30 a.m. Class for children who will be 2 years old by Sept, 1, 2008. Call 571-258-3500.
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.
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.
Claude Moore Community Center, 46111 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling, is offering lunch bunch afternoons for children 3-5 Mondays and Thursdays, from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Includes crafts, outdoor and indoor playtime and sports. Pack lunch from home, no microwavable food or refrigeration available. Cost: $7 an hour. Register required, call 703-430-6673.
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.