<i>FInd notes to the Connection at south@connectionnewspapers.com or call 703-917-6459. Deadline is Friday. Dated announcements should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event.</i>
<b>Thursday/Sept. 4
</b>Back-to-School Beauty. Hair care and hairstyle tips for teens. 4 p.m. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. 703-339-7385.
<b>Friday/Sept. 5
</b>Leukemia Cup Regatta. The National Capital Area Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society invites area sailors and power boaters to the Leukemia Cup Regatta. 12 p.m. The National Capital Area Chapter Honorary Skipper, Tyler DeMille, will be participating in the Regatta in his first experience outside his home since he was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia when he was 8 months old. One-Design and PHRF style boats welcome. Races will take place throughout the day. Spectator boats will be available to take people out, $10 per person. Registration fees vary per boat. Old Dominion Boat Club, 1 King St., Alexandria. Call Loree Lipstein at 703-960-1100, or visit www.leukemiacup.org/nca.
Lunch Bunch. 12 p.m. Bring Lunch and come for stories. Birth-5 with adult. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Call 703-971-0010.
On the Go. 10:30 a.m. Stories and activities about things on the move. Age 15-35 months with adult. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Call 703-451-8055.
<b>Saturday/Sept. 6
</b>Impaled with Phobia, Malignancy, Illogicist, Maruta, Freehand Arson, Emesis. 6:15 p.m. All ages. $13 in advance, $15 at the door. Jaxx Night Club, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. Call 703-569-5940 or visit www.jaxxroxx.com.
Propagation Series: Seed Saving. 9:30-11 a.m. Learn the basics of seed saving, including seed harvest, drying, cleaning and storage. Venture into the gardens with Mary Frogale, propagation horticulturist, and collect seed to take home from unique annuals and perennials. $22. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. Call 703-642-5173 or visit www.greenspring.org.
Family Fun: Monarch Magic. 2-3:30 p.m. Children 5 and up with accompanying adult explore the life cycle of monarch butterflies. Make a caterpillar cage, add a milkweed snack, and adopt a tiny larva to take home to release in your own garden. $10/project. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. Call 703-642-5173 or visit www.greenspring.org.
Canoeing. Learn the basic mechanics of canoeing with an emphasis on safety and enjoyment. 1-3 p.m. Then take to the water and experience the 55-acre lake, the wetland, streams and views of waterfowl and marsh life while paddling a canoe. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Canoes and life jackets are provided. Bring a water bottle and snack if desired. The cost is $12 per person. For reservations, call 703-569-0285. Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Road in Springfield. Visit http://fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/accotink.
<b>Sunday/Sept. 7
</b>Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority Dog Days. 12-4 p.m. Participating parks include Bull Run Water Park in Centreville, Downpour Water Park at Algonkian Regional Park in Sterling, Great Waves at Cameron Run Regional Park in Alexandria, Pirate’s Cove at Pohick Bay Regional Park in Lorton and Upton Hill Regional Park in Arlington. Admission is $5 per dog. Dog owners must fill out a liability waiver and dog must have a current license and rabies vaccination. For more information, including directions to any of the facilities, visit www.nvrpa.org.
Grandparents Day Cruise. 5-6 p.m. A cruise for grandparents, with an interpretive history of the surrounding area along the shoreline. Refreshments served. $3.50 seniors, $7 adults, $4 children. Reservations required. Lake Accotink Park, 7550 Accotink Park Road, Springfield. 703-569-0285.
<b>Monday/Sept. 8
</b>9/11 Remembrance Ceremony following morning session of the Board of Supervisors’ regular meeting, approximately 12 p.m., at the 9/11 Memorial Grove behind the Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. The rain site for the ceremony will be the Government Center Forum. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/2008/161.htm.
The Ashley Fister Cole Foundation sixth annual Driving for Surviving Melanoma Charity Golf Classic. 1 p.m. at Stonewall Golf Club on Lake Manassas, 15601 Turtle Point Drive, Gainesville. All net proceeds from this year’s tournament will help fund the trial study programs of researcher Dr. Wen-Jen Hwu at the University of Texas’ MD Anderson Cancer Center. Play golf with free range balls, a cart, greens fee, lunch, unlimited beverages on the course and dinner, $175. Hole sponsors with signs and a special message on one of the tee boxes, $200. Visit www.ashleyfistercolefoundation.org.
Fall Crafts. 3:30 p.m. After-school activities and crafts. Age 6-12. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Call 703-971-0010.
Practice Your English. 7 p.m. Conversation group for people learning English. Adults. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Call 703-971-0010.
Go, Dinos, Go! 10:30 a.m. Stories and fun about dinosaurs. Age 24-35 months with adult. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Call 703-339-4610.
Practice Your English. 3 p.m. Conversation group for people learning English. Adults. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Call 703-451-8055.
Book Chat. 4 p.m. Stop in to share current favorites or hear what other people are reading. Adults. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Call 703-451-8055.
Nature Quest: Bugs. 10-11 a.m. Collecting, identifying and releasing insects, spiders and other bugs. $4 per child. Reservations required. Hidden Pond Nature Center, 8511 Greeley Blvd., Springfield. 703-451-9588.
<b>Tuesday/Sept. 9
</b>What’s New in Picture Books. 7 p.m. Learn about new books to use with preschoolers. Childcare certification available. Adults. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Call 703-971-0010.
<b>Wednesday/Sept. 10
</b>Practice Your English. 10:15 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Conversation group for people learning English. Adults. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Call 703-339-4610.
All About Bugs! 7 p.m. Meet and learn about creepy crawlies. Age 6-12. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. 703-339-7385.
<b>Thursday, Sept. 11
</b>Garden Stroll and Tea. 1-3 p.m. The docent-led tours of our demonstration gardens are followed by a full English afternoon tea. Individuals and groups are welcome. $25. Call Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. Call 703-642-5173 or visit www.greenspring.org.
Bugs, bugs, bugs! 10:30 a.m. Come for stories and activities. Age 2-3 with adult. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Call 703-971-0010.
<b>Friday/Sept. 12
</b>Kix with ZO2, Baby Jayne, Gate 1, Rival Tribe. 7:30 p.m. Age 21+; $27 in advance, $30 at the door. Jaxx Night Club, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. Call 703-569-5940 or visit www.jaxxroxx.com.
Basic Gardening: Introduction to Ornamental Grasses. 1:30-2:30 p.m. Find out from Green Spring Master Gardeners how to select, plant and maintain the best ornamental grasses available. $12. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. Call 703-642-5173 or visit www.greenspring.org.
Lunch Bunch. 12 p.m. Bring Lunch and come for stories. Birth-5 with adult. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Call 703-971-0010.
Royce Campbell, guitarist and singer with both the Roanoke and Richmond Symphonies. 7 p.m. Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door. The Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton. Call 703-584-2900 or visit www.workhousearts.org.
<b>Saturday/Sept. 13
</b>17th Annual Rocks Inc. 5-Mile Run and 2-Mile Walk. 8:30 a.m. at Burke Lake Park, 7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station. All entrants receive a T-shirt. The top three overall and age group male and female finishers as well as the top ROTC, Military Unit, and Corporate team finishers will be awarded trophies and medals. The Washington, DC Chapter of The Rocks, Inc, is a 501 (c)(19) non-profit organization comprised of officers of the U.S. Armed Forces, providing mentorship and scholarships for ROTC cadets and young military officers. Proceeds go toward cadet and outreach activities, and scholarships for college students aspiring to be U.S. military officers. Call 1-877-762-5732, visit www.therocksdc.org or e-mail info@therocksdc.org.
47th Annual Model Soldier Show. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Model soldiers, sci-fi/fantasy crafters, plastic models and over 100 vendors with figure kits, toy soldiers, Russian-painted figures, fantasy figures, plastic models, books, videos, music and militaria. Northern Virginia Community College, 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale. Adults $7, Children under 12 free. 703-938-6361 or www.geocities.com/ncmss/.
Kayak with the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Launching from 6501 Pohick Bay Drive, Lorton.
Bamboo with P.I. 7 p.m. All ages; $70. Jaxx Night Club, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. Call 703-569-5940 or visit www.jaxxroxx.com.
Designing with Perennials: Shape and Repose in the Garden. 9:30-11 a.m. Explore the principles of combining perennials and woody plants to bring out the best in your garden design. The class combines indoor presentations with outdoor explorations. $18. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. Call 703-642-5173 or visit www.greenspring.org.
Propagation Series: Saving Your Treasures, Tender Perennials. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Learn simple, successful propagation techniques from Green Spring horticulturist, Nancy Olney and take home some of our treasures! Your new talent will save you money in spring! $22. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. Call 703-642-5173 or visit www.greenspring.org.
Puppetopia presents a positive puppet show called You Can Do It! 11 a.m. All ages. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Call 703-971-0010.
Celebrate Summer Chalk Art Festival. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Transform the library’s sidewalks into colorful chalk masterpieces. All supplies provided; weather permitting. All ages. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. 703-339-7385.
Orienteering Workshop. 12-2 p.m. Celebrate National Orienteering Day. Courses available for all levels and ages. $6 per person. Lake Accotink Park, 7550 Accotink Park Road, Springfield. 703-569-0285.
Jazz guitarist Royce Campbell, in the main gallery building of the new Workhouse Arts Center. Listen to smooth jazz, get a sneak preview of the Workhouse’s opening art exhibitions. Gallery exhibition preview 6 p.m., concert 7 p.m. Workhouse Arts Center Gallery Building, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton. 703-495-0001. www.WorkhouseArts.org.
<b>Sunday, Sept. 14
</b>Freeze! Preserving fall harvest tea program. 1-3 p.m. Freezing is one of the easiest, most convenient methods of preserving foods. Learn about which fruits and vegetables can freeze, which methods work best, and what materials are needed. Program includes full English tea. $25. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. Call 703-642-5173 or visit www.greenspring.org.
<b>Monday/Sept. 15
</b>"Summers with Lincoln" Book Signing. 7:30 p.m. Local author and West Springfield High history teacher James Percoco presents his third book, "Summers with Lincoln," as Richard Byrd Library unveils its new We the People bookshelf. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Free, adults; registration required, call 703-451-8055.
Sigh with Zimmers Hole, Unexpect Ecliptic, more. 6:15 p.m. All ages; $17 in advance, $20 at the door. Jaxx Night Club, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. Call 703-569-5940 or visit www.jaxxroxx.com.
Practice Your English. 7 p.m. Conversation group for people learning English. Adults. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Call 703-971-0010.
Practice Your English. 3 p.m. Conversation group for people learning English. Adults. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Call 703-451-8055.
<b>Tuesday/Sept. 16
</b>Mother-Daughter Book Discussion. 7 p.m. Call for title. Age 10-12 with adult. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Call 703-971-0010.
Peek-a-Boo. 10:30 a.m. Playful songs and activities. Age 13-23 months with adults. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Call 703-339-4610.
Welcome Fall. 10:30 Stories, activities and a craft. Age 2-3 with adult. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. 703-339-7385.
<b>Wednesday/Sept. 17
</b>Small Wonders. 10:30 Stories, fingerplay and activities. Sage 13-23 months with adult. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Call 703-971-0010.
Book discussion. 7:15 p.m. Call for title. Adults. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Call 703-971-0010.
Practice English. 10:15 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Conversation group for people learning English. Adults. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Call 703-339-4610.
Book discussion group. "The Gift of Asher Lev" by Chaim Potok. 7:30 p.m. Adults. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. 703-339-7385.
One Stroke Painting, Floral Still Life Workshop. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Learn simple but elegant brush strokes. $30. Pre-paid registration required. For ages 13 and up. Lake Accotink Park, 7550 Accotink Park Road, Springfield. 703-569-0285.
Ponderings: Tiptoe in the Swamp Ooze. 4-6 p.m. Explore the messy and misunderstood wetland. Wear shoes that can get dirty. $6 per child. Suitable for ages 6-12. Hidden Pond Nature Center, 8511 Greeley Blvd., Springfield. 703-451-9588.
<b>Thursday/Sept. 18
</b>Back-to-school beauty: Skin. 4 p.m. Skin care, hygiene and make-up tips for teens. Age 13-18. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. 703-339-7385.
Springfield Writer’s Group. 7 p.m. Share your work, five and receive feedback. Adults. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Call 703-451-8055.
GMU Speaker Series: Jack Hadley Ph.D., senior health services researcher, speaks on "Uninsured in America: Costs, Consequences, and Possible Solutions," 6 p.m., at George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Mason Hall, Room D3AB, Fairfax. Free. 703-993-1850 or visit http://chpre.gmu.edu.
Barry Nemett's Language of Landscape: Works From Italy. Reception, 4:30-6 p.m. George Mason University's Fine Arts Gallery, room B104, on the Fairfax campus of George Mason University at the intersection of Braddock Road and Route 123. Free; the gallery is open to the public on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and weekends by appointment. Visit www.gmu.edu/cfa
<b>Friday/Sept. 19
</b>Workhouse Arts Center Grand Opening. Ribbon cutting at 11 a.m.; guests to include Fairfax County dignitaries, community leaders, and arts administrators. Learn about the history of the former prison, visit artists’ studios, purchase fine art and enjoy musical and theater performances. Workhouse Arts Center, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton. www.WorkhouseArts.org.
Classical Concert with Pedja Muzijevic, concert pianist and director of Music Programming at the Baryshnikov Arts Center, with French horn soloist Eric Ruske and violinist Jessica Lee. Reception 7 p.m., concert 7:30 p.m. Tickets, $20 for Workhouse members, $25 for non-members. Workhouse Arts Center, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton. 703-495-0001. www.WorkhouseArts.org.
Lunch Bunch. 12 p.m. Bring Lunch and come for stories. Birth-5 with adult. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Call 703-971-0010.
Monkey Business. 10:30 a.m. Have fun with favorite monkey friends. Age 3-5 with adults. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Call 703-451-8055.
<b>Saturday/Sept. 20
</b>Battle of the Bands, with a $1,000 Grand Prize. 12:15 p.m. All ages; $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Jaxx Night Club, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. Call 703-569-5940 or visit www.jaxxroxx.com.
Northern Virginia Senior Olympics. $10 for the first event; additional events $1. The NVSO will run from Sept. 20-Oct. 2, for 50 year olds and up. Track and field events will begin at 10:30 a.m. at Thomas Jefferson Community Center, 3501 S. 2nd St., Arlington. A health fair will also be held on opening day, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Other events, beginning Monday, Sept. 22, will be held at various locations in Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William. Registration deadline Sept. 5; registration forms are available at senior centers. Call 703-228-3600 ext. 9996 or visit www.novaseniorolympics.com.
Children’s Theatre Performances of "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day," based on the book by Judith Viorst. 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. $12 for adults, $10 for children. Festival of Arts and Art Under the Arches, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Workhouse Arts Center, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton. www.Workhouse.org.
Hoppers. 10:30 a.m. Meet some critters that hop. All ages. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Call 703-451-8055.
Train Show. See N-Scale model trains running in the community room and caboose at the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum. The Northern Virginia NTRAK model train club will host its monthly display from 1-4 p.m. $2 for adults, $1 for children. The museum is located at 11200 Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station. Call 703-425-9225.
Artisans United Art Swap. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Free. Sell unwanted art supplies to other artists. Artisans United Gallery, 4022 Hummer Road, Annandale. 703-941-0202
<b>Sunday/Sept. 21
</b> Children’s Theatre Performances of "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day," based on the book by Judith Viorst. 2:30 p.m. Tickets, $12 for adults, $10 for children. Festival of Arts and Fireworks on the Quad, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Free performance by Mount Vernon Band and Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic, 7 p.m. Workhouse Arts Center, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton. www.WorkhouseArts.org.
George Mason University presents pianist Jeffrey Siegel. 7 p.m. Tickets are $38, $30, $19. Children 12 and under, half price. Charge by phone at 888-945-2468 or visit www.tickets.com. The Center for the Arts complex is located on the Fairfax campus of George Mason University at the intersection of Braddock Road and Route 123. Visit www.gmu.edu/cfa.
<b>Monday/Sept. 22
</b>Practice English. 7 p.m. Conversation group for people learning English. Adults. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Call 703-971-0010.
Writer’s group. 7 p.m. For all writers. Read you material aloud for feedback. Adults. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Call 703-339-4610.
Practice English. 3 p.m. Conversation group for people learning English. Adults. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Call 703-451-8055.
<b>Tuesday/Sept. 23
</b>Kingstowne Library Writer’s Review. 7 p.m. Review peers’ works and receive in-depth feedback on your own work. Adults. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Call 703-339-4610.
Tell it Again. 7 p.m. Come and enjoy stories and activities in Spanish and English. Age 6-10. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Call 703-451-8055.