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<b>Wednesday/Sept. 24</b>
Meet Alison Larkin, comedian and author of The English American. 7 p.m. This novel is based on the author's experience as an adopted English woman who finds her American birth parents. Oakton Library, 10304 Lynnhaven Place, Oakton. An All Fairfax Reads event, cosponsored by Fall for the Book. Free, adults; registration required, call 703-242-4020.
The American Legion Auxiliary of Dyer-Gunell Unit #180 will host a Candidate Forum, featuring the candidates for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District. 7:30 p.m. Democrat Gerald Connolly and Republican Keith Fimian will participate. The Post is located at 330 Center Street North, Vienna. This event is open to the public; refreshments will be served. For more information, contact the Auxiliary Legislative Chairman, Edythe Kelleher, 703-242-7651 or email efrank01@yahoo.com.
Old School Freight Train. Acoustic/Americana. 7:30 p.m. $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Jammin Java, 227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna. Call 703-255-1566 or visit www.jamminjava.com.
McLean Project for the Arts, Evening at the Gallery. 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the MPA Gallery in the McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean. The event features information about MPA's current exhibit and programs, cocktails, appetizers and raffles. Call 703-356-5424 or email kryan@mcleanchamber.org.
Caring for Aging Parents. 7-9p.m. Ann E. O'Neil, RN, MSN, CS, Care Options and Susan Stone, B.S.W., Alzheimer's Family Day Center. Introduction to resources and strategies for a long-term action plan. How to sort responsibilities among siblings. The business side of care giving, including legal, financial and insurance issues. $45 registration fee; $35 members. The Women's Center, 127 Park St. N.E.,Vienna. Go to www.thewomenscenter.org or call 703-281-2657.
The Teddy Bear Band.12:30 p.m. Free Jammin' Juniors Fall Concert Series. Alden Theatre at the McLean Central Park, 1468 Dolley Madison Blvd., at the intersection of Route 123 and Old Dominion Drive. 703-790-0123 or www.mcleancenter.org.
Puppet Show: Autumn is Falling. 10:30 a.m. Meet Sammy Squirrel and other animal friends in a fall puppet play. Go on a short walk and explore how animals get ready for fall. Cosponsored by Riverbend Park and the Friends of the Dolley Madison Library. Age 2-5 with adult. Dolley Madison Library, 1244 Oak Ridge Ave., McLean. 703-356-0770.
Free Yourself From Painful Memories. 7 p.m. Life Coach Kevin Soltani discusses how to free oneself from the past without drugs or therapy. Adults. Patrick Henry Library, 101 Maple Ave. East, Vienna. 703-938-0405.
Global Arts-Mini Travelers. At 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. For preschool children. Discover music, movement, folk tales, language
and games from around the world. Instruction provided by Left
Noodle-Right Noodle. McLean Community Center.
<b>Thursday/Sept. 25</b>
Wreckless Eric and Amy Rigby. Pop/rock. 8 p.m. $12. Jammin Java, 227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna. Call 703-255-1566 or visit www.jamminjava.com.
Jeffry D. Wert will discuss and sign "Cavalryman of the Lost Cause" at 7:30 p.m. at Borders Tyson's Corner. Call 703-556-7766. "Cavalryman of the Lost Cause" is the first major biography in decades of Confederate general J. E. B. Stuart, and is based on research in manuscript collections, personal memoirs and reminiscences, and regimental histories.
Titans Breakfast Series. Registration 7 a.m., Program 8-9:15 a.m. Learn what cutting edge technologies will be in demand and what to know that will affect and benefit business. Hilton McLean, 7920 Jones Branch Drive, McLean. NVTC members $65, non-members $85. http://www.nvtc.org/events/geteventinfo.
Family Fishing by Boat. 6-7:30 p.m. Follow the naturalist to hidden fishing spots for bass, sunfish and the occasional catfish. $20 per boat; maximum three people per boat. Prepaid reservations required. Riverbend Park, 8700 Potomac Hills St., Great Falls. 703-759-9018.
Foundations of Writing: The Memoir, on Thursdays through November 13, from 8:45-10:30 a.m. Instructed by Cheryl Somers Aubin, who holds a Master of Arts in Writing from Johns Hopkins University. Fee is $70.40 for Town of Vienna residents and $88 for out-of-town participants. Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St., S.E. Call Vienna Parks and Recreation Department at 703-255-6360 or visit www.viennava.gov.
Book Discussion Group. 1 p.m. Mistress of Spices by Chitra Divakaruni. Adults. No registration required. Patrick Henry Library, 101 Maple Ave. East, Vienna. 703-938-0405.
Pokemon League. 3 p.m. Learn and play. Age 5-18. No registration required. Patrick Henry Library, 101 Maple Ave. East, Vienna. 703-938-0405.
Coping Emotionally with Separation and Divorce. 7:30 p.m. Hilary Casaretto, LCSW, Women's Center Therapist. $245 registration fee, $225 members. The Women's Center, 127 Park St. NE, Vienna. www.thewomenscenter.org or 703-281-2657.
<b>Friday/Sept. 26</b>
Paul and Storm! Acoustic/comedy. 7:30 p.m. $15. Jammin Java, 227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna. Call 703-255-1566 or visit www.jamminjava.com.
Benefit Concert for Brett Gillum, featuring FlatSpin. 10 p.m. $15. The profits from tonight’s gig will be going to support local boy Brett Gillum, who was born with Chondrodysplasia Punctata, a rare skeletal disorder. Visit www.brettgillum.com for more info. Jammin Java, 227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna. Call 703-255-1566 or visit www.jamminjava.com.
Just Friends, a local five-piece combo playing songs from the 20s through the 60s. 7:30 p.m. Free. Great Falls Library Community Room, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. 703-430-9566.
Francine Prose will read and sign "Goldengrove" at 7:30 p.m. at Borders Bailey's Crossroads. Call 703-998-0404. The author of Reading Like a Writer returns with a novel about love and loss, filled with echoes of the classics.
Just Friends. 7:30 p.m. Join us for an evening of music from the 1920s through the 1960s with local musicians Just Friends. Cosponsored by the Friends of the Great Falls Library. Adults. Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. 703-757-8560.
Remodeling and Home Décor Show. Better Homes and Gardens® and Green Works™ "Living Green Tour," DockDogs, Destination Innovation, the Green Zone, Must Have Marketplace, designers Jonathan Fong and Jean-Michel Gauvreau, billiards trick shot artist Mike Massey and HGTV host/carpenter Steven Whittle. Adults $10; ages 6 to 12, $3; ages 5 and under, free. Dulles Expo Center, 4368 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly. www.dullesexpo.com or www.capitalhomeshow.com.
<b>Saturday/September 27</b>
The Claude Moore Colonial Farm Autumn Book and Garage Sale. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wide selection of hard and soft cover books. Plus clothing, jewelry, china and glassware, small appliances, furniture, tools, toys and collectibles. All volunteer-organized event with proceeds benefiting colonial museum and working farm's educational programs. Free admission and parking. Indoor event; no early birds please. The Claude Moore Colonial Farm, 6310 Georgetown Pike, McLean. www.1771.org/directions.htm.
Meet Alison Larkin, comedian and author of "The English American." This novel is based on the author’s experience as an adopted English woman who finds her American birth parents. Oakton Library, 10304 Lynnhaven Place, Oakton. Free, adults, registration required. 703-242-4020.
Bach to Rock. The Bach to Rock Music School presents a rock band. 4-6 p.m. at Palladium Civic Green, 1445 Laughlin Ave., McLean. Call 703-288-9505.
Julie Fowlis. Scottish/folk/roots. 7 p.m. $20. Jammin Java, 227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna. Call 703-255-1566 or visit www.jamminjava.com.
The Blackjacks. Rock. 10 p.m. $10 at the door, $12 in advance. Jammin Java, 227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna. Call 703-255-1566 or visit www.jamminjava.com.
Divorce and Retirement Benefits. 10 a.m. Leslye S. Fenton, Esquire, Odin, Feldman & Pittleman. $45 registration fee, $35 members. The Women's Center, 127 Park St. N.E., Vienna. www.thewomenscenter.org or 703-281-2657.
Used Book Sale. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Episcopal Church of the Holy
Cross, 2455 Gallows Rd., Dunn Loring. Fiction, non-fiction, children's books, CDs, DVDs, books on tape, and more. 703-698-6991.
Harvest Moon Concert features bluegrass. 5 and 7 p.m. Bring a blanket or chair, and have a picnic supper on the lawn. Ride the hay wagon, toast marshmallows. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Purchase tickets in advance for $10 or at the gate for $12. 703-708-0861. Sully Historic Site is located on Route 28 in Chantilly. From the Beltway take either I66 west to Rt. 28 North or the Dulles Toll Road. Rt. 28 South. Take Air and Space Museum Parkway East exit. At the first stop sign turn right and follow the paved road to parking lot.
Art for a Song, live art auction to benefit the Fairfax Choral Society’s youth performance and education programs. Preview 6:30 p.m., auction 7:30 p.m. Admission $7. Over 200 exceptional works of art. Door prizes will include art works and handmade award-winning chocolate. Fairfax County Government Center, 1200 Government Center Parkway. 703-642-4377 or www.fairfaxchoralsociety.org/art_auction.
Remodeling and Home Décor Show. Adults $10; ages 6 to 12, $3; ages 5 and under, free. Dulles Expo Center, 4368 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly. www.dullesexpo.com or www.capitalhomeshow.com.
<b>Sunday/Sept. 28</b>
Dead Men’s Hollow. Roots. 1:30 p.m. Free. Jammin Java, 227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna. Call 703-255-1566 or visit www.jamminjava.com.
Rachel Unthank and the Winterset with Devon Sproule. Roots music, from the UK. 7:30 $10. Jammin Java, 227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna. Call 703-255-1566 or visit www.jamminjava.com.
The McLean Branch of the American Association of University Women will hold an open house reception from 2:30-4:30 pm at the McLean Community Center. Refreshments and a discussion of upcoming programs and special-interest groups. 703-830-6503 or visit www.mcleanaauw.org.
Remodeling and Home Décor Show. Adults $10; ages 6 to 12, $3; ages 5 and under, free. Dulles Expo Center, 4368 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly. www.dullesexpo.com or www.capitalhomeshow.com.
<b>Tuesday/Sept. 30</b>
Danger Radio, Farewell, Brighten and Red Car Wire. Rock. 6 p.m. $10. Jammin Java, 227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna. Call 703-255-1566 or visit www.jamminjava.com.
Antiques and decorative arts appraiser/consultant Francine Proulx hosts an appraisal class at the McLean Community Center from 7:30-9 p.m. Learn the difference between an expert’s verbal opinion and a written legal document and its impact on insurance coverage and estate planning; when formal appraisals are needed; what to look for in an independent appraiser, and what questions to ask. The course costs $30 for McLean residents; $41 for non-residents. To register call 703-790-0123, ext. 225 or visit www.mcleancenter.org.
Trust-Centered Selling: Attracting and Retaining Customers. Registration 7:30 a.m., program 8-9:30 a.m. The session will address attracting the right clients; a simple
process to create client value; and principles of trust that improve long-term profitability. 2070 Chain Bridge Road Conference Center, Lower Level, Vienna. NVTC members $45, non-members $75. http://www.nvtc.org/events/geteventinfo.
Tea Tasting. 10 a.m. An introduction to the tea types and regions. $20. Cathy's Corner in the Village Centre, Great Falls. 703-757-6209 or www.greatfallsteagarden.com.
<b>Wednesday/Oct. 1</b>
Yosi and the Superdads.12:30 p.m. Free Jammin' Juniors Fall Concert Series. Alden Theatre at the McLean Central Park, 1468 Dolley Madison Blvd., at the intersection of Route 123 and Old Dominion Drive. 703-790-0123 or www.mcleancenter.org.
Introduction to Mindful Meditation. 7 p.m. Dr. Celia Im, Lighting the Creative Spark, LLC. $45 registration fee, $35 members. The Women's Center, 127 Park St., N.E., Vienna. www.thewomenscenter.org or 703-281-2657.
An Evening Under the Stars, with the McLean Orchestra and Navy Marine Coast Guard Residence Foundation. 6:30 p.m. Champagne and confections with entertainment by members of the McLean Orchestra. On the back lawn of Vinson Hall, 6251 Old Dominion Drive, McLean. Call 703-538-2318 to reserve.
Sparky's Flaw and Alex Mejias. Pop/rock. 7 p.m. $10. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. Call 703-255-1566 or visit www.jamminjava.com.
<b>Thursday/Oct. 2</b>
Ten Things Every Executor Should Know, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Attorney David Hoffman will discuss preparing probate papers, filing tax returns, prudent investing, taking a commission, and basic fiduciary accounting. Free, no advance registration is required. Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St., S.E. Call the Vienna Parks and Recreation Department at 703-255-6360 or visit www.viennava.gov.
Champions for Children Awards Dinner. 6 p.m. All proceeds benefit the Falls Church McLean Children’s Center. Westwood Country Club, 800 Maple Ave. East, Vienna.
Matt Mays & El Torpedo, Palominos, Bellflur and In Technicolor. Rock. 7 p.m. $10. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. Call 703-255-1566 or visit www.jamminjava.com.
<b>Friday/Oct. 3</b>
Create your own cookbook using your family’s recipes, traditions and photos. Fridays through November 14, from 9:30-11 a.m. Dianne King, former editor-in-chief for Pillsbury Cookbooks, will teach how to research, design and publish a cookbook. Cost is $50 for Town of Vienna residents and $62.50 for out-of-town participants, and includes a take-home cookbook of recipes shared by class members. Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St., S.E. 703-255-6360 or visit www.viennava.gov.
A trip to the Waterford Fair, sponsored by the Vienna Parks and Recreation Department. A charter bus will leave at 9:30 a.m. from the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St., S.E., and return at 5 p.m. The cost of $35 for Town of Vienna residents and $43.75 for out-of-town participants includes transportation and entrance to the fair, which features tours of historic homes and a crafts exhibit by 160 artisans from across the country. 703-255-6360 or visit www.viennava.gov
The Bird and the Bee, and Willoughby. Pop. 8 p.m. $17. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. Call 703-255-1566 or visit www.jamminjava.com.
<b>Saturday/Oct. 4</b>
Vienna-Tysons Chamber Oktoberfest Celebration.
12-6 p.m. on historic Church Street in Vienna. The event will feature a beer garden, food vendors, two stages with live entertainment, a festival marketplace and a children's activity area. The festival committee is seeking out additional food vendors and non-food vendors for the festival marketplace. Artists, crafters, business owners and civic organizations are welcome. For registration forms visit www.vtrcc.org or call 703-281-1333.
Local Civil War authors Charles V. Mauro, James Lewis Jr., Thomas Evans and Gregg Dudding at the Freeman Store and Museum for a meet and greet and book signing. 12-3 p.m. Free. Also The Hunter Mill Defense League group, who compiled the DVD "Danger Between the Lines." Civil War artifacts from the region will be available for examination. The Freeman Store and Museum, 131 Church Street N.E., Vienna. 703-938-5187.
Halloween Hunt on the Freeman Store grounds. 1 p.m. Free. Lots of tricks and treats; no costume is necessary. For ages 4-9 only. Immediately following will be Oktoberfest fun, learning the Chicken Dance with Slapshot, the Washington Capital's Mascot, playing Mummy May I, and Who's Got the Pumpkin. The Freeman Store and Museum, 131 Church Street N.E., Vienna. 703-938-5187.
St. Francis Episcopal Church Annual Country Fair. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free admission, open to the public. Quilt show, raffle of a hand-sewn, queen-size quilt. Children's games, moonbounce, hayrides, arts and crafts. Pony rides from 10-11 a.m. Musical performances by the Difficult Run Jazz Band at10 a.m. Puppet show at 12 p.m. Artisans crafts, artwork, jewelry, and glass creations. Silent auction, with tickets to sporting events, restaurant gift certificates, spa services, and more. Treasure Trove flea market and book sale. Old-fashioned tombola booth. Plant sale, bake sale, food tent. St. Francis Episcopal Church, 9220 Georgetown Pike in Great Falls. www.stfrancisgreatfalls.org or 703-759-2082.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's National Capital Area "Light The Night" Walk. Beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Reston Town Center, this event will raise funds to cure blood cancers for thousands of patients. Teams of co-workers, friends and families gather to share stories and walk while holding illuminated balloons honoring patients and survivors of blood cancer. The Society recommends a $25 donation to participate. Other Light the Night walks are scheduled in Loudoun County, Washington D.C., Prince William County, and Montgomery County throughout October. To register, call 703-960-1100 or visit www.lightthenight.org.
Charla Krupp, "How Not To Look Old." 2-4 p.m. What to do in just 10 minutes to look 10 years younger. Beauty bars, cookies, teas and light hors d'oeuvres. Krupp will be available to sign her book. Tysons Corner Center, Macy's Court,1961 Chain Bridge Road, McLean. 703-893-9401.
Oktoberfest edible art on display, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Ayr Hill Gallery, 141 Church St., Vienna. 703-938-3880 or www.ayrhillgallery.com.
<b>Sunday/Oct. 5</b>
Cathy and Marcy family concert. Grounds open at 2 p.m. for picnicking; concert begins at 4 p.m. Bring a blanket. Parking is limited, shuttle bus service from 2-6 p.m. from Cedar Pond Drive. Tickets $8 in advance or $10 day of the show. Hunter Mill Country Day School, 2021 Hunter Mill Road, Vienna. www.rockinthehill.com
MPAartfest. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Forty juried artists. McLean Project for the Arts, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean. 703-790-1953. Gallery hours: Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, 1-5 p.m.
The Amadeus Orchestra, A. Scott Wood conductor, presents Haydn and His Circle, with pianist Jeffrey Chappell. 4 p.m. Mozart's Piano Concerto #21, Beethoven's Egmont Overture, and Haydn's first and last symphonies. Admission: $25, including post-concert refreshments. Ages 17 and under free. St. Luke Catholic Church, 7001 Georgetown Pike, McLean. 703-759-5334 or www.amadeusconcerts.com.
Ralph's World. Music for kids. Three shows at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. $17. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. Call 703-255-1566 or visit www.jamminjava.com.
An Evening with Frigg. Nordic Fiddle Band. 7 p.m. $15. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. Call 703-255-1566 or visit www.jamminjava.com.