Send notes to the Connection at south@connectionnewspapers.com or call 703-778-9416. Deadline is Friday. Dated announcements should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event.
<b>Thursday/Dec. 10
</b>Tiny Tots Holiday Concert. 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. at South County Secondary School, 8501 Silverbrook Road, Lorton. $3 per person. 571-332 5920 or redroc26@aol.com.
C Is for Candle. 10:30 a.m. Richard Byrd Library, 6315 Backlick Road, Springfield. Holiday stories and activities. Age 2-5 with adult. 703-451-8055.
<b>Friday/Dec. 11
</b>La Leche League of Springfield Breastfeeding Support Group. 10:30 a.m. at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 8304 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, Free. Casual and informal discussion format. 703-298-4133.
Lunch Bunch. 12 p.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Bring lunch and join us for stories. Birth-5 with adult. 703-971-0010.
<b>Saturday/Dec. 12
</b>Breakfast with Santa. 9 a.m. at West Springfield High School, 6100 Rolling Road, Springfield. Continental buffet breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Tickets are $8.50 at www.wshschorus.org.
Clifton Horse Society Annual Christmas Parade. 2 p.m. in the town of Clifton. Follow horses and riders dressed in costumes to Kings Field to sing carols, enjoy cookies and a costume judging contest. If it is raining or snowing the event will be canceled. jjirucha@cox.net.
Collector’s Showcase Event and Third Annual Fund Raising. 6-11 p.m. at the Workhouse Arts Center, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton. Pillow Talk: The Designer’s Showcase, 6-8 p.m. on the first floor of building W-16. Pillows designed by members of the Association of Interior Design Professionals will be auctioned. $25 per person, including appetizers, live music from Royce Campbell, wine tastings and a chance to win an interior designer’s pillow. Followed by Fete d’Etoile: A Festival of Stars, 8-11 p.m. on the second floor. Food, art and dancing. Each ticket holder will leave with one original piece of artwork and be entitled to attend Pillow Talk. $150 per person or $175 per couple, including an original piece of artwork, lecture on the topic of collecting art, hors d’oeuvres and desserts by Bistro L’hermitage. Tickets can be purchased online at www.workhousearts.org or 703-584-2900.
Friends of the Library Book Sale. 10 a.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. 703-339-4610.
<b>Sunday/Dec. 13
</b>Christmas Cantata: Morning Star. 11 a.m., at Franconia United Methodist Church. Franconia United Methodist Church is located at 6037 Franconia Road, Alexandria. The Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall are handicapped accessible. 703-971-5151 or www.franconiaumc.org.
A Classic Brass Christmas. 7 p.m. at 225 E. Broad St., Falls Church. Choral concert by Choralis; Gretchen Kuhrmann, Artistic Director. Also The Classical Brass Quintet, Edison High School Concert Choir, a candlelight processional and carol sing-along. $25-40 adults, $5 students; age12 and under free. www.choralis.org or 703-237-2499.
The Tale of the Drowsy Shepherd. 6:30 p.m. at Sydenstricker United Methodist Church, 8508 Hooes Road, Springfield. Reception following performance. 703-451-8223 or www.sumcdisciples.org.
<b>Monday/Dec. 14
</b>PAL Reading Visits. 4:30 p.m. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. Read to a trained therapy dog. Call to reserve a time slot. Call for title. 703-249-1520.
Early Reader Book Discussion. 3:30 p.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Call for title. Ages 6-8 with 703-971-0010.
Gingerbread Tales. 10:30 a.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Warm stories for cold days. Age 24 months to 5 with adult. 703-339-4610.
<b>Tuesday/Dec. 15
</b>Book Discussion Group. 7 p.m. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. Call for title. Adults. Call for title. Adults. 703-249-1520.
All About Me. 10:30 a.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Stories that celebrate me. Age 13 to 23 months with adult. 703-339-4610.
<b>Wednesday/Dec. 16
</b>Needlework Group. 10:30 a.m. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. Bring a project to work on in the company of fellow needlecrafters. Adults. Call for title. Adults. 703-249-1520.
Hidden Ponds Nature Program. 4:30 p.m. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. Includes dissection of a rotting log; be aware in case of mold allergies. Ages 6-12 with parent. Call for title. Adults. 703-249-1520.
One-on-One Genealogical Research Assistance. 6-7:30 p.m. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. Start personal genealogical research with experienced volunteers. Adults. Call for title. Adults. 703-249-1520.
Book Discussion Group. 6:30 p.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Possession: A Romance by A. S. Byatt. Adults. 703-971-0010.
Practice Your English. 6:30 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Conversation group for adults learning English. 703-339-4610.
Tell It Again. 6 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 6315 Backlick Road, Springfield. Enjoy a holiday story in English and Spanish. Music and activities. Age 4-12 with adult. 703-451-8055.
Lorton Book Club. 6:30 p.m. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. “Confederacy of Dunces” by John Kennedy Toole. Adults. 703-339-7385.
<b>Thursday/Dec. 17
</b>Starlight, Starbright. 10:30 a.m. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. Sparkly stories, songs and activities. Ages 2-5 with adult. Call for title. Adults. 703-249-1520.
<b>Friday/Dec. 18
</b>Natalie MacMaster: Christmas in Cape Breton. 8 p.m. at George Mason University's Center for the Arts Concert Hall, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. Celtic melodies and classic Christmas carols. Tickets are $23-$46. Youth through grade 12, half price when accompanied by an adult. Charge by phone at 888-945-2468 or www.gmu.edu/cfa.
Lunch Bunch. 12 p.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Bring lunch and come for stories. Birth-5 with adult. 703-971-0010.
Naturalist Boot Camp. Send Children ages 6 to 10 to a naturalist boot camp on at Hidden Pond Nature Center. Help them burn off that holiday excitement and focus on the adventure of learning about natural world from 6:30-10:30 p.m. They will hike, go critter watching, meet, feed and hold live animals. They will make a craft with natural items. The boot camp will conclude around a campfire with snacks, holiday songs, and ghost stories. The cost is $30 per child per day. Reservations are required. To reserve a child’s spot, call 703-451-9588. Hidden Pond Nature Center is located at 8511 Greeley Blvd. in Springfield.
<b>Saturday/Dec. 19
</b>Gallery After Hours: Point Blank. 7:30 p.m. at the Workhouse Arts Center, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton. Cover songs and dancing with Point Blank. Advance tickets $10 member, $8 non-member. www.workhousearts.org or 703-584-2900.
PAWS To Read. 11 a.m. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. Read to Chance the therapy dog for a 10-minute session. Call to register. Arrive early to check in. 703-339-7385.
Santa at Lake Accotink. Santa wants to take pictures with visitors’ pets from 1-2 p.m. Take a photo of a dog, cat or other pet with Santa. Bring own camera and get the shot you want. The registration fee is $5 per pet. Santa offers hayrides from 3-8 p.m. Call early to get your preferred hayride time. The fee is $8 per person and babies on laps are free. Registrations must be made in advance. Call 703-569-0285 to make a reservation or for more information. Visa and MasterCard are accepted. For more information about Lake Accotink Park, visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/.
Naturalist Boot Camp. Send Children ages 6 to 10 to a naturalist boot camp on at Hidden Pond Nature Center. Help them burn off that holiday excitement and focus on the adventure of learning about natural world from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. They will hike, go critter watching, meet, feed and hold live animals. They will make a craft with natural items. The boot camp will conclude around a campfire with snacks, holiday songs, and ghost stories. The cost is $30 per child per day. Reservations are required. To reserve a child’s spot, call 703-451-9588. Hidden Pond Nature Center is located at 8511 Greeley Blvd. in Springfield.
<b>Sunday/Dec. 20
</b>A Festival of Music. 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. at Sydenstricker United Methodist Church, 8508 Hooes Road, Springfield. Combined choirs, band and orchestra. Reception between the performances. 703-451-8221 or www.sumcdisciples.org.
Naturalist Boot Camp. Send Children ages 6 to 10 to a naturalist boot camp on at Hidden Pond Nature Center. Help them burn off that holiday excitement and focus on the adventure of learning about natural world from 1-5 p.m. They will hike, go critter watching, meet, feed and hold live animals. They will make a craft with natural items. The boot camp will conclude around a campfire with snacks, holiday songs, and ghost stories. The cost is $30 per child per day. Reservations are required. To reserve a child’s spot, call 703-451-9588. Hidden Pond Nature Center is located at 8511 Greeley Blvd. in Springfield.
<b>Monday/Dec. 21
</b>LifeLine Screening. Beginning at 9 a.m. at American Legion Post #162, 8210 Legion Drive, Lorton. Five screenings available, for cardiovascular conditions, osteoporosis and more. Packages start at $139. 1-877-237-1287 or www.lifelinescreening.com.
Read to the Dog. 3:30-4:30 p.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Read aloud to a trained therapy dog. Call or sign up online for a 15-minute session. Age 6-12. 703-971-0010.
<b>Wednesday/Dec. 23
</b>Practice Your English. 6:30 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Conversation group for adults learning English. 703-339-4610.
Travel Club. 1 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 6315 Backlick Road, Springfield. Bring lunch for a lively discussion. Adults. 703-451-8055.
<b>Thursday/Dec. 24
</b>Living Nativity and Holy Eucharist Service. 5 p.m. at St. Peter’s in the Woods, 5911 Fairview Woods Drive, Fairfax Station. Childcare available. 703-503-9210.
<b>Tuesday/Dec. 29
</b>Harlem Globetrotters. 7 p.m. at the George Mason University Patriot Center. Tickets are $22-$26.50, available through all Ticketmaster outlets including the venue box offices, online at www.ticketmaster.com and via Phonecharge at 703-573-SEAT. www.patriotcenter.com.
<b>Wednesday/Dec. 30
</b>Practice Your English. 6:30 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Conversation group for adults learning English. 703-339-4610.
<b>Thursday/Dec. 31
</b>New Year’s Eve Capital Hospice Benefit. 8:30 p.m. at The Waterford, 6715 Commerce St., Springfield. Food, open bar, live entertainment and a silent auction. $110 per person. All proceeds benefit nonprofit Capital Hospice. Reserve at 703-531-6209 or www.capitalhospice.org.