Send announcements or events, which are open to the public at no or minimal cost, to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102 or e-mail <a href="mailto:loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com">loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com</a>. Deadline is Friday, two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged.
<cal1>Thursday/Jan. 8
<cal2>CASINO TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Charles Town, W.Va. Includes slots and simulcast horse racing; lunch on own. Cost: $8 for members, $10 for nonmembers, includes transportation and $5 cash back, subject to change. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
I SPY. 4 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. Create collages inspired by the "I Spy" books. Recommended for ages 6-11. Registration begins two weeks before the program; register at library.loudoun.gov or 703-430-9500.
<cal1>Saturday/Jan. 10
<cal2>INDIAN DANCE. 3 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. The students of Kalavaridhi will perform Bharatnatyam, an Indian classical dance. Recommended for all ages.
Visit library.loudoun.gov.
COFFEEHOUSE SERIES. 8 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Church of Loudoun, 20460 Gleedsville Road, Leesburg. Siobhan Quinn and Michael Bowers will perform original and traditional folk songs. Cost: $12; available at door. Visit www.shenandoahacoustics.com.
BOOK SWAP. 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Claude Moore Community Center, 46111 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling. Trade adult and children's books, books on tape or CD, music CDs, VHS and DVD movies. Materials for ages 6-14 are especially needed. Large print adult books are needed for seniors. Call 571-258-3500.
TRACTORPALOOZA. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Heritage Farm Museum, 21668 Heritage Farm Lane, Sterling. See antique and model tractors, view the museum’s temporary exhibit, "Model Tractors and Farm Equipment" and go on wagon rides. Bring a toy tractor for the parade and receive one free child’s admission. Call 571-258-3800.
BIRDING BANSHEE. 8 a.m., Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, 21085 The Woods Road, Leesburg. Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and the Friends of Banshee Reeks for the monthly bird walk. Bring binoculars. Contact Joe Coleman at 540-554-2542 or jcoleman@loudounwildlife.org.
<cal1>Sunday/Jan. 11
<cal2>CITIZEN SCIENCE. 12-3 p.m., Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, 21085 The Woods Road, Leesburg. Learn about different monitoring programs, which include bird surveys, butterfly counts, stream monitoring, amphibian monitoring and bluebird nest box monitoring. Learn about opportunities to get involved collecting data. Contact Nicole Hamilton at nhamilton@loudounwildlife.org to sign up.
<cal1>Monday/Jan. 12
<cal2>BINGO. 4 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. Play a game of bingo to celebrate the announcement of the Caldecott and Newbery Award winners. Recommended for ages 7-11. Registration begins two weeks before the program; register at library.loudoun.gov or 703-444-3228.
BUDDY STORY TIME. 4:30 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Encourage a child’s love of books by pairing him with a teen reading buddy for one-on-one reading time. Recommended for ages 3-6. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
WOOLGATHERING. 6 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. Recommended for ages 12 and up. All knitting levels are welcome. Bring needles and yarn. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
<cal1>Tuesday/Jan. 13
<cal2>TEA PARTY. 9-9:30 a.m., Douglass Community Center, 405 E. Market St., Leesburg. Wear your favorite princess outfit and enjoy tea and a craft. Cost: $10. Call 703-771-5913 or e-mail jaime.cox@loudoun.gov.
<cal1>Wednesday/Jan. 14
<cal2>PAJAMA PARTY. 2-4 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Includes stories, humor, music, waffles and juice; participants dressed in pajamas optional. Cost: 3 members, $5 nonmembers and day of event. Transportation available after. Call 703-430-2397.
<cal1>Thursday/Jan. 15
<cal2>SPACE TECHNOLOGY. 7 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. Rob Cork will talk about the technology and the people that helped get us to the moon. Recommended for ages 12 and up. Registration begins two weeks before the program at http://library.loudoun.gov or 703-444-3228.
CHILDREN’S HISTORY PROGRAM. 7 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Learn about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and take home one of his "big" words. Recommended for ages 6-8. Register at http://library.loudoun.gov or 703-737-8100 starting two weeks before the program.
DAY OF THE DRAGON. 4 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. Fun and games with a dragon theme. Recommended for ages 6-10. Registration begins two weeks before the program at http://library.loudoun.gov or 703-430-9500.
BILINGUAL STORY TIME. 4 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. A Spanish bilingual story time with Barbara Davila. Recommended for ages 2-6. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
WII GAMING NIGHT. 6-9 p.m., Douglass Community Center, 405 E. Market St., Leesburg. Children ages 6-14 can come for a night of virtual gaming on the Nintendo Wii, age-appropriate movies and pizza. Advance registration required; call 703-771-5913.
HEROIC HORSES. 9:30-10:30 a.m., Heritage Farm Museum, 21668 Heritage Farm Lane, Sterling. Make some giggles and get out the wiggles for this literacy-based parent-child class. Learn about farms through guided play, activities and hands-on projects. Cost: $5 per child. Call 571-258-3800 to register.
<cal1>Saturday/Jan. 17
<cal2>MAGDRL MEET AND GREET. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., PetSmart, 46220 Potomac Run Plaza, Sterling. Help find a home for a Great Dane at this meet and greet sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League. Visit www.nova-magdrl.org.
BIRD WALKS. 8-9 a.m., Rust Nature Sanctuary, 802 Children’s Center Road, Leesburg. Learn about bird watching in this class for beginners. Free. Call 703-737-0021.
HOOK-IN. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Algonkian Regional Park Conference Center, 47001 Fairway Drive, Sterling. The Goose Creek Ruggers will hold their 5th annual Hook-In. Cost: $5; call 703-673-6528.
<cal1>Sunday/Jan. 18
<cal2>WINTER ECOLOGY. 1-3:30 p.m., Rust Nature Sanctuary, 802 Children’s Center Road, Leesburg. Explore the ecology of winter with a senior naturalist. Recommended for adults and children over 10. Cost: $5 per person. RSVP at 703-737-0021 by Jan. 17 at noon.
<cal1>Monday/Jan. 19
<cal2>BILINGUAL STORY TIME. 4 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. A Spanish bilingual story time with Barbara Davila. Recommended for ages 2-6. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
BIRD FEEDERS. 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Douglass Community Center, 405 E. Market St., Leesburg. Create feeders for birds that are not flying south for the winter. Ages 3-4. Cost: $4. Call 703-771-5913 or e-mail jaime.cox@loudoun.gov.
<cal1>Tuesday/Jan. 20
<cal2>SKI TRIP. Whitetail Ski Resort, Mercersburg, Pa. Travel to Whitetail Ski Resort for a day of skiing or snow boarding. Pickup locations include Harper Park MS, Farmwell Station MS and Harmony IS. Trip is for children in grades six-12. Packages range from $65-$85 and registration and payment must be made at the Douglass Community Center, 407 E. Market St., Leesburg. Call 703-771-5913.
<cal1>Wednesday/Jan. 21
<cal2>WACKY INVENTIONS. 4 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. Discover wacky and fantastic inventions created by children. Recommended for ages 8-11. Registration begins two weeks before the program at http://library.loudoun.gov or 703-430-9500.
<cal1>Friday/Jan. 23
<cal2>CHINESE NEW YEAR. 2-4 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Celebrate the Year of the Ox with Chinese food and karaoke. Cost: $3 members, $5 nonmembers and day of event. Transportation available after. Call 703-430-2397.
BOOK SALE. 10 a.m.- 9 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Purchase used books, software, video and music. Prices range from $.50-$2.00. Donate used items between Saturday, Jan. 10-Wednesday, Jan. 21 during normal library hours. To volunteer during the sorting period or sale, contact Douglas Nelms at alab_volunteer@yahoo.com.
SKI TRIP. 6:45 a.m.-5:30 p.m. A ski trip to Whitetail for students in grades six-12. Pickup/drop off locations: Harper Park Middle School, 701 Potomac Station Drive, Leesburg; Farmwell Station Middle School, 44281 Gloucester Parkway, Ashburn; Harmony Intermediate School, 38174 W. Colonial Highway, Hamilton. Cost: $60-85. Call 703-771-5913 or e-mail dcc@loudoun.gov to register.
<cal1>Saturday/Jan. 24
<cal2>BOOK SALE. 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. See Jan. 23 item for details.
<cal1>Sunday/Jan. 25
<cal2>BOOK SALE. 12-3 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. See Jan. 23 item for more details.
<cal1>Monday/Jan. 26
<cal2>MUSEUMS TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the Smithsonian American Art/Portrait Gallery Museum or the Spy Museum. Lunch on own. Cost: $9 for members, $11 for nonmembers, includes transportation with free admission to the art museum; additional $15 admission at Spy Museum. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
BUDDY STORY TIME. 4:30 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Encourage a child’s love of books by pairing him with a teen reading buddy for one-on-one reading time. Recommended for ages 3-6. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
WOOLGATHERING. 6 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. Recommended for ages 12 and up. All knitting levels are welcome. Bring needles and yarn. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
GARDEN IN THE CLASSROOM. 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Heritage Farm Museum, 21668 Heritage Farm Lane, Sterling. Professional development workshop for educators offered in partnership with Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom. Hands-on activities and SOL-matched curriculum for grades kindergarten-seven. Call 571-258-3800 to register.
<cal1>Wednesday/Jan. 28
<cal2>CASINO TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Charles Town, W.Va. Includes slots and simulcast horse racing; lunch on own. Cost: $8 for members, $10 for nonmembers, includes transportation and $5 cash back, subject to change. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
<cal1>Friday/Jan. 30
<cal2>PINK FLOYD. 7 p.m., Ned Devine’s Irish Village, 21800 Town Center Plaza, Sterling. The Paul Green School of Rock Music presents a live performance of the Pink Floyd's "The Wall." Cost: $10. Call 703-444-7873 or visit www.irishvillage.neddevines.com.
<cal1>Saturday/Jan. 31
<cal2>PINK FLOYD. 7 p.m., Ned Devine’s Irish Village, 21800 Town Center Plaza, Sterling. The Paul Green School of Rock Music presents a live performance of the Pink Floyd's "The Wall." Cost: $10. Call 703-444-7873 or visit www.irishvillage.neddevines.com.
<cal1>Monday/Feb. 2
<cal2>BUDDY STORY TIME. 4:30 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Encourage a child’s love of books by pairing him with a teen reading buddy for one-on-one reading time. Recommended for ages 3-6. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
WOOLGATHERING. 6 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. Recommended for ages 12 and up. All knitting levels are welcome. Bring needles and yarn. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
<cal1>Friday/Feb. 6
<cal2>LED ZEPPELIN. 7 p.m., Ned Devine’s Irish Village, 21800 Town Center Plaza, Sterling. The Paul Green School of Rock Music will play Led Zeppelin’s greatest hits. Cost: $10. Call 703-444-7873 or visit www.irishvillage.neddevines.com.
<cal1>Saturday/Feb. 7
<cal2>LED ZEPPELIN. 7 p.m., Ned Devine’s Irish Village, 21800 Town Center Plaza, Sterling. The Paul Green School of Rock Music will play Led Zeppelin’s greatest hits. Cost: $10. Call 703-444-7873 or visit www.irishvillage.neddevines.com.
STORY TIME MATINEE. 2 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Stories, songs, a video storybook and a craft. Ages 3-6. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
BRIGID’S FAIRE. 3-11 p.m., Esoterica, 25 S. King St., Leesburg. Brigid's Faire Winter Music Festival features live music throughout the day. Free admission prior to 3 p.m., $5 fee after that.
<cal1>Monday/Feb. 9
<cal2>BUDDY STORY TIME. 4:30 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Encourage a child’s love of books by pairing him with a teen reading buddy for one-on-one reading time. Recommended for ages 3-6. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
<cal1>Thursday/Feb. 12
<cal2>THEATER TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Baltimore, Md., to Toby's Dinner Theatre for the production of "Sophisticated Ladies." Cost: $61 for members, $63 for nonmembers, includes transportation, show, buffet lunch and tip. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
CASINO TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Charles Town, W.Va. Includes slots and simulcast horse racing; lunch on own. Cost: $8 for members, $10 for nonmembers, includes transportation and $5 cash back, subject to change. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
<cal1>Saturday/Feb. 14
<cal2>THEATER TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Strasburg, to Wayside Theatre for the production of "Lies & Legends-The Musical Stories of Harry Chapin." Cost: $56 for members, $58 for nonmembers, includes transportation, show, buffet lunch at Hotel Strasburg and tip. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
<cal1>Friday/Feb. 20
<cal2>‘80S HAIR METAL. 7 p.m., Ned Devine’s Irish Village, 21800 Town Center Plaza, Sterling. The Paul Green School of Rock Music presents the ‘80s Hair Metal Show, a tribute to Spandex, long hair, guitar shredding and power chords. Cost: $10. Call 703-444-7873 or visit www.irishvillage.neddevines.com.
<cal1>Saturday/Feb. 21
<cal2>‘80S HAIR METAL. 7 p.m., Ned Devine’s Irish Village, 21800 Town Center Plaza, Sterling. The Paul Green School of Rock Music presents the ‘80s Hair Metal Show, a tribute to Spandex, long hair, guitar shredding and power chords. Cost: $10. Call 703-444-7873 or visit www.irishvillage.neddevines.com.
<cal1>Monday/Feb. 23
<cal2>BUDDY STORY TIME. 4:30 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Encourage a child’s love of books by pairing him with a teen reading buddy for one-on-one reading time. Recommended for ages 3-6. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
WOOLGATHERING. 6 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. Recommended for ages 12 and up. All knitting levels are welcome. Bring needles and yarn. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
<cal1>Wednesday/Feb. 25
<cal2>CASINO TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Charles Town, W.Va. Includes slots and simulcast horse racing; lunch on own. Cost: $8 for members, $10 for nonmembers, includes transportation and $5 cash back, subject to change. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.