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> 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.
SENIOR MOVIE. 1:30 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. See "Swing Vote," starring Kevin Costner. Rated PG-13, running time 128 minutes. Cost: $2, includes popcorn and soda. Call 703-430-2397.
<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.
MOVIE TIME. 3 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. Bring popcorn and beverages and watch "Snow Buddies," Rated G. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
TALKING TRASH. 1-2:30 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. Children ages 8-12 can create a mock archaeological scenario with trash left behind and discover how archaeologists decide what’s an artifact, what it tells us and the environmental impact it makes. Cost: $10.50 per child. Call 571-258-3700.
FROGSHACKLE OPEN HOUSE. 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. Discover a treasure trove of objects from nature. Children must be accompanied by and adult. Free. Call 571-258-3700.
<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.
MYSTERY LOVERS SATURDAY. 10 a.m., Books and Crannies, 19 Washington St., Middleburg. Seven mystery authors will sign books in a meet and greet and then be a part of "The Moveable Feast," a meal in various restaurants in town that will give mystery lovers an opportunity to meet authors personally while enjoying a meal. Reservations required; call 540-687-6677.
<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.
VIDEO GAME DESIGN. 7 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. Learn how video games are designed from a professional with 14 years experience. Recommended for ages 12-18. Register at http://library.loudoun.gov or 703-444-3228.
KIDS IN SPACE. 12:30-2 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. Play among the stars and make your own comet. Cost: $10.50 per child. Call 571-258-3700.
<cal1> Tuesday/Jan. 27
<cal2> ME AND MY WORLD. 4 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. Learn weird and wacky facts at this program called "The Scoop on Poop." Register at library.loudoun.gov or 703-430-9500.
<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.
BRILLIANT BRAILLE. 4 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Learn about Braille with a speaker from the Maryland School for the Blind. Recommended for ages 7-11. Registration required; register at http://library.loudoun.gov or 703-737-8100.
<cal1> Thursday/Jan. 29
<cal2> FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT. 7 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Bring the family to watch "Wall-E," rated G, on the big screen at the library. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
PIRATE STORY TIME. 4 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. Children ages 4-7 can to listen to pirate stories and then have swashbuckling fun with foam swords. Register at library.loudoun.gov or 703-444-3228.
KIDS IN SPACE. 9:30-11 a.m. or 12:30-2 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. Play among the stars and make your own comet. Cost: $10.50 per child. Call 571-258-3700.
<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.
SENIOR PAGEANT. 12:30 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. The center is holding a Miss Cascades Pageant. Contact Erik Onate, 703-430-2397.
<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.
SOLAR ENERGY. 4:30-6:30 p.m., George Washington University Loudoun Campus, Building 1, 20101 Academic Way, Ashburn. Learn about energy conservation and home solar energy systems in this free presentation by the Potomac Region Solar Energy Association. Mitch King will discuss how solar energy systems can reduce the need for new power transmission lines and new power generation plants. Call 540-822-5145 or visit www.prsea.org or www.lccss.org.
<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.
SPANISH STORY TIME. 10:45 a.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Introduce children ages 3 and up to the Spanish language through stories and songs. Registration required; visit library.loudoun.gov or call 703-737-8100.
<cal1> Tuesday/Feb. 3
<cal2> FILM FESTIVAL. 7 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. "To Sir, With Love" will be shown in the first installment of the Sidney Poitier film festival. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
<cal1> Wednesday/Feb. 4
<cal2> BLACK HISTORY CELEBRATION. 10:45 a.m.-3 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Travel to the Thomas Balch Library for a tour of the facility, discussion about black history and lunch at a local restaurant. Registration required, call Erik Onate, 703-430-2397.
<cal1> Thursday/Feb. 5
<cal2> CRIME CAPER MYSTERY. 4 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. Children, ages 8-11, can help solve the mystery of a missing item. Registration begins two weeks before the program online at library.loudoun.gov or by phone at 703-444-3228.
PAJAMA TIME. 7:30 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. Children ages 3-8 can wear their pajamas and bring a teddy bear to this story time featuring the books of author Sandra Boynton. Registration required; visit library.loudoun.gov or call 703-430-9500.
<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.
ARCHEOLOGY. 7 p.m., the Loudoun Museum, 16 Loudoun St. S.W., Leesburg. Tammy L. Bryant, M.A., a senior archeologist at Thunderbird Archeology, will share the results of her archaeological excavations in Loudoun County. Cost: $5 per person. Call 703-777-7427.
<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 See Feb. 6 item for details.
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.
MUSIC AND DANCE. 2 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. Stories of young people of the Civil Rights Movement will be performed by the Smithsonian Associates Discovery Theater on Tour. Visit lilbrary.loudoun.gov.
<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> Tuesday/Feb. 10
<cal2> FILM FESTIVAL. 7 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. "The Defiant Ones" will be shown in the second installment of the Sidney Poitier film festival. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
<cal1> Wednesday/Feb. 11
<cal2> VALENTINE’S PARTY/DANCE. 2-4 p.m., Senior Center Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Music provided by disc jockey Sky Dantinne, includes door prizes, light refreshments. Transportation provided afterward. Cost: $3 for members in advance, $5 day of and for nonmembers. Call 703-430-2397.
<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> Tuesday/Feb. 17
<cal2> ME AND MY WORLD. 4 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. Explore books about your favorite dogs at this program called "Big Red Puppy Love." Register at library.loudoun.gov or 703-430-9500.
FILM FESTIVAL. 7 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. "Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner" will be shown in the third installment of the Sidney Poitier film festival. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
<cal1> Thursday/Feb. 19
<cal2> FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT. 7 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Bring the family to watch "Tinkerbell," rated G, on the big screen at the library. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
<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.
CHOCOLATES GALORE. 7-11 p.m., West Belmont Place at National Conference Center, 18980 Upper Belmont Place, Leesburg. Sample chocolate, dessert and hors d’oeuvre creations and vote for Best Taste and Best Presentation. Proceeds benefit YMCA Loudoun County. Cost: $60 per person advance; $65 per person at the door. Call 703-777-9622 or visit www.chocolatesgalore.org.
TALENT SHOW. 2 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. All ages can take part in this talent show. Register at the information desk by Feb. 20. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
<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 See Feb. 20 item for details.
MASTER SINGERS. 8 p.m., Our Savior’s Way Lutheran Church, 43115 Waxpool Road, Ashburn. The Master Singers of Virginia will perform. Cost: $15 per person; $12 per seniors and students. Call 703-655-7809.
<cal1> Sunday/Feb. 22
<cal2> BLUEGRASS JAM. Time TBA, Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum, 21668 Heritage Farm Lane, Sterling. Join musicians from the region in an afternoon of music. Refreshments provided. Cost: free for visitors who bring a musical instrument; $5 per adult, $4 per senior, $3 per child age 2-12. Call 571-258-3800.
<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.
FRENCH STORY TIME. 10:45 a.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Introduce children ages 3 and up to the French language through stories and songs. Registration required; visit library.loudoun.gov or call 703-737-8100.
<cal1> Tuesday/Feb. 24
<cal2> FILM FESTIVAL. 7 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. "In the Heat of the Night" will be shown in the fourth and final installment of the Sidney Poitier film festival. 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.
<cal1> Thursday/Feb. 26
<cal2> SENIOR TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Bingo World, Baltimore, Md. Purchase bingo cards at the door, purchase or bring lunch. Cost: $11 for members, $13 for nonmembers, includes transportation. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.