<mh>Thursday, Feb. 14
<lst>* Beginning Knitting. 6-8 p.m. Five-week class. Learn everything needed to know how to create knitted garments. Class fee $60. At The Yarn Barn, 9413-C Old Burke Lake Road, Burke. Call 703-978-2220 or visit www.geocities.com/theyarnbarnonline.
* Let's Hear It for the Girls. 7 p.m. All-female book discussion group. Girls 9-11 with adult. Free. At Kings Park Library, 9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke. Call 703-978-5600.
<mh>Friday, Feb. 15
<lst>* Lunch Bunnies. Noon. Bring lunch and listen to favorite stories. Age birth-5 years with adult. Free. At Kings Park Library, 9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke. Call 703-978-5600.
* Marvelous Mittens. 10:15 a.m. Stories and activities. Ages 2-3 with adult. Free. At Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. Call 703-644-7333.
* Mark Morris Dance Group. 8 p.m. Seven dancers in costumes by Isaac Mizrahi illuminate romantic madrigals by Claudio Monteverdi. Solo danced to children's music performed on toy piano. Group twirls and flirts, depicting humorous lyrics of British music-hall songs. Includes area premiere of "V." At George Mason University Center for the Arts, Fairfax. Tickets: $42, $34, $21. Call 703-218-6500 or visit www.tickets.com.
* Kenny Rogers. 8 p.m. Ticket prices $48.50; $38.50; $28.50. At The Patriot Center, George Mason University, Fairfax. Purchase tickets at 703-573-SEAT or www.ticketmaster.com.
* Steven Gellman. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Singer/songwriter performs at Borders Book Shop, 6701 Frontier Drive, Springfield. Call 703-924-4894.
<mh>Saturday, Feb. 16
<lst>* Beginning Crochet. 1-3 p.m. Five-week class. Learn crochet to embellish knitted garments or create crocheted items. Class fee $60. At The Yarn Barn, 9413-C Old Burke Lake Road, Burke. Call 703-978-2220 or visit www.geocities.com/theyarnbarnonline.
* Chinese New Year. 2 p.m. Stories and art. Co-sponsored by the New World Bilingual Institute and the Sino-American Book Club. All ages. Free. At Fairfax City Regional Library, 3915 Chain Bridge Road. Call 703-246-2281.
* Microsoft Word. 3 p.m. Learn the basics of operating a word processor. Age 12 and up. Free. At Fairfax City Regional Library, 3915 Chain Bridge Road. Call 703-246-2281.
* Mark Morris Dance Group. 8 p.m. Seven dancers in costumes by Isaac Mizrahi illuminate romantic madrigals by Claudio Monteverdi. Solo danced to children's music performed on toy piano. Group twirls and flirts, depicting humorous lyrics of British music-hall songs. Includes area premiere of "V." At George Mason University Center for the Arts, Fairfax. Tickets: $42, $34, $21. Call 703-218-6500 or visit www.tickets.com.
* City of Fairfax Band. 8 p.m. Band pays tribute to the legacy of great music from the Italian masters in "Viva Italia!" At Fairfax High School auditorium, 3500 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax. $8/adults; $5/seniors and students. For information, call 703-757-0220 or visit www.fairfaxband.org.
* Packing Class. 8:30 -11 a.m. Interstate Worldwide Relocation gives free class to demonstrate proper packing techniques and moving industry secrets. At Insterstate's headquarters, 5801 Rolling Road, Springfield. Advance registration required. Call 800-745-MOVE, Ext. 234.
<mh>Monday, Feb. 18
<lst>* Play School for a Day Open House. 9:30 a.m.-noon. Children ages 2-5 experience a day at preschool by rotating through playstations such as housekeeping, activity, art and block rooms. Children must be accompanied by adult. Free. At Spring-Mar Cooperative Preschool, 10125 Lakehaven Court, Burke. Call 703-239-1213.
* Long-Term-Care Insurance — Protecting Your Estate for the Retirement Years. 1-2:30 p.m. Learn to decide which options in long-term-care insurance will benefit your situation. How to shop for a product and how this product relates to Medicare are also discussed. Good workshop for people 40 and up. Led by Mark D. Armstrong, registered representative of Aid Association for Lutherans/Lutheran Brotherhood. At Old Lee Plaza, 3871 Plaza Drive, Fairfax. Call 703-352-0400.
* Estate Planning Tools. 10-11:30 a.m. Learn the tools used to maintain and distribute your estate to your heirs or charitable institutions. Led by an attorney and Mark D. Armstrong, registered representative of Aid Association for Lutherans/Lutheran Brotherhood. At Old Lee Plaza, 3871 Plaza Drive, Fairfax. Call 703-352-0400.
* Retirement Strategies. 4-5:30 p.m. Focus on the various methods used to calculate retirement income needs and how to maintain the financial lifestyle you desire. Taxation issues, pensions, diversification, personal savings, IRAs and other qualified plans discussed. Led by Mark D. Armstrong, registered representative of Aid Association for Lutherans/Lutheran Brotherhood. At Old Lee Plaza, 3871 Plaza Drive, Fairfax. Call 703-352-0400.
<mh>Tuesday, Feb. 19
<lst>* Book Discussion Group. 11 a.m. "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez. Adults. Free. At Kings Park Library, 9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke. Call 703-978-5600.
* Book Discussion Group. 7:30 p.m. "The Cider House Rules" by John Irving. Adults. Free. At Kings Park Library, 9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke. Call 703-978-5600.
* FamilySearch. 7 p.m. Use FamilySearch and the Family History Library Catalog to search for your ancestors. Age 12 and up. Free. At Fairfax City Regional Library, 3915 Chain Bridge Road. Call 703-246-2281.
* Small One-ders. 10:15 a.m. Very short stories, fingerplays and activities. Age 18-23 months with adult. Free. At Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. Call 703-644-7333.
* Evening Book Club. 7:30 p.m. "The Left Hand of Darkness," by Ursula Le Guin. Adults. Free. At Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. Call 703-644-7333.
* Mattie Stepanek. 7:30 p.m. Young Oprah-featured poet Mattie Stepanek reads from his collections, Heartsongs, and Journey Through Heartsongs. At Borders Book Shop, 11054 Lee Highway, Fairfax. Call 703-359-8420.
<mh>Wednesday, Feb. 20
<lst>* Windows 101. 2 p.m. Learn how to manage your files, control your desktop and other common Windows functions. Age 12 and up. Free. At Fairfax City Regional Library, 3915 Chain Bridge Road. Call 703-246-2281.
* Electronic Research Tools. 3:30 p.m. Learn how to use the library's resources for finding newspaper and magazine articles. Age 12 and up. Free. At Fairfax City Regional Library, 3915 Chain Bridge Road. Call 703-246-2281.
* Individual Basic Internet Training. 10:15 and 11 a.m. One-on-one sessions for beginners by appointment. Adults. Free. At Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. Call 703-644-7333.
* Spies of Washington, Part I. 7 p.m. Key people and places, past and present, associated with intelligence activities, international intrigue and espionage. Adults. Free. At Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. Call 703-644-7333.
* Friends of the Pohick Regional Library. 7:30 p.m. Meeting. Adults. At Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. Call 703-644-7333.
* Conversation Club. 6-9 p.m. Virginia International University hosts Conversation Club for international college and university students. Chance to practice English and meet other international students. Free. Food, bingo, games, prizes, international music and more. At Virginia International University, 9900 Main St., Fairfax. Call 703-683-5057.
<mh>Thursday, Feb. 21
<lst>* Computers Demystified. 10:30 a.m. An easy introduction to Internet search tools and strategies. Adults. Free. At Kings Park Library, 9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke. Call 703-978-5600.
* So Many Shapes. 1:30 p.m. Stories and activities about assorted shapes. Ages 3-5 with adult. Free. At Kings Park Library, 9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke. Call 703-978-5600.
* After Hours. 7 p.m. Teen book discussion. Ages 12-18. Free. At Kings Park Library, 9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke. Call 703-978-5600.
* Warm Fuzzy Hugs. 10:30 a.m. Stories and activities. Age 3-5 with adult. Free. At Fairfax City Regional Library, 3915 Chain Bridge Road. Call 703-246-2281.
* Tiny Tots. 10:15 a.m. Very short stories, fingerplays and activities. Age 13-17 months with adult. Free. At Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. Call 703-644-7333.
* Annuities and How They Work. 7:30-9 p.m. Learn how the accumulation (saving) and distribution (spending) strategies can work to your financial advantage. Led by an attorney and Mark D. Armstrong, registered representative of Aid Association for Lutherans/Lutheran Brotherhood. At Old Lee Plaza, 3871 Plaza Drive, Fairfax. Call 703-352-0400.
* Pet First Aid and CPR. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Be prepared to stabilize your pet (cat or dog) until you can get it safely to an emergency or your family vet. Learn how to control bleeding, locate a pulse, fashion a splint, muzzle a frightened animal, help a choking animal, perform rescue breathing, perform chest compressions and more. $25/person, $10 extra to keep text. To register, send participant's name, address, phone number, age, program title, and check payable to FCPA, to Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield, VA 22150. Call 703-569-0285 for credit card registrations or more information.
* Friday Morning Music Club on Thursday Morning. 11 a.m.-noon. Tzvetan Konstantinov, piano; Sharon Guertin Shafer, soprano; Nayiri Poochikian, violin; Robert Park, cello. Free. At The Old Town Hall, 3999 University Drive, Fairfax. Call 703-352-ARTS.
<mh>Friday, Feb. 22
<lst>* Blue-Collar Comedy Tour. 7 p.m. Comedians Jeff Foxworthy and Bill Engvall with special guests Larry the Cable Guy and Ron White. At George Mason University Patriot Center, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. For information, call 703-993-3000 or visit www.patriotcenter.com. Tickets: $38.50 and $29.50, available at all Ticketmaster outlets and at www.ticketmaster.com or at 703-573-SEAT.
* 'George Washington, Portrait in Song.' 8 p.m. Tenor Doug Jimerson Ensemble performs. Free. At The Old Town Hall, 3999 University Drive, Fairfax. Call 703-352-ARTS.
<mh>Saturday, Feb. 23
<lst>* Buffet Luncheon and Fashion Show. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sponsored by the Springfield-Annandale Branch, American Association of University Women. $30/person. Proceeds benefit AAUW programs, scholarships, developing leadership skills for women, promoting lifelong education, the Legal Advocacy Fund, and others. At Country Club of Fairfax, 5110 Ox Road, Fairfax. Door prizes. Mail check to Gwyn Peterson, 9600 Tinsmith Lane, Burke, VA 22015. Call 703-455-9339 for more information.
* 'With the Help of Others: Donor Sperm, Donor Egg, Donor Embryo.' 9 a.m.-noon. RESOLVE of the Washington Metro area hosts free program at Fair Oaks Hospital, Fairfax. For more information or to register, call 202-362-5555 or visit www.resolvedc.org.
* Between Jobs: A Practical Guide to Life in Transition. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Course designed to inform job-searchers about the psychological and emotional impact of unemployment and offer guidance for living through it. Course is also meant for friends and family who care about someone who is unemployed but don’t know how to help. $35/members, $45/nonmembers. At ManTech International, 12015 Lee Jackson Highway, Fairfax. To register, call 703-281-2657 or visit www.thewomenscenter.org.
* Walk with a Naturalist. 10:30 a.m.-noon. Find the first signs of spring. Hot chocolate served after the walk. Dress for the weather. Canceled in case of inclement weather. Free. All ages. At Hidden Pond Nature Center, 8511 Greeley Blvd., Springfield. Call 703-451-9588.
* Harlem Globetrotters. 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices $76.50; $31.50; $21.50; $18.50; $13.50. At The Patriot Center, George Mason University, Fairfax. Purchase tickets at 703-573-SEAT or www.ticketmaster.com.
* Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra. 8 p.m. performance. Tickets: $32, $24, $16. Children's tickets (age 12 and under) are half price. Charge by phone at 703-218-6500 or visit www.tickets.com. At George Mason Center for the Arts, Fairfax.
<mh>Sunday, Feb. 24
<lst>* WDR Symphony Orchestra of Cologne. 7:30 p.m. Guest artists Katia and Marielle LaBeque join the orchestra for this performance. Artistic discussion at 6:30 p.m. on the concert hall's Grand Tier. Tickets: $50, $42, $25. Children's tickets (age 12 and under) are half price. Charge by phone at 703-218-6500 or visit www.tickets.com. At George Mason Center for the Arts, Fairfax.
<mh>Ongoing
<lst>* Photography Display. Through April 6. Photographs by members of Northern Virginia Photographic Society on exhibit at Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. In the First Floor South exhibit area. Features 83 photos from 28 members.
* Individual Internet Training. Throughout February. One-on-one, introductory sessions. Age 12 and up. Free. At Fairfax City Regional Library, 3915 Chain Bridge Road. Saturdays at 10:30 a.m.; Tuesdays at 7 p.m.; Monday, Feb. 25, at 7 p.m. For information, call 703-246-2281.
* Tax Counseling. Throughout February. Bring last year's returns, Social Security card and all other information needed for tax return. Adults. AARP Tax Counseling for the Elderly: Tuesdays, noon-4 p.m. at Kings Park Library, 9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke, call 703-978-5600; Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke, call 703-644-7333. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance: Saturdays, 10 a.m-2 p.m., at Fairfax City Regional Library, 3915 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, call 703-246-2281; Saturdays, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke, call 703-644-7333.
* Ongoing Book Sale. Through Feb. 28. All ages. At Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Call 703-451-8055.
* Spring Trout Fishing Opens at Lake Accotink. 7 a.m.-dusk. Feb. 16-March 31. Trout fishing season opens March 2-April 14. Daily $6 pass; 10-visit pass, $40; annual pass for spring and fall seasons, $85. Passes can be used at Lake Accotink and Lake Fairfax. Senior citizens and children 4-15 get 10-percent discount on passes. One pole/person, six fish/day limit. Virginia State Freshwater Fishing License required. For information, call 703-569-0285 or 703-471-5415.
* Learn to Dance. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Partners not required. Learn salsa, merengue, cha-cha, pop and more. At Rene’s Night Club, 3251 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax. Party follows, $5/person. Proper attire required. Free parking. For information or reservations, call 703-759-9380 or 703-856-1139.
* Exercise for Seniors. HEP — Health Education Program. Award-winning physical-fitness program for older adults. Low-impact aerobics, stretching, weights, walking, pickle ball. Held at George Mason University Fairfax Campus. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday. $20/month. For information, call 703-993-3701 and leave name and phone number, or visit www.gmu.edu/departments/bfrr.
* Springfield Art Guild Classes. All classes are held in the Kings Park Community Room at the Kings Park Shopping Center located in the triangle formed by Braddock, Rolling and Burke Lake roads, Springfield. The entrance to the community room is to the left of CVS. Call Carrie Cole 703-455-6630 or Traci Oberle 703-323-6994 if interested.
Oil Panting Workshop – Wednesdays, noon-3 p.m. $12/person. Drop in for professional instruction by Karen Galleher. Students provide own materials.
Open Studio/Critique – First and third Thursday of the month, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. Bring own supplies. Tables, chairs, water and spot lights available. Set up a still life, work from photos, work on a painting in progress, come paint with other artists. Get a critique if desired.