<cal1>THURSDAY/APRIL 24
<cal2>The Centreville American Legion Auxiliary's next monthly meeting will be on Thursday, April 24 at the Centreville Regional Library from 6:30-8:30 p.m., and is open to the public. The Auxiliary collected more than 300 unserviceable American flags last year. The flags will be retired with the dignity they deserve later this year by Centreville American Legion Post 1995, which will conduct the Disposal of Unserviceable Flag Ceremony. This ceremony creates a particularly dignified and solemn occasion for the retirement of unserviceable flags. The Centreville American Legion Auxiliary will continue collecting unserviceable flags. Call 703-912-1910, or email at VAUnit1995@aol.com.
Unseasonably cold weather in early April delayed the spring blooming schedule for the native wildflowers at Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville. Naturalists expect the bluebells to be in bloom this week.
Amnesty International, Fairfax branch, will meet on Thursday, April 24, at 7 p.m., at Barnes & Noble on Fair Lakes Drive, Fairfax.
Charles and Carol Spring, who recently returned from Colombia, will share their experiences in human rights work in Barrancabermeja, Colombia. Members who attended the recent AI convention in Pittsburgh will also report on the national meeting. Visitors are welcome. Call 703-830-4194 for information, or write aigroup528@lycos.com.
<cal1>FRIDAY/APRIL 25
<cal2>The MOMS Club of Clifton/Centreville will hold an Open House and Family Resource Day on Friday, April 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Centreville Fire Station No. 17 on Old Centreville Road. Find out valuable information from the MOMS Club and over 30 other family-friendly organizations. Special programs by Melody Kids at 11:15 a.m. and Puppets and More at noon. Visit the Web site at www.momsclubccva.org or call 703-266-2469.
The DeWalt Million Dollar Challenge is a national contest spanning hundreds of cities with people vying for a chance to "screw-off" for a million dollars. The Challenge is to drive five screws into a piece of wood as fast as you can with a DeWalt cordless drill. To complete the challenge, contestants must pick up the drill, start the timer, drive the screws and then stop the timer as quickly as they can. Last year's winner sank five screws in 6.77 seconds to beat the clock and earn the million dollar grand prize. The contest will be held Friday, April 25 from noon to 4 p.m. at Grabber, 14801 Willard Road in Chantilly. Contact Barry Norbeck at 540-972-0192.
<cal1>SATURDAY/APRIL 26
<cal2>Boy Scout Troop 893 will host its 30th Annual Flea Market on Saturday, April 26 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the former site of the Lowe's Hardware Store, located at 13955 Metrotech Drive in Chantilly — across from K-Mart and Babies R Us. Items for sale include: furniture, housewares, sports equipment, books, clothes for the entire family, electronics and white elephant merchandise. Plenty of parking! Donation are being accepted on Saturday, April 19. They can be dropped off between the hours of 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the site. Call 703-222-2333.
A tea party in honor of Rachel Crossett will be held Saturday, April 26 from 1-4 p.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church, 5649 Mount Gilead Road, Centreville. The money raised will benefit Rachel's Park and Teardrops to Rainbows, an organization dedicated to helping families with a child diagnosed with cancer.
Tickets are $30 for adults, little girls 6 and under are free, children 7-12 are $15. Dress is Spring Garden Party and hats are encouraged. The fashion show starts at approximately 1:30 p.m.
<cal1>APRIL 26-27
<cal2>Virginia Ballet Company will present "The Red Shoes," an original full-length ballet in three acts, as part of the Fairfax Spotlight on the Arts Festival. It will be held at the Ernst Cultural Center Theater, Annandale campus of Northern Virginia Community College, Saturday, April 26 at 2 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, April 27 at 2 p.m. Reserved seats ($20 for adults, $12 for children and $15 for seniors) may be ordered by calling Virginia Ballet at 703-249-8227.
<cal2>CPR is being offered at the Centreville Volunteer Fire Department on Old Centreville Road. It is being held on the fourth Saturday every month. The course includes the Heimlich Maneuver for choking and CPR techniques for infants, children and adults. This course is not for those who need the Healthcare Provider level. A donation of $25 is requested. Call 703-830-1479 and leave your name and phone number in the CPR mailbox.
<cal1>SUNDAY/APRIL 27
<cal2>The Sixth Annual Walk for Shea Megale will be Sunday, April 27, at 9 a.m. at the Virginia Run Community Center, at Pleasant Valley Road and Wetherburn Court, off Route 29 in Centreville. This 5K walk will be held, rain or shine, and all proceeds benefit SMA — spinal muscular atrophy — a rare and terminal form of muscular dystrophy which has no cure.
Shea, 7 1/2, is a Virginia Run resident and has SMA. Registration forms for the walk are available at the community center at 15355 Wetherburn Court, Centreville, VA 20120, phone 703-818-0052, or e-mail Mo Nieves at Kellex@aol.com. Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children; strollers and friendly dogs are welcome.
A Bull Run Ramble will take place Sunday, April 27, 1-3 p.m. Meet at Hemlock Overlook Park near Clifton to search for native wildflowers and other signs of spring. Wear good walking shoes and be prepared for some hills. Recommended for adults and older children. Fee $5-$8. The Webb Sanctuary is located at 12829 Chestnut St., Clifton. Call 703-803-8400.
<cal1>MONDAY/APRIL 28
<cal2>The Greenbriar Garden Club meets on the fourth Monday of each month (except June, July, August and December) at 7:30 p.m. in the Greenbriar Community Center, 4615 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly. The club is open to all from Greenbriar and surrounding communities. Call Toni Moriarty at 703-449-0168.
* Monday, April 28 — Herbs, vegetables, bulbs, perennial and annual vines and flowering plants, even small shrubs and trees — all can be grown in containers. Whether formal designs with tidy, symmetrically placed plants, or cascading hodgepodges of color, container gardens are fun to design and create, provide countless decorating possibilities, and can even provide a bountiful harvest of vegetables, fruits and herbs! This "how-to" container garden demonstration offers helpful tips on their creation and care.
<cal1>TUESDAY, APRIL 29
<cal2>The New Mothers Luncheon Group in Northern Virginia offers an opportunity for mothers and their infants (up to 8 months old) to get together for lunch, a speaker and fun. The group meets every Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Restaurant 7, located at 8521 Leesburg Pike, Tysons Corner. Reservations are required for all luncheons. Contact Rochelle Goldberg at 703-961-9179 or at eventbuilders@hotmail.com.
The schedule is as follows:
* Tuesday, April 29 — "Emotional Development of Infants," Tamara Balis, Essential Tools for Living, LLC;
* Tuesday, May 6 — "Nanny Agencies and What They Can Provide (more than what you think)" Susan and Jerry Milwit, Metropolitan Nannies;
Tuesday, May 13 — "Developmental Milestones — Birth to Age 1," Patti Turner, MS;
* Tuesday, May 20 — "The Importance of Estate and Financial Planning," Jennifer Holt, Attorney at Law;
* Tuesday, May 27 — "Toys! Toys! Toys!" Susie Waterstreet, Tree Top Toys.
Babies R Us will be holding a free seminar on Tuesday, April 29 from 1-2 p.m. New Life Wellness Center will be discussing women's health issues during and after pregnancy. Babies R Us is located at 13954 Metro Tech Dr. Chantilly. Call 703-502-9200.
<cal1>FRIDAY/MAY 2
<cal2>Team UndeFEETed, an MS Challenge Walk team from the Centre Ridge community in Centreville, is hosting a fund-raising event Friday, May 2, from 7-9 p.m. for the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society. More than 15 "Home Show" vendors will be on hand at Centreville Volunteer Fire Department (Station 17). Vendors include: Creative Memories, Discovery Toys, Longaberger Baskets, Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, M-isms, Options of South Riding, Partylite, Premier Jewelry, Petra Fashions, Southern Living, Stampin' Up, The Bag Ladies, Tastefully Simple, Tupperware and Usborne Books.
In addition to items donated from each of these vendors, local Merchants have donated prizes for the silent auctions and raffles. All proceeds from the auctions and raffles will go directly to the MS Society. Raffle tickets are $5 and can be purchased anytime.
Participating Merchants include: Sweetwater Tavern, Bone Fish Grill, Old Glory, Glory Days, Outback, Rosemary's Bistro, O'Toole's, Red Rocks, Sun Splash, B-Tan, Valon Salon, Bertucci's, Candlewood Suites, Uno's, Centreville Tire and Auto, Shade Tree, Black Belt Academy, Suzy's Salon, Ciro's, Barnes and Noble, The Barbershop, Pizza Boli's, Backyard Grill, Salon USA, Ruby Tuesdays, Don Pablo's Fair Lakes, Crest Cleaners and Marriott Springhill Suites in Centreville. Call Deb Abramczyk at 703-803-3143.
<cal1>MAY 2-3
<cal2>The Friends of Chantilly Regional Library are holding their annual Spring Used Book Sale on Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Chantilly Regional Library at 4000 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly. A clearance sale will be held on Sunday, May 4 from 12-3 p.m. There will be a wide assortment of children and adult fiction and non-fiction as well as audio visuals, all at bargain prices. Call 703-502-3883.
<cal2>The fifth-annual Spring Gallery Walk in Old Town Manassas will take place May 2-3. Many local artists will have their works on display in 14 locations throughout Old Town Manassas. A map will be provided. Look for the balloons and you'll find local artists displaying their work. Artwork will be for sale. The hours are Friday, May 2 from 6-9:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call Creative Brush Studio at 703-335-8005 or check the Web at www.CreativeBrush.com.
<cal1>MAY 2-4
<cal2>Centreville High School advanced art teacher Elaine Florimonte will exhibit her personal art work with the ValeArts Group in its annual Spring Art Exhibit at the Vale Schoolhouse in Oakton on May 2, 3, and 4 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Elaine, who paints acrylic images on a variety of unique surfaces and textures, will have several works on display. The ValeArts Group includes Grace Lewis, Carmel Belet, Diana Eichler, Martha Wills, Jenna Klimchak, Marian McNaughton, Betsey Mulloy, Pat Strickler and Linda Lovell. Nearly 100 pieces of original works will be on display. The show is located at the intersection of Vale and Fox Mill Roads in Oakton. Call 703-860-1888.
The third annual Spring Chantilly Sugarloaf Crafts Festival will take place May 2-4 at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly. More than 300 fine artists and craft designers will offer for sale works of pottery, paintings, pendants, puzzles, painted silk and more. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Cost is $7/adults; children under 12 free.
<cal1>SATURDAY/MAY 3
<cal2>Greenbriar-based Wings House Inc. is sponsoring a dance and silent auction to bring awareness to mental illness. The silent auction features dinners at local restaurants, tennis lessons, golf, get-a-way weekends at local hotels, a ride in a Cessna aircraft, and more. It will be held on Saturday, May 3 from 7:30 p.m. to midnight at the Reston Community Center, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Hunter Woods Village Center, Reston. Cost is $25 per person, $30 at the door. Contact Dotti McKee at 703-760-1663 or 703-968-6523 or e-mail dmckee@venable.com.
Wings House Inc. is a non-profit formed by friends and family members of adults with mental illness. The vision of WINGS — Winning Independent Living with Group Support — is to provide safe, affordable, long-term housing for adults with mental illness so they can become independent, self-assured and productive members of the community.
<cal2>Robert N. Macomber, author of the naval Civil War novel "At the Edge of Honor" and the new sequel "Point of Honor," will be appearing at the Fair Lakes Barnes & Noble Bookstore on Saturday, May 3 at 2 p.m. Macomber is nationally known for his writing and lecturing on maritime history. The Barnes & Noble is located at 12193 Fair Lakes Promenade in Fairfax.
<cal1>SATURDAY/MAY 3
<cal2>The Lane's Mill Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution meeting on Saturday, May 3, will be an offsite visit to the DAR Museum in Washington, D.C. Members should meet at the Centreville Library at 9 a.m. Lane's Mill is a small but active chapter that offers a broad range of programs on historic preservation and natural conservation, education of our nation's youth, promotion of patriotism, and love of our country.
Prospective members and guests are encouraged to attend meetings. Contact Jennifer Smith, Chapter Regent, at 703-961-1030 or visit the chapter site at www.dar.org. under chapters.
<cal2>View the colorful plumage of the spring bird migrants and explore the splendor of the bluebells in bloom as a naturalist guides you along the trails of Bull Run Park on Saturday, May 3 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sponsored by Adventures in Conservation, a series of hands-on events to improve the environment and provide opportunities to learn more about our natural surroundings. Meet at the pool parking lot towards the back of the park. RSVP to Jeannie McPherson at 703-354-5093.
<cal2>Step by Step Pediatric Therapy Services, Inc. together with The Shaken Baby Alliance is holding their third annual fund-raiser to raise money for Shaken Baby Syndrome prevention and education.
The Tot Trot is a walk-a-thon for infants and toddlers, their friends, families, neighbors that will take place Saturday, May 3 at 10 a.m. Each participant can walk, use a push toy or walker, ride in a wheelchair, stroller or backpack, or even be carried along a 1/10-mile "track" as many times as he or she is able. The participants will have sponsors from the community pledge $1 per lap of the track, or flat donations will be accepted. The early registration fee is $12 per tot or $17 per family, which will include a special child's T-shirt to commemorate the occasion. Walk-in registrations will also be accepted.
It will be held in the parking circle between the Joseph Willard Health Department/Daytime Development Center and the Belle Willard Administration Building at 3750 Old Lee Highway in Fairfax.
All proceeds from the event will benefit The Shaken Baby Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising public awareness, supporting victim families and advocating for justice for the victims of Shaken Baby Syndrome, a tragic and preventable form of child abuse.
Call 703-222-2421. Or visit the Web sites at www.stepbysteppediatric.com or www.shakenbaby.com.
<cal1>MAY 3-4
<cal2>Babies R Us will host a Babyfest on May 3-4 from noon to 4 p.m. Several vendors, including Chiropractic Family Health Centre, Mom's Club of Clifton and Centreville, Mary Kay, MudPies will be on hand. The store is sponsoring Digital ID's on Sunday, May 4 between noon and 4 p.m. Babies R Us is located at 13954 Metro Tech Dr. Chantilly. Call 703-502-9200.
A Model Train weekend will be held Saturday, May 3 from noon to 5 p.m. and Sunday, May 4 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum, 11200 Fairfax Station Road. There will be HO gauge layouts by the Potomac Module Crew and special Lego layout by Monty. Call 703-425-9225 or 703-278-8833.
<cal1>SUNDAY, MAY 4
<cal2>In honor of National Safe Kids Week, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Station 15 of Chantilly is sponsoring Safe Kids Day on Sunday, May 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Activities include station tours, a puppet show, child photo IDs, child safety displays and raffles. Guest appearance by the Blue Cookie-Eating Monster. The address is 14005 Vernon Street, Chantilly.
<cal1>MONDAY/MAY 5
<cal2>The Centreville Toastmasters Club meets twice a month at the Centreville Regional Library, from 7-8:15 p.m., on Mondays, May 5, May 19, June 9, June 23. Toastmasters will help members speak confidently, listen effectively and think on their feet. Guests are always welcome. Contact Lynn Griesemer, 703-263-2468, greeze@juno.com.
<cal1>MAY 8-14
<cal2>The League of Women Voters invites local residents to join members as they investigate and discuss three important elements of living in this area: its parks, libraries and water supply. The League's unit meetings during the second week of May will review the organization, general operations, budget situation and major issues facing the Fairfax County Water Authority, Park Authority and Public Libraries. In preparation for the meetings, members and guests will have the opportunity to review materials prepared by several of its members who serve in leadership roles in these organizations.
The League's meetings will be held at 15 locations throughout Fairfax County and City, on May 8 to 14, including the Kings Park Library on Thursday, May 8 at 9:30 a.m., the Mason District Government Center on Tuesday, May 13 at 9:30 a.m., the Yen Cheng Restaurant (9992 Main Street, Fairfax) on Wednesday, May 14 at 6:15 p.m. and a daytime meeting in the Fairfax Station area on Wednesday, May 14 at 9:30 a.m. (Call 830-8198 for location). The meetings are open to guests, free, and no registration is required. Call 703-658-9150 or visit the League's Web site on www.lwv-fairfax.org for further information and other meeting locations.
<cal1>MAY 9-11
<cal2>The Clyde Beatty Cole Bros. Circus will be coming to Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville on May 9-11. Showtimes are Friday, 4:30 and 7:30; Saturday, 1:30, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Tickets range from $9 to $22. Call 1-800-796-5672.
<cal1>SATURDAY/MAY 10
<cal2>Sully Historic Site will offer a look back at history on Saturday, May 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the War of 1812 Muster where war clouds loom on the horizon and the nation is being called to arms. Learn about military life on land and sea. In early America, military musters were a time of recruitment and training for the troops and a chance for citizen-soldiers and their families to socialize with their neighbors. Call 703-437-1794.
An Irish Social Dance (Ceili) will take place on Saturday, May 10 from 8 p.m. until midnight at the John C. Wood Center, 3730 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax City (next to St. Leo's). Basic dance lessons will be offered from 7:30-8 p.m. The Bog Wanderers will perform live Irish Music. Cost is $12 per person, $25 maximum per family. These dances are fun and for the whole family. Beginners, singles, couples and families are welcome. Ceili and set dances will be featured. Sponsored by the Washington Area Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, the dances are held every second Saturday of the month during the school year (May 10 and June 14). Call Vicki Ryan-Barr at 703-521-4340.
<cal1>WEDNESDAY MAY 14
<cal2>As part of the Fairfax Station Forum series of talks on topics of Civil War history, Don Hakenson of Alexandria will be the featured speaker on the subject, "This Forgotten Land: A Tour of Civil War Sites and Other Historical Landmarks South of Alexandria, Va." Hakenson, author of this book, will talk about an area of Fairfax County and its Civil War sites that are seldom discussed in other Civil War books. His presentation will start on Wednesday, May 14, at 7:30 p.m., at the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum, 11200 Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station. Free, although donations are encouraged. Call 703-425-9225 or check the Web site at www.fairfax-station.org.
<cal1>THURSDAY/MAY 15
<cal2>The Clifton Homes Tour will be held Thursday, May 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Clifton Community Woman's Club, the event is the club's annual fund-raiser which benefits local charities and scholarships. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 on the day of the tour. The boutique runs May 14 from 6-8 p.m. and May 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at Antiques of Clifton, Baskets & Boughs, Heart in Hand restaurant; Colonnade Shopping Center — Temptations Gifts; Burke Town Center — Temptations Gifts. For questions, contact 703-803-1425.
<cal1>SUNDAY/MAY 18
<cal2>The H&K Law Enforcement Memorial 100 (NSCA) will take place on Sunday, May 18, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Bull Run Regional Park Public Shooting Center, 7700 Bull Run Dr., Centreville. Take aim at this contest sponsored by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority's Bull Run Shooting Center and Short Flight Shooting Instruction. This will be a National Sporting Clays Association event. For fees and more information, call 703-830-2344.
<cal1>SATURDAY/MAY 24
<cal2>A picnic and fishing derby for children and adults with disabilities will take place on Saturday, May 24 at 11 a.m. at the Arlington/Fairfax Chapter of the Izaak Walton League in Centreville. There will be a fishing derby, hayrides, archery shoot and air rifle shooting. The menu will include hamburgers, hotdogs, baked beans, potato salad and more. Prizes will be awarded for the fishing derby. Guests from the surrounding area schools are invited. If you know of anyone with a disability who would like to receive an invitation, contact Pamela Meara at kptj.meara@verizon.net, or call 703-330-8580 and leave names.
<cal2>The swimming pools open on Saturday, May 24 at 10 a.m. at the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority.
* Downpour! At Algonkian Regional Park, 47001 Fairway Dr., Sterling, VA, 703-450-4655.
* Great Waves at Cameron Run Regional Park, 4001 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria, VA, 703-960-0767.
* Bull Run Regional Park Pool, 7700 Bull Run Dr., Centreville, VA, 703-631-0552.
* Pohick Bay Regional Park Pool, 6501 Pohick Bay Dr., Lorton, VA, 703-339-6104.
* Upton Hill Regional Park Pool, 6060 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA, 703-534-3437.
<cal1>SATURDAY/MAY 31
<cal2>Dave Butz, former Washington Redskins all-pro defensive tackle and member of three Super Bowl teams, will host the fifth annual St. Jude Crush'n Clays" Clay Target Charity Classic. The event is scheduled for Saturday, May 31 at the Arlington/Fairfax Izaak Walton League Chapter in Centreville. The event has raised $86,000 to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. It is hosted by the Virginia Shooting Sports Association and the Arlington/Fairfax Chapter of the Izaak Walton League in Centreville. The event, open to the public, will consist of four person teams and individuals competing in a trapshooting format. The format allows novices to compete alongside experienced shooters. Teams of four shooters can enter for $200, and individual shooters can enter for $50. For entry forms and more information, call Steve Canale at 703-742-8771.
<cal2>The Prince William Art Society is seeking entries for its May 31 Fine Art and Craft Show. This event will be the art society's largest show of the year and will be held outdoors at Bethel Methodist Church (located on the corner of Minnieville and Smoketown Roads). The show will be judged and juried in both categories by professional artists. Cash awards and ribbons will be presented to winners. For more information, call Jewel at 703-878-2246 or Madelyn at 703-670-9437.
For more information about the art society, call 703-590-1437 or check out www.pwcwweb.com/artsociety.
<cal1>SUNDAY/JUNE 8
<cal2>The State Warm-Up 100 (NSCA) Contest will take place on Sunday, June 8, from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Bull Run Regional Park Public Shooting Center, 7700 Bull Run Dr., Centreville. Take aim at this contest sponsored by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority's Bull Run Shooting Center and Short Flight Shooting Instruction. This will be a National Sporting Clays Association event. For fees and more information, call 703-830-2344.
<cal1>SATURDAY/JUNE 28
<cal2>The Caring Hands Animal Hospital will have an open house on Saturday, June 28 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Don't miss the adoption fair, dog-wash fund-raiser, animal behaviorist and wildlife rehabilitator. Located at 5659 Stone Road Centreville. Call 703-830-5700 or go to www.caringhandsvet.com.