Send your organization's announcement to The Herndon Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, fax to 703-917-0991 or e-mail to herndon@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is two weeks before publication. Photos/artwork encouraged. Call Bonnie Eaton at 703-917-6449.
Elden Street Players will hold auditions at Industrial Strength Theatre, 269 Sunset Park Drive, Herndon, for "Amadeus," Aug. 23-24 (Saturday, from noon-3 p.m.; Sunday, from 7-9 p.m.) Casting will be for nine men (ages 18-70) and one woman (early 20s) in speaking roles; three men and three women for non-speaking roles. Main speaking roles should be familiar with the script and German and Italian accents are encouraged, but not required. The lead role does not require piano playing. Production dates are set for Oct. 24-Nov. 15. Call 703-481-5930. Visit www.eldenstreetplayers.org.
Food vendors are being sought for the Town of Herndon's 15th Annual Labor Day Jazz and Wine Festival. Fare should compliment the wine tasting. Booths will cost $300 for a 10' by 15' space. Call Holly Popple at 703-435-6800, Ext. 2120 for an application.
Donations for goodie bags and raffle are sought for the 3rd Annual CCBC Golf Classic, held at Westfields Golf Club on Friday, Sept. 12. Small items will are sought for the goodie bags, while raffle prizes should have a value over $25. Call 703-793-2299.
The Naomi Project needs volunteers to serve as mentors for high risk pregnant women. The women are referred from the Fairfax Hospital, Health Dept., Human Services and private physicians. Volunteers give about one hour per week, determined by the client's needs and volunteer's availability. There is a special need for Spanish-speaking volunteers. Call 703-860-2633 or visit naomiproject.homestead.com.
The annual Herndon Labor Day Jazz Festival and Wine Tasting is seeking artists to display and sell their work from noon-6 p.m. on Sept. 1. The cost is $35 per booth. Call 703-435-6868 for more information.
The registration deadline is Friday, Aug. 22 for the Northern Virginia Senior Olympics held Sept. 13-25. Opening Ceremonies will be held Saturday, Sept. 13 at 9:30 a.m. at Falls Church High School. The games offer over 25 events including track and field, golf, tennis, swimming, bowling and horseshoes for seniors 50 and older. Medals will be awarded. $7.50 for first event, $1 each for additional events. Call 703-228-3600 or local senior centers to register. Call Cheryl Wheeler at 703-771-5156 for transportation questions. Visit www.novaseniorolympics.com.
The Friends of Runnymede Park and DTS Electrical Construction are sponsoring a photo contest on the subject of Herndon's parks. There will be winners for spring, summer, winter and fall themes in categories of 18 years and under, adult amateur and professional photographers. All entries are due by Sept. 1. Call 703-435-6868.
Fairfax Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) offers an orientation meeting for prospective volunteers from 7-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 10. The non-profit organization recruits and trains community volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children in the Fairfax County court system. Special advocates are appointed by a judge to speak up on behalf of children and ensure that they obtain safe, permanent homes. The session will take place at the Fairfax CASA office at 4103 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 200 in Fairfax. Call 703-273-3526 or visit www.casafairfax.org.
The Northern Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is preparing for its annual new volunteer training. Volunteers are assigned to a specific nursing home or assisted living facility in their community which they visit weekly. Listening, observing and mediating, the ombudsman works with the residents, their families and the facility staff to ensure that resident's rights are protected and they are being adequately helped. The training is scheduled for Sept. 18, 19 and 25 from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. each day. Applicants must successfully complete training and must be available to volunteer four hours per week during regular business hours. Anyone interested who is not employed by a long-term care facility and can commit one year to working as an Ombudsman can call 703-324-5435. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ombudsman.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training is recruiting volunteers to train for marathons and races to honor local cancer patients. For more information call 703-960-1100 or visit www.teamintraining.org.
The English as a Second Language (ESL) and Immigrant Ministries program has an immediate need for teaching volunteers. The time commitment is two hours, one day/night per week or Saturday mornings, September through December. Teacher training is being offered on Sunday, Aug. 24 (1-5:30 p.m.) or Sunday, Sept. 7 (1-5:30 p.m.).
Persons interested in helping immigrants improve their quality of life should call 703-271-8341. Classes will be offered at 19 different locations and at various times. Visit wwww.eslim.org.
Inova VNA Home Health needs volunteers to visit homebound patients. Volunteers spend one to two hours a week talking to the patients, running errands and doing odd jobs. Visits are made during the day, evening or on weekends. Training is provided. Call 703-642-9041.
Seniors seeking employment in Northern Virginia are encouraged to call Senior Employment Resources at 703-750-1936, Monday-Friday, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., for an interview.
The Northern Virginia Family Service is looking for foster families for abused and neglected children. African-American families are particularly needed. Training, support and financial compensation will be provided for both full-time and short-term programs. For more information, call 703-533-9727 or visit smcallister@nvfs.org.
Homeless pets at Fancy Cats Rescue Team in Herndon, the Fairfax County Animal Shelter, and the Humane Society of Fairfax County Inc. can find homes with the help of Petfinder.com. Potential adopters should visit the Web site, enter their zip code and find a list of pets that are available for adoption in their area.
Three Wishes Program makes power wheelchairs available to senior citizens (65 years and up) and the permanently disabled with no cost to the recipient if they qualify. The power wheelchairs are provided to those who cannot walk and cannot self-propel a manual wheelchair in their home, and who meet the additional guidelines of the program. No deposit is required. Call 800-451-0971 for more information.