<cal1>Wednesday/Dec. 17
<cal2>La Leche Meeting. Herndon/Reston will meet at 10 a.m. at the Herndon Fortnightly Library, 768 Center Street in Herndon. The group offers lending library with books on breastfeeding, childbirth, parenting and nutrition, mother to mother support, leaders accredited by La Leche League International, the latest breastfeeding information and 24 hour telephone help.
Meet Me at the Movies. Reston Town Center Multiplex Cinemas presents "Life is Beautiful" for seniors (55+). Refreshments and door prizes. Doors open at 9:15 a.m.; movie at 10 a.m. Call 703-435-6530.
<cal1>Thursday/Dec. 18
<cal2>Senior Book Group. Reston Community Center, 2310 Colts Neck Road, from 12:30-2 p.m. "Life of Pi" by Yan Martel. Adults age 55 and up. Call 703-476-4500.
Holiday Mixer. The Herndon Dulles Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual event from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Griffin-Owens & Associates, 847 Station St., Herndon. The Rotary Club will collect new unwrapped children's books for their literacy campaign. Cost is $5 for HDCC members; $15 for non-members. Call 703-437-5556 to register.
<cal1>Friday/Dec. 19
<cal2>Christmas Ballet. The Rhythm Street Performing Arts Company of Herndon will debut "Holly and Ivy" at 7:30 p.m. at Metz Middle School in Manassas. The company consists of dancers ranging in age from 9 through 18. The performance is loosely based on the Christmas book "The Story of Holly and Ivy" by Rummer Godden. Tickets are $10 for adults; $6 for children. Call 703-709-8670.
Nature Program. Herndon Community Center, 814 Ferndale Ave., from 6-7:30 a.m. "Winter Birdfeeding" is for all ages. Make a feeder and mix a special high protein food to attract birds to the home. Cost is $7 per person. Call to register at 703-435-6868.
Pet Time with Santa. Bring pets and pose with Santa outside of Paolo's Ristorante, Reston Town Center. Friday, from 5-9 p.m.; Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Cost is $12 for one 4x6 color print in a keepsake folder; $2 per sale will be donated to Guiding Eyes for the Blind. Call 703-709-8201. Visit www.doggiefun.com.
Holiday Swing Dance. Hilton Washington Dulles Airport Hotel, 13869 Park Center Road, Herndon, hosts a swing dance with Daryl Davis from 9-11 p.m. Cost is $12. Beginner lesson at 8:30 p.m. No partner necessary. Call the dance hotline at 703-359-9882 or visit www.gottaswing.com.
<cal1>Saturday/Dec. 20
<cal2>Nature Programs. Children ages 3-5 are invited to make holiday decorations from nature at 10 a.m. in the Glade Community Room at Glade Pool, 11550 Glade Drive. Cost is $4; $7 for non-members. "Winter Animals" welcomes families to take a "Wildlife Ramble" to look for signs of animals. Search for the holes, nests, dens, galls and tracks of the year round residents. Find out where they go, what they eat and where they live. Wear warm clothes and sturdy shoes. Meet at the pavilion at the Walker Nature Education Center, 11450 Glade Drive, at 2 p.m. Cost is $3 for Reston residents; $5 for non-residents. Reservations are required by Dec. 17. Call 703-435-6530.
Breakfast with Santa. San Vito Ristorante Italiano, 13340 Franklin Farm Road, Herndon, Dec. 20-21, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Bring a camera. Call 703-707-6400 for more information.
<cal1>Sunday/Dec. 21
<cal2>Hayrides with Santa. Frying Pan Park, 2709 West Ox Road, Herndon, Dec. 21-22. Sunday, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; Monday, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Meet Santa, sing carols and take a ride through the park. The country store will be open. Cost is $5. Call 703-437-9101.
<cal1>Tuesday/Dec. 23
<cal2>INOVA Blood Drive. Blood mobile located at Equity Office Pavilion near Williams-Sonoma in Reston Town Center. Noon-7:30 p.m. Schedule an appointment by calling 1-866-256-6372 or visiting inova.org/donateblood. Onsite registration at the Hyatt Regency Reston lobby.
<cal1>Friday/Dec. 26
<cal2>Swing Dance. Hilton Washington Dulles Airport Hotel, 13869 Park Center Road, Herndon, hosts a swing dance with The Fabulettes from 9-11 p.m. Cost is $12. Beginner lesson at 8:30 p.m. No partner necessary. Call the dance hotline at 703-359-9882 or visit www.gottaswing.com.
<cal1>Wednesday/Dec. 31
<cal2>New Year's Eve Dance. The Holiday Inn on Route 28 hosts a swing dance with Sue & Gary beginning at 9 p.m. Call the dance hotline at 703-359-9882 or visit www.gottaswing.com.
<hdr15>Ongoing Events
<cal2>Reston Town Center. A month-long celebration with holiday performances from community choral groups and "midnight madness." Call 703-709-8201. Visit www.restontowncenter.com.
Art for Giving Holiday Show. Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE) presents its annual show featuring original works by members, through Jan. 3. The exhibit will feature works of art and fine craft for sale by GRACE member artists. Visit www.restonarts.org. Call 703-471-9242.
Art Mural. The Imagine '06 mural in Herndon is ongoing with the help artistic leader Pat Macintyre. The artist will be onsite most Sundays, from noon-3 p.m. The community is invited to add brush strokes. Call Pat at 703-471-1445 or e-mail pckmacintyre@meda.com, for more information.
Skating Pavilion. Equity Office Skating Pavilion at Reston Town Center has opened for the season, daily for skating and lessons. Call 703-709-6300. Visit www.restontowncenter.com.
Miracle of Lights. Bull Run Regional Park, 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville, through Jan. 3, 5:30-10:30 p.m. nightly. A drive-through holiday light show featuring six themes over two miles. A portion of the proceeds benefit Special Love (www.speciallove.org). Cost is $12 per car; $25 per commercial van (15-35 people); or $50 per bus. Call 703-709-5437. Visit www.miracleoflights.com.
Open Poetry Readings. Lake Anne Coffee House, Lake Anne Village Center Shopping Center, Reston, every Tuesday, from 7-9 p.m. For more information, contact Megan McDonald at 202-879-0517 (days).
Art Exhibit. GRACE (Greater Reston Art Center) presents abstract painter Joyce McCarden, through Jan. 5, at Market Street Bar and Grill. Call 703-471-9242. Visit www.restonarts.org.
Parent and Child Workshop. Drop in from 10 a.m.-noon, every Saturday at the Reston Museum at Lake Anne. Led by local artist Pat Macintyre. No charge, no pre sign-up. Call the museum at 703-709-7700, or call Pat at 703-471-1445 (work), or 703-860-5554 (home).
League of Reston Artists. A contemporary art exhibition at University of Phoenix, Northern Virginia Campus, 11730 Plaza America Drive, Suite 200, Reston, through Jan. 9. Free. Call 703-376-6116.
MOMS Club. The MOMS Club of Reston is a non-profit group for stay-at-home moms. Meetings are held the second Wednesday of every month at 10 a.m. Call 703-860-4289, e-mail restonmoms@comcast.net or visit www.momsclub.org.
Spanish Chats. Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston, every Wednesday, at 7 p.m. Informal refresher course for adults. Call 703-689-2700.
Practice English. Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, hosts conversation groups for adults. Mondays, at 7 p.m. (intermediate level); Thursdays, at 7 p.m. (beginner's course); and Thursdays, at 1 p.m. (intermediate). Call to register at 703-689-2700.
Internet Training. Herndon Fortnightly Library, 768 Center St., every Saturday, at 10:30 a.m. Adults. Call for a half-hour appointment at 703-437-8855. Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive. Adults. Call for an appointment at 703-689-2700.
Frying Pan Park. Farm animals babies and Kidwell Farm, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., daily. Sheep, pigs, goats and cows. Pet the animals, take a hayride or watch farm hands at work. Hayrides cost $2. The park is located at 2709 West Ox Road, Herndon. Call 703-437-9101.
Gymside & Trailside Walkers. Join other seniors at the Herndon Community Center, 814 Ferndale Ave., for exercise, indoor or outdoor, Monday-Friday, 7:30-9 a.m. No fee, but first-time walkers need to register. Call 703-435-6868.
Senior Trips. The Reston Association sponsors trips throughout the year for people 55 and better. For upcoming dates and to get on the mailing list, call 703-435-6577.
Senior Center. Fairfax County seniors 55 years of age or older are invited to participate in a variety of activities (such as strength training, Tai Chi, low impact aerobics and line dancing) at the Reston-Herndon Senior Center, 1850 Cameron Glen Drive, Suite 200, in Reston. Most activities are free of charge. Transportation may be available. Lunchtime meals are available with one day advance notice on a sliding fee scale. The center is welcoming new participants. Contact director Tara Fitzpatrick at 703-481-4200, TTY 703-222-9693 or via e-mail at tara.fitzpatrick@fairfaxcounty.gov. Visit www.fairraxcounty.gov/rec and go to senior services.