<cal1>THURSDAY/JAN. 30
<cal2>The Centreville American Legion Auxiliary's next monthly meeting will be on Thursday, Jan. 30 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Centreville Regional Library and is open to the public.
The Auxiliary collected more than 300 unserviceable 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. Contact 703-912-1910 or e-mail at VAUnit1995@aol.com.
<cal1>JAN. 31-FEB. 2
<cal2>The Galyan's Fishing Expo will take place Jan. 31 to Feb. 2 at the Galyan's Store in Fair Lakes. Meet professional anglers during the following hours:
* Friday, Jan. 31 from 6-8 p.m. — Lucy Mize, Mark Davis and Coby Carden.
* Saturday, Feb. 1 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. — Hank Parker, Coby Carden, Terry Baksay, Lucy Mize and Mike O'Shea.
* Sunday, Feb. 2 from noon to 5 p.m. — Terry Baksay and Mike O'Shea.
<cal2>The Sugarloaf Crafts Festival will be held Jan. 31 to Feb. 2 at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly. The show features 340 artisans, craft demonstrations, specialty foods and live entertainment. Hours are Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $7 admission, free parking. Call 301-990-1400.
<cal1>SATURDAY/FEB. 1
<cal2>Mom's Only is a workshop on Saturdays, Feb. 1 at 9:30 a.m. or Feb. 22 at 10 a.m. Running around with busy little ones leaves mom's nutrition in the dust. If you could use a bit of "dusting off," this class is designed to motivate even the busiest of moms. How to avoid the "7 Kitchen Traps" and how to create consistency (feel better, lose weight, control hunger). Sponsored by HEALTHeHABITS of Chantilly. Call 703-988-9208.
The City of Fairfax hosts its 11th Annual Chocolate Lover's Festival on Saturday, Feb. 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 2, from noon to 5 p.m. both days. The festival offers chocolate-related events for the whole family. Visit Old Town Hall at the corner of Main Street and North in downtown Fairfax for the "Taste of Chocolate" and directions to other Chocolate Lovers events. For more information, visit www.chocolatefestival.net or call 703-293-7120.
<cal2>The Lane's Mill Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will meet on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 1 p.m., at the Centreville Library. 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, and promotion of patriotism and love of country. A program focusing on issues affecting women and women in history will be given.
All prospective members and guests are encouraged to attend. Call Lorraine Sims, Chapter Regent, at 703-815-2802 or visit the chapter site at www.dar.org. under "chapters
<cal2>Golden China of Chantilly will be hosting a special Chinese New Year Dinner on Saturday, Feb. 1, to celebrate the Year of the Sheep. The Grand New Year's Buffet will include a Seafood Feast, Steamed Crab Legs, General Tso's Chicken, Black Pepper Steak, Sautéed Salmon, Salted Pepper Shrimp. Cost is $12.95. Golden China is located at 13934 Metrotech Drive in Chantilly. Call 703-631-8889.
<cal1>MONDAY/FEB. 3
<cal2>The Centreville Toastmasters Club meets twice a month at the Centreville Regional Library, from 7-8:15 p.m. on Mondays, Feb. 3, Feb. 24, March 3, March 17. 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>WEDNESDAY/FEB. 5
<cal2>Sex and Sensibility: A Workshop for Parents and Teens will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. at Franklin Middle School. The workshop will be presented by Deborah Roffman, nationally known for her work in helping parents communicate with their children about sex ... providing ways to see, ways to listen, and ways to talk and behave so that children learn how to make wise and happy choices.
She is the author of "Sex and Sexuality: The Thinking Parent's Guide to Talking Sense About Sex." Franklin Middle School is located on Lees Corner Road in Chantilly. Cost is $10. RSVP to Mothersofyouth@aol.com. Visit the Web site at http://more.abcnews.go.com/sections/community/dailynews/chat_roffman021209.html.
<cal1>SATURDAY/FEB. 8
<cal2>Organizations planning special events in Fairfax County can learn the logistical do's and don'ts from Celebrate Fairfax Inc., the group that produces the largest festival in Northern Virginia — Celebrate Fairfax. The first annual Events 101 Workshop will be held on Saturday, Feb. 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center. Topics include permitting, traffic management, volunteer recruitment, publicity, emergency planning, vendors and contracts management. More than 25 speakers and panelists representing special events planners and contracts will offer their insights to producing events. The keynote speaker will be Stephanie Pace Brown, director of marketing for George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens.
Babies R Us will be holding a free seminar on Saturday, Feb. 8 from 1-2 p.m. discussing "Balancing Your Hormones Naturally." The speaker will be Dr. Thompson from the Wellness Center in Vienna. Call 703-502-9200 and sign up at the Baby Registry Desk.
<cal2>An Irish Social Dance (Ceili) will take place on Saturday, Feb. 8. Basic dance lessons will be offered from 7:30-8 p.m. The dance runs from 8 p.m. until midnight at the John C. Wood Center, 3730 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax City (next to St. Leo's). 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 (Feb. 8, March 8, April 12, May 10 and June 14). Call Vicki Ryan-Barr at 703-521-4340.
<cal1>SUNDAY/FEB. 9
<cal2>An Equality Fairfax GLBT Community Pot Luck Dinner will be held on Sunday, Feb. 9 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Greenbriar Community Center. Bring your favorite dish to share. RSVP to socials@EqualityFairfax.org or 703-255-1552.
Equality Fairfax is a non-profit organization of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Fairfax County residents working to support the community. The Greenbriar Community Center is located at 4615 Stringfellow Rd., Fairfax. Call Paula Prettyman at 703-867-7560 with questions.
<cal2>A Three-Shot Auto/Pump Bang Shoot will take place on Sunday, Feb. 9, from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at the Bull Run Regional Park Public Shooting Center, 7700 Bull Run Drive, in Centreville. Take aim at this contest sponsored by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority's Bull Run Shooting Center and Short Flight Shooting Instruction. For fees and more information, call 703-830-2344.
<cal1>WEDNESDAY/FEB. 12
<cal2>On Lincoln's Birthday the Fairfax Station unit of the Fairfax Area League of Women Voters will examine the American system of justice, based on a booklet prepared by the American Bar Association which has been provided to League members. To find an overview of the "And Justice for All" National Issues Forum program via the internet, you may access www.abanet.org/justice/nif/home.html.
The Fairfax Station unit, comprised primarily of residents of Clifton, Fairfax Station and Burke, will meet on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 9:30 a.m. Guests are welcome. For directions, call the hostess at 703-830-8109.
For a unit meeting at a more convenient day or time, call the League office at 703-658-9150. The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government. Any person of voting age is encouraged to join. The League's Web site is www.lwv.fairfax.org.
As part of the Fairfax Station Forum series of talks of railroad historical interest, Art Candenquist of Amissville, VA, will be the featured speaker on the subject, "Did Anyone Really Know What Time It Was?" on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m. Mr. Candenquist, noted Civil War lecturer and previous speaker at the Fairfax Station Forum, will talk about the role that railroads played in the establishment and standardization of our present-day time zones in the United States. To be held 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>FRIDAY/FEB. 14
<cal2>The Christian Women's Club of Fairfax County invites the public to "Cinderella's Slipper" luncheon on Friday, Feb. 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Ronda McDonald, manager of Marmi Shoes, will demonstrate the latest fashions in footwear and accessories. The keynote speaker, Tempe Brown, shares how one can live happily ever after — despite a rough cobblestone road. To be held at the Hidden Creek Country Club, 1711 Clubhouse Road, Reston. Required reservations are $14 inclusive. Call Elizabeth at 703-757-0801.
<cal2>Former Redskins coach Joe Gibbs invites the public to the Youth For Tomorrow's Sweet Heart Ball and Benefit Raffle at the Hilton McLean Hotel, 7920 Jones Branch Drive, McLean. This dance on Friday night, Feb. 14, will start with a reception at 7:30 p.m., dinner at 8 p.m. and dancing until midnight.
Tickets are $200 per couple and the special overnight package is $275. Raffle tickets are $100 each. Prizes include a 2003 P.T. Cruiser, Jamaican Vacation, 51-inch Hitachi Projection TV and diamond earrings.
Youth For Tomorrow is a residential group home based in Northern Virginia and serves the metropolitan area. Joe Gibbs started Youth For Tomorrow in 1986 as a home for troubled teens. Through its regimen combining faith, education and loving care, the group has helped more than 500 boys get their lives back on track. Soon this successful program will also be offered to girls. Log onto http://www.youthfortomorrow.org or call 703-631-3360 to order tickets.