<cal1>JULY 24-25
<cal2>Chantilly Children's Theatre presents "Fred The Friendly Fork," a children's show for the whole family on Thursday, July 24 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Friday, July 25 at 3 p.m. in the Chantilly High School theater. Tickets are $3 and can be purchased at the door. The play is about a magical talking Fork named Fred who comes to help Nicole, a little girl who doesn't see why she has to do things like pick up her room or go to school or listen to her parents. She makes a wish that she could be in charge of everything. That's when Fred arrives to make her wishes come true. The cast of 13 Chantilly drama students include Phil Reid as Fred and Breyon Davis as Nicole.
<cal1>July 24-26
<cal2>Westfield Summer Stage will present the musical, "Peter Pan" on July 24-26 at Westfield High School in Chantilly. Lori Knickerbocker will direct this much-loved story by J.M. Barrie that is set in the magical world of Neverland and features numerous well-known characters including Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, Wendy, Michael, John, Nana, the Crocodile, Captain Hook, Mr. Smee, and large groups of Indians, Lost Children, and Pirates. Familiar tunes include "I Won't Grow Up," "Neverland," and "I've Gotta Crow." Performances are Thursday, July 24, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, July 25, at 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, July 26, at 7:30 p.m. All tickets are $5 and are available at the door or by calling 703-488-6430. Westfield Summer Stage is sponsored by Westfield Theatre Boosters.
The musical "Peter Pan" had two highly successful Broadway runs, one starring Mary Martin in the 1950's and the other starring Cathy Rigby in the late '90s. The show is appropriate for children ages 3 and up.
Westfield Summer Stage is in its third year of providing a musical theater performance experience for actors and technicians in middle and high school. "Peter Pan" follows last year's production of "Snoopy." This year, more than 90 thespians from Fairfax County are involved in the production, both on stage, in the orchestra, and behind the scenes, with many Summer Stage graduates serving in leadership positions.
The show features Courtney Knickerbocker, as Peter Pan, with special guest James Mitchell and Westfield senior Derek Rommel sharing the role of Captain Hook, Courtney Reed as Tiger Lily, Lacey Armbruster as Tinkerbell, Kelsey Carroll as Wendy, Jesse Leahy as John, Jeremy Rommel as Michael, Barry Armbruster as Mr. Darling, Karen Woolley as Mrs. Darling, Christie Steiffer as Liza, Kevin Knickerbocker as Smee, and Branson Reese as the Crocodile.
Also featured are Meghan Bartnick, Ryan Dunne, Suzanna Ramsey, Heather McElwain, Shannon Holland, Brittany Martin, Natasha Scearse, Megan Meadows, Joe Machak, Sarah Cowdery, Tara Mitchell, Michelle Polera, plus more than 30 new and returning Summer Stage actors, singers, and dancers.
A talented mix of adults and former Westfield Summer Stage students make up the staff. Leann Woolley and Nancy Reese are the producers. Yvonne Henry is the choreographer and Courtney Reed, who also plays Tiger Lily, is the dance captain. Abbie Isaac, who previously acted in "Annie" and "Snoopy," is the assistant director. Micah White, a Shenandoah University junior, is the accompanist, with Clare Morris serving as musical director of a young people's orchestra. Blake Goss is the assistant musical director. Recent Westfield graduates Jackie Hansen and Natalie Chicas are sharing stage manager duties. Robyn Feuerberg is adding her artistic talents and Maria Vetsch, Valerie Armbruster, and Nancy Rolfe are costuming the cast, which includes dozens of pirates, Indians, and lost children.
Jimmy Lawlor, a Westfield graduate and current JMU theater student, is the technical director. Student technicians include Emily Brown, Carl Calabrese, Dan Calabrese, Stephanie Crossland, Danielle Feuerberg, Laura McElhaney, James McEwan, Nick Solberg, and Brad Williams.
Westfield High School is located at 4700 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. Call 703-488-6430 to reserve tickets for "Peter Pan" or for directions to the school.
<cal1>FRIDAY/JULY 25
<cal2>In an effort to make children in the area safer, The Black Belt Academy of Centreville will be conducting a free, one-hour personal safety and anti-abduction seminar for children ages 6 and older on Friday, July 25, at 7:30 p.m. in the Centrewood Square Shopping Center at 5944 Centreville Crest Lane Centreville (behind Legacy Furniture).
The training aims to give children a fighting chance against physically abusive adults, and sexual predators by increasing their awareness about potentially dangerous situations. The interactive session will feature role-playing scenarios in which children learn appropriate responses to danger, including setting verbal boundaries, running away, telling a trusted adult, and calling 911. The seminar will also introduce children to some of the physical resistance techniques they can use in the event they are confronted with unavoidable danger.
Master Instructor, David Nyce has more than 20 years experience in the martial arts industry. The Black Belt Academy teaches life skills and attitudes that support them. Call Mr. Nyce at 703-803-4477 or visit the Web site at TheBlackBeltAcademy.com.
The Military Order of the Purple Heart will host a special salute to all Korean War veterans on Friday, July 25 at 3 p.m. at Fairfax High School. All Korean War veterans will receive an appreciation medallion when they provide proof of service in Korea. The ceremony will also feature traditional Korean dances and music by the Korean American Cultural Foundation from Seoul, Korea and a reception. For further information, call 703-938-3475.
<cal1>MONDAY, JULY 28
<cal2>The Centreville Toastmasters Club meets twice a month at the Centreville Regional Library, on Mondays, July 28, Aug. 11 and Aug. 25, from 7-8:15 p.m. Toastmasters will help members speak confidently, listen effectively and think on their feet. Guests are always welcome. Contact Lynn Griesemer at 703-263-2468, or e-mail greeze@juno.com.
<cal2>ShadowLand and Laser Adventures will host open houses every Monday in July. Located in the Chantilly Place Shopping Center in Chantilly, visitors may speak with managers and try a short laser tag experience with the high-tech suits in the 6,500 square foot area. The venue is great for birthday parties, sports team-building and staff meetings. Limit one adult and one other per day. Call 703-263-1004. Open 12-5 p.m. Visit the Web site at www.ShadowlandAdventures.com.
<cal1>TUESDAY/JULY 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, July 29 — "Sign Language for Infants," Stephanie Steffer, Time To Sign.
* Tuesday, Aug. 5 — No lunch.
* Tuesday, Aug. 12— "Infant Massage," Kara Stamper, certified infant massage instructor.
* Tuesday, Aug. 19 — No lunch.
* Tuesday, Aug. 26 — "Kindermusik" — Pam Phillips, Kindermusik of Fairfax.
<cal1>WEDNESDAY, JULY 30
<cal2>The Centreville Multiplex Cinemas is launching its fifth annual "Bookworm Wednesdays," a summer reading program developed to encourage children to read during summer vacation. The program runs for eight weeks and entitles kids ages 6-12 to free admission to a children's film every Wednesday at 10 a.m. when they present a book report at a Multiplex Cinemas box office. Official book report forms will be available at participating theaters and online at www.MultiplexCinemas.com.
* July 30 — "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimaron"
* Aug. 6 — "Space Jam"
* Aug. 13 — "The Wild Thornberrys Movie"
<cal2>The law firm of Steffan & Macdonald will present free seminars discussing effective estate planning centered around the revocable Living Trust. The seminars will discuss how and why people want to avoid probate in the event of disability or death, and how Living Trusts can reduce or eliminate estate taxes. The seminars will further discuss the recent changes in tax laws. Seminars will be held at the following locations:
* Wednesday, July 30 from 7-9 p.m. at the Hyatt Hotel, 12777 Fair Lakes Circle. Call 703-691-4310.
* Thursday, Aug. 14 from 7-9 p.m. at the Fair Oaks Holiday Inn, 11787 Lee Jackson Highway.
* Wednesday, Sept. 10 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Fair Oaks Holiday Inn, 11787 Lee Jackson Highway.
* Wednesday, Oct. 1 from 7-9 p.m. at the Fair Oaks Holiday Inn, 11787 Lee Jackson Highway.
<sum> Wednesday, Oct. 22 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Fair Lakes Hyatt, 12777 Fair Lakes Circle.
<cal1>MONDAY, AUG. 4
<cal2>Centreville's Duane Heisinger will speak about his recently published book, "Father Found," on Monday, Aug. 4, from 7-9 p.m. at the Chantilly Regional Library. A resident of Bull Run Estates, Heisinger spent the past decade researching and writing the story of his father's life and death as a Japanese POW in the Philippines during WWII. The book is available through XulonPress.com, in bookstores or by e-mailing Heis56@aol.com.
<cal1>AUG. 8-10
<cal2>Koi America’s 2003 Pond and Water Garden Expo will be held Aug. 8-10 at the Dulles Expo in Chantilly. Hours are Friday from 3-9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. The Pond and Water Garden Expo will include giant garden displays and more than 120 exhibits displaying everything for the well-equipped water garden, plus crafts, art work, jewelry and free "How-To" seminars. Visit www.makc.com or contact David Hester at 703-791-5939, or davehester@earthlink.net.
<cal1>SATURDAY/AUG. 9
<cal2>The Gentle Giants and their Long Eared Friends will perform at the Old Dominion Draft Horse and Mule Show on Saturday, Aug. 9 starting at 9 a.m. at the Rosemount Show Grounds in Spotsylvania, Va. There are classes for Registered Draft Horses, Half-Breeds, Donkeys, Mules and Draft ponies. Conformation classes, driving classes including cart, teams, wagon and carriage classes, riding and trail classes as well as "fun" classes. For driving directions and more information, call Steven Smith at 540-672-2484 or visit the Web site at www.vdhma.org.
<cal1>AUG. 11-15
<cal2>The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority will waive admission fees for senior citizens aged 60 and older at all five NVRPA pool complexes for Senior Swim Week, Monday, Aug. 11, through Friday, Aug. 15. Seniors should present an identification card or other proof of age eligibility and call the pool to confirm hours of operation at: Bull Run Regional Park, 7700 Bull Run Dr., Centreville, 703-631-0552.
<cal1>TUESDAY, AUG. 12
<cal2>Northern Virginia Family Services (NVFS) Oakton Office will offer local information sessions on becoming a foster care parent to special needs children and youth on Tuesday, Aug. 12 and Monday Sept. 8, from 6:30-8 p.m. at Centreville Regional Library. Call Sara Brandland at 703-219-2184.
<cal1>WEDNESDAY/AUG. 13
<cal2>As part of the Fairfax Station Forum series of talks on topics of local historical interest,. Ross Netherton of Arlington, husband of the late Nan Netherton, noted historian, will be the featured speaker on the subject, "The History of Preservation in Fairfax County, Virginia". Netherton co-authored this book with his late wife and will talk on the importance of historic preservation in Fairfax County. His presentation will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 13, at 7:30 p.m. at the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum, 11200 Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station, VA 22039. Free, although donations are encouraged. Call 703-425-9225 or check the Web site at www.fairfax-station.org
<cal1>SUNDAY/AUG. 24
<cal2>A Dove Shoot 100 (NSCA) will take place on Sunday, Aug. 24, from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Registration at the Bull Run Regional Park Shooting Center, 7700 Bull Run Drive, 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. Call 703-830-2344.