<cal1>THURSDAY/OCT. 9
<cal2>Amnesty International, Fairfax branch, will sponsor a free showing of "Rabbit-Proof Fence" on Thursday, Oct. 9, at 7:30 p.m., at Reston Town Center theaters. Film director Philip Noyce, who also directed "Clear and Present Danger" and "The Quiet American" will speak about the film, which tells the true story of aborigine Australian girls who escaped virtual slavery to return home. The film includes a Golden-Globe nominated score by Peter Gabriel. Before the screening, Artists for Amnesty will present the prestigious "Media Spotlight" award to Mr. Noyce for his contributions to human rights awareness. Call 703-830-4194 or write amnestyusafairfax@lycos.com.
<cal1>FRIDAY/OCT. 10
<cal2>The Christian Women's Club of Fairfax County will host a Consigning Women's Fashion Show luncheon on Friday, Oct. 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Joelle, owner of Consigning Women in Manassas, will show how to have a fashion look for a fraction of the cost. The keynote speaker, Sara Wark, former teacher and hospice worker, tells how to prune for changes and strength in our lives. To be held at Hidden Creek Country Club, 1711 Clubhouse Road, Reston. Required reservations are $14 inclusive. Call Elizabeth at 703-757-0801.
<cal1>SATURDAY/OCT. 11
<cal2>27th Annual Fairfax Fall Festival. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., downtown Fairfax. Enjoy food, crafts, entertainment and fun in the heart of Old Town Fairfax. Shuttle buses run from George Mason University, Fairfax High School and Woodson High School. For more information, call City of Fairfax Parks & Recreation: Call 703-385-7858.
<cal1>SUNDAY/OCT. 12
<cal2>The 36th annual Clifton Day will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Take the VRE train to Clifton and visit the arts and crafts exhibitors and antiques, check out the bluegrass music, the flea market, children’s activities and Civil War Re-enactment. The Seldom Scene and The Mark Newton Band will be performing. For patron and vendor information, call 703-968-0740 or visit the Web site at www.CliftonDay.com.
Explore Little Rocky Run on Sunday, Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Join a naturalist-led walk along a local stream, to find out what lives in and around it, and learn what the Friends of Little Rocky Run are doing to protect it. Meet in front of Union Mill Elementary School, and carpool to the starting point. Sponsored by the Friends of Little Rocky Run and the Audubon Naturalist Society. Call 703-803-8400 for more information and to register.
<cal1>THURSDAY/OCT. 16
<cal2>Mother's First — Chantilly/Centreville is a support group for women making the transition from careers to at-home motherhood. Join moms and tots of all ages for meetings, lectures, field trips, moms night out, etc. The next meeting is Thursday, Oct. 16 at the Centreville Regional Library from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org.
<cal1>FRIDAY/OCT. 17
<cal2>Nancy Katz and the Stray Dogz will be performing blues, jazz and R&B music at the Borders Bookstore in Manassas on Friday, Oct. 17 from 8-10 p.m. Free. Borders Books and Music, 11270 Bulloch Drive, Manassas. Call 703-368-9824.
<cal1>OCT. 17-18
<cal2>The Center for the Arts will present the musical "Godspell" in the new Kellar Theater in Old Town Manassas. Based on the Gospel according to St. Matthew, "Godspell" is one of the biggest Broadway successes of all times. The dates are Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 17, 18, 24, 25, 31, Nov. 1 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15/adults, $12/students and seniors. The Center for the Arts Kellar Theater is at 9419 Battle Street in Manassas. Call 703-330-ARTS.
<cal1>OCT. 17-19
<cal2>The Craftsmen's Classic Arts and Crafts Festival will be held Oct. 17-19 at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly. More than 400 artists and craftsmen from 32 states will offer thousands of their original, handcrafted works. The public will have the opportunity to meet and talk with potters, wood carvers, fine artists, sculptors, quilters, stained glass artists, basketmakers, folk artists, toy makers, jewelry makers, furniture makers, weavers and others. The Craftsmen's Classic Arts and Crafts Festival will run Friday, Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Admission will be $6 for adults and $1 for ages 6-12, with same day free return. Call 703-378-0910.
<cal1>SATURDAY/OCT. 18
<cal2>King of Kings Lutheran Church will hold its Fall Festival Craft Show on Saturday, Oct. 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition to crafters, there will be home party vendors (toys, food, clothing, house decorating and more). Food and lunch items will be available. Proceeds will benefit the education program. Contact Judi Hangen at 703-378-7272 or e-mail at kokhangen@att.net.
<cal2>White House calligraphers will be demonstrating the art of elegant writing at Holiday ArtsFest, the Washington Calligraphers Guild's annual art show and sale, Saturday, Oct. 18, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Fairfax High School (entrance 1), 3500 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax. Shop for hand-lettered artwork, personalized ornaments and unique art supplies, and view continuous demonstrations and an exhibit of Graceful Envelope Contest winners. Admission $5 (under 12 free). Call 301-897-8637 or see www.calligraphersguild.org.
<cal2>The Northern Virginia Model Railroaders Inc. will be holding an open house on Saturday, Oct. 18 from noon until 4 p.m. Come and see the action on Northern Virginia's largest fixed operating "HO" scale model railroad. Featuring digital control, sound and smoke. The club is located in the historic "Washington & Old Dominion Railroad" station, 231 Dominion Road (at the intersection with Ayr Hill Road) in downtown Vienna. Admission is free. However, donations (at the door) are accepted. Additional information and directions can be obtained by going to the Web site at www.nvmr.org, by e-mail at nvmrinc@hotmail.com, or by calling 703-938-5157 on the day of the open house.
<cal2>Join Ross Galleries of New York and St. Timothy School for its 2003 art auction. Fill your home with custom framed original art. Find many of the same high-end pieces seen in local galleries at half the price. Preview: 7-8 p.m. Auction: 8 p.m. Cost: $10 per person, $15 per couple. Checks, MasterCard, Visa, Discover and AmEx accepted. Advance ticket purchases preferred. Contact Barbara Strittmatter at 703-803-8878 or Bstritt@AOL.com.
<cal2>Reston Town Center will host the 13th Annual Autumnfest Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 2 - 6 p.m. in the Equity Office Pavilion. A costume contest, parade, pumpkins, hayrides, and trick-or-treating are some of the activities planned. Free and open to everyone. For more information, visit www.restontowncenter.com.
<cal1>SUNDAY/OCT. 19
<cal2>An Octoberfest Skeet Tournament (NSSA) will take place on Sunday, Oct. 19, from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Bull Run Regional Park Public 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 Skeet Shooting Association event. Call 703-830-2344.
<cal1>MONDAY/OCT. 20
<cal2>In observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October), the Greenbriar Woman’s Club is holding a Princess House Party at the Greenbriar Community Center on Monday, Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m., and the community is invited to participate. Some 25 percent of all sales will be donated to a breast cancer research organization. There will be door prizes and refreshments. Princess House is a premier direct selling company offering products for the home, including handblown and lead crystal, tableware, cookware, bakeware, serveware and fine collectibles. To view some of the items that will be available for purchase, see www.princesshouse.com.
The Greenbriar Woman’s Club is beginning its 36th year of community service. Membership is open to all women in Greenbriar and the surrounding communities. The Greenbriar Woman’s Club is a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, the largest women’s volunteer organization in the world. Visit www.gfwc.org. The Greenbriar Community Center is at 4615 Stringfellow Road. Call 703-378-6009 or 703-266-7032.
<cal1>OCT. 22-NOV. 23
<cal2>The Center Company, a professional theater, will present the Washington premiere of "OY!", a comic revue by playwright Rich Orloff, from Oct. 22 through Nov. 23 at the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax. "OY!" will run for 16 performances Oct. 22 through Nov. 23: Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. The audience is invited to meet the playwright Oct. 25 and Open Mic Joke Night on Nov. 2. Visit www.jccnv.org. Tickets can be purchased by calling the box office at 703-323-7965.
<cal1>FRIDAY/OCT. 24
<cal2>Pumpkin painting and crafts will begin the Halloween Hunt evening on Friday, Oct. 24, at 6:30 p.m., followed by a candy hunt at 7 p.m. at Bull Run Regional Park. Children ages 2-9 are invited to come in costumes and bring trick-or-treat bags and flashlights. Reservations are limited; call 703-631-0550. The fee is $5 per child. Located at 7700 Bull Run Dr., Centreville.
<cal1>OCT. 24-26
<cal2>The Friends of Chantilly Regional Library are holding their annual Fall Used Book Sale on Friday, Oct. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 25 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, Oct. 26 from noon-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.
<cal1>SATURDAY/OCT. 25
<cal2>The Ninth Annual VolunteerFest, an area-wide day of service, will take place on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sponsored by Volunteer Fairfax in partnership with the Fairfax County Public Library, the day will feature such hands-on projects as organizing books, assisting with children’s programs, Internet tutoring, landscaping, creating displays, sorting book donations, cleaning, and more. The theme for this year is "Volunteers Bring Libraries to Life." Registration forms are due Oct. 9. Call 703-246-3460 or email at VolsRUs@volunteerfairfax.org or visit the Web site at www.volunteerfairfax.org.
The Town of Clifton will hold its fourth annual Eight-Acre Trail of Terror on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 7-11 p.m. Visitors will have a chance to be scared senseless while walking through eight acres of woods. This year's skits will include an 18th century gravedigger, the Pirates of Clifton Creek, a Civil War Hospital, crazed woodsmen with chainsaws, and the usual ghouls, goblins and demons. New this year is Monster Movies Under the Moon, which will be playing in an adjacent field throughout the evening, thanks to Cox Communications. Movies will include "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein," "The Bride of Frankenstein" and "Beetlejuice." Food and beverages will be sold throughout the evening. Admission is $5 and is not recommended for young children. Take Clifton Road to the Town of Clifton. Look for parking signs. The Hayride will take you to the park. Call 703-830-0976.
<cal2>Parkinson's Disease Support Group meets monthly on the fourth Saturday, Oct. 25 at 10 a.m., at Sully Senior Center, 5690 Sully Road (Route 28), Centreville. No charge. Patients and family members welcome. Call Darryl Edwards at 703-38-9213.
<cal1>MONDAY/OCT. 27
<cal2>* Centreville Toastmasters is the place to improve your communication and leadership skills. The club meets from 7-8:15 p.m. on Mondays at the Centreville Regional Library. Guests are welcome. Prepared speeches, oral evaluations and impromptu speeches (table topics) will be on the agenda. Upcoming meetings: Monday, Oct. 27, Nov. 3, Nov. 17, Dec. 1, Dec. 15, Jan. 12, and Jan. 26. Call Lynn Griesmer 703-263-2468.
<cal1>OCT. 28, NOV. 18, DEC. 16
<cal2>The League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area presents "More Power to You." The program, comprising four sessions explaining how local government works and how it relates to state government, will take place once a month from 7 to 9 p.m. in Fairfax Government Center. The sessions will be on Oct. 28, Nov. 18 and Dec. 16. The program costs $25. Those who complete the program will receive a certificate. Pre-registration is required; call 703-227-2231.
<cal1>SATURDAY/ NOV. 1
<cal2>A Civil War Heritage Tour of the existing Orange and Alexandria and Manassas Gap Railroad sites in Fairfax County will take place Saturday, Nov. 1 from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.. Trip leaders are members of the Bull Run Roundtable and they bring a wealth of information on the Civil War and railroading in the county. There will be stops at Springfield, Accotink, Annandale, Burke, Fairfax Station, Clifton and the Bull Run Railroad Bridge. Rain or shine; wear comfortable shoes and hat. Bring lunch for stop at Fairfax Station Museum where you'll view new Virginia Civil War Trails marker. Travel will be by car pool or small vans. All proceeds to the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum. Cost: $25 members; $30 non-members. Call Ron at 703-978-6820 for more information. Reservations by Oct. 25 to Friends of the Fairfax Station, P.O. Box 7, Fairfax Station, VA 22039.
<cal2>The Clifton Horse Society is sponsoring a Poker Ride on Saturday, Nov. 1 on the equestrian trails along the Occoquan River in Fountainhead Regional Park. The game is 7 Card Draw, choosing the best five cards out of seven. Riders draw two cards at registration, three cards along the trail and two cards on completion of the ride. Preregistration is required because only 30 trailer spaces are available. Registration is at 9 a.m. The trail closes at 1 p.m. Cost is $20. Register by Oct. 27. Call Pat Hepner at 703-830-8394 or Mary Flowers at 703-250-6188.
<cal1>SUNDAY/NOV. 2
<cal2>A Partner's shoot will take place Sunday, Nov. 2, from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Registration at Bull Run Regional Park Public 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. Call 703-830-2344.
<cal1>THURSDAY/NOV. 6
<cal2>Residents who are new to the greater Northern Virginia area and members of the Welcome Club of Northern Virginia are invited to attend the Thursday, Nov. 6 luncheon at International Country Club, 13200 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway, Fairfax. The program will feature a Silent Auction and Holiday Boutique. Registration begins at 11 a.m. For reservations and additional information about the luncheon or the organization, call 703-319-9043. Deadline for reservations is noon on Oct. 31.
<cal1>NOV. 8-9
<cal2>A Ski Swap by Ski Chalet of Chantilly will be held for both skiers and snowboarders on Nov. 8-9. The swaps are hosted by Ski Chalet and the National Ski Patrol divisions from five mid-Atlantic mountain resorts. A Ski Swap is a charitable event where hundreds of enthusiasts buy and sell used sporting goods for skiing and snowboarders. All equipment, clothing, and accessories in good condition will be accepted. Admission is free. A percentage of all consignment sales benefits local nonprofit volunteer Ski Patrols. The event will take place at 14130 Sullyfield Circle in Chantilly. Call 703-631-7880.
<cal1>SATURDAY/NOV. 8
<cal2>Equestrians are invited to support the bridle trails at the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority's 1,000-acre Bull Run Regional Park by gathering sponsors for a Fall Ride-a-Thon on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 9 a.m. Trail enthusiasts may donate per-mile or set-amount contributions to benefit the park's hiking and equestrian trails. Checks should be written to NVRPA-Bull Run Regional Park. Ride options will vary from more than 20 miles to shorter routes. For registration and pledge forms and more information, call Al Ennis at 703-623-5504 or Dale Riggs, Assistant Park Manager, at 703-631-0550, ext. 101.
<cal1>NOV. 14 TO JAN. 3
<cal2>Santa, angels, the universe and an enchanted forest — the Miracle of Lights — Northern Virginia's only drive-thru holiday light show, features five holiday theme groups and more than two miles of lighted entertainment. Admission is $12 per carload (1-14 people), $25 per commercial van (15-34 people) and $50 per busload (35 or more). Discount coupons are available at www.miracleoflights.com. A portion of the proceeds goes to the Medical Care for Children's Partnership. Dates are Friday, Nov. 21-Saturday, Jan. 3, 5:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. nightly. Bull Run Regional Park, 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville.