<cal1>THURSDAY, SEPT. 11
<cal2>The Northern Virginia Women’s Club will be celebrating its 40th anniversary on Thursday, Sept. 11, at 11:45 a.m. at the Country Club of Fairfax, 5110 Ox Road, Fairfax. Bridge begins at 9:30 a.m. There is a special anniversary program planned for this luncheon. Visitors and new members are welcome. Contact Fran McHenry at 703-323-7744.
<cal1>FRIDAY/SEPT. 12
<cal2>MOMS Club of Centreville North: Learn about play groups, social events, speakers, etc. for mothers and their children. Monthly meeting on Friday, Sept. 12 at 10 a.m. at the Sully Government Center on Stonecroft Blvd. Call 703-830-7580 or visit the Web site at www.momsclubccva.org.
The Soup & Fish Club, the Virginia chapter of the Wodehouse Society, meets Friday, Sept. 12 at 7:29 p.m. at the Barnes & Noble Cafe, Fair Lakes. Come ready to discuss your favorite story / character of "Carry On, Jeeves". Contact Deb Dillard at 703-815-9073.
<cal1>SATURDAY/SEPT. 13
<cal2>The Fairfax City Parks and Recreation Department and the O’Neill-Malcom Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann (CCE) is sponsoring an Irish Traditional Music Festival at Van Dyck Park (between the John Wood Center and St. Leo’s Church) 3730 Old Lee Highway. Fairfax on Saturday, Sept. 13 from noon to 6 p.m. Three stages of traditional Irish music and dance. This festival is free to the public (donations will be accepted in order to pay the performers). Bring a folding chair. Call 703-7858 or CCE 703-978-8265.
A "Hope is on the Horizon" Luncheon to benefit the American Cancer Society Breast Cancer Research Fund will be held Saturday, Sept. 13, at noon at The Hermitage Inn Restaurant in Clifton. Independent Longaberger Sales Consultants from the American Heirloom Branch have planned the luncheon. This event will feature basket weaving demonstrations from a Longaberger Basket-maker and guest speaker Darlene Parker will then relate her story of being a breast cancer survivor. Money for the charity will be raised through the following means:
* Raffle Ticket Sales — local businesses will donate prizes for the drawing;
* $2 for each "Horizon of Hope" basket sold will be donated by The Longaberger Company to the American Cancer Society;
* The Hermitage Inn has donated the $1,375 site rental fee for this event.
Contact Robin Garbe at 703-830-0855.
The Northern Virginia Model Railroaders Inc. will be holding an open house on Saturday, Sept. 13, from noon until 4 p.m. Come and watch the action on Northern Virginia's largest fixed operating "HO" scale model railroad. Featured lines are the "Southern Railway" and the "Western North Carolina Railroad".
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 gratefully accepted.
Visit 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.
<cal1>MONDAY/SEPT. 15
<cal2>September Sampler meeting by the Assistance League of Northern Virginia, Monday, Sept. 15 from 10:30 a.m.-noon, at Chantilly Library, 4000 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly. Open to the public. The meeting will inform new members about the group's philanthropic projects. Contact Cindy Burgess at 703-758-8454.
<cal1>SEPT. 16, 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 Sept. 16, 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>WEDNESDAY/SEPT. 17
<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.
The Fairfax Amnesty group will meet on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 7 p.m., at Barnes & Noble on Fair Lakes Drive, Fairfax, to finalize plans for the event. The group will also organize for work at the Reston Multicultural Festival on Sept. 20. Visitors are welcome to participate in these activities, and to share in support for human rights around the world. Call 703-830-4194 or write amnestyusafairfax@lycos.com
<cal2>Pack 1862 is now accepting boys ages 6-10 into Cub Scouting in the Cub Run area. Parents of boys considering participation should attend the Join Scouting night on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 7:30 p.m. in the Cub Run cafeteria. Those unable to attend are welcome to attend the first Pack meeting, Friday, Sept. 26, at 7:30 p.m., also in the Cub Run cafeteria. Call Heather Blersch at 703-815-8565.
<cal1>SEPT. 18, 19, 25
<cal2>The Northern Virginia Long-term Care Ombudsman Program is preparing for its annual training for new Volunteer Ombudsmen. Volunteers play a key role in the program's provision of advocacy services to residents of long-term care facilities in the region. The volunteer is assigned to a specific nursing home or assisted living facility in their community and makes weekly visits. Using listening, observing and mediating skills, the ombudsman works with the residents, their families and the staff to ensure that the residents' rights are being protected. Training for prospective Volunteer Ombudsmen is scheduled for Sept. 18, 19 and 25 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. Applicants must complete the training session and must be available to volunteer four hours per week, during regular business hours. Interviews will run from August to early September. Call 703-324-5435 or e-mail nvltcop@fairfaxcounty.gov or visit the Web site at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ombudsman.
<cal1>SATURDAY/SEPT. 20
<cal2>Westfield music students will be visiting neighborhoods on Saturday, Sept. 20 for the annual Tag Day event. Students from band, choir and orchestra will be requesting donations for the award winning music program for the 2003-2004 school year. Donations will be used to cover the costs related to instructors, instruments, uniforms, costumes and competitions that are not covered by Fairfax County.
<cal2>Michael's Arts and Crafts Stores invites the public to get Holiday Ready with crafts. All stores are holding a free family event on Saturday, Sept. 20. Come and go between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. for a free, fun, family craft event and free face painting for the kids, too. Groups are welcome to register in advance. Be sure to check out the craft demonstrations and pick up the fall calendar of classes. Available at all locations including 13601 Fair Lakes Shopping Center Call 703-449-1846.
Broadway Gallery, located at 12231 Fair Lakes Promenade Drive in Fairfax, announces "An Evening of Art" on Saturday, Sept. 20, from 6-8 p.m. Stop in to see a still life painting demonstration by local, award-winning artist John Bannon. Bannon is known for the landscapes and still lifes he paints in the great tradition of western art. The event is free.
Washington Dulles International Airport opens its doors and welcomes the community to the Dulles Day Family Festival on Saturday, Sept. 20. The festival takes place on the Cargo Ramp at Dulles from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and features the 11th annual "tug of war" between humans and machine — the annual Plane Pull. Dulles Day is sponsored by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police Department to raise money for Special Olympics Virginia. Admission and parking for this event are free. The festival includes aircraft on display, a car show, live musical entertainment, food and beverages, games and activities for children, and a raffle to win free tickets on various airlines. Call 703-417-8370.
The USS Athena, a science fiction and community service organization, is holding an educational contest and fun activity — building a model bridge using some common household items. The bridge that supports the greatest weight wins. Prizes will be awarded to winning entries. This is a fun activity for people of all ages and levels. The contest is on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 1:30 p.m. at Centreville Library, 14200 St. Germaine Drive, Centreville. The event is free, and all materials will be provided. Spectators are welcome too. Contact the USS Athena through its Web site at athena.QL.ORG, via email at ussathena@QL.ORG, or call 703-862-0457.
<cal1>SUNDAY/SEPT. 21
<cal2>The Clifton Horse Society will host and judge a pleasure ride at 9 a.m. at Bull Run Regional Park, 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville. The fee for pre-registered entries is $35; $25 for those 13 and under. Entries must be postmarked by Sept. 13. Contact Mary Flowers at 703-250-6188 or forhorses@erols.com, or contact Wilma Kime at 703-222-8253 or wkime@cox.net.
<cal1>WEDNESDAY/SEPT. 24
<cal2>Cub Scout Pack 127's Join Scouting Night will be held at 7 p.m. See the Pinewood Derby Track, the Space Derby track, and check out the cool camping trip planned on a retired WWII Submarine. Join To be held in the Centreville Elementary School cafeteria. There is no obligation to join.
<cal1>SEPT. 25-26
<cal2>A Children's Consignment Sale will take place at Church of the Apostles in Fairfax. The hours are Thursday, Sept. 25 from noon to 8 p.m. and Friday, Sept. 26 from 9 a.m. to noon. Clothing, toys, books and equipment for infants and children as well as maternity clothes at one of the area's largest consignment sales. Most items half-price on Sept. 26. Entrance between noon and 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 25 is by number. Numbers are given out starting at 10 a.m. The address is 3500 Pickett Rd., Fairfax. Call Carolyn Courtright Smith at 703-321-2210.
<cal1>SEPT. 26-27
<cal2>Center for the Arts' Pied Piper Theatre announces auditions for its musical production of "The Hobbit." Actors, singers and dancers ages 8-18 are needed for this adventure that precedes the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Auditions will be held in Woodbridge on Friday, Sept. 26 and Saturday, Sept. 27 with possible callbacks on Sunday, Sept. 28. Directed by Vincent Worthington, performances will be Jan. 17, 18, 24 and 25 at Woodbridge High School. Auditions are by appointment only. Call the Center for the Arts at 703-330-ARTS.
<cal1>SEPT. 26-28
<cal2>The Capital Home Show will be held at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly. The remodeling and decorating show features more than 350 exhibitors, celebrity experts, seasonally-decorated design rooms, "how-to" workshops and "Hot Picks." Scheduled celebrities include Andrew Dan-Jumbo of TLC's "While You Were Out," Michael Payne of HGTV's "Designing for the Sexes," Peter Fallico of HGTV's "This Small Space," and Hugh McMahon, master pumpkin carver. The hours are Friday, Sept. 26 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 27 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 28 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call 703-378-0910.
<cal2>Fall for the Arts, a juried, contemporary art festival, will be held on the grounds of the Ellipse at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. The event will feature 180 award-winning artists from across the country, as well as a wine tasting with eight of Virginia’s finest wineries. Tasty cuisine from some of the area’s best restaurants and an entertainment stage with light jazz and a cappella round out the festival.
The festival will be open Friday, Sept. 26, 4-7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 27 , 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; and Sunday, Sept. 28, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Admission for the fine arts festival is $5, with an additional charge for food and wine. Because of the shorter hours on Friday evening, wine will be available by the glass from individual wineries; admission for the wine tasting on Saturday and Sunday is $10. Contact Celebrate Fairfax at 703-324-3247 or 1-800-880-6629. Visit www.FallForTheArts.com.
<cal1>SATURDAY/SEPT. 27
<cal2>A Nepalese organization will host an evening of rock and blues music for charity on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 8 p.m. at the Shark Club in Centreville. Almost all of the proceeds will go to a unit of Gyanaday School, which provides scholarships for deserving students who come from families with low incomes in Kathmandu, Nepal. The evening will showcase 1974 A.D., a hot Nepali group with a bluesy-rock flavor, traveling all the way from Nepal for this event. In addition, the local Warehouse band will be performing a few songs as well. Visit www.ihelpNepal.org, or 1974ad.us. Contact: pdeuja@hotmail.com. Or call 703-803-8172.
<cal2>Parkinson's Disease Support Group meets monthly on the fourth Saturday 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.
<cal2>The fourth annual Northern Virginia WAHMfest, the Work-At-Home Moms Expo, will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Executive Conference and Training Center in Dulles. WAHMfest is designed to connect parents with helpful business resources and work-at-home or flexible opportunities, which will allow them to better balance their families and their careers. Visit www.wahmfest.org/nova, call 703-926-8576, or e-mail Henry at execdir@wahmfest.org.
<cal1>WEDNESDAY/OCT. 1
<cal2>Cheryl Dellasega, author of "Girl Wars" and "Surviving Ophelia," will speak on how to stop girls from hurting each other. No matter the age of your daughter, come and learn how to find effective solutions to cruel behaviors. Join Mothers of Youth at 10 a.m. in the new Sully Police Station community room located at 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. (between Westfields and Willard Road). The cost is $10. A light breakfast will be provided. RSVP: MothersofYouth@aol.com
<cal1>OCT. 4-5
<cal2>Ducks Unlimited's Battle of Bull Run (NSCA) will take place Saturday, Oct. 4, and Sunday, Oct. 5 at Bull Run Regional Park Public Shooting Center, 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville. The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority's Bull Run Shooting Center and Short Flight Shooting Instruction will sponsor this National Sporting Clays Association event. Call 703-830-2344.
<cal1>TUESDAY/OCT. 7
<cal2>Sully District’s 6th Annual Boy Scout Golf Classic is scheduled at the Piedmont Club. The Piedmont Club, situated in the rolling hills of Haymarket, is a private, full-service, golf course designed by Tom Fazio. Sponsorship opportunities and a limited number of foursomes are still available. This is an excellent way to support Scouting and also entertain business associates or friends. Plus, you might even win a free Cadillac courtesy of Moore Cadillac. Other sponsors to date include Metropolitan Title and Escrow, Carteret Mortgage and Universal Power Systems, Inc. Call John Caskey at 703-814-8101.
<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.
<cal1>SATURDAY/OCT. 18
<cal2>Join Ross Galleries of New York and St. Timothy's School for its 2004 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.
<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>SATURDAY/OCT. 25
Ninth annual VolunteerFest, sponsored Volunteer Fairfaxby in partnership with the Fairfax County Public Library. It will feature hands-on projects that may include 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.
<cal1>SATURDAY/ NOV. 1
<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>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.