<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.
The Fairfax County Police Motor Squad will be hosting the Mid-Atlantic Motorcycle Safety Competition on Saturday, Sept. 20 at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly (located at the intersection of Route 28 and Willard Road). Several hundred officers from departments throughout the United States and parts of Canada will be participating in this competition, which consists of cone courses, slow riding courses, and team events.
Come out for bargains galore on Saturday, Sept. 20 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at a garage sale to support rescued animals at 14342 Silo Valley View in Centreville. 4Paws Rescue Team, a nonprofit, community-based, all-volunteer organization that takes in neglected, abandoned, abused and unwanted cats is selling furniture, appliances, clothing, home accessories and more to benefit the kittens. All proceeds from the sale will go directly to 4Paws.
For directions to the garage sale, visit www.fourpaws.org.
Alternate rain dates for the sale: Sunday, Sept. 21, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 27, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 28, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Call Carol Ernst 703-378-4960 or e-mail: caernst5@netscape.net.
The Centreville Regional Art Guild is hosting a Paint Out on Saturday, Sept. 20 at Great Falls. Anyone interested in joining may call Amy Mann at 703-631-1856.
<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.
The Centreville Regional Art Guild will hold its monthly general meeting at the Centreville Regional Library on Sunday, Sept. 21 from 4-6 p.m. The meeting is free and open to the public. Bring any art work you have done that you would like to share with the group — for advice, encouragement or support. Call Beth Latture at 703-802-1640.
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Wednesdays (ongoing) — The Centreville Regional Art Guild holds a model-drawing session every Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There is no instruction. The only fee is the cost of the model. Call Amy Mann at 703-631-1856.
<cal1>MONDAY/SEPT. 22
<cal2>An Equality Fairfax Membership Meeting will take place Monday, Sept. 22 from 7-8:45 p.m. at Tysons-Pimmit Library, 7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. Visit www.EqualityFairfax.org or email: info@EqualityFairfax.org for more information. This meeting is open to everyone.
<cal1>WEDNESDAY/SEPT. 24
<cal2>Cub Scout Pack 127's Join Scouting Night will be held Wednesday, Sept. 24 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. 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. There will be 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>FRIDAY/SEPT. 26
<cal2>Pack 1862 is now accepting boys ages 6-10 into Cub Scouting in the Cub Run area. Parents of boys should 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. 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>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.
Fair Oaks Mall's Third Annual Teen Night will be held on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 6 to 9 p.m. Area teen-agers are invited to "hang out" at Fair Oaks Mall for an evening filled with special store offers, fashion tips, makeovers, and contests all designed to celebrate the unique styles and trends of teenagers. The event is free and open to everyone. Washington's radio station 99.5 FM will host the event with "Say What" Karaoke. A turn at the microphone can earn participants prizes including CDs, gift certificates and more. One person will win four tickets to Tony Hawk's Boom Boom Huckjam at the MCI Center including limousine and dinner for four. Visit www.ShopFairOaksMall.com or call 703-359-8302.
The Fairfax Station Railroad Museum will be hosting its Annual Living History Day, themed "The Civil War Comes to Fairfax Station" on Saturday, Sept. 27. Gates open at 10 a.m. Admission is $4.
Providing an opportunity to step back in time and increase your knowledge and appreciation of the rich history that distinguishes our area, the Railroad Museum's annual event provides a celebration of our community's distinctive character and sense of place.
Five re-enactment groups will bring to life the realities of camp life during the Civil War. History will come alive as re-enactors participate in a "Load and Fire" demonstration, illustrating how Civil War soldiers handled their muskets, showing how quickly a soldier could load and fire his weapon within one minute.
Jeff Smith, a living historian will portray Colonel John Mosby, whose Rangers so dominated this region during the Civil War that its core became known as Mosby's Confederacy. Red Cross founder Clara Barton will demonstrate how wounds were tended during the conflict and describe life during the war.
The role of the railroad prior to and during the Civil War will be explored with special attention paid to the Orange & Alexandria Railroad, the original line in the Fairfax Station area.
In addition, there will be a telegraph demonstration, illustrating the role of this technology and how it was used during the war. The "Ladies in Mourning" will show off their period dress and original jewelry. There will also be children's period games, folk, music, Civil War authors, special exhibits, and more.
<cal2>Parkinson's Disease Support Group meets monthly on the fourth Saturday, Sept. 27 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 Saturday, Sept. 27 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>SUNDAY/SEPT. 28
<cal2>Equality Fairfax is holding a Pie Contest and Ice Cream Social on Sunday, Sept. 28 from 6-8 p.m. Compete with your mother's best pie recipe or just come to enjoy ice cream and community. The event is at the home of Larry and Kevin in Burke. All are welcome. RSVP to info@EqualityFairfax.org. Or visit www.EqualityFairfax.org. Or call 703-255-1552 for more information.
Equality Fairfax is a Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender organization.
<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>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>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 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>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>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.