ONGOING
Drunk Driving Victim Support Group: Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) sponsors groups for injured victims and for relatives and friends of those who have been killed in drunk driving crashes. The next Injured Victim Support Group meeting will be held Tuesday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m. New participants are always welcome; meetings are free. Call 703-978-3025.
Northern Virginia Bookcrossing Meetup — These book lovers like to keep their books busy by reading, releasing and tracking their books' adventures with others locally, nationally and internationally. Fun book challenges, hunt for books "in the wild" and more. Share your books and be a unique group with a different angle to book loving. For more information and next monthly meetup date, visit http://bookcrossing.meetup.com/72/.
<cal2>Fairfax Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is recruiting community-minded citizens from diverse backgrounds to volunteer as advocates for children whose families have been cited for abuse and neglect by the Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. The role of a CASA is to investigate a child's situation and to advocate for what is in the best interest of the child in court. All CASA Volunteers undergo training to prepare them for this role and no prior experience in child welfare is required. To learn more about this volunteer opportunity and upcoming orientation and training dates, visit www.casafairfax.org or contact CASA's development and recruitment associate at 703-273-3526 or staff@casafairfax.org.
<cal2>Red Hat Society — A chapter of the Red Hat Society is now in Centreville. Women age 50 and up wear red hats, purple outfits, kick up their heels and have fun. Meetings are the last Wednesday of the month, at 11 a.m., at the Sully Senior Center, 5690 Sully Road (inside Centreville Presbyterian Church, off Route 28 south, near the I-66 west exit).
All area seniors are welcome to join or come for a visit. Call Mary Doerman, 703-968-7889; Scotti Brennan, 703-378-5206; or Sully Senior Center Director Carma Ryan, 703-322-4475.
<cal2>The Western Fairfax County Woman's Club (formerly the Greenbriar Woman's Club) is selling 2004 White House Christmas ornaments. This year's ornament honors President Rutherford B. Hayes. Cost is $17, and all profits benefit charity. To order, call 703-378-6841 or 703-378-6216.
<cal1>THURSDAY/DEC. 2
<cal2>Mothers & More of Northern Virginia general meeting. Mothers & More is a support organization for women who have altered their career path to care for their young children at home. General meetings are held the first Thursday of each month at the Fairfax County Government Center at 7:30 p.m. Call (toll free) 866-716-7766 for more information. Visitors are welcome and meetings are free.
<cal1>FRIDAY/DEC. 3
<cal2>Swing dances are held Friday nights at the Dulles Hilton in Herndon (corner of Route 28 and McLearen Road). All dances include a beginner class from 8:30-9 p.m. and then the bands play three sets between 9 p.m. and midnight. It's all for $12 per person. Visit www.gottaswing.com. Hosted by Sue and Gary Caley at www.sueandgary@gottaswing.com All dances are in the solarium at the Dulles Hilton.
* Dec. 3 — The Grandsons.
* Dec. 10 — No dance.
* Dec. 17 — Daryl Davis Band. Winter Holiday dance.
<cal1>FRIDAY-SATURDAY/DEC. 3-4
<cal2>The 2004 Northern Virginia Conference on Nonprofit Management will be held Friday-Saturday, Dec. 3-4, at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. "Synergy In Our Sector" is the theme for this year’s conference featuring nearly 30 sessions, peer exchange groups and numerous exhibitors. The conference will engage hundreds of nonprofit professionals by focusing on a broad range of management issues common to the nonprofit sector.
These issues will include: Advocacy, board governance, communications, program evaluation, financial management, fund-raising, human resources, leadership, nonprofit law, research, service delivery, small/all-volunteer nonprofit issues and volunteer management. Visit the conference Web site at www.nvcbo.org.
<cal1>FRIDAY-SUNDAY/DEC. 3-5
<cal2>Make time to enjoy old-fashioned family fun at the "Merry Old Town" celebration in Old Town Manassas. The fun begins on Friday, Dec. 3, at 6 p.m. with the annual Christmas Tree Lighting. The evening will include a live concert on the lawn of the Manassas Museum, the lighting of the Christmas Tree by a local celebrity, free hayrides and the arrival of Santa Claus via the Virginia Railway Express. The Manassas Museum will also be conducting its annual Holiday Open House and offering free admission.
The Seventh annual Gingerbread Contest also begins on this day. Decorated structures of all sizes and shapes will be on display during the "Merry Old Town" celebration in Historic Old Town Manassas. Saturday, Dec. 4, at 10:30 a.m. is the 58th annual Greater Manassas Christmas Parade, and this year's theme is "Christmas Around the World."
Sunday, Dec. 5, will be the Old Town Merchants' Open House from 1-5 p.m. with free, horse-drawn-carriage rides and the sounds of singing on the streets of Old Town by the youngsters from the elementary schools. Call 703-361-6599 or see www.visitmanassas.org.
<cal1>SATURDAY/DEC. 4
<cal2>The Lane’s Mill Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, will meet Saturday, Dec. 4, at 1 p.m. This month’s meeting will be at the Centreville Regional Library and will feature a program on "DAR Schools – Tamassee." There will also be a discussion of chapter activities in local schools. Visitors and chapter members are welcomed with light refreshments at 12:30 p.m. Contact Jennifer Smith at jsmithtot@aol.com.
Kids can sweeten up the holidays by learning to make gingerbread houses like pros at the Hilton Washington Dulles, 13869 Park Center Road, Herndon. Join Hilton pastry chef Steve Miller for a class in gingerbread-house creating. This complimentary class includes all supplies needed to take home an edible masterpiece. Children ages 6-10 can sign up. The class takes place on Saturday, Dec. 4, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Spaces are limited, so call now to reserve a spot. Call Debbie at 703-478-2900, ext. 1061.
<cal2>Girl Scout Troop 3623 is sponsoring a Holiday Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, Dec. 4, from 8-11 a.m. There will be pictures with Santa and crafts for sale. It'll be held at Centreville Presbyterian Church, off Route 28 in Centreville. Advance tickets are $5/adults and $3/children, ages 3-12. It's free for children under 2. Tickets at the door are an additional 50 cents. Contact Susan Blair at 703-802-1249.
<cal1>SATURDAY-SUNDAY/DEC. 4-5
<cal2>Encore Theatrical Arts Project presents "Jolly Follies Holiday," a Christmas show with a cast of 53 people featured in splashy song-and-dance numbers, with colorful costumes in imaginative settings. An eagerly awaited holiday tradition, each year, Encore's show has a brand-new storyline and is sure to entertain the entire family.
Performances are Saturday, Dec. 4, at 1, 4 and 8 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 5, at 1 and 4 p.m., at the Annandale campus of NOVA in the Ernst Community Cultural Center. Tickets are $12 for students and senior citizens and $15 for adults; call 703-222-5511. Performances will also be held Friday, Dec. 10, at 8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 11, at 1, 4 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 12, at 1 and 4 p.m.
<cal2>The Manassas Art Guild will hold its Winter Art Exhibit, "Let It Show," Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 4-5. The show features more than $700 in cash awards during the judged-exhibit phase. Participating artists may also offer framed or matted pieces for the art-mart phase. "Let It Show" will be held at the Java Rock Coffee House, 8730 Sudley Road, in Manassas.
<cal2>The Prince William Art Society and the Prince William Historic Preservation Foundation will be presenting "A Look At Prince William, Past and Present," a holiday fine-art show and sale at the Old Manassas Courthouse at Grant and Lee Streets in Manassas. The show is Saturday, Dec. 4, from noon to 8 p.m. (with reception from 5-8 p.m.), and Sunday, Dec. 5, from noon to 5 p.m.
Prince William Art Society members will exhibit local scenes, landscapes and structures of historical bent. This show will have a distinctly Victorian flavor to complement the activities scheduled in Manassas that weekend: Tree lighting at 6 p.m. Friday night, carols, hayrides and Manassas Museum Holiday Open House; the annual Christmas Parade, Saturday morning, and Old Town Manassas Merchants' Open House on Sunday. Contact Jackie Fitzpatrick at 703-670-7971 or email jackiefitz@worldnet.att.net.
<cal1>SUNDAY/DEC. 5
<cal2>The 37th annual Holiday Sing-Along will be held at the Filene Center at Wolf Trap on Sunday, Dec. 5, at 4 p.m. “The President’s Own” United States Marine Corps Band will lead an expected audience of more than 7,000 in traditional Christmas carols and Hanukkah songs. Jack Walton will direct the audience participation, plus a choir of more than 450 members from various vocal groups from Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C.
Admission to the 2004 Holiday Sing-Along is free, and no tickets are required. Complimentary song books will also be provided. Donations of canned goods will be collected to benefit the Capital Area Community Food Bank, which provides nourishment during the holiday season and the New Year to thousands of the less fortunate in the Greater Washington community.
<cal1>MONDAY/DEC. 6
<cal2>New Mothers Luncheons are held every Monday for mothers and newborn babies to 8 months old. The group meets for lunch, speakers, discussions and fun — a different program every week. Bring a friend or come alone — it's a great way to meet other new moms and babies in the area. It meets Mondays from 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Il Lupo Italian Restaurant, 4069 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax. Lunch is $20; four-lunch series is $75. Reservations are required. Call Rochelle Goldberg at 703-273-5593 or e-mail eventbuilders@hotmail.com.
* Monday, Dec. 6 — "Sign language for babies," Stephanie Steffer, Time to Sign;
* Monday, Dec. 13 — “Making the transition from work to home,” Jill Peterson, owner of Simplify! Organizing;
* Monday, Dec. 20 — No lunch. Happy Holidays.
* Monday, Dec. 27 — No lunch. Happy Holidays.
* Monday, Jan. 3, 2005 — No lunch. Happy New Year's.
* Monday, Jan. 10 — “Staying fit — stroller strides with baby;” Jennifer Lungren, Stroller Strides;
* Monday, Jan. 17 — “Kindermusik;” Pam Phillips, Kindermusik of Fairfax;
* Monday, Jan. 24 — “Pediatrics 101 – What do I do if…?” Dr. Faith Frankel, Children’s Medical Associates.
<cal1>WEDNESDAY/DEC. 8
<cal>2>The League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area, Fairfax Station Unit, will hold a program-planning meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 8. Members of the 14 discussion units of the Fairfax Area League of Women Voters will meet to raise issues on the state and national capital area levels that should be investigated and studied by the League during the next two years.
The Fairfax Station Unit is comprised of residents of Clifton and Fairfax Station. For more information, call the League office at 703-658-9150. The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, community-based, political organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
<cal1>THURSDAY/DEC. 9
<cal2>The George Mason University Theatre Department will present "One by One" on Thursday, Dec. 9, at the Kellar Theater at the Center for the Arts. Serving as playwright, director and actor, each artist will showcase an original short play. Scene studies will be presented at 7 p.m. at the Caton Merchant Gallery, followed at 8 p.m. by "One by One" in the Kellar Theater. Tickets are $5 at the door, and parental guidance is suggested, due to mature subject matter. The Center for the Arts is at 9419 Battle St. in Manassas. Call 703-330-ARTS for further information.
<cal1>FRIDAY-SUNDAY/DEC. 10-12
<cal2>Encore Theatrical Arts Project presents "Jolly Follies Holiday," a Christmas show with a cast of 53 people featured in splashy song-and-dance numbers, with colorful costumes in imaginative settings. An eagerly awaited holiday tradition, each year, Encore's show has a brand-new storyline and is sure to entertain the entire family.
Performances are Friday, Dec. 10, at 8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 11, at 1, 4 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 12, at 1 and 4 p.m. at the Annandale campus of NOVA in the Ernst Community Cultural Center. Tickets are $12 for students and senior citizens and $15 for adults; call 703-222-5511.
<cal1>SATURDAY/DEC. 11
<cal2>The Fairfax Choral Society Youth Choruses will stage "A Child's Christmas" choral concert on Saturday, Dec. 11, at 7 p.m. at Fairfax United Methodist Church, 10300 Stratford Ave. in Fairfax. Featuring John Rutter's fable, "Brother Heinrich's Christmas," the youth choruses will present a variety of seasonal favorites with special appeal to the younger members of the family. Cost is $10. Visit www.tickets.com or call 703-218-6500.
<cal2>The Train Collectors Association is celebrating its 50th year with a toy and train show on Saturday, Dec. 11, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. It will be held at the Kena Temple, 9001 Arlington Blvd., Fairfax. Children under 12 admitted free with adult. Scouts/military in uniform admitted free. Others are admitted for $5. Bring an unwrapped toy for a child at Shriner's Hospital. Call Dan at 703-222-2925 or Sam at 301-931-1269.
The Northern Virginia Model Railroaders Inc. will hold an open House on Saturday, Dec. 11, from 1-5 p.m. Come see the action on Northern Virginia's largest, fixed-operating "HO" scale model railroad. It features digital control, sound and smoke. Also, visit the W&OD railroad's real caboose. The club is in the historic Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Station, 231 Dominion Road, in downtown Vienna. Admission is free, but cash or check donations are gratefully accepted at the door. Obtain additional information and directions 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>TUESDAY/DEC. 14
<cal2>Gretchen Laskas, author "The Midwives Tale," will be the guest speaker at the Novel Society Book Discussion Group at the Centreville Regional Library, on Tuesday, Dec. 14, at 7 p.m. The library is at 14200 St. Germain Drive, Centreville. This event is free. Sign up at 703-830-2223.
<cal1>THURSDAY/DEC. 16
<cal2>Mothers First – Chantilly/Centreville is dedicated to supporting women who have chosen to alter their careers to raise their children at home. Activities include parent/child morning meetings and field trips, moms night out, and lectures. This month's meeting is Thursday, Dec. 16, from 10:15-11:30 a.m. at the Centreville Regional Library, 14200 Saint Germain Dr. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org.