Send your organization's announcement to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is two weeks before publication. Photos/artwork encouraged. Call Lauren Warchol at 703-917-6449.
The Elden Street Players announce auditions for Something Different 2004, Elden Street's signature children's show. Monday, Feb. 2 from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Industrial Strength Theater, 269 Sunset Park Drive, Herndon. Casting for seven or eight actors, ages 16 and up, male and female. Requires high energy; dress for movement. Call 703-481-5930 or visit www.eldenstreetplayers.org.
The Loudoun Arts Council begins its annual membership drive this month. An annual membership due of $35 goes to
support the visual, performing, and literary arts and artists in Loudoun County. The Loudoun Arts Council is a nonprofit organization that advocates for the visual, performing and literary arts in Loudoun County. To join the Loudoun Arts Council, call 703-777-7838 or visit the Web site at http://www.loudounarts.org/join.asp.
The Loudoun County Office of Solid Waste Management will sponsor eight Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events in 2004. All the events are on Saturday from 9-3 p.m. The first event will be on March 13 at Heritage High School, 520 Evergreen Mill Road, southeast of Leesburg. There will be an event each month from April through July and September through November. A complete schedule with a list of the dates and locations is available online at www.loudoungov/oswm/hhw.htm.
Claude Moore Park and the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum in Sterling will offer visitors several interesting options for exploring Black History Month this February. The museum’s showcase exhibit entitled “The Country People” displays 300 years of agricultural history through the lives of ten individuals from Loudoun County.
For Black History Month, the exhibits will be enhanced with artifacts from the Loudoun Museum, along with manuscripts from the Farm Museum collection and on loan from the County of Loudoun Office of the Circuit Court. Visitors can view the cover from the “Record of Free Negroes”. This record tracked all free slaves in Loudoun County from 1820-1861.
Old Mill Veterinary Hospital announces that February is Dental Health Month for pets too. Free dental health kits will be offered to all of their dental cleaning patients during Dental Health Month. Appointment is necessary. The veterinary hospital is located at 91 Lawson Road, Leesburg, Va. Office hours are 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday to Friday and 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, call 703-779-2903. For information about pet health and behavior, look under “FAQs” at www.oldmillpets.com.
The Loudoun County Department of Animal Care and Control urges dog owners to purchase their 2004 county dog license. Last year, Loudoun County Animal Care and Control issued 9,433 dog licenses. That number represents 19% of the estimated 49,528 owned dogs in the county. A Loudoun County dog license may be obtained at a cost of $5.00 for neutered males and spayed females upon presentation of a valid rabies certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian. The fee for fertile males and females is $10.00. All dogs must have their license tags securely attached to a collar and worn whenever the dog is off of the owner's property. County residents may purchase a dog license at the Loudoun County Animal Shelter (39820 Charles Town Pike, Waterford, VA 20197, 703-777-0406) or at the County Treasurer's Offices in Leesburg and Sterling.
The Loudoun County Chapter of the Virginia Society for Human Life is sponsoring an oratory contest open to high school juniors and seniors. Eligible high school juniors and seniors must write and deliver an original speech on abortion, infanticide, euthanasia, or stem cell research from a pro-life perspective that is five to seven minutes in length. Students are encouraged to use up-to-date factual information in the construction of their speeches. The competition will be held on Mar.13 in Ashburn. The first and second place winners of the Loudoun County Chapter contest will receive a monetary prize and will go on to compete at the Alex and Geline Williams Oratory Contest of the Virginia Society for Human Life in Richmond, VA on April 24. The winner of the state contest is eligible to compete at the oratory contest at the National Right to Life Convention in Arlington, VA in July 2004. Interested students should contact Maureen Whalen, coordinator of the Loudoun County Chapter contest, at loudouncountychapter_vshl@hotmail.com or write c/o the chapter at PO Box 1175, Leesburg, VA 20177. Students wishing to compete in the contest must apply by March 6, 2004.
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Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling, has collectible books for sale including Little Golden Books, autographed, first editions, out of print, vintage and gift-quality books for sale. Additional bargains include adult paperback books, five for $1; hardback books, 50 cents; all children's books, 10 cents; and all used audio/video, $1. Proceeds benefit the library. Hours are Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Wednesday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Donations are welcome. Call 703-430-9500.
Sterling Annex, 1115 W. Church Road, is offering Lunch Bunch Afternoons, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. for a drop-in fee of $5 an hour. Children enjoy crafts, outdoor and indoor play and lunch. Space is limited. Call 703-430-6673.
Loudoun MADD is sponsoring a poster/essay contest with the theme "Alcohol Free is the Best Way to Be." The contest is open to grades 1-12. Last year, $3,000 worth of savings bonds were awarded. Visit www.maddloudounva.org for entry forms and more information. All entries are due Feb. 27.
Seniors are invited to travel with the Loudoun County Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace from Sunday, April 18 to Thursday, April 21 to New York City, Philadelphia, Atlantic City and Cape May. The 5-day, 4-night trip is open to individuals 55 years of age and older or any adult accompanied by a senior. Travel will be by deluxe, video-equipped motorcoach with full facilities. The cost for the trip is $540 for members and $570 for non-members for double occupancy. There is an additional $180 charge for single occupancy. The price includes transportation, four nights lodging, four breakfasts, four dinners, tours and $40 coin bonus package for Atlantic City. Half of payment is due with registration and balance is due Feb. 15. Deadline for registration is Jan. 23. Call Mark Humphrey at 703-430-2397.
Daffodil Days, a fund-raiser by the American Cancer Society, will continue through mid-March. Individuals and businesses wishing to participate may choose fresh cut daffodils with a suggested donation of $6 per bunch of ten or potted bulbs ($8.50 a pot). Advance orders may be placed through March 5. Public offerings will take place March 15-21. The daffodil is called the "flower of hope." Call 703-938-5550 or visit www.cancer.org.
The Community Resilience Project of Loudoun County provides a list of typical reactions in adults and children and tips on coping with the increased threat of terror. Visit the Loudoun County Government Web site at www.loudoun.gov/mhmr/resilience.htm. Citizens can also find a link to a free, confidential, online screening for depression, bipolar (manic-depression), anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorders. Information about the Resilience Project is also available at 1-866-400-2951 (TTY: 703-228-4831).
Serving all of Northern Virginia, the English as a Second Language (ESL) and Immigrant Ministries program provides English classes in 21 locations including Loudoun County. There is a $15 processing charge due at registration. Scholarships are available for those unable to pay. Free babysitting is also available at some locations. Registration dates and class times will vary according to location. For more information in English, Spanish, Korean or Vietnamese, call 703-841-0292 or visit www.eslim.org.
Persons interested in helping immigrants improve their quality of life should call 703-271-8341.
The Loudoun County Solid Waste Management Facility accepts and processes used appliances (i.e. refrigerators, stoves, dehumidifiers); tree limbs/branches, bags of grass/lawn clippings; propane cylinders; tires; furniture; and scrap metal (i.e. sheet metal roofing, drained lawn mowers, bicycles, even steel security safes). The landfill is located at 20939 Evergreen Mills Road and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. There is a disposal fee of $55 per ton or roughly 55 cents per 20 pounds.
The landfill has a recycling center where residents can recycle used motor oil, antifreeze, automobile batteries, white office paper, commingled containers, newsprint and cardboard.
Residents may also pick up free mulch at the facility. The mulch is from shredding tree limbs, branches and stumps only; no lumber is mixed into the mulch. Residents have to load their own, so bring a shovel or pitch fork.
For more information, visit www.loudoun.gov/oswm.
Loudoun County teens can visit www.loudounteens.org to learn how to get involved in their community and where to go to find information about jobs and other programs and services available to teenagers. Local teen Jon Hughes designed the site with input from teens that serve on the Loudoun County Advisory Commission On Youth (ACOY). For more information, contact the Loudoun County Office on Youth, at 703-777-0358.
The Loudoun Arts Council Web Site offers a page of "Artist Opportunities" designed to inform area artists about programs and events for their participation. Visit the site at www.loudounarts.org.
VSA arts of Loudoun County has opened the DaVinci Open Studio Visual Arts Project for individuals with disabilities. The studio, housed in the Round Hill Arts Center, will provide instruction and art supplies. The goal is to offer participants the support they need to express themselves through art. For additional information, contact Hope Hanes at 540-338-5050 or Pam Oliver at 540-338-3353.
Sterling Singles provides a non-dating, social organization with a membership that plans and attends a vast array of activities and functions such as dinner, dancing, bowling, concerts, camping, barbecues and Wolf Trap. Group is for singles over 21. Write to P.O. Box 42, Sterling, VA 20167. Call 703-444-5534, e-mail sterlingsingles@sterlingsingles.org or visit www.sterlingsingles.org.