THURSDAY/FEB. 19
<cal2>Mothers First — Centreville/Chantilly is a support group for women making the transition from careers to at-home motherhood. Activities include lectures, field trips, moms night out, etc. The next meeting is Thursday, Feb. 19 at 10:15 a.m. at the Centreville Regional Library. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org.
<cal1>FRIDAY/FEB. 20
<cal2>The Center for the Arts’ Pied Piper Theatre announces auditions for "The Sound of Music." Actors, singers, and dancers ages 8-18 are needed. Auditions will be held on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 20 and 21, at the Center for the Arts. "The Sound of Music" will be directed by Graham Clark and performances are scheduled for May 8, 9, 15, and 16 at Osbourn Park High School. Auditions are by appointment only. To schedule an audition or for more information, call the Center for the Arts at 703-330-ARTS. How to Audition classes are also available Feb. 17-19.
<cal2>Do you know someone who tutors a child or feeds the homeless? Would you like to recognize someone for making a significant contribution to our community? The public is invited to nominate outstanding community volunteers for the 12th annual Fairfax County Volunteer Service Awards hosted by Volunteer Fairfax. Businesses, individuals, nonprofit organizations, public agencies, schools, and civic groups have the opportunity to make a nomination by Feb. 20. To receive a nomination form, contact Renee Hoyt Atkinson at rhatkinson@volunteerfairfax.org or 703-246-3460. Nominees and award winners will be honored at a breakfast ceremony on Thursday, April 22, at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner. Belle Wheelan, Virginia Secretary of Education, will be the keynote speaker. The cost of the breakfast is $30 per person, with invitations to be mailed in early March. This year's theme is "Volunteers are Shining Stars!"
<cal1>FEB. 21 AND FEB. 28
<cal2>Opportunities, Alternatives & Resources (OAR) of Fairfax County is a non-profit agency that provides positive influences on the lives of offenders in the Fairfax County jail, as well as assistance to their families. OAR is currently seeking volunteers to conduct one-to-one mentoring sessions with inmates and teach classes in the jail. Volunteers can also work with families of offenders during visiting hours in the Adult Detention Center. Emphasis is on helping an offender make a successful transition into our communities. Special skills are not required. The next training will be on Feb. 21 and Feb. 28. Call 703-246-3033.
<cal1>SATURDAY/FEB. 21
<cal2>St. Andrew and St. Clare Knights of Columbus are joining forces with "Always Fun Casinos" in sponsoring a Las Vegas-style Casino Night on Saturday, Feb. 21 starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Clifton Town Meeting Hall, 12641 Chapel Road, Clifton. Experience the thrill of black jack, craps, roulette and poker without the risk of gambling. The funds raised by this special event will be used for the numerous charities St. Andrew and Clare Council support annually. Admission price, which includes complimentary wine and hors d' oeuvres throughout this event is $20 per person and available at the door.
<cal2>With the increasing threat of international terrorism and the subsequent tightening of security throughout the United States, many Americans are examining the effect of these regulations on our civil liberties. To address this issue, the League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area (LWVFA) will present a public forum on "Civil Liberties: the Patriot Act" on Saturday, Feb. 21 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. The location will be the Westpark Hotel located at 8401 Westpark Drive in Tysons Corner. The forum will be open to the public and free of charge.
Moderating the panel discussion will be William Sessions, former head of the FBI and former federal judge. Panelists will be Dan Bryant of the U.S. Department of Justice, Alice Fisher of the law firm of Lathem and Watkins, Lara Flint of the Center for Democracy and Technology and Patrice Webb of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). After the moderator’s introduction, short presentations by each panelist and questions and discussion among the panelists, the forum will be open to questions from the audience.
Following the forum, attendees are invited to attend a luncheon with League members for a charge of $20. For further details concerning the event or to make reservations for the luncheon, call 703-658-9150.
<cal1>FEB. 22-23
<cal2>The Center for the Arts announces auditions for Rooftop Production’s spring play, "Blithe Spirit." Casting is open to adults with character roles for two males approximately 30-45 and five females 19 and over. Auditions are scheduled for Sunday and Monday, Feb. 22 and 23 from 7-9 p.m. at the Kellar Theater, 9419 Battle Street. This British comedy written by Noel Coward will be performed April 16-May 1. "Blithe Spirit" will be directed by Scott Bailey. Call the Center for the Arts at 703-330-ARTS.
<cal1>MONDAY/FEB. 23
<cal2>Amnesty International, Fairfax branch, will meet on Monday, Feb. 23, at 7 p.m., at Brookfield Elementary School in Chantilly. The group is planning a special event for International Women’s Rights Day in March and will hear from guest speakers on women's rights in Iran.
Visitors are welcome to join in discussion of current human rights issues around the world. The group’s special focus for the past few years has been Father Ly, a prisoner of conscience in Vietnam.
Call 703-830-4194 for information, or write amnestyusafairfax@lycos.com.
<cal1>TUESDAY/FEB. 24
<cal2>New Mothers Luncheons are held every Tuesday 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. Meets Tuesdays 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 required. Call Rochelle Goldberg at 703-961-9179 or email: eventbuilders@hotmail.com.
* Tuesday, Feb. 24 — "Great Books for Infants and Parents," Sheilah Egan, A Likely Story Bookstore, Alexandria;
* Tuesday, March 2 — "What New Moms Want to Know About Infant Sleep," Mary Peck, RN, Greater Washington Sleep Disorders Center;
* Tuesday, March 9 — "Mudpies," a great Mother's Day gift for grandmas;
* Tuesday, March 16 — "Dollars and Sense: Planning for Your Child's Financial Future," Deana Withrow, Morgan Stanley;
* Tuesday, March 23 — "Babyproofing Your House," Mary Baker, BabyGuard;
* Tuesday, March 30 — "Safety In and Around Your House," Officer Liz Barrington, Fair Oaks Police, Office of Public Safety.
<cal1>FEB. 26-29
<cal2>The Capital Home & Garden Show will be held Feb. 26-29 at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly. The show features 14 dream gardens created by top landscape companies, more than 600 remodeling, gardening and decorating exhibits in two big exhibit halls providing inspiration and a million ideas, a gardening stage featuring local and HGTV experts, a cooking stage featuring cooking tips and outdoor entertaining ideas, a feature stage with celebrity appearances, and the latest hot picks for the spring season with HGTV's Karl Lohnes.
Show times are 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 27 and Saturday, Feb. 28; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 29. The Dulles Expo Center (www.DullesExpo.com) is located at 4368 Chantilly Place, in Chantilly.
Show admission is $9 for adults, $3 for children ages 6 to 12, and free for kids 5 & under. Tickets can be purchased at the Dulles Expo Center box office during show hours.
Visit www.capitalhomeshow.com or call 1-(800) 274-6948 (producer - ext. 211, exhibitor sales - ext. 204) or 703-533-4848 (show hotline).
<cal1>SATURDAY/FEB. 28
<cal2>Virginia residents, 55 years of age or older, now can learn about the issues surrounding the mature driver and how this age group can cope with the demands they face in a Mature Operators’ Driver Improvement Program . This course, sanctioned by AAA, is presented by certified Auxiliary Police Officers and highlights safety behind the wheel for the mature driver. The class will be held Saturday, Feb. 28 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sign-in starts at 7:30 a.m. at the Sully District Governmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd., Chantilly. Cost is $10 at door for materials. To register for the class, contact Officer Mary Hulse at 703-814-7018. Lunch will be provided.
<cal1>SUNDAY/FEB. 29
<cal2>New Life Christian Church is purchasing a large number of ticket vouchers to encourage members to view Mel Gibson's new movie, "The Passion of the Christ." New Life is providing free tickets for people in the community who aren't church-goers, but are seeking to understand who Jesus is. New Life will also be holding a free screening of the movie on Sunday, Feb. 29 at 9:30 a.m. at the Regal Cinemas in Sterling (across from the Dulles Towne Center).
If you would like more information on the screenings of "The Passion of The Christ," call New Life Christian Church at 703-266-0118 or email info@newlife4me.com or visit www.newlife4me.com. New Life Christian Church meets at Westfield High School in Chantilly and Regal Cinemas on Route 7 every Sunday morning.
<cal1>MONDAY/MARCH 1
<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. Call Lynn Griesmer 703-263-2468. Upcoming meetings: Monday, March 1, Monday, March 15, Monday, April 5, and Monday, April 19.
<cal1>MARCH 6-7
<cal2>More than 700 full-color images of nature in North America will welcome viewers at the second annual Meadowlark Nature Photography Exhibition, Saturday and Sunday, March 6 and 7, at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna. Professional and top amateur photographers from the Northern Virginia Alliance of Camera Clubs (NOVACC) will host the event from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day in the indoor garden setting of The Atrium and in the Gardens' Visitor's Center. Admission and each day's activities will be free, including complimentary camera cleanings on Saturday. Aspiring and experienced photographers may bring samples to be critiqued and attend photography technique programs. Visit the exhibit Web site, www.MeadowlarkPhotoExhibit.com, for more information, to view 2003 exhibit images and to learn about the participating photography clubs. Meadowlark Botanical Gardens is located at 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct., Vienna. Call 703-255-3631 or visit www.nvrpa.org/atrium.html.
<cal1>MARCH 19-21
<cal2>Equine Event East, a show featuring thousands of equine products, demonstrations, clinics and seminars along with a variety of horses, will be held March 19-21 at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly. The event will include equine experts Jane Savoie, Richard Strake, Nina Fout, Carol Gurney, Dave Seay, Bruce Davidson, Van Manley, Julie Goodnight and more. Hours are from noon to 9 p.m. on Friday, March 19; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 20; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 21. A special Saturday Night Equine Extravaganza is scheduled from 7-9 p.m. on Saturday, March 20 with proceeds benefitting the Equine Rescue League and The Rainbow Center for Handicapped Children. A separate ticket is required for this event. Call 410-321-9559 or visit the Web at www.blueribbonshows.com.