<cal1>SATURDAY/JULY 31
<cal2>Fairfax Corner in Fairfax will host a free Summer Concert Series each Saturday evening now through Sept. 4. The Concert Series will feature an acoustic performer followed by a different band each Saturday from 5-8 p.m. in the Fountain Plaza located outside of the Cinemas.
* July 31 — Junkfood, party/cover band
* Aug. 7 — Almost Recess, a cappella
* Aug. 14 — Jessi Canning Band, pop rock
* Aug. 21 — Merchants of Cool, party/cover band
* Aug. 28 — Bens Bones, pop/rock
* Sept. 4 — Bicycle Thieves, pop/rock.
<cal1>JULY 31-AUG. 1
<cal2>C & E Gun Shows and ShowMasters present "The Nation's Gun Show" on Saturday, July 31 and Sunday, Aug. 1. The show will be held at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Cost of admission is $10 for ages 18 and over, $5 for teenagers 12-17, and children 11 and under are free. For more information call C & E Gun Shows at 888-715-0606 or Show Masters at 540-951-1344.
<cal1>SUNDAY/AUG. 1
<cal2>The Women's Club Fitness Center & Day Spa in Chantilly is holding its first annual Yard Sale to benefit St. Jude Children's Hospital and The Kids' Club on Sunday, Aug. 1. Fifty percent of all profit goes to St. Jude Children's Hospital and 50 percent goes to update equipment, games, supplies, etc. for the Kids' Club. Donation accepted on Saturday from noon to 5:30 p.m. and at 8 a.m. Saturday morning. Furniture, clothes, toys, etc. Contact Debbie Bowen at 703-817-0700.
<cal2>Several at-home businesses are offering to showcase their products in a fund-raiser for the Western Fairfax Christian Ministries on Sunday, Aug. 1 from 2-5 p.m. at the Greenbriar Community Center, 4615 Stringfellow Road, Fairfax.
The businesses are: Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, Discovery Toys, Usborne Books, Creative Memories, Premiere Jewelers, and Natural Family Boutique.
There will be baked goods and door prizes. Additional parking is available at the ball park parking lot next to the community center.
<cal1>AUG. 1-15
<cal2>Local Hair Cutterys will hold their sixth-annual Share-A-Haircut Campaign on Aug. 1-15. The program helps tens of thousands of children served by social services get ready for the start of the new school year with a brand new haircut. For every child’s haircut (up to age 18) purchased at any Hair Cuttery salon between Aug. 1-15, the company will in turn donate a free haircut to children from partner social service agencies around the country, just in time for the start of the new school year.
<cal1>TUESDAY/AUG. 3
<cal2>A Story Time Plus More for ages 1-6, offered by Noodles & Noggins of Clifton, will be held Tuesdays from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Clifton Town Meeting Hall, 12641 Chapel Road in Clifton (next to the fire station and across from the post office). Reservations are required. Cost is $5 supply fee/child. Call 703-815-8600. The weekly themes are:
* Aug. 3 — Monkeys Among Us;
* Aug. 10 — Summertime Fun;
* Aug. 17 — Boom Boom Boom;
* Aug. 24 — Colors of My World.
<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, Aug. 3 — "Developmental Milestones: Birth to Age 1," Patti Turner, MS, OTR/L;
* Tuesday, Aug. 10 — “Kindermusik,” Pam Phillips, Kindermusik of Fairfax;
* Tuesday, Aug. 17 — "Vaccines: Why does my baby get so many?" Kris McHarg, NAPNAP;
* Tuesday, Aug. 24 — "Infant Communication," Diane Robey, MS, CCC;
* Tuesday, Aug. 31 — "Family Dynamics," Susan Pan, JSSA;
* Monday, Sept. 6 — No lunch;
* Monday, Sept. 13 — “Safety in and around your house," Officer Liz Barrington, Fair Oaks Office of Public Safety;
* Monday, Sept. 20 — “Another Branch on the Family Tree — Learn how to trace your roots," Adeena Mignogna, Genealogist;
* Monday, Sept. 27 — “Attachment,” Lisa Friedman.
<cal2>Summer Time Craft Days will be held at Noodles & Noggins on Tuesdays from 2-4 p.m. for ages 6 and above. Cost is $15/child for the supply fee. Noodles & Noggins is located at 7145 Main Street in Historic Clifton. Reservations required. Call 703-815-8600 or stop by the store.
* Aug. 3 — Putting on the glitz with pottery. Design your own pottery and bring home your very own creation. Materials will be provided to make fun stuff from pampered pet dishes for your favorite critter to a mini windowsill garden set, tea time party sets, and chic rhinestone pocket purses plus much more.
* Aug. 24 — Back to School in Style. Why go back to school with the same book bag everyone else has? Design your own book bag and school items that show your own unique style and personality.
<cal2>Fairfax County Police and the Sully Station II Neighborhood Watch are holding a National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 3 to support anti-crime programs. Events include a block party contest from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., and an ice cream social at the Sully II Community Center at 6:30 p.m. There will be a poster contest for children under 18, with the theme "Sully II Takes a Bite Out of Crime" based on McGruff the Crime Dog. Posters must be turned into the community center on Aug. 3 before 8 p.m. The NRA will be hosting "Eddie the Eagle" to teach children to stay away from guns, and a local Boy Scout troop will retire the Sully II "Stars and Stripes" flag. To register your block party for the contest or to volunteer, contact Dan or Leslie Jenuleson at 703-815-2006 or dljenuleson@cox.net.
<cal2>The Amputee Support Group of Northern Virginia will host its monthly meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 3 from 7:30-9 p.m. at INOVA Fairfax Hospital, Telestar Court Building, Gemini room, 2990 Telestar Ct., Falls Church. Free including parking. Contact Irvin Axelrod at 703-222-7120, or email asgnva@earthlink.net.
<cal1>WEDNESDAY/AUG. 4
<cal2>Join members of the community for Conversation Café, a lively, hosted, drop-in conversation among diverse people about feelings, thoughts and actions in this complex, changing world. Topic of the week for Wednesday, Aug. 4, 7:15-8:45 p.m. — "What's in a word?" Meeting at Chantilly Library, 4000 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly. Call 703-554-9595 for more information or visit www.conversationcafe.org.
<cal2>Mothers First — Centreville/Chantilly is dedicated to supporting women that have chosen to alter careers to raise their children at home. Activities include parent/child morning meetings and field trips, moms night out, and lectures. Meetings are Aug. 4 and 19 at Centreville Regional Library, 14200 Saint Germain Dr., Centreville. Call 703-827-5922 or www.mothersfirst.org for more information.
<cal1>AUG. 4-5
<cal2>Ronald McDonald celebrates summer with an all new show at the McDonald’s in Greenbriar, 13003 Lee Jackson Hwy., Fairfax, on Wednesday, Aug. 4, at 6:30 p.m., and at the McDonald’s in Centreville, 5931 Fort Drive, on Thursday, Aug. 5, at 6:30 p.m. The show is outside, weather permitting, so brings chairs or blankets. Free.
<cal1>AUG. 7-8
<cal2>The World's Biggest Model Train Layout will be on display Aug. 7-8 at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly. The show hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. The train layout is being hosted by Northern Virginia N-TRAK, a local model train group that is the largest N-Scale Model Railroad organization in the world. In 1996, the group held the record for the largest Model Railroad layout of all time, soon to be overtaken by the Dulles Expo Layout, which will set a new record with more than 450 modular pieces making up a layout of over 70 N-scale miles in length. Tickets are $7/adults and children under 11 free. For more details, visit www.bigtrainlayout.org or The Big Layout Line: 703-866-4864.
<cal1>AUG. 7, 14, 21, 28
<cal2>Fair Oaks Mall will be hosting a series of Mini Back-to-School Fashion Events Saturdays, Aug. 7, 14, 21 and 28 from 12-2 p.m. and 3-5 p.m. in the Grand Court. There will be informal modeling of back-to-school fashions. Entry forms at 33 kids and teen stores (list and rules available at Customer Service Center). Models must be at least 14 years old to enter.
<cal1>AUG. 9-13
<cal2>Seniors age 60 and older swim at no charge at all five NVRPA pool complexes from Monday, Aug. 9-Friday, Aug. 13. Bring proof of age. Call individual pool to confirm hours of operation.
<cal1>WEDNESDAY/AUG. 11
<cal2>Fairfax Corner will host the Little Tots Summer Fun Series the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month from June to August. The series will feature free children's entertainment at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. in the Fountain Plaza located outside of the Fairfax Corner Cinemas.
* Wednesday, Aug. 11 — Beowulf T. Wonderbunny's Traveling Show of Mystery;
* Wednesday, Aug. 25 — Kid-singer Jim's Positive-LY Fun Rock Concert.
<cal2>The Fairfax Station Railroad Museum Forum on Aug. 11 will feature Edward Bonekemper, who will be discussing his recently published book "A Victor, Not a Butcher: Ulysses S. Grant's Overlooked Military Genius". To this day a controversy rages among Civil War enthusiasts as to who was the better general, Lee or Grant, during the 1864 Overland Campaign. Come hear this lively presentation and ask questions. The Forum meets at the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum, 11200 Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station, from 7:30-9 p.m. Call 703-425-9225. Donations appreciated. Bonekemper's books will be for sale.
<cal1>AUG. 12-15
<cal2>The Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk to benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation will be held Aug. 13-15, kicking off at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly. On Day Zero, Thursday, Aug. 12, volunteers will assist with registration and orientation activities on the day before the 3-Day. The walkers will begin their journey at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, walking through local neighborhoods, ending up at the Capital at Pennsylvania Avenue, between Constitution Avenue and Third Street. Opening Ceremonies will be held Friday, Aug. 13 from 5-8 a.m. at the Dulles Expo Center. The day begins early as walkers drop off their gear, stretch and attend the Opening Ceremonies. To register to volunteer, contact Melissa Roberts, volunteer coordinator, at mroberts@event-360.com or 301-681-5831.
<cal1>AUG. 13, 14
<cal2>2nd Flight Productions is putting on "Joseph and the Amazing Techni-Color Dream Coat" at the Kramer Center in Old Town Manassas. To get ticket information, visit www.2ndflightproductions.com or call 703-927-5438. The performances are at 8 p.m. with Sunday matinee on Aug. 22 at 2 p.m. The dates are: Aug. 13, 14, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28.
<cal1>MONDAY/AUG. 16
<cal2>Centreville Toastmasters is the place to improve your communication and leadership skills. The club meets from 7-8:15 p.m. twice a month on Mondays at the Centreville Regional Library. Guests are welcome. Prepared speeches, oral evaluations and impromptu speeches (table topics) will be on the agenda. Upcoming meeting: Aug. 16, Aug. 30, Sept. 7 and Sept. 20. The newly elected officers for 2004-2005 include: Lynn Griesemer, president; Bob Harter, VP of Education; Richard Chenette, VP of Membership; Cindy Walsh, VP of Public Relations; Benny Benitez, secretary/treasurer and Tim Gavagan, sergeant-at-arms. Visit the Web site at www.toastmasters.org or contact Call Cindy Walsh 703-378-1280.
<cal1>AUG. 20-23
<cal2>Ski Chalet holds its 25th annual Ski Chalet Warehouse Clearance on Friday, Aug. 20 through Monday, Aug. 23, inside Ski Chalet’s 40,000 sq. ft. warehouse and retail store near the intersection of Route 50 and Route 28 in Chantilly.
The hours are as follows:
Friday, Aug. 20: 12 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Saturday, Aug. 21: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 22: 11 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday, Aug 23: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
On Friday, Aug. 20, Olympic Gold Medalist Tommy Moe will sign autographs and meet fellow snowsports enthusiasts from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Ski Chalet warehouse and retail store is at 14130 Sullyfield Circle, Chantilly.
For more information, call 703-631-7880, e-mail ThinkSnow@ skichalet.com, or visit www.skichalet.com.
<cal1>AUG. 21-22
<cal2>Troops from Companies F and I of the 8th Virginia Regiment of the Army of the Confederacy will create a living history encampment at Ball's Bluff Battlefield Regional Park in Leesburg, on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 21-22, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
Drills from the Civil War era, firing demonstrations, bugle calls, camp life and the regiment's history will bring the 1860s to life. Visitors may ask questions of the volunteer re-enactors who will show the clothing, sleeping quarters, food, cooking gear and activities of camp life at this free event.
Interpretive tours of the battlefield will be available on Saturday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and on Sunday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Call 703-737-7800.
<cal1>SUNDAY, AUG. 22
<cal2>Sun Stroke 100 Sporting Clay Tournament will be held on Sunday, Aug. 22, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (Last entry). NVRPA’s Bull Run Regional Park Public Shooting Center, 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville. Take aim; enjoy the challenge at this National Sporting Clays Association contest sponsored by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority’s Bull Run Shooting Center. No advance registration. For fees and more information, call 703-830-2344.
<cal1>SATURDAY/AUG. 24
<cal2>Sully/Western Fairfax Parkinson's Disease Support Group meets the fourth Saturday of every month. The group meets from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the third floor of the Sunrise Assisted Living building at Fair Oaks. Adjacent to Fair Oaks Inova Hospital, 3750 Joseph Siewick Drive, Fairfax. For more information, contact Bill Robbins, 703-830-3823.
<cal1>THURSDAY/AUG. 26
<cal2>A digital photography course will be held at the Manassas Campus of Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC). Digital Photography (ART 295) will meet from 9:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. on Thursdays beginning Aug. 26. Register online at www.nvcc.edu. To learn more, call 703-257-6532.
<cal1>SATURDAY/SEPT. 11
<cal2>Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church will hold its 12th annual Fall Festival on Saturday, Sept. 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be a Classic Car Show with awards to the top 20 cars, a craft show, breakfast and lunch, a bake sale, silent auction, Lions Club Sight and Hearing Van and more. For car show information, call Steve Dodson at 540-351-0886. There will be a craft show as well.
<cal1>SUNDAY, SEPT. 12
<cal2>A Fun Shoot: Iron Man Tournament 250 will be held on Sunday, Sept. 12, 9 a.m. or 1 p.m. NVRPA’s Bull Run Regional Park Public Shooting Center, 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville. Take aim; enjoy the challenge at this contest sponsored by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority’s Bull Run Shooting Center. Advance registration available. For registration, fees and more information, call 703-830-2344.
<cal1>WEDNESDAY/SEPT. 15
<cal2>The League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area (LWVFA) has devised a method to answer questions such as: Confused about who makes decisions for Fairfax County? Don’t understand the tax system and who really has taxing power in Virginia? Don’t know why schools and roads are overcrowded or why elections occur every year?
The LWVFA presents “More Power to You,” an overview of how local government works and relates to Virginia state government. Four sessions are scheduled on Wednesday evenings from 7-9 p.m. in the Fairfax County Government Center.
* Sept. 15 — Activating Your Citizenship;
* Sept. 29 — Evolution and Powers of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors;
* Oct. 13 — Navigating Authorities, Commissions and Departments;
* Oct. 27 — Functions of the Fairfax County School Board.
Each class will have a guest speaker representing aspects of county government. The fee for the four two-hour evening sessions is $25 which covers all materials. Participants who attend all four sessions will receive certificates of completion. Pre-registration and payment for the classes can be arranged by calling 703-227-2231.
<cal1>SEPT. 18-23
<cal2>Everyone is invited to “Open A Book, Open A Mind” during the sixth annual Fall for the Book, a week-long series of events celebrating literature and the arts, Saturday, Sept. 18, through Thursday, Sept. 23, on the Fairfax campus of George Mason University. Leading the list of world-renowned authors attending this year, Tobias Wolff and Joyce Carol Oates will receive the Fairfax Prize for lifetime achievement in literature on the opening and closing days of the celebration.
Additional highlights range from an all-day family festival on Saturday to a reenactment of the famous courtroom scene from "To Kill a Mockingbird" on Sunday (as part of the first-ever All Fairfax Reads project) to a series of Thursday events centered around the 50th anniversary of the landmark court case Brown v. the Board of Education. For regularly updated information about Fall for the Book, visit www.fallforthebook.org.
<cal1>SATURDAY, SEPT. 18
<cal2>The Annual Upton Hill Mini-Golf Tournament will occur on
Sat., Sept. 18, Time TBA. NVRPA’s Upton Hill Regional Park, 6060 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Virginia. Registration information and other details to be announced. Upton Hill Regional Park is located at the intersection of Patrick Henry Dr. and Wilson Blvd., one mile east of Seven Corners.
<cal1>SUNDAY, OCT. 3
<cal2>Battle of Bull Run Sporting Clay Tournament is taking place on
Sun., Oct. 3 at 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. (Last entry). NVRPA’s Bull Run Regional Park Public Shooting Center, 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville.
Take aim; enjoy the challenge at this National Sporting Clays Association contest sponsored by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority’s Bull Run Shooting Center. No advance registration. For fees and more information, call 703-830-2344. To reach Bull Run Regional Park Public Shooting Center, exit I-66 at Exit 52 (Route 29 at Centreville). Drive south on Route 29, turn left on Bull Run Post Office Road and follow signs to the park.
<cal1>SUNDAY, NOV. 7
<cal2>A Fun Shoot: Partner Shoot Tournament will be held on
Sun., Nov. 7. The start time is 10 a.m. and entries will be allowed until 2 p.m. NVRPA’s Bull Run Regional Park Public Shooting Center, 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville
Take aim; enjoy the challenge at this contest sponsored by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority’s Bull Run Shooting Center. No advance registration. For fees and more information, call 703-830-2344. To reach Bull Run Regional Park Public Shooting Center, exit I-66 at Exit 52 (Route 29 at Centreville). Drive south on Route 29, turn left on Bull Run Post Office Road and follow signs to the park.
<cal1>FRIDAY, NOV. 19 - SATURDAY, JAN. 8
<cal2>Miracle of Lights will be run from Fri., Nov. 19-Sat., Jan. 8, It will be open from 5:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. nightly at Bull Run Regional Park, 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville, VA.
Santa, angels, the universe and an enchanted forest—the Miracle of Lights—Northern Virginia’s only drive-thru holiday light show, features five holiday theme groups and more than two miles of lighted entertainment. Admission to be announced. To reach Bull Run Regional Park, exit I-66 at Exit 52 (Route 29 at Centreville). Drive south on Route 29, turn left on Bull Run Post Office Road and follow signs to the park.