<cal1>ONGOING
<cal2>The Northern Virginia AIDS Ministry (NOVAM) is looking for adults interested in mentoring a child affected or infected by HIV/AIDS through the agency's PALS Mentoring Program. Volunteers make a one-year commitment to a child and visit with their "Pal" twice a month. PALS mentors are needed throughout Northern Virginia for minority children ranging in age from 6 to 15 years old. Training and ongoing support is provided by NOVAM and an agency funded background check is required. For more information on this volunteer opportunity, contact Briana Jordan at 703-746-0440 ext. 15.
The Centreville Community Foundation (CCF) is now accepting applications for the Centreville Day Parade, to be held on Saturday, Sept. 11. Open to local businesses, sports and dance teams, clubs, homeowners associations, churches and other community groups, the parade leaves from Centreville High School at 10 a.m. and travels along Union Mill and Braddock Roads to Old Centreville Crossing Shopping Center. This year's theme is "Celebrating Our Centreville Heritage." Parade applications can be completed online at www.centrevilleday.com or a printed application can be sent to you. Call Bob Hartman at 703-830-2134 or email blbbob@aol.com for an application.
The Centreville Community Foundation (CCF) is seeking crafters, business and community groups for Centreville Day, Saturday, Sept. 11, from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. in the Centreville Historic District. The theme is "Celebrating Our Centreville Heritage" and will include Civil War re-enactors, tales and tours of Historic Centreville, children's games and amusements (both old-time and modern), Taste of Centreville, live music (local talent) and a showcase of arts, crafts, local businesses and community groups. Booth spaces (10x10-foot) are $50 for applications received prior to July 31. Booth applications and additional information are available online at http://www.centrevilleday.com or by calling Renee Keener at 703-631-9834.
The Center for the Arts is now taking registrations for the Summer Session of classes in the arts. It offers many exciting opportunities for adults and children this summer. For adults, it’s the perfect time to try something new, such as drawing, oil painting, watercolor and basket weaving.
To keep the kids busy and to help beat the heat, classes are offered in drawing, clayworks, quilting, and self-publishing. For those with a busy schedule, one-day workshops include origami, balloon creations, jewelry making, paper marbling and Ukrainian egg decoration. Summer camps, in drama or art are another great way to spend the summer. Most camps are 1 or 2 weeks, and are available in Manassas and Woodbridge. Visit the Web site at www.center-for-the-arts.com call 703-330-2787.
<cal2>The Clifton Farmers Market is now opened Sundays, from 8 a.m.-noon. It's on Chapel Road in the Town of Clifton, across from the fire station. It offers a wide variety of items including fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, honey, soap, chocolate and even crafts such as handmade birdhouses, chairs and jewelry.
<cal1>JULY 1 AND JULY 14
<cal2>Mothers First — Centreville/Chantilly is dedicated to supporting women that have chosen to alter careers to raise their children at home. Activities include, lectures, field trips, moms night out, etc. Meetings are July 1 and 14 at Centreville Regional Library, 14200 Saint Germain Dr., Centreville. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org.
<cal1>JULY 3
<cal2>Fairfax Corner in Fairfax will host a free Summer Concert Series each Saturday evening beginning June 5 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 3 — Patty Reese Band, blues/rock
* July 10 — Cartoon Johnny, a cappella
* July 17 — Naked Blue, pop/rock
* July 24 — Cravin' Dogs, Americana/roots rock
* 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>WEDNESDAY, JULY 7
<cal2>Conversation Cafe, a lively, hosted, drop-in conversation among diverse people about feelings, thoughts and actions in this complex, changing world. The topic for Wednesday, July 7, at 7:30-9 p.m. is “How do you live your values at work?” Held at Caribou Coffee, Fairfax Corner, 11947 Grand Commons Way, Fairfax. Call 703-554-9595 or visit www.conversationcafe.org.
<cal1>MONDAY/JULY 12
<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 Cindy Walsh at 703-378-1280. Upcoming meetings: July 12 and 26.
<cal1>TUESDAY/JULY 13
<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, July 13 – “Allergy Alert- What you need to know Early,” Kim Mulherin, Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network;
* Tuesday, July 20 – “Healthy Eating for Babies and Moms,” Beth Potter, BS, RD;
* Tuesday, July 27 – No lunch.
* 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.
<cal1>WEDNESDAY, JULY 14
<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 features free children's entertainment at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. in the Fountain Plaza located outside of the Fairfax Corner Cinemas.
* July 14 — Silly Socks Puppet Theater's "The Ugly Dragling;"
* July 28 — Flumpa and Friends Live;
* August 11 — Beowulf T. Wonderbunny's Traveling Show of Mystery;
* Aug. 25 — Kid-singer Jim's Positive-LY Fun Rock Concert.
Conversation Cafe, a lively, hosted, drop-in conversation among diverse people about feelings, thoughts and actions in this complex, changing world. The topic for Wednesday, July 14, 7:30-9 p.m.: "Who holds the responsibility for teaching ethics?" Caribou Coffee, Fairfax Corner Shopping Center, 11947 Grand Commons Way, Fairfax. Call 703-554-9595 for more information or visit www.conversationcafe.org.
<cal1>FRIDAY, JULY 16
<cal2>Area residents can test-drive the future at Moore Cadillac and Hummer’s fourth annual Summer Showcase on Friday, July 16 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Reston Town Center. Experience the Moore Cadillac and Hummer 2005 line up, including the new Cadillac CTS-V, STS, Hummer SUT and innovative concept cars. Area residents can also enjoy live music, free food and can register to win great prizes like resort and golf packages, wine tours, round-trip airfare and more. All proceeds and donations, plus an additional $5,000 go towards Joe Gibbs' Youth for Tomorrow program. Visit www.moorecadillac.com or call 703-790-0950.
Cox Communications will present its second annual Cox Movies Under the Moon, a free summertime outdoor film festival benefiting Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children and Special Love/Camp Fantastic. The nine-day event will feature popular movies each night, from Friday, July 16 through Saturday, July 24. Scheduled to take place at George Mason University's Robinson Football Field. Movies will begin each night at sundown (approximately 8:30 p.m.). This year's vendors will include Red, Hot & Blue, Domino's and Baja Fresh.
The schedule is as follows:
July 16 — "Spykids 3D;"
July 17 — "Seabiscuit;"
July 18 — "Jurassic Park;"
July 19 — "Casablanca;"
July 20 — "MIB;"
July 21 — "Wizard of Oz;"
July 22 — "Lord of the Rings — Return of the King;"
July 23 — "Ghostbusters;"
July 24 — "Spiderman;"
Moviegoers should follow signs to parking lots A, J and K. Alcohol, pets and smoking are prohibited. Visit www.moviesunderthemoon.org or call 703-323-6333.
<cal1>SATURDAY/JULY 17
<cal2>Explore Big Rocky Run and Walney Creek on Saturday, July 17 from 10 a.m. to noon. Search for birds, butterflies, stream creatures, and evidence of the geological forces that shaped this area. Co-sponsored by ANS, NVSWCD, and Fairfax County DPWES. Free, but advanced registration required at 703-737-0021 or Cliff@AudubonNaturalist.Org.
Fair Oaks Shopping Center is cooling down this summer by serving up some hot jazz with a free, two-hour concert featuring the band, "Double Digit" on Saturday, July 17 from noon to 2 p.m. in the Grand Court. The event is in partnership with Smooth Jazz 105.9 FM WJZW and will be hosted by radio personality, Al Santos. Call 703-359-8302 or visit www.ShopFairOaksMall.com.
<cal2>The Northern Virginia Model Railroaders Inc. will be holding an open house on Saturday, July 17 from 1-5 p.m. Come and see the action on Northern Virginia’s largest fixed operating "HO" scale model railroad. Featuring digital control, sound and smoke. Also, visit the W&OD railroad’s real caboose next door. The club is located in the historic "Washington & Old Dominion Railroad" station, 231 Dominion Road (on the W&OD trail) in Vienna. Free admission. However, cash or check donations (at the door) are gratefully accepted. Visit www.nvmr.org, by e-mail at nvmrinc@hotmail.com, or by calling 703-938-5157 on the day of the open house.
<cal1>SUNDAY/JULY 18
<cal2>A Lightning 100 Sporting Clays Tournament will take place Sunday, July 18 at 10 a.m. at Bull Run Regional Park's Public Shooting Center in Centreville. No advance registration. Call 703-830-2344.
<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>WEDNESDAY/SEPT. 15
<cal2>Confused about who makes the 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? Ask these questions of many Fairfax County citizens, whether long-time residents or new arrivals, and they would probably acknowledge their confusion.
The League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area (LWVFA) has devised an innovative method to answer these questions and empower county residents to become more active citizens. In cooperation with Fairfax County Public Schools Adult and Community Education, the League will once again present “More Power to You,” an overview of how local government works and how it relates to Virginia State government. The four sessions, to be held on Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Fairfax County Government Center, will begin with “Activating Your Citizenship” on Sept. 15, followed by “Evolution and Powers of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors” on Sept. 29, “Navigating Authorities, Commissions and Departments” on Oct. 13 and “Functions of the Fairfax County School Board” on Oct. 27. Each class will be enhanced by the participation of prominent guest speakers representing various aspects of county government. The fee for the four 2-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 is required and can be arranged by calling 703-227-2231.
For further information about the League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area and its goal of providing non-partisan voter information and services call 703-658-9150 or visit the Web site: www.lwv-fairfax.org.
<cal1>SEPTEMBER 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.