ONGOING
<cal2>All Home Depot stores have Kids Workshop on the first Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to noon. This is a free event where every child gets an orange apron, a wooden kit to build (and keep) with their adult partner’s help (backup is available for adults). Home Depot is located at 12275 Price Club Plaza, Fairfax — at the intersection of the Fairfax County Parkway.
Share your love of history with the future generation as you guide children on a journey through time. Volunteers are needed at Sully Historic Site in Chantilly to lead groups of school-aged children in hands-on activities and tours of the house and outbuildings. Teaching docents are needed to help transport children to life as it was in the 18th and 19th centuries. For more information, contact Erin Chernisky at 703-324-8750 or apply on line at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks.
<cal2>The newly located Olympus Athletic Club is offering a drop-in babysitting service to the community on Friday nights. Children ages 3 months to 13 years old are welcome to attend Date Night. Offered from 6-9:30 p.m. each Friday of the month at $10 per child. Games, activities, sports, basketball court and much more. To register, call the Kids Club at 703-378-1155. Located off Lee Road at 14424 Albemarle Point Place.
The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District is seeking volunteers to join an active stream monitoring program. Choose a stream in your own neighborhood or you can be directed to a stream. Training and equipment are provided, and no prior experience is necessary. Volunteers are trained to assess ecological conditions in streams based on chemistry, habitat, and benthic macroinvertebrates (stream insects). Contact Joanna at 703-324-1425 or visit the Web page at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/nvswcd/monitoring.htm.
A Mindfulness Meditation class will take place Sundays from 7-8 p.m. No fee — donation based. Sun and Moon Yoga Studio, 9998 Main Street. Contact Erika Neil at ErikaKL@aol.com or 703-864-2807.
The Centreville Regional Art Guild holds a model-drawing session every Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There is no instruction. The only fee is the cost of the model. Call Amy Mann at 703-631-1856.
Volunteer opportunities exist for Information Desk Volunteers and Mobile Guides at Washington Dulles International Airport. A Travelers Aid Volunteer must have a friendly, helpful manner and enjoy interacting with people from all over the world. Volunteers are asked to make a commitment to work one 3-4 hour shift per week. Early morning, mid-morning, afternoon, and evening shifts are available 7 days a week, with a great need for volunteers who can work early morning, evening or weekend shifts. Experience in airline/airport operations, customer service work or knowledge of a foreign language are a plus but certainly not necessary. Travelers Aid provides training, themed attire, and courtesy parking. Training is ongoing. Call 703-572-7350 or email Volunteer@mwaa.com.
<cal1>THROUGH MARCH 26
<cal2>Damon's Grill of Chantilly will donate proceeds of dessert sales now through March 26 to fund the wish of an area child in the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The restaurant is located at 3980 Corsair Court in Chantilly. The child's wish was recently fulfilled to be in the movie "Spiderman2."
<cal1>MARCH 18, 22, 25
<cal2>Freshstart, the American Cancer Society's four-session smoking cessation program for adults, will be held March 18, 22 and 25, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The class will be held at Pender United Methodist Church at 12401 Alder Woods Drive, Fairfax. The classes will offer information and strategies to help current smokers stop smoking. For the program to be most effective, participants are asked to attend all four sessions. Class size is limited. Contact the American Cancer Society at 703-938-5550 to register.
<cal1>THURSDAY/MARCH 18
<cal2>Get screened to reduce the risk of having a stroke. Life Line Screening will be at the Oakton Baptist Church on Thursday, March 18 beginning at 9 a.m. Each screening requires 10 minutes or less to complete. A complete vascular screening package, including the Stroke/Carotid Artery, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and Ankle Brachial Index (hardening of the arteries) screenings is $99. Sign up for the complete vascular package; including the osteoporosis screening and pay $125. To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-710-1902. Pre-registration is required.
<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 benefiting the Equine Rescue League and The Rainbow Center for Handicapped Children. A separate ticket is required for this event. Admission to the show is $12/adults and $8/children under 8. Call 410-321-9559 or visit the Web at www.blueribbonshows.com.
<cal1>MARCH 20-APRIL 10
<cal2>The Spring Bunny will be making appearances along with Stuart Little at Fair Oaks Mall Saturday, March 20-April 10. The hours are Mondays to Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Sundays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Fair Oaks Mall Spring Bunny will visit with children on a garden bench surrounded by colorful landscaping. Everyone who visits the Spring Bunny receives a storybook and leaves with lasting memories. Information on photo packages is available at Fair Oaks Mall or visit www.ShopFairOaksMall.com. There is also a Stuart Little Central Park display featuring giant topiaries, floral landscape lush with tulip, pansies, daisies and trees will transform the Fair Oaks Fountain Court into New York Central Park featuring the movie character Stuart Little. Visit www.ShopFairOaksMall.com for more information.
<cal1>SATURDAY/MARCH 20
<cal2>Your Life: A Story Waiting to Be Told. Find your own metaphor and key to unlocking the story of your life and your personal path to success. Free Sterling Harris talk and demo. Meets in Centreville Saturday, March 20 from 6-7 p.m. Call 703-615-9033. Or visit sterling@resurgenthinking.com
<cal1>SUNDAY/MARCH 21
<cal2>Several local families will host the first annual SOS (Sell Your Stuff) Yard Sale to benefit the Multiple Sclerosis Society on Sunday, March 21 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will take place in Centreville at the Sully Station 1 Community Center on Sequoia Farms Drive. Items will include furniture, housewares, baby and children's toys and clothing. All proceeds go to The MS Society and all sales are tax deductible. Call 703-585-6944.
<cal2>From bare walls to works of art — Muralist Pat Racer will give a presentation of her decorative painting techniques at the Centreville Regional Library on Sunday, March 21 from 4-6 p.m. Call Beth Latture of the Centreville Regional Art Guild at 703-802-1640.
<cal2>The Centreville Barber Shop will hold a potluck fund-raiser, Sunday, March 21, from 2- 4 p.m., at Centreville Fire Station 17 on Old Centreville Road. Two of the barbers, their families and friends are participating on the Coconutz Relay for Life team which is raising money for the American Cancer Society. The public is invited to bring a covered dish, salad or dessert and a check to the American Cancer Society. It's also a farewell party for the barber shop, which will be closing on March 31.
<cal2>Explore Popes Head Creek on Sunday, March 21 from 1-4 p.m. The Popes Head Creek watershed is currently the subject of the Fairfax County watershed management planning process. Take a driving and walking tour of the watershed from Clifton up to the headwaters in Fairfax City. Walking portions will be mostly easy on level paths. Car pooling from the starting point at Clifton Elementary School. Free, but advanced registration required at 703-737-0021 or Cliff@AudubonNaturalist.org.
<cal2>Model Trains will be running on Sunday, March 21 from 1-4 p.m. at the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum. The Northern Virginia NTrak model train club will host their monthly display. Cost is $2 for adults and $1 for children ages 4 -10. The museum is located at 11200 Fairfax Station Road. Call 703-425-9225.
<cal2>Storyteller Noa Baum explores the variety of Jewish experience through folktales, literary adaptations and personal stories on Sunday, March 21 at 1 p.m. at the Centreville Regional Library. Trained in theater and education, Baum has been performing and teaching in schools, libraries, and festivals since 1982; her audio recording of stories, Far Away and Close to Home, won the Parents' Choice Recommended Award. Tickets are free. Call toll-free 888-621-2230.
<cal1>MONDAY, MARCH 22
<cal2>"The Cold War Museum" will be presented by speaker Francis Gary Powers Jr. following a brief meeting of the Friends of Fairfax Station on Monday, March 22 at 7:30 p.m. at the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum. Powers, son of the famous U-2 pilot, Francis Gary Powers Sr. and founder of the museum, will give an update on the museum. Check out www.coldwar.org. The Fairfax Station Museum is located at 11200 Fairfax Station Road. Call 703-425-9225.
<cal1>TUESDAY/MARCH 23
<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, 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>MARCH 26-28
<cal2>The Craftsmen's Classic Arts & Crafts Festival will be held March 26-28 at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly. It will feature more than 400 artisans from 30 states, with contemporary and traditional treatments of handthrown pottery, custom made jewelry, fine art in virtually every medium, stained glass, decorative metalwork, toys, baskets, blown glass, furniture, clothing, stitchery, leathercraft, sculpture, musical instruments and more. Hours are Friday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $7/adults, children ages 6-12 is $1. Call 1-888-96-CRAFT or via e-mail at: gilmoreshows@triad.rr.com
<cal1>SATURDAY/MARCH 27
<cal2>The brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Zeta Upilon Lambda Chapter, will host their annual Black and Gold Scholarship Ball on Saturday, March 27 from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Fair Lakes Hyatt Hotel. A donation of $6 per person is required. All profits support the scholarship fund. Contact Lawrence Davis at 703-830-0813.
<cal2>The 11th annual All Aboard Quilters Special Quilt Show will be held Saturday and Sunday, March 27-28 from noon to 5 p.m. each day. The show features quilts owned by area residents, including a small sales area with hand-crafted items. To be held at the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum, 11200 Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station. Sponsored by Friends of the Fairfax Station, a non-profit organization. Suggested $3 donation to assist with improvement and upkeep of an historic railroad station. Call 703-425-9225.
<cal2>Strengthen the eco-warrior in you. Gain resilience. Develop real immunity to stress, excuses and insults. Build better communities. Make more of a difference in the world. Weekend workshop in Centreville on March 27-28. Cost is $150. Call 703-803-4051 or visit sallyramsden@bigfoot.com.
<cal2>Monte Carlo Casino Night. The Northern Virginia Community Foundation will host its annual Casino Night on Saturday, March 27 at Waterford at Fair Oaks. Admission includes casino cash, open bar, food (including dessert buffet) and door prizes. Use your winnings to take a chance in various raffle drawings to win a weekend stay at The Stardust Resort in Las Vegas, or VIP passes to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, or Ride in Lockheed Martin's demonstration simulators for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter & F/A22 Raptor. Tickets start at $100 with sponsorship packages available. Contact Christine Lee at 703-902-3157 or by email at chrislee.nvcf@erols.com.
<cal1>APRIL 1
<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, mom's night out, etc. Meetings are April 1 and April 15 at 10:15 a.m. at the Centreville Regional Library. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org.
<cal1>APRIL 2-4
<cal2>A Super Pet Expo will be held April 2-4 at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly. The expo offers live animal entertainment, best pet practices and services, pet products, and more. Highlights include: Pet Detective Tales, Dog Agility Demos, Rizzo's Reptile Discovery, the Chicken Man, Exotic Bird Show, Feline and K9 Purr-formers, and Pet Portraits. Hours are Friday from 4-9 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $9 for adults, $4 for children and free for kids three and under. Visit www.SuperPetExpo.com or call 301-230-9040.
<cal1>SUNDAY/APRIL 4
<cal2>The Clifton Horse Society is hosting a Spring Tune Up Ride on Sunday, April 4. Ride for 5, 10, 15, or 20 miles through Fountainhead Regional Park, Fairfax Station. Call 703-830-8394 or e-mail wkime@cox.net.
<cal2>The public is invited to attend a parenting workshop titled, "Improve Communications with Your Children." This program will provide five simple, easy-to-remember steps to improve communication with your children. It will be held at Unity Life Center, 14088-C Sullyfield Circle, Chantilly, on Sunday, April 4 from 1-3 p.m. (which is also the day daylight savings time starts). Contact the church office at 703-263-7645.
<cal2>The Prince William Art Society will be holding its sixth annual Spring Show and Sale on Sunday, April 4, at the Canterbury Woods Community Center in Lake Ridge. The show, which features original artwork and fine art reproductions by local artists, is always a popular event. Many works are under $50. The show will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is free and open to the public. The Canterbury Woods Community Center is located at 12184 Chaucer Lane, Lake Ridge. Contact Michele Frantz at 703-791-5767.
<cal1>MONDAY/APRIL 5
<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, April 5, and Monday, April 19.
<cal1>TUESDAY/APRIL 20
<cal2>Learn more about MOMS Club activities (playgroups, park days, social events, etc.) for mothers and their children living in the 20121 or 20124 ZIP code. Monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 20 at 10:30 a.m. at Centreville Library. Children welcome. For more information, visit the Web site at www.momsclubccva.org and click on Clifton/Centreville South Chapter.
<cal1>SATURDAY/APRIL 24
<lst>The 31st Annual Flea Market sponsored by Boy Scout Troop 893 of Centreville will be held Saturday, April 24 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Start cleaning out your closets and garages now to be ready for the scouts to come by and haul away your "stuff". The first pickup is scheduled for Saturday, April 3, and will continue for the following two Saturdays. If you do not see the flyer in your mailbox over the weekend of March 27, contact the special hotline to arrange for pickup. Call 703-222-2333 after March 24. Or drop off donated items to the location at The Old Lowe's Hardware Store located at 13955 Metrotech Drive in Chantilly — across from K-Mart and Babies R Us between April 3-17 between the hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
<cal2>Fairfax ReLeaf, Fairfax County Tree Commission and the Virginia Run Home and Garden Club are all working together to enhance the appearance of Centreville. A tree planting project will take place on Saturday, April 24 from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers are needed to help tree saplings at the intersection of Routes 28 and 29. Meet at the Newgate Shopping Center parking lot near Route 28 ramp onto Lee Highway. Look for the volunteers with orange vests. Bring some basic supplies: empty milk gallon jugs filled with water for watering the trees, shovels, hammers and bags of top soil. Contact co-chairs Mary-Rose Woodward at 703-222-2489 or Lvtoocook@aol.com or Judy Kelsen at 703-263-0576 or Judy@kelsen.com.
<cal1>SUNDAY/APRIL 25
<cal2>The 7th Annual "Walk for Shea" Megale is scheduled for Sunday, April 25 at the Virginia Run Community Center. Mark your calendars to meet at 9 a.m., rain or shine. This is an activity for the entire family and a chance to give to the less fortunate. For those new to the area, Shea Megale is an 8-year-old Virginia Run resident who has a rare and terminal form of muscular dystrophy called Spinal Muscular Atrophy for which there is no cure to date. Although she is confined to a wheelchair, Shea leads walkers on a 5K walk throughout the community showing her determination and spirit for living life to the fullest. The cost is $4 for children under 18 and $6 for adults. Friendly dogs and strollers welcome. Log onto www.walkforshea.com for more information.
<cal1>SATURDAY/MAY 8
<cal2>Fairfax County Public Library Foundation Inc. will celebrate its 10th anniversary by hosting The Capital Book Festival at the Fairfax County Government Center on Saturday, May 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public; for more information, call 703-467-3000 or visit the Library Foundation’s Web site at: www.fcplfoundation.org. The festival will feature celebrity author presentations, writers’ workshops, autographed book sales and special children’s activities. Authors confirmed include:
* David Baldacci, best-selling author of "Absolute Power and Split Second."
* Peter and Cheryl Barnes, authors and illustrators of "Marshall, the Courthouse Mouse."
* Ric Edelman, radio talk show host and author of "The Truth About Money."
* Stanley Greenberg, political pollster and author of "The Two Americas."
* Laura Ingraham, nationally-syndicated radio talk show host and author of "Shut Up & Sing."
* Alma Powell, author of "America’s Promise and My Little Wagon."
* Diane and John Rehm, authors of "Finding My Voice and Toward Commitment."
* Larry Sabato, political analyst and author of "Dirty Little Secrets and Dangerous Democracy?"
* Judge Kenneth Starr, author of "First Among Equals."
* Gaye Newton, author of "Past Presence."
* Gary W. Gallagher, author of "The Confederate War" and "The Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1862."
* Diane Chamberlain, award-winning romance novelist and author of "Her Mother’s Shadow."
* Alice McDermott, author of "That Night" and National Book Award winner, "Charming Billy."
Call the Library Foundation at 703-324-8300.
<cal1>MAY 22-23
<cal2>Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE) is calling for volunteers for the 13th Annual Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival, May 22-23, at Reston Town Center. For more information, contact GRACE at 703-471-9242 or, e-mail info@restonarts.org or, visit the GRACE gallery at 11911 Freedom Drive, Suite 110, in Reston Town Center.
The Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival, rated as on of the top 10 in America, features artwork to see and to buy from more than 180 of the nation's fine artists, a Children’s Art Zone, two days of musical performances, festival foods and more. Contact GRACE at 703-471-9242 or visit the GRACE Web site, www.restonarts.org.
<cal1>JUNE 5
<cal2>The Seventh Annual Railroad Photography Competition, sponsored by the 10th Annual Manassas Heritage Railway Festival, will be held on June 5 in Old Town Manassas. All entries must have a railroad theme and the competition is open to the public. Entries may be submitted to: Historic Manassas Inc., Attn: Railroad Photography Contest, 9431 West Street, Manassas, VA 20110. Entries are due on Friday, June 4. Contact Gordon Tassi of the Manassas Warrenton Camera Club at gtassi22193@comcast.net or visit www.mwcc-photo.org.