ONGOING
<cal2>Fairfax Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is recruiting community-minded citizens from diverse backgrounds to volunteer as advocates for children whose families have been cited for abuse and neglect by the Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. The role of a CASA is to investigate a child's situation and to advocate for what is in the best interest of the child in court. All CASA Volunteers undergo training to prepare them for this role and no prior experience in child welfare is required. To learn more about this volunteer opportunity and upcoming orientation and training dates, visit the Web site www.casafairfax.org or contact our Development & Recruitment Associate at 703-273-3526 or staff@casafairfax.org.
<cal2>Red Hat Society — A chapter of the Red Hat Society is now in Centreville. Women age 50 and up wear red hats, purple outfits, kick up their heels and have fun. Meetings are the last Wednesday of the month, at 11 a.m., at the Sully Senior Center, 5690 Sully Road (inside Centreville Presbyterian Church, off Route 28 south, near the I-66 west exit).
All area seniors are welcome to join or come for a visit. Call Mary Doerman, 703-968-7889; Scotti Brennan, 703-378-5206; or Sully Senior Center Director Carma Ryan, 703-322-4475.
<cal2>The Holiday season is just around the corner! Our Neighbors Child (ONC) is now in its 13th year of serving families in the immediate area. This year it expects to help more than 500 families, many of whom could greatly benefit from some additional warm clothing.
The group is currently receiving information on the needy families and individuals in the area and is looking for groups or individuals that can assist with the clothing needs of these families.
Share this information with family or friends who might also be interested. Churches, Bunco groups, book clubs, Girl Scouts, Boy Scout troops, or any group affiliation can join together to sponsor a family. For example, every year Chesterbrook Academy involves its whole school to help more than 25 families keep warm.
If you would like to help, send Tracy McInturff an e-mail at gmfamily1@aol.com or call 703- 222-6669, or Holly Cameron at 703-266-8588.
<cal2>The Western Fairfax County Woman's Club (formerly the Greenbriar Woman's Club) is selling the 2004 White House Christmas ornaments. This year's ornament honors President Rutherford B. Hayes. The cost of the ornament is $17 and all profits benefit charity. Order yours by calling 703-378-6841 or 703-378-6216.
<cal1>FRIDAY/NOV. 12
<cal2>Season tickets are now on sale for the Center for the Arts Rooftop Productions and Pied Piper Theatre. Rooftop Productions will be opening the season with "Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean" Fridays and Saturdays, Nov. 12, and 13 at 8 p.m. at the Kellar Theatre at the Candy Factory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors 62 and over. Season tickets are also available. Call the Center for the Arts at 703-330-ARTS for tickets.
<cal2>Swing dances are held Friday nights at the Dulles Hilton in Herndon (corner of Route 28 and McClearen). All dances include a beginner class from 8:30-9 p.m. and then the bands play three sets between 9 p.m. and midnight. All for $12 per person. Visit www.gottaswing.com. Hosted by Sue and Gary Caley www.sueandgary@gottaswing.com All dances are in the solarium at the Dulles Hilton.
* Nov. 12 — Jimmy & Blue Dogs.
* Nov. 19 — The Sevilles.
* Nov. 26 — Lush Life.
* Dec. 3 — The Grandsons.
* Dec. 10 — No dance.
* Dec. 17 — Daryl Davis Band. Winter Holiday dance.
<cal1>NOV. 12-14
<cal2>The 5th annual Aquatic Gardeners Conference 2004 will take place Nov. 12-14. Hosted by the Greater Washington Aquatic Plants Association at the Crystal Gateway Marriott. Registration for the three-day event is $79, and includes workshops on aquascaping by aquatic landscape master Takashi Amano and others. An auction on Sunday is free and includes aquatic plants, fish and aquascaping equipment. Visit: www.aquatic-gardeners.org or www.gwapa.org.
<cal1>SATURDAY/NOV. 13
<cal2>The Pied Piper Theatre presents "The Little Mermaid" on Saturdays, Nov. 13 and 20 at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays, Nov. 14 and 21 at 3:30 p.m. at Osbourn Park High School, 8909 Euclid Avenue in Manassas. Centreville and Clifton cast members include Talon Jenks, Molly Lawrence, Kristi McKain and Danielle Wilbur. Tickets are $7 in advance and $8 at the door. Group tickets are also available. Call the Center for the Arts at 703-330-ARTS.
<cal2>A walk to raise money for GRREAT, a local rescue that finds new homes for unwanted golden retrievers, will take place Saturday, Nov. 13 at 10 a.m. at Weber's Pet Supermarket, 11021 Lee Highway, Fairfax. People treats and doggy treats will be provided along the way. Cost is $15 per walker. Register in advance by visiting www.grreat.org or register at the walk. Call Jill Kurtz at 703-250-3012 or mail@grreat.org.
<cal2>Wild Birds Unlimited will host an educational discussion and slide show by Dr. Dexter Hinkley, of the Fairfax Audubon Society on Saturday, Nov. 13 at 10 a.m. The presentation will cover how to attract and enjoy birds in your backyard. Visit the Web site at www.wbu.com.
<cal2>The Northern Virginia Model Railroaders Inc. will be holding an open House on Saturday, Nov. 13 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. The club is located in the historic Washington & Old Dominion Railroad station, 231 Dominion Road in Vienna. Free admission. However, cash or check donations are accepted at the door. Obtain additional information and directions at 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/NOV. 14
<cal2>A panel of media specialists and journalists from the United States and around the world will discuss "What on Earth Do They Think of Us? International Press Coverage of U.S. Foreign Policy." This free event takes place on Sunday, Nov. 14 at 1:30 p.m. at the Pohick Regional Library in Burke. Call 703-644-7333 to reserve a seat. This event is co-sponsored by The League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area Education Fund, LWVUS Education Fund, By the People and Fairfax County Public Library.
Some believe America's reputation as an international leader has never been lower in the eyes of observers around the world — a result, in part, of strongly negative coverage of U.S. foreign policy by the international press. Other believe this sort of criticism is to be expected, given the responsibilities that the United States has shouldered since the end of the Cold War.
George Mason University Professor Richard Rubenstein will moderate a panel which includes Aidan White, General Secretary of the International Federation of Journalists ; Kaarle Tapani Nordenstreng, Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Tampere, Finland; and Milton Viorst who has covered the Middle East for The New Yorker and other publications for more than 20 years and is the author of Sandcastles: The Arabs in Search of the Modern World.
<cal1>MONDAY/NOV. 15
<cal2>The GFWC-Western Fairfax County Woman's Club will conduct a fund-raising event on Monday, Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m. to benefit Easter Seals Virginia at the Greenbriar Community Center. Longaberger Home Consultant Fran Schwind will donate a minimum of 15 percent of the evening's total sales to the WFCWC to be donated to Easter Seals Virginia. Longaberger items will also be given away as door prizes. If you would like more information on this event or on becoming a member of GFWC-WFCWC, call Lee Conley at 703-266-7032 or Barbara Cale at 703-378-6009.
<cal2>New Mothers Luncheons are held every Monday 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 Mondays 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 703-273-5593 or e-mail eventbuilders@hotmail.com.
* Monday, Nov. 15 — “I know I am a mom – but who am I?” by Lisa Lyons.
* Monday, Nov. 22 — To be announced.
* Monday, Nov. 29 — No lunch. Happy Thanksgiving.
* Monday, Dec. 6 — “Sign language for babies,” Stephanie Steffer, Time to Sign;
* Monday, Dec. 13 — “Making the transition from work to home,” Jill Peterson, Owner of Simplify! Organizing;
* Monday, Dec. 20 — No lunch. Happy Holidays.
* Monday, Dec. 27 — No lunch. Happy Holidays.
<cal2>The Assistance League of Northern Virginia will hold a multi-town membership meeting on Monday, Nov. 15 from 10:15 a.m. to noon at the Chantilly branch of the Fairfax County Public Library, 4000 Stringfellow Road in Chantilly. For more information, contact Debbie Kiessling, Membership Chairman, at 703-758-1085 or Cindy Burgess, President, at 703-758-8454. The Assistance League national Web site http://www.assistanceleague.org/.
<cal1>THURSDAY/NOV. 18
<cal2>Mothers First – Chantilly/Centreville is dedicated to supporting women that have chosen to alter their careers to raise their children at home. Activities include parent/child morning meetings and field trips, moms night out, and lectures. The next meeting is Thursday, Nov. 18 from 10:15 to 11:30 a.m. at the Centreville Regional Library, 14200 Saint Germain Dr. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org.
<cal2>The Northern Virginia Association for Volunteer Administration presents a workshop, "Building Relationships with Corporate Employee Volunteer Programs" on Thursday, Nov. 18 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Representatives from corporate groups and volunteer managers in the area share information and experience on connecting and working with the corporate community. They’ll also share challenges and projects that have worked, followed by a question and answer session with workshop participants. The workshop will take place at the Herrity Building, 12055 Government Center Parkway, Rooms l06 & 107. The meeting is open to all who manage volunteers, be it in a nonprofit, for profit and/or faith-based setting. The workshop is free to members, non-members $10 at the door. To learn more about NVAVA, visit www.NVAVA.org. RSVP by Friday, Nov. 12, contact Mary Dehaven@Mary.Dehaven@MWAA.com or 703-572-7350.
<cal1>FRIDAY/NOV. 19
<cal2>Miracle of Lights, a holiday drive-through light show, will open on Friday, Nov. 19, and run through Jan. 8, 2005 in Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville. The show will be opened from 5:30-10:30 p.m. every night (except New Year's Eve).
This year's show will feature: Planet Holiday, Victorian Virginia, Noah's Ark, Santa's Wood, The Angel's Playground and The Enchanted Woods. The show is located in Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville, and is hosted by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority. The show is sponsored by M.C. Dean, Hot 99.5, WASH FM 97.1, WMZQ 98.7, WBIG 100, Pennysaver, Comcast, Journal Newspapers, The Community PhoneBook and the Connection Newspapers. Cost is $12 per car (1-14 people), $25 per commercial van (15-34 people) and $50 per bus (35 people or more). Discount coupons are available in local papers and on the Miracle of Lights web site www.miracleoflights.com. Call Miracle of Lights 703-709-KIDS (5437) or visit www.miracleoflights.com.
<cal1>NOV. 20-21
<cal2>The Joan Izzo Academy of Dance will be performing "The Kingdom of Sweets" from "The Nutcracker." The performances are as follows: Saturday, Nov. 20 at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 21 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12/each; $10/each for Girl Scouts and their families. All performances to be held at the Middleburg Community Center. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Kris Wooldridge at 703-430-0037 or Roseann Esser at 703-222-0396.
<cal2>Greenberg's World's Largest Train, Toy and Hobby Show will take place Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 20-21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Chantilly's Dulles Expo Center. More than 50,000 sq. ft. of operating railroads, toy trains and toy collections will be on display. Visit www.greenbergshows.com.
<cal2>The Northern Virginia Mineral Club Inc. will hold its 13th Annual Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show at the Student Union II Building, George Mason University, Fairfax, on Nov. 20-21. The hours are Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free parking for the show is available in Lot F. Look for the signs to catch the shuttle van from the parking lot to the show. Admission is $4 for adults; $2 for senior citizens (65+) and teens (13-18); free for children (12 and under), Scouts in uniform, and George Mason University students with ID. Contact: George Loud at 703-319-7923 or e-mail at gloud@comcast.net Diane and Jeff Nesmeyer at 703-680-7724 or e-mail at nvmcshow@verizon.net
<cal2>The 24th Annual Fall Craft Fair sponsored by St. Timothy School will be held Saturday, Nov. 20 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shop for one-of-a-kind holiday gifts; only hand-made crafters participate. While adults shop, there will be children-supervised activities. Highlights include: a stained glass cafe, raffles, and fun for the whole family. To be held at 13809 Poplar Tree Road, Chantilly.
<cal2>An Adoption Workshop will be held Saturday, Nov. 20 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Immanuel Presbyterian Church in McLean. The workshop will include adoptive and biological parents, lawyers, psychologists and social workers on the independent adoption process, including legalities, home studies, finances, relations with biological parents. Includes a 190-page how-to book, Continental breakfast and lunch. Call 202-722-0338 or visit the FPA Web site at www.ffpa.org.
<cal1>FRIDAY/NOV. 26
<cal2>The Fairfax Ballet, resident company of Chantilly's Russell School of Ballet, is gearing up for the holidays. Fairfax County's largest regional ballet company, The Fairfax Ballet, will present Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker," Nov. 26-28 at Fairfax High School Theatre. Performance times 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 26; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 27; and 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 28. Tickets are $25 (center orchestra), $22 (side orchestra) and $18 (balcony). Fairfax High School is located at 3500 Old Lee Highway. Tickets are on sale now! To purchase tickets, come by the Russell School of Ballet, located at 14119-O Sullyfield Circle in Chantilly, between the hours of 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. To charge tickets by telephone or for more information, call 703-378-4999, or visit: www.fairfaxballet.com.
<cal1>NOV. 26-28
<cal2>On Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 26, 27 and 28, the annual Art & Craft Showcase presented by members of the Northern Virginia Handcrafters Guild will be held at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St., S.E., Vienna. Show hours are Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $1. This members-only show features 75 outstanding juried artists and artists showing their finest work in six display areas. There's stained glass, fine jewelry, photography, decorative painting, hand weaving, pottery, porcelain ornaments, wearable art and more. Visit www.nvhg.org.
<cal1>THURSDAY/DEC. 2
<cal2>Mothers & More of Northern Virginia general meeting. Mothers & More is a support organization for women who have altered their career path to care for their young children at home. General meetings are held the first Thursday of each month at the Fairfax County Government Center at 7:30 p.m. Call (toll free) 866-716-7766 for more info. Visitors are welcome. Free.
<cal1>DEC. 3-4
<cal2>The 2004 Northern Virginia Conference on Nonprofit Management will be held Dec. 3-4, at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax.
“Synergy In Our Sector” is the theme for this year’s conference featuring nearly 30 outstanding sessions, peer exchange groups, and numerous exhibitors. The conference will engage hundreds of nonprofit professionals by focusing on a broad range of management issues common to the nonprofit sector including advocacy, board governance, communications, program evaluation, financial management, fundraising, human resources, leadership, nonprofit law, research, service delivery, small/all volunteer nonprofit issues, and volunteer management. Visit the conference Web site at www.nvcbo.org.
<cal1>SATURDAY/DEC. 4
<cal2>Clifton's 2004 Candlelight Homes Tour will take place Saturday, Dec. 4 from 4-7:30 p.m. The day's festivities begin at 2 p.m. with caroling on horseback through the town, sponsored by the Clifton Horse Society. The Candlelight House Tour begins at 4 p.m. and will include five homes, three churches and the Clifton Caboose. The five families who have volunteered to have their homes on tour this year are: The Babers, the Mills, the Tom Petersons, the Keens and the Worshams. Live music can be enjoyed during the Tour at the three churches: The Primitive Baptist Church (Senior & Children's Choirs), the Baptist Church (Children's Choir) and the Clifton Presbyterian Church (Robinson High School Choir) and members of the Clifton Lions Club will be hosting the Clifton Caboose. Following the Homes Tour, there will be the lighting of the town Christmas tree and a carol sing-a-long in Ayre Square. Tickets for the Homes Tour are $15 for adults and $5 for children under 12. They may be purchased at shops and restaurants in Town and the Temptations Gift Stores (both Burke and Union Mill locations). Contact Jennifer Chesley townofclifton@aol.com 703-830-2129 or Lynne Garvey Wark lghassoc@erols.com 703-322-1811.
<cal2>It's Christmas time in Manassas. Come celebrate "Christmas Around the World" in the Greater Manassas Christmas Parade. The parade will take place on Saturday, Dec. 4 at 10:30 a.m. The Nov. 1 deadline for participant applications is fast approaching. Anyone interested in being part of this honored tradition should call the parade hotline at 703-369-9030 to obtain an application.
Kids can sweeten up the holidays by learning to make gingerbread houses like pros at the Hilton Washington Dulles. Join Hilton Pastry Chef Steve Miller for a class in gingerbread house creating. This complimentary class includes all supplies needed to take home an edible masterpiece. Children ages 6-10 can sign up. The class takes place on Saturday, Dec. 4 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Spaces are limited, so call now to reserve a spot! Call Debbie at 703-478-2900, ext. 1061. Located at the Hilton Washington Dulles, 13869 Park Center Road, Herndon.
<cal1>DEC. 4-5
<cal2>Area artists can join members of the Manassas Art Guild for its Winter Art Exhibit, "Let It Show," to be held on Dec. 4-5. The show features more than $700 in cash awards during the judged exhibit phase. Participating artists can also offer framed or matted pieces for the art mart phase. "Let It Show" will be held at the Java Rock Coffee House, 8730 Sudley Road in Manassas. The fee for non-members is $30, and the deadline to enter is Oct. 30. For entry forms, contact Debbie at 703-754-0354.
<cal1>DEC. 4-5
<cal2>The Prince William Art Society and the Prince William Historic Preservation Foundation will be presenting "A Look At Prince William, Past and Present," a holiday fine art show and sale at the Old Manassas Courthouse at Grant and Lee Streets in Manassas. The show will be held on Saturday, Dec. 4 from noon to 8 p.m. (with reception from 5-8 p.m.) and on Sunday, Dec. 5 from noon to 5 p.m.
Prince William Art Society members will exhibit local scenes, landscapes and structures of historical bent. This show will have a distinctly Victorian flavor to complement the activities scheduled in Manassas that weekend: Tree lighting at 6 p.m. Friday night, carols, hayrides and Manassas Museum Holiday Open House; the Annual Christmas Parade Saturday morning and Old Town Manassas Merchants Open House on Sunday. Contact Jackie Fitzpatrick at 703-670-7971 or email jackiefitz@worldnet.att.net.
<cal1>TUESDAY/DEC. 14
<cal2>Gretchen Laskas, author "The Midwives Tale," will be the guest speaker at the Novel Society Book Discussion Group held at the Centreville Regional Library, on Tuesday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. The library is at 14200 St. Germain Drive, Centreville. Free. Sign up at 703-830-2223.