ONGOING
<cal2>Drunk Driving Victim Support Group Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) sponsors groups for injured victims and for relatives and friends of those who have been killed in drunk driving crashes. The next Injured Victim Support Group meeting will be held Tuesday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. New participants are always welcome. Free. Call 703-978-3025.
Northern Virginia Bookcrossing Meetup — These booklovers like to keep their books busy by reading, releasing, and tracking their books' adventures with others locally, nationally and internationally. Fun book challenges, hunt for books "in the wild" and more. Share your books and be a unique group with a different angle to book loving. For more info and next monthly Meetup date, visit http://bookcrossing.meetup.com/72/
<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 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>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>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. 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. 20-21
<cal2>The Pied Piper Theatre presents "The Little Mermaid" on Saturday, Nov. 20 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 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>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>MONDAY/NOV. 22
<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. 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.
* Monday, Jan. 3, 2005 — No lunch. Happy New Year's.
* Monday, Jan. 10 — “Staying fit — stroller strides with baby;” Jennifer Lungren, Stroller Strides;
* Monday, Jan. 17 — “Kindermusik;” Pam Phillips, Kindermusik of Fairfax;
* Monday, Jan. 24 — “Pediatrics 101 – What do I do if…?” Dr. Faith Frankel, Children’s Medical Associates.
<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>The Lane’s Mill Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, will meet on Saturday, Dec. 4 at 1 p.m. This month’s meeting will take place at the Centreville Library and will feature a program on “DAR Schools – Tamassee.” There will also be a discussion of chapter activities in local schools. Visitors and chapter members are welcomed with light refreshments at 12:30 p.m. Contact Jennifer Smith at jsmithtot@aol.com.
<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. 3-5
<cal2>Make time to enjoy old-fashioned family fun at the "Merry Old Town" celebration in Old Town Manassas. The fun begins on Friday, Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. with the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting. Plans for this evening include a live concert on the lawn of The Manassas Museum, lighting of the Christmas Tree by a local celebrity, free hayrides, and the arrival of Santa Claus via the Virginia Railway Express! The Manassas Museum will also be conducting its Annual Holiday Open House and offering free admission. The 7th Annual Gingerbread Contest also begins on this day. Decorated structures of all sizes and shapes will be on display during the "Merry Old Town" Celebration in Historic Old Town Manassas. Saturday, Dec. 4, is the 58th Annual Greater Manassas Christmas Parade at 10:30 a.m. That Sunday, Dec. 5 you can enjoy the Old Town Merchant's Open House from 1-5 p.m. with free horse drawn carriage rides and hear the sounds of singing on the streets of Old Town by the youngsters from the elementary schools. Call 703-361-6599 or go to www.visitmanassas.org.
<cal1>SATURDAY/DEC. 4
<cal2>Girl Scout Troop 3623 is sponsoring a Holiday Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, Dec. 4 from 8-11 a.m. There will be pictures with Santa and crafts for sale. To be held at Centreville Presbyterian Church. Advance tickets are $5/adults and $3/children ages 3-12. Free for children under 2. Tickets at door are an additional 50 cents. Contact Susan Blair at 703-802-1249.
<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.
<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>SUNDAY/DEC. 5
<cal2>The 37th annual Holiday Sing-A-Long will be held at the Filene Center at Wolf Trap on Sunday, Dec. 5 at 4 p.m. “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band will lead an expected audience of more than 7,000 in traditional Christmas carols and Hanukkah songs. Jack Walton will direct the audience participation and a choir of more than 450 members from various vocal groups from Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. Admission to the 2004 Holiday Sing-A-Long is free, and no tickets are required. Complimentary song books will also be provided. Donations of canned goods will be collected to benefit the Capital Area Community Food Bank, which provides nourishment during the holiday season and the New Year to thousands of the less fortunate in the Greater Washington community.
<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.
<cal1>THURSDAY/DEC. 16
<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. December's meeting is Dec. 16 from 10:15 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at the Centreville Regional Library, 14200 Saint Germain Dr. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org.