Send announcements to The Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to
herndon@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. For more information, call Jennifer Lesinski at 703-917-6454.
This free listing is reserved for activities and events that are open to the public at no or minimal cost.
Safeway stores in Reston will hold an in-store book drive until Sept. 30 to support the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia. Each store will collect new and "gently" used books to be sold at the Council's annual used book sale, Oct. 29-31, at the James Lee Community Center in Falls Church. Call 703-237-0866 for more information.
"Mother & Daughter: Sharing an Artistic Vision," featuring local artists Toni Linowitz, watercolors and Ronni (Linowitz) Jolles, layered paper and pastel, at The Great Falls Library, meeting room, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, until Oct. 15. A reception will be held Saturday, Sept. 18, 2-4 p.m. Exhibit hours are Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.- 9 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Sunday.
The League of Reston Artists/Reston Photographic
Society presents its Annual Judged Photography Exhibition from Oct. 4-31, at the Jo Ann Rose Gallery located in the Reston Community Center at Lake Ann Plaza in Reston. An opening reception will take place Sunday, Oct. 17, from 2-4 p.m. The exhibition features judged works of contemporary photography by LRA/RPS photographer members. $300 in prize monies will be presented at the opening reception awards ceremony by this year's judge Joshua Taylor. Artists interested in participating must bring their work to the gallery Oct. 4 between 9-10 a.m. Cost $15 and is restricted to LRA/RPS members. For entry details visit http://leagueofrestonartists.org/october_details.htm. For directions to the exhibit visit http://www.leagueofrestonartists.org.
The Friends of the Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, will be sponsoring a used book sale Friday, Oct. 1-Sunday, Oct. 3. Open to all ages. For more information call 703-689-2700.
Reston Art Gallery and Studios (RAGS), Lake Anne Plaza, 11400 Washington Plaza, presents "Autumnal Equinox," the works of nine artists celebrating the beginning of fall. Open from 12-2:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and 12-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, until Oct. 7. For more information call 703-481-8956.
"The Death of Film," a solo exhibition featuring the ÒRough Edge PhotographyÓ of experimental artist, James W. Bailey takes place at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, 3001 North Beauregard St., Alexandria, through Oct. 1. Exhibit is free and open to the public. Opening reception on Sept. 11, from 1-3 p.m.
Reston artists ages 4-18 are participating in 2004 Reston Multicultural Youth Art Exhibition. The exhibition, which runs through Oct. 4 at the Jo Ann Rose Gallery, celebrates the ethnic and cultural diversity of Reston. There are no entry fees, and only one work will be exhibited per artist. All works must be securely framed. For further information, contact the Reston Community Center's exhibit coordinator at 703-689-3550. The Gallery is located in the Reston Community Center at Lake Anne, 1609 Washington Plaza in Reston, Virginia, near the intersection of Village Road and North Shore Drive.
Frying Pan Park. Farm animals at Kidwell Farm, open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., daily. Sheep, pigs, goats and cows. Pet the animals, take a hay ride or watch farm hands at work. Daily hay rides, held Monday-Saturday, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., weather permitting, cost $2. Frying Pan Park is located at 2709 West Ox Road, Herndon. Call 703-437-9101.
Gymside & Trailside Walkers. Join other seniors at the Herndon Community Center, 814 Ferndale Ave., for exercise, indoor or outdoor, Monday-Friday, 7:30-9 a.m. No fee, but first-time walkers need to register. Call 703-435-6868.
Open Poetry Readings. Lake Anne Coffee House, Lake Anne Village Center Shopping Center, Reston, every Tuesday, from 7-9 p.m. Contact Megan McDonald at 202-879-0517 days.
Parent and Child Workshop. Drop in from 10 a.m.-noon, every Saturday at the Reston Museum at Lake Anne. Led by local artist Pat Macintyre. No charge, no pre-sign up. Call the museum at 703-709-7700, or call Pat at 703-471-1445 work, or 703-860-5554 home.
Practice English. Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, hosts conversation groups for adults. Mondays, at 7 p.m., intermediate level; Thursdays, at 7 p.m., beginner's course; and Thursdays, at 1 p.m., intermediate. Call to register at 703-689-2700.
Senior Center. Fairfax County seniors 55 years of age or older are invited to participate in a variety of activities, such as strength training, Tai Chi, low impact aerobics and line dancing, at the Reston-Herndon Senior Center, 1850 Cameron Glen Drive, Suite 200, in Reston. Most activities are free of charge. Transportation may be available. Lunch time meals are available with one-day advance notice on a sliding-fee scale. The center welcomes new participants. Contact director Tara Fitzpatrick at 703-481-4200, TTY 703-222-9693 or via e-mail at tara.fitzpatrick@fairfaxcounty.gov. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/rec and go to senior services.
Senior Trips. The Reston Association sponsors trips throughout the year for people 55 and better. For upcoming dates and to get on the mailing list, call 703-435-6577.
Skating Pavilion. Equity Office Skating Pavilion at Reston Town Center is open daily for skating and lessons. Call 703-709-6300. Visit www.restontowncenter.com.
Wood Shop. Reston Community Center's open wood shop meets Tuesdays, 6-10 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The wood shop offers workspace and has equipment such as table saws, sanders, drills, worktables and a lathe. The wood shop is located at the Reston Community Center, Hunters Woods. The wood shop fee is $5 for people who live or work in Reston and $7 for others. The Reston Community Center is located at 2310 Colts Neck Road in Reston. Call 703-476-4500 (TTY).
Live band swing dancing at the Dulles Hilton, located at the corner of McLearan Road and Route 28 in Herndon, every Friday night with Sue and Gary Caley. Cost is $12 and includes a half-hour beginner class at 8:30 p.m. followed by dancing from 9 p.m.-midnight. For a complete line up of the bands, visit www.gottaswing.com.
Spanish Chats. Informal refresher for adults who want to practice Spanish. Chats will be held at the Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, every Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. To register, call 703-689-2700.
Frying Pan Park's Mini Farmers' Market takes place every Wednesday, from 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m., through October. Farm-fresh fruit, baked goods, garden-grown vegetables and potted plants and herbs are available for purchase. The markets are held in front of the Country Store at the park, located at 2709 West Ox Road, Herndon. For more directions, visit the Web site, www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/fpp/directions.htm or call 703-437-9101.
Train for the Marine Corps Marathon to raise awareness and funds for multiple sclerosis. Each runner pays an $80 registration fee, which counts towards their commitment to raise $1,500 in pledges. Benefits the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, National Capital Chapter. A limited number of spots in the program are still available. The Marine Corps Marathon will take place Sunday, Oct. 31. Call 202-296-5363, visit www.MSandYou.org or e-mail MarathonStrides@MSandYOU.org for more information.