Send announcements to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to loudoun@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.
Area stores, in cooperation with the Loudoun United Way, Loudoun County Department of Social Services and local nonprofit human service agencies, are holding a drive in August to collect school supplies for children who cannot afford them. Shoppers across Loudoun County will have the opportunity to prepare a child by donating needed school supplies at local Loudoun Giant stores, Rite Aid stores in Leesburg and Purcellville, Leesburg Pharmacy and all Loudoun County Community Centers.
Loudoun nonprofits, government agencies, and elementary schools working with low-income families will distribute the supplies in time for school in August. Participating agencies include YMCA-Big Friends, Northeast Coalition, LARC, Loudoun County Department of Mental Health, Loudoun County Youth Shelter, Young Adults Program, Transitional Housing and Emergency Shelter Programs, Loudoun County Department of Social Services and several area elementary schools.
Look for a donation box or shopping cart with the School Supplies posters and flyers in participating stores and community centers and donate to a child in need. Students need book bags, spiral notebooks, three-ring binders, No. 2 pencils, loose leaf three-ring paper, scissors (round end), rulers, crayons, composition books, pocket folders, Kleenex, plastic storage bags, liquid soap and lots of miscellaneous items. If you have a child in school, check out their supply list for more ideas.
Call the Department of Social Services at 703-771-5718 for more information.
Loudoun County Department of Animal Care and Control announces Purr-fect Pairs Ñ a program designed to encourage multiple cat adoptions in August.
A recent study finds that seven out of 10 veterinarians believe that cats living in a household with a feline companion lead healthier, happier lives than their solo counterparts. Single cats are often more susceptible to separation anxiety, loneliness, and behavior problems.
Purr-fect Pairs allows anyone who adopts a cat from the Loudoun County Animal Shelter in August to adopt a companion cat for free. The shelter will waive the adoption fee, including spay/neuter surgery if necessary, for the second cat. In the cases where the adoption fees differ, the lower of the two fees will be waived.
In addition, the shelter will waive the adoption fee for a companion cat for anyone who has adopted a cat from the Loudoun County Animal Shelter in the past six months.
Call the Animal Shelter at 703-777-0406. Pets available for adoption can be viewed online at www.loudoun.gov/animals.
The Loudoun County Animal Shelter is located at 39820 Charles Town Pike, Waterford. Shelter information and directions can be found at www.loudoun.gov/animals.
The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office is looking for responsible and energetic people for crossing guards. Duties include escorting children across busy crosswalks and/or intersections, monitoring the flow of traffic to ensure safe passage, and interacting with parents, school personnel, city employees and others. A number of openings, including several opportunities in South Riding for people who are available between 7:20-9 a.m. and 2:30-4 p.m., weekdays. Call Willy Stevenson at 703-771-5735 or get an application online at www.loudoun.gov and click on jobs.
Safeway Inc. announces the 10% Back to Schools program, where Safeway will join with 40 food manufacturers and suppliers to donate 10 percent of the sale price of 1,000 selected products to schools chosen by the customers. Through the program, Safeway and its vendor partners are committed to giving an additional $10 million. The program runs through Sept. 6. When customers purchase any of the 1,000 eligible products using a Safeway Club Card, the customer will accumulate Òschool dollarsÓ for the school of his/her choice. The products will be marked with a special 10% Back to Schools icon on store shelves. At the end of the program, customers will receive a final donation receipt with their cumulative total of Òschool dollars.Ó They can then take or mail the receipt to their school, which then redeems it online. There is no per-school cap on donations.
Plant-A-Memory is a countywide program that provides a living, growing, memorial to a loved one or special event. By emphasizing trees native to the Piedmont region of Virginia, the program supports ongoing beautification of the countyÕs parks. The trees selected for the program also benefit wildlife preservation efforts in Loudoun County. All donated trees will be marked with Plant-A-Memory plaques with a loved oneÕs name.
Trees will be planted in the park of the purchaser's choice. Tree selection and planting location will be administered by the staff at the park. Claude Moore Park, Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, Franklin Park or Potomack Lakes Sportsplex are available as planting location.
Prices include the 3-inch-square plaque, mounting post, mulch, and maintenance: $150 for a tree up to 1.5 inches diameter, and $300 for a tree up to 2.5 inches diameter. The next round of trees will be planted in November, so orders must be received by Oct. 1. Contact Claude Moore Park at 703-444-1275.
Hair Cuttery has partnered with The Loudoun County Department of Social Services for the 2005 "Share a Haircut" campaign benefiting underprivileged children. The local goal of this national Kids-Helping-Kids program, which runs through Aug. 15, is to donate 600 free haircuts to help the children in Loudoun get ready for the upcoming school year. For every child up to age 18 who purchases a haircut from Aug. 1-15, at any Hair Cuttery salon in the Loudoun area, the company will donate a free haircut to children served by the Department of Social Services. Shortly after the conclusion of the campaign, individual certificates for free haircuts will be distributed to the children and will be valid until Dec. 31. For more information, contact Karen Velez at Social Services 703-777-0353 or Hair Cuttery at 1-703-698-7090.
On Saturday, Sept. 10, Claude More Park will be sponsoring its 1st Annual Autumn Arts & Crafts Show in the Lanesville Historic Area. At this time, Claude Moore Park is searching for arts and craft vendors with hand-made items who may be interested in participating in this yearÕs show.
The show will run from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and set-up time will begin at 7:30 a.m. For $20, vendors will be provided with a pre-assigned 10x10 area; vendors must provide their own tents, tables, and chairs. Some limited electricity will be available as well for a small fee. Vendors will be able to park at their booth locations and this outdoor event will be held rain or shine. Only severe weather will cancel event.
Contact Claude Moore Park at 703-444-1275 between 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or visit www.loudoun.gov/prcs/park/claude. The deadline to register as a vendor is Friday, Aug. 26. Claude Moore Park is located at 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road in Sterling.
The Fire Marshal's Office reminds citizens that there is no open burning in Loudoun County through Aug. 31. Visit www.loudoun.gov/news/burning.htm.
Giant Food LLC is appealing to the public to donate funds or food at any Giant or Super G store to help area food banks over the summer months when their needs increase significantly, through Aug. 31. Giant's "Checkout Hunger" program offers customers the opportunity to donate to local food banks at the checkout registers. Customers may also donate nonperishable food at any Giant or Super G store.
The trustees of the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation have concluded their grant distribution cycle for 2005, making gifts totaling more than $4 million to various charities, including $374,500 to Loudoun-based charities this year. The foundation is accepting grant applications for 2006, visit the Web site www.claudemoorefoundation.org, the deadline for applications is Sept. 1.
Leadership Loudoun, a nonprofit organization that trains current and emerging leaders in Loudoun County, is accepting applications for the Class of 2006. Call 703-771-5511 or download the application at www.leadershiploudoun.org. Applications will be accepted until Sept. 1. The class year, which runs from October through June, includes topical forums, networking events, individual leadership development and hands-on community change projects.
The Loudoun County Office of Transportation Services is accepting applications and petitions for the establishment of pilot parking districts in accordance with the provisions of the recently enacted Residential Parking District Ordinance. Applications in the form of petitions are available at the front counter of the Office of Transportation Services, 1 Harrison St., S.E., third floor, Leesburg; by telephone at 703-737-8624; by e-mail at OTS@loudoun.gov or online at www.loudoun.gov/transportation/office.htm. Applications should be received by the Office of Transportation Services on or before Sept. 12.
Loudoun MADD is selling the new red MADD CHOOSE COURAGE community awareness wristbands for $1, which can be mailed for an additional $.50 each. The wristbands can be purchased by sending a check to Loudoun MADD at P.O. Box 4252, Leesburg, VA 20177, with the number of wristbands for purchase. Visit the Loudoun MADD Web site at www.maddloudounva.org to see a picture of the wristbands. For questions send an e-mail to maddloudoun@aol.com.
The Master Singers of Virginia is holding auditions for its 11th season. Singers in all voice parts are encouraged to audition. The Master Singers of Virginia, directed by Erik Reid Jones, is the premiere a cappella choral ensemble in Northern Virginia concentrating in 20th and 21st century choral music. and is a 28-voice ensemble that performs three major concert programs each season, each of which is performed three-four times, as well as other engagements throughout Northern Virginia and the greater Washington, D.C. area. Visit the Web site at www.msva.org. To schedule an audition call Diana Manfredi, president, at 571-213-6306.
The 2005 Annual Loudoun Farms Product Guide, which will assist consumers in finding local farm products and services
throughout the growing season, is available. Among the goods included are eggs, meats, flowers and plants, fruits and vegetables, plus salsas, wool products, soaps, herbs, and grains. To receive a copy of the guide, call the Loudoun
County Department of Economic Development at 703-777-0426 or e-mail info@LoudounFarms.org.
Loudoun Volunteer Services seeks nominations for Student Volunteer of the Month. Loudoun students will be recognized for their volunteer efforts during the 2004-2005 school year. Nominate students, or groups of students, elementary-12th grade, who volunteer their time in a variety of ways in their schools, churches, and towns. A one-page narrative may be sent to the Loudoun Volunteer Services Board at pivs@loudoun.gov or to 1 Harrison St., S.E., P.O. Box 7000, Leesburg, VA 20177.
The one-page narrative should include the student's name, address, telephone number, school and a description, including length of service of the exemplary volunteer efforts of the student. Contact information for the person nominating the student should also be included.
Volunteers will be featured in the Loudoun Volunteer Services Newsletter and on the Loudoun County Government Web site. Contact Lisa Rose, volunteer coordinator, at
703-777-0113.
The Loudoun Symphony Association Inc. is seeking nominations to fill upcoming vacancies on its Board of Directors.
Board members should be residents of, or have significant business interests in, Loudoun County or the surrounding area, and they should have the time and inclination to actively support the symphony by participation on a committee and by regular attendance at meetings and symphony sponsored events. Board committees include finance, artistic, development, marketing, audience development, long-range planning, gala and special events, nominating, education and volunteer coordination.
Interested individuals should send a letter of interest along with a resume or biographical information to Loudoun Symphony Association, Nominating Committee, P.O. Box 4478, Leesburg, VA 20177. Call 703-771-8287.
Instead of throwing away old phone books with the trash, Loudoun County residents can recycle them and help save landfill space and reduce the number of trees cut down to make new paper. The Loudoun County Office of Solid Waste Management encourages residents and businesses to deposit phone books at any of the 11 Recycling Drop-off Centers in the county. For more information about these and other local recycling opportunities, call the Loudoun County Recycling Hotline at 703-771-5318 or visit www.loudoun.gov/oswm.