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.
Freedom High School in South Riding is holding "Freedom Fest," Friday, Aug. 19, from 4-6 p.m., a community celebration to mark the opening of the high school. There will be music, food and beverages, and entertainment for the children. Tours of the school will be given by members of the Student Advisory Team. Members of the Athletic Boosters, Fine Arts Boosters, and the PTSO will be available to answer questions about their organizations. In addition, there will be information tables for each department and an opportunity for members of the community to sign-up to volunteer at the school. Freedom High School, 25450 Riding Center Drive, South Riding.
Dominion High School will kick off the school year with its third annual community picnic, Taste of Titan Territory-3. All families, faculty and businesses within the Dominion cluster are invited to attend this potluck event to be held Saturday, Aug. 20, from 4-7 p.m., on the grounds of Dominion High School, 21326 Augusta Drive, Sterling.
Families of the new Loudoun County Academy of Science — housed at DHS — are also invited to attend. Plan to become part of the Titan community by bringing a dish to share, lawn chairs and participating in the annual Titan "T" event and picture. Taste of Titan Territory will be held rain or shine.
The YMCA Loudoun County is accepting registration for its 2005-06 after-school programs. The programs are held at Cool Spring Elementary, 501 Tavistock Drive, S.E., Leesburg; Evergreen Mill Elementary, 491 Evergreen Mill Road, S.E., Leesburg; Forest Grove Elementary, 46245 Forest Ridge Drive, Sterling; and Sterling Elementary, 200 W. Church Road, Sterling. The programs run after school until 6 p.m.; and cost $246 per month. Anyone registering through Aug. 29 receives half off the first month's tuition. Visit ymcawasdc.org.
Eagle Ridge Middle School PTO will host the annual back-to-school picnic for all students and staff Friday, Aug. 26, beginning at 11:30 a.m. Burgers, hot dogs, chips, sodas, water and desserts will be served. New Student Orientation begins at 9 a.m. The school is located at 42901 Waxpool Road, Ashburn.
Briar Woods High School PTSO will host a catered luncheon by Weichert Ashburn and The Original Steakhouse and Theatre of Ashburn Friday, Aug. 19, for all parents, students, and staff starting at 11:30. Everyone will be given a tour of the new building beginning at 10 a.m. and students will be given a copy of their schedules. The school is located at 22525 Belmont Ridge Road, Ashburn.
The Shenandoah River and Goose Creek served as classrooms recently to students from George Mason University (GMU) participating in a course called Virginia from the Ground Up: Piedmont. The students traveled in canoes with leaders from GMU and the Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC), learning how to use advanced technology to evaluate conditions that affect drinking water quality and wildlife habitat.
Led by Julia Nord, a professor from GMU, and Mike DeHart, an Information Technology Specialist with PEC, the students collected and interpreted stream data for use in an ongoing research project spearheaded by PEC. During the course, the students mastered the basics of using a Geographic Information System (GIS), a computer-based, interpretive mapping program, and they learned to work with Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) in the field. From their canoes, the students measured the health of the streams by evaluating levels of erosion and vegetative cover. They then applied their technological skills by incorporating these observations into detailed maps.
The Airlie Center near Warrenton and the Loudoun County Government also contributed to the two-week project.