<cal1>THURSDAY/SEPT. 1
<cal2>The Southwestern Youth Association will hold annual elections at the September board meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the office of Michael Frey, Sully District Supervisor, at 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. All members of the SYA community are invited. Anyone interested in nominating themselves or someone else for the office of president, vice president, secretary or treasurer should send their resume and a brief letter to SYA, P.O. Box 471, Centreville, VA 20122. SYA also needs volunteers to fill other non-executive board positions. If interested, e-mail to syaboard@verizon.net or call 703-815-3362.
Mothers First is dedicated to supporting women who have chosen to alter their careers to raise their children at home and will hold meetings on Thursdays, Sept. 1, 15 and 29 from 10:15-11:30 a.m. at the Centreville Regional Library, 14200 St. Germain Drive, Centreville. Activities include parent/child morning meetings and field trips, moms' nights out and lectures. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org.
Mystery book club and "The Blue Nowhere" by Jeffrey Deaver for adults at 7 p.m. at Chantilly Regional Library, 4000 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly. Free. No registration necessary. Call 703-502-3883.
<cal1>Friday-Sunday, Sept. 2-4
<cal2>57th annual Convention of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, USA. The three-day convention attracts thousands of Ahmadi Muslims from 60 organized chapters located all over the U.S. They will live in the area for three days, dine together and listen to speeches about contemporary issues facing society and Islam's response to them. Several high-ranking officials — members of the House and Senate, ambassadors, educators and leaders both civic and of various religions — will be in attendance. The event is taking place at the Dulles Expo Center, 4368 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly. Contact Main Ismail Wasim, director or media outreach, at 703-628-0563 or mianwasim@hotmail.com.
<cal1>MONDAY/SEPT. 5
<cal2>The Virginia State Chili Cook-Off, Car Show, and Motorcycle Poker Run will be held from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Town of Clifton. The show will feature old cars, motorcycles, competition chili, and live rock and roll music. Admission is free. Proceeds will go to charity. Call 703-830-2129 for the car show; 703-631-9198 for the chili cook-off, and 571-749-8442 for the Poker Run.
<cal1>WEDNESDAY/SEPT. 7
<cal2>Bring a lunch and listen to enchanting stories at noon at Chantilly Regional Library, 4000 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly. For ages 1-4 with adult. Free. No registration necessary. Call 703-502-3883.
<cal1>THURSDAY/SEPT. 8
<cal2>Author Dr. Charles P. Poland Jr. will discuss his book, "The Glories of War: Small Battles and Early Heroes of 1861," for adults at 7:30 p.m. at Centreville Regional Library, 14200 St. Germain Drive, Centreville. Free. Book copies will be available for sale and signing. Call 703-830-2223.
<cal2>Teen book discussion for ages 12-18 at 7 p.m. at Chantilly Regional Library, 4000 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly. Free. Space is limited. Call 703-502-3883 for book title and theme and to register two weeks in advance.
<cal1>FRIDAY/SEPT. 9
<cal2>2nd Flight Productions, Centreville's theatre company, presents the rock opera, "Jesus Christ Superstar," opening today. Performances will take place at the Cramer Center in Old Town Manassas. Tickets may be purchased online at www.2ndflightproductions.com, at the door or by calling 703-927-5438. Admission is $15 for Friday and Saturday evening performances and $12 for Sunday matinees. For more information or directions, visit the 2nd Flight Productions Web site or call 703-927-5438.
Stories and activities about small wonders for children ages 15-23 months with adult at 10:30 a.m. at Centreville Regional Library, 14200 St. Germain Drive, Centreville. Free. Space is limited. Call 703-830-2223 to sign up two weeks in advance.
"Honk!" Auditions. The Center for the Arts, 9419 Battle St., Old Town Manassas, is hosting auditions, today and tomorrow, for Pied Piper Theatre's fall show, "Honk!" directed by Ken Elston. This Broadway adaptation of "The Ugly Duckling" features a variety of songs and dances and will be performed Nov. 12, 13, 19 and 20. Actors, singers and dancers ages 8-18 are needed. Auditions are by appointment only. How to Audition classes are available Sept. 6-8. Call the Center for the Arts at 703-330-2787 for more information or to schedule an audition.
<cal1>SATURDAY/SEPT. 10
<cal2>The Friends of The Kennedy Center volunteer program needs volunteers to assist with the 21st annual Kennedy Center Open House Arts Festival from 11:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. This event features free performances and activities for people of all ages. A variety of positions are available, including stage crew, crowd management and hospitality assistants. Volunteers are asked to work a four-hour or all-day shift and to attend an orientation. Volunteers for afternoon shifts are especially needed. Call the Friends office at 202-416-8301 to request an application.
Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church presents the 13th annual Fall Festival and Antique Car Show and is in need of car show enthusiasts. The church is located at 43987 John Mosby Highway, Chantilly. Help is also needed with sponsorship, children's activities, bake sale, silent auction, flea market, set-up/tear-down and parking. Anyone willing to help should contact Ann Marie Smith at 703-421-2767 or Pam Hummel at 703-327-9295.
Historic Manassas, Inc. and Old Town Manassas merchants and galleries are hosting their annual old-fashioned sidewalk sale with bargains of all varieties from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Historic Old Town Manassas. Rain date is Sept. 17. For more information about Historic Manassas or its partners, contact Marianne Gesotti, marketing for Historic Manassas Inc., at 703-361-6599 or at mgesotti@historicmanassas.org.
"Honk!" Auditions. The Center for the Arts, 9419 Battle St., Old Town Manassas, is hosting auditions for Pied Piper Theatre's fall show, "Honk!" directed by Ken Elston. This Broadway adaptation of "The Ugly Duckling" features a variety of songs and dances and will be performed Nov. 12, 13, 19 and 20. Actors, singers and dancers ages 8-18 are needed. Auditions are by appointment only. How to Audition classes are available Sept. 6-8. Call the Center for the Arts at 703-330-2787 for more information or to schedule an audition.
<cal1>MONDAY/SEPT. 12
<cal2>Storytime for children ages 2-5 with adult at 10:30 a.m. at Centreville Regional Library, 14200 St. Germain Drive, Centreville. Free. Space is limited. Call 703-830-2223 to register two weeks in advance.
Reading book discussion group on "Sunwing," by Kenneth Oppel, for children ages 9-12 with adult at 7 p.m. at Centreville Regional Library, located at 14200 St. Germain Drive, Centreville. Free. Space is limited. Call 703-830-2223 to register two weeks in advance.
Learn to use online databases for homework or personal research for ages 8 and up on Mondays, Sept. 12, 19 and 26 at 7 p.m. and every Tuesday in September at 4 p.m. at Chantilly Regional Library, 4000 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly. Space is limited. Call 703-502-3883 to register two weeks in advance.
<cal1>TUESDAY/SEPT. 13
<cal2>Stories and activities about hide-and-seek fun for children ages 2-3 with adult at 10:30 a.m. at Centreville Regional Library, located at 14200 St. Germain Drive, Centreville. Free. Space is limited. Call 703-830-2223 to register two weeks in advance.
Stories and activities designed to promote reading interest for children ages 4-5 with adult at 1:30 p.m. at Centreville Regional Library, 14200 St. Germain Drive, Centreville. Free. Space is limited. Call 703-830-2223 to register two weeks in advance.
All-male book discussion for ages 9-11 with adult at 7 p.m. at Chantilly Regional Library, 4000 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly. Free. Space is limited. Call 703-502-3883 for book title and to register two weeks in advance.
<cal1>WEDNESDAY/SEPT. 14
<cal2>The League of Women Voters of the Fairfax area will meet at 9:30 a.m. at the home of Lois Page, 7902 Bracksford Court, Barrington. A non-partisan organization open to both men and women, the League of Women Voters encourages an informed and active role in the government. Meetings are free and guests are welcome. For directions, call the hostess at 703-690-0908 or the membership chair at 703-830-8198. For a more convenient time or location, visit www.lwv-fairfax.org or call 703-658-9150.
Book discussion group for adults at 7:30 p.m. at Chantilly Regional Library, 4000 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly. Free. No registration necessary. Call 703-502-3883.
Mothers & More, a support organization for women who have altered their career path to care for their young children at home, meets on the third Wednesday of each month in Braddock Hall at the Kings Park Library, 9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke, at 7:30 p.m. Visitors welcome. Call toll free 866-716-7766 or visit www.novamoms.org.
<cal1>THURSDAY/SEPT. 15
<cal2>The Naomi Project, a free, confidential, interfaith program sponsored by the Virginia Council of Churches, needs volunteers who will be trained to serve as mentors to at-risk pregnant women and new mothers. Mentors provide positive reinforcement and encouragement, help clients learn about good health during pregnancy, locate needed information and services, model sound parenting skills and support their clients as they plan for healthy, stable futures. The next training session for volunteers is four Thursday evenings this fall — Sept. 15, 22, 29 and Oct. 6 — at the Fairfax County Government Center from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Spanish-speaking volunteers are especially needed. Contact Pilar Jones at 703 860-2633 or naomiproject@hotmail.com, or visit www.naomiproject.org.
Storytime for children ages 2-5 with adult at 1:30 p.m. at Centreville Regional Library, 14200 St. Germain Drive, Centreville. Free. Space is limited. Call 703-830-2223 to register two weeks in advance.
Stories and activities for children ages 24-35 months with adult at 10:30 a.m. at Chantilly Regional Library, located at 4000 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly. Free. Space is limited. Call 703-502-3883 to register two weeks in advance.
<cal1>SUNDAY/SEPT. 18
<cal2>Help the Teen Advisory Board work on decorations for Teen Read Week at 3 p.m. at Centreville Regional Library, 14200 St. Germain Drive, Centreville. For ages 13-18. No registration necessary. Call 703-830-2223.
<cal1>MONDAY/SEPT. 19
<cal2>The Western Fairfax County Woman's Club is sponsoring a Ladies Night Out event at 7:30 p.m. at the Greenbriar Community Center, 4615 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly. Learn about wine and how to taste it, evaluate it, pair it with food, get the best value from a restaurant wine list and more. All women ages 21 and over are welcome. Seating is limited and reservations are required by Sept. 12. Call 703-222-0997, ext. 4.
All-female book discussion for ages 9-11 with adult at 7 p.m. at Chantilly Regional Library, 4000 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly. Free. Space is limited. Call 703-502-3883 for book title or theme and to register two weeks in advance.
<cal1>WEDNESDAY/SEPT. 21
<cal2>Mothers First will hold a monthly lecture featuring Devra Renner, author of "Mommy Guilt: Learn to Worry Less, Focus on What Matters Most, and Raise Happier Kids," at 7:30 p.m. at the Sterling Community Center Annex, located at 1115 West Church Street, Sterling. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org for more information and directions.
Bedtime stories for children ages 2-5 with adult at 7:30 p.m. at Centreville Regional Library, 14200 St. Germain Drive, Centreville. Free. Space is limited. Call 703-830-2223 to register two weeks in advance.
Stories and activities for ages 3-5 with adult at 10:30 a.m. at Chantilly Regional Library, 4000 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly. Free. Space is limited. Call 703-502-3883 to register two weeks in advance.
View and discuss a video classic with Silver Screen Series for seniors at 1 p.m. at Chantilly Regional Library, 4000 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly. Free. Space is limited. Call 703-502-3883 to register two weeks in advance.
<cal1>FRIDAY/SEPT. 23
<cal2>Capital Home & Remodeling Expo from Friday, Sept. 23- Sunday, Sept. 25 at the Dulles Expo Center, 4368 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly. The show features a variety of home-related products and services with more than 500 exhibits, the latest styles and trends showcased in designer rooms and a technology area, and workshops and appearances from local professionals. Show hours are 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday. Attendees are encouraged to bring their design plans, pictures and remodeling-related questions to booth No. 803 in the North Hall. Visitors can purchase tickets at www.HomeandRemodelingExpo.com and look for discount offers. Box office admission is $9 for adults, $3 for children ages 6-12. Free for children ages 5 and under. Call the show hotline at 703-533-4848.
<cal1>MONDAY/SEPT. 26
<cal2>Storytime for children ages 2-5 with adult at 10:30 a.m. at Centreville Regional Library, 14200 St. Germain Drive, Centreville. Free. Space is limited. Call 703-830-2223 to register two weeks in advance.
Sully book discussion group on "House of Sand and Fog" by Andre Dubus for adults at 10 a.m. at Centreville Regional Library, 14200 St. Germain Drive, Centreville. Free. No registration necessary. Call 703-830-2223 for more information.
Stories and activities about small wonders for children ages 12-23 months with adult at 10:30 a.m. at Chantilly Regional Library, 4000 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly. Free. Space is limited. Call 703-502-3883 to register two weeks in advance.
<cal1>TUESDAY/SEPT. 27
<cal2>Films for preschoolers ages 2-5 with adult at 10:30 a.m. at Centreville Regional Library, 14200 St. Germain Drive, Centreville. Free. Space is limited. Call 703-830-2223 to register two weeks in advance.
Novel Society book discussion group on "Falling Angels" by Tracy Chevalier for adults at 7 p.m. at Centreville Regional Library, located at 14200 St. Germain Drive, Centreville. Free. No registration necessary. Call 703-830-2223.
Read-aloud stories, poems and favorite songs for all ages at 7 p.m. at Chantilly Regional Library, 4000 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly. Free. Space is limited. Call 703-502-3883 to register two weeks in advance.
<cal1>WEDNESDAY/SEPT. 28
<cal2>Stories and activities about hide-and-seek fun for children ages 2-3 with adult at 10:30 a.m. at Centreville Regional Library, 14200 St. Germain Drive, Centreville. Space is limited. Call 703-830-2223 to register two weeks in advance.
Fairfax Corner will host the Little Tots Summer Fun Series on the second and fourth Wednesdays of September. The series will feature free children's entertainment at 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. in the Fountain Plaza outside of the Fairfax Corner Cinemas.
* Sept. 28 — Blue Sky Puppet Theater, "Rufus"
<cal1>SATURDAY/OCTOBER 1
<cal2>Centreville High School's Class of 1995 reunion will be held at the Doubletree Tysons Corner in Falls Church. Visit GreatReunions.com for up-to-date information and a list of classmates.
<cal1>ONGOING
<cal2>The Clifton Farmers Market is every Sunday morning, 8 a.m.-noon through Oct. 9 in the parking lot next to the post office on Chapel Street in downtown Clifton. Learn about giveaways and cooking contests by signing up for the e-mail that contains a recipe and market news each week at plum1881@aol.com, header Clifton Farmers Market.
New Moms Lunch. Mothers and babies newborn to eight months old, come for lunch, speakers, discussions and fun — a different program every week. Bring a friend or come alone. Meet other new moms and babies in the Northern Viginia area. Group meets every Monday from 11:45 a.m.-2 p.m. at Il Lupo Italian Restaurant, 4069 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax. Cost is $20, or a four-lunch series for $75 (good for any four lunches). Reservations are required. Call Rochelle Goldberg at 703-273-5593 or e-mail eventbuilders@hotmail.com.
Upcoming events are:
Oct. 3: “Safety in and around your home,” with Officer Liz Barrington of the Fair Oaks Police Department Office of Public Safety.
Oct. 10: No lunch.
Oct. 17: “Preserving your precious memories in a scrapbook,” with Gayle Allain of Creative Memories.
Oct. 24: “Early infant communication,” with Dani Waters of the Children’s Speech and Therapy Center.
Oct. 31: “Great books for mommies and babies,” at A Likely Story Bookstore, Alexandria.
"Bell, Book and Candle," John Van Druten's classic comedy, is being presented by Vpstart Crow Productions from Oct. 7-23 at The Cramer Center, 9008 Center St., Old Town Manassas. Gillian, a New York City practicing witch, casts a love spell over the unsuspecting Shepherd Henderson. But Gillian becomes entangled in her own spell, which threatens to cause a loss of all her powers if she falls in love. The production runs Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. There will be a pay-what-you-can preview on Thursday, Oct. 6 at 8 p.m., as well as a talkback with the audience following the matinee performance on Sunday, Oct. 16. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors. For individual tickets contact Tickets.com or call 800-955-5566. For group sales or more information call 703-365-0240, e-mail vpstartcrow@comcast.net, or visit www.vpstartcrow.com.
The Centreville Regional Art Guild (CRAG) and Centreville Community Foundation (CCF) are producing a 16-month calendar with artwork of Centreville area landmarks, to be available in time for Centreville Day this September. The calendar features reproductions of member artwork, including works in watercolor, oil, acrylic, pastel and photography. CRAG is offering space to local businesses and artists to list their names and contact information in return for donations. In addition to the calendar listing, donating companies will receive CRAG's monthly newsletter, a link on CRAG's Web site and a "We support the local arts" window decal. Anyone interested in being included in the calendar can contact CRAG President Angela Kleis at 703-963-6771. The calendars will be available for a donation at Centreville Day and at local shopping centers this fall.
The Meals on Wheels program is in immediate need of volunteers to deliver meals to clients in the areas of Chantilly/Centreville. The job involves picking up meals at specified sites between 10:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. and ensuring that the meals are delivered to the clients, usually by 1 p.m. Drivers can choose to deliver meals weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or to substitute as needed. Call the Volunteer Intake Hotline at 703-324-5406, TTY 703-449-1186.
A Mindfulness Meditation Class will be held every Sunday from 7-8 p.m. at the Fairfax Sun and Moon Yoga Studio, 9998 Main St., Fairfax. Free. Contact ErikaKL@aol.com or call 703-864-2807.
Northern Virginia Bookcrossing Meetup. These book lovers 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 books and be part of a unique group with a different angle on book loving. Visit bookcrossing.meetup.com/72/.
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 www.casafairfax.org or contact CASA's development and recruitment associate at 703-273-3526 or staff@casafairfax.org.
Red Hat Society. A chapter of the Red Hat Society is now in Centreville. Women age 50 and up wear red hats and purple outfits and kick up their heels. Meetings are the last Wednesday of every month at 11 a.m. in 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 visit. Call Mary Doerman at 703-968-7889, Scotti Brennan at 703-378-5206, or Sully Senior Center Director Carma Ryan at 703-322-4475.
The Fairfax County Park Authority’s 2005 Arts in the Parks children’s entertainment series is holding performances at Burke Lake Park, E.C. Lawrence Park, Mason District Park and Lake Fairfax Park each Saturday at 10 a.m. until the end of August. For information and directions, call Burke Lake Park at 703-323-6601, E.C. Lawrence Park at 703-631-0013, Mason District Park at 703-941-1730, or Lake Fairfax Park at 703-471-5415.
Diamonds & Rust Enterprises Inc. in Aldie is running a raffle to benefit local real estate agent Haidee Akins from Aug. 1-31. Owner Marcia Hall will donate a free, fall weekend getaway at her Deep Creek Lake vacation home in Maryland (date to be determined with winner, subject to availability). Raffle tickets may be purchased for $10 each at Diamonds & Rust, located at 39333 John Mosby Highway, Aldie, any time from Aug. 1-31. Drawing date is Sept. 1. All proceeds will be donated toward Haidee's medical expenses for treatment of pancreatic cancer. For a link to house photos and more details, visit rentals.deepcreek.com/book/house.html?PMSUnitID=SDELI. E-mail marcia@lkyi.com or call 703-327-2006.
Don Shim and his staff from Einstein Tutoring Service will be offering a free, two-hour SAT math class at Centreville Library to improve SAT math scores four Saturday mornings. Registration fee is $50 and a material cost is $50. Lecture is free. Call 703-968-8132.
<cal2>Personalized Internet tutoring and Web page design throughout September for ages 12 and up at Centreville Regional Library, 14200 St. Germain Drive, Centreville. Call for an appointment with a technology volunteer at 703-830-2223.
<lst>To have community events listed in Centre View, mail to 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to centreview@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Photos, especially color, are encouraged. Deadline is one week before publication. Call Steve Hibbard at 703-917-6434 with any questions.