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 Friday, 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. For additional ongoing events listings, visit our Web site at www.connectionnewspapers.com.
The Loudoun County Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services (MH/MR/SAS) and the county's Commuter Bus Service are the topics of the new edition of "Inside Loudoun County."
"Inside Loudoun County" is a 30-minute cable television program airing Mondays and Fridays, at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Adelphia's Government Access Channel 2. The show is hosted by Nancy McCormick of the Loudoun County Office of Public Information and is produced by Adelphia.
Potomac Falls High School will be holding its biannual performance of "A Christmas Carol," Dec. 8-10, 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 11, 2 p.m., at the school, 46400 Algonkian Parkway, Sterling. Tickets $5. For advanced tickets or more information, call 703-444-7542.
The Sterling Playmakers present "The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree," a tale of a young girl whose family is appointed to provide the tree for the village nativity pageant. For all ages. Shows are 7:30 p.m., Dec. 9; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Dec. 10; and 2 p.m., Dec. 11, at River Bend Middle School, 46240 Algonkian Parkway, Sterling. Tickets $5. Visit www.sterlingplaymakers.com.
The After Hours Teen Center at the eastern Loudoun Regional Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling, will continue Friday nights, Dec. 9, 16 and 30, from 7-10 p.m. The teen center will be closed Dec. 23 for the holiday.
Teens in grades six-12 are invited to hang out, watch movies, play games, enjoy crafts and more. Pizza and other refreshments provided. Call 703-444-3228.
Loudoun Ballet Company presents "The Nutcracker," at Briar Woods High School, 22525 Belmont Ridge Road, Ashburn. performances are Saturday, Dec. 10, 2 and 7 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 11, 4 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 17, 2 and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 18, 4 p.m.
Advanced reserved tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for children 12 and under and seniors 60 and above. Premium reserved tickets and all tickets at the door are $20. Visit the Web site www.loudounballet.org or call LBC ticket box office at 703-771-8074.
Oatlands will host candlelight tours Saturdays, Dec. 10 and Dec. 17, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. On arrival, visitors will be met in the Carriage House with complimentary cups of hot apple cider and cookies. After a brief stroll to the mansion, guests will be greeted at the house by costumed interpreters with accounts of the Eustis family and its lasting legacy to America, including Oatlands. Tickets $10. Group rates are available to groups of 15 or more and must be booked in advance. Call 703-777-3174 or visit www.oatlands.org.
The Institute of Performing Arts for Youth, a nonprofit performance group in residence at Creative Dance Center will perform "Nutcracker in a Shell Ñ All Jazzed Up," a shortened version of the classic ballet performed for children by children. Includes selections of ballet, jazz, modern, lyrical, tap and hip hop. The performance will be held at Broad Run High School, 21670 Ashburn Road, Ashburn, Saturday, Dec. 10, at 3 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 11, at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for children ages 3-10, $6 for ages 55 and older, and children younger than 2 are free. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Chantilly studio 703-378-1800 or Ashburn studio 703-724-4900.
Brian Kirk, an art teacher and fine arts department chair at Stone Bridge High, will be exhibiting a collection of contemporary metal sculptures at the Waddel Art Gallery at the Loudoun Campus of the Northern Virginia Community College, through Dec. 16. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Call 703-450-2627 or visit www.nvcc.edu/Loudoun/ArtGallery.
The Loudoun County Surplus Store will launch a new schedule beginning in January 2006. The new hours and days of operation will be, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., on the first, second, and third Fridays of the month and the last Saturday of the month. For the rest of 2005, the store's hours will remain from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.. on the following days:
* Friday, Dec. 16
* Wednesday, Dec. 21
Due to the upcoming holidays, the store will not hold Saturday openings in November and December 2005.
In addition to typical office items such as computers, desks, and chairs, the store features unclaimed items confiscated by the Sheriff's Office, such as bicycles and sporting equipment. Some of the more unusual items recently have included antique lighting fixtures from the former Carver School.
The store is located at 14 Cardinal Park Drive, Suite 106, in Leesburg. Directions and photographs of merchandise are available on the Loudoun County Government Web site at www.loudoun.gov/surplus.
Santa makes house calls sponsored by Arcola Community Center, located at 24244 Gum Spring Road in Arcola. Schedule a 15-minute visit for $30 or an hour visit for $60. Visits are scheduled between 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Tuesdays-Thursdays, from Dec. 13-22. Call 703-327-3111.
Santa will be at Dulles Town Center, located at the intersections of routes 7 and 28, through Dec. 24. Visit www.ShopDullesTownCenter.com.
Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, is holding its annual Holiday Winter Camp for children 5-10 years old. Camp is Tuesday-Friday, Dec. 27-30, from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Cost is $120 per child. Includes indoor and outdoor activities, weather permitting. Bring a packed lunch with drink; afternoon snack will be provided. Preregistration required, call 703-430-6673.
Winter Wilds Camp for ages 6-9. Explore the winter trails and solve the mystery of the "Big Foot" creature in the park. Different activities each day, both indoors and out. Bring snack, water, lunch. Dress for weather. Camp will be held Dec. 29 and 30. from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. each day. Preregistration is required and the cost is $80 per student. Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling, 703-444-1275.
Barns and Farms of Loudoun County art show and sale, Franklin Park Arts Center at Round Hill Center, 20 High St. View vanishing rural landscape of Loudoun County in photographs, paintings, sculpture and more created by local artists. All artwork is for sale. Call 540-338-7973 for evening/weekend appointments. Free event. Monday-Friday, through Dec. 30, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Fine-art quilts featuring landscapes, vintage cars, fanciful fish and geometric designs are on display in the first-floor gallery and Lovettsville Room of the Loudoun County Government Center at 1 Harrison St., S.E. in Leesburg through the end of December.
Thirty-five art quilts by 11 quilters from the Q&A Quilt Art Group highlight the contemporary nature of the fiber medium, ranging from abstract to representational and whimsical to serious. The quilts also represent a diverse use of color, technique and materials, such as hand-dying, printing, painting, embroidery, beading and collage.
Oatlands' Christmas 2005 celebration will highlight the 60th anniversary of the Allies' victory in WWII and commemorate the philanthropic lives of Mr. and Mrs. William Corcoran Eustis, who owned Oatlands throughout most of the 20th century. Oatlands will also pay tribute to their heroic son, 1st Lt. Morton C. Eustis of General Patton's armored tank division who was mortally wounded while in combat in France in 1944. Features music from the big-band era and interpretative guides in period costumes, including some U.S. military uniforms from WWII. Daytime tours run through Dec. 30, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays; from 1-4 p.m., Sundays. Tickets $10. Call 703-777-3174 or visit the Web at www.oatlands.org.
Oatlands announces that teas will be held Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, through Dec. 30, every Thursday, Friday and Saturday throughout the holiday season, except Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve day. Seatings are at 1 p.m. each day and reservations are required. The cost of afternoon tea is $19.95 per person plus tax. Includes an assortment of tea sandwiches, tea cookies and sweets, scones with preserves and cream complemented by Oatlands special ÒAfternoon Tea Blend.Ó All tea delicacies are from Savoir Fare Catering, a Loudoun County caterer.
Call 703-777-3174 for tea reservations and other information. Oatlands is located at 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg.
Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn, will be holding the Virginia Young Readers Book Club, 7 p.m., each month for elementary-school level, grades third-fifth, children. Includes reading one-two books each month, games and refreshments. Parents encouraged to join children in reading the selections. A limited number of free copies of each selection are available at the library for participants. Upcoming selections include: Jan. 5, "Mysterious Matter of I.M. Fine," by Diane Stanley; Feb. 2, "Grover G. Graham and Me," by Mary Quattlebaum; March 2, "Fame and Glory in Freedom, Georgia," by Barbara O'Connor; and April 6, "Hana's Suitcase," by Karen Levine and "Boxes for Katie," by Candance Fleming. Register in advance by calling 703-737-8105.
Artwork created by student artists from Loudoun County Public Schools is on display at the George Washington University Virginia Campus. The exhibit is open to the public through Jan. 26, from 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday-Friday. The George Washington University Virginia Campus, 20101 Academic Way, Ashburn, Gallery Lounge, Room 121.
Lucketts bluegrass concerts at Lucketts Community Center, 42361 Lucketts Road. Refreshments will be available. Call 703-771-5281. Admission $12. Saturdays, through Feb. 25, 7-10:30 p.m.
Virginia Apples For Flavor: The Story Of Hill High Orchards, a permanent exhibit at the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum, 21558 Heritage Farm Lane in Sterling has opened. Learn about the history of Hill High Orchards and come away with a greater appreciation of the apple. Sponsored by the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities and Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum Inc. Call 703-421-5322. Museum admission $5/adults, $4/seniors, $3/ages 2-12.
Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, has the following ongoing story times: Mother Goose Nursery Time, ages 18-24 months, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m.; Terrific 2s, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:45 a.m.; Preschool Story Time, ages 3-5, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:30 a.m.; Wonderful Wednesday Stories, ages 3-5, Wednesdays, 1:30 p.m.; Pajama Story Time, Wednesdays, 7 p.m. Call 703-737-8100.
The Eastern Loudoun Regional Library 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling, hosts the following ongoing story times: Lapsits for 2s, Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. and Wednesday, 11:15 a.m.; Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes, ages 18-24 months, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:15 a.m.; Pajama Story Time, Tuesdays, 7 p.m.; Story Time for 3s, 4s, and 5s, Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; Terrific 3s, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. Call 703-444-3228.
The Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., has the following ongoing story times: Preschool Story Times, for 2-5 years old, Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Call 703-430-9500.
ÒArt CoopÓ is display at the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum, 21668 Heritage Farm Lane, Sterling. Featuring a changing exhibit of works by area artists. Juried by LHFM Art Advisory Sub-Committee. The museum is open Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; as well as Sundays, noon-5 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 for children 2-12 and free for children under 2. Visit www.loudounfarmmuseum.org or call 703-421-5322.
The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling, holds a potluck social the second Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. Must register beforehand and bring a dish. To participate in bingo afterwards, bring a gift. Call 703-430-2397.
Leesburg Animal Park. Hours are Tuesdays-Thursdays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Fridays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Mondays except holidays. Admission is $5.95 for children 2-12 and senior citizens, 55 and older. Adults are $7.95 each. Children under 2 are free. The park is closed from mid November-mid March. Call 703-433-0002 or visit www.leesburganimalpark.com. Located two miles south of Route 7 on Route 15 at 19270 James Monroe Highway in Leesburg.
Leesburg First Fridays and First Fridays Jr. Galleries and shops open their doors on the first Friday of each month with special events, refreshments and entertainment, from 6-9 p.m. There is no First Friday in January. Free. Call 800-752-6118. Visit www.leesburgfirstfriday.com.
The book discussion group at Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling, meets the third Tuesday of each month at 12:30 p.m. Call 703-430-2397 for the monthly book selections.
Loudoun Bluegrass Association. Weekly acoustic jam session held every Tuesday night, 7-8:30 p.m., at the Morningside House Retirement Center, 316 Harrison St. in Leesburg. All bluegrass/country musicians, singers and spectators are welcome. Free. Call Randy Kenyon
703-777-9865, home.
Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum, 21668 Heritage Farm Lane, Sterling, is open Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; as well as Sundays, noon-5 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 for children 2-12 and free for children under 2. On permanent display is "The Country People" where visitors travel through time and experience the past 300 years of agricultural history through 10 generations of Loudoun County residents. The Claude Moore children's Farm is an interactive exhibit area for children and their families. Visit www.loudounfarmmuseum.org or call 703-421-5322.
Guided Nature or History Hikes for all ages at Claude Moore park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling. Nature hikes, Frogshackle Cabin Nature Center, history hikes and special request programs for school groups, scouts, community organizations, adults and families are available on a variety of topics throughout the year. Programs designed to foster an appreciation of Loudoun County's natural and cultural resources in a fun and informative way. Cost is $3.50 per person, with a minimum charge of $35. Call 703-444-1275 for reservations.
Historic Plantation. Oatlands, a 330-acre co-stewardship property of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is located six miles south of Leesburg on Route 15. Tours start each hour between 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Saturday; and 1-4 p.m. on Sunday. Cost is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, $7 for students 6-16, and free for children under 5. Plantation closed from Dec. 31 through late March/early April. 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg. Call 703-777-3174 or visit www.oatlands.org.
The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace hosts a Lunch Bunch the first Friday of each month at a local restaurant. A minimum of six people is required for each outing. The bus leaves the center, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling, at 11:30 a.m. and returns by 1:30 p.m. Call 703-430-2397 to sign up.
Morven Park, the historic home of Virginia Gov. Westmoreland Davis, located in Leesburg, is a 1,000-acre estate offering visitors a glimpse into Virginia country life during the early years of the 20th century is open to the public April-November, Fridays-Mondays and other times by appointment. Tours are offered at noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. The park closes at 6 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and $1 for children. One price admits visitors to all museums and the grounds. Special group tours and ticket packages are also available. Special holiday tours offered in December. Call: group tours, 703-777-2414; educational programs, 703-777-6034; and equestrian center and events, 703-777-2890.