<lst>Send announcements to the Herndon Connection, by mail to 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, by e-mail to herndon@connectionnewspapers.com or by fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is Thursday, 5 p.m., for the following week's paper. Photos/artwork encouraged. Call Meghan Williams at 703-917-6407 with questions. This free listing is reserved for activities and events that are open to the public at no or minimal cost.
The Fairfax County Animal Shelter partners with Washington, D.C.'s No More Homeless Pets for the 2005 Home 4 the Holidays campaign. The shelter offers Sunday adoption hours in December prior to the holidays. To see some of the animals available for adoption visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/living/animals. Regular adoption hours are Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Holiday adoption hours are Sunday, Dec. 11 and 18, 12-4 p.m. The Fairfax County Animal Shelter is located at 4500 West Ox Road, Fairfax. Each adopted pet will have his or her picture hung as an ornament on a tree at the shelter.
The Town of Herndon Storm Water Management Program announces the Fall-Leafy Debris Removal. Yard Waste is collected the same day of the week as trash. A few steps are recommended:
* Place yard waste and trash curbside by 7 a.m., but not more than 24 hours prior to your trash day.
* To prepare the yard waste, cut brush, branches, and tree limbs into 4-foot lengths and then tie into bundles that do not weigh more than 50 pounds.
* Grass clippings, shrub clipping, weeds and leaves must be placed in 30-gallon kraft, recyclable bags that can be purchased at the grocery or home improvement store.
* To save time and money, leave grass clippings on the lawn to help reduce the need for fertilizer or compost them in one's yard.
In November, leaves are collected on town streets based on neighborhood location. Leaves can be raked loose to the curb, but must not block drainage ditches or roadways.
Call 703-435-6853.
The Town of Herndon has extended the leaf collection program. Leaves will be collected until the last leaves fall or a large snowstorm arrives. Leaves can be raked loose to the curb, but must not block drainage ditches or roadways. Leaf pick-ups will be done on an as needed basis. Call 703-435-6853.
Herndon Community Center Aquatics Department is looking for swimming instructors to teach classes in its Learn to Swim program. The program provides classes for students of all ages, from infants to adults, and are available weekdays, evenings and weekends. Experience is a plus, but the HCC offers training for the right candidates. HCC is located at 814 Ferndale Ave. Call Teresa at 703-787-7300, Ext. 2122.
Fairfax County Public Library announced it now allows customers to use Visa or MasterCard credit and debit cards to pay for overdue or lost books. Credit card payments are now accepted at all library branches, but are not currently accepted for book bags, used book sales, printing fees or microform reader-printer machines. Herndon Fortnightly Library, 768 Center St. Call 703-437-8855.
The Bargain Loft is a local thrift store located at 336 Victory Drive in Herndon. It is run by an all volunteer staff, and is clean and air conditioned. All the money made by the Bargain Loft goes to help Herndon/Reston FISH, which helps people with emergency needs such as money for rent, utilities or medicines.
Bargain Loft is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The store has two shifts, 10 a.m.-noon and afternoons from noon-2 p.m.
The Loft particularly needs people on Saturdays and can always use teens who want to acquire some Community Service time. Call Mr. Stringer at 703-437-0600.