Send announcements to The Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to
herndon@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. For additional ongoing events listings, visit our Web site at www.connectionnewspapers.com.
The Reston Community Players will be holding two days of auditions for "Honk!" a family musical. The group is seeking
five males and five women, ages 18 and up; six children ages 8-12, and four dancers. includes prepared song, movement audition. Adults audition Friday, Jan. 7, at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, Jan. 8, at 2 p.m.; Children audition Saturday, Jan. 8, noon, at the Lindsay Peterson Rehearsal Hall, 266 Sunset Park Drive, Herndon. Call 703-758-8886 or visit www.restonplayers.org.
With a rendering of Mustangs at play and a snapshot of the action coming around the racetrackÕs stretch turn, watercolorist Patricia Bason has put together a show of horse paintings that is featured in a one-woman show at the Reston Art Gallery and Studio, which runs through January. Reston Art Gallery and Studio, Washington Plaza, Lake Anne, Reston.
For more information on Bason and her online watercolor class, visit www.awss.com. For information on the January exhibit, call 703-451-8156 or Bason at 703-648-1857.
Margaret Thomas' Iris Garden, a local beauty spot that is in danger of being sold to developers, is celebrated in "Gardens of the Mind," an exhibition of acrylics and oils by local artist and geologist Mia Merin at the RCC Hunters Woods through Jan. 31.
Margaret Thomas' Iris Garden is located at 12410 Lawyers Road in Herndon.
Contact the Reston Community Center at 703-476-4500,
V/TTY or visit the Web site at http://www.restoncommunitycenter.com. The Reston Community Center, Hunters Woods, is located in the lower
level of the Hunters Woods Shopping Center, 2310 Colts Neck Road.
The Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE), in collaboration with the Market Street Bar and Grill at the Reston Hyatt, will present an exhibition featuring Robert Heier. HeierÕs photographic images will be on display from Jan. 10-April 4. There will be an opening reception on Monday, Jan. 10, from 5-7 p.m., catered by the Hyatt.
HeierÕs digitally enhanced and abstracted photographic images are based on his explorations of the mystical, haunted back streets of historic Western Europe.
GRACE, a nonprofit visual arts organization, is located in the Reston Town Center at 11911 Freedom Drive, Suite 110. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Toddlers can enjoy open play in the entire gym, tumbling on the mats, big wheel days, children's basketball, and some pool time during Kiddie Open Gym. An adult must accompany children. Special days are planned, with schedules available on the first day. Children get prizes each time they visit. Kiddie Open Gym is held every Tuesday and Thursday, from 1:30-2:30 p.m., through Feb. 24 in the Herndon Community Center gym. The fee is $4 per child per day. Discounted passes are available. The Herndon Community Center is located at 814 Ferndale Ave. Call 703- 435-6868 or register online at www.herndon-va.gov.
Teens ages 12-17 are invited to the Herndon Community center for an afternoon of refreshments and a movie - all free. Teen Cinema will be held every second and fourth Thursday, at 2:30 p.m. during the months of January, February and March. Enjoy a feature film or new release twice a month. All movies are rated PG or PG-13. To find out the movie schedule or to be placed on our mailing list, call the Herndon Community Center at 703-435-6868. To register online, go to www.herndon-va.gov.
JoAnne Rose Gallery, Reston Community Center, Lake Anne Plaza, 1609-A Washington Plaza, Reston, will feature CYCLES: Painting/Prints/Copper/Etc., through Jan. 31, features works by Maggie Stewart and Roberta Thole. Reception Sunday, Jan. 9, 2-4 p.m.
The Second Friday Studio Series presented by Dragonfly Asian Antiques and Collectibles, and Mayflowers Design Showroom at 11411 Sunset Hills Road, Reston, will be held Jan. 14 and Feb. 11, from 6-9 p.m. The programs are free and include light refreshments. Call 703-318-8078.
The League of Reston Artists presents a contemporary art exhibition of award winners sponsored by the University of Phoenix Northern Virginia Campus, featuring 38 award-winning artists from 10 exhibitions sponsored by the League of Reston Artists during its 2004 exhibition season through Saturday, March 5. University of Phoenix Northern Virginia Campus, 11730 Plaza America Drive, Suite 200, Reston. Visit http://www.leagueofrestonartists.org.
Practice Your English, for beginning- and intermediate-level conversation groups for adults learning English. Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive throughout January. Call 703-689-2700.
Spanish Chats at Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, every Wednesday, 7 p.m. Informal refresher for people who want to practice Spanish. For adults. Call 703-689-2700.
Individual Internet training for adults at Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, throughout January. One-hour sessions with a technology volunteers. Call 703-689-2700.
The Greater Reston Arts Center features Beverly Ryan on display at the Market Street-Hyatt Reston until Jan. 10.
Hunter Mill District Supervisor Catherine M. Hudgins and Reston Interfaith have partnered for the third consecutive year to sponsor the 2004 Hunter Mill District Winter Coat Closet for adults and children in need. The Winter Coat Closet, remains open through Feb. 12.
The Coat Closet is open Mondays, 10 a.m.-noon; Thursdays, 5-8 p.m.; and Saturdays, 9-11 a.m. for donations and for those looking for a coat. Donations of new and Ògently usedÓ (i.e. in good condition and dry cleaned) winter coats will be accepted at the North County Governmental Center at 12000 Bowman Towne Drive in Reston during Coat Closet hours. Both child and adult sizes are needed, extra large is especially appreciated. All donations are tax deductible.
The closet is also in need of volunteers on Mondays, 10 a.m.-noon; Thursdays, 5-8 p.m.; and Saturdays, 9-11 a.m. to assist clients in selecting coats, greeting donors, and sorting coat donations. Contact Faye Yu at 703-481-8276 or Faye.Yu@restoninterfaith.org to volunteer.
For more information, contact Martin Taylor in the office of Supervisor Hudgins at 703-478-0283, TTY 703-736-4460 or martin.taylor@fairfaxcounty.gov; or Meredith Young, Reston Interfaith, at 571-323-9566 or meredith.young@restoninterfaith.org.Ê
Reston Town CenterÕs Ice Skating Pavilion is open for the skating season through March, weather permitting. The Ice Skating Pavilion hosts birthday parties as well as private and corporate parties. Beginner and intermediate ice skating lessons are also available. Call 703-709-6300 or visit www.restontowncenter.com.
The Council for the Arts of Herndon announces rehearsals for the Herndon Symphony Orchestra will take place every Tuesday, from 7-9 p.m., at the Herndon Middle School's band room, 901 Locust St. Musicians of all ages and talent levels are welcome to attend. The Symphony Orchestra is under the direction of Tim Adams. E-mail timadams@herndonarts.org or call 703-689-9535.
Open Poetry Readings. Lake Anne Coffee House, Lake Anne Village Center Shopping Center, Reston, every Tuesday, from 7-9 p.m. Call Megan McDonald at 202-879-0517 days.
Parent and Child Workshop, drop in from 10 a.m.-noon, every Saturday at the Reston Museum at Lake Anne. Led by local artist Pat Macintyre. No charge, no pre-sign up. Call the museum at 703-709-7700, or call Pat at 703-471-1445 work, or 703-860-5554 home.
The American Red Cross of the National Capital Area's Fairfax/Falls Church Office, in conjunction with the Fairfax County Citizen Corps Council, will sponsor an Emergency Preparedness Clinic once a month for the next year. The clinics will be held in a different location in the County, the schedule will posted in libraries, on the Web Site, and other public locations. Contact Rebecca Kurylo, community outreach coordinator at the American Red Cross of the National Capital Area Chapter, at 703-805-2332 or kurylor@usa.redcross.org.
Fairfax County seniors 55 years of age or older are invited to participate in a variety of activities, such as strength training, Tai Chi, low impact aerobics and line dancing, at the Reston-Herndon Senior Center, 1850 Cameron Glen Drive, Suite 200, in Reston. Most activities are free of charge. Transportation may be available. Lunch time meals are available with one-day advance notice on a sliding-fee scale. The center welcomes new participants. Contact director Tara Fitzpatrick at 703-481-4200, TTY 703-222-9693 or via e-mail at tara.fitzpatrick@fairfaxcounty.gov. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/rec and go to senior services.
Reston Community Center's open wood shop meets Tuesdays, 6-10 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The wood shop offers workspace and has equipment such as table saws, sanders, drills, worktables and a lathe. The wood shop is located at the Reston Community Center, Hunters Woods. The wood shop fee is $5 for people who live or work in Reston and $7 for others. The Reston Community Center is located at 2310 Colts Neck Road in Reston. Call 703-476-4500 (TTY).
Live band swing dancing at the Dulles Hilton, located at the corner of McLearan Road and Route 28 in Herndon, every Friday night with Sue and Gary Caley. Cost is $12 and includes a half-hour beginner class at 8:30 p.m. followed by dancing from 9 p.m.-midnight. For a complete line up of the bands, visit www.gottaswing.com.
The Closet in downtown Herndon carries many specialty items ranging from glassware, to compact discs, to books, to clothes for the whole family, including evening wear and wedding dresses.Ó The Closet, located at 845 Station St., is open for business Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Farm animals at Kidwell Farm, open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., daily. Sheep, pigs, goats and cows. Pet the animals, take a hay ride or watch farm hands at work. Daily hay rides, held Monday-Saturday, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., weather permitting, cost $2. Frying Pan Park is located at 2709 West Ox Road, Herndon. Call 703-437-9101.
Gymside & Trailside Walkers, join other seniors at the Herndon Community Center, 814 Ferndale Ave., for exercise, indoor or outdoor, Monday-Friday, 7:30-9 a.m. No fee, but first-time walkers need to register. Call 703-435-6868.