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.
The deadline for the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum's annual Agricultural Awareness Day poster contest has been extended to May 14. The museum encourages students to submit posters in celebration of Ag-Day 2005 using the theme, "Who's a Farmer?" Two grand prize winners will receive a $100 U.S. savings bond and a free field trip to the museum. Prizes will be distributed at the museum Saturday, May 21. For rules contact Katie Jones, 703-421-5322, e-mail kjones1@loudoun.gov or visit www.loudounfarmmuseum.org.
The 32nd Annual Troop 893-Boy Scout Totally Awesome Garage Sale-(TAG) is set for Saturday, May 14, at the Dulles Expo, located right off of Route 28 in Chantilly. Rain or Shine. The Troop's Web site is http://www.troop893.org/flea/.
ÒHorsing Around LoudounÓ is a countywide, outdoor arts project spearheaded by the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce to celebrate Loudoun and its long-standing equine tradition. Thirty-two, life-size, equine fiberglass sculptures will be transformed into works of art by local artists and placed at public locations around the county in late July and remain on display for about three months. In late October, the herd will be "rounded up" and auctioned at a gala event.
LoudounÕs businesses will be given the opportunity to sponsor the creation of the horses for $5,000 each. A plaque on the base of the sculpture will recognize the sponsor.
Artists interested in receiving a ÒCall to ArtistsÓ packet or businesses interested in sponsoring a horse should visit http://www.horsingaroundloudoun.org or call the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce at 703-777-2176. The deadline for submissions is May 15.
The Food for Others 2nd Annual Golf Tournament is slated for Monday, May 16, at the Herndon Centennial Golf Course. The format is a four person, captain's choice with a 1 p.m. shotgun start; registration opens at noon.
Cost after April 30, $475 per foursome, $125 per individual. Contact Food For Others 703-207-9173 or www.tournamentor.com/foodforothers. Cost includes green fees, golf cart, box lunch, barbecue dinner, beverages, contests and prizes.
Food for Others is a nonprofit (501c3) food bank and food rescue operation, working to help some of the 90,183 persons living in poverty in Northern Virginia. Clients range from new immigrants to the working poor, to professionals who have lost their jobs. More than 98¢ of every dollar raised goes directly to food program expenses.
The Loudoun County Office of Transportation Services is gearing up for local activities related to the national Bike to Work Day event Friday, May 20.
The Office of Transportation Services will host two "pit stops" in Loudoun County where people who ride their bikes to work can stop by for free food, giveaways and the chance to win a new bicycle. The pit stops will be held at:
* Raflo Park in Leesburg, along the Washington and Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail, from 6-9 a.m.
* Orbital Park in Sterling, at Route 28 and the W&OD Trail, from 6:30-8:30 a.m.
In addition, America Online Inc. will host a pit stop at its Dulles campus. In all, there will be 18 pit stops in the Washington D.C., region.
Cyclists who register for the event online by May 14 will receive a free Bike to Work Day T-shirt and the chance to win a free bike. Also, Bicycling Magazine is giving away bicycles to the winners of an essay contest who can best describe how having a bike would change their lives. For more information and to register for the event, visit the Washington Area Bicyclist Association Web site at www.waba.org.
For more information about local Bike to Work Day activities, contact the Office of Transportation Services at 703-771-5665.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is accepting applications for a new undergraduate scholarship program in honor of the recently retired South Carolina Senator Ernest F. Hollings, who throughout his career promoted ocean research and the study of our atmosphere.
The Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship Program will provide about 110 college undergraduates up to $28,425 to support academic studies related to NOAA science, research, technology, policy, management, and education activities, and a related internship designed to provide a "hands-on,"
multi-disciplinary training experience. Applications are due May 23.
Hollings scholars will be selected from applicants majoring in a broad range of disciplines including: biological, life, and agricultural sciences; physical sciences; mathematics; engineering; computer and information sciences; social and behavioral sciences; and teacher education.
Applications for the scholarship program are available online
through http://www.orau.gov/noaa/HollingsScholarship, by mail ATTN: NOAA/Hollings Scholarship, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, P.O. Box 117, MS 36, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-0117, by e-mail at HollingsScholarship@orau.gov, or by telephone (865) 576-3424. Contact NOAA's Education Office for further information by e-mail, noaa.education@noaa.gov or phone 202-482-3384.
Friends, colleagues and members of the Loudoun community are invited to join the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse Services Friday, May 27, to celebrate Anne Mikszewski's service to the community.
After 26 years of service, Mikszewski will retire June 1. She
began working with Loudoun County in 1979 as a secretary at Loudoun County Mental Health. In 1984, she became the community relations specialist for the prevention program in the Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. Since 1988, she has held the position of program manager for prevention and community outreach for mental health
and substance abuse services. She and her team have developed several award-winning programs and have expanded prevention and outreach services in the schools and throughout the Loudoun community.
The reception for Mikszewski will take place, from 3-6 p.m., in the Aspen Room at 906 Trailview Blvd., Leesburg. RSVP to Ginny Fecteau at 703-777-0331 or vfecteau@loudoun.gov no
later than May 23.
The Loudoun Literacy Council has extended the deadline for its adult poetry contest to May 31. There are several award categories and opportunities for everyone. Entrants must be 18 or older and a resident of Loudoun County. Winners will be announced at the council's silent auction event, "Desserts and Discoveries: A Novel Event," at Historic Carradoc Hall, June 10, from 8-11 p.m. For more information, visit www.loudounliteracy.org.
The Loudoun County government is offering summer internships for local high school and college students.
Interns will be assigned to county departments to provide
administrative assistance and help with special projects. Computer experience is preferred, including experience with Microsoft Office products. The county will try to match student skills and interests to projects within the county departments.
High school students must be at least 16 years old, live in Loudoun County and attend high school, home school, or be a 2005 graduate. The high-school internships are for 20-30 hours a week and pay $9 an hour.
College students must be Loudoun County residents who are currently enrolled in college or who are 2005 graduates. The college internships are 20-30 hours week and pay $11 an hour.
For more information, call the Division of Human Resources,
703-777-0213 or visit the Loudoun County Web site,
www.loudoun.gov/hr/jobs.htm.
The Sterling Foundation has awarded the 2005 contract for mowing Sterling Boulevard after competitive bidding. For a consecutive year, the contract to Wye Creek Inc. of Bristow is for mowing and trimming the median and utility strips among the 3.3-mile length of Sterling Boulevard. The contractor will mow the boulevard eight times between April 15-Oct. 15. Funding comes primarily from newspapers recycling at Park View HS and membership donations. For more information visit www.sterlingfoundation.org or call Kevin Chroninger at 703-406-7749.
Loudoun County is assembling "Kamp Kits for Kids" for children who will be benefiting from the Loudoun County Summer Camp Scholarship Programs. The goal is to be able to provide a "Kamp Kit" with brand new items for each camper. Items needed include backpacks, insulated lunch boxes, insulated water bottles, suntan lotion (minimum 15 SPF), non-aerosol insect repellent, small freeze packs (blue ice), child/youth size rain ponchos, individually wrapped hand wipes.
The needed camp supplies will be collected through May 11. Donation boxes are available at the following locations: Eastern Regional Library, Cascades; Sterling Annex Community Center; Ashburn Library; YMCA, Leesburg; Loudoun Valley Community Center, Purcellville; Purcellville Library and Lovettsville Community Center.
For more information contact Karen Velez at the Department of Social Services at 703-771-5718 or Lyndia Calkins at 540-338-7491.
Loudoun County is accepting requests from individuals or organizations for Fiscal Year 2006 funding from federal Transportation Equity Act in 21st Century (TEA-21) program funds. To be eligible for TEA-21 funding, proposed projects must be directly related to transportation and fall under one or more of the following categories: provision of facilities for bicycles and pedestrians; provision of safety and educational activities for pedestrians and bicyclists; acquisition of scenic easements and scenic or historic sites; scenic or historic highway programs; landscaping and other scenic beautification; historic preservation; rehabilitation and operation of historic transportation buildings, structures or facilities, including historic railroad facilities and canals; preservation of abandoned railway corridors including the conversion and use of the corridors for pedestrian and bicycle trails; control and removal of outdoor advertising; archeological planning and research; environmental mitigation to address water pollution due to highway runoff or reduce vehicle-caused wildlife mortality while maintaining habitat connectivity; and establishment of transportation museums.
County staff will review requests for TEA-21 funds during June with a public hearing on project submissions expected to be held July 12, followed by the Board of Supervisors' endorsement of recommended projects on Sept. 6. The county will submit the final grant applications to the Commonwealth Transportation Board by Nov. 1.
Anyone interested in submitting a request for TEA-21 funds must complete an application form, which may be obtained from Alice Vlad in the Department of Management and Financial Services at 703-737-8186 or avlad@loudoun.gov. The requests for funding should be sent to Alice Vlad, Loudoun County Department of Management and Financial Services, P.O. Box 7000, 1 Harrison St., S.E., Leesburg, VA 20177. The deadline for submissions is May 27.
Northern Virginia companies can now apply for the 2005 CARE (Companies As Responsive Employers) Awards administered by Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS). Applications are available online and must be submitted by June 10.
The CARE Awards recognizes businesses located in Northern Virginia that are leaders in promoting a positive work-life balance for employees through company policies and benefits.
The application can be downloaded from the Northern Virginia Family Service Web site at www.nvfs.org/applyforcare.pdf.
CARE Award winners are recognized at an awards breakfast to be held Thursday, Nov. 17, at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner. Visit www.nvfs.org.
Loudoun MADD is selling the new red MADD CHOOSE COURAGE community awareness wristbands for $1, which can be mailed for an additional $.50 each. The wristbands can be purchased by sending a check to Loudoun MADD at P.O. Box 4252, Leesburg, VA 20177, with the number of wristbands for purchase. Visit the Loudoun MADD Web site at www.maddloudounva.org to see a picture of the wristbands. For questions send an e-mail to maddloudoun@aol.com.
The 70th annual Loudoun County Fair, one of the oldest and longest running events in the county is looking for sponsors. The fair will run from July 25-30 at the Loudoun County Fair Grounds off Dry Mill Road just west of Leesburg. Send a donation along with your name and a contact number to: Loudoun County Fair, 117 Plaza St., N.E., Leesburg, VA. 20176, Attention: Tricia Corle.
The Loudoun Symphony Association Inc. is seeking nominations to fill upcoming vacancies on its Board of Directors.
Board members should be residents of, or have significant business interests in, Loudoun County or the surrounding area, and they should have the time and inclination to actively support the symphony by participation on a committee and by regular attendance at meetings and symphony sponsored events. Board committees include finance, artistic, development, marketing, audience development, long-range planning, gala and special events, nominating, education and volunteer coordination.
Interested individuals should send a letter of interest along with a resume or biographical information to Loudoun Symphony Association, Nominating Committee, P.O. Box 4478, Leesburg, VA 20177. Call 703-771-8287.
Arts in the Alley Õ05 on July 16, in the center of the traditional business district of Purcellville, is seeking artists and crafters to participate. Items including painting, photography, sculpture, fiber, mixed media, metal, wood, furniture, clay or glass are welcome. All items must be for sale and must be the original work of the artist. T-shirts and commercial items are not acceptable. No commission on sales. Artists may share a space, but each artist must submit photographs of work to be exhibited. Visit http://www.loudounsbest.com/art or send application form P.O. Box 479, Purcellville, VA 20134-0479, include photos representative of work and a non-refundable $25 fee. Applications will be evaluated as received. Spaces for
fine craft vendors on 21st Street are $150. Spaces for two-dimensional art in the original "Alley" are $50.
On Saturday, Sept. 10, Claude More Park will be sponsoring its 1st Annual Autumn Arts & Crafts Show in the Lanesville Historic Area. At this time, Claude Moore Park is searching for arts and craft vendors with hand-made items who may be interested in participating in this yearÕs show.
The show will run from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and set-up time will begin at 7:30 a.m. For $20, vendors will be provided with a pre-assigned 10x10 area; vendors must provide their own tents, tables, and chairs. Some limited electricity will be available as well for a small fee. Vendors will be able to park at their booth locations and this outdoor event will be held rain or shine. Only severe weather will cancel event.
Contact Claude Moore Park at 703-444-1275 between 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or visit www.loudoun.gov/prcs/park/claude. The deadline to register as a vendor is Friday, Aug. 26. Claude Moore Park is located at 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road in Sterling.
The Loudoun County Electoral Board is seeking 600 Officers of Election for the 2005 elections in which Virginia voters will choose a governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and members of the House of Delegates.
A Dual Primary election is scheduled for Tuesday, June 14, and the General and Special election is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Election officers must be United States citizens and registered to vote in Virginia. Officers of Election are required to be at the voting precincts on Election Day from 5 a.m. until the polls close, the results are called in and all equipment is packed and ready to return to the Office of the General Registrar.
Election officers are paid for their time Ñ $100 for the entire day, $50 for a half-day and $15 for the training session that
will be held prior to the election.
More information about the duties of an election officer, including a set of forms to fill out and return to the Electoral Board, is available on the Loudoun County Government Web site at www.loudoun.gov/government/officers.htm or by calling 703-777-0548. Questions can also be directed to Dianna Price, Secretary of the Electoral Board, at dprice@loudoun.gov.
Loudoun Volunteer Services seeks nominations for Student Volunteer of the Month. Loudoun students will be recognized for their volunteer efforts during the 2004-2005 school year. Nominate students, or groups of students, elementary-12th grade, who volunteer their time in a variety of ways in their schools, churches, and towns. A one-page narrative may be sent to the Loudoun Volunteer Services Board at pivs@loudoun.gov or to 1 Harrison St., S.E., P.O. Box 7000, Leesburg, VA 20177.
The one-page narrative should include the student's name, address, telephone number, school and a description, including length of service of the exemplary volunteer efforts of the student. Contact information for the person nominating the student should also be included.
Volunteers will be featured in the Loudoun Volunteer Services Newsletter and on the Loudoun County Government Web site. Contact Lisa Rose, volunteer coordinator, at
703-777-0113.