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.
The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling, is offering ceramics, Thursday, Nov. 17, from 10:30 a.m.-noon. Cost per session is $21 for members, $22 for nonmembers. Call 703-430-2397.
Ceramics, Thursday, Nov. 17, from 10:30 a.m.-noon, at the Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Cost $21 for members, $22 for nonmembers for one session. Instructors Bob Mayer, Pat Miller, Ethel Perkins and Frank Smith. 703-430-2397.
Loudoun County Department of Animal Care Control wants to help pets stay warm happy this fall/winter season. To assist pet owners in learning how to better care for their pets in cold weather, the department is offering a free class on Cold Weather Pet Care. Saturday, Nov. 19, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road.
The class will address common hazards to pets in cold weather and how to avoid them. Also included will be instruction on how to construct a winter-proof dog house. The class is free and open to the public. No reservations required. Call the Animal Shelter at 703-777-0406 or e-mail animals@loudoun.gov.
The Loudoun Academy of the Arts announces new workshops led by professional area artists:
* Nuts and Bolts of a Critique with Lisa Semerad, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2:30-6 p.m. This workshop offers a rare opportunity to have own work critiqued by a professional. Bring finished work or works in progress Ñ limit three pieces
per participant Ñ and also learn about the 10 elements of evaluation and critique guidelines. $40.
* The Business of Art with Joseph Trigiani, Saturday, Dec. 3, 1-5 p.m. Professional portrait artist, Joe Trigiani, talks about resumes, commissions, marketing and promotion, networking and tips for getting work into shows. $50.
The Loudoun Academy of the Arts also offers Introduction to Glassblowing weekend workshops with Dario DeHoyos, Saturdays and Sundays, from noon-4 p.m. A fee of $230 includes all supplies.
The Loudoun Academy of the Arts is a 501c3 organization that offers fine art instruction to children and adults of all ages and skill levels. Visit www.loudounacademy.org or call
703-777-8043.
Inova Loudoun Hospital will host a one-day, Safe Sitter Babysitting course Sunday, Nov. 20, from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., for students, 11 years old to 13 years old, at the Lansdowne Campus at 44045 Riverside Parkway in Leesburg in the patient education room. Cost is $55 per person. Register by calling 703-858-6360 or visiting the Web site at www.thebirthinginn.org.
A Better Way to Fitness LLC introduces a new total-body fitness program designed to get moms and
dads fit and toddlers play. Dance 'N Play classes will be offered at Douglas Community Center Thursdays at 9:30 a.m., classes will last approximately 45 minutes.
Class will include cardio segments done to children's music with intervals of strength training, using resistance tubing and the environment. While the classes are tailored for new moms, they are open to any child caregivers from fathers to grandparents, babysitters to nannies.
Register for the free trail class by calling 703-771-7801 or
contacting Douglas Community Center at 703-771-5913. Classes cost $10 per session and are charged on a monthly basis. Contact Lisa Atkinson at 703-771-7801 or via e-mail at lisa@abetterway2fitness.com.
The Sterling Annex, 22084 Shaw Road, is offering the following holiday classes. Preregistration is required, call 703-430-6673.
* Saturday, Nov. 19, from 10 a.m.-noon, Early Christmas Gift Workshop, for children 4-10. Cost $14, plus $6 supply fee.
* Tuesday, Nov. 29, from 4-5 p.m., Young at Art-Ornaments and Cards, for children 4-7. Cost $7, plus $4 supply fee.
* Wednesday, Nov. 30, from 4-5 p.m., Young at Art-Ornaments and Cards, for children 8 and up. Cost $7, plus $4 supply fee.
CPR (Adult Child Infant) and First Aid course, Nov. 20, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Virginia Rescue Training Center Inc., 2 Cardinal Park Drive, 105A, Leesburg. Cost: CPR $55, First Aid $35, combo class $80. To register contact Sherri at 703-675-6632 or e-mail to: SFawzi@vrtc.org.
CPR (Adult Child Infant) and First Aid course, Nov. 20, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Virginia Rescue Training Center Inc., 2 Cardinal Park Drive, 105A, Leesburg. Cost: CPR $55, First Aid $35, combo class $80. To register contact Sherri at 703-675-6632 or e-mail to: SFawzi@vrtc.org.
CPR (Adult Child Infant) and First Aid course, Nov. 20, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Virginia Rescue Training Center Inc., 2 Cardinal Park Drive, 105A, Leesburg. Cost: CPR $55, First Aid $35, combo class $80. To register contact Sherri at 703-675-6632 or e-mail to: SFawzi@vrtc.org.
Registration has begun for free winter and spring parenting classes, which meet either Thursday evenings or Wednesday mornings at the Nurturing Program Office, 105 E. Market St., Leesburg. Topics include exploring way to establish effective methods for addressing problem behaviors, strategies for increasing a child's positive self-image, how to develop effective family rules and decision-making techniques, and ways to reduce family conflict while increasing family fun. Children and infants attend with their parents. Call 703-771-3973 for an application.
The Loudoun County Extension Office, 30 B Catoctin Circle, S.E., Leesburg, is offering a two-day ServSafe Food Sanitation course, Nov. 29 and Dec. 6, from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Cost for text, examination and certification is $104. The certification course includes instruction on the microworld, contamination and food borne illness, purchasing and receiving safe foods, food storage, protection food in preparation and service, employee sanitation training, organizing a clean program, pest control, accident prevention and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points. Call Beverly Samuel, 703-777-0373.
Sterling Annex, 22084 Shaw Road, is offering knitting lessons for beginners Saturdays, Dec. 3 and Dec. 10, from 10 a.m.-noon. Cost for the two sessions is $30. Participants must bring worsted-weight yarn, size 8 14-inch long knitting needles, a yarn needle with big eye and scissors. Learn basic techniques or knit a knitting bag. Preregistration required, call 703-430-6673.
ESL Computer Basics, at the Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling, the first and third Tuesday each month, at 9 a.m. Learn basic computer skills including Internet, e-mail and word processing. For ages 18 and up. Advanced registration required, call 703-430-9500.
Gentle yoga, Tuesdays, Jan. 10-March 28, from 6:30-7:45 p.m., at the Senior Center at Cascades marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Cost $103.50 for members, $115.50 for nonmembers for 12 sessions. Instructor Lin Wagener. 703-430-2397.
The firm of Rachel L. Virk Attorney and Counselor at Law/Certified Mediator holds free monthly informational seminars on family law every second Saturday of the month, 9-11:30 a.m., 21135 Whitfield Place, Suite 207, Sterling. Learn about non-adversarial confidential dispute resolution and how to craft detailed solutions to remain in control or learn about rights to offset costly contested litigation. Call 703-444-3355. Visit www.virk-law.com.
Wacky Wednesdays, for children aged 3-6, at the Sterling Community Center, from 9:30 a.m.-noon. Includes crafts, sports, story time, yoga, and more. The cost of the program is $50 for four Wednesdays. To register, call the Sterling Community Center at 703-430-9480.
Wendy Lane, flutist, will offer a flute class for beginners at her Sterling music studio, Mondays, from 7-8 p.m. for the remainder of the summer. No charge. E-mail Blane4@verizon.net or 703-404-3103. Instruments may be provided by the teacher. Beginners only but other lessons are given privately.
Prenatal Education. Loudoun Hospital, 44045 Riverside Parkway, Leesburg, presents workshops for expectant parents. Admission is free, but registration is required. Call 703-779-2694.
English classes Thursdays, from 7-9 p.m., at Purcellville Baptist Church. Five different leveled classes offered, including one for au pairs. One time $15 registration/book fee. Free child care and homework assistance for older children. Two days a week of English instruction offered for beginners class. Walk-ins welcome. For more information, leave your name and number at 540-338-6400.
On Mondays, 9 a.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., will offer English as a Second Language basic computer skills including Internet, e-mail and word processing. Limited to five students per session, registration required, call 703-430-9500. For adults.
Yoga for a Special Child, Thursdays, from 4-4:30 p.m. $5 per child or donation to UCP fund. Anahata Center for Yoga & Wellness, 112 South St., S.E., Leesburg. Call to register, 703-771-0006 or www.experienceanahatayoga.com.
'Handwriting without Tears.' The Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, Sterling, offers classes for children ages 4-6 to help them focus on the beginning techniques for handwriting in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Call 703-430-6673.
Tiny Tots Classes for Twos. Katydid Inc. at Ashburn Ice House. Activities, songs, crafts for 2- to 3-year-olds and their parents. Weekly themes. Choose Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, at 9:30 a.m. or 10:45 a.m. Call 703-481-9444 or e-mail KTdidInc@aol.com.
English as a Second Language classes for adults are offered by Hogar Hispano of Catholic Charities in Falls Church, Reston and Sterling. Cost is $40 for seven weeks of classes. Call 703-534-9805 Ext. 222. Se habla espanol.
Free English as a Second Language courses will be held every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 7:30-9 p.m. ESL courses are located 22066 Circle Drive, Sterling, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
The Growing Stage Theatre Company. Classes and workshops for all ages. Visit www.growingstage.org, or call 540-338-5367.