<i><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. For additional calendar listings, visit our Web site at www.connectionnewspapers.com.</i>
<b>Friday/Nov. 25
</b>Holidays Happen at Reston Town Center. A full day of events starts at 7:30 a.m. with the “Race for the Kids” with Olympian Alan Webb, the Holiday Parade at 11, photos with Santa in the afternoon, the annual Tree Lighting and Sing Along at 6 p.m., and carriage rides through the evening. Visit www.restontowncenter.com.
Swing Dance. Join Tom Koerner and Debra Sternberg in Swing dancing with Soul Tones of Swing, 8:30 p.m.-midnight, Hilton Washington Dulles Airport Hotel, 13869 Park Center Road, Herndon. Beginner lesson 8:30-9 p.m. Cost is $13. Call 703-359-9882 or visit www.gottaswing.com.
<b>Saturday/Nov. 26
</b>Concert. Weekend Bluegrass Concert Series, Jimmy Gaudreau and Orrin Star, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1090 Sterling Road, Herndon, 7:30 p.m. Admission is $15. For information of reservations call Ellie at 703-437-1883 or Bob at 703-435-8377.
<b>Sunday/Nov. 27
</b>Cyclo-cross race. The second annual Capital ‘Cross Classic, an internationally sanctioned cyclo-cross race, takes place at Lake Fairfax Park in Reston, A Category 2 UCI event will be held under UCI regulations. The UCI Elite Men, UCI Elite Women, and UCI Women 35+ must have valid UCI license. A valid USCF or NORBA license is needed for all other races. Non-licensed riders must purchase a one-day license, $10, during registration. Visit Capital Cross Classic online for information and registration at www.emiracn.com.
<b>Friday/Dec. 2
</b>Winter holiday luncheon. Reston Community Center invites local seniors, age 55 or older, to take part in the annual holiday luncheon, Sheraton Reston Hotel, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. To feature lunch, gifts, dance music and a performance of winter holiday music by the Heatherwood Harp Ensemble. Free bus transportation is available from the Hunters Woods Fellowship House, the Lake Anne Fellowship House and Thoreau Place for those in need. $16 for seniors who live or work in Reston, $32 for all others. Each guest must register individually, either in person or by faxing a completed RCC Registration form to 703-476-8617. Call 703-476-4500.
Craft Fair and Holiday Shop. Children experience the joy of giving as they choose gifts for their moms, dads, grandparents and friends at the Holiday Shop, Floris Elementary School, 2708 Centreville Road, Herndon, 4-8 p.m. Gourmet foods, unique jewelry, personalized items, flower arrangements, Japanese crafts plus Tupperware, Longaberger Baskets, Creative Memories, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Discovery Toys are just some of the things at the Craft Fair. Call Karen Downs, Floris PTA Craft Fair Committee Chair, at 703-476-1037.
Concert. The Voce Chamber Singers, a choral ensemble based in Reston, presents “Celebrate Christmas,” seasonal music for choir, organ and brass, 8 p.m., St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 432 Van Buren St., Herndon. Advance admission is $18 for adults, $13 for seniors and $5 for students or $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and $7 for students at the door. For more information or advance ticket purchase call 703-277-7772 or e-mail voceva@hotmail.com. Visit www.voce.org.
Concert. Gary Ferguson and Jordan Tice. The last of the 2005 Weekend Bluegrass Concert Series at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1090 Sterling Road, Herndon, 8 p.m. Admission is $12. For information or reservations call Ellie at 703-437-1883 or Bob at 703-435-8377.
<b>Saturday/Dec. 3
</b>Twentieth Annual Herndon Homes Tour. Five homes that span 100 years of Herndon history open to public, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., beginning at the Herndon Depot Museum, 717 Lynn St. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 on tour day. For information and ticket sales call Carol Bruce at 703-437-7289.
Concerts. The Reston Chorale holds two concerts at the Reston Community Center. Two works are commissioned to be performed by the Reston Chorale orchestra. Contact Linda Ackerman, Managing Director, The Reston Chorale, 703-834-0079.
<b>Sunday/Dec. 4
</b>Arts and crafts show. More than 90 arts and crafts vendors, Herndon Community Center, 814 Ferndale Ave., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 703-787-7300, or visit www.herndon-va.gov.
Holiday Arts & Crafts Show. Herndon Community Center, 814 Ferndale Ave., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 703-435-6868.
Library Open House. Refreshments, music and seasonal crafts for children, annual Open House, all ages, 1-3 p.m. Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive. 703-689-2700.
Christmas Play. “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” by Barbara Robinson. Reston Presbyterian Church, corner of Sunset Hills and Hunter Mill roads in Reston, 6:30 p.m. Play is free but reservations are suggested, call 703-759-5515 by Dec. 1. Free babysitting and parking.
<b>Monday/Dec. 5
</b>Concert. Reston Presents! hosts Somos El Mar, a folk group, 7 p.m., Jo Ann Rose Gallery, RCC Lake Anne, 1609 Washington Plaza. Somos El Mar performs traditional songs, including Celtic, Caribbean, Hispanic, as well as original and contemporary music. The group is regularly seen at the Folk Club of Reston-Herndon. Event is free, but seating is limited, first-come, first-served. Contact Shawnna Hughes, Reston Community Center, at 703-390-6157 or Ashleigh Soloff, Reston Association, at 703-435-6577.
<b>Tuesday/Dec. 6
</b>Town Council Work Session. Town of Herndon Council conducts a strategy session on the Fiscal Year 2007 budget goals/objectives and CIP priorities, 6 p.m., Council Chambers Conference Room.
<b>Wednesday/Dec. 7
</b>Celebrations. Winter party and auction. Sponsored by Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce. Call 703-707-9045. Visit www.restonchamber.org.
<b>Friday/Dec. 9
</b>Friday Studio Series. Dragonfly Asian Antiques & Collectibles and Mayflower Design Showroom present a program on traditions of tea, from 6-9 p.m., at 11411 Sunset Hills Road, Reston. The program is free and features Brian Wright, tea importer of Shansui Teas, who specializes in Taiwanese, Korean and Japanese varieties of tea.
<b>Sunday/Dec. 11
</b>Concert. Jinny Marsh's Hot Kugel Klezmer Band TM, Congregation Beth Emeth, 12523 Lawyers Road, Herndon, 2:30 p.m. Fundraiser for The Jewish Theological Seminary. $25 adult, $18 young adult and $75 family. Reserve tickets by Dec. 3 at 703-860-4515. Klezmer music is a traditional form of Eastern European Jewish dance music. Modern groups are innovating and applying modern jazz sensibilities to ancient Jewish melodies. E-mail Jinny at info@hotkugelklezmerband.com, or visit hotkugelklezmerband.com.
<b>Thursday/Dec. 15
</b>Holiday shopping trip. Reston Association invites residents to a day of holiday shopping at Potomac Mills Road, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Upon arrival at the mall, participants receive a coupon book for discounts throughout the mall. $12 Reston residents, $15 non-Reston residents. Space is limited, call 703-435-6577 or visit www.reston.org. Bus pick-up times and locations: 9 a.m. Hunters Woods Fellowship House, 2231 Colts Neck Road; 9:15 a.m. Thoreau Place, 1951 Sagewood Lane; Lake Anne Fellowship House, 11450 North Shore Drive.
<b>Saturday/Dec. 17
</b>Santa's Workshop. Children ages 3 and up meet and have a picture taken with Santa, bring your camera. Receive holiday tattoos and play games. Herndon Community Center, 814 Ferndale Avenue, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. RSVP by Dec. 12. $6 for children, $3 for parents if eating lunch. Call 703-787-7300 or visit www.herndon-va.gov.
Children's Holiday Party. The annual party catered to children at Jimmy's Old Tavern, 697 Spring St. Visit www.jimmystavern.com, or call 703-435-5467.
Santa's Workshop. At the Herndon Community Center, 814 Ferndale Ave. Call 703-435-6868.
<b>Sunday/Dec. 18
</b>Chanukah Lunch. B'nai B'rith Chanukah Pot Luck Dairy Lunch and light entertainment, at the Reston Community Center. 12:30-3:30 p.m. Call 703-620-3844 for reservations.
<b>Wednesday/Dec. 21
</b>Stories. Ho, Ho, Holidays! Stories and activities for the whole family. All ages, 7:15 p.m., Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive. 703-689-2700.