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.
Wacky Wednesdays, for children aged 3-6, at the Sterling Community Center, beginning Oct. 5, 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.
Spanish classes will be held Wednesdays, Oct. 5-Nov. 9, from 7:30-8:30 p.m., at the Sterling Annex Community Center, 1115 W. Church Road. This is an adult beginner class. Cost $48 for county residents and $72 for all others. Preregistration required, call 703-430-6673.
Knitting for beginners is being offered at the Sterling Annex Community Center, 1115 W. Church Road, Oct. 8, from 10 a.m.-noon. Cost is $30 for county residents and $45 for nonresidents. Preregistration required, call 703-430-6673. participants must bring worsted-weight yarn in their choice of color, size 8- to 14-inch-long knitting needles, a metal or plastic yarn needle and scissors. Students will learn basic stitches and complete a small project if they wish.
Oatlands will feature the following garden seminars, which are open to the public at the Oatlands Carriage House, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane. cost $10 per person for members, $12 for nonmembers. Call 703-777-3174 for reservations.
* Saturday, Oct. 8, 11 a.m., Forcing Bulbs and Branches by Carol Sherman;
* Saturday, Oct. 15, 11 a.m., Holiday Arrangements by Linda Weiner.
The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling, is offering ceramics, Wednesday, Oct. 12, from 10:30 a.m.-noon; and Thursday, Nov. 17, from 10:30 a.m.-noon. Cost per session is $21 for members, $22 for nonmembers. Call 703-430-2397.
Beginning Acting Classes with Benjamin at the Senior Activity Center at Leesburg, 215 Depot Court, first floor. Classes will feature a mix of reading, pantomime, musical theater and skits culminating with a small presentation. Tuesdays, Oct. 11-Nov. 1, 6:30 -8 p.m. Cost $5, pay on the second floor. Call 703-737-8039.
Gentle yoga, Tuesdays, Oct. 11-Dec. 13, from 6:30-7:45 p.m., the Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Cost for 10 sessions $87.50 for members, $97.50 for nonmembers. Call 703-430-2397.
The History of Tea, Mondays, through Oct. 17, 5:30-7 p.m., at the Senior Activity Center at Leesburg, 215 Depot Court, first floor. Offered by the Shenandoah University, College of Lifelong Learning, for ages 50 and older. Learn how tea is grown and processed, why it became popular in the west, learn about and sample different varieties. Cost $89. Registration begins Aug. 22. Call 703-737-8039.
Sports Mania, for ages 3-5. The instructor will introduce a different sport each week. Mondays, Oct. 17, Oct. 24, Nov. 14 and Nov. 28, 3:15- 3:45 p.m., $4 each session. At the Douglass Community Center, 407 East Market St., Leesburg, 703-771-5913 or e-mail dcc@loudoun.gov.
Hip-hop dance workshop with Citydance Ensemble. Learn dance movement and vocabulary with this contemporary, multicultural modern dance company. For ages 12-18. Advanced registration required.
* Saturday, Oct. 22, 11 a.m., Eastern Regional Loudoun Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling. 703-444-3228.
* Saturday, Oct. 22, 2 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. 703-737-8100.
The Loudoun Academy of the Arts is offering several workshops led by acclaimed artists:
* Five-Day Oil Painting Workshop, Oct. 24-28, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Internationally acclaimed John Leone is known for his equine and landscape art which is painted in the Old Master's Style. In this workshop, tailored to the needs of the students, he will instruct participants in the handling of light and color. Fee is $495.
* Introduction to Glassblowing. Weekend workshops with Dario DeHoyas allow students to develop skills in molten glass. 12-4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. $230 includes all
supplies.
Visit www.loudounacademy.org or 703-777-8043.
The Loudoun Academy of the Arts is a nonprofit organization that offers fine art instruction, gallery exhibition space and affordable studio spaces for working artists.
Preschool Sports Academy, for ages 3-5. Introduction to the fundamentals of several types of sports. Thursdays, Oct. 20-Nov. 10, age 3, races and relays, 3:30-4 p.m., $16; ages 4-5, races and relays, 3:30-4 p.m., $32. At the Douglass Community Center, 407 East Market St., Leesburg, 703-771-5913 or e-mail dcc@loudoun.gov.
It's All in the Game, for ages walking to 24 months. Walk, crawl, jump and run. Learn and explore the world of games and sports. Parent participation required. No class Nov. 8. At the Douglass Community Center, 407 East Market St., Leesburg. Tuesdays, Oct. 18-Nov. 15, 9:15-9:45 a.m., $16. Contact Douglass Community Center at 703-771-5913 or e-mail dcc@loudoun.gov.
Gym Jam, for ages 2-3. Fun introduction to sports-related activities that emphasizes team play and group interaction for parent and child together. At the Douglass Community Center, 407 East Market St., Leesburg. Wednesdays, Oct. 19-Nov. 9, 9:15-9:45 a.m., $16. Contact Douglass Community Center at 703-771-5913 or e-mail dcc@loudoun.gov.
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.
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.
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, 1115 W. Church 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.