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.
Adult ESL classes at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Sterling Park begin Sept. 15. Classes are $25. However, applications for reduced prices, free classes and payment plans are available. Come to the trailer from 7-9 p.m., Sept. 8. If a person needs to call, just leave a name once and telephone number two times. Se habla espa–ol. 703-421-7086.
The Loudoun Cooperative Extension is offering a seminar on Starting a Family Child Care Business to provided caregivers with the tools to develop a home-based child-care service. Includes an overview of the requirements for state licensing, information on how to obtain a business license and local zoning permit for compliance with ordinances, a discussion on the Child and Adult Care Food program. Sept. 15, from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at the Loudoun Extension Office, 30B Catoctin Circle, S.E., Leesburg. Registration fee is $10 and includes resource manual. Contact Beverly Samuel, 703-777-0373.
Preschool Sports Academy, for ages 3-5. Introduction to the fundamentals of several types of sports. Thursdays, Sept. 15-Oct. 6, age 3, basketball, 3:30-4 p.m., $16; ages 4-5, basketball, 4-5 p.m., $32. 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.
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, Sept. 14-Oct. 5, and 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.
Cuddle Bugs Playgroup at Douglass Community Center, 407 East Market St., Leesburg. For ages 6-18 months. Meet other parents and encourage children to explore the world around them, develop motor skills, and socialize. Preregistration is required. Classes are held Fridays, Sept. 9, 9:30-10:30 a.m., $8; Sept. 16-Nov. 4 and Nov. 18, 9:30-10:30 a.m., $8 each session. Contact Douglass Community Center at 703-771-5913 or e-mail at dcc@loudoun.gov.
Saturday, Sept. 17, 9:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m., the Sterling Annex Community Center, 1115 W. Church Road, will offer a pie basket workshop. Cost is $28 for Loudoun residents and $42 for noncounty residents, plus a $15 supply fee payable to the instructor. Preregistration required. For adults. Bring a towel, large bucket, tape measure, an awl or ice pick, scissors and spring-type clothespins. Call 703-430-6673.
Driver Improvement Course, DMV approved, Saturday, Sept. 17 and 24, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., 2 Cardinal Park Drive, Suite 105A, Leesburg. Cost: $65. To register contact Sherri at 703-675-6632 or sfawzi@vrtc.org.
The Sterling Annex Community Center, 1115 W. Church Road, Sterling, is offering drawing and watercolor painting classes for students 7 years-adults, with instructor Maria Hawkins. Classes are Mondays, Sept. 19-Oct. 31, with no class on Oct. 10. Cost is $84 and preregistration required. A supply list available at the center. Call 703-430-6673.
Sports Mania, for ages 3-5. The instructor will introduce a different sport each week. Mondays, Sept. 19, Oct. 3, 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.
Introduction to Computers, Tuesday, Sept. 20, from 9:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m., at the Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Cost $21 for members and $22 for nonmembers. Call 703-430-2397.
Movement with Kathy, a mixture of dance, tai chi, stretching and yoga. Tuesdays, starting Sept. 20, 1:30 p.m., at the Senior Activity Center at Leesburg, 215 Depot Court, first floor. Free, sign up on the second floor. wear comfortable, loose clothing and exercise shoes. Call 703-737-8039.
Inova Loudoun Hospital will host a two-day Safe Sitter Babysitting course, Saturday, Sept. 24, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 25, 1-5 p.m., for students 11-13 years old, at the Lansdowne Campus, 44045 Riverside parkway, Leesburg, in the patient education room. Cost for the two-day course is $50 per person. Register by calling 703-858-6360 or visit www.thebirthinginn.org.
CPR (Adult, Child and Infant) and First Aid, Sunday, Sept. 25, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Virginia Rescue Training Center Inc., 2 Cardinal Park Drive, Suite 105A Leesburg. Cost: CPR $55, first aid $35, combination class, $80. To register contact Sherri at 703-675-6632 or e-mail to sfawzi@vrtc.org.
The History of Tea, Mondays, Sept. 26-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.
The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling, is offering a class on Windows XP, Tuesday, Sept. 27, from 9:15-a.m.-12:15 p.m. Cost $21 for members and $22 for nonmembers. Call 703-430-2397.
Introduction to Photography, Wednesdays, Sept. 28-Nov. 9, from 7-8:30 p.m., Leesburg Senior Center, 215 Depot Court, first floor. A National Geographic photographer teaches the basics of taking great photos. Bring your own camera. $89. Instructor, William Reichert. Call 703-737-8039.
Introduction to Drawing, Fridays, Sept. 30-Nov. 11, from 7-8:30 p.m., Leesburg Senior Center, 215 Depot Court, first floor. Professional portraitist teaches the basics of drawing and sketching. $89. Call 703-737-8039.
Music Appreciation, Wednesdays, Sept. 28-Nov. 9, from 5:30-7 p.m., Leesburg Senior Center, 215 Depot Court, first floor. Enjoy discussions of concert music with a conductor and a trip to a concert. $89. Transportation fee additional. Instructor, Matthew Salomon. Call 703-737-8039.
Art Appreciation, Fridays, Sept. 30-Nov. 11, from 5:30-7 p.m., Leesburg Senior Center, 215 Depot Court, first floor. Learn about great artists of the world and take a guided museum tour. $89. Transportation fee additional. Instructor, Lisa Reed. Call 703-737-8039 to register.
The Loudoun County Senior Center, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling, will have the next AARP Driving Safety class Wednesday, Sept. 28 and Friday, Sept. 30, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Must attend both days for certificate. $10 for members. Nonmembers are required to pay an additional $2 for daily use fee. All registrations must be in cash and there will be no refund unless your seat is resold. Call 703-430-2397.
The Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., offers monthly ESL Computer Basics for speakers of English as a second language, the first Tuesday each month, at 9 a.m. Learn computer basics including Internet, e-mail and word processing. For ages 18 and up. Advanced registration required by Oct. 4, call 703-430-9500.
The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling, is offering a class on the Internet, Tuesday, Oct. 4, from 9:15-a.m.-12:15 p.m. Cost $21 for members and $22 for nonmembers. Call 703-430-2397.
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.
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.
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 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.
'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 (ESL) 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 (ESL) 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.