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 Loudoun Family Child Care Coalition will hold an open house, Thursday, Sept. 22, from 7-8 p.m., at the Loudoun Valley Community Center in Purcellville. The group is looking to start a support group for child-care providers in the western portion of the county. LFCCC is a nonprofit coalition, which provides professional support to at-home day-care providers and their families. Call the hotline 703-715-6656.
The Loudoun Walking and Volkssport Club invites walkers and runners to participate in its fall walks. Routes are easy and stroller-friendly. Walk safely with family, friends, a pet or alone. No advance registration; no fees.
* Sept. 24, in conjunction with the Lovettsville Oktoberfest, the club hosts a 3-mile and 7-mile walk through the countryside. Start any time between 8 a.m. and noon, from Bonnie's Country Kitchen on the Berlin Pike (Route 287). The route follows back roads to Mount Olivet United Methodist Church and back to Lovettsville.
* Oct. 22, the club hosts a walk at Tarara Winery. Choose 3- and 6-mile routes through the woods and vineyards. Enjoy a grilled bratwurst, too. Start any time between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. This walk is in partnership with county Girl Scout troops, and the scouts may earn a patch to wear on their sashes, there is a $3 fee for the patch, Scouts register through their troops.
In addition, the club also offers 6-mile walks at four locations Ñ Ashburn, Leesburg, Purcellville and Sterling Ñ around the county, which can be completed any day of the week. Pick up directions from an IVV Walk Box during the starting pointÕs normal business hours. A nominal $3 registration fee applies; a starter set of log books for events and distance costs only $5. Contact club president Bob Wright at rwright2@jhu.edu or 703-737-2175.
Mothers First-Ashburn is dedicated to supporting women who have chosen to alter their careers to raise their children at home. Activities include parent/child morning meetings and field trips, moms' nights out and lectures. Meetings are from 10:15-11:45 a.m., at the Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org. Upcoming meeting are Sept. 27, Oct. 11, and Oct. 25, at 10:15 a.m., at the Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road.
Mothers First-Leesburg is dedicated to supporting women who have chosen to alter their careers to raise their children at home. Activities include parent/child morning meetings and field trips, moms' nights out and lectures. Upcoming meetings are Oct. 4 and Oct. 18, at 10 a.m., at the Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org.
Mothers First-Sterling is dedicated to supporting women who have chosen to alter their careers to raise their children at home. Activities include parent/child morning meetings and field trips, moms' nights out and lectures. Upcoming meetings are Oct. 4 and Oct. 18, at 10:30 a.m., at the Eastern Loudoun Regional Library, 21030 Whitfield Place.Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org.
MOMS Club of Ashburn Village Area, a nonprofit, nondenominational organization offering support to mothers and children is meeting Monday, Oct. 31, Halloween party, at 10 a.m. Meetings held at Ashburn Library on Hay Road. The group offer play groups, field trips, Moms' Night Out, and much more; and covers the following areas in Ashburn besides the Village-Cameron Chase, The Regency, Belmont Country Club and Ashbrook. New members always welcome. E-mail Cindy at stevencindy@adelphia.net or call 703-729-4921.
Vestal's Gap Walking Club for ages 18 and up. Enjoy conversation and a brisk walk throughout the park's 11 miles of trails. The club meets outside the Visitor Center and walks anywhere from 30-60 minutes, depending on the route. Walkers with dogs on a leash are welcome. Walks are scheduled for Wednesdays, 6 p.m., through Oct. 19. Preregistration required. Walks are canceled if there is inclement weather. Free. Claude Moore Park, 21544 old Vestal's Gap Road, Sterling, call 703-444-1275.
SELF (Supporting Eastern Loudoun Families) is a coalition dedicated to keeping the community safe and drug free. It meets the fourth Monday of each month, 7:30 p.m., at the Eastern Loudoun Branch Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Eastern Loudoun residents invited. Free. 703-430-9590.
MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) at Capital Community Church is now taking registration for the 2005-2006 MOPS year. MOPS provides mothers with the support they need through resources and relationships. The group meets the second and fourth Friday of each month, from 9:30-11:30 a.m., at Capital Community Church in Ashburn Village. Child care is provided. Call 703-404-3977 or 703-430-9398.
The Countryside Women's Club's is open to all women. There are many special interest groups within the club. Call president Teresa Bettac at 703-444-3035.
Ashburn-Sterling Masonic Lodge No. 288, A.F. & A.M., meets the second Tuesday of each month, at 7:30 p.m., at the Lodge on Waxpool Road, Ashburn. All non-Masons are welcome to attend the program.
Loudoun Toastmasters, a nonprofit public speaking group dedicated to helping people communicate better, meets the first and third Thursdays of each month at the National Conference Center in Lansdowne. Visit www.geocities.com/loudountm
Ashburn Parkinson's Support Group, newly formed, meets the first Tuesday of each month, at 1:30 p.m., at the Winglar House West, 20903 Runnymeade Terrace, Ashburn. No charge. Call 703-723-0919 or patgrandaffairs@aol.com.
Bible Study Groups. Every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m., and the first and third Wednesday, at 10 a.m., Loudoun County Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling.
Moms In Touch International. A group of mothers who gather to pray for students, teachers and schools. To obtain a listing of MITI nearby groups praying for schools visit the ministry's Web site at www.MomsInTouch.org. The Web site also offers instructional materials, as well as videos and leadership resources to help mothers start MITI groups for schools that don't already have one. Contact the ministry at 1-800-949-MOMS or info@MomsInTouch.org or in Virginia call 1-757-482-5882 or miti4va@erols.com.
Sterling Chapter of the DAR. New membership welcome. Call 703-620-2279 or e-mail tward@mmiconnect.com.
Sterling Silvers. Every Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. Weekly meetings include lunch, short business meetings and program. Participants can bring a lunch or sign up for CAFE lunch. Cost for CAFE lunch is $3.75 and reservations are required. See Olga for more information on Sterling Silvers and Beth for CAFE lunch. Loudoun County Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling.
Equality Loudoun, community and advocacy for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people and allies. Social events, issues advocacy, outreach and education to build a Loudoun community with respect for all. Write to Equality Loudoun, P.O. Box 251, Leesburg, VA 21078. Call 703-431-0882 or visit www.equalityloudoun.org.
Sterling Singles. A metro-area social club for singles over 21 welcomes prospective members to their monthly mixers held every third Wednesday at Luciano's Restaurant in Herndon at 6:30 p.m. Call 703-444-5534 or visit www.sterlingsingles.org.
Loudoun Photography Club meets on first and third Tuesdays of each month, September through May. First Tuesday meetings are speakers. Third Tuesday meetings are competitions. Visitors are always welcome at meetings and club events. Visit the Web site www.loudounphoto.org, e-mail loudounphotoclub@cox.net, or call 703-725-2931.
Ashburn Toastmasters would like to welcome those interested in developing communication, leadership and presentation skills to its meetings on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at the Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. The meetings begin at 7 p.m. Contact Kelly Nutwell at Kelly_Nutwell@hotmail.com or call 703-729-0450.
Save Scenic Loudoun has set up an online resource center to share information on under grounding power lines. The resource center includes letters, articles and links to related Web sites and provides information on what other communities are doing to get power lines underground.
This site will be updated continuously. Visit www.SaveScenicLoudoun.com.
Birthday Blessing Inc. A nonprofit organization created to deliver gifts to needy children who might not receive a gift on their birthday. Birthday Blessing finds these children through social services, homeless shelters, youth shelters and prison ministries. The organization is looking for sponsors, new toys for children 3-16 years old, new books, wrapping paper, birthday cards and shipping boxes. Monetary donations can be made to sponsor children or can be made in the honor of a friend or relative. Call Sharon Hough at 703-481-8180, or visit www.BirthdayBlessing.org.
Eastern Loudoun Civil War Roundtable. Group meets at the Sterling Annex in Sterling the third Tuesday of every month, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Nonmembers are welcome. Call Steve Meserve at 703-404-0542.
Bond Between Us is a nonprofit organization dedicated to offering a support group to birth parents and their significant others. Call 703-771-7844.
Sterling/Reston DRADA (Depression and Related Affective Disorders Association) Support Group meets first and third Tuesdays of each month, 7-9 p.m., in Reston. Call Ginny at 703-966-2510.
King Street Studios. Studios are located in the Art Center at 222 S. King St. in Leesburg has available studio space. The King Street Studio artist association is a group of artists working in oils, pastels, watercolor, jewelry. Contact Ann Noel at 703-444-5900 or the Loudoun Academy of the Arts 703-777-8043.
The Loudoun County Crime Solvers (LCCS) Committee is seeking new members from the community. The mission of Loudoun County Crime Solvers is to promote community participation by assisting local law-enforcement agencies in the apprehension and convictions of criminals through a system of cash rewards. LCCS allows those with knowledge of a crime who want to remain anonymous to call a dedicated local phone number, 703-777-1919. Contact the Public Information Office for the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office at 703-771-5278.
The Loudoun Family Child Care Coalition. LFCCC meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. The LFCCC's goal is to provide support for child-care providers by raising awareness of the experience of quality home-based family child care through advocacy, training and education. In cooperation with Child Nutrition Inc. and Loudoun County Social Services, LFCCC covers the Leesburg, Sterling, Ashburn and neighboring communities. Call 703-715-6656.
Mothers & More of the Dulles Area, a national support network for mothers who have altered their career paths to care for their children at home, has a monthly meeting from 7-9 p.m., every second Wednesday at the Eastern Regional Loudoun Library. Visitors are welcome.
American Legion. The Ashburn American Legion Post meets every second Thursday of the month at Wingler House located on Gloucester Boulevard in Ashburn Village. All veterans of past periods of hostilities are welcome to attend these meetings and participate in the Post activities. Call 703-858-0066.
Mothers Against Unjust Law meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month at 7 p.m., in the library of the McLean Baptist Church, 1367 Chain Bridge Road. Women experiencing difficult litigation, legal abuse, parental alienation or custody evaluations should call 703-748-0072. Free.
Mothers & More of Northern Virginia is a support organization for women who have altered their career path to care for their children at home. General meetings are held the first Thursday of each month at the Fairfax County Government Center, 7:30-9:30 p.m. General Discussion meetings are held the third Wednesday of each month in Braddock Hall at the Kings Park Library, Burke, at 7:30 p.m. Call 866-716-7766.
La Leche League meetings emphasize the joys of breastfeeding while informing and encouraging mothers who wish to nurse their babies. Meeting discussions include the latest medical research as well as mothers' personal experiences. LLL of Sterling meets on the third Friday of each month at 10:15 a.m. Mothers with their nursing babies and mothers-to-be are welcome. For directions to the meetings or for more information, call Elizabeth 703-689-0811, Christine 703-404-0121 or Meg 703-467-8341.