<i>Send announcements to the Reston Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, send an e-mail to reston@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is Thursday 5 p.m. for the following week's paper. Photos/artwork encouraged. Call Meghan Williams at 703-917-6437 with questions. This free listing is reserved for activities and events that are open to the public at no or minimal cost.</i>
The Reston Community Center and Reston Interfaith are offering Citizenship Preparation Classes. Class will be held at St. Anne's Episcopal Church in Reston, 7-9 p.m. Thursdays, Sept. 29-Dec. 1. The class covers American history and civics, and helps participants prepare for the oral interview and written exam given by the U.S. Customs and Immigration Service. The instructors will help students complete the application for U.S. naturalization and provide a comprehensive review of the 100 questions on the USCIS exam. The class also includes fun activities such as international potluck dinners and discussions about students' native countries. To attend this class, participants must be able to read, write and speak English.
This course is targeted at people 16 and older. The course fee for people who live or work in Reston is $15, and $23 for all others. Register in person or fax a completed RCC Registration form to 703-476-8617. St. Anne's Episcopal Church is located at 1700 Wainwright Drive in Reston.
A free English class for speakers of other languages is offered at Jubilee Christian Center as a special Sunday school class at 9:30 a.m. 4650 Shirley Gate Road, Fairfax. Call 703-383-1170.
Practice Your English, for beginning- and intermediate-level conversation groups for adults learning English. Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive. Call 703-689-2700.
Individual Internet training for adults at Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive. One-hour sessions with a technology volunteers. Call 703-689-2700.
Reston resident Carol Berman will help students learn pastel drawing and improve drawing skills on Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-noon, at her Reston studio. Cost is $15 per session. Call 703-437-9068.
SOAR, or "Scouts Obtain Achievements and Recognition," teams Scouts with Reston Community Center Youth Department staff members, who assist the youth in earning merit badges and completing projects in the areas where they have resources and special expertise such as photo developing, cooking and crafts. Scouts can register for one-day, hands-on workshops on Mondays and Tuesdays 4-6 p.m. or 6-8 p.m. Call Julie Windsor at 703-390-6163 to schedule a workshop. The cost of the workshops is $6 for Reston residents and $9 for all others.
Tiny Dancers is available at the Reston YMCA preschool. This dance education program emphasizes technical excellence and self-expression through the use of well-known stories and hundreds of costumes and props. Young dancers gain confidence and self-esteem through positive reinforcement in a creative and nurturing environment. Tiny Dancers offers ballet, tap and hip-hop classes specifically tailored to young dancers. Visit www.tinydancers.com or call the studio at 703-385-5580.
Angela’s Happy Stamper offers a variety of stamping and other crafting classes, including Beginning Stamping. Call 703-435-0051 or visit www.ahappystamper.com for class listings and schedules.
Free ESL classes are being offered at Dranesville United Methodist Church. More than 1,000 adult students have attended these classes since first being offered in 1993. Various levels of instruction are available for beginning to advanced students. Registration and classes continue Thursdays, 9:30-11:30 a.m., until the semester ends Dec. 15. New students are welcome at any time. Free child care is also provided during class time for children 2 years and older. Dranesville United Methodist Church is located at 1089 Liberty Meeting Court, Herndon. Call the church office at 703-430-3137, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.