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.
Fly a Kite at the Douglass Center. 407 E. Market St., Leesburg. Ages 3-5. Extend the preschool day. Students will make a kite and fly it in the park. Bring a snack. Wednesday, April 5, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $8. Call 703-771-5913.
Ceramics, Wednesday, April 5, from 1-3 p.m.; and Thursday, May 4, from 10:30 a.m.-noon, Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Cost $21 for members, $22 for nonmembers per session. Registration required, call 703-430-2397.
The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling, is offering a ceramics class, Wednesday, April 5, from 1-3 p.m.; and Thursday, May 4, from 10:30 a.m.-noon. Cost $21 for members and $22 for nonmembers per session. Call 703-430-2397.
Hatha yoga class for adults, Thursdays, through April 6, from 7-8 p.m., at the Sterling Annex, 22084 Shaw Road. Covers the fundamentals with an emphasis on strength, flexibility and stamina plus breathing techniques to reduce stress. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a mat or blanket. Cost $48 for county residents, $72 for nonresidents. Preregistration required, call 703-430-6673.
Chakra therapy weekend workshop, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 7-9, Anahata Center for Yoga & Wellness, 112 South St., S.E., Leesburg. $195, call for times and to register, 703-771-0006 or www.experienceanahatayoga.com.
Inova Loudoun Hospital will host a one-day, Safe Sitter baby-sitting course Saturday, April 8, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The course is for students 11-13 years old, and is held in the patient education room at the Lansdowne Campus at 44045 Riverside Parkway in Leesburg. Cost for the course is $55 per person.
Participants can register by calling 703-858-6360 or visiting the Web site at www.thebirthinginn.org.
The course is a medically accurate, competency-based, highly structured baby-sitting preparation course. The curriculum includes baby-sitting as a business, success on the job, child care essentials, safety for the sitter, injury management, preventing problem behavior, care of a choking infant, as well as care of a choking child. It also includes tutorials on rescue breathing, in-class practice time and expanded information on preventing injuries and behavior management.
The Town of Purcellville in cooperation with both the Purcellville Gazette and the Purcellville Baptist Church are teaming up to help promote Internet safety for the month of April. Two conferences, April 11 and April 30, will highlight the dangers of the Internet and how its affects children. Learn the pros and cons of blog sites, MySpace and others.
Both events are free to the public and everyone is encouraged to attend. April 11, at Purcellville Town Hall, 7 p.m., "Internet Safety and You," presented by Special Agent Peter Vu, FBI, Officer Mike Owens, Purcellville Police Department and Doug Chaplow, DSC Digital and Purcellville Gazette. Call 888-662-1224.
Gentle yoga, Tuesdays, April 11-June 27, from 6:30-7:45 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Cost $103.50 for members, $115.50 for nonmembers for 12 sessions. Registration required, call 703-430-2397.
The Sheriff's Office is offering the 19th Citizen's Police Academy, beginning Wednesday, April 12.
The free sessions will be held one evening per week for 10-weeks, from 7-9:30 p.m., at the Sheriff's Office administration building in Leesburg with the exception of the firearms training session, which will be held at the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office firearm's range located off of Route 50, in the Chantilly area.
Sheriff's Office personnel will conduct the training classes, providing an overview of all the aspects of law enforcement within the agency. Members of the class may also have the option of participating in a ride-a-long with a deputy after completing the academy.
The classes are open to Loudoun County residents over the age of 18. Contact Ginger Wines or Bonnie Burke at the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office at 703-777-0407, during normal business hours of 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Registration will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Chair yoga at the Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling, Thursdays, April 13-June 15, from 11-11:45 a.m. $52.50 for members, $62.50 for nonmembers for 10 sessions. Call 703-430-2397.
Mis-Communication or Missed Communication? A communication strategies workshop with Gay Nagy and Bonnie O'Leary, of the Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons, Saturday, April 15, 10 a.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. Learn tricks and strategies for better communication between persons with hearing loss. For adults. Advanced registration required by April 12, e-mail gnagy@nvrc.org, boleary@nvrc.org, or call 703-352-9055, 703-352-9056 (TTY).
Fishing class at Banshee Reeks. Meet at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve in Leesburg for some fishing. Bring a pole and a snack. Parents or children 16 years of age and older
must bring a valid fishing license. Class will meet Saturday, April 15, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Cost is $6 per child. Participants must be age 5 or older. Contact Douglass Community Center at 703-771-5913 or e-mail at dcc@loudoun.gov.
Cuddle bugs play group at Douglass Community Center, 407 East Market Street, Leesburg. Meet other parents and encourage children to explore the world around them, develop motor skills, and socialize. Preregistration is required, call 703-771-5913 or e-mail at dcc@loudoun.gov. Classes are held Fridays, April 21, April 28, May 12, May 26, June 9. All classes are from 9:30-10:15 a.m., and cost $6.
Body rolling workshop, Saturday, April 22, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Combine yoga with deep-tissue massage through body rolling. Anahata Center for Yoga & Wellness, 112 South St., S.E., Leesburg. $30 for workshop, $25 additional for massage ball and pump. 703-771-0006 or www.experienceanahatayoga.com.
Cheryl Harris, founder of Conscious Creations Inc., will hold an interactive presentation of the Conscious Creations Principles, Monday, April 24, 7:30 p.m., at the Sterling Community Center, 120 Enterprise St. Cost is $10 advance registration, $12 at the door. To register, call Cheryl at 703-421-7229 or e-mail Cheryl@ConsciousCreationsInc.com.
Couples/partners workshop, Saturday, April 29, 1-3 p.m., Anahata Center for Yoga & Wellness, 112 South St., S.E., Leesburg. $60 per couple. 703-771-0006 or www.experienceanahatayoga.com.
Douglass Community Center will be holding beginner swing dance classes starting Monday, May 1. Class will meet, from 7-8 p.m., every Monday through June 12, with no class May 29, at the center, 407 E. Market St., Leesburg. Participants must be 14 years of age or older. Cost is $60 per person for six sessions. Contact Douglass Community Center at 703-771-5913 or e-mail dcc@loudoun.gov.
Douglass Community Center, 407 East Market St., Leesburg is offering Mother's Day Surprise craft class, Thursday, May 11, 11-11:45 a.m. For ages 3-5. Make a special surprise form mom. $6. To register call the Douglass Community Center at 703-771-5913 or e-mail dcc@loudoun.gov.
Douglass Community Center, 407 East Market St., Leesburg is offering Flag Day craft class, Tuesday, June 13, 10:30-11:15 a.m. For ages 3-4. $6. To register call the Douglass Community Center at 703-771-5913 or e-mail dcc@loudoun.gov.
The Loudoun Cooperative Extension is offering a Virginia gardener short course, which will run throughout the year as a series of sessions in July 10, July 24, and Aug. 7; Oct. 30 and Nov. 6. The course will be held at the Extension Office, 30 B Catoctin Circle, S.E., Leesburg, from 6-8 p.m., on those dates.
Participants can choose to attend one session or all eight. Cost is $10 per session or $65 to register to attend all eight sessions. Those who complete all eight sessions will receive a certificate of completion at the closing of the short course in November. A registration flyer can be downloaded from the Loudoun County Extension Web site http://www.loudoun.gov/services/agri.htm or it is also available at local libraries. Call or e-mail the Master Gardener Volunteer Helpline Office and ask to have a registration flyer mailed, 703-771-5150, Ext. 107mg@vt.edu.
Downtown Yoga, 26-A Plaza St., Leesburg, on the second floor of the building, is offering a free meditation group every Sunday morning at 8 a.m. In these one-hour sessions, enjoy a quiet, peaceful space to meditate with other like-minded people. Each session will begin with a brief inspirational discussion followed by a 40-minute meditation. Meditation is led by Doug Kalish. No advance sign-up necessary. Meditators of all levels are welcome. Visit downtown-yoga.com.
The Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, is offering music classes for children 0-18 months to 3 years. Classes will be held Thursdays, staring at 9:45 a.m. and the fee is $120 for 12 weeks. Call 703-430-6673 or 703-297-2627 or visit www.kamstonkidsmusic.com for registration details.
Lunch Bunch Afternoons are being offered by the Sterling Annex, 22084 Shaw Road, featuring crafts, outdoor and indoor play and lunch for children. Bring bag lunch, no microwaveable or refrigerated foods. Classes follow the Loudoun County Public Schools' schedule and meet Wednesdays and Fridays, from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Drop in fee $5 per hour. Call 703-430-6673.
On every first and third Tuesday of the month at 9 a.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., offers ESL basic computer skills needed for Internet, e-mail and word processing. Recommended for speakers of English as a second language. Limit 10 students per session. Register by calling 703-430-9500 V/TYY.
Prenatal Education. Loudoun Hospital, 44045 Riverside Parkway, Leesburg, presents workshops for expectant parents. Admission is free, but registration is required. Call 703-779-2694.
English classes Thursdays, from 7-9 p.m., at Purcellville Baptist Church. Five different leveled classes offered, including one for au pairs. One time $15 registration/book fee. Free child care and homework assistance for older children. Two days a week of English instruction offered for beginners class. Walk-ins welcome. For more information, leave your name and number at 540-338-6400.
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, 22084 Shaw 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.
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.
A Better Way to Fitness LLC offers a new, total-body fitness program designed to get moms and dads fit and toddlers play. Dance 'N Play classes will be offered at Douglass Community Center Thursdays, at 9:30 a.m., classes will last
approximately 45 minutes and include cardio segments done to children's music with intervals of strength training, using resistance tubing and the environment. Register by contacting Douglass Community Center at 703-771-5913. Classes cost $10 per session and are charged on a monthly
basis.
Wacky Wednesdays, for children aged 3-6, at the Sterling Community Center, 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.
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.