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 Ballet Company is accepting dance-themed artwork for display at its 2006 National Dance Week Choreography Competition Art Show, April 29-30, at Heritage High School.
Artwork will be accepted at the Loudoun School of Ballet, 305 East Market St., Leesburg, from April 17-April 22, between the hours of 4-9:00 p.m. Additional entry forms can be picked up there as well or downloaded from The Loudoun Ballet Company Web site, loudounballet.org, under Schedule/Events and Choreography Competition.
All artwork needs to be properly protected to prevent damage during handling, transportation, and hanging. Two dimensional pieces should be mounted to construction paper or similar lightweight material. Fill out the entry form and attach it to the back of the artwork. Your name must not appear on the front of the artwork.
Gift certificates have been donated by The Cinnamon Tree, a dance supply store in Herndon, for first, second, and third place winners in each category. Categories are as follows: Child, age 5-8; Junior, age 9-12; Senior, age 13-17 and Adult, age 18 and up.
The artwork may be picked up at the conclusion of the awards ceremony or by contacting the coordinator, Deborah Jordan, at 703-944-2876.
The Good Shepherd Alliance Thrift Store in Sterling is looking for donations, specifically jewelry. Profits from the Thrift Store go towards operation of the two homeless shelters in Loudoun County, the day/warming center in Leesburg, and a new project in Purcellville. Donations are taken daily Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., at the back door of the Thrift Store in Sterling. Call 703-444-5956. Tax receipts are available.
Loudoun MADD is selling the red MADD CHOOSE COURAGE community awareness wristbands for $1, which can be mailed for an additional $.50 each. The wristbands can be purchased by sending a check to Loudoun MADD at P.O. Box 4252, Leesburg, VA 20177, with the number of wristbands for purchase. Visit the Loudoun MADD Web site at www.maddloudounva.org to see a picture of the wristbands. For questions send an e-mail to maddloudoun@aol.com.
Residents and businesses using the Loudoun County Recycling Drop-off Centers are reminded that the recycling centers accept only mixed bottles, cans, and paper. Specifically, items that are accepted at the recycling centers include clear- and colored-glass bottles and jars; aluminum and steel cans; plastic bottles and jugs Ñ beverage, detergent and squeeze bottles and jugs only; newspapers; magazines; phone books; catalogs; junk mail; office paper; cardboard; and paperboard such as cereal boxes.
Items that are not accepted at the centers include plastic bags; plastic flower pots; Styrofoam; or any other type of plastic that is not specifically a bottle or jug; window glass; plate-glass; porcelain; wood; yard waste; furniture; needles; nails; construction materials; electronics; hazardous chemicals or chemical containers; and motor oil containers.
If an item is not listed on the sign as acceptable for recycling, do not deposit it in the recycling bin, and instead call the Loudoun County Office of Solid Waste Management at 703-777-0187. For more information visit www.loudoun.gov/oswm.
Loudoun Volunteer Services seeks nominations for Student Volunteer of the Month. Loudoun students will be recognized for their volunteer efforts during the 2004-2005 school year. Nominate students, or groups of students, elementary-12th grade, who volunteer their time in a variety of ways in their schools, churches, and towns. A one-page narrative may be sent to the Loudoun Volunteer Services Board at pivs@loudoun.gov or to 1 Harrison St., S.E., P.O. Box 7000, Leesburg, VA 20177.
The one-page narrative should include the student's name, address, telephone number, school and a description, including length of service of the exemplary volunteer efforts of the student. Contact information for the person nominating the student should also be included.
Volunteers will be featured in the Loudoun Volunteer Services Newsletter and on the Loudoun County Government Web site. Contact Lisa Rose, volunteer coordinator, at
703-777-0113.
The Claude Moore Foundation has awarded the Loudoun Literacy Council a $65,000 grant to be used as funds for the council's Family Literacy Program for the 2006/2007 school year. The literacy program provides services to at-risk families, such providing the literacy component of Head Start, a reading program at the county emergency homeless shelter and a special national children's book week distribution to county shelters and STEP and Head Start programs.
American Cancer Society Relay for Life team captain meetings will take place April 25, May 23, May 30, bank Night, for the Eastern Loudoun ACS Relay for Life, June 3-4. The meetings are at 6 p.m., in the Potomac Falls High School Library, 46400 Algonkian Parkway, Sterling. All welcome to come to hear about the relay and how to get a team signed up. Contact Chris hallettva@verizon.net or www.acsevents.org/relay/easternloudoun.
Ashburn Fire and Rescue Department annual photograph fund-raiser is underway. Make arrangements with the authorized staff in Ashburn Fire and Rescue shirts who are going door to door in the neighborhoods. For a donation to AVFRD, receive a free photo shoot and 11 by 14 photo. Or visit the Ashburn Fire House, 20688 Ashburn Road, Ashburn to make a donation and have photo taken.
Bring family, friends, co-workers, baseball team, pets or just yourself. Photo shoot dates May 6 and 7, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. , June 10 and 11, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., July 16, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Call the Fire House at 703-729-0006.
AARP Tax-Aide is the nation's largest free, volunteer-run tax preparation service available to taxpayers with low and middle income, with special attention to those age 60 and older. AARP Tax-Aide is administered by the AARP Foundation in cooperation with the IRS. All tax preparation volunteers receive training in tax law and must pass an IRS certification examination.
All taxpayers must bring a government issued picture identification and Social Security cards for all persons included on the tax return.
The AARP Tax-Aide program operates through April 17, at Falcons Landing Senior Residence, 20225 Falcons Landing Circle, Sterling. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 1:30-4:30 p.m. Appointment required, call 703-404-5216.
Arts in the Alley is seeking entries for the outdoor art fair and music festival to be held June 10 in historic Purcellville.
The show is open to artists working in all media including, but not limited to painting, photography, sculpture, fiber, mixed media, clay, glass or wood. All items must be for sale and must be the original work of the artist. No commission on sales. Artists are responsible for handling their own money and reporting their own sales tax. Insurance is the responsibility of the artist.
Student artists (under age 18) are encouraged to show their work also. Student art will be displayed in a separate area and judged for prizes. Student artists may choose to sell their work if they wish or just display it.
All accepted artists are invited to promote their work on
the show Web site www.ArtsInTheAlley.org. Instructions for
uploading images and contact information will be sent upon
receipt of your booth fee.
To apply, complete the online form at http://www.artsinthealley.org/callforentries-form.php and send three images, which are representative of the artist' current work and a photo of the booth display with a nonrefundable entry fee of $25. Or, request a form by writing
to Show Director, P.O. Box 479, Purcellville, VA 20134-0479.
Applications will be evaluated as received.
Arts in the Alley is presented by local artists and art supporters in association with Main Street Purcellville, Main Street Loudoun, and the town of Purcellville, Va. Call or e-mail Jane Butler, artists@ArtsInTheAlley.org, 540-338-2002.