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.
Virginia Reader's Choice Book Club at Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. This book club will read one-two books each month from the elementary-school level Ñ grades three-five Ñ that were nominated by the Virginia Reader's Choice Program for the 2006-2007 school year. This monthly meeting will include a book discussion, games and refreshments.
Parents are welcome to join with their children in the reading of the books. Advance registration required and began Monday, Aug. 14, call 703-737-8105. Participants will receive a free copy of the book upon sign up. Sponsored by the Ashburn Library Advisory Board.
Loudoun County Democrats will be meeting Thursday, Aug. 24, at the Rust Library in Leesburg, from 7-9 p.m. Call 703-771-3366.
Loudoun County Master Gardener Volunteers are having a fall bulb sale with proceeds going to support their educational activities throughout the year. Order forms can be picked up at local libraries, community and senior centers, at the Extension Office at 30-B Catoctin Circle, S.E., Wachovia Bank Building, Leesburg. The order form is also available for download from the Master Gardener Volunteer Web site, www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org.
Forms and payment must be returned to the Extension Office by Wednesday, Aug. 30. Orders will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis; bulbs available for pick up at the Extension Office Saturday, Sept. 30, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Contact 703-771-5150 or ex107mg@vt.edu.
La Leche League of Ashburn will hold its next meeting Sept. 1, at 10:15 a.m., at the Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. The topic is "Nutrition and Weaning." Pregnant and nursing women as well as their children are welcome to attend. Free. Call a La Leche League leader at 703-723-9891.
Northern Virginia Writers First Friday event, Sept. 1, from 7:30 -9:30 p.m., at Leesburg Town Hall, 25 W. Market St., Leesburg. Topic will be "Structuring Your Story," presented by Khris Baxter. Admission is $4 for members of The Writer's Center and residents of Leesburg; $6 for the general public. Call 301-654-8664.
Freedom Hill Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, will have Maj. Gen. Larry Adair, U.S. Army, retired, to speak about, "Your Army and You," Saturday, Sept. 2, at the American Legion Post 270, 1355 Balls Hill Road, McLean. The meeting is open to the public and begins at noon. Call 703-356-2370 or visit www.users.erols.com/denawards/.
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. Septmber's meetings are Sept. 5 and 19, at 10 a.m., at the Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org.
The Welcome Club of Northern Virginia invites community residents to attend its monthly luncheon at Flemings Steak House in McLean Thursday, Sept. 7. The speaker is Eileen Weklar of Feng Shui Designs and Solutions, who will present a creative and practical guide to Feng Shui. Registration begins at 11 a.m. For reservations and additional information about the luncheon or the organization, call 703-281-6335 or e-mail dlboguts@cox.net. The deadline for reservations is Friday, Sept. 1, at noon.
Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) at Capital Community Church is now taking registration for the 2006-07 year. MOPS provides mothers with the support they need through resources and relationships. It 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. The new MOPS year starts Friday, Sept. 8. Call
703-404-3977 or 703-430-9398.
Ashburn Classics is holding its first silent auction, Saturday, Sept. 9, at the Ashburn Library on Hay Road. Bidding is from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Members, guests, friends and neighbors are welcome. Contact Pat Morin, coordinator, 703-723-
0919 or Pamela Halston, chairperson, 703-771-7041.
Loudoun Horse Association is the sponsoring a natural horsemanship clinic Tuesday, Sept. 12, 7 p.m., prompt start. Presentation by Leslie Gottesman, a natural horsemanship practitioner who will not only explain the basics but will give a live demonstration of natural horsemanship techniques with a horse and owner who are trying to solve a common handling problem. Clinic to be held at 36928 Stonemeadow Road, Purcellville. Call 703-431-0178. It is $5 for nonmembers and free to members.
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. September's meetings are Sept. 12 and 26, at 10:15 a.m., at the Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org.
The Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department Explorer Post 1666 invites interested community members to attend the "First Night" meeting Sept. 13, at 7 p.m., at the Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, 20688 Ashburn Road, Ashburn. Call 703-729-0006.
All girls ages 5-18 and parents interested in Daisies, Brownies or Girl Scouts are invited to attend a registration open house at River Bend Middle School cafeteria, 46240 Algonkian Parkway, Sterling, 6-8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 14. Registration is $10 per year. E-mail Laura Garrett at schlpng@yahoo.com or Laura Garofolo at zoegarf@msn.com.
Children's and infant's clothing, toys and equipment sale, Saturday, Sept. 16, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at Belmont Station Elementary School, 20235 Nightwatch St., Ashburn.
Deals on gently used clothing, toys and equipment; one room dedicated to everything baby; second room will focus from toddlers on up. Sponsored by Loudoun-Fairfax Mothers of Multiples Club. Visit www.lfmomc.com.
The next monthly membership meeting of the Potomac Valley Shetland Sheepdog Club (PVSSC) is Monday, Sept. 18, at 7:30 p.m., in the meeting room of the Dunn Loring Firehouse, 2148 Gallows Road, Dunn Loring. Free and open to the public. Guest speaker is trainer Pat Schaap. Refreshments. Bring your dog and meet other Sheltie owners and breeders. Visit the clubÕs Web site at http://www.shetlandsheepdog.us.
The MOMS Club of Ashburn Village Area, covers Ashbrook, Regency, Cameron Chase, Belmont Country Club, University Center, the Courts and Ridges, and more. It is a nonprofit, nondenominational organization with chapters all over the world. It offers age-appropriate play groups, field trips to fun and exciting places, "Momsâ Night Out" volunteer opportunities and more. Business meetings on the third Monday of each month at 10:30 a.m., at the Ashburn Library or visit the Web site at http://www.geocities.com/ashburnmomsclub or e-mail ashburnmomsclub@yahoo.com.
The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling, has a walking club, which meets Thursday mornings, at 10:30 a.m. Walks take place outside, so wear loose comfortable clothing and sneakers. In case of inclement weather, walkers will be transported to the Dulles Town Center to walk around the "track."
Help Save Loudoun meets at 7 p.m., the last Wednesday of each month at the Cascades Library, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Visit www.helpsaveloudoun.com.
Are you a Virginia 4-H All Star? The Loudoun County 4-H program is trying to contact past All Star recipients who now live in Loudoun County. Contact the Loudoun County Extension Office at 703-777-0373 or by e-mail at kred@vt.edu.
At the CountrySide Women's Club's will resume meetings is September. The club is open to all women in CountrySide and the surrounding area; and meets at the Parkway Meeting Room in CountrySide, Algonkian Parkway. Call the president, Teresa Bettac, at 703-444-3035.
S.T.O.P.S (Survivors Together Offering Personal Support) will meet Mondays, at Broadlands Nature Center, 21907 Claiborne Parkway, Ashburn, at 6:30-8 p.m.
ST.O.P.S is a fellowship of young girls and women who may share their experience, strength and hope with each other, so that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from the trauma of being sexually abused. Primary purpose is to heal and help other victims of sexual assault become survivors.
Weekly Master Gardener Volunteer's Lunch and Learn at the Master Gardener Demonstration Garden, Ida Lee Park, Leesburg. Every Tuesday, at noon, beginning in May, Loudoun County Master Gardener Volunteers will make a 20- to 30-minute educational presentation followed by a question-and-answer session and a tour of the Ida Lee Demonstration Garden. The public is invited to attend these programs free, no registration is required. In case of rain, the program will be held, Thursday evening, at 7 p.m.
Call the Loudoun Extension Office at 703-777-0373.
Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn, will be holding the Virginia Young Readers Book Club, 7 p.m., each month for elementary-school level, grades third-fifth, children. Includes reading one-two books each month, games and refreshments. Parents encouraged to join children in reading the selections. A limited number of free copies of each selection are available at the library for participants. Register in advance by calling 703-737-8105.
The book discussion group at the Senior center at Cascades marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling, meets the third Tuesday of each month at noon. Open to interested members. 703-430-2397.
The Ashburn-Sterling Masonic Lodge meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6:45 p.m. for dinner at the lodge. Call Russ Baneck at 703-470-2188 or Charles Maranto at 703-868-7896. The lodge is located at 43881 Waxpool Road in Ashburn.