To post local events in the Connection, mail 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail Lea Mae Rice at burke@connectionnewspapers.com or fax 703-917-0991. Deadline is the Thursday before the week of the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. Call 703-917-6459.
December
Holiday Tours. Through the month of December, celebrate the holiday as George Washington’s family would with “Gather the Family” tours, 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. at Woodlawn Plantation, 9000 Richmond Highway, Alexandria. See the full dining table and hear tales of visitors from 1817. Enjoy cider and cookies in the museum shop at the end of the tour. $7.50/adults, $3/students through 12th grade. No reservations required. Call 703-780-4000 ext. 33.
Personalized Internet and MS Office Tutoring. One-on-one sessions with a technology volunteer at Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Adults. 703-339-4610.
Practice Your English. Conversation group for people learning English 10:15 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. every Wednesday at Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. 703-339-4610.
Personalized Internet Training. Basics for beginners, at Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. Adults. Call 703-339-7385 for appointment.
Thursday/Dec. 7
Daytime Book Group. "A Yellow Raft in Blue Water" by Michael Dorris 12:15 p.m., at Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. 703-339-4610.
Saturday/Dec. 8
Plantation Christmas. Spend an 18th-century holiday 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Gunston Hall, 10709 Gunston Road, Mason Neck. Ride in a horse-drawn carriage, sip steaming cider in front of a bonfire, and sample food prepared over an open hearth. Costumed characters take part in activities typical of the season. $14/adults, $7/ages 6-18, free for children under 6. Holiday Buffet is 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the plantation, and is $39.95/ages 11 and up, $19.95/ages 6-10. Call 703-339-0460 to reserve a spot at the buffet. For more on Plantation Christmas, call 703-550-9220.
Saturday/Dec. 9
Santa's Hayride. Join Santa's helpers on a horse-drawn wagon ride under the stars to visit Santa 6-10 p.m. at Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield. Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight. $10/child, $6/adult, babies on laps free. Fee includes hayride, visit with Santa, cup of hot chocolate, and keepsake photo on disk. Reservations required, hayride times are pre-assigned. To register, send participants' names, address, phone number, age, program title, and a check payable to FCPA to Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield VA 22150. Call 703-569-0285. Refunds only if event is canceled.
Pet Pictures with Santa. Bring a dog, cat or other furry friend to Lake Accotink Park for pictures with “Santa Claws” 2-4 p.m. Park is located at 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield. Santa photos are digitally captured on disk to keep. $5/pet. To register, send participants’ names, address, phone number, age, program title, and a check payable to FCPA to Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield VA 22150. Call 703-569-0285 for credit card registrations or more information. Refunds only if event is canceled. Pets must be leashed.
Plantation Christmas. Spend an 18th-century holiday 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Gunston Hall, 10709 Gunston Road, Mason Neck. Ride in a horse-drawn carriage, sip steaming cider in front of a bonfire, and sample food prepared over an open hearth. Costumed characters take part in activities typical of the season. $14/adults, $7/ages 6-18, free for children under 6. Holiday Buffet is 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the plantation, and is $39.95/ages 11 and up, $19.95/ages 6-10. Call 703-339-0460 to reserve a spot at the buffet. For more on Plantation Christmas, call 703-550-9220.
Tea Party. The Mia Saunders School of Ballet has its annual tea party 12-1:30 p.m. and 2:30-4 p.m. at 6201 Sandstone Way, Clifton. $8, make checks payable to The Armel-Garabino Trust Funds. Contact Helen Martin, 703-815-0525 or HelenLMartin@cox.net for reservations.
Sunday/Dec. 10
Home for the Holidays. Learn about holiday tea customs of the early 19th century followed by a complimentary tour of the home at Woodlawn Plantation, 9000 Richmond Highway, Alexandria. Seatings are 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. $25/tea and tour of Woodlawn, $30/tea and tour of Woodlawn and Pope-Leighey. Reservations required. Call 703-780-4000 ext. 33.
Veggie Gourmet. Veggie Gourmet presents "Holiday Gifts and Entertaining, a.k.a. Move Over Martha Stewart" 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at 9302 Hallston Court, Fairfax Station. Learn to make heartfelt vegan gifts from the kitchen from chocolate peanut butter cups to cranberry cheesecake. Class includes recipes, food samples, and manufacturers' coupons. $45/person, $80/two people. Pre-registration required. Call 703-643-2713 for availability.
Monday/Dec. 11
Gingerbread Tales. Stories and Activities 10:30 a.m., at Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Ages 2-3 with adult. 703-339-4610.
Book Discussion Group. Talk about your favorite book of the year 7 p.m., at Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Adults. 703-451-8055.
Winter Wonderland. Stories, activities and a craft about the magic of winter 7 p.m., at Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. Ages 6-12. 703-339-7385.
Thursday/Dec. 14
What's New in Picture Books. See new picture books to use with preschoolers. Daycare provider certification available 7 p.m., at Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Adults. 703-451-8055.
Friday/Dec. 15
Winter Wonderland. Cool stories and activities 10:30 a.m., at Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Ages 2-5 with adult. 703-451-8055.
Saturday/Dec. 16
Evergreens. Learn about local evergreen plants. Presented by the Hidden Pond Nature Center 10:15 a.m., at Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. All ages. 703-451-8055.
Monday/Dec. 18
First Page. A group for all aspiring writers, novices and experts of all genres 7 p.m., at Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Adults. 703-339-4610.
Tuesday/Dec. 19
Cold-Weather Friends. Winter stories and activities 10:30 a.m., at Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Ages 13-23 months with adult. 703-339-4610.
Snowy Day. Stories, activities and a craft 10:30 a.m., at Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. Ages 2-5 with adult. 703-339-7385.
Wednesday/Dec. 20
Library Writer's Peer Review Group. For those pursuing the path to publication with short fiction or novels, or writing scripts 7 p.m., at Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Adults. 703-339-4610.
Book Club. "Marley and Me" by John Grogan 7:30 p.m., at Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. Adults. 703-339-7385.
Thursday/Dec. 21
Springfield Writer's Group. Share your work, give and receive feedback in a supportive setting 7 p.m., at Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Adults. 703-451-8055.
Wednesday/Dec. 27
Movies & More. Short movies and a craft to celebrate the holidays 10:30 a.m., at Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. All ages. 703-451-8055.
Thursday/Dec. 28
At the Zoo. Wild animal stories and activities 1 p.m., at Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Ages 2-5 with adult. 703-339-4610.