Send announcements, which are open to the public at no or minimal cost, 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 Matthew Razak at 703-917-6457. For additional listings, visit www.connectionnewspapers.com.
<cal1>Wednesday/Dec. 13
<cal2>Casino Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Charles Town, W.Va. Includes slots and simulcast horse racing. Lunch on own. Price $7 per member, $9 nonmembers and includes transportation and $5 cash back, subject to change. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
Music Together-The Joy of Family Music. Songs, rhythmic chants, movement and instrument play for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Sterling Library, 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Recommended for infants through 5 years with parent or caregiver. Tickets are required and may be picked up one half hour before the program; call 703-430-9500.
Stories to Warm Your Heart. Bring the whole family for stories, crafts and refreshments to celebrate the season. Sterling Library, 4 p.m. Recommended for the whole family. Register by Dec. 9, call 703-430-9500.
<cal1>Thursday/Dec. 14
<cal2>Spanish Bilingual Story Time. A bilingual story time with Barbara Davila at Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls, 4 p.m. Recommended for ages 4-10.
Holiday Lights Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Washington, D.C., to see the Pageant of Peace, Mormon Temple and Visitors Center. Includes dinner on own at Union Station. Price $19 per member, $21 nonmembers and includes transportation and free admission. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
<cal1>Friday/Dec. 15
<cal2>Museums Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Washington, D.C., to visit Natural History, Gallery of Art, American Indian, Air and Space or African Art/Sackler/Freer museums. Lunch on own. Price $8 per member, $10 nonmembers and includes transportation and free admission to art museum. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
Senior Swing. Ages 55 and up, Sterling Community Center, 120 Enterprise St., 7-10 p.m. Dance to big band music. Transportation available, call 703-430-9480. Cost $2-$3.
Park Pals. Ages 2-4. 9:30-10:30 a.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling. Discover the outdoors with a grown-up friend. Look for tracks, listen for bird calls, look under logs siblings. Cost $7 per child. Call 703-444-1275.
Frogshackle Open House. All ages. 11 a.m.-noon, Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling. Is deer fur like rabbit fur? Touch them and find out. Explore the rock box and compare the crystals, turquoise and other minerals. Discover a treasure trove of objects from nature. Children must be accompanied by an adult. No registration is required. Theme: Winter Solstice. Free. Call 703-444-1275.
<cal1>Saturday/Dec. 16
<cal2>Holiday Jazz. At Tarara Winery. Includes live music, holiday treats, wine and gift shop specials. The winery is open, from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., the music plays, from 12-4 p.m. 13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg, 703-771-7100 or www.tarara.com.
Basket Distribution. LINK Christmas food basket distribution, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., at Christ the Redeemer Catholic in Sterling and Trinity Presbyterian in Herndon. Contact Mark Gunderman, 703-367-7410.
Gingerbread House Decorating. Lansdowne Resort, 44050 Woodbridge parkway, Leesburg. Assemble a gingerbread house and decorate it to take home. Decorations provided. tickets $68 per house per two people, $10 per extra guest. Time to be determined. Call 703-729-8400 or visit www.lansdowneresort.com.
Lunch with Santa. Lansdowne Resort, 44050 Woodridge Parkway, Leesburg. Have lunch at the Riverside Hearth and have your picture taken with Santa and his elf; enjoy Lansdowne's holiday decorations. Adults $32.95; children 6-12 $16.50; children 5 and under $6.75. Call 703-729-8400 or visit www.lansdowneresort.com.
Symphony Performance. Loudoun Symphony Orchestra performs "Polar Express," featuring soprano Marlissa Eaton. At Stone Bridge High School, 43100 Hay Road, Ashburn. A lecture takes place at 7 p.m., string workshop at 7:30 p.m. and performance at 8 p.m. Advanced tickets $15 adults, $7 child/student, through college; at the door $18 adults, $8 child/student. Call 703-771-8287, fax 703-771-8211, or e-mail info@loudounsymphony.org.
The Nutcracker. The Loudoun Ballet Company's 17th annual holiday classic "The Nutcracker" at Dominion High School in Sterling. Advanced reserved seating is $16 per adults, $12 per children 12 and under and seniors 60+. All premium reserved seating is $20. All tickets at the door are $20. Call the ticket office at 703-771-8074 or visit www.loudounballet.org.
Blood Drive. Ages 18 and up. Sterling Annex, 1115 W. Church Road, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. For details or to schedule appointment, call 1-800-Give-Life.
Santa Lunch. All ages. Sterling Community Center, 120 Enterprise St., 1-2:15 p.m. Have lunch with Santa, give him your list, get your photo taken and make a holiday craft. Cost $5. Call 703-430-9480.
Gift Wrap. Bring all your holiday gifts to the Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, and let Ashburn Library Advisory Board volunteers wrap them. From 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Enjoy holiday music in the library; donations will be used to support children, teen and adult programs at the library. Call Larry Stepnick at 703-858-9066.
How to Search for Wildlife. Ages 5 and up. 10-11:30 a.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling. Discover the simple skills that naturalists use to find the animals in their homes. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Theme: Sound of Silence. Call 703-444-1275 to register. Cost $4 per person.
Santa Visit. Santa Clause is coming to the Broadlands Village Shopping Center at Café Panache, from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Children’s menu, $5. Reservations required, 703-723-1424. 43135 Broadlands Center Plaza, Suite 121, Ashburn.
Lunch & Movie. Cascades Library, noon. Watch “High School Musical,” includes pizza. Visitors encouraged to sing along to the songs and dance. Recommended for ages 12-18. Call the Cascades Library, 703-444-3228, Ext. 309.
Fans: Not Just to Beat the Heat. Learn the history and language of the fan and make one to take home. Recommended for ages 8 and up. Rust Library, 2 p.m. Registration begins Dec. 2, 703-771-5624.
Music of the Season with Pianist Greg Genter. Ashburn Library, 12:30-3:30 p.m. Call 703-737-8100. Recommended for all ages.
<cal1>Sunday/Dec. 17
<cal2>Symphony Performance. Loudoun Symphony Orchestra performs "Polar Express," featuring soprano Marlissa Eaton. At Loudoun County High School, 415 Dry Mill Road, S.W., 3 p.m. Advanced tickets $15 adults, $7 child/student, through college; at the door $18 adults, $8 child/student. Call 703-771-8287, fax 703-771-8211 or e-mail info@loudounsymphony.org.
The Nutcracker. The Loudoun Ballet Company's 17th annual holiday classic "The Nutcracker" at Dominion High School in Sterling. Advanced reserved seating is $16 per adults, $12 per children 12 and under and seniors 60+. All premium reserved seating is $20. All tickets at the door are $20. Call the ticket office at 703-771-8074 or visit www.loudounballet.org.
Dance Performance. The Dance Academy of Loudoun presents the Sugar Plum Suites, a 20-minute excerpt of the Nutcracker for younger audiences ages 5 and younger. 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., at the Dance Academy of Loudoun, 705H E. Market St., Leesburg. Tickets $5 for children 1-12, adults free. Call 703-443-1093.
Music of the Season with Pianist Greg Genter. Ashburn Library, 1-4 p.m. Call 703-737-8100. Recommended for all ages.
<cal1>Monday/Dec. 18
<cal2>Toy Distribution. LINK Holiday toy distribution, 6-9 p.m., at Herndon United Methodist in Herndon. Contact Mark Gunderman, 703-367-7410.
Lunch with Santa. All ages, Arcola Community Center, 24244 Gum Spring Road, noon-1 p.m. Includes crafts, pizza, stories and pictures. Cost $15. Call 703-327-3111.
Raccoons and Friends. Ages 3-5. 9:30-11 a.m. and 12:30-2 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling. Do raccoons wash their food? What do they do in winter? Make your own raccoon mask while you explore their lives and the lives of their furry friends. Cost $10.50 per child. Call 703-444-1275.
<cal1>Tuesday/Dec. 19
<cal2>Toy Distribution. LINK Holiday toy distribution, 6-9 p.m., at Herndon United Methodist in Herndon. Contact Mark Gunderman, 703-367-7410.
White House Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the White House and Visitors Center. Lunch on own. Price $8 per member, $10 nonmembers and includes transportation and free tour. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
Lunch with Santa. All ages, Arcola Community Center, 24244 Gum Spring Road, noon-1 p.m. Includes crafts, pizza, stories and pictures. Cost $15. Call 703-327-3111.
Raccoons and Friends. Ages 3-5. 9:30-11 a.m. and 12:30-2 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling. Do raccoons wash their food? What do they do in winter? Make your own raccoon mask while you explore their lives and the lives of their furry friends. Cost $10.50 per child. Call 703-444-1275.
Gingerbread House. Follow the trail of bread crumbs left by Hansel and Gretel in the enchanted forest and build a gingerbread house with graham crackers, candy canes and gumdrops at Cascades Library, 4 p.m. Recommended for ages 7 and up. Register by Dec. 16 at 703-444-3228, Ext. 309. Visit http://www.lcpl.lib.va.us/.
<cal1>Wednesday/Dec. 20
<cal2>Senior Movie. At the Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, 1:30 p.m. See Disney's animated movie "Cars." Rated G. Cost $2 and includes popcorn and soda. Call 703-430-2397.
Winter Concert. Dominion High School Choral Department presents it's winter concert, 7:30 p.m., in the school auditorium. Free.
<cal1>Thursday/Dec. 21
<cal2>Light the Great Road. Celebrate the Winter Solstice and see the Town of Purcellville's historic "Great Road," Main St., Purcellville, lit with more than 3,000 luminaries, 6-8 p.m. Free. Call 540-338-7421 or visit http://www.purcellvilleva.com.
White House Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the White House and Visitors Center. Lunch on own. Price $8 per member, $10 nonmembers and includes transportation and free tour. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
Mitten Madness. Ages 3-6. Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling, 10-11 a.m. Listen to story about a boy who lost his mittens and what happens when animals find them; search the woods for animals to fill own mittens. Adult must accompany children. Cost $4. Call 702-444-1275.
<cal1>Friday/Dec. 22
<cal2>Luncheon. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling, is holding a Christmas Eve luncheon, noon. Ham and turkey provided, participants asked to bring side dish to share. $2 for members, $4 nonmembers. Limited seating, call 703-430-2397 or tickets available beginning Dec. 9 at reception desk.
<cal1>Wednesday/Dec. 27
<cal2>White House Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the White House and Visitors Center. Lunch on own. Price $8 per member, $10 nonmembers and includes transportation and free tour. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
Bird Count. The National Audubon Society’s Annual Christmas Bird Count. North to Waterford, south to Aldie, east to Ashburn, and west to Purcellville and includes the Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, Morven Park, Ball’s Bluff and much of rural western Loudoun. Everyone is welcome, both beginners and expert birders, amateurs are teamed with experienced birders. Contact Joe Coleman at 540-554-2542 or jcoleman@loudounwildlife.org. A $5 fee for adult bird count participants, over age 18, helps offset the cost of preparing the database and it’s publication in the CBC issue of “American Birds.”
School's Out Movies. Watch "Curious George" at Cascades Library, 2 p.m., and take home some books about everyone's favorite monkey. Recommended for all ages. Call 703-444-3228, Ext. 309.
<cal1>Thursday/Dec. 28
<cal2>School's Out Movies. Watch "Cars" at Cascades Library, 2 p.m. and check out some car books. Recommended for all ages. Call 703-444-3228.
<cal1>Friday/Dec. 29
<cal2>Dance Party. New Year's Eve party and dance, Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling, 1-4 p.m. Cost $5 for members before Dec. 28; $7 for nonmembers and members at the door. Snacks and light refreshments served, transportation available through the RecTrac for additional $2. Music by disc jockey Sky Dantinne. Call 703-430-2397.
<cal1>Sunday/Dec. 31
<cal2>First Night. First Night Leesburg will have more than 100 performances at 20 indoor locations in downtown Leesburg, all within walking distance of one another. Includes jazz, classical music, puppet shows, bluegrass, folk music, magicians and much more. Concludes at midnight with a traditional Grand Illumination gathering on the courthouse green. Performances, 6-11:45 p.m., illumination, 11:45 p.m.-midnight. Ticket prices to be determined. Call 703-777-6306 or visit www.bluemont.org.
New Year's Eve Celebration. Lansdowne Resort, 44050 Woodridge Parkway, Leesburg. Includes deluxe accommodations, reception, dinner, dancing, midnight breakfast and breakfast or brunch the next morning. Cost is $525 per couple. Call 703-729-8400 or visit http://www.lansdowneresort.com.
<cal1>Thursday/Jan. 4
<cal2>Senior Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the Brewmaster's Castle and Woodrow Wilson House. Lunch on own around DuPont Circle. Price $18 per member, $20 nonmembers and includes transportation and admission. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
<cal1>Friday/Jan. 5
<cal2>Play Auditions. The Sterling Playmakers are holding auditions for the upcoming production of The Miracle Worker, 7 p.m., at Sterling Community Center, 120 Enterprise St. Call 703-430-9480.
<cal1>Saturday/Jan. 6
<cal2>Play Auditions. The Sterling Playmakers are holding auditions for the upcoming production of The Miracle Worker, 1 p.m., at Sterling Community Center, 120 Enterprise St. Call 703-430-9480.
Book Swap. Sterling Annex Community Center, 1115 W. Church Road, 10 a.m.-noon. Free. Trade books, books on tape, DVDs and VHS movies. Call 703-430-6673.
<cal1>Sunday/Jan. 7
<cal2>Pancake Breakfast. The monthly pancake breakfasts at your Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, Ashburn Road, Ashburn. Scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, hash browns, biscuits and gravy, juice and coffee. Adults $6, seniors $5 , children $4, under 3 free. Contact AVFRD 703-729-0006.
<cal1>Wednesday/Jan. 10
<cal2>Senior Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to see "Nunsense" at the Riverside Dinner Theatre, Frederickburg, Va. Price $55 per member, $57 nonmembers and includes transportation, show, lunch, tax and tip. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
<cal1>Thursday/Jan. 11
<cal2>Casino Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Charles Town, W.Va. Includes slots and simulcast horse racing. Lunch on own. Price $7 per member, $9 nonmembers and includes transportation and $5 cash back, subject to change. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
<cal1>Wednesday/Jan. 17
<cal2>Black Experience Luncheon. Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Learn about the Black Experience in Loudoun County at a luncheon that also pays tribute to black Americans. Sign up at the center or call Janet Brown, 703-430-2397, Ext. 103. Lunch donation suggested.
<cal1>Friday/Jan. 19
<cal2>Sports-Plex. Ages 5 and up. Sterling Community Center, 120 Enterprise St., 7-9 p.m. Watch sports-related movie. Includes pizza, soda and surprises. Cost $2. Call 703-430-9480.
<cal1Monday/Jan. 22
<cal2>Museums Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Washington, D.C., to visit Natural History, Gallery of Art, American Indian, Air and Space or African Art/Sackler/Freer museums. Lunch on own. Price $8 per member, $10 nonmembers and includes transportation and free admission to art museum. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
<cal1>Wednesday/Jan. 24
<cal2>Casino Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Charles Town, W.Va. Includes slots and simulcast horse racing. Lunch on own. Price $7 per member, $9 nonmembers and includes transportation and $5 cash back, subject to change. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
<cal1>Friday/Jan. 26
<cal2>Supreme Court Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the Supreme Court and Library of Congress. Lunch on own. Price $8 per member, $10 nonmembers and includes transportation and free admission. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
<cal1>Tuesday/Jan. 30
<cal2>Secret Auction. Annual secret auction at the Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, 2 p.m. Bid on wrapped items based on hints provided by the auctioneer. To donate new or like-new items, call Erik at 703-430-2397, Ext. 123.