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 MOMS Club of the Ashburn Farm area is a support group for at-home moms. It provides a variety of activities for moms and their children, including weekly events and play groups designed to encourage interaction with other moms and their children. The club will be holding its monthly meet-n-greet, open to all moms and their kindergarten-age or younger children Wednesday, Jan. 11, from 3:30-5 p.m., at the Ashburn Village: Mills Recreation Center, 43895 Grottoes Drive, Ashburn. The topic will be safety. Call or e-mail Theresa at 703-726-0033 or tm_luby@yahoo.com. Visit http://www.momsclub.org/welcome.html.
French expatriate and Loudoun businesswoman Christine Homer is forming a new Òspecial interest groupÓ for fellow Francophiles. Intended to meet monthly, the new club will explore all things French Ñ books, films, food, wine, cheese, music. From excursions to museum exhibits to conversations in French Ñ the program of events is wide open for input during its formative stages. An organizational meeting will be held Thursday evening, Jan. 12, at 6:30 p.m., at 19 N. King St., Leesburg, in the Vaaler Real Estate conference room. In the event that bad weather forces rescheduling, contact Homer at 703-209-4357 or chomer@vrec.com.
CountrySide Women's Club will hold its first meeting of the New Year, which will focus on nutrition, wellness and mind/body balance, Jan. 13. Julia Kalish, a certified nutritionist and health coach, will be the guest speaker The meeting is at 9:30 a.m., at the Parkway Pool Meeting Room, Algonkian Parkway in CountrySide. Call president Teresa Bettac at 703-444-3035. The CSWC's New Member Tea will be held Jan. 26, from 2-4 p.m. RSVP to Heather at 703-421-4194. The club is open to all women. There are many special interest groups within the club. Call president Teresa Bettac at 703-444-3035.
Ashburn Classics a club for 50-somethings who are Òyoung at heart.Ó The monthly meetings take place on the second Saturday of each month, usually at the Ashburn Library situated on Hay Road. The first topic, Saturday, Jan. 14, is ÒTime To Get Ready For TaxesÓ and will be given by a representative from AARP. Contact Pamela Halston, chairperson, at 703-771-7041.
The Red Hat Mama's Club at the Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling, will hold its next lunch event, Tuesday, Jan. 17, at 1 p.m., at Cheng's to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Additional information posted at the center.
MOMS Club of Ashburn Village Area, a nonprofit, nondenominational organization offering support to mothers and children holds meetings on the third Monday of each month. The group offers play groups, field trips, Moms' Night Out and more. New members always welcome. The next meeting is Wednesday, Jan. 18. E-mail ashburnmomsclub@yahoo.com or visit http://www.geocities.com/ashburnmomsclub.
The Virginia Young Readers Primary Book Club meets at the Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, at 7 p.m. Each month read and discuss different books from the Virginia Young Readers Primary selection. Includes an activity or craft related to the book. For children in grades kindergarten-second; home schoolers welcome. The next meetings are Jan. 23 and Feb. 21. Advanced registration required, call 703-737-8105.
The next meeting of La Voz of Loudoun will be held Thursday, Jan. 26, location to be determined. The mission of La Voz of Loudoun is to serve as a conduit between the Hispanic/Latino and immigrant populations, government agencies and other groups in order to promote self-sufficiency through outreach, education, advocacy and programs that strengthen family networks. The monthly meeting agenda will be posted on the La Voz Web site, www.lavozloudoun.org, on the Monday before the Thursday board meetings. All community members are welcome to attend. Contact La Voz of Loudoun at 703-777-1417.
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. Upcoming selections include: Feb. 2, "Grover G. Graham and Me," by Mary Quattlebaum; March 2, "Fame and Glory in Freedom, Georgia," by Barbara O'Connor; and April 6, "Hana's Suitcase," by Karen Levine and "Boxes for Katie," by Candance Fleming. Register in advance by calling 703-737-8105.
Non-fiction Book Club for ages 6-10, at Eastern Loudoun Regional Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling. This monthÕs book, ÒTop Secret: A Handbook of Codes, Ciphers and Secret Writing,Ó by Paul B. Janeczko. Includes a slide show. Next meeting Monday, Feb. 27, 4 p.m. Advanced registration required by Feb. 21, call 703-444-3228, Ext. 309.
The book discussion group at Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling, meets the third Tuesday of each month at 12:30 p.m. Call 703-430-2397 for the monthly book selections.
The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace hosts a Lunch Bunch the first Friday of each month at a local restaurant. A minimum of six people is required for each outing. The bus leaves the center, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling, at 11:30 a.m. and returns by 1:30 p.m. Call 703-430-2397 to sign up.
School Community Coalitions (SCC) ÒCommunity Anti-Drug CoalitionsÓ are seeking anyone in the community that would like to participate in helping to reduce and prevent youth substance abuse. Youth are welcome. These coalitions are funded by a grant from the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration and the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. Local coalitions include:
* For the Sterling Area: S.E.L.F., Supporting Eastern Loudoun Families, meets the fourth Monday of month, 7:30-9 p.m., at the Eastern Loudoun Regional Library. Contact Tricia Anderson by e-mail triciaanderson@adelphia.net.
* For the Leesburg Area: L.U.C.Y., Leesburg Uniting Community & Youth, second Monday of month, 6:30-8:00 p.m., at Heritage High School. Contact Holly Chapple, chappy3132003@yahoo.com; Anna Lapedtoda, alopetoda@loudoun.k12.va.us or Linda Kinney, lmkinneylcsw@adelphia.net.
* For the Ashburn Area: K.E.Y.S., Keeping Every Youth Safe, fourth Tuesday of month, 7-8:30 p.m., at Broad Run High School Library. Contact Betsy Goodwin, mattandbetsyg@yahoo.com or Kate Trotter, kato152756@aol.com.
* For the Western Loudoun Area: C.O.P.E., Community Organization for Prevention Education, third Thursday of month, 7:30-9 p.m., at Loudoun Valley High School Library. Contact Rhonda Wells, bdwrww@aol.com; Sue Khalil, susankhalil@aol.com or the teen center manager, Philip@the-teen-center.com.
Eastern Loudoun Civil War Roundtable. Group meets at the Sterling Annex in Sterling the third Tuesday of every month, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Nonmembers are welcome. Call Steve Meserve at 703-404-0542.
Bond Between Us is a nonprofit organization dedicated to offering a support group to birth parents and their significant others. Call 703-771-7844.
Sterling/Reston DRADA (Depression and Related Affective Disorders Association) Support Group meets first and third Tuesdays of each month, 7-9 p.m., in Reston. Call Ginny at 703-966-2510.
King Street Studios. Studios are located in the Art Center at 222 S. King St. in Leesburg has available studio space. The King Street Studio artist association is a group of artists working in oils, pastels, watercolor, jewelry. Contact Ann Noel at 703-444-5900 or the Loudoun Academy of the Arts 703-777-8043.
The Loudoun County Crime Solvers Committee is seeking new members from the community. The mission of Loudoun County Crime Solvers is to promote community participation by assisting local law-enforcement agencies in the apprehension and convictions of criminals through a system of cash rewards. LCCS allows those with knowledge of a crime who want to remain anonymous to call a dedicated local phone number, 703-777-1919. Contact the Public Information Office for the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office at 703-771-5278.
The Loudoun Family Child Care Coalition. LFCCC meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. The LFCCC's goal is to provide support for child-care providers by raising awareness of the experience of quality home-based family child care through advocacy, training and education. In cooperation with Child Nutrition Inc. and Loudoun County Social Services, LFCCC covers the Leesburg, Sterling, Ashburn and neighboring communities. Call 703-715-6656.
Mothers & More of the Dulles Area, a national support network for mothers who have altered their career paths to care for their children at home, has a monthly meeting from 7-9 p.m., every second Wednesday at the Eastern Regional Loudoun Library. Visitors are welcome.
American Legion. The Ashburn American Legion Post meets every second Thursday of the month at Wingler House located on Gloucester Boulevard in Ashburn Village. All veterans of past periods of hostilities are welcome to attend these meetings and participate in the Post activities. Call 703-858-0066.
Mothers Against Unjust Law meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month at 7 p.m., in the library of the McLean Baptist Church, 1367 Chain Bridge Road. Women experiencing difficult litigation, legal abuse, parental alienation or custody evaluations should call 703-748-0072. Free.
Mothers & More of Northern Virginia is a support organization for women who have altered their career path to care for their children at home. General meetings are held the first Thursday of each month at the Fairfax County Government Center, 7:30-9:30 p.m. General Discussion meetings are held the third Wednesday of each month in Braddock Hall at the Kings Park Library, Burke, at 7:30 p.m. Call 866-716-7766.
MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) at Capital Community Church provides mothers with the support they need through resources and relationships. The group 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. Call 703-404-3977 or 703-430-9398.
Ashburn-Sterling Masonic Lodge No. 288, A.F. & A.M., meets the second Tuesday of each month, at 7:30 p.m., at the Lodge on Waxpool Road, Ashburn. All non-Masons are welcome to attend the program.
Loudoun Toastmasters, a nonprofit public speaking group dedicated to helping people communicate better, meets the first and third Thursdays of each month at the National Conference Center in Lansdowne. Visit www.geocities.com/loudountm
Ashburn Parkinson's Support Group, newly formed, meets the first Tuesday of each month, at 1:30 p.m., at the Winglar House West, 20903 Runnymeade Terrace, Ashburn. No charge. Call 703-723-0919 or patgrandaffairs@aol.com.
Bible Study Groups. Every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m., and the first and third Wednesday, at 10 a.m., Loudoun County Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling.
Moms In Touch International. A group of mothers who gather to pray for students, teachers and schools. To obtain a listing of MITI nearby groups praying for schools visit the ministry's Web site at www.MomsInTouch.org. The Web site also offers instructional materials, as well as videos and leadership resources to help mothers start MITI groups for schools that don't already have one. Contact the ministry at 1-800-949-MOMS or info@MomsInTouch.org or in Virginia call 1-757-482-5882 or miti4va@erols.com.
Sterling Chapter of the DAR. New membership welcome. Call 703-620-2279 or e-mail tward@mmiconnect.com.
Sterling Silvers. Every Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. Weekly meetings include lunch, short business meetings and program. Participants can bring a lunch or sign up for CAFE lunch. Cost for CAFE lunch is $3.75 and reservations are required. See Olga for more information on Sterling Silvers and Beth for CAFE lunch. Loudoun County Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling.
Equality Loudoun, community and advocacy for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people and allies. Social events, issues advocacy, outreach and education to build a Loudoun community with respect for all. Write to Equality Loudoun, P.O. Box 251, Leesburg, VA 21078. Call 703-431-0882 or visit www.equalityloudoun.org.
Countryside Quilters meets at 7:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of the month, at the Community Lutheran Church, 21014 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls, Speakers, workshops, charity projects, sit and sew with friends. All levels welcome. Call Leanne, 703-304-6721.
SELF (Supporting Eastern Loudoun Families) is a coalition dedicated to keeping the community safe and drug free. It meets the fourth Monday of each month, 7:30 p.m., at the Eastern Loudoun Branch Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Eastern Loudoun residents invited. Free. 703-430-9590.
Loudoun Photography Club meets on first and third Tuesdays of each month, September through May. First Tuesday meetings are speakers. Third Tuesday meetings are competitions. Visitors are always welcome at meetings and club events. Visit the Web site www.loudounphoto.org, e-mail loudounphotoclub@cox.net, or call 703-725-2931.
La Leche League meetings emphasize the joys of breastfeeding while informing and encouraging mothers who wish to nurse their babies. Meeting discussions include the latest medical research as well as mothers' personal experiences. LLL of Sterling meets on the third Friday of each month at 10:15 a.m. Mothers with their nursing babies and mothers-to-be are welcome. For directions to the meetings or for more information, call Christine 703-404-0121, Meg 703-467-8341 or Becky 571-323-4845.
The Lunch Bunch at the Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling, meets the first Friday of each month. The bus leaves the senior center at 11:15 a.m. and returns 1:30 p.m. This month's lunch will be Nov. 4 at O'Faolains Irish Pub and Restaurant in Sterling. 703-430-2397.
The book discussion club at the Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling, meets the third Tuesday of each month at noon. The November selection is "Witness," by Karen Hesse.
Sterling Singles. A metro-area social club for singles over 21 welcomes prospective members to their monthly mixers held every third Wednesday at Luciano's Restaurant in Herndon at 6:30 p.m. Call 703-444-5534 or visit www.sterlingsingles.org.
Ashburn Toastmasters would like to welcome those interested in developing communication, leadership and presentation skills to its meetings on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at the Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. The meetings begin at 7 p.m. Contact Kelly Nutwell at Kelly_Nutwell@hotmail.com or call 703-729-0450.
Birthday Blessing Inc. A nonprofit organization created to deliver gifts to needy children who might not receive a gift on their birthday. Birthday Blessing finds these children through social services, homeless shelters, youth shelters and prison ministries. The organization is looking for sponsors, new toys for children 3-16 years old, new books, wrapping paper, birthday cards and shipping boxes. Monetary donations can be made to sponsor children or can be made in the honor of a friend or relative. Call Sharon Hough at 703-481-8180, or visit www.BirthdayBlessing.org.
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. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org.
Mothers First-Sterling 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. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org.
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. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org.
The Waterford Quilters Guild has been busy this year sharing its talents with the wider community. It embarked on several charity quilt projects, which resulted in the donation of 126 quilts to various organizations, including relief efforts in Louisiana.
Locally, the Guild made and donated 36 childrenÕs quilts to the Loudoun Abused WomenÕs Shelter. Twelve lap quilts were donated to the residents of the Loudoun Nursing and Rehabilitation Hospital in Leesburg and 13 quilts were given to the residents of Sunrise Assisted Living in Leesburg.
The Guild also wanted to reach out and help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Several organizations in Texas and Louisiana were identified that promised to distribute the quilts directly to survivors of Katrina staying in the Houston area.
The Waterford Quilters Guild meets every second Wednesday, at the St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church social hall. New members are always welcome. Call Judy Marchese, the incoming president, at 540-338-0956.