Ongoing
<cal2>The Clifton Farmers Market is open each Sunday, from 8 a.m.-noon, on Chapel Road in the post office parking lot. Purchase farm-fresh produce, such as strawberries, lettuce, asparagus and tomatoes, as well as a variety of craft items, chocolate, soap and candles.
<cal1>Now through June 30
<cal2>Clifton artist Phoebe Twichell Peterson will show her art at Willow Antiques and Interiors, 7145 Main St., Clifton. This show will feature local landscapes and scenes from New England where she grew up. All her paintings are done in oil on hand-stretched, linen canvases.
<cal1>Now through Aug. 16
<cal2>National Amusements launches the eighth annual "Bookworm Wednesday" an exciting summer reading program developed to encourage children to read during summer vacation. "Bookworm Wednesday" runs for eight weeks and entitles kids to free admission to a select children's film ever Wednesday at 10 a.m. when they present a book report at a participating theater box office. Official book report forms will be available at participating theaters and online a nationalamusments.com. Local theaters are the Centreville Mulitplex Cinemas at 6201 Multiplex Drive and Fairfax Corner 14: Cinema de Lux, 1190 Palace Way.
<cal1>Now through Aug. 27
<cal2>ArtBeat Gallery presents "All Creatures Great and Small" — 20 local artists will be displaying paintings, photography and sculpture. Featured artist, Linda Carlson. Hours: Wednesday and Thursday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday 12-6 p.m. Located at 9407 Main Street, Old Town Manassas. Visit www.artbeatgallery.org or call 703-365-8558.
<cal1>Now through Aug. 30
<cal2>Chick-fil-A at Fair Oaks Mall will be hosting "Family Night" every Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. Family Night will run all summer long. All are invited to share an evening of fun, crafts, face painting, musical entertainment and more. Check out the entire list of entertainment when visiting the store located inside the mall entrance between Sears and Macy's.
<cal1>Now through Sept. 2
<cal2>The Fairfax County Public Library invites children in Fairfax County to participate in the 2006 Summer Reading Program. The program encourages children to read for pleasure during the summer. More than 25 businesses and organizations have donated more than $1 million worth of prizes to kids who finish the program; other sponsors will donate prizes for special drawings at the end of the summer. An array of performers from jugglers and puppeteers to magicians and musicians will entertain and educate children at library branches all summer long. Call to sign up beginning two weeks before an event. Ask for signed interpretation or assistive listening devices when you call 703-324-8365.
<cal1>Now through Dec. 31
<cal2>At a time when Virginia is commemorating the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, Sully Historic Site features a new exhibit evoking the adventurous spirit of travel and trade. Across the High Seas — the India Venture, explores global trade in the Federal period. Daily, except Tuesdays, from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. through December, recapture the spirit during your tour of the 1794 home of Richard Bland Lee. Contact Barbara Ziman, Events and Marketing Coordinator at 703-708-0861. Sully Historic Site is located at 3601 Sully Road in Chantilly. Call 703-437-1794 or visit online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/sully.
<cal1>Saturday/July 1
<cal2>Cox Farms’ First Taste of Summer. Cox Farms in Centreville kicks off the holiday weekend with the First Taste of Summer from 12-5 p.m., offering free samples of Cox’s Corn Roast — fresh and hot from the new corn roaster, Iced melon slices — juicy and cold, real tomatoes — try them with basil or a little salt and other early summer fruits and vegetables for sale at the farm market . There are also beautiful container gardens and hanging baskets for sale — straight from the Cox Farms greenhouses — to brighten up a own deck, patio and home for the holiday weekend. Children can play on the toy train and tractor, visit the family of goats, or just run around the playing field kicking a ball.
<cal1>Sunday/July 2
<cal2>Sully Historic Site is offering “Let Freedom Ring” from 1-3 p.m. Visitors will learn about America’s fight for independence from British colonial rule during a guided tour by Sully’s hosts. The tour pays special attention to the enslaved African American community’s fight for freedom, as well as the fight for rights among women, tenant farmers and indentured servants of the time. Let Freedom Ring is appropriate for all age groups. Entry is $6 per person. Sully Historic Site is located at 3601 Sully Road, Chantilly. Call 703-437-1794 or visit online at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/sully/.
<cal1>Monday/July 3
<cal2>Fourth of July Story Hour at 10:30 a.m. A morning of stories that celebrate the red, white, and blue. Read about the 4th of July and create a fun fireworks picture at Barnes & Noble, 12193 Fair Lake Promenade Drive Fairfax.
<cal1>Tuesday/July 4
<cal2>Celebrate America this Independence Day with a fireworks extravaganza in Old Town Manassas, Sponsored by the City of Manassas. Live music, great food, and fun for the whole family. Beginning at 6 p.m., enjoy the rock and roll sounds of Fancy Pants in the Train Depot parking lot. Let the children enjoy the Moonbounce and other children's rides. Challenge yourself at Aggressive Ascent's Rock Climbing Wall, with a high climb to the top. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and come early to get the best seats for the fireworks display, the largest display in Northern Virginia. Contact Maryanne Toal, Event Coordinator for Historic Manassas, Inc., at 703-361-6599 or maryanne@historicmanassasinc.org.
<cal1>Thursday/July 6
<cal2>Mothers First – Chantilly/Centreville 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. July's meetings are from 10:15-11:30 a.m. at the Centreville Regional Library, 14200 Saint Germain Drive. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org.
<cal1>July 6-8
<cal2>Young Onset Parkinson Network Conference at the Hyatt Reston Town Center, 1800 Presidents Street, Reston. Time varies each day of conference. This important event is coordinated by and for people living with Young-Onset Parkinson disease. Conference sessions include presentations by clinical experts, professionals in the areas of caregiving, support and advocacy, as well as persons living with Parkinson disease. Registration fee: $87 includes conference bag and meals. Register online at www.parkinson.org/yopn/ or call 1-800-327-4545 x 2928. Also onsite registration.
<cal1>Friday/July 7
<cal2>It's the Bear Story Hour at 10:30 a.m. Poor little Eddie has lost his teddy and so has a great big bear. Read Jez Alborough's stories about Eddie and the bear, and create a paper plate teddy at Barnes & Noble, 12193 Fair Lake Promenade Drive Fairfax.
<cal1>Saturday/July 8
<cal2>Pistol and Shotgun Classes. Learn about all types of pistols in a safe, responsible and fun way at the Basic Pistol Shooting class. This 10-hour class focuses on safety, operation, maintenance, purchasing, storage, transportation and shooting of different types of pistols. Range Safety test, range fees, and a range card are included as well as use of a pistol, eye and ear protection and ammunition. $125 per person.
On Sunday July 9 learn about fun summertime shotgun sports. This National Rifle Association class covers safety, maintenance, and operation of a standard pump-action shotgun and includes a round of trap shooting, shotgun, ammo, eye and ear protection. Courses taught at NRA Headquarters in Fairfax. Certificate awarded for completion of either course which can be used to apply for a Virginia concealed handgun permit. Email: jamselle@nrahq.org or call 703-267-1567.
<cal1>Monday/July 10
<cal2>Three Cheers for Tacky Story Hour at 10:30 a.m. Tacky is an odd bird, but he always has lots of fun. Read Helen Lester's stories about Tacky the Penguin and create cool pictures straight from the iceberg at Barnes & Noble, 12193 Fair Lake Promenade Drive Fairfax.
The rock band Phish is back on the big screen at 9 p.m. in an encore performance celebrating the premiere of the new concert DVD and CD at the Fairfax Towne Center 10 movie theater, located at 4110 West Ox Road in Fairfax. Tickets for this event are on sale now at presenting theatre box offices and online at www.BigScreenConcerts.com for $12.50.
<cal1>Friday/July 14
<cal2>Fairfax Women's Connection invites the public to a "Packing Made Easy" luncheon from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. American Tourister of Leesburg will show the steps to perfect packing. Velma Geis, National PTA speaker and personal shopper, will tell how she cleaned out her "Life Closet." At the Hidden Creek Country Club, 1711 Clubhouse Road, Reston. Required reservations are $17 inclusive and should be made by July 11. Call Fran at 703-815-4204 or email Farifaxwmconnect@aol.com.
Helen Lester Story Hour at 10:30 a.m. A morning of stories by acclaimed author Helen Lester, whose sweet and silly stories like 'Hooway for Wodney Wat' show how cool being different can be at Barnes & Noble, 12193 Fair Lake Promenade Drive Fairfax.
<cal1>July 14-30
<cal2>Vpstart Crow Productions Inc. will continue its 2006 season with "Anne of the Thousand Days," Maxwell Anderson's classic play about Anne Boleyn's turbulent and eventually fatal marriage to Henry VIII at The Cramer Center, located at 9008 Center St. in Old Town Manassas. The production will run Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students, seniors, and City of Manassas or Prince William County employees. For tickets contact Tickets.com or call them at 800-955-5566. For group sales or more information contact Vpstart Crow at vpstartcrow@comcast.net or 703-365-0240 or visit www.vpstartcrow.com.
<cal1>Saturday/July 15
<cal2>Fair Oaks Shopping Center is cooling down this summer by serving up some hot jazz with a free, two-hour concert featuring nationally known artist, “TYRIS" from 12-2 p.m. Tyris, a native of Chicago, has been on the jazz scene for several years and is dedicated to perfection in his playing and as a musician, producer and composer. Free.
<cal1>Monday/July 17
<cal2>Monkeys on Monday Story Hour at 10:30 a.m. A morning of monkey trouble while reading about Eileen Christelow's Five Little Monkeys and making monkey puppets at Barnes & Noble, 12193 Fair Lake Promenade Drive Fairfax.
<cal1>Thursday/July 20
<cal2>Mothers First – Chantilly/Centreville 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. July's meetings are from 10:15-11:30 a.m. at the Centreville Regional Library, 14200 Saint Germain Drive. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org.
<cal1>Friday/July 21
<cal2>More Monkey Tales Story Hour at 10:30 a.m. Whether they're jumping on the bed or baking a birthday cake, Eileen Christelow's Five Little Monkeys are always a barrel of fun at Barnes & Noble, 12193 Fair Lake Promenade Drive Fairfax.
<cal1>July 21-25
<cal2>"Mamas, Don’t Let Your Cowboys Grow Up to Be Actors." A one cowboy show with 20 characters written and performed by James Beard, a Centreville resident, directed by Colin Hovde well be performed Friday, July 21 from 9-10:25 p.m., Saturday, July 22 from 12–1:25 p.m., Sunday, July 23 from 3–4:25 p.m., Tuesday, July 25 from 10–11:25 p.m., National Building Museum Auditorium, 401 F Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. Tickets: $15. On sale starting July 10th. Call 866-811-4111 or www.capfringe.org. Presented as part of the inaugural Capital Fringe Festival. July 20 – 30.
<cal1>Saturday/July 22
<cal2>Pajamarama Story Hour with The Very Hungry Caterpillar at 7 p.m. Grab jammies and a pillow, because Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar is coming to visit Barnes & Noble in Fairfax for a pajama party. An evening of bedtime butterfly books and cuddly caterpillar stories. At Barnes & Noble, 12193 Fair Lake Promenade Drive Fairfax.
<cal1>July 22-23
<cal2>DC Big Flea Market at the Dulles Expo Center, 4368 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly. From 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $8 for both days. This is Virginia's largest antique and collectible show.
<cal1>Monday/July 24
<cal2>The New Moms Lunch Group will present a lunch with Leslie Morgan Steiner of The Washington Post and author of The Mommy Wars. She will be joining the group to discuss her new book in which she writes about the choices of stay-at-home moms and working moms. RSVP as space will be limited. The cost for the lunch is $20. In addition, it is possible to pre-order a copy of her book for $15.72. Contact Rochelle Goldberg at eventbuilders@hotmail.com.
<cal1>Saturday/July 29
<cal2>A community Flea Market will be held from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon. The vendor fee is $30 for a 12x24-foot space and proceeds benefit the Park Authority’s Volunteer Program and the Friends of Frying Pan Farm Park. Vendors keep all of the proceeds from their sales. Call 703-324-8750 or email erin.chernisky@fairfaxcounty.gov for a registration form. Spaces sold out in previous years for this popular event, so early registration is recommended. The event is free for shoppers.
<cal1>Tuesday/Aug. 1
<cal2>National Night Out will be held in many local neighborhoods. It is intended to heighten crime and drug prevention and strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships in the community.
Vpstart Crow's 2006 theater season:
July 14-30 — "Anne of the Thousand Days";
Oct. 6-22 — "The Seagull";
Dec. 1-17 — A Christmas Carol".
All performances take place at The Cramer Center, a restored church-turned-theatre, at 9008 Center St. in Old Town Manassas, on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students, seniors, and City of Manassas or Prince William County employees. Tickets are available through www.tickets.com or at the door (subject to availability) 30 minutes prior to performances. Reservations can be made by contacting Vpstart Crow at 703-365-0240 or vpstartcrow@comcast.net. Visit www.vpstartcrow.com.
Noodles & Noggins presents Mighty Mondays with Mr. Knick Knack each Monday from 10-11 a.m. at the Clifton Town Meeting Hall, 12641 Chapel Road, Clifton. Sing, dance, and have loads fun. For all ages. Suggested contribution per child. Call the store at 703-815-8600.
Noodles & Noggins presents Fun Club each Wednesday from 10-11 a.m. at the Clifton Town Meeting Hall, 12641 Chapel Road, Clifton. Enjoy some books, do a craft, sing songs and dance. A new theme each week. For ages 1-6 years. Suggested contribution per child. Call the store to register at 703-815-8600.
While the INOVA Fair Oaks Hospital Auxiliary is in need of volunteers to assist with various functions in the hospital, the current need is especially acute in the Thrift Shop at Fairfax Circle. The Thrift Shop needs volunteers who can sort and price merchandise, stock shelves, process sales, and assist customers in various ways. Call 703-391-3659 for information regarding the next orientation for volunteers.
The Fairfax Meals on Wheels (MOW) group needs a volunteer to serve as Treasurer. This leadership position is responsible for the finances of the MOW group, including a monthly report to the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging. Volunteers are needed to deliver meals (Monday through Friday) to senior adults in the following areas: Annandale, Baileys Crossroads, Falls Church, Manchester Lakes, Centreville/Chantilly, Fairfax, Tysons, Herndon/Reston and Little River Glen. The job involves picking up meals at specified sites between 10:30 a.m. and noon, and delivering them to seniors by 1 p.m. Volunteer drivers can choose to deliver meals on a daily, weekly, biweekly, monthly or substitute basis. Call the Fairfax AAA Volunteer Intake Line at 703-324-5406 or E-mail melanie.mitchell@fairfaxcounty.gov
Volunteers are needed for day and evening hours to work one-to-one with adult learners in public libraries or adult learning centers. Additional opportunities are available working with adolescents in alternative school settings. The Volunteer Learning Program (VLP) trains tutors, assesses learners, and provides materials with follow-up support. VLP is a joint community project of the Fairfax County Public Schools (Adult & Community Education), Fairfax County's Juvenile Court, and the Fairfax County Public Library. Call 703-246-2139 or e-mail VLP@fcps.edu.
Mocha Moms Inc. is a support network for stay-at-home mothers of color. Meetings are every first, third and fifth Wednesday between 10 a.m. and noon at the Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston. www.restonmochamoms.org. All are welcome.
The Northern Virginia Artists League (NOVALArt.com) is a local group of artists and photographers who meet every month for an "Art Outing" and general meeting. The group meets monthly to encourage each other, critique each other's work, and share ideas for marketing the art. There are monthly art outings for plain air painting or photography. All medias, watercolor, acrylic, oil, colored pencil, photography, etc., are welcome.
The Centreville chapter of Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) Club meets Thursday evenings at the Centreville Presbyterian Church 15040 Lee Highway, Centreville. TOPS is a non-profit, non-commercial weight loss support group open to anyone 7 years of age and older. At $24 per year, this is an affordable, supportive program for weight loss and weight maintenance. Weigh-in is from 6:15-7 p.m. with the meeting starting at 7:10 p.m. Call Susan at 703-392-7937 or visit www.tops.org.
Fancy Cats Rescue Team adoption event on the first and third Saturdays and every Sunday of the month from 12-4 p.m. at the PetsMart, Fair Lakes. Cats and kittens need a loving home. Choose from a wide variety of loving cats. Visit the Web site a www.fancycats.org. E-mail to info@fancycats.org.
Starlight Starbright has teamed up with Starbucks across the country to collect books and toys to give to children in need. Centreville Starbucks, 5623 Stone Road, is kicking off the 2005 toy drive with a bang and goal of being the Starbucks with the most toys. They are challenging the community to donate a bicycle per week and the local Starbucks will match it. Call 703-502-4845.
Mothers & More is a support organization for women who have altered their career path to care for their young children at home. General Meetings are held the third Wednesday of each month in Braddock Hall at the Kings Park Library, Burke at 7:30 p.m. The group offers children's and family activities, guest speakers, book club, mom's night out, movie night, chat group and much more. Call (toll free) 866-716-7766 or visit the Web site www.novamoms.org.
Mighty Mondays with Mr. Knick Knack. Come sing, dance, and have loads fun each Monday with Mr. Knick Knack from 10-11 a.m. The event will be indoors all this month at the Clifton Town Meeting Hall, 12641 Chapel Road. Open to all ages.
Wednesdays with Noodles & Noggins Fun Club from 10 to 11 a.m. at Clifton Town Meeting Hall, 12641 Chapel Road. A new theme each week. Listen to a story, make a craft, sing songs, dance, and have fun. Suggest contribution per child. Reservations requested. Call 703-815-8600.
Thumpin' Thursdays with Mister Don from 4 to 5 p.m. Sing, play, and get the wiggles out before dinnertime. For all ages. Suggested contribution per child. Clifton Town Meeting Hall, 12641 Chapel Road.
A Mindfulness Meditation Class will be held every Sunday from 7-8 p.m. at the Fairfax Sun and Moon Yoga Studio, 9998 Main St., Fairfax. Free. Contact ErikaKL@aol.com or call 703-864-2807.
Northern Virginia Bookcrossing Meetup. These book lovers like to keep their books busy by reading, releasing and tracking their books' adventures with others locally, nationally and internationally. Fun book challenges, hunt for books "in the wild" and more. Share books and be part of a unique group with a different angle on book loving. Visit bookcrossing.meetup.com/72/.
Fairfax Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is recruiting community-minded citizens from diverse backgrounds to volunteer as advocates for children whose families have been cited for abuse and neglect by the Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. The role of a CASA is to investigate a child's situation and to advocate for what is in the best interest of the child in court. All CASA volunteers undergo training to prepare them for this role, and no prior experience in child welfare is required. To learn more about this volunteer opportunity and upcoming orientation and training dates, visit www.casafairfax.org or contact CASA's development and recruitment associate at 703-273-3526 or staff@casafairfax.org.
Red Hat Society. A chapter of the Red Hat Society is now in Centreville. Women age 50 and up wear red hats and purple outfits and kick up their heels. Meetings are the last Wednesday of every month at 11 a.m. in the Sully Senior Center, 5690 Sully Road (inside Centreville Presbyterian Church, off Route 28 south, near the I-66 west exit). All area seniors are welcome to join or visit. Call Mary Doerman at 703-968-7889, Scotti Brennan at 703-378-5206, or Sully Senior Center Director Carma Ryan at 703-322-4475.