<cal1>Now through June 18
<cal2>The Family Zone is held on Sundays, from April 23 - June 18, from 9:30-10:10 a.m., at Centreville Elementary. It will offer local parents the opportunity to learn hands-on, how to teach their 4- to 9-year-old children about right from wrong. Call 703-502-1732.
<cal1>Now through May 14
<cal2>Vpstart Crow Productions, Inc. will continue its 2006 season with one of William Shakespeare's most popular comedies, "The Comedy of Errors," at The Cramer Center, 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. Contact Tickets.com or call them at 800-955-5566. For group sales contact Vpstart Crow at vpstartcrow@comcast.net or 703-365-0240 or visit www.vpstartcrow.com.
<cal1>Now through June 25
<cal2>ArtBeat Gallery, "Earthly Wonders." 20 local artists display paintings, photography and sculpture. Featured Artist, Maria Briganti presents "The Pastel works of Maria Briganti." Hours: Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m., Sunday, 12-6 p.m. Reception, May 6, 2-6 p.m. Located at 9407 Main Street, Old Town Manassas. Visit www.artbeatgallery.org or telephone 703-365-8558.
<cal1>Thursday/May 4
<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. May's meetings are from 10:15 a.m. until 11:30 am at the Centreville Regional Library, 14200 Saint Germain Drive. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org.
<cal1>Friday/May 5
<cal2>Swing Dance. Dance held at the solarium at the Dulles Hilton in Herndon (located on the corner of Route 28 an McLearen Road). Dance includes a beginner class from 8:30-9 p.m. The band plays three sets between 9 p.m. - midnight. cost is $13 per person. Visit www.gottaswing.com or call 703-359-9882.
Encore presentations of "The Battle of Chantilly (Ox Hill) Movie" will be at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m. at the Cinema Arts Theatre in the Fair City Mall, Fairfax. Call 703-978-6853. Tickets will be available for sale in person at the theatre box office starting on May 1. Admission is $5. Contact Bert Morgan, bertmorgan@cox.net or call 703 378-9743, or Chuck Mauro, cmauro10@aol.com or call 703 787-9879.
Open Mic Night in the Great Room Coffee Shop at 8-10 p.m. Sign up at 8 p.m. to perform at this free family friendly event (no age limit for performers). At Fairfax Community Church, 11451 Braddock Road; Fairfax. Call 703-745-1030.
The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum hosts the annual Space Day celebration at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly. To encourage families to attend, the Center will have extended hours, from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., and parking will be free all day, courtesy of Lockheed Martin Corporation. Space Day will feature a busy schedule of astronaut appearances, live performances by the Smithsonian’s acclaimed Discovery Theater, hands-on learning stations, book signings, curator talks, tours, stories for children and a special space-themed IMAX film festival with tickets discounted to $5 for each show. The films conclude with an 8 p.m. showing of the IMAX Experience version of the Tom Hanks drama “Apollo 13.”
<cal1>Saturday/May 6
<cal2>The brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Zeta Upsilon Lambda Chapter will host their annual Black and Gold Scholarship Ball at 7 p.m. - 1 a.m., at the Reston Hyatt Hotel. Cost is $80 per person is required. All profits support the scholarship fund. Contact Lawrence Davis at 703-830-0813. Call now to reserve your seat.
Virginia native Beth Carpenter, author of the novel “Behind the Eyes of Dorian Gray,” will be signing copies of her book from 3-5 p.m. at Barnes and Noble Booksellers at Fair Lakes Promenade. Carpenter’s book continues the story of the title character, first introduced in 1891 by Oscar Wilde in his novel “The Picture of Dorian Gray.”
The Fair Oaks Church Car Show will run from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Set up begins at 9 a.m. Register cars online at www.farioakschurch.org.
<cal1>May 7 - June 30
<cal2>Clifton artist Phoebe Twichell Peterson will show her art at Willow Antiques and Interiors, 7145 Main Street, Clifton. This show will feature local landscapes and scenes from New England where she grew up. All of the artist's paintings are done in oil on hand-stretched linen canvases.
<cal1>Sunday/May 7
<cal2>Clifton Farmers Market opens at 8 a.m. to noon, located on Chapel Road in the Post Office parking lot. They are kicking off the season by giving away free chocolate. There are two ways to enter the free drawing for fresh hand-crafted chocolates from Dave's Candy Kitchens. Come down to the market on May 7 or May 14 and fill out an entry form or e-mail plum1881@aol.com, on the subject line put Free Chocolate, include your name, phone number and e-mail address. One entry per person.
The Asaph Ensemble will be presenting its spring season. The first performance is at 4 p.m., at Centreville High School in Centreville. The proceeds for this performance will go to benefit World Vision International. Tickets may either be ordered by calling 703-368-1812 or purchases at the door. Suggested donations for tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under and senior citizens 65 and older.
Vpstart Crow Productions will hold auditions for the third show of its 2006 season, "Anne of the Thousand Days," from 6-9 p.m. at The Cramer Center, located at 9008 Center St. in Old Town Manassas. Callbacks will be Tuesday, May 9, from 7-9 p.m. The production will run July 14-30, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. at The Cramer Center. No appointments are necessary. Contact director Christine Lange at blueringed@gmail.com or Vpstart Crow at 703-365-0240 or
vpstartcrow@comcast.net, or visit www.vpstartcrow.com.
<cal1>Tuesday/May 9
<cal2>Fairfax Bibliophiles will host a booktalk with Richard Frank, World War II historian, on Tuesday, May 9 starting at 7 p.m. at the Fairfax City Regional Library. The author of Guadalcanal and Downfall: The End of the Imperial Japanese Empire, Richard Frank will discuss the continuing controversy over the use of the atomic bomb to bring the war to an end. Bring books, ephemera, printed matter to share. Open and free to all interested in sharing their enthusiasm for books. Meets second Tuesday of the month October, November, February, March, April, and May. Contact: Friends of the Fairfax City Regional Library, 3915 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax. Call 703-293-6227. E-mail: ffxfriends@aol.com.
<cal1>Wednesday/May 10
<cal2>Fairfax County League of Women Voters has a meeting at 6:15 p.m. at Yen Cheng Restaurant, Main St. Center, 9992 Main St., Fairfax. The League’s next meeting topic is “SLEEP,” Start Later for Excellence in Education Proposal. The League will discuss the benefits and costs of Fairfax County Public Schools modifying their bell schedules to allow high schools to start later, and the implications for health, academic performance, transportation, sports, extra-curricular activities and families. Free, open to the public. Call the Fairfax League at 703-658-9150 or go to www.lwv-fairfax.org. The background study to be used for the discussion will be available on the Web site on May 1.
<cal1>Friday/May 12
<cal2>Swing Dance with Daryl Davis. Dance held at the solarium at the Dulles Hilton in Herndon (located on the corner of Route 28 and McLearen Road). Dance includes a beginner class from 8:30-9 p.m. The band plays three sets between 9 p.m. - midnight. cost is $13 per person. Visit www.gottaswing.com or call 703-359-9882.
<cal1>Saturday/May 13
<cal2>Clifton Clean-up Day is from 9 a.m. to noon. Contact Lynne Garvey Wark at 703-322-1811, lghassoc@erols.com or Jennifer Chesley at 703-830-2129, townofclifton@aol.com for more details.
Mother's Day Prep at Cox Farms from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. for ages 3 and up. Reservations can be made at www.coxfarms.com. Cox Farm is located at 15621 Braddock Road, Centreville.
Come to the giant garage sale at 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Dulles Expo Center to find the best bargains around while supporting the Boy Scouts. This is the 33rd Annual Garage Sale for Boy Scout Troop 893. Each year they collect clothing, toys, bikes, non-upholstered furniture, tools, household goods, lawn and garden items and even cars and boats. Proceeds from the sale pay for troop gear, summer camp and high adventure activities for nearly 100 boys in our community. Go to www.troop893.org/flea.
<cal1>Sunday/May 14
<cal2>The third annual Angel Kisses 5K run and 2K walk will be held Sunday, May 14, at the Poplar Tree Estates Swim & Tennis Club, 13516 Point Pleasant Drive in Chantilly. It's in honor of community resident Jeffrey Virostek who died of acute myelogenous leukemia [AML] in 2003 at age 4.
The 5K starts at 8 a.m., and the 2K, at 8:05 a.m. Registration is 5K, $18; 2K, $13, by May 7. From then until May 13, it's $20 and $15. There's NO race-day registration. Register at www.SignMeUp.com. Or download a registration form at www.AngelKisses-5k.org. In-person registration at 13516 Point Pleasant Drive in Chantilly will be Friday, May 12, from 6-8 p.m. and Saturday, May 13, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Proceeds go to the Jeffrey Virostek Memorial Fund to aid other families battling cancer. Anyone unable to participate, but wishing to make a donation, may send a contribution payable to Angel Kisses 5K to 13445 Marble Rock Drive, Chantilly, VA 20151.
More than 1,000 walkers and volunteers will gather in Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 14 at 9 a.m. for Y-ME's 1st Annual Walk to Empower, a three-mile non-competitive walk. The event is sponsored by Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization. To take part, register at www.y-me.org to walk or volunteer at the Walk to Empower. Call 877-YME-7223, x2742 or visit www.y-me.org or call the Y-ME National Breast Cancer Hotline at 1-800-221-2141 or 1-800-986-9505 (Spanish).
<cal1>Wednesday/May 17
<cal2>Internet Safety Class. Learn how to protect your children. This free class, taught by a licensed social worker, is for all concerned parents and any aged student who uses a computer. At 7:30 p.m., Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 5114 Twinbrook Road, Fairfax. Call 703-323-9500 or go to www.lordoflifelutheran.com.
<cal1>Thursday/May 18
<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. May's meetings are from 10:15-11:30 am at the Centreville Regional Library, 14200 Saint Germain Drive. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org.
The Clifton Homes Tour is Thursday, May 18, from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 the day of the tour. Call 703-830-3705 or 703-830-3418. The tour benefits local charities and scholarships and is sponsored by the Clifton Community Woman's Club.
<cal1>Saturday/May 20
<cal2>Community Yard Sale. More than 100 Little Rocky Run residents will participate in this annual community yard sale. Community maps are available on the Web site (after May 15) including a guide to what people are selling and general directions. Go to www.littlerockyrunhoa.org.
Stuffed with Hugs: Hugs Away From Home. The community is invited to make a special "Build-A-Bear" for free to be donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities. Beginning at 10 a.m. the first 200 people at each of the more than 200 Build-A-Bear Workshop stores across the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and Australia are invited to provide some special teddy loving care. To be held at Fair Oaks, 11922L Fair Oaks, Fairfax. Call 703-383-3140.
<cal1>Monday/May 29
<cal2>Basic Pistol Shooting Class. Learn about all types of pistols in a safe, responsible and fun way at the Basic Pistol Shooting class offered at National Rifle Association headquarters from 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. in Fairfax. This 10-hour class focuses on safety, operation, maintenance, purchasing, storage 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. Certificate awarded for completion of the course which can be used to apply for a Virginia concealed handgun permit. Cost is $125. Email: jamselle@nrahq.org or call 703-267-1567.
<cal1>Friday/June 9
<cal2>Fairfax Women's Connection's "Making Memories Last" luncheon will run from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Hidden Creek Country Club, 1711 Clubhouse Road, Reston. Required reservations are $17 inclusive and should be made by June 6. Call Fran at 703-815-4204 or e-mail fairfaxwmconnect@aol.com.
<cal1>New Moms Lunch
<cal2>Mothers and babies newborn to 8 months old, join in for lunch, speakers, discussions and fun — a different program every week. Bring a friend or come alone — a great way to meet other new moms and babies in the area. Babies age newborn to 8 months old are welcome. Here are the upcoming events:
* Monday, June 5 — “Safety in and around your home,” Officer Liz Barrington, Fair Oaks Police, Office of Public Safety.
* Monday, June 12 — “Pediatric health care,” Dr. Katy Duncan.
* Monday, June 19 — “Toys! Toys! Toys!” Susie Waterstreet, Tree Top Toys.
* Monday, June 26 — No lunch.
Vpstart Crow's 2006 theater season:
April 28 - May 14 — "The Comedy of Errors";
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 is moving. The club will meet 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 $20 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.
<lst>To have community events listed in Centre View, mail to 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to centreview@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Photos, especially color, are encouraged. Deadline is one week before publication. Call Steve Hibbard at 703-917-6434 with any questions.