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.
Douglass Community Center, 407 East Market St., Leesburg is offering Mother's Day Surprise craft class, Thursday, May 11, 11-11:45 a.m. For ages 3-5. Make a special surprise form mom. $6. To register call the Douglass Community Center at 703-771-5913 or e-mail dcc@loudoun.gov.
Cuddle bugs play group at Douglass Community Center, 407 East Market Street, Leesburg. Meet other parents and encourage children to explore the world around them, develop motor skills, and socialize. Preregistration is required, call 703-771-5913 or e-mail at dcc@loudoun.gov. Classes are held Fridays, May 12, May 26, June 9. All classes are from 9:30-10:15 a.m., and cost $6.
Baby Signs featuring instructor Allison Forbes, Saturday, May 13, 10 a.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. Learn benefits of signing with your baby, popular signs for animals and more in the context of songs, games and activities. For babies 6-24 months and their parent/caregiver. Advanced registration by May 12, 703-737-8105.
Spring workshops are being offered at the Loudoun Academy of the Arts in Leesburg.
* Understanding your Digital Camera with Jeanette Burkle. Saturday, May 13, from 1- 5 p.m. $50.
* Introduction to Glassblowing with Dario DeHoyos. Ongoing weekend workshops, noon-4 p.m., both days. $230 includes supplies.
* Plein Air Painting Master Class with Ed Cooper. Fifteen-hour outdoor workshop with award-winning painter. June 16-18. $200.
Registrations are open now for an entire summer's worth of art programs for children. Visit www.loudounacademy.org for the complete schedule. Call 703-777-8043 to register. The Loudoun Academy of the Arts is a 501c3 educational organization located at 222 South King St., Leesburg.
Every Child Ready to Read, early literacy for 2- to 3-year-olds, Monday, May 15, 7 p.m., at the Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. Workshop includes discussion on the relationship between shared reading experiences, language development and reading achievement, and present six skills to ensure the child is ready to read when he/she starts school. Recommended for parents and adult caregivers. Advanced registration by May 12, 703-737-8105.
The WCA Senior Care Corps and Bethel Presbyterian Church is holding a free emergency preparedness workshop, funded by Homeland Security. Learn how to prepare for emergencies in the high-risk Washington, D.C., corridor, and how to help the community to prepare through volunteer opportunities. The workshop will take place at Bethel Presbyterian Church, 19856 Evergreen Mills Road, Leesburg, Tuesday, May 16, at 1 p.m. RSVP to 703-777-4221.
Infant massage class with instructor Allison Forbes, at the Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling, May 20, at 2 p.m. Learn the proper way to massage your baby and the benefits of infant massage for both baby and caregiver. Recommend for infants 1 month - 6 months of age with their caregiver. Advanced registration required, Cascades Library, 703-444-3228, Ext. 309.
Every Child Ready to Read, early literacy for 4- to 5-year-olds, Monday, May 22, 7 p.m., at the Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. Workshop includes discussion on the relationship between shared reading experiences, language development and reading achievement, and present six skills to ensure the child is ready to read when he/she starts school. Recommended for parents and adult caregivers. Advanced registration by May 19, 703-737-8105.
An AAPR Driving Safety class will be offered at the Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling, Wednesdays, May 24 and May 31, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Attendance both days is required to receive a certificate. Cost is $10 for members, with an additional $2 cost for nonmembers. Call 703-430-2397 to register.
The Loudoun County Extension Office is offering food safety training. The ServSafe Food Sanitation course will be taught in a one-day format May 31, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., at the Loudoun Extension Office in Leesburg. Cost for text, examination, and certification is $104. This eight-hour management course was developed by The Education Foundation of the National Restaurant Association. After completion of the course, a one-hour certification exam is administered, and certification is awarded by the National Restaurant Association to those passing the exam. To register, call Beverly Samuel, Loudoun Cooperative Extension Office at 703-777-0373.
The Loudoun Museum and the Loudoun Sampler Guild are offering the 11th annual ChildrenÕs Needlework Seminar the week of June 19-23, for children entering fourth grade through high school.
The seminar is taught by experienced needle workers with a broad background in the needle arts. Aspiring embroiderers will learn different stitches and techniques based on their level of experience. Course projects are designed for beginner, intermediate, and advanced stitchers.
The seminar will be held at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, from 9 a.m.-noon. The fee of $65 will include the cost of all materials and supplies. Advance registration is required by June 9. Proceeds benefit the Loudoun MuseumÕs Collections Fund. Call the Loudoun Museum at 703-777-7427 or e-mail education@loudounmuseum.org.
Douglass Community Center, 407 East Market St., Leesburg is offering Flag Day craft class, Tuesday, June 13, 10:30-11:15 a.m. For ages 3-4. $6. To register call the Douglass Community Center at 703-771-5913 or e-mail dcc@loudoun.gov.
Aurora Studio Theatre Inc. will hold basic improvisation classes, Thursdays, June 1-July 20, 7:30-9 p.m. Learn about the art of improvisation and practice proven techniques for refining skills on-the-fly. Co-taught by Phil Erickson, co-founder of the former Wise Guys Inc. Comedy Auction Team and Penny Hauffe. Cost $100 per student, $90 if postmarked by May 21. Visit www.aurorastudiotheatre.org to register or call 540-668-6779.
Aurora Studio Theatre is a 501(c)3 organization created to foster, encourage and develop new opportunities for actors at the high-school level and above, provide new avenues of work for playwrights, directors and producers, and entertain as well as educate the community through a commitment to excellence in the theatrical and literary arts.
The Loudoun Cooperative Extension is offering a Virginia gardener short course, which will run throughout the year as a series of sessions in July 10, July 24, and Aug. 7; Oct. 30 and Nov. 6. The course will be held at the Extension Office, 30 B Catoctin Circle, S.E., Leesburg, from 6-8 p.m., on those dates.
Participants can choose to attend one session or all eight. Cost is $10 per session or $65 to register to attend all eight sessions. Those who complete all eight sessions will receive a certificate of completion at the closing of the short course in November. A registration flyer can be downloaded from the Loudoun County Extension Web site http://www.loudoun.gov/services/agri.htm or it is also available at local libraries. Call or e-mail the Master Gardener Volunteer Helpline Office and ask to have a registration flyer mailed, 703-771-5150, Ext. 107mg@vt.edu.
Dance 'N Play is a total body fitness class for mom with toddler, with body toning, cardio bursts, and dancing to popular children's music. Classes are ongoing and meet every Thursday, from 9:30-10:15 a.m., at the Douglass Community Center gymnasium, 407 East Market St.,
Leesburg. Cost of the class is $40 for four sessions. Contact the Douglass Community Center at 703-771-5913 or at dcc@loudoun.gov.
On every first and third Tuesday of the month at 9 a.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., offers ESL basic computer skills needed for Internet, e-mail and word processing. Recommended for speakers of English as a second language. Limit 10 students per session. Register by calling 703-430-9500 V/TYY.
Inova Loudoun Hospital's Birthing Inn offers up to 24 different classes on how to prepare for childbirth and how to care for a newborn. Call the Family Education Department, 703-88-6360 or visit www.thebirthinginn.org.
Body & Soul Fitness offers a blend of cardio, strength training, Pilates, core strengthening, and flexibility set to contemporary Christian music.
* Shepherd Gate Church on Pleasant Valley Road, Chantilly, on Mondays/Thursdays, 9:30-11 a.m. and Saturdays, 7:30-9 a.m. Call Cindy at 703-542-6617.
* NOVA Chiropractic & Rehab at Cascades Parkway and Church Road, Sterling. Call Mary at 703-754-3722.
* The Community Church, 19790 Ashburn Road, Ashburn. Tuesdays, 7-8:15 p.m. and Saturdays, 8-9:15 a.m. Call Debbie at 703-723-4327.
Downtown Yoga, 26-A Plaza St., Leesburg, on the second floor of the building, is offering a free meditation group every Sunday morning at 8 a.m. In these one-hour sessions, enjoy a quiet, peaceful space to meditate with other like-minded people. Each session will begin with a brief inspirational discussion followed by a 40-minute meditation. Meditation is led by Doug Kalish. No advance sign-up necessary. Meditators of all levels are welcome. Visit downtown-yoga.com.
The Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, is offering music classes for children 0-18 months to 3 years. Classes will be held Thursdays, staring at 9:45 a.m. and the fee is $120 for 12 weeks. Call 703-430-6673 or 703-297-2627 or visit www.kamstonkidsmusic.com for registration details.
Lunch Bunch Afternoons are being offered by the Sterling Annex, 22084 Shaw Road, featuring crafts, outdoor and indoor play and lunch for children. Bring bag lunch, no microwaveable or refrigerated foods. Classes follow the Loudoun County Public Schools' schedule and meet Wednesdays and Fridays, from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Drop in fee $5 per hour. Call 703-430-6673.
Prenatal Education. Loudoun Hospital, 44045 Riverside Parkway, Leesburg, presents workshops for expectant parents. Admission is free, but registration is required. Call 703-779-2694.
English classes Thursdays, from 7-9 p.m., at Purcellville Baptist Church. Five different leveled classes offered, including one for au pairs. One time $15 registration/book fee. Free child care and homework assistance for older children. Two days a week of English instruction offered for beginners class. Walk-ins welcome. For more information, leave your name and number at 540-338-6400.
Yoga for a Special Child, Thursdays, from 4-4:30 p.m. $5 per child or donation to UCP fund. Anahata Center for Yoga & Wellness, 112 South St., S.E., Leesburg. Call to register, 703-771-0006 or www.experienceanahatayoga.com.
'Handwriting without Tears.' The Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, Sterling, offers classes for children ages 4-6 to help them focus on the beginning techniques for handwriting in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Call 703-430-6673.
Tiny Tots Classes for Twos. Katydid Inc. at Ashburn Ice House. Activities, songs, crafts for 2- to 3-year-olds and their parents. Weekly themes. Choose Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, at 9:30 a.m. or 10:45 a.m. Call 703-481-9444 or e-mail KTdidInc@aol.com.
English as a Second Language classes for adults are offered by Hogar Hispano of Catholic Charities in Falls Church, Reston and Sterling. Cost is $40 for seven weeks of classes. Call 703-534-9805 Ext. 222. Se habla espanol.
Free English as a Second Language courses will be held every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 7:30-9 p.m. ESL courses are located 22066 Circle Drive, Sterling, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
The Growing Stage Theatre Company. Classes and workshops for all ages. Visit www.growingstage.org, or call 540-338-5367.
The firm of Rachel L. Virk Attorney and Counselor at Law/Certified Mediator holds free monthly informational seminars on family law every second Saturday of the month, 9-11:30 a.m., 21135 Whitfield Place, Suite 207, Sterling. Learn about non-adversarial confidential dispute resolution and how to craft detailed solutions to remain in control or learn about rights to offset costly contested litigation. Call 703-444-3355. Visit www.virk-law.com.
Wacky Wednesdays, for children aged 3-6, at the Sterling Community Center, from 9:30 a.m.-noon. Includes crafts, sports, story time, yoga, and more. The cost of the program is $50 for four Wednesdays. To register, call the Sterling Community Center at 703-430-9480.
Wendy Lane, flutist, will offer a flute class for beginners at her Sterling music studio, Mondays, from 7-8 p.m. for the remainder of the summer. No charge. E-mail Blane4@verizon.net or 703-404-3103. Instruments may be provided by the teacher. Beginners only but other lessons are given privately.