To post local events in the Connection, mail 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail Lea Mae Rice at burke@connectionnewspapers.com or fax 703-917-0991. Deadline is the Thursday before the week of the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. Call 703-917-6459.
Thursday/Nov. 16
Springfield Writers' Group. Share work and feedback in a supportive setting 7 p.m. at Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Adults. 703-451-8055.
Friday/Nov. 17
Ponderings. Join in a twilight hike 4-5:30 p.m. at the Hidden Pond Nature Center, 8511 Greeley Blvd., Springfield. Explore some of the areas of the park that are off the beaten track with naturalist Casey. Reservations required. $4. Ages 6-10. 703-451-9588.
T is for Turkey. Books that give thanks for items that begin with the letter T 10:30 a.m. at Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Age 2-5 with adult. 703-451-8055.
Saturday/Nov. 18
Mammals in Winter. Learn how local mammals survive the winter 10:30 a.m. at Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Cosponsored by the Hidden Pond Nature center. 703-451-8055.
The Color Book Gallery, a multicultural children's bookstore, has a grand opening 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at the store, 308-D Poplar Alley, Occoquan. Activities include face painting, scavenger hunt, book signing, Bolivian music and more. Contact 703-494-1994, info@colorbookgallery.com or www.colorbookgallery.com.
Sunday/Nov. 19
Model Train Show. N Scale model trains run from 1-4 p.m., at the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum, 11200 Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station. The Northern Virginia NTRAK model train club host a monthly layout in the main building as well as in the caboose. $2/adults, $1/children 4-10, children 3 and under free. Gift shop will be open. Call 703-425-9225 or go to www.fairfax-station.org.
Fall Extravaganza. Over 50 local vendors offer a variety of gifts and services 12-4 p.m. Hilton Hotel, 6550 Loisdale Road, Springfield. Raffle and door prizes. Free. For more contact Andrea Hansborough at 301-801-9237.
Tuesday/Nov. 21
Turkeys Go Gobble. Seasonal stories and activities 10:30 a.m. at Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Age 13-23 months with adult. 703-339-4610.
Wednesday/Nov. 22
Miss Belle's Sing-Along. Sing songs 10:30 a.m. at Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Cosponsored by the Friends of the Richard Byrd Library. Ages birth-5 with adults. 703-451-8055.
Monday/Nov. 27
Nature Quest. Crawl through a simulated mole tunnel, build wildlife shelters and see the different types of homes that animals use 9:45-11:15 a.m. at Hidden Pond Nature Center, 8511 Greeley Blvd., Springfield. Reservations required. $4. Ages 3-6. 703-451-9588.
First Page. A group for all aspiring writers, novices and experts of all genres 7 p.m. at Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Adults. 703-339-4610.
Tuesday/Nov. 28
Book Discussion. Discuss “A Gathering of Old Men” by Ernest Gaines 6:30 p.m. at Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Adults. 703-339-4610.
Ridin' in My Car. Stories, activities and a craft 10:30 a.m. at Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. Age 2-5 with adult. 703-339-7385.
Thursday/Nov. 30
Silly Stories. Funny stories and activities 1 p.m. at Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Age 2-5 with adult. 703-339-4610.
December
Holiday Tours. Through the month of December, celebrate the holiday as George Washington’s family would with “Gather the Family” tours, 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. at Woodlawn Plantation, 9000 Richmond Highway, Alexandria. See the full dining table and hear tales of visitors from 1817. Enjoy cider and cookies in the museum shop at the end of the tour. $7.50/adults, $3/students through 12th grade. No reservations required. Call 703-780-4000 ext. 33.
Friday/Dec. 1
Holiday Book Sale. Selection of like-new novels, children’s books, non-print formats and more at Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. 703-451-8055.
Saturday/Dec. 2
Arts and Crafts Show. The 29th annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Show is 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Audrey Moore RECenter In Wakefield Park, 8100 Braddock Road, Annandale. Features over 130 area artisans and door prizes. $2/person over 12. Call 703-321-7081 for more.
Holiday Book Sale. Selection of like-new novels, children’s books, non-print formats and more at Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. 703-451-8055.
Sunday/Dec. 3
Arts and Crafts Show. The 29th annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Show is 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Audrey Moore RECenter In Wakefield Park, 8100 Braddock Road, Annandale. Features over 130 area artisans and door prizes. $2/person over 12. Call 703-321-7081 for more.
Home for the Holidays. Learn about holiday tea customs of the early 19th century followed by a complimentary tour of the home at Woodlawn Plantation, 9000 Richmond Highway, Alexandria. Seatings are 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. $25/tea and tour of Woodlawn, $30/tea and tour of Woodlawn and Pope-Leighey. Reservations required. Call 703-780-4000 ext. 33.
Saturday/Dec. 8
Plantation Christmas. Spend an 18th-century holiday 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Gunston Hall, 10709 Gunston Road, Mason Neck. Ride in a horse-drawn carriage, sip steaming cider in front of a bonfire, and sample food prepared over an open hearth. Costumed characters take part in activities typical of the season. $14/adults, $7/ages 6-18, free for children under 6. Holiday Buffet is 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the plantation, and is $39.95/ages 11 and up, $19.95/ages 6-10. Call 703-339-0460 to reserve a spot at the buffet. For more on Plantation Christmas, call 703-550-9220.
Saturday/Dec. 9
Santa's Hayride. Join Santa's helpers on a horse-drawn wagon ride under the stars to visit Santa 6-10 p.m. at Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield. Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight. $10/child, $6/adult, babies on laps free. Fee includes hayride, visit with Santa, cup of hot chocolate, and keepsake photo on disk. Reservations required, hayride times are pre-assigned. To register, send participants' names, address, phone number, age, program title, and a check payable to FCPA to Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield VA 22150. Call 703-569-0285. Refunds only if event is canceled.
Pet Pictures with Santa. Bring a dog, cat or other furry friend to Lake Accotink Park for pictures with “Santa Claws” 2-4 p.m. Park is located at 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield. Santa photos are digitally captured on disk to keep. $5/pet. To register, send participants’ names, address, phone number, age, program title, and a check payable to FCPA to Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield VA 22150. Call 703-569-0285 for credit card registrations or more information. Refunds only if event is canceled. Pets must be leashed.
Plantation Christmas. Spend an 18th-century holiday 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Gunston Hall, 10709 Gunston Road, Mason Neck. Ride in a horse-drawn carriage, sip steaming cider in front of a bonfire, and sample food prepared over an open hearth. Costumed characters take part in activities typical of the season. $14/adults, $7/ages 6-18, free for children under 6. Holiday Buffet is 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the plantation, and is $39.95/ages 11 and up, $19.95/ages 6-10. Call 703-339-0460 to reserve a spot at the buffet. For more on Plantation Christmas, call 703-550-9220.
Sunday/Dec. 10
Home for the Holidays. Learn about holiday tea customs of the early 19th century followed by a complimentary tour of the home at Woodlawn Plantation, 9000 Richmond Highway, Alexandria. Seatings are 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. $25/tea and tour of Woodlawn, $30/tea and tour of Woodlawn and Pope-Leighey. Reservations required. Call 703-780-4000 ext. 33.