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.
Virginia Reader's Choice book club for third-fifth grades at Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 5. Join the club each month to discuss a book from the Virginia Young Reader's Choice list for elementary-school level. Includes book discussion, games and refreshments. Parents welcome to join children in reading the book selection. Advance registration required, call 703-737-8105. Participants receive free copy of the book.
Loudoun County Master Gardener Volunteers invite the public to attend a free monthly educational meeting Thursday, Oct. 5, at 7 p.m., at the Loudoun Extension Office, 30-B Catoctin Circle, S.E., Leesburg. The topic will be, "Herb Gardening," with Marianne M. Ritchie discussing the basics and joys of gardening and using herbs. Call Debbie Dillion, 703-777-0373.
The Welcome Club of Northern Virginia invites community residents to attend its monthly luncheon at That's Amore in Vienna, Thursday, Oct. 5. The speaker will be Dr. Nancy Spruill, director of acquisition, resources and analyses, Office of the U.S. Secretary of Defense. Registrations begins at 11 a.m. Call 703-281-6225 or e-mail dlboguts@cox.net. The deadline for reservations is Monday, Oct. 2.
There will be a new friends coffee Friday, Oct. 6, at 10 a.m. for new and prospective members. Contact 703-242-0217 or Jtowers39@cox.net for further information.
La Leche League of Ashburn will hold its next meeting Oct. 6. The topic is "The Advantages of Breastfeeding to Mother and Baby." Pregnant and nursing women as well as their children are welcome to attend. Meeting location is the Ashburn Library located at 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Free. Call a La Leche League Leader at 703-723-9891.
Northern Virginia Writers First Friday, Oct. 6, 7:30-9:30 p.m., Leesburg Town Hall, 25 W. Market St., Leesburg. Topic: Creating Compelling Openings with Jeff Kleinman, a founding agent of Folio Literary Management. Participants are invited to bring the first five pages of manuscript. Admission is $4 for members of The Writer's Center and residents of Leesburg; $6 for the general public. Call 301-654-8664.
Ashburn Classics upcoming events include traveling to Chrysalis Winery Oct. 7 for the annual bluegrass concert; in November, Don Metzger will discuss "down sizing;" Dec. 9 is the club's annual Christmas Brunch at the Holiday Inn Washington Dulles, cost $25 per person. If you wish to participate I suggest you contact us quite soon.
The next membership meeting is Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. and refreshments will be available. Contact Pamela Halston, chairperson, 703-771-7041.
The Freedom Hill Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, welcomes William Campbell, son of a Tuskegee Airman, to speak about the dedicated and determined young men who enlisted to become America's first black military airmen, Saturday, Oct. 7, at the American Legion Post 270, 1355 Balls Hill Road, McLean. The meeting is open to the public and begins at noon. Call 571-633-0760 or visit www.freedomhillDAR.org
Girls in elementary-high school are invited to Girl Scouts Fun Day, at Suglarland Run Community Center, 200 Greenfield Court, Sterling, Oct. 7, from 2-4 p.m. There will be representatives from local schools including Meadowland, Sugarland, Lowes Island elementary schools, Seneca Ridge Middle and Dominion High to answer any questions. Spanish translators will be available.
The Blue Ridge Vegetarian Society is a fledgling group seeking community residents interested in volunteering time and great ideas to get us up and running. Meet at Starbucks on E. Market Street, Leesburg, at 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 8. Contact Ms. Dale Ball at vegeats@gmail.com.
Ashburn Boy Scout Troop 1158 is holding its fall 2006 mulch sale. The money raised supports travel and gear expenses. Price is $4.10 per 3-cubic-foot bag. To order, send check or money order made payable to: Boy Scout Troop 1158, c/o Robin Stribling, 44158 Paget Terrace, Ashburn, VA 20147.
Orders with prepayment must be received by Oct. 10. Free delivery with a minimum five-bag order. Deliveries will take place Saturday, Oct. 14 and Sunday, Oct. 15.
Ashburn Masonic Lodge will meet Oct. 10, and every second Tuesday of each month, at 6:45 p.m. for dinner at the lodge. Call Russ Baneck at 703-470-2188 or Charles Maranto at 703-868-7896. The lodge is located at 43881 Waxpool Road in Ashburn.
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. This month's meetings are Oct. 10 and 24, at 10:15 a.m., at the Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org.
Virginia Reader's Choice book club for middle-schoolers at Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 12. Join the club on the second Thursday of each month to discuss a book from the Virginia Young Reader's Choice list for middle school. The library will provide refreshments. Recommended for ages 12-18. Advance registration required, call 703-737-8100, Ext. 4.
The Countryside Women's Club will hold its 17th Annual Fall Luncheon, at River Creek Country Club, Friday, Oct. 13, at 11:30 a.m. The cost is $25. Talbots will provide a fashion show for guests and members. A raffle will be held with proceeds going to charity. Deadline for reservations and payment is Oct. 6. Call Maryanne at 703-777-6753 or Teresa at 703-444-3035.
The next monthly membership meeting of the Potomac Valley Shetland Sheepdog Club is Monday, Oct. 16, at 7:30 p.m., in the meeting room of the Dunn Loring Firehouse, 2148 Gallows Road, Dunn Loring. Free and open to the public. Guest speaker, Elizabeth (Beth) Lannon, a licensed veterinary technician, will speak to us about her experience as a volunteer working at the Lamar Dixon Animal Shelter in Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina. Refreshments. Bring your dog and meet other Sheltie owners and breeders. Visit http://www.shetlandsheepdog.us.
Sterling Library will be holding an after-school book club, Tuesdays, 4 p.m., Oct. 17. Includes books, crafts and fun. Learn about the latest must reads or bring a book to recommend to others. A different theme will be featured each month. Recommended for ages 6-10. Advance registration required at 703-430-9500.
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. This month's meeting is Oct. 17, at 10 a.m., at the Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org.
The MOMS Club of Ashburn Farm is holding an open house Thursday, Oct. 19, at 11 a.m., at the Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. Includes information about the club, meet members, hear a representative from Discovery Toys discuss the topic,
"Give your Child the Edge: Learn how developing a balanced diet of play will teach your child those important life skills they need to be a successful adult." Call 703-980-3519 or e-mail membership_mcaf@yahoo.com.
Nonfiction book club, Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls, 4 p.m., Oct. 23. Discuss "It's Disgusting and We Ate It!" learn food facts from around the world. Recommended for ages 6-9. Advanced registration required by Oct. 20, call 703-444-3228, Ext. 309.
The Virginia Readers' Choice primary book club, Monday, Oct. 23, 7 p.m., at Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. Read Epossumondas," by Coleen Salley and "Manana Iguana," by Ann Whitford Paul in October. Learn about the authors and illustrators of the books and do activities. In the spring, VRC Primary book club participants who read at least four of the 2006-2007 selections will vote for their favorite and the votes will be submitted to the Virginia State Reading Association. Recommended for children in grades kindergarten-second grade. Advance registration required, call 703-737-8105.
Are you Scared? teen book club, Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls, Thursday, Oct. 26, 4:30 p.m. Read "Dark Pond," by Joseph Bruchac. Discuss the book and have a Halloween celebration. Free copies of the book available at the youth services desk. recommended for ages 12-18. Advanced registration required by Oct. 23, call 703-444-3228, Ext. 309.
Guys Read is a book club for guys Thursdays, Oct. 26, Nov. 30, at Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, 7 p.m. Upcoming books: October, "Henry and the Clubhouse," and November, "Knights of the Kitchen Table." Free books will be available to participants before each program. Recommended for ages 8 and up. Registration is required prior to the program, 703-737-8105.
The Outrageous Origami Club at Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, 3:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 27. First session introduces the basics of the Japanese art of folding paper. Recommended for ages 8-11. Advanced registration required by Oct. 19, call 703-737-8105.
MOPS, Mothers of Preschoolers, meets the second and fourth Friday of each month at Crossroads United Methodist Church, 43454 Crossroads Drive, Ashburn. Child care is provided. MOPS is a program designed to nurture mothers with children from infancy through kindergarten. Call CUMC at 703-729-5100, Ext. 202 or suzcherico@yahoo.com.
Children's and infant's clothing, toys, and equipment sale, Saturday, Oct. 28, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Crossroads United Methodist Church. Half-Price Sale from 1-2 p.m.
The South Riding Lions Club, which focuses on helping the vision and hearing impaired in Centreville, Chantilly, Herndon, South Riding, meets the first Thursday of each month at the Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church, 43987 John Mosby Highway, Chantilly. New members welcome. Call Jim Vertrees, 703-327-3538.
Countryside Quilters meet the first and third Tuesday of each month, 7:30 p.m., at the Community Lutheran Church, 21014 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Guild activities include book and fabric exchanges, workshops, speakers, field trips and community service projects. Call Leanne, 703-304-6721.
The MOMS Club of Ashburn Village Area, covers Ashbrook, Regency, Cameron Chase, Belmont Country Club, University Center, the Courts and Ridges, and more. It is a nonprofit, nondenominational organization with chapters all over the world. It offers age-appropriate play groups, field trips to fun and exciting places, "Moms‚ Night Out" volunteer opportunities and more. Business meetings on the third Monday of each month at 10:30 a.m., at the Ashburn Library or visit the Web site at http://www.geocities.com/ashburnmomsclub or e-mail ashburnmomsclub@yahoo.com.
The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling, has a walking club, which meets Thursday mornings, at 10:30 a.m. Walks take place outside, so wear loose comfortable clothing and sneakers. In case of inclement weather, walkers will be transported to the Dulles Town Center to walk around the "track."
Help Save Loudoun meets at 7 p.m., the last Wednesday of each month at the Cascades Library, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Visit www.helpsaveloudoun.com.
Are you a Virginia 4-H All Star? The Loudoun County 4-H program is trying to contact past All Star recipients who now live in Loudoun County. Contact the Loudoun County Extension Office at 703-777-0373 or by e-mail at kred@vt.edu.
S.T.O.P.S (Survivors Together Offering Personal Support) will meet Mondays, at Broadlands Nature Center, 21907 Claiborne Parkway, Ashburn, at 6:30-8 p.m.
ST.O.P.S is a fellowship of young girls and women who may share their experience, strength and hope with each other, so that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from the trauma of being sexually abused. Primary purpose is to heal and help other victims of sexual assault become survivors.
Weekly Master Gardener Volunteer's Lunch and Learn at the Master Gardener Demonstration Garden, Ida Lee Park, Leesburg. Every Tuesday, at noon, beginning in May, Loudoun County Master Gardener Volunteers will make a 20- to 30-minute educational presentation followed by a question-and-answer session and a tour of the Ida Lee Demonstration Garden. The public is invited to attend these programs free, no registration is required. In case of rain, the program will be held, Thursday evening, at 7 p.m.
Call the Loudoun Extension Office at 703-777-0373.
The book discussion group at the Senior center at Cascades marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling, meets the third Tuesday of each month at noon. Open to interested members. 703-430-2397.
The Ashburn-Sterling Masonic Lodge meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6:45 p.m. for dinner at the lodge. Call Russ Baneck at 703-470-2188 or Charles Maranto at 703-868-7896. The lodge is located at 43881 Waxpool Road in Ashburn.
Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) at Capital Community Church is now taking registration for the 2006-07 year. MOPS provides mothers with the support they need through resources and relationships. It 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.