Send announcements, which are open to the public at no or minimal cost, 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 Matthew Razak at 703-917-6457. For additional listings, visit www.connectionnewspapers.com.
<cal1>Wednesday/Oct. 25
<cal2>Author Talk and Book Signing. David Lillard, author, will join Beth Erickson, director of marketing communications of The Journey Through Hallowed Ground Inc., to talk about his new book, "Journey Through Hallowed Ground: A Travel Guide." 7 p.m., at the Thomas Balch Library, Leesburg. Register in advance by calling 703-737-7195. Copies of the book will be available for purchase.
Library Concert. Too Human will perform jazzy, bluesy originals and jazz standards from the American Songbook. For all ages. Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls, 7 p.m.
Library 101 for Homeschoolers. Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., 2-4 p.m., part one of two. Learn to use the Dewey Decimal System, to do limit searches on the LCPL catalog, to search for the library's newest databases and e-books, to find homework Web sites. Recommended for parents and children ages 7 and up. Advanced registration required, call 703-430-9500.
<cal1>Thursday/Oct. 26
<cal2>Library 101 for Homeschoolers. Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., 2-4 p.m., part two of two. Learn to use the Dewey Decimal System, to do limit searches on the LCPL catalog, to search for the library's newest databases and e-books, to find homework Web sites. Recommended for parents and children ages 7 and up. Advanced registration required, call 703-430-9500.
Tales of the Trails: A Halloween Adventure. Includes nighttime, guided trail walk, hay ride, campfire stories. Ages 6 and up. Preregistration recommended, tours every half hour from 6-9 p.m.; early tours, 6-7 p.m., appropriate for younger children. Children under 12 and younger must be accompanied by adult. County residents $5, nonresidents $7.50. Rain date Oct. 28. Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling. Call 703-444-1275.
Teen Book Club at Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls, 4:30 p.m. For this month's book club the book will be "Dark Pond" by Joseph Bruchac. Stop by the Youth Services Desk to pick a copy of the book. For ages 12-18. Advance registration required by Oct. 23. Call 703-444-3228 Ext. 309. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Spooktacular Origami. Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls, 4 p.m. Lean how to make Halloween decorations. Materials will be provided. For ages 7 and up. Advance registration required by Oct. 23. Call 703-444-3228, Ext. 309. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
<cal1>Friday/Oct. 27
<cal2>Art Auction. Auction fund-raiser hosted by the Loudoun Academy of the Arts Foundation, at Thomas Birkby House, 109 Loudoun St., S.W., Leesburg, from 6-10 p.m. "An Evening for Art's Sake," features both silent and live auction items including fine art paintings, specialty items and gifts. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served. Ticket holders may preview all auction items between 6-7 p.m., bidding on silent auction items will take place between 7-9 p.m., the live auction will begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person and advance registration is recommended. All proceeds benefit the Loudoun Academy of the Arts Foundation a 501c3 organization. Visit www.loudounacademy.org or call 703-777-5498.
Halloween Party. Sterling Annex, 1115 W. Church Road, 7-8 p.m. Ages 4-10. Bring flashlight for a candy hunt, decorate bag to gather candy and play a prize walk game. $10. Preregistration required, call 703-430-6673.
Flashlight Candy Hunt. Sterling Community Center, 120 Enterprise St. Bring a flashlight and trick-or-treat bag to gather goodies in the dark. Ages 2-3, 6-6:30 p.m.; ages 4-6, 6:45-7:15 p.m.; ages 7-10, 7:30-8 p.m. $5. Call 703-430-9480.
Hauntings 2006. The Loudoun Museum will present its 15th annual spirited walking tours of haunted sites in downtown Leesburg. Tours will begin every 15 minutes from the Leesburg Town Hall, from 6-10 p.m. Advance ticket prices are $15 for adults and $13 for Loudoun Museum members; $20 at the door Tours are not recommended for children under 12 years of age. Call the museum at 703-777-7427 or e-mail bfriedmann@loudounmuseum.org. The Loudoun Museum is located at 16 Loudoun St., S.W. in downtown Leesburg.
Vigil. In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, from 7-8:30 p.m., at Leesburg United Methodist Church, 107 West Market St. Includes speakers discussing the impact of family violence, how people can get involved in combating family violence, a pledge ribbon ceremony and a symbolic candle lighting. The event is being organized by the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coordinating Council of Loudoun County. The Council includes representatives of Arcola United Methodist Church, FAITH Social Services, LAWS, Loudoun County government, and the Zonta Club of Loudoun County. Visit www.notinourhomes.org.
Antique Auction. 2nd Annual Antique and Collectible Auction to benefit the Homeless in Loudoun County. Preview, from 3-5 p.m.; auction starts at 5 p.m. Food will be available. Auction held at the Good Shepherd Alliance thrift store, 20291 Davenport Drive, Sterling. Call Mary, 703-444-5956. Visit www.loudounhomeless.org to view the catalog of items.
Tales of the Trails: A Halloween Adventure. Includes nighttime, guided trail walk, hay ride, campfire stories. Ages 6 and up. Preregistration recommended, tours every half hour from 6-9 p.m.; early tours, 6-7 p.m., appropriate for younger children. Children under 12 and younger must be accompanied by adult. County residents $5, nonresidents $7.50. Rain date Oct. 28. Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling. Call 703-444-1275.
Teen Murder Mystery Night. Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road, Leesburg, 6 p.m. For teens, ages 12-18. Register prior to the program, 703-771-5624.
Origami Program. Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn, 3:30 p.m. This session will introduce the basics of origami. For ages 8-11. Advance registration required by Oct. 19. Call 703-737-8105. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
<cal1>Saturday/Oct. 28
<cal2>Halloween Festival. All ages. Arcola Community Center, 24244 Gum Springs Road, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Includes games, rides, food, prizes, candy run from noon-2 p.m. Costumes encouraged. Free. Call 703-327-3111.
Volunteer Fair. The Loudoun Volunteer Services is celebrating national Make A Difference Day with a fair, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., at Harper Park Middle School, 701 Potomac Station Drive, N.E., Leesburg. Call Loudoun Volunteer Services at 703-777-0113 or e-mail pivs@loudoun.gov.
Bilingual Story Time. Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, 11 a.m. !Vamos a leer! Cuentos y aventuras para niños. Story time in Spanish, includes songs, stories, finger plays and other adventures in both Spanish and English. Recommended for ages 3-6 and families. Call the library 703-737-8105.
Hauntings 2006. The Loudoun Museum will present its 15th annual spirited walking tours of haunted sites in downtown Leesburg. Tours will begin every 15 minutes from the Leesburg Town Hall, from 6-10 p.m. Advance ticket prices are $15 for adults and $13 for Loudoun Museum members; $20 at the door Tours are not recommended for children under 12 years of age. Call the museum at 703-777-7427 or e-mail bfriedmann@loudounmuseum.org. The Loudoun Museum is located at 16 Loudoun St., S.W. in downtown Leesburg.
Draw-In. For budding and professional artists, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., The Naturalist Center, 741 Miller Drive, S.E., Leesburg. Bring art supplies and draw items from the center's collection; professional artists on hand to answer questions and give career information. Ages 10 and older. 703-779-9712.
Hunger Walk. The Annual Western Loudoun CROP Hunger Walk, start at Loudoun Valley High School, 340 N. Maple Ave., Purcellville, 8:30 a.m. Four-mile and six-mile walks offered. Benefits Loudoun Interfaith Relief. Call 540-338-1362.
1918: A Living History Program on World War I & The Home Front, Morven Park, Leesburg, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Join Governor and Mrs. Westmoreland Davis as they relate events in Loudoun County and Virginia during the "Great War," including Liberty Bond drives and Virginia's contributions to the war effort. Visit http://www.morvenpark.org. Adults $5, Children $1. Meet at Coach House Visitor Center. Call 703-777-6034.
Bluegrass Concerts. Capital Grass/Dan Paisley and The Southern Grass perform at the Lucketts Community Center, 42361 Lucketts Road. Doors open at 6 p.m., music begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12 and are sold at the door; refreshments available at snack bar. Call 703-771-5281.
<cal1>Sunday/Oct. 29
<cal2>Reading Buddies. Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls, 2-4 p.m. Children ages 3-6 will be buddies up with teen volunteers for an interactive reading program. Call 703-444-3228.
Magic of Carnegie-Artist of Escape and Mystery. Lucketts Community Center, 42361 Lucketts Road, 2-3 p.m. $5 in advance, $6 at the door. Come in costume. light refreshments. Call 703-771-5281 for reservations.
"Travel through Time" in the Winmill Carriage Collection, Morven Park, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Take a guided tour through a collection of 19th century horse-drawn vehicles, including coaches, sleighs, carts, buggies, and a hearse from the 1800s. Visit www.morvenpark.org. Adults $5, Children $1. Meet at Coach House Visitor Center. Call 703-777-6034.
Nicolo Whimsey Variety. At Pumpkinville, 19270 James Monroe Highway, Leesburg, 1 p.m. $6.50 per person; weekends are $10 per person. Call 703-433-0002 or visit www.LeesburgAnimalPark.com.
Free Mini Golf. The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority is offering free rounds of miniature golf to golfers dressed in Halloween costumes at Algonkian Regional Park, which is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m., with the last round going out at 4 p.m. Noncostumed golfers can play at the normal rates of $5.50 for ages 13-54; and $4.50 for golfers over 55 and 12 and under. Visit www.NVRPA.org.
<cal1>Monday/Oct. 30
<cal2>Tales from the Pumpkin Patch. Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, 4 p.m. Includes pumpkin stories, songs, games and pumpkin picking. Recommended for ages 5-7. Advanced registration required, call 703-737-8105.
1918: A Living History Program on World War I & The Home Front. 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Morven Park, Leesburg. Join Gov. and Mrs. Westmoreland Davis as they relate events in Loudoun County and Virginia during the "Great War," including Liberty Bond drives and Virginia's contributions to the war effort. A new exhibit of an original WWI uniform and soldiers' personal items is included. Visit www.morvenpark.org or call 703-777-6034. Adults $5, children $1. Meet at Coach House Visitor Center.
Explore Autumn's Harvest. Ages 3-5. Play pumpkin games, discover the star in an apple and search for fruit known as "foxy candy." $10.50 per child. 9:30-1 a.m.; 12:30-2 p.m. Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling. Call 703-444-1275.
Benefit Golf Tournament. Hosted by former Washington Redskins cornerback Darrell Green at Brambleton Golf Course, 42180 Ryan Road, Ashburn, in support of Loudoun County High School golf teams. The tournament is being presented by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Foundation. The shotgun start at 11 a.m. Visit http://www.novaparks.org.
<cal1>Tuesday/Oct. 31
<cal2>Halloween Parade. Leesburg's Annual Halloween Parade, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Leesburg, in historic district at King and Market streets, 6 p.m. The floats, bands, and costumes are awarded prizes. Bring a canned good or paper product to the parade, Loudoun InterFaith will collect and distribute the donations. Free. Call 703-737-2175. Registration deadline to participate is Oct. 21.
Explore Autumn's Harvest. Ages 3-5. Play pumpkin games, discover the star in an apple and search for fruit known as "foxy candy." $10.50 per child. 9:30-1 a.m.; 12:30-2 p.m. Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling. Call 703-444-1275.
<cal1>Wednesday/Nov. 1
<cal2>Teen Craft. Red Scarf Drive with knitter LaDonna Snellbaker, 7 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. Make knitted scarves that will be donated to the Orphan Foundation of America's Red Scarf Project, which are sent to college-bound foster youth throughout the country. Completed scarves will be collected and mailed in December. New to knitting, bring bamboo needles and worsted weight yarn, Lyon brand woolease. Bring red yard. Recommended for ages 12-18. Advance registration required, call 703-737-8100, Ext. 4.
<cal1>Friday/Nov. 3
<cal2>"Inherit the Wind." Presented by The College Community Theater at the Waddell Theater, Northern Virginia Community College, Loudoun Campus, 1000 Harry Flood Byrd Highway, Sterling, 7:30 p.m. Tickets $12, $10 seniors and students. Call 703-948-7701. Visit www.nvcc.edu/loudoun/waddelltheater/cct.
<cal1>Saturday/Nov. 4
<cal2>Lewis and Clark-After the Expedition. Annie Hulen, a collateral descendant of Meriwether Lewis, past president of The Meriwether Society Inc., and a member of the Ketoctin Chapter of the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, will talk about the aftermath of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. 1-3 p.m., at the Thomas Balch Library, Leesburg. Register in advance by calling 703-737-7195.
Craft Fair. Ashburn Farm Association will be holding a craft fair, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Windmill Community Center, 21400 Windmill Drive, Ashburn. Artists will have handmade jewelry, quilts, scarves, rugs, paintings, wreaths, and other gift ideas. Everyone welcome. Call 703-729-6680 or e-mail ayoung@afhoa.net.
"Inherit the Wind." Presented by The College Community Theater at the Waddell Theater, Northern Virginia Community College, Loudoun Campus, 1000 Harry Flood Byrd Highway, Sterling, 7:30 p.m. Tickets $12, $10 seniors and students. Call 703-948-7701. Visit www.nvcc.edu/loudoun/waddelltheater/cct.
1918: A Living History Program on World War I & The Home Front, Morven Park, Leesburg, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Join Governor and Mrs. Westmoreland Davis as they relate events in Loudoun County and Virginia during the "Great War," including Liberty Bond drives and Virginia's contributions to the war effort. Visit http://www.morvenpark.org. Adults $5, Children $1. Meet at Coach House Visitor Center. Call 703-777-6034.