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.
Wat Yarnna Rangsee in Sterling will be offering free meditation classes every Sunday. Inquire and register at the temple at 21950 Shaw Road, Sterling, 703-406-8290/2509.
Kidzart Elementary for grades first-fifth. Fine arts program that builds self-confidence and develops creative thinking and problem solving skills in a noncompetitive environment. Wednesdays, Oct. 25-Nov. 15, 5:30-6:30 p.m., $60. Douglass Community Center, 407 East Market St., Leesburg. To register, contact the Douglass Community Center at 703-771-5913 or e-mail dcc@loudoun.gov.
AARP driving safety class at the Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling, Wednesday, Oct. 25 and Friday, Oct. 27, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. each day and attendance both days required to receive certificate. Cost $10 for members, additional $1 each day for nonmembers. Registration required, call 703-430-2397.
Preschool Sports Academy at the Douglass Community Center, 407 E. Market St., Leesburg, for ages 3-5. Introduces children to the fundamentals and fun of sports. Classes are four sessions and meet at the Douglass Community Center gymnasium. All skill levels are welcomed. Thursdays, Oct. 26-Nov. 16, ages 4-5, soccer, 4-5 p.m., $32. To register, contact the Douglass Community Center at 703-771-5913 or e-mail dcc@loudoun.gov.
One-day, Safe Sitter Babysitting Course, Oct. 28, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., for students 11-13 years old, and is held in the patient education room at Inova Loudoun Hospital, Lansdowne Campus at 44045 Riverside Parkway in Leesburg. Cost $55 per person. Register by calling 703-858-6360 or visiting the Web site at www.thebirthinginn.org.
“Sleep for Your Baby and You,” Oct. 28, from 9 a.m.-noon, for parents wishing to learn techniques to improve their baby’s sleep patterns, at Inova Loudoun Hospital, Lansdowne Campus at 44045 Riverside Parkway in Leesburg, in the Birthing Inn Education room. Cost for the course is $30 per couple. Register by calling 703-858-6360 or visiting www.thebirthinginn.org.
How to Write the SAT Essay, Oct. 29, at 2 p.m., at the Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. Robert Otten, professor of English, Marymount University, will discuss how to write a successful SAT essay. Recommended for ages 16 and up. Advance registration is required, call the Cascades Library at 703-444-3228, Ext. 5. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Every Child Ready to Read, early literacy for parents and caregivers of 4- to 5-year-old children, Oct. 30, 7 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. Workshop focuses on relationship between shared reading experiences, language development and reading achievement, and presents skills to help child prepare to read. Recommended for parents and caregivers. Advance registration required, call 703-737-8105.
Virginia gardener short course, at the Loudoun Cooperative Extension Office, 30 B Catoctin Circle, S.E., Leesburg, Oct. 30, from 6-8 p.m. Cost is $10 per session. A registration flyer can be downloaded from the Web site http://www.loudoun.gov/services/agri.htm or at local libraries. Call or e-mail the Master Gardener Volunteer Helpline Office, 703-771-5150, Ext. 107mg@vt.edu.
KidzArt, Squiggles to Grins, for ages 2-3.5. Includes singing, storytelling and creative art projects with mommy and daddy. Tuesdays, Oct. 31-Nov. 14, 10:30-11:15 a.m., $48. Douglass Community Center, 407 East Market St., Leesburg. To register, contact the Douglass Community Center at 703-771-5913 or e-mail dcc@loudoun.gov.
It's All in the Game. Play with the scooters, parachutes, soccer balls more. For children walking to 24 months old. Class meets every Tuesdays, Oct. 31- Nov. 14, from 9:15-9:45 a.m., at the Douglass Community Center, 407 East Market St., Leesburg. $16 per child. Contact the Douglass Community Center at 703-771-5913 or at dcc@loudoun.gov.
Adventures with the Story Lady at Douglass Community Center, 407 East Market St., Leesburg, Nov. 3. For ages 3.5-5. Storytelling brought to life through improvisation and student participation. Fridays through Nov. 11, 3:15-4:10 p.m. $24. To register, call 703-771-5913.
Fire building basics, Nov. 4, from 10 a.m.-noon, at Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling. Discover the value of fire while learning different ways to start one. For ages 7 and up. Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Cost $5 per person. Call 703-444-1275 to register.
Adventures with the Story Lady at Douglass Community Center, 407 East Market St., Leesburg. For grades kindergarten-fifth. Storytelling brought to life through creative writing, improvisation, set design, leadership skills, stage management, marketing techniques and directing skills. Saturdays, Nov. 4-11, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $36. To register, call 703-771-5913.
Nathan Leslie will present a creative writing workshop, Finding Inspiration for Fiction, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2 p.m., Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road, Leesburg, and Saturday, Nov. 11, 2 p.m., at Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. Explore techniques for fiction writing and storyline development. Call Rust Library, 703-777-0323 or Cascades Library, 703-444-3228.
The Loudoun Cooperative Extension is offering a Virginia gardener short course, at the Extension Office, 30 B Catoctin Circle, S.E., Leesburg, Nov. 6, from 6-8 p.m. Cost is $10 per session. 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.
The Loudoun Sheriff's Office's 26th Women's Self-Defense workshop will be held Tuesday, Nov. 7, from 7-10 p.m., at the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy, 45299 Research Place in Ashburn. The class is open to all female residents of Loudoun County over the age of 14. Participants will be taught basic self-defense techniques through instruction, demonstration and actual practice of the
methods taught. Free. The Loudoun County Victim Witness Program will have staff present at the workshop to provide information regarding available services for women who are victims of violence. Contact Audra Vogel to register at 571-258-3049.
Adult computer classes will be held Thursdays, 7-8:30 p.m., at the Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road. Classes are geared for novice students. Preregistration is required, call 703-430-6673. Microsoft Excel, Nov. 9-16, $59 plus $10 for supplies. Microsoft PowerPoint, Nov. 30-Dec. 7, $59 plus $10 for supplies.
Kidzart: Discovery! for ages 3.5-5. Nurturing art program that helps preschoolers become creative thinkers. Taught by a certified Kidzart instructor. Tuesdays, through Nov. 14, 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m., $48. Douglass Community Center, 407 East Market St., Leesburg. To register, contact the Douglass Community Center at 703-771-5913 or e-mail dcc@loudoun.gov.
Explore the world with yoga, ages 4-6, is a yoga class for children. Class meets every Wednesday, through Nov. 15, from 4:15-5:05 p.m., at the Douglass Community Center. Cost is $55 per child. To register, contact the Douglass Community Center at 703-771-5913 or e-mail at dcc@loudoun.gov.
Children's buddy yoga, for age 3, is a yoga class for children with adult buddy. Learn basic yoga poses enhancing flexibility, balance, coordination and self-esteem. Class meets every Wednesday, through Nov. 15, from 3:30-4 p.m., at the Douglass Community Center, 407 East Market St. Leesburg. Cost is $30 per child. To register, contact the Douglass Community Center at 703-771-5913 or e-mail at dcc@loudoun.gov.
The Loudoun County Office of Emergency Management and the National Weather Service will hold a Weather Spotter Training class Wednesday, Nov. 15, from 7-10 p.m.
The class is free and will be held in Auditorium No. 2 of the Loudoun County Fire, Rescue & Emergency Management Training Center, 16600 Courage Court in Leesburg.
Attendees will gain first-hand knowledge about the weather phenomena in our area and how to recognize certain conditions that contribute to the development of severe weather.
To register, contact the Loudoun County Office of Emergency Management by calling 703-737-8331 or by e-mail at cwarren1@loudoun.gov.
The Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, is offering holiday-oriented classes. Nov. 16, from 4-5 p.m., make ornaments and cards, cost $10. Nov. 28, from 4-6 p.m., make soaps, ornaments, tags and gift bags, cost $14, plus $4 supply fee. Nov. 30, from 4-5 p.m., make beaded ornaments, cost $10. Dec. 5, from 4-5 p.m., make a mini gingerbread house, cost $7, plus $3 supply fee. Preregistration required for all programs, call 703-4300-6673.
Inova Loudoun Hospital will hold a one-day, Safe Sitter Babysitting Course every month on select Saturdays beginning in the fall 2006. Nov. 18, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The course is for students 11-13 years old, and is held in the patient education room at the Lansdowne Campus at 44045 Riverside Parkway in Leesburg. Cost for the course is $55 per person. Register by calling 703-858-6360 or visiting the Web site at www.thebirthinginn.org.
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 on-going 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, 703-771-5913.
Mommy and Me classes for ages 3 months to 2 years are now forming at Congregation Sha’are Shalom. Trial classes are available. Class information is available at www.jccnv.org. Contact Laurie Albert, JCCNV community engagement director at 703-537-3064 or LaurieA@jccnv.org.
The Douglass Community Center Child Care Program is accepting registration for new children. The program operates daily, from 7 a.m.-6:15 p.m., and serves children age 3 through prekindergarten, must be potty trained. Fees are $155 per week. Contact 703-771-5610 or e-mail dcc@loudoun.gov.
Dance 'N Play is a 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, 407 E. 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 adult speakers of English as a second language. Limit 10 students per session. Register by calling 703-430-9500 V/TYY.