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.
Welcome Club of Northern Virginia invites the community to attend its monthly luncheon, Thursday, Nov. 2, at the Fairfax Country Club. There will be no program, but instead, a "Unique Boutique," a sale of member donated items, which is the main fund-raising event for the various charities that the Welcome Club supports. Registration begins at 11 a.m. Call 703-281-6225 or e-mail dlboguts@cox.net. The deadline for reservations is Monday, Oct. 30.
Freedom Hill Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, welcome author and historian, Marc Leepson, to discuss his book "Flag: An American Biography," Saturday, Nov. 4, at the American Legion Post 270, 1355 Balls Hill Road, McLean. The meeting is open to the public and begins at noon. For membership information, call 703-317-0403 or visit www.freedomhillDAR.org.
The CountrySide Women's Club's meets Friday, Nov. 10, at 9:30 a.m., at the Parkway Pool Meeting Room on Algonkian Parkway in CountrySide. Sue Curtis, executive director of the Loudoun Abused Women's Shelter, will speak about the services the shelter provides to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse. CountrySide Women's Club is open to all women in the area. Call Teresa at 703-444-3035.
Ashburn Classics will be meeting at the Ashburn Library, Saturday, Nov. 11, when Don Metzger will discuss the topic of "downsizing." Refreshments will be available. The club will be holding its annual Christmas Brunch at the Holiday Inn- Washington Dulles, Saturday, Dec. 9. The cost is $25 per person. Call Peggy Chapman, 703-723-3056.
The next monthly membership meeting of the Potomac Valley Shetland Sheepdog Club (PVSSC) is Monday, Nov. 20, 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 speakers, Richard Gurney and Marilyn Manser, will describe their personal experiences with a liver shunt and major seizures suffered by their sheltie puppy, Tavis. Refreshments. Bring your dog and meet other Sheltie owners and breeders. Visit the club’s Web site at http://www.potomacvalleyssc.com.
Guys Read is a book club for guys Thursday, Nov. 30, at Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, 7 p.m. Upcoming books: 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 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.