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.
Italian for Beginners at Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, Sterling. This class focuses on the Italian language and culture with stories and games. Classes are April 11-May 15, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. This is a beginner class for children ages 6-12 years old. Cost is $45 and preregistration is required. Call 703-430-6673.
The Loudoun County Office of Virginia Cooperative Extension will offer a Virginia Gardener Shortcourse. The Shortcourse is a condensed version of the training that Trainees who are new members of the Master Gardener Volunteer program receive. The Shortcourse is held in the Loudoun Cooperative Extension conference room at 30-B Catoctin Circle, SE (Wachovia Bank Building), Leesburg. The sessions are from 6-8:30 p.m. and are spread throughout the year. Dates for this year are: April 12, July 9, 23, Aug. 6, Oct. 25, and Nov. 8. Participants may sign up for individual sessions or for all eight. Contact Debbie D. Dillion at 703-771-5838 or ddillion@vt.edu.
Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, is offering computer classes for adults. All classes are on Thursday nights, from 7-8:30 p.m. Computers are provided. Classes are tailored for the novice. Preregistration is required. Microsoft Word will run April 12-26. The cost is $89, plus $10 materials fee. Microsoft Excel will be offered May 3-10. The cost is $59, plus $10 materials fee. Microsoft Powerpoint from May 17-24. The cost is $59, plus $10 materials fee. Call 703-430-6673.
Douglass Community Center, 407 East Market St., Leesburg, is offering Clownin' Around craft class, Thursday, April 12, 11-11:30 a.m., for ages 3-5. Make a clown and act like one. Cost $4. Call 703-771-5913.
Children ages 5-8, Spring Sparkle Jewelry Making, Saturday, April 14, from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at the Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, Sterling. Cost: $8 plus $6 supply fee. Jewelry Making for Winter Blues for ages 9-15, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Cost: $8 plus $15 supply fee. Preregistration is required, call 703-430-6673.
Inova Loudoun Hospital’s "Let’s Talk Babies" workshop takes place Saturday, April 14, at the hospital in Lansdowne, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Includes topics from labor, delivery and pediatric experts; gifts; an "Ask the Expert" question and answer session and tour of the Birthing Inn. Admission is free to the workshop; registration is required, call 703-779-2694.
Creative writing workshop, Saturday, April 14, 3 p.m., at Cascades Library, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Part two of four by author Nathan Leslie. Poetry: An introduction to the important concepts of imagery and concreteness. Participants will have a chance to try out these techniques. Recommended for teens and adults. Call 703-444-3228, Ext. 5.
Children's yoga at Ashburn Library, Monday, April 16, 10:15 a.m. Children will learn basic yoga poses and songs that will enhance flexibility, balance, coordination, self-esteem and enlightenment to the world around them. Recommended for ages 4-6. Advance registration required. Register online at www.lcpl.lib.va.us or call the Ashburn Library at 703-737-8100.
The Ashburn Adoption Seminar, Monday, April 16, will highlight international adoption. Up-to-date information on adoptions from Russia, Ukraine, China, Guatemala and other countries will be presented. Learn about tax relief and readoption. This free seminar will be held at Broadlands Community Center, 43004 Waxpool Road, from 7-8:30 p.m. Contact Karen Law at klawadoption@aol.com or call 703-723-4385.
Every Child Ready to Read, Monday, April 16, 7 p.m., at the Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. Parents and caregivers play a critical role in developing language and early literacy skills in children. In this two-hour workshop, discuss the research supporting the importance of early involvement in children's early literacy development and reading achievement. Recommended for parents and adult caregivers. Call 703-737-8105 or register online at www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
AARP driving safety class, April 17 and 24, 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m., Leesburg Senior Activity Center, 215 Depot Court, Leesburg. Must attend both days to receive certificate. $10. Registration required, call 703-737-8039.
Galilee United Methodist Church is holding a Smart Discipline Parenting Seminar, Tuesday, April 17, 7-9 p.m., at the church, 45425 Winding Road, Sterling. Learn guaranteed ways to sky-rocket self-esteem and proven techniques to get children to cooperate. Register online at www.GalileeUMC.org. The fee is $15 per person or $25 per couple.
Sterling Annex Community Center, 22082 Shaw Road, Sterling, is offering workshops for child-care providers. Marcy Henninger of Primarily Kids LCC will teach the workshops. All sessions will be held at the Annex on Wednesdays, 7-9 p.m. The cost for each is $25 with preregistration required. Nanny 911 on April 18 and Tapping into Toddlers on May 16. Call 703-430-6673.
Loudoun Volunteer Services will present a Volunteer Management Training (VMT) series, designed for volunteer managers of community organizations. The VMT series consists of six courses, Friday, April 27-Friday, June 6, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Claude Moore Recreation Center, 46105 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling. The cost for each course is $25 or register for all six for $100. To register visit www.loudoun.gov/pio/volunteer.htm and click on "Volunteer Management Training Series" or call 703-777-0113 for an application. The deadline to apply is April 20.
Creative writing workshop, Saturday, April 21, 3 p.m., at Cascades Library, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Part three of four by author Nathan Leslie. Nonfiction: Learn how to tell the truth well in prose. Confessional writing exercises will follow. Recommended for teens and adults. Call 703-444-3228, Ext. 5.
Inova Loudoun Hospital will host a babysitting course Saturday, April 21, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., for students wishing to learn effective babysitting strategies, at the Lansdowne Campus at 44045 Riverside Parkway in Leesburg, in the patient education room. Cost is $55 per student, which covers manual and snacks. Students should bring a lunch. Register by calling 703-858-6360 or visiting the Web site at www.thebirthinginn.org.
There will be a Obstacle Course Clinic for Horse/Riders of any discipline April 21, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., at Loudoun County Fairgrounds, 17558 Dry Mill Road, Leesburg. Cost is $40 per horse. To preregister and obtain waiver visit www.tristaterc.org.
Inova Loudoun Hospital will host an early pregnancy class Monday, April 23, from 6:30-9:30 p.m., for couples wishing to learn all about a new pregnancy, at the Lansdowne Campus at 44045 Riverside Parkway in Leesburg, in the family education room. Cost is $55 per couple. Register by calling 703-858-6360 or visiting the Web site at www.thebirthinginn.org.
Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, Sterling, is offering Sign Language I with instructor Jill Moebus. Sign Language I will run Monday, April 23-June 18, from 7-8:30 p.m. Participants must bring the book "The Joy of Signing." This book is available in all area libraries and book stores. Cost: $84 per person and preregistration is required, call 703-430-6673.
Creative writing workshop, Saturday, April 28, 3 p.m., at Cascades Library, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Part four of four by author Nathan Leslie. Show and Tell: The final session will feature readings by participants in the series, as well as readings by featured guest readers. Recommended for teens and adults. Call 703-444-3228, Ext. 5.
Loudoun Literacy Council is offering a free instructor training course April 28, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tutor or teach ESL students. No experience necessary except to speak English. Prior teaching experiences a plus. Call 703-777-2205 or e-mail vworstell@loudounliteracy.org.
The Loudoun Academy of the Arts is offering two new classes. Timothy Chambers’ class, Drawing and Painting the Portrait, is scheduled for Thursday afternoons from 1-3:30 p.m., beginning May 3-June 14. Jin Chung will teach Portrait Drawing and Painting Tuesday evenings, from 6:30-9 p.m., beginning May 1-June 5. Visit www.loudounacademy.org or contact the foundation at 703-777-8043.
"How Do I Deal with My Parents’ Divorce?" New Life Christian Church’s is offering a 13-week summer program for fourth- through sixth-graders on how to deal with all that happens when families split, May 6-Aug. 5, 9:30-11:00 a.m., Sundays at Broad Run High School, 21670 Ashburn Road, Ashburn. Contact Lucy Martinez at 703-220-5022.
Conversational English. An informal conversation circle for non-native speakers to practice English will take place Wednesdays, through May 9, at 7 p.m., at Ashburn Library. This is not a class, rather an opportunity to meet new people and share cultures. Only English will be spoken. Recommended for adults. Call 703-737-8100.
Inova Loudoun Hospital will host Parenting 1*2*3 Magic course, Wednesday, May 16, from 6:30-9:30 p.m., for parents wishing to learn effective parenting strategies and discipline for children ages 2-12, at the Lansdowne Campus at 44045 Riverside Parkway in Leesburg, in the patient education room. Cost is $55 per couple. No child care is provided. Register by calling 703-858-6360 or visiting the Web site at www.thebirthinginn.org.
AARP driving safety class, May 23 and 25, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Must attend both days to receive certificate. $10 for members, $12 for nonmembers. Call 703-430-2397.
Leesburg Senior Activity Center, 215 Depot Court, Leesburg, is offering a Sewing and Stitch-In class, Mondays, 9-11:30 a.m. Beginner level. Sewing machines provided; bring in your sewing project. Come and sew, knit, needlepoint or crochet. Free. Call 703-737-8039.
Line Dancing, at the Leesburg Senior Activity Center, 215 Depot Court, Leesburg, Wednesdays, 1-2 p.m. Learn some new line dances. Free. Call 703-737-8039.
Beginner tap dancing, at the Leesburg Senior Activity Center, 215 Depot Court, Leesburg, Wednesdays, 2-3 p.m. Learn some new line dances. Free. Call 703-737-8039.
Leesburg Senior Activity Center, 215 Depot Court, Leesburg, is offering a National Council on Aging exercise tape class, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9-10:30 a.m. Free. Call 703-737-8039.
Leesburg Senior Activity Center, 215 Depot Court, Leesburg, is offering stretch and tone classes where participants use bands and hand weights, every Thursday, 11-11:45 a.m. Free. Call 703-737-8039.
Leesburg Senior Activity Center, 215 Depot Court, Leesburg, is offering tai chi, which involves three primary subjects: health, meditation and martial arts, Mondays, 11 a.m.-noon. Free. Call 703-737-8039.