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.
Registration is now open for art classes and workshops at the Loudoun Academy of the Arts in Leesburg. Classes begin the week of Jan. 8 and continue through February. Beginning, intermediate and advanced artists can choose from a thorough lineup of classes in Sculpture, Drawing, Painting, Digital Photography and an Introduction to Photoshop Elements. Ceramics and Glass classes are also available. For a complete list of classes and their descriptions, visit www.loudounarts.org or call 703-777-8043.
Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, is offering two fun and fitness classes. Classes beginning Wednesday, Jan. 10-March 14. Kindertots for 2 year olds will be held 12:30-1 p.m. Kindergym for ages 3-5 year olds will be held 1:10-1:40 p.m. Classes will be taught by Kinderdance at the Annex. The cost is $125 for either class and preregistration is required. Call 703-430-6673.
Ceramics at the Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Wednesday, Jan. 10 and Thursday, Feb. 8, 10:30 a.m.-noon. $21 for members, $22 for nonmembers for one session. Call 703-430-2397.
StrollerFit, Exercise With Your Baby. Two free weeks of classes in Ashburn and Sterling through Jan. 12. StrollerFit is a class designed to help moms get in great shape and spend time with their baby/toddler. Classes offered sic days a week with both morning and afternoon times. To register for the two free weeks or more information contact Kathy at 571-274-8833 or kathy.galkin@strollerfit.com.
Adventures with the Story Lady at Douglass Community Center, 407 E. Market St., Leesburg. For ages 3.5-5. Storytelling brought to life through improvisation and student participation. Fridays, Jan. 19 and 26, 3:15-4:15 p.m., $24; and Fridays, Feb. 9 and 16, 3:15-4:15 p.m., $24. To register, contact the Douglass Community Center at 703-771-5913 or at dcc@loudoun.gov.
How to Write the SAT Essay. Robert Otten, professor of English, Marymount University and SAT essay grader, will discuss how to write a successful SAT essay, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2 p.m., at Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Recommended for ages 16 and up and adults. Advance registration is required by Jan. 20, call the library at 703-444-3228, Ext. 309.
Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, is offering Whizkids computer classes for ages 8-12, Mondays, Jan. 22-April 2, from 11 a.m.-noon. Cost $149, plus $20 materials fee. Includes Microsoft Word, Microsoft Powerpoint and Microsoft Excel. Preregistration required, call 703-430-6673.
Gentle yoga at the Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, 21060 Whitfield Place, 6:30-7:45 p.m., Tuesdays, Jan. 23-March 27. $103.50 for members; $115.50 for nonmembers. Call 703-430-2397.
AARP driving safety class at the Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Jan. 24 and Jan. 26, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; participants must attend both days to receive certificate. $10 for members, nonmembers required to pay additional $1 daily use fee each day. Call 703-430-2397.
Self Expression Painting. Children ages 6-10 will be introduced to acrylics, watercolors, pastels and crayon. Participants must bring one art pad for painting 9 inches x 12 inches or larger with a minimum of 30 pages and one pad of newsprint 9 inches x 12 inches or larger. All other materials will be provided. The cost of this class is $80 with preregistration required. Class will run Saturday, Jan. 27-March 17, from 10-11 a.m., at the Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road. call 703-430-6673.
Rep. Frank Wolf (R-10th) will hold a workshop on applying for federal grants Jan. 29, 10 a.m., at the Loudoun County Public School Administration Building, 21000 Education Court, Ashburn. Free and open to any nonprofit organization or local government in the 10th District. Representatives from the departments of Education and Health and Human Services have been invited to speak about grant writing and strategies for successful applications. The Grants.gov Web site also will be discussed. Attendance is limited to the first 400 people to register, at www.house.gov/wolf or by phone, call the Washington office 202-225-5136 or Herndon office 703- 709-5800 or 1-800-945-9653.
Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, is offering Sign Language I and II with instructor Jill Moebus. Sign Language I will run Mondays, Feb. 5-March 26, from 7-8:30 p.m. Sign Language II will run Tuesdays, Feb. 6-March 26, from 7-8:30 p.m. Participants in both classes must bring the book "The Joy of Signing," available in all area libraries and book stores. The cost is $84 per person and pre registration is required. Call 703-430-6673.
Children Explore the World with Yoga, Ashburn Library, Monday, Feb. 12, 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, call 703-737-8105.
Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, will offer two valentine classes for children. Valentine's Day Fun, for ages 5-10, Tuesday, Feb. 13, from 4-5 p.m. The cost is $7, plus $3 supply fee. Enjoy Valentines games and make cards. Valentine Princess Cakes is offered for children 4-10 , Wednesday, Feb. 14, from 4-5 p.m. The cost is $7, plus $4 supply fee. Ice and decorate own doll cake to take home. Preregistration is required, call 703-430-6673.
Baby Signs Play Classes. Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, is offering a new class for ages 6-24 months. Includes singing songs, learning signs and playing games. Class are Mondays, through Feb. 26, from 9:30-10:15 a.m. The cost is $55 with preregistration required. Parents also pay $77 for the Sign Say & Play Kit. This fee is paid to the instructor at class. Call 703-430-6673.
Learn the basics of cha-cha, a basic Latin dance born out of the Cuban mambo. Classes will be held at Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, with instructor Jason Conrad. This class will be held Mondays, through March 12, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. The cost is $80 and preregistration is required. Call 703-430-6673.
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.
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.