Send announcements, which are open to the public at no or minimal cost, to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102 or e-mail to loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Friday, two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. For more information, call Jennifer Lesinski at 703-917-6454. For additional listings, visit www.connectionnewspapers.com.
Belly Dancing will begin in July at Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, Sterling. Basic Beginner classes start July 5 and July 10 from 7-8 p.m. and 8:15-9:15 p.m. Advanced classes begin July 10 from 8:15-9:15 p.m. Classes run for four weeks and the cost is $32 per person. Pre-registration is required for all classes. 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: 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.
Kids Explore the World with Yoga, Monday, July 9 and Monday, Aug. 6, 10:15 a.m., at Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. For children ages 4-6. Children will learn basic yoga poses and songs that will enhance flexibility, balance, coordination, self-esteem and enlightenment to the world around them. Advance registration required, begins two weeks prior to the program. Call 703-737-8105 or register online at www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
I Love to Paint and Totally Clay are being offered at Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, Sterling, for children 5-10 years old. Classes will run Tuesdays, July 10-31 and preregistration is required. I Love to Paint classes are from 10-10:45 a.m. Cost: $30 per child with all supplies included. Totally Clay class runs from 11-11:45 a.m. Cost: $30 per child with all supplies included. Call 703-430-6673.
Pat Rhoads, from AARP, begins a series of informative topics for seniors with "Top Frauds and Scams," Wednesday, July 11, 10:45 a.m., Senior Center, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Free. Call 703-430-2397.
Intro to computers, Thursday, July 12, 1-4 p.m., at the Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Cost: $21 for members, $22 for nonmembers. Call 703-430-2397.
The Douglass Community Center, 407 E. Market St., is offering the cuddle bugs playgroup for parents and children ages 6-20 months. The playgroups take place on Fridays, 8:30-9:30 a.m. and cost $1. The dates for the playgroups are July 13, July 20, July 27, Aug. 3 and Aug. 10. To register, contact the Douglass Community Center at 703-771-5913 or e-mail dcc@loudoun.gov.
The Birthing Inn at Inova Loudoun Hospital is offering a free workshop providing expectant parents with information related to the birthing process. Includes educational programs covering everything from anesthesia during labor, newborn information, management of labor and newborn care to car seat safety. This interactive, educational workshop is Saturday, July 14, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The Birthing Inn will be open for tours for the workshop attendees at the conclusion of the workshop. To register, call 703-779-2694.
Acting Workshop, Saturday, July 14, 2-4 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 hay Road. An informative acting workshop that provides a safe and encouraging arena for self-exploration and expression. Recommended for ages 12-18. Advance registration required. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Ceramics, Wednesday, July 18, 10:30 a.m., at the Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Cost: $21 for members, $22 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.