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.
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: 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.
The Leesburg Police Department and the Loudoun County Gang Response Intervention Team (GRIT) are teaming up to host a training for parents regarding Internet safety for children. The class will be held Thursday, Nov. 8, at the Leesburg Police Department beginning at 6 p.m., with dinner provided. To RSVP, contact Ed Ryan with GRIT at 703-777-0241.
Artist Sara Linda Poly will teach a two-day workshop at the Loudoun Academy of the Arts in Leesburg, Nov. 10 and 11, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. both days and early registration is encouraged. The workshop will concentrate on simplifying nature’s complex elements. Students will explore their personal reactions to the landscape while learning more about light patterns, perspective, color and value.
The Loudoun Academy of the Arts Foundation is a 501c3 organization offering fine art instruction, gallery exhibition space and studios for practicing artists. It is located at 222 South King St., Leesburg. Visit www.loudounacademy.org or 703-777-8043.
Art of Babywearing: History and How-To's Saturday, Nov. 10, at 10 a.m., at the Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling, Nicole Schauder will describe the history and benefits of babywearing. Different methods will be demonstrated. Recommended for adults and their babies. Register in advance at www.lcpl.lib.va.us or call 444-3228.
Adult Computer Classes will be offered at the Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, Sterling. All classes are held on Mondays and go from 7-8:30 p.m. Microsoft Excel classes are on Nov. 12 and Nov. 19; the cost is $59. Microsoft PowerPoint is held on Nov. 26 and Dec. 3. Cost is $59. Pre-registration is required for all classes. In addition, a $10 materials fee will be collected at the first class. Call Lenda Buchanan at 703-430-6673 or e-mail lbuchana@loudoun.gov.
Ceramics at the Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling, Thursday, Nov. 15, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Cost: $21 for members, $22 for nonmembers. Call 703-430-2397.
Free money management workshop, Thursday, Nov. 15, 7 p.m., at the Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling, Beverly Samuel, family and consumer services and Guy Johnson, financial counseling coordinator, will present "Avoiding Financial Trouble." Topics covered include causes for overspending, ways to avoid holiday debt, tips on saving money and more. Cost is free. Call the Loudoun Cooperative Extension Office at 703-777-0373.
Round dancing class forming Monday, Nov. 19, at 7:30 p.m., at the Senior Activity Center, 215 Depot Court, S.E., Leesburg. A round dance class is forming and at least six couples are needed to begin a class. Round dancing is partner dancing, similar to ballroom, but less emphasis on "lead and follow." Contact Beaux and Belles at rdrt4kl@cox.net.
The Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, is offering lunch bunch afternoons for children 3-5 Mondays and Thursdays, from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Includes crafts, outdoor and indoor playtime and sports. Pack lunch from home, no microwavable food or refrigeration available. Cost: $7 an hour. Register required, call 703-430-6673.
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.
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.