Send announcements or events, which are open to the public at no or minimal cost, to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102 or e-mail <a href="mailto:loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com">loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com</a>. Deadline is Friday, two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged.
<cal1>Wednesday/Dec. 17
<cal2>SENIOR MOVIE. 1:30 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. See "Mama Mia," starring Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan. Rated PG-13, run time 108 minutes. Cost: $2 includes popcorn and soda. Call 703-4430-2397.
ANIMAL HUNT. 12:30-1:45 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. Listen to the story of a little boy who loses his mitten and what happens when the animals find them then search the woods for animals to fill your own mitten and enjoy juice and cookies. Adult must accompany children. Cost: $4 per child; call 571-258-3700 to register.
<cal1>Thursday/Dec. 18
<cal2>BILINGUAL STORY TIME. 4 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. Bilingual story telling in English and Spanish for children ages 2-6. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
FOLLOW THAT DEER. 9:30-11 a.m. or 12:30-2 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. Search for footprints, bits of fur and bark rubbings that tell us deer live here. Become an expert on the park’s largest animal. Ages 3-6; cost: $10.50 per child.
<cal1>Friday/Dec. 19
<cal2>TEEN CENTER. 7-10 p.m., After-Hours Teen Center, Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. Features holiday fabric night. All teens attending the teen center must have a permission slip, signed by a parent or guardian, on file. Download the permission slip at http://library.loudoun.gov go to Teen Scene, Events, Hanging Out Rocks. For middle-schoolers.
<cal1>Saturday/Dec. 20
<cal2>N.Y.C. BUS TRIP. 6:30 a.m., Loudoun Commuter Bus Lot, 110 Catoctin Circle S.E., Leesburg. Travel by luxury motor coach to New York City. Cost: $60 per person; under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Call 703-771-5913 to register.
CONCERT. 2 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Mr. Knick Knack (Steve Rossi) performs. All ages. Free tickets available half an hour before the program. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
MAGDRL. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Santa Paws PetSmart, 46220 Potomac Run Plaza, Sterling. The Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League is hosting a meet and greet with great danes.
<cal1>Monday/Dec. 22
<cal2>STORY TIME. 4:30 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. One-on-one reading time for children as they buddy up with teen volunteers who will read picture books to them. Recommended for ages 3-6. Visit http://library.loudoun.gov.
<cal1>Tuesday/Dec. 23
<cal2>MOVIES. 2 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. Watch "The Muppet Christmas Carol." Rated G; 86 minutes. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
<cal1>Saturday/Dec. 27
<cal2>SCHOOL OF ROCK. 6-9 p.m., Ned Devine’s Irish Village, 21800 Town Center Plaza, Sterling. The School of Rock All-Stars will play with special opener The Pat Sommers Project. Call 703-444-7873 or visit www.irishvillage.neddevines.com.
<cal1>Sunday/Dec. 28
<cal2> CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT. Count circle covers 177 square miles north to Waterford, south to Aldie, east to Ashburn and west to Purcellville. Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy in the National Audubon Society’s Annual Christmas Bird Count. Everyone is welcome, both beginners and expert birders, amateurs are teamed with experienced birders. Contact Joe Coleman at 540-554-2542 or jcoleman@loudounwildlife.org.
<cal1>Monday/Dec. 29
<cal2>STORY TIME. 4:30 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. One-on-one reading time for children as they buddy up with teen volunteers who will read picture books to them. Recommended for ages 3-6. Visit http://library.loudoun.gov.
FAMILY MOVIE. 7 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Bring pillows and blankets for a showing of "Horton Hears a Who." Rated G; 88 minutes. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
ENTERTAINMENT. 2 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. Sophie, a talented cairn terrier, will entertain with amazing tricks and antics. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
<cal1>Tuesday/Dec. 30
<cal2>STORY TIME. 4:30 p.m., Rust Library, 34D Catoctin Circle, Leesburg. One-on-one reading time for children as they buddy up with teen volunteers who will read picture books to them. Recommended for ages 3-6. Visit http://library.loudoun.gov.
MOVIES. 2 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. Watch "Wall-E." Rated G; 97 minutes. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
<cal1>Saturday/Jan. 3
<cal2>STORY TIME MATINEE. 2 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Stories, songs, a video storybook and a craft. Ages 3-6. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
<cal1>Sunday/Jan. 4
<cal2>MEET THE ARTIST. 3 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. Alice Power, a local watercolor artist, will demonstrate and discuss her work. Her watercolors are on display at the library during January and February. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
<cal1>Thursday/Jan. 8
<cal2>CASINO TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Charles Town, W.Va. Includes slots and simulcast horse racing; lunch on own. Cost: $8 for members, $10 for nonmembers, includes transportation and $5 cash back, subject to change. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
<cal1>Wednesday/Jan. 14
<cal2>PAJAMA PARTY. 2-4 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Includes stories, humor, music, waffles and juice; participants dressed in pajamas optional. Cost: 3 members, $5 nonmembers and day of event. Transportation available after. Call 703-430-2397.
<cal1>Friday/Jan. 23
<cal2>CHINESE NEW YEAR. 2-4 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Celebrate the Year of the Ox with Chinese food and karaoke. Cost: $3 members, $5 nonmembers and day of event. Transportation available after. Call 703-430-2397.
BOOK SALE. 10 a.m.- 9 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Purchase used books, software, video and music. Prices range from $.50-$2.00. Donate used items between Saturday, Jan. 10-Wednesday, Jan. 21 during normal library hours. To volunteer during the sorting period or sale, contact Douglas Nelms at alab_volunteer@yahoo.com.
<cal1>Saturday/Jan. 24
<cal2>BOOK SALE. 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. See Jan. 24 item for details.
<cal1>Sunday/Jan. 25
<cal2>BOOK SALE. 12-3 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. See Jan. 24 item for more details.
<cal1>Monday/Jan. 26
<cal2>MUSEUMS TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the Smithsonian American Art/Portrait Gallery Museum or the Spy Museum. Lunch on own. Cost: $9 for members, $11 for nonmembers, includes transportation with free admission to the art museum; additional $15 admission at Spy Museum. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
<cal1>Wednesday/Jan. 28
<cal2>CASINO TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Charles Town, W.Va. Includes slots and simulcast horse racing; lunch on own. Cost: $8 for members, $10 for nonmembers, includes transportation and $5 cash back, subject to change. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
<cal1>Friday/Jan. 30
<cal2>PINK FLOYD. 7 p.m., Ned Devine’s Irish Village, 21800 Town Center Plaza, Sterling. The Paul Green School of Rock Music presents a live performance of the Pink Floyd's "The Wall." Cost: $10. Call 703-444-7873 or visit www.irishvillage.neddevines.com.
<cal1>Saturday/Jan. 31
<cal2>PINK FLOYD. 7 p.m., Ned Devine’s Irish Village, 21800 Town Center Plaza, Sterling. The Paul Green School of Rock Music presents a live performance of the Pink Floyd's "The Wall." Cost: $10. Call 703-444-7873 or visit www.irishvillage.neddevines.com.
<cal1>Friday/Feb. 6
<cal2>LED ZEPPELIN. 7 p.m., Ned Devine’s Irish Village, 21800 Town Center Plaza, Sterling. The Paul Green School of Rock Music will play Led Zeppelin’s greatest hits. Cost: $10. Call 703-444-7873 or visit www.irishvillage.neddevines.com.
<cal1>Saturday/Feb. 7
<cal2>LED ZEPPELIN. 7 p.m., Ned Devine’s Irish Village, 21800 Town Center Plaza, Sterling. The Paul Green School of Rock Music will play Led Zeppelin’s greatest hits. Cost: $10. Call 703-444-7873 or visit www.irishvillage.neddevines.com.
STORY TIME MATINEE. 2 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Stories, songs, a video storybook and a craft. Ages 3-6. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
<cal1>Thursday/Feb. 12
<cal2>THEATER TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Baltimore, Md., to Toby's Dinner Theatre for the production of "Sophisticated Ladies." Cost: $61 for members, $63 for nonmembers, includes transportation, show, buffet lunch and tip. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
CASINO TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Charles Town, W.Va. Includes slots and simulcast horse racing; lunch on own. Cost: $8 for members, $10 for nonmembers, includes transportation and $5 cash back, subject to change. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
<cal1>Saturday/Feb. 14
<cal2>THEATER TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Strasburg, to Wayside Theatre for the production of "Lies & Legends-The Musical Stories of Harry Chapin." Cost: $56 for members, $58 for nonmembers, includes transportation, show, buffet lunch at Hotel Strasburg and tip. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
<cal1>Friday/Feb. 20
<cal2>‘80S HAIR METAL. 7 p.m., Ned Devine’s Irish Village, 21800 Town Center Plaza, Sterling. The Paul Green School of Rock Music presents the ‘80s Hair Metal Show, a tribute to Spandex, long hair, guitar shredding and power chords. Cost: $10. Call 703-444-7873 or visit www.irishvillage.neddevines.com.
<cal1>Saturday/Feb. 21
<cal2>‘80S HAIR METAL. 7 p.m., Ned Devine’s Irish Village, 21800 Town Center Plaza, Sterling. The Paul Green School of Rock Music presents the ‘80s Hair Metal Show, a tribute to Spandex, long hair, guitar shredding and power chords. Cost: $10. Call 703-444-7873 or visit www.irishvillage.neddevines.com.
<cal1>Wednesday/Feb. 25
<cal2>CASINO TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Charles Town, W.Va. Includes slots and simulcast horse racing; lunch on own. Cost: $8 for members, $10 for nonmembers, includes transportation and $5 cash back, subject to change. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.