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.
The Loudoun County Store, 1 Harrison St., Leesburg, has a variety of gift items available for the holidays including a crystal ornament etched with the county seal for $8, shot glass with the county seal for $3 and "The Lure of Loudoun: Centuries of Change in Virginia’s Emerald County" illustrated book for $47.25. A complete list of merchandise is available at www.loudoun.gov/store.
Loudoun County is holding a Ms. Senior Loudoun County pageant in January. Open to residents who will reach 60 years of age by Jan. 24. For more information, call the local senior center or Carolyn Bledsoe, 571-437-4543.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, locally known as the Northern Virginia CASH is seeking volunteers to deliver free tax preparation services at no cost to working families and individuals in the community who earned less than $42,000 in 2008. Contact Karen Velez, 703-771-5718 or karen.velez@loudoun.gov or Debra Bressler, 703-777-0505 or debra.bressler@loudoun.gov to register.
The Loudoun Literacy Council has received a matching donation of $10,000 from an anonymous donor. The donor pledged a gift of $10,000 if the board of directors of the Loudoun Literacy Council can raise $10,000 during December. The council conducts English classes in churches and community centers, offers individualized tutoring to low-literate adults and provides literacy activities to children from disadvantaged families. To contribute, mail a check to Loudoun Literacy Council, to P.O. Box 1032, Leesburg, VA 20177 or donate at www.loudounliteracy.org.