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.
Ceramics will be offered at the Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Thursday, March 13, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Cost: $21 for members, $22 for nonmembers. Advanced registration required, call 703-430-2397.
Spring Pool Institute, March 14-16. Mike Hayslett�s popular "crash-course" workshop on vernal pools will be hosted in Loudoun County this spring. The hands-on training begins at 1 p.m. on Friday with background instruction indoors and examination of the Rust wetland at the ANS Rust Nature Sanctuary in Leesburg. Saturday and Sunday is an all-day exploration in the field, including visits to numerous vernal pools and other isolated wetlands around Leesburg, at the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship and to the Lucketts sinkholes. Cost for this three-day workshop is $49 for LWC members, $69 for nonmembers, meals not included. To register, visit www.loudounwildlife.org or contact Nicole Hamilton at nhamilton@loudounwildlife.org or 540-882-9638.
Spanish classes begin Friday, March 14, 10:30 a.m., at the Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place. Fee to be determined, contact Robin Halvorsen, 703-430-2397, for more information.
Children can come and learn some yoga poses and learn how to calm their minds and relax their bodies at Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling, Tuesday, March 18, 4 p.m. Recommended for ages 6-11. Advance registration required. Sign up online at www.lcpl.lib.va.us or phone 703-444-3228, Ext. 309.
Young at Art classes at Claude Moore Community Center, 46111 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling. Ages 4 and up. Wednesday, March 19, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Easter crafts. Wednesday, April 23, 4:30-5:50 p.m., spring fun. Wednesday, May 21, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Father's Day special. Cost: $9 each, materials included. Call 571-258-3500.
The 23rd Citizen�s Police Academy will begin Wednesday, March 19. The free sessions will be held one evening per week for 11 weeks and each session will be two hours. Sheriff�s Office personnel will conduct the classes, providing an overview of all the aspects of law enforcement. Members may also have the option of participating in a ride along. The classes are open to Loudoun County residents over the age of 18. To enroll, contact Ginger Wines or Bonnie Burke at the Loudoun County Sheriff�s Office at 703-777-0407.
The Rust Library, 34D Catoctin Circle, Leesburg, will hold a writing workshop with NVAA professor and author Nathan Leslie. On March 22, the topic will be "Plotting a Successful Story." On March 29, the topic will be "Writing for Publication." The workshops will begin at 3 p.m. Register online at www.lcpl.lib.va.us or call 703-777-0323.
Adult Computer Classes at Claude Moore Community Center, 46111 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling. Classes are limited to 7 students/7 computers/2 instructors. These adult computer classes are geared toward the novice. Classes are on Mondays 7-8:30 p.m. Microsoft PowerPoint is $59 and will be held March 24-31. Preregistration is required for all classes. A $10 materials fee is paid to the instructor at the first class. Call 571-258-3500.
Baby Signs, Thursday, March 27 and Tuesday, April 15, 1 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. A basic baby sign class recommended for ages 6-24 months with parent/caregiver. Advance registration required. Sign up online at www.lcpl.lib.va.us or phone 703-737-8100.
AARP driving safety class, Wednesday, May 28 and Friday, May 30, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at the Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place. Both days required to obtain a certificate. Cost: $10 for members, $12 for nonmembers. To register, call 703-430-2397.
Make a Japanese berry basket at Claude Moore Community Center, 46111 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling, Saturday, March 29, from 9:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Ages 18 and up. Cost: $28 plus $15 supplies fee. Bring towel, bucket, awl/ice pick, tape measure, pencil, heavy-duty scissors, spring-type clothespin and large plastic bag. Call 571-258-3500.
The Tri-State Riding Club will be sponsoring an obstacle clinic, Saturday, March 29, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., at Rock Hill Farm, 15483 Limestone School Road, Leesburg, to provide a safe venue for riders to bring their animals and practice overcoming obstacles in a noncompetitive and nonstressful setting. Preregistration is required at $40 per horse by completing the registration form and waiver found at www.tristaterc.org. Call Rosemary Lawler 703-795-0486 or e-mail Rosie12349@aol.
Project Learning Tree workshop, Saturday, April 5, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., at Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling. Nationally recognized environmental curriculum about trees, habitats and more through games, stories and activities. Ages 18 and up. Call 571-258-3700 to register.
Make an oval twill basket at Claude Moore Community Center, 46111 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling, Saturday, May 3, from 9:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Ages 18 and up. Cost: $28 plus $11 supplies fee. Bring towel, bucket, awl/ice pick, tape measure, pencil, heavy-duty scissors, spring-type clothespin and large plastic bag. Call 571-258-3500.
Babysigns: Parent Workshop, Saturday, May 3, 10 a.m.-noon, Claude Moore Recreation Center, 46105 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling. Ages 18 and up. Learn how to talk to your baby with sign language. Cost: $11.50 � fee covers both parents � plus $38.40 materials fee. Call 571-258-3600.
The Claude Moore Community Center, 46111 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling, is offering Music Together, Tuesdays and Fridays, from 9:30-10:15 a.m. and 10:30-11:15 a.m. The class offers developmentally appropriate early childhood curriculum for parents, children and primary-care givers. Call 571-258-3500.
The Claude Moore Community Center, 46111 Loudoun Park Lane, is offering My First Preschool, Mondays and Wednesdays, from 9-10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; and Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 9-10:30 a.m. Class for children who will be 2 years old by Sept, 1, 2008. Call 571-258-3500.
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.
Claude Moore Community Center, 46111 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling, 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.