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. For more information, call 703-917-6454.
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. For more information, call 703-917-6454.
<cal1>Wednesday/Oct. 22
<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.
HONORING ECHO. 6:30-8 p.m., Dulles Airport Marriott. The special care planning team of the Washington Group is holding a reception to honor ECHO (Every Citizen Has Opportunities). Theme: Hail to the Redskins and includes drawings. RSVP 703-277-6762 or e-mail boravec@finsvcs.com.
BRAIN PUZZLES. 4 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. Bring children ages 9 and up to play creative thinking games and solve brain teasers. Registration required. Sign up online at http://library.loudoun.gov or call 703-430-9500.
AUTHOR READING. 7 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. Walter Gavenda, author of "A Guide to Haunted West Virginia," shares stories about the paranormal history of Civil War battlefields. Ages 12 and up. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
CONCERT FUND-RAISER. 7 p.m., Jammin Java in Vienna. A Loudoun Foundation fund-raiser featuring several musical performances. Visit www.jamminjava.com.
<cal1>Friday/Oct. 24
<cal2>FURRY FRIDAY. 5-7 p.m., Sterling Community Center, 20 Enterprise St., Sterling. Once a month, animals from the Loudoun County Animal Shelter will be at the Sterling Community. Bring the whole family for a real "happy hour" with animals looking for new homes. Visit www.loudoun.gov/animals.
TEEN CENTER. 7-10 p.m., After-Hours Teen Center, Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. Features Halloween dance party. 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.
FLASHLIGHT CANDY HUNT/COSTUME CONTEST. 6:30-7:30 p.m., Claude Moore Community Center, 46111 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling. Ages 2-12. Dress in costume and bring a flashlight to gather candy-filled Halloween eggs. Age groups are 2-3, 4-6 and 7-10. Prizes and games. Cost: $10. Call 571-258-3500.
HAUNTINGS 2008. 6-10 p.m., Leesburg Town Hall, 25 W. Market St., Leesburg. Walking tour of haunted homes and businesses, hosted by Loudoun Museum. Tours leave every 15 minutes from Town Hall. Cost: $20 until Oct. 23; $25 at the door, purchase tickets at the Loudoun Museum, 6 Loudoun St., S.W., Leesburg or call 703-777-7427.
KALEIDOSCOPE SERIES. 10 a.m., Ida Lee Park Recreation Center, 60 Ida Lee Drive N.W., Leesburg. The Great Zucchini will perform an interactive comedy/magic show. Ages 2 and up. Cost: $6 in advance for each child with adults free, $8 at the door. Call 703-777-1368 or visit www.idalee.org.
FROM SWANN'S CASTLE to Governor's Mansion: Exploring an Old Southern Estate. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Morven Park, 17263 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. Learn Morven Park's history from 19th century plantation to early 20th century hunt country estate and working farm. Guided tours include exhibits, carriage collection, Confederate huts and outdoor walk around property. Cost: adults $5, children $1. Meet at Coach House Visitors Center. Call 703-777-6034.
NATURE EXPLORERS. 10-11 a.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. Ages 3-5. Discover the outdoors with a grown-up friend. Look for tracks, listen for bird calls, look under logs, and more, while focusing on a tree theme. Cost: $7 per child. Call 571-258-3700.
GOING BATTY AT TWILIGHT WALK. 6-8 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. Ages 7 and up. Discover bats and their many benefits through stories and activities and a night walk in search of these night fliers. Cost: $5 per person. Call 571-258-3700.
<cal1>Saturday/Oct. 25
<cal2>APPLE FESTIVAL. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 21668 Heritage Farm Lane, Sterling. Fourth annual Autumn Apple Festival. Exhibit "Virginia Apples for Flavor: The Story of Hill High Orchards," see historic orchard tools at work, learn how to make cider, visit with local orchardists, browse locally made apple products, meet local farmers and learn about how to buy fresh and shop local. Cost: adults $5 and children $3. Call 571-258-3800.
ANNUAL BONE HUNT & COSTUME EXTRAVAGANZA. 10 a.m.-noon, Douglass Community Center, 405 E. Market St., Leesburg. Have your four-legged friend wear his/her best costume for great photo opportunities. Cost: $3 per dog. Call 703-771-5913.
FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT. 7-9 p.m., Douglass Community Center, 405 E. Market St., Leesburg. All ages. Enjoy "Wallace and Grommit’s Curse of the Were-Rabbit" on a giant inflatable screen. Free. Call 703-771-5913.
AIR AND SCARE. 4-8 p.m., Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, 14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway, Chantilly. Discover the strange and spooky side of aviation and space through many activities. Tickets free, $10 for parking. Call 202-633-1000 or visit www.nasm.si.edu/udvarhazy.
DOG SHOW. 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Oatlands Plantation, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg. Middleburg Kennel Club will be holding its 25th annual Dog Show with 2,000 dogs from 157 breeds from around the country. Do not bring pets. Cost: $5 parking fee. Visit www.MiddleburgKC.com.
LECTURE SERIES. 1-2:30 p.m., Smithsonian Naturalist Center, 741 Miller Drive, S.E., Suite G-2, Leesburg. Fred Diehl presents The Galapagos and Darwin-150 Years Later. Free and open to the public. No children under 10. call the Naturalist Center at 703-779-9712.
BLUEGRASS MUSIC. 11 a.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. The Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition will perform traditional and contemporary bluegrass. All ages. Visit www.library.loudoun.gov.
DINNER AND AUCTION. 6 p.m., Ashburn Presbyterian Church, 20962 Ashburn Road, Ashburn. A dinner fund-raiser and pie auction to benefit the Good Shepherd Alliance. Includes live music, barbecue dinner, silent auction. Cost: $15 for adults , $7 for children under 12 in advance; $20 for adults, $9 for children under 12 at door. Call 703-729-2012 for reservations.
HAUNTINGS 2008. 6-10 p.m., Leesburg Town Hall, 25 W. Market St., Leesburg. See Oct. 24 item for details.
1918: A LIVING HISTORY PROGRAM on World War I and The Home Front. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Morven Park, 17263 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. Travel back in time to life during the Great War as experienced by World War I-era Virginia Gov. and Mrs. Westmoreland Davis, as portrayed by living history interpreters. Cost: $5 adults, $1 children 6-12, free for children under 6. Call 703-777-6034 or visit http://www.morvenpark.org.
FALL FESTIVAL. Noon-5 p.m., Clyde’s of Willow Creek Farm, 42920 Broadlands Boulevard, Broadlands. Outdoor fall festival with live music, a petting zoo and barbecue. The event is open to the public, cost ranges from $3-$5 for menu items. Call 571-209-1200 or visit www.clydes.com.
<cal1>Sunday/Oct. 26
<cal2>BATTLEFIELD ILLUMINATION. 7-8 p.m., Ball’s Bluff Regional Park, Ball’s Bluff Road, Leesburg. Witness the illumination of Ball's Bluff Battlefield in honor of the soldiers who lost their lives there. Free. Call 703-737-7800 or visit www.NVRPA.org.
HARVEST PARTY. 4 p.m., Sterling United Methodist Church, 304 East Church Road, Sterling. Celebrate the harvest with crafts, games, moon bounce and more. Children should wear their favorite, nonscary costume and bring a supervising adult. Free. Call 703-430-6455 or visit www.sterlingUMC.org.
PUMPKIN PATCH TALES. 2 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Stories, songs, games and a craft with the library’s Teen Council volunteers. Ages 4-7. Registration begins two weeks before the program. Sign up online at library.loudoun.gov or call 703-737-8100.
TRAVEL THROUGH TIME in the Winmill Carriage Collection. 1-4 p.m., Morven Park, 17263 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. Take a guided tour through a collection of 19th century horse-drawn vehicles, including coaches, sleighs, carts, buggies and a hearse from the 1800s. Cost: adults $5, children $1. Meet at Coach House Visitor Center. Visit www.morvenpark.org or call 703-777-6034.
FALL FESTIVAL. Noon-5 p.m., Clyde’s of Willow Creek Farm, 42920 Broadlands Boulevard, Broadlands. See Oct. 25 item for details.
<cal1>Monday/Oct. 27
<cal2>STORY TIME WITH JABBERU. 11 a.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Foreign language story time, expose children to other languages through interactive stories and songs. Ages 3 and up. Day's selection: Spanish language. Register online at http://library.loudoun.gov or phone 703-737-8100.
WOOLGATHERING. 6 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. Bring own stitching project and gather to chat with friends. Ages 12 and up. Call 703-430-9500.
FROM SWANN'S CASTLE to Governor's Mansion: Exploring an Old Southern Estate. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Morven Park, 17263 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. See Oct. 24 item for details.
BUG JUICE AND BEETLE SANDWICHES. 4 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. Meet and learn about animals like turtles and owls that depend upon worms, spiders and beetles. Ages 4 and up. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
PUMPKIN FUN. 12:30-2 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. Ages 3-6. Pumpkins mean fall, look at their seeds, search for other wild fall fruits and play pumpkin games. Cost: $10.50 per child. Call 571-258-3700.
GO GREEN. 7 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Learn about ways to conserve the earth’s resources and your money. For adults. Registration begins two weeks before the program. Sign up online at library.loudoun.gov or call 703-737-8100.
<cal1>Tuesday/Oct. 28
<cal2>POLITICAL DISCUSSION. 2 p.m., Waddell Theater, Loudoun Campus, Northern Virginia Community College, 1000 Harry Flood Byrd Highway, Sterling. Mark Plotkin will discuss "The Politics of 1968 and 2008." Free and open to the community. Bev Blois, 703-450-2503 or bblois@nvcc.edu.
ME & MY WORLD: WHOO’S THERE? 4 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. Learn about birds of prey. Ages 4-7. Registration required, sign up online at http://library.loudoun.gov or phone 703-430-9500.
PUMPKIN TALES FOR THE YOUNG. 4 p.m., Extension Office Program Room, 30B Catoctin Circle, Leesburg. Listen to pumpkin tales while wearing your Halloween costume. Ages 4-8. Free. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
<cal1>Wednesday/Oct. 29
<cal2>BINGO TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Bingo World in Baltimore, Md.; lunch on own or bring bag lunch. Cost: $11 for members, $13 for nonmembers, includes transportation; purchase bingo cards at the door. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
AUTHOR READING. 7 p.m., Rust Library, 34D Catoctin Circle, Leesburg. Walter Gavenda, author of "A Guide to Haunted West Virginia," shares stories about the paranormal history of Civil War battlefields. Ages 12 and up. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
<cal1>Thursday/Oct. 30
<cal2>MOVIE NIGHT. 7 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Watch "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," "You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown" and "Garfield's Halloween Adventure." Bring pillows, blankets and snacks. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
HALLOWEEN PARTY. 2-4 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Costume party includes disc jockey Sky Dantinne, light refreshments and snacks and transportation home. Cost: $3 for members in advance; $5 for nonmembers and at the door. Call 703-430-2397.
HALLOWEEN STORYFEST. 6:30-8 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. Ages 5 and up. Sit by the campfire’s glow and listen to chilling stories of ghosts. Bring a toasting stick, marshmallows and hot cider provided. Cost: $6. An adult must accompany children. Call 571-258-3700.
WHOO’S AWAKE IN THE NIGHT. 4 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Meet an owl, an opossum and other nocturnal creatures. Ages 4 and up. Free tickets available half an hour before the presentation. Visit library.loudoun.gov.
<cal1>Friday/Oct. 31
<cal2>TEEN CENTER. 7-10 p.m., After-Hours Teen Center, Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. Features Halloween dance party. 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 high schoolers.
HALLOWEEN PARTY. 2-4 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Includes disc jockey, light refreshments, snacks and transportation. Wear costume. Cost: $3 for members in advance, $5 for nonmembers and at door. Call 703-430-2397.
ZOO TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the Smithsonian National Zoological Park; lunch on own or bring bag lunch. Cost: $9 for members, $11 for nonmembers, includes transportation. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
FRIGHT NITE. 6:30-9:30 p.m., Claude Moore Recreation Center, 46105 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling. Halloween costume party sponsored by Teen Night at Claude Moore Recreation Center for middle-school teens and "tweens." Activities including trick or treating, a costume contest, scary movies, Rock Band and Dance Dance Revolution and music by DJs 2 Go. Contact Sharon Kilpatrick, teen night coordinator, at 571-258-3600.
HALLOWEEN PARADE. 6 p.m., King Street, between Safeway and Ida Lee Park, Leesburg. The Kiwanis Club of Leesburg is holding its 51st annual Halloween Parade. All are asked to bring canned goods to donate. Entries accepted until Oct. 29; contact Suzanne Wright at 703-737-2175 or slwright_va@comcast.net to register.
FROM SWANN'S CASTLE to Governor's Mansion: Exploring an Old Southern Estate. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Morven Park, 17263 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. Learn Morven Park's history from 19th century plantation to early 20th century hunt country estate and working farm. Guided tours include exhibits, carriage collection, Confederate huts and outdoor walk around property. Cost: adults $5, children $1. Meet at Coach House Visitors Center. Call 703-777-6034.
PRESCHOOL DANCE PARTY. 10:30 a.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. Music, dancing, movement and fun, costumes optional. Ages 3-5. Registration begins two weeks before program. Sign up online at library.loudoun.gov or phone 703-444-3228.
<cal1>Saturday/Nov. 1
<cal2>PAPER MODELERS CONVENTION. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Hampton Inn & Suites, Sterling. 11th annual International Paper Modelers' Convention includes displays and opportunity to swap, sell and buy models. Buffet dinner and auction of model kits at 7 p.m. Cost: admission free; table rental $35; buffet dinner and auction $40. Call 703-620-9720.
DRAW-IN. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Smithsonian Naturalist Center, 741 Miller Drive, S.E., Leesburg. Artists and illustrators ages 10 and older can draw objects found in the center’s collection. Bring own art supplies; professional illustrators on hand for advice. Brian Kirk gives a stone carving demonstration at 1:30 p.m. Call 703-779-9712.
1001 ARABIAN NIGHTS: THE STORY OF ALADDIN. 2 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. The Virginia Stage Company presents a participation play as the audience will help tell this timeless classic adapted by Domenick Danza. All ages. Sponsored by the Virginia Commission for the Arts. Visit http://library.loudoun.gov.
BOOK DONATIONS. 10 a.m.-noon, Rust@Catoctin Library parking lot, 34D Catoctin Circle, Leesburg. Bring book donations for the Loudoun Library Foundation Inc. Visit http://library.loudoun.gov.
FOCUS ON SKULLS AND BONES. 1-3 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. Ages 12 and up. Do a hands-on investigation of vertebrate bones: how bird and bat wings differ, what can be learned by looking at an animal’s teeth and more. Cost: $14 per person. Call 571-258-3700.
FROM SWANN'S CASTLE to Governor's Mansion: Exploring an Old Southern Estate. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Morven Park, 17263 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. See Oct. 31 item for details.
<cal1>Sunday/Nov. 2
<cal2>MONTHLY BREAKFAST. 8 a.m.-noon, Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company, 20688 Ashburn Road. Breakfast of pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, gravy and biscuits, hash browns, coffee and juices. Features monthly themes and Kids Activity Corner; apparatus bay area is open to children of all ages. Cost: adults $6, ages 3-8 $4, under 3 free and seniors $5. Call 703-729-0006.
TRAVEL THROUGH TIME in the Winmill Carriage Collection. 1-4 p.m., Morven Park, 17263 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. Take a guided tour through a collection of 19th century horse-drawn vehicles, including coaches, sleighs, carts, buggies and a hearse from the 1800s. Cost: adults $5, children $1. Meet at Coach House Visitor Center. Visit www.morvenpark.org or call 703-777-6034.
<cal1>Monday/Nov. 3
<cal2>MUSEUM TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Harrisonburg, Va., to visit the Virginia Quilt Museum; lunch on own or bring bag lunch. Cost: $18 for members, $20 for nonmembers, includes transportation and admission. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
FROM SWANN'S CASTLE to Governor's Mansion: Exploring an Old Southern Estate. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Morven Park, 17263 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. See Oct. 31 item for details.
<cal1>Tuesday/Nov. 4
<cal2>FROGSHACKLE OPEN HOUSE. 1-3 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. All ages. Discover a treasure trove of objects from nature. No registration is required. Free. Call 571-258-3700.
LANESVILLE OPEN HOUSE. 1-3 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. All ages. Discover the history of this National Register of Historic Places listed property. Free event. Call 571-258-3700.
<cal1>Thursday/Nov. 6
<cal2>SENIORS TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Gettysburg, Pa., to visit Boyd's Bear Country and tour Eisenhower Farm; lunch on own or bring bag lunch. Cost: $15 for members, $17 for nonmembers, includes transportation, admission and tour. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
<cal1>Saturday/Nov. 8
<cal2>ELVIS TRIBUTE. Doors open 6:30 p.m., show 7 p.m., Hilton Washington Dulles Airport Hotel, 13869 Park Drive, Herndon. 8th Annual Salute to the King, Elvis tribute dinner show. Includes eight tribute artists. Cost: $55 includes dinner and show. Call 703-478-2900.
<cal1>Sunday/Nov. 9
<cal2>BENEFIT PERFORMANCE. 7 p.m., Dominion High School, 21326 Augusta Drive, Sterling. The Capitol Steps, award-winning musical political satire troupe will perform. Advance tickets recommended, available at www.DHSATLAS.myevent.com or call 571-434-4400. Benefits the DHS parent-teacher organization, ATLAS (Association of Titan Leaders Assisting Students).
<cal1>Monday/Nov. 10
<cal2>SADIE HAWKINS DANCE. 2-4 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place. Cost: $2 for members in advance, $4 for nonmember and at the door. Call 703-430-2397.
<cal1>Thursday/Nov. 13
<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/Nov. 14
<cal2>FURRY FRIDAY. 5-7 p.m., Sterling Community Center, 20 Enterprise St., Sterling. Once a month, animals from the Loudoun County Animal Shelter will be at the Sterling Community. Bring the whole family for a real "happy hour" with animals looking for new homes. Visit www.loudoun.gov/animals.
<cal1>Saturday/Nov. 15
<cal2>LET'S TALK TURKEY. 10 a.m.-noon, 21668 Heritage Farm Lane, Sterling. Straight talk about the bird and its lore. Hands-on children's activities, stories and games. Free with paid museum admission. Cost: adults $5 and children $3. Call 571-258-3800.
CASINO NIGHT. 6:30-11 p.m., AOL Facility, Ashburn. AOL is hosting a casino night fund-raiser with all monies going to support children and adults with disabilities served by LARC and ECHO. Cost: $80, which includes hors d’oeuvres, $15,000 in play money and two drink tickets. Call 703-777-1939 or e-mail Larclady@aol.com for tickets.
BOOK DONATIONS. 10 a.m.-noon, Rust@Catoctin Library parking lot, 34D Catoctin Circle, Leesburg. Bring book donations for the Loudoun Library Foundation Inc. Visit http://library.loudoun.gov.
<cal1>Wednesday/Nov. 26
<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>Sunday/Dec. 7
<cal2>MONTHLY BREAKFAST. 8 a.m.-noon, Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company, 20688 Ashburn Road. Breakfast of pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, gravy and biscuits, hash browns, coffee and juices. Features monthly themes and Kids Activity Corner; apparatus bay area is open to children of all ages. Cost: adults $6, ages 3-8 $4, under 3 free and seniors $5. Call 703-729-0006.
<cal1>Wednesday/Dec. 10
<cal2>HOLIDAY LIGHTS TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Washington, D.C., for dinner on own at Union Station, viewing of Pageant of Peace and visit to Mormon Temple Grounds and Visitors Center, including live Nativity scene. Cost: $23 for members, $25 for nonmembers, includes transportation with free admission. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
<cal1>Friday/Dec. 12
<cal2>FURRY FRIDAY. 5-7 p.m., Sterling Community Center, 20 Enterprise St., Sterling. Once a month, animals from the Loudoun County Animal Shelter will be at the Sterling Community. Bring the whole family for a real "happy hour" with animals looking for new homes. Visit www.loudoun.gov/animals.
<cal1>Sunday/Dec. 14
<cal2>THEATER TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Columbia, Md., to Toby's Dinner Theatre for the production of "A Christmas Carol." Cost: $58 for members, $60 for nonmembers, includes transportation, show, champagne brunch and tip. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
<cal1>Monday/Dec. 15
<cal2>HOLIDAY LIGHTS TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Washington, D.C., for dinner on own at Union Station, viewing of Pageant of Peace and visit to Mormon Temple Grounds and Visitors Center, including live Nativity scene. Cost: $23 for members, $25 for nonmembers, includes transportation with free admission. Extensive walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.
<cal1>Thursday/Dec. 18
<cal2>THEATER TRIP. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, will take a trip to Columbia, Md., to Toby's Dinner Theatre for the production of "A Christmas Carol." Cost: $58 for members, $60 for nonmembers, includes transportation, show, champagne brunch and tip. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure and return times and locations.