<lst>To have community events listed in Centre View, e-mail to centreview@connectionnewspapers.com. Call Steve Hibbard at 703-778-9412.
<cal1>Ongoing
<cal2>Music Education Program. Offered through St. Johns Episcopal Church through the Royal School of Church Music. Learn to sing, read music and music theory. Grades 1-5 meet Sundays at 12:15 p.m. for rehearsal and study; Grades 6-12 meet Sundays at 4:30 p.m. for rehearsal and study. At 5649 Mt. Gilead Road, Centreville. Visit www.StJohnsCentreville.org. Call 703-803-7500.
<cal1>Winter Break
<cal2>Winter Break Animation Camp. Stop Motion Animation Camp for children ages 8-11. Children will create their own cartoon character, motion toys, take pictures for their production and develop an art project. Two sessions of two days each: Dec. 23 and 24, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; Dec. 30-31, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. At Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church, Chantilly. Cost is $130 for one; $220 for both sessions (includes supplies). Call 703-327-9370 or visit www.artsmartstudio.biz.
<cal1>Now Through Jan. 10
<cal2>Bull Run Festival of Lights. Features 2 1/2 miles of holiday light displays. Hours are Monday to Thursday, 5:30-9:30 p.m.; Friday to Sunday and holidays, 5:30-10 p.m. Admission is $15/car weekdays and $20/car weekends. At Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville. Visit www.nvrpa.org or call the Holiday Hotline at 703-359-4633.
<cal1>Ongoing
<cal2>Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) will provide more than 1,500 holiday food baskets to families in need in Centreville, Chantilly, Clifton, Fair Oaks and Fairfax station. So it’s seeking local residents and businesses willing to either sponsor a family, by providing food for a Thanksgiving or Christmas meal, or donate supermarket gift cards in any denomination.
Gift cards may be dropped off at the WFCM food pantry at 13981 Metrotech Drive in Chantilly (near Backyard Grill and Bar). For more information or to sponsor a family, contact Pam Ryan at 703-988-9656, ext. 3, or via development@wfcmva.org.
To mail gift cards or send donations by check, add a note saying "food basket program" and send them to: WFCM, P.O. Box 220802, Chantilly, VA 20153. Checks should be made payable to WFCM.
Neighborhood Watch Training Dates — The Fair Oaks District Police Station is offering four training dates in 2010, for the Neighborhood Watch Program. They will be held at the police station, located at 12300 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway, at 7 p.m. in the roll call room and will last approximately two hours. These opportunities are designed for communities that want to expand their existing Neighborhood Watch participation, those who wish to begin a new Watch program or those who would like a refresher course. We look forward to serving you and maintaining the quality of community and police partnerships that we have both come to depend on and enjoy.
The training dates are as follows:
o Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010
o Tuesday, April 20, 2010
o Tuesday, July 20, 2010
o Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2010
Our Neighbors Child (ONC) is the local organization coordinating holiday assistance (new toys and clothing gifts) for children of families in financial crisis in Centreville, Chantilly and Western Fairfax. Assistance is made possible through the generous support from local churches, schools, businesses and individuals each year.
In its 18th year, ONC is looking for groups or individuals to "adopt" the special needs of local children this holiday season. There is an especially urgent need for winter coats, blankets and other warm clothing. Specific information (sizes, etc.) will be available by Thanksgiving. If you are willing to help, contact Denise McInerney, ONC Clothing Coordinator at oncdenise@aol.com. For other volunteer opportunities or to make a donation, visit www.ourneighborschild.org.
The Western Fairfax County Woman’s Club is selling the 2009 White House Christmas ornaments. This year’s ornament honors our 24th President Grover Cleveland.
A finely crafted gold-plated wreath of snowflakes, painted in ice blue and white, frames the oval ornament that depicts a view of the White House from the south lawn. The first White House Christmas tree to be adorned with electric lights can be seen through the upstairs window.
The cost of the ornament is $18 and all profits benefit charity. If you wish to order previous years’ ornaments, just ask about that when you call to place your order. Orders can be placed through any club member or by calling 703-378-6841 or 703-378-6216.
<cal1>Thursday/Dec. 17
<cal2>Winter Choral Concert. 7:30 p.m. Centreville High School Choral Department presents "Celebrate the Season: A Winter Choral Concert." All the choirs in the choral program will be performing, along with selected soloists and a student-directed ensemble. A diverse program of choral pieces from different eras and a variety of styles. Tickets are $5/adults, $3/students. At Centreville High School.
<cal1>Friday/Dec. 18
<cal2>Swing Dance. 8:30-9 p.m. beginner lesson; 9 p.m. to midnight dancing. $15 admission. With the band King Teddy, specializing in swing, rockabilly and jump blues. At the Hilton Washington Dulles Hotel, 13869 Park Center Road (Route 28 near the airport), Herndon.
Parents Night Out. 6-10 p.m. For children ages 6-12. Swimming, movies, snacks, activities and games. $20/first child; $15/each. At the Cub Run RECenter in Chantilly. Contact Tiffany Daubach or Kevin Jackson at 703-817-9407.
<cal1>Dec. 18, 19, 20
<cal2>"The Tale of Two Santas." Encore Theatrical Arts Project (ETAP) presents a dance performance directed and choreographed by Raynor van der Merwe and written by Brandon Kalbaugh. Dec. 18 at 8 p.m.; Dec. 19 at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m., and 8 p.m.; Dec. 20 at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Tickets are $17/students and seniors, $20/adults. At the Richard J. Ernst Cultural Community Center, 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale. Call 703-222-5511 or go to www.encore-tap.org.
"A Christmas Carol." Presented by The Alliance Theatre. Dates are Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 20 at 2 p.m. At Mountain View School Auditorium, Centreville. Tickets are $10/adults; $8/children under 12 and seniors. Call 703-220-8101 or order online at www.TheAllianceTheatre.org.
<cal1>Dec. 19-20
<cal2>Mia Saunders' "Nutcracker." Saturday, Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 20 at 3 p.m. Tickets: $12 adults/$10 seniors/$8 students and children. Proceeds benefit the CVHS Drama Boosters and Fisher House. Centreville High School Theatre, 6001 Union Mill Rd., Clifton. Contact Celine Righi at celinemrighi@yahoo.com or 703-968-9530.
<cal1>Saturday/Dec. 19
<cal2>Education Planning. 6:30-8 p.m. Presented by Emily Dupre, MFS Investments. At Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., 5870 Trinity Parkway, Suite 100, Centreville. RSVP to Christopher D. Allen, Advanced Financial Advisor, at 703-825-2382.
<cal1>Sunday/Dec. 20
<cal2>Christmas Bird Count. Volunteers will count birds in a circle around Centreville. The area includes Manassas National Battlefield, Bull Run Regional Park, undeveloped areas along Bull Run Post Office Road and Dulles Airport, and many other locations. Sponsored by the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia. Visit www.audubonva.org or info@audubonva.org or call 703-256-6895.
<cal1>Monday/Dec. 21
<cal2>Longest Night Service. 7:30 p.m. A worship service of healing, hope and encouragement on the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year. At Community of Faith United Methodist Church, 13224 Franklin Farm Road, at the intersection of the Fairfax County Parkway next to Children's World & KinderCare. Call 703-620-1977 or visit www.cof-umc.org.
<cal1>Wednesday/Dec. 23
<cal2>"Ho-Ho Show. 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. A student-directed and produced children's theater show with 100 students comprised of snippets and well-loved holiday stories. Presented by Westfield High School theater. Tickets are $5/person; $12/families up to four. At Westfield High School.
<cal1>Thursday/Dec. 24
<cal2>Christmas Eve Services. Three services: 5 p.m. is for preschool age and young children; 7:30 and 11 p.m. are traditional candlelight services. At Community of Faith United Methodist Church, 13224 Franklin Farm Road, Herndon. Go to www.cof-umc.org or call 703-620-1977.
<cal1>Saturday/Jan. 23
<cal2>Open House. Sponsored by Centreville Preschool Inc. Registration packets will be available for the 2010-2011 school year. Morning and afternoon co-op and non co-op classes are available to children who turn 3 or 4 by Sept. 30, 2010. A beginners non co-op morning class is offered to children who turn 2 1/2 by Sept. 30. At 13196 Braddock Road, Centreville. Call 703-830-5656 or email register@centrevillepreschool.com.