<b>Send announcements to reston@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Thursday for the following week's paper. Photos/artwork encouraged. For additional listings, visit www.connectionnewspapers.com.
<b>Thursday/Dec. 16
</b>Sesame Street Live: Elmo’s Healthy Heroes. 7 p.m. George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. Tickets $15-$28, available at www.ticketmaster.com or 703-573-SEAT. Accessible seating is available for patrons with disabilities at 703-993-3035. www.sesamestreetlive.com.
Natural Holiday Crafts for Children. 10 a.m. Walker Nature Education Center, 11450 Glade Drive, Reston. For ages 3-5 years accompanied by an adult. $5 per child for RA members and $8 for non-members. All supplies included. Reserve at 703-476-9689 or naturecenter@reston.org.
OK Book Discussion. 7 p.m. Oakton Library, 10304 Lynnhaven Place, Oakton. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. Adults. 703-242-4020.
Terrific Twos. 10:30 a.m. Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston. Storytime. Age 2 with adult. 703-689-2700.
Reston Interfaith Food Drive. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. at the Pavilion at Reston Town Center. Presented by P+R Architects to benefit Reston Interfaith. Each 10 lbs. of canned goods and non-perishable food items or $10 donation earns the donor a raffle ticket for one of five prizes. 571-346-7827 or jmuhammad@parchitects.com.
Holiday and Christmas Party. 7 p.m.-2 a.m. Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern, 697 Spring St., Herndon. Casino games, photos with santa and Mrs. Claus, DJ and dancing, prizes and more. Proceeds will benefit Fisher House. 703-435-JIMS or www.jimmystavern.com.
<b>Friday/Dec. 17
</b>Sesame Street Live: Elmo’s Healthy Heroes. 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. Tickets $15-$28, available at www.ticketmaster.com or 703-573-SEAT. Accessible seating is available for patrons with disabilities at 703-993-3035. www.sesamestreetlive.com.
2010 Graduating Artist Showcase. 6-9 p.m. George Mason University Art and Design Building, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. Fall 2010 Senior Exhibition Reception. Exhibits of over 60 graduating artists including paintings, sculpture, animation, graphic design, drawing and more. Live music and refreshments available. Free admission. 703-993-8898 or hmillera@gmu.edu.
Fireside Fables. 7:30 p.m. at the Walker Nature Education Center, 11450 Glade Drive, Reston. Gather around the Nature House hearth to listen to stories of the season. Sip hot cocoa and sample seasonal treats. $5 per person RA members, and $8 per person for non-members. Reserve at 703-476-9689 or naturecenter@reston.org.
<b>Saturday/Dec. 18
</b>Holiday Youth Musical Café. 2-4 p.m. ArtSpace Herndon, 750 Center St., Herndon. Holiday singing and musical presentations. Free, donations accepted. 703-956-6590.
Holiday Celebration at Reston Museum. Reston Museum, 1639 Washington Plaza, Reston. Holiday Recollections from Around the World at 3:30 p.m., Holiday Lights Walk at Lake Anne at 5 p.m. 703-709-7700 or www.restonmuseum.org.
Sesame Street Live: Elmo’s Healthy Heroes. 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. Tickets $15-$28, available at www.ticketmaster.com or 703-573-SEAT. Accessible seating is available for patrons with disabilities at 703-993-3035. www.sesamestreetlive.com.
Vienna Boys Choir. 8 p.m. at George Mason University Concert Hall, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. Holiday music from Gregorian chant to favorite Christmas carols. $24-$48, youth through grade 12 half price. 888-945-2468 or cfa.gmu.edu.
14th Annual Christmas Party for Kids. 12:30-3:30 p.m. Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern, 697 Spring St., Herndon. Santa, souvenir photos, coloring and crafts, holiday dance party, sing-a-long and more. $11.95 per child accompanied by adult. Reserve at 703-435-JIMS or www.jimmystavern.com.
<b>Sunday/Dec. 19
</b>Sesame Street Live: Elmo’s Healthy Heroes. 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. Tickets $15-$28, available at www.ticketmaster.com or 703-573-SEAT. Accessible seating is available for patrons with disabilities at 703-993-3035. www.sesamestreetlive.com.
Vienna Boys Choir. 4 p.m. at George Mason University Concert Hall, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. Holiday music from Gregorian chant to favorite Christmas carols. $24-$48, youth through grade 12 half price. 888-945-2468 or cfa.gmu.edu.
<b>Monday/Dec. 20
</b>Winter Wonderland Preschool Storytime. 11 a.m. Herndon Fortnightly Library, 768 Center St., Herndon. Boost early literacy skills with this storytime about winter. Age 2-5 with adult. 703-437-8855
<b>Tuesday/Dec. 21
</b>One-on-One Computer/Internet Tutoring. 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Oakton Library, 10304 Lynnhaven Place, Oakton. Learn the basics of the Internet, Word and Excel. Adults. 703-242-4020.
ESL Advanced. 10:30 a.m. Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston. Practice English in a group with a volunteer facilitator. Adults. 703-689-2700.
<b>Wednesday/Dec. 22
</b>One-on-One Computer/Internet Tutoring. 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Oakton Library, 10304 Lynnhaven Place, Oakton. Learn the basics of the Internet, Word and Excel. Adults. 703-242-4020.
ESL for Jobs. 6:30 p.m. Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston. English conversation and job skills. 703-689-2700.
Photos with Santa. 4-6 p.m. at the Herndon Depot Train Station in downtown Herndon. Donations benefit the Herndon/Dulles Visitors Center. 703-HERNDON.
<b>Tuesday/Dec. 28
</b>One-on-One Computer/Internet Tutoring. 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Oakton Library, 10304 Lynnhaven Place, Oakton. Learn the basics of the Internet, Word and Excel. Adults. 703-242-4020.
Hungry Thing Preschool Storytime. 7 p.m. Herndon Fortnightly Library, 768 Center St., Herndon. Stories and rhymes about eating. Age 2-5 with adult. 703-437-8855
<b>Wednesday/Dec. 29
</b>One-on-One Computer/Internet Tutoring. 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Oakton Library, 10304 Lynnhaven Place, Oakton. Learn the basics of the Internet, Word and Excel. Adults. 703-242-4020.
<b>Friday/Dec. 31
</b>New Year's Eve at ArtSpace. ArtSpace Herndon, 750 Center St., Herndon. 703-956-6590.
* New Year's Eve Bonfire. 9-10 p.m. Family-friendly. Free, open to the public.
* New Year's Eve Musical Cafe with Al Robertson and Friends. 10 p.m.-1 a.m. Live music, coffee and dessert bar with a champagne toast at midnight. $45-$50. Call for tickets.