Send notes to the Connection at south@connectionnewspapers.com or call 703-778-9416. Deadline is Friday. Dated announcements should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event.
<b>Thursday/Sept. 16
</b>Book Discussion Group. 6:30 p.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. “Persuasion” by Jane Austen. Adults. 703-971-0010.
Practice Your English. 7 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Conversation group for adults learning English. 703-339-4610.
Springfield Writers' Group. 7 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Share your work, give and receive feedback in a supportive setting. Adults. 703-451-8055.
Lorton Book Club. 7 p.m. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” by Stieg Larsson. Adults. 703-339-7385.
<b>Friday/Sept.17
</b>Kingstowne Farmers Market. 4-7 p.m. at Kingstowne Town Center, 5955 Kingstowne Center, Alexandria.
<b>Saturday/Sept. 18
</b>Canoe the Marsh with a Naturalist. 8 a.m. at Pohick Bay Regional Park, Gunston Road, Lorton. Age 16 and up. $25 per person. Reserve at 703-528-5406.
Gallery After Hours: Art Out Loud. 7 p.m. In the Performance Tent, Workhouse Arts Center, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton. The drawings of Workhouse Studio Artist, Mary Gallagher Stout and the eclectic alternative rock of Big Green Cherry. 703-584-2900.
Miss Greater Springfield Princess, PreTeen and Teen Competitions. 1:30 p.m. at Greenspring Village Square Auditorium, 7440 Spring Village Drive, Springfield. Competition open to girls age 5-17. Tickets $12. 703-690-1203 or www.missgreaterspringfield.com.
City Dwelling Nature Seekers. 8:30 p.m. at the Heart in Hand Restaurant, 7145 Main St., Clifton. CD release party for a folk/rock band that includes former Clifton resident Matt Booth. 703-203-0858 or mattbooth1@mac.com.
<b>Sunday/Sept. 19
</b>Poetic Art Exhibition and Reception. 2-4 p.m. in Gallery W-16, Workhouse Arts Center, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton. The work of art will inspire the poet's words, or the poem will inspire the artist's creation. Free. Exhibition remains open through Oct. 10. 703-584-2900.
Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program 30th Anniversary Jubilee and Clifton's Peachy Keen Day. 4-6:30 p.m. at Trummers on Main, Clifton. Tickets $60. Register at www.nvtrp.org/jubilee.
Lorton Farmers Market. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at 8990 Lorton Station Blvd., Lorton.
South County Crew Learn-To-Row Day. 1-4 p.m., at Sandy Run Regional Park. Any South County High School student is welcome to attend. Crew is a varsity (lettering) spring sport, no experience required. For more information, call 703-690-2981 or see the SC Crew website at sc-crew.org.
<b>Monday/Sept. 20
</b>Bee-Bim Bop! 10:30 a.m. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. Stories and songs for ages 2-5 with adult. 703-249-1520.
Lunch Bunch. 12 p.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Bring lunch and join us for stories. Age 0-5 with adult. 703-971-0010.
Woof, Woof: Doggie Tales. 10:30 a.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Age 13-23 months with adult. Registration not required. 703-339-4610.
Read to the Dog. 4:30-5:30 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Read to a reading therapy dog. Register for one 15-minute slot. Age 6-12 with adult. 703-339-4610.
<b>Tuesday/Sept. 21
</b>Lullaby Stories. 7 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Evening stories and activities. Pajamas and stuffed animals welcome. Age 1-5 with adult. Registration not required. 703-339-4610.
English Conversation Group. 7 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Practice and improve your English. Adults. 703-451-8055.
<b>Wednesday/Sept. 22
</b>Wakefield Farmers Market. 2-6 p.m. at 8100 Braddock Road, Annandale.
Practice Your English. 10:15 a.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Conversation group for adults learning English. 703-339-4610.
Llama Llama Misses Mama. 10:30 a.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Stories and activities. Age 2-5 with adult. 703-451-8055.
Travel Club. 1 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Bring lunch and enjoy lively discussion. Adults. 703-451-8055.
<b>Thursday/Sept. 23
</b>Friends of Burke Centre Book Sale. 1 p.m. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. 703-249-1520.
Authors Sandra Burt and Linda Perlis. 2 p.m. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. The authors of Fodor’s Washington, D.C. with Kids and Raising a Successful Child. Books available for sale and signing. 703-249-1520.
Little Red Riding Hood and the Frog Prince. 6:30 p.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Kaydee Puppets present "Little Red Riding Hood" and "The Frog Prince" All Ages. 703-971-0010.
Practice Your English. 7 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Conversation group for adults learning English. 703-339-4610.
Fall Into Giving breakfast hosted by Our Daily Bread, Inc and the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce to help businesses located throughout Fairfax County become involved in helping struggling families in the community. Fairfax County Board Chairwoman Sharon Bulova (D-At-large) to speak. Admission: $25 gift card to grocery or discount store, to be donated to families in ODB’s Holiday Program. 7-9 a.m. at Rowland Conference Center, Fairfax County Department of Health, 10777 Main St., third floor. RSVP to info@ccfc.org. For information call 703-273-8829 or visit www.our-daily-bread.org.
<b>Friday/Sept. 24
</b>Friends of Burke Centre Book Sale. 1 p.m. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. 703-249-1520.
Kingstowne Farmers Market. 4-7 p.m. at Kingstowne Town Center, 5955 Kingstowne Center, Alexandria.
<b>Saturday/Sept. 25
</b>Louise Bourgeois: The Spider, The Mistress and The Tangerine. 7:30 p.m. in Gallery W-16, Workhouse Arts Center, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton. A cinematic journey inside the life and imagination of an icon of modern art. 703-584-2900.
Friends of Burke Centre Book Sale. 1 p.m. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. 703-249-1520.
Burke Farmers Market. 8 a.m.-12 p.m. at 5671 Roberts Parkway, Burke.
<b>Sunday/Sept. 26
</b>Canoe the Marsh With a Naturalist. 8 a.m. at Pohick Bay Regional Park, Gunston Road, Lorton. Age 16 and up. $25 per person. Reserve at 703-528-5406.
Lorton Farmers Market. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at 8990 Lorton Station Blvd., Lorton.
Elisabeth von Trapp Concert. 7 p.m. at Franconia United Methodist Church, 6037 Franconia Road, Alexandria. The granddaughter of Maria and Baron von Trapp, with a repertoire that ranges from Bach to Broadway, Schubert to Sting. 703-971-5151 or www.franconiaumc.org.
<b>Monday/Sept. 27
</b>Read to the Dog. 4:30-5:30 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Read to a reading therapy dog. Register for one 15-minute slot. Age 6-12 with adult. 703-339-4610.
<b>Tuesday/Sept. 28
</b>Sweet Dreams. 7 p.m. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. Nightime stories and songs. Age 2-5 with adult. 703-249-1520.
English Conversation Group. 7 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Practice and improve your English. Adults. 703-451-8055.
Lorton Community Action Center Tutor Orientation Meeting. 7 p.m. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. To volunteer as a tutor or for more information, call 703-339-5161 ext. 12 to register. Adults.
<b>Wednesday/Sept. 29
</b>Falling Leaves. 10:30 a.m. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. Autumn stories, songs and activities. Age 4-5 with adult. 703-339-7385.
<b>Thursday/Sept. 30
</b>Pig Tales. 2 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Stories and activities. Age 2-5 with adult. 703-451-8055.
Friends Meeting. 7 p.m. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. The Friends of Lorton Library invite Lorton residents and library customers to their September meeting. 703-339-7385.
<b>Wednesday/Oct. 6
</b>Wakefield Farmers Market. 2-6 p.m. at 8100 Braddock Road, Annandale.
<b>Friday/Oct. 8
</b>Kingstowne Farmers Market. 4-7 p.m. at Kingstowne Town Center, 5955 Kingstowne Center, Alexandria.
<b>Saturday/Oct. 9
</b>Flu Shot Clinic. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at The Franconica United Methodist Church, 6037 Franconia Rd, Alexandria. $30, Medicare Part B is accepted. This year, a single vaccine will protect against both seasonal and H1N1 flu viruses. To request a specific time, contact admin@franconiaumc.org or 703 971-5151.
Burke Farmers Market. 8 a.m.-12 p.m. at 5671 Roberts Parkway, Burke.
<b>Sunday/Oct.10
</b>44th Annual Clifton Day Festival. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in the town of Clifton. Crafts vendors with jewelry, furniture, fine arts, antiques and more. Live music and dance, pony rides, facepainting, Civil War reenators, carnival games and rides and more. Oktoberfest area with beer and bratwurst. Free admission. www.cliftonday.com or 703-968-0740.
Lorton Farmers Market. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at 8990 Lorton Station Blvd., Lorton.
<b>Wednesday/Oct. 13
</b>Wakefield Farmers Market. 2-6 p.m. at 8100 Braddock Road, Annandale.