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. 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>Saturday/Oct. 2
</b>West Springfield High School Spartanfest and Arts/Crafts Show. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at West Springfield High School, 6100 Rolling Road, Springfield. Arts and crafts, silent auction, food, activities, entertainment and more. All PTSA proceeds will help fund the teacher grant programs. Free admission. fourcarlins@verizon.net.
Operation Care Package 5K. 9 a.m. at Fountainhead Regional Park, 10875 Hampton Road, Fairfax Station. Includes a staffed tent where children can make letters for overseas troops, raffles and prizes for top race finishers. Proceeds will cover postage costs for care packages sent by Neighbors Foundation to troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. Register at 703-759-2102 or www.active.com/running/fairfax-station-va/operation-care-package.
Fall Virginia Native Plant Sale. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. Native trees, shrubs, ground covers, ferns, and wildflowers will be offered for sale by the Potowmack Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society. Experts will be on hand to answer questions and help with plant selection. Proceeds from the sale benefit VNPS education and conservation efforts. 703-732-5291.
<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.
Meet the Artist Reception. 1-4 p.m. at Loft Gallery, 313 Mill St., Occoquan. "Seasons Change", original paintings by Jewell Pratt Burns. Gallery open Monday- Friday 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 12-5 p.m. 703-573-0669.
<b>Wednesday/Oct. 13
</b>Wakefield Farmers Market. 2-6 p.m. at 8100 Braddock Road, Annandale.
<b>Friday/Oct. 15
</b>Kingstowne Farmers Market. 4-7 p.m. at Kingstowne Town Center, 5955 Kingstowne Center, Alexandria.