Weekender Newsletter

Friday, Jan. 30 - Sunday, Feb. 1

Celebrating Black History Month

Friday, Jan. 30 - Sunday, Feb. 1, Times Vary

Black History Month celebrations start this weekend with engaging events throughout the county. Read stories of resistance, listen and learn about jazz, and tour historical sites.

• Sully Historic Site Tour (Friday and Saturday, Times Vary)
  
  
• Interactive Jazz History Lesson with Author and Musician Muneer Nasser at Kingstowne Library (Saturday, 4 - 5:30 p.m.)
  
  
• 'Ordinary People' in Black History Scavenger Hunt at City of Fairfax Regional Library (Sunday, 10 a.m. -  6 p.m.)

Weekend-Long Events

Animal Tea Party Friday and Saturday, Times Vary Join us for a cozy tea party at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon. Bring your favorite stuffed animal, help us decorate for the party and read a story. We will enjoy drinks and cookies and meet one of our animals. Registration is $10.

Friday, Jan. 30 Events

MakerLab at Herndon Fortnightly Library (2 - 5 p.m.) The Maker Lab at Herndon Fortnightly Library is a space designed for people who love to learn, discover and explore. Enjoy a variety of tools and equipment including a 3D printer, sewing and embroidery machines, Cricut and Cameo cutting machines, robotics and more.

Red Cross Blood Drive (11:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.)

Sign up to make a blood donation at George Mason Regional Library in Annandale.

Crochet Ami (4 - 5:30 p.m.)

Learn to crochet and connect with other stitchers at Pohick Regional Library in Burke.

Saturday, Jan. 31 Events

Open Hire Event – Fairfax (9 a.m. - noon) Our Department of Neighborhood and Community Services is holding an open hire event for several positions at the Pennino Building in Fairfax. Bring several copies of your resume and interview for positions in School Age Child Care and recreation.

Super Salamander Healing Lab (10 a.m. and 1 p.m.)

Discover the amazing superpower of salamanders at Lake Accotink Park in Springfield. In this fun STEM workshop, students become nature detectives and medical inventors to create bandages inspired by these creatures. Registration is $12.

Garden Exploration - A Stargazer's Garden (10 - 11:30 a.m.)

Explore constellations and learn how stars have influenced gardening traditions around the world at Green Spring Gardens Park in Alexandria. Bring the stars down to Earth by creating your own glow-in-the-dark constellation craft to take home. Registration is $12.

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.)

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is offering free tax assistance at Herndon Fortnightly Library, prioritizing individuals over 50 with low to moderate income. IRS-certified volunteers can prepare your taxes or provide coaching. Appointments are required.

Colvin Run Mill Tour (11 a.m. - 2 p.m.)

Tour the historic Colvin Run Mill in Great Falls, a functioning water-powered gristmill that showcases industrial and mechanical innovation. Learn how the mill supported the surrounding community during the 19th century. Registration is $10 for adults and $8 for youth.

Cozy Hygge Chill and Read (11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.)

Teens, relax and unplug at Great Falls Library. Bring your favorite book, comfy clothes, a store-bought snack to share and enjoy activities like gratitude journaling. The library will provide hot chocolate and chicken noodle soup.

Forest Flora Frenzy - Plant Power Revealed (1 - 2 p.m.)

Explore the engineering solutions plants have developed over millions of years of natural selection and adaptation at Lake Accotink Park in Springfield. Discover how forest flora inspires modern technologies from Velcro to solar panels. Registration is $9.

Teen Advisory Board Lunar New Year (2:30 - 4 p.m.)

Celebrate the Year of the Horse at Dolley Madison Library in McLean. Play games, make a craft and try some treats. Open to all ages. 

Sunday, Feb. 1 Events

Winter Lakeside Lantern Walks (4:30 - 6:30 p.m) Enjoy a magical evening with a guided lantern walk around Lake Accotink Park in Springfield. Carry a LED lantern while learning about winter wildlife, nocturnal animals and seasonal ecosystem changes. Registration is $12.

Diva Central Dress Drive (9 a.m. - 8 p.m.)

Donate formal dresses, shoes, jewelry, shawls, handbags and accessories to help local students create lasting memories. Drop off items at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods or Lake Anne. Items must be in good condition, less than five years old and dry cleaned.

Winter Lecture - Moon Gardens (1:30 - 2:30 p.m.)

Discover how to create a magical moon garden at Green Spring Gardens Park in Alexandria. Explore plants with silvery leaves and luminous blooms, and learn how they attract nocturnal wildlife like bats, moths and fireflies. Registration is $15.

Dungeons & Dragons (2:30 - 4:30 p.m.)

Join us for a role-playing adventure at Chantilly Regional Library. All levels of experience are welcome.

Art Supply Swap (3:30 - 4:30 p.m.)

Browse, exchange or connect with other artists at George Mason Regional Library in Annandale. Donate or exchange drawing and painting materials, crafting materials and textiles.

Full Moon Nature Hike and Campfire (6 - 7:30 p.m.)

Join a naturalist at Riverbend Park in Great Falls and learn about creatures that glide, fly and tiptoe through the woods in the dark. Enjoy a campfire after the hike with s'mores. Registration is $12.

Upcoming Events

Lunar Ne