Wednesday, May 9

“Under Our Skin,” the Hidden Story of Lyme Disease. 6:30 p.m.  Film screening followed by facilitated discussion. Loudoun.library.gov.
Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn.

Children’s Book Week at Ashburn Library. 7 p.m. Part of a week-long celebration at the Loudoun County Public Libraries. Check for other listings. Caldecott Connection with Children’s Librarian Tony Carmack will offer an inside look at the history of the Caldecott medal and examples of winning books. Also at 6:30 p.m.  May 10 at Rust Library, Leesburg; 1 p.m. May 10 at Middleburg Library; and 4 p.m.  May 15 at Cascades Library. http://www.Library.Loudoun.gov.

Thursday, May 10

Barns and Farms of Loudoun County opening reception in Main Taunus Kreis, Germany, to be broadcast live. 1 p.m. The 10th annual Barns and Farms Show has been shipped to Loudoun’s sister-county, Main Taunus Kreis (MTK), near Frankfort, Germany, on the Rhine River, and will be on display from May 10- June 10. Franklin Park Arts Center spent the past year coordinating this first of its kind cultural exchange opportunity with our sister county in Germany. Franklin Park Arts Center, Purcellville. http://www.franklinparkartscenter.org.

Conversations in History Series, “Lead Like a General: Lessons for Today’s Leaders from the Civil War.” 7 p.m. Paul Gilbert, executive director of the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, will give a talk on the strengths and weaknesses of Civil War military leaders. Col. John S. Mosby will be one of the leaders studied. $5 adults, $2 students. Mount Zion Church, 40309 John Mosby Highway, Aldie. 540-687-6681 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Loudoun Volunteer Caregivers fundraiser “An Evening of Wine and Music” at Tarara Winery. 6 - 9 p.m. Andrew McKnight and Beyond Borders will provide the evening’s musical entertainment; the buffet dinner will offer roasted seasonal veggies, grilled chicken, chevre and pecans on spring greens and rich chocolate cake. For the advance ticket price of $50, guests will receive two glasses of Tarara wine, dinner and music under the stars; soft drinks will be available for designated drivers. Tickets at the door will be $60, but are available now for $50 at http://www.lvcaregivers.org. 703-779-8617. Tarara Winery, Route 15, Leesburg.

Friday, May 11

Flower Sale for Mother’s Day. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Also on Saturday. Round Hill Volunteer Fire Department, 4 Main St., Round Hill.

Otium Cellars Grand Opening weekend. 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Also on Saturday and Sunday. Live music, catered barbeque and Mother’s Day specials. 18050 Tranquility Road, Purcellville. 540-338-2027.

Saturday, May 12

Improv Now! Performance. 8 p.m. $10. Improv Now! is an improvisational comedy troupe with a new approach to improv comedy. In addition to its live shows, it gathers a list of suggestions taken from the Internet, films scenes based on those suggestions and then uploads the videos for the entertainment of its online audience. Affinity Computers, 23035 Douglas Court, Dulles. http://www.improvnow.com.

Flower sale. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. also on Sunday. Rose bouquets and elegant garden bouquets. Next to C-Store, East Colonial Road, Hamilton.

Gardening for Wildlife Habitat Tour and Plant Sale. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Garden tour will include residences in Broadlands and Lansdowne and at Newton-Lee Elementary School in Ashburn. There will also be a native plant sale at NWF Headquarters. National Wildlife Federation, 11100 Wildlife Center Drive, Reston. http://www.nwf.org/VAgardentour

Inova Loudoun Hospital’s first “Women’s Community Living Fit Conference.” 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Pamper the woman in your life on Mother’s Day weekend. Bring your mother, sister, teenage daughter, friends and neighbors. Attendees will have the opportunity to exercise, learn about healthy eating and cooking and women’s health. Registration is open at http://www.inova.org/livingfit or 855-My-Inova (694-6682). Onsite registration (limited seating) is $75. National Conference Center, 18980 Upper Belmont Place, Lansdowne.

9th annual Walking for Water 5-10 K Walk. 8:30 a.m. The Walk is sponsored by Wisdom Spring Inc. and students from high schools in Leesburg and Ashburn. Monies raised go to building wells in Burkina Faso, one of the poorest countries in Africa. Over the last eight years, the walk has raised more than $240,000 and built 24 wells in Africa. Morven’s Park Equestrian Center, 41903 Tutt Lane, Leesburg. Walking for Water, 323-716-7816.

The Town of Leesburg’s Public Works Department’s Free Community Shredding Event. 9 a.m. - noon. Heritage High School, Leesburg. http://www.leesburgva.gov/index.aspx?page=249, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), 703-771-2790.

Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Fundraiser benefiting Loudoun Veg & Compassion for Animals. Interested vegan bakers can contact Sue Sedlazek at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 703-608-8705. Earthworks, 521 E. Market St. in the Bellewood Commons Shopping Court, Leesburg.

Equine Rescue League 22nd anniversary Spring Open House. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Also on Sunday. Promise Kept Farm, Lovettsville. http://www.equinerescueleague.org.

Children’s Author and Illustrator Jarrett Krosoczka. 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Author and illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka will display a collection of his photos, sketches, notes and artwork used to create his popular “Lunch Lady” graphic novel series at Loudoun County Public Library on May 12. Free. Recommended for ages 8 and up. 10:30 a.m. Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road, Leesburg; 1 p.m. , Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls; 3 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. http://www.library.loudoun.gov.

Gardening for Wildlife Habitat Tour. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. $15 advance, $20 day of tour. Featuring 15 properties in Fairfax and Loudoun counties landscaped to welcome wildlife. Hosted by National Wildlife Federation and Landscape Designer John Magee. Tour includes National Wildlife Federation headquarter’s habitat in Reston where a native plant sale takes place the same day. All proceeds support NWF’s Wildlife Habitat and conservation programs. Get info and tickets at http://www.nwf.org/VAgardentour.

Free First Time Homebuyer Mortgage Seminar. 10 - 11:30 a.m. Also on Sunday. Holiday Inn Leesburg, 1500 E. Market St., Leesburg. 703-635-9074.

Taste of Greece at Doukenie Winery. noon - 6 p.m. Celebrate Doukenie’s heritage with authentic Greek food, music and family traditions. Wine tastings, vineyard tours, barrel tastings, meet the winemaker and owners. Plus mounted horse games, face painting and more. Rain or shine. $25, person; children, $10. Doukenie Winery, Route 9 in Purcellville. http://www.Doukeniewinery.com.

Arts reception, book signing and children’s workshop. 1 - 4 p.m. Mary Lee Corlett from the National Gallery of Art will sign copies of her book, “Belle, The Amazing, Astonishingly Magical Journey of an Artfully Painted Lady,” about a butterfly dislodged from a painting who hides by blending into paintings by famous artists in the National Gallery of Art. During the book signing, the Round Hill Arts Center invites children to paint a ceramic butterfly to take home or present as a special Mother’s Day gift. The Gateway Gallery and the Round Hill Arts Center, Hill High Orchard Building, Route 7, just west of Round Hill. Free. Information and directions at http://www.thegatewaygallery.com and http://www.roundhillartscenter.org. 540 338-5022.

Philomont Volunteer Fire Department annual Beef and Chicken barbeque. 4 - 8 p.m. Menu includes barbeque beef and chicken, baked potatoes, green beans, cole slaw, rolls and home-baked goods. $14, adults, $11, seniors, $8, children 5-12. Philomont Firehouse, Jeb Stuart Road and Snickersville Turnpike, Philomont. 540-338-6506.

Waterford “Books and Wine” Series. 4 p.m. Featuring U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf, author of “Prisoner of Conscience.” Waterford Old School Auditorium, Waterford. http://www.waterfordfoundation.org

Loudoun Symphony Orchestra’s Gala event. 6 p.m. Black tie optional evening features dinner, a silent auction and exclusive concert by members of the Loudoun Symphony Orchestra led by Mark Allen McCoy, music director and conducter. Tickets are $125 and available at the symphony’s website http://www.loudounsymphony.org. National Conference Center, West Belmont Place, Lansdowne.

Vienna Breeze Concert Series. 7:30 p.m. Mariam Gregorian, violin and Andy Nguyen, piano. Works by Brahms, Beethoven, Paganini and Massenet. Our Savior’s Way Lutheran Church, 43115 Waxpool Road, Ashburn.

Cavaliers, Courage and Coffee program. 7:30 p.m. Stories from the Mosby Heritage Area during the time of the Civil War are presented in first person by the Gray Ghost Interpretive Group. This program will explore the stories of Col. John S. Mosby and his Rangers in the Crooked Run Valley and the role of area safe houses to Mosby’s operation. This program will be presented by lantern light in and about the historic Mount Bleak in Sky Meadows State Park.
$4 per car admission to Sky Meadows State Park, $5 for adults and $2 for students for the program. Mosby Heritage Area Association and Sky Meadows State Park. 540-687-6681 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Mount Bleak, Sky Meadows State Park, 11012 Edmonds Lane, Delaplane.

Sadie’s Race 5K and Kids Fun Run. 8 a.m. To benefit Smile Train. Purcellville. Register at: http://www.sadiesmilefoundation.org/Welcome.html

Sunday, May 13

Loudoun Symphonic Winds concert. 3 p.m. $12, adults, $10, students and seniors. Franklin Park Arts Center, Purcellville. http://www.franklinparkartscenter.org or 540-338-7973.

Monumental Brass Quintet performance. 4 p.m. Waterford Old School auditorium, 40222 Fairfax St., Waterford. 540-882-3018, extension 117. http://www.waterfordfoundation.org/concerts/ctickets.html.

Art and Asparagus Mother’s Day Weekend at Great Country Farms. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Great Country Farms, Bluemont. http://www.greatcountryfarms.com.

Mother’s Day Picnic at Morven Park. 1 - 3 p.m. Small lunches will be provided in the Winmill Carriage Museum. Create a craft for mom, tour the museum and enjoy the grounds of the 1,200-acre historic site during the garden’s peak bloom. $15. $10 for members. Pre-registration required at http://www.morvenparkmothersday.eventbrite.com or by calling 703-777-2414, extension 6617. Morven Park, 17263 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg.

Mount Sharon Garden open for touring. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Advance tickets are $20; accompanied children 16 and under are free. On-site admission is $30. Advance tickets can be purchased by phone, mail or Internet by contacting Cheryl Greenday, Preservation Virginia, 204 W. Franklin St., Richmond, VA 23220, 804-648-1889, extension 319 or going to http://www.preservationvirginia.org.
Home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Seilheimer Jr., Orange, Va.

Monday, May 14

Purcellville Volunteer Fire Company 3rd annual Golf Tournament. 8:30 a.m. Loudoun Golf and Country Club, 36967 W. Main St., Purcellville.
http://www.tournevents.com/PVFCGOLF
 
Tuesday, May 15

Leesburg Rain Barrel Workshops. Also on May 16. Town of Leesburg, 25 W. Market St, Leesburg. http://www.leesburgva.gov.

Wednesday, May 16

Kretsinger Concert Series. 7:30 p.m. The University of Dubuque Choir on tour. New Jerusalem Lutheran Church, 12942 Lutheran Church Road, Lovettsville. 540-822-5576.

Harvesting Poultry at Home or on the Farm. 7-9 p.m. This class provides background for individuals interested in processing poultry for food, whether you have a couple of chickens in your backyard or an entire flock on your small farm. Regulations, equipment required, basic processing and more will be covered by Loudoun County Extension Agent Corey Childs. Free, but pre-registration required at http://www.harvestingpoultry.eventbrite.com. Morven Park, 17263 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg, 703-777-2414, extension 6617. http://www.morvenpark.org

Thursday, May 17

Mental Health Awareness Month programs at Cascades Library. 7 p.m. “In Our Own Voices,” presented by Loudoun Friends of Mental Health. Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. http://www.library.loudoun.gov.

Potomac Falls High School Drama presents “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.” 7:30 p.m. Also on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. $10 adults, $7 students. 46400 Algonkian Parkway, Sterling.

Friday, May 18

Douglass Community Center Tea Time with Mom. 10 - 10:30 a.m. $5. Douglass Community Center, Leesburg. 703-771-5913. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

The Senior Center of Leesburg and The Leesburg Advisory Board presents the First Annual Dance. 7 - 10 p.m. $5 advance; $8 after May 10. Door Prizes every half hour. Hors d’oeuvres included in the price. 102 North Street NW, Leesburg. 703-737-8039.

Saturday, May 19

MADD Loudoun 2012 Walk. 8 a.m. registration. Dominion High School, Sterling. http://www.walklikemadd.org.

Carter’s Run for Dandy-Walker. 5K and Family Fun Fest. 9:30 a.m. Ashburn Elementary School, 44062 Fincastle Drive, Ashburn. http://www.cartersrun.org.

Sunday, May 20

Blue Ridge Center Open House. 1 -5 p.m. Nature tours, tours of working farm and historic sites, live music and barbeque. Free. 11661 Harpers Ferry Road, Purcellville. http://www.blueridgecenter.org.

Monday, May 21

Marine Corps League meeting. 7 p.m. Marine Corps League, Loudoun Detachment 1205, meets the third Monday of each month. American Legion Post, 112 N. 21st., Purcellville. http://www.loudounmarines.org.

– Karen Graham