Teen Film Competition

Enter your original short film to be judged in the Teen Film Competition. Film must be turned in between June 19 and July 31, 2010 at any library in Loudoun County.

For your film to be eligible for viewing at the finale and for prizes, it must be under 5 minutes long, no larger than 40 MB, and be in Windows Media Format (.wmv) or Apple Quicktime format. Films will not be returned and they will be posted on the Library's webpage and Youtube Channel. Entry forms are at the information Desk and must be submitted with your film. If you are under 28, your parent or guardian must sign your form.

The participating libraries are: Ashburn, Cascades, Lovettsville, Purcellville, Rust, and Sterling Library. For more information, please click here.

Good Luck!!

On a side note, the libraries are an amazing resource. I hope you plan to benefit from all the amazing programs put together by the library systems in all the counties in the area.

It's Summer Camp Time!

It's officially summer now and therefore, time for summer camps!

I'm sure you've already signed your kids up for summer activities and camps; in particular if you need the daycare.

But, I know there are some of us who have yet to book our kids for the whole summer... So, I have put together a list of as many Vacation Bible Camps in the Northern Virginia area as I could find. About half of them are free, some others are fairly inexpensive but many provide scholarships as well. I have also listed camps that are closed.

Because the events are weekly and take up a lot of room, I have listed them for access by registered members. Registration is free and can also be done via your Facebook account. You can register at our Community page.

If you know of other VBC's that are not listed, please let us know. Any feedback you might have about VBC's is also greatly appreciated.

It's the Official First Day of Summer!

Today is the first day of summer or the Summer Solstice.

Wikipedia says that

"The Summer Solstice occurs exactly when the Earth's axial tilt is most inclined towards the sun at its maximum of 23° 26'... Except in the polar regions (where daylight is continuous for half of the year), the day on which the Summer Solstice occurs is the day of the year with the longest period of daylight. Thus the seasonal significance of the Summer Solstice is in the reversal of the gradual shortening of nights and lengthening of days. The summer solstice occurs in June in the Northern Hemisphere, in December in the Southern Hemisphere."

So, longer days means more time to enjoy your kids! I know of two things that kids enjoy most. Music and being outdoors. So, what better way to spend those longer summer hours with your kids than at free summer concerts!

Grab some chairs, a blanket, bug spray, and some snacks and check out your nearest free summer concert series. Even if the band is not what you expected, you can't really complain since it's FREE and you're still getting to spend that time with your kids.

Check out the summer concert series list here. There are even some events happening indoors!!

If you know of a series that's not included, please let us know in the comments!

Enjoy today and here's to a musical summer *raises water bottle!*

Breaking News - SkateFest Fairfax 2010 starts now!

Have a skateboarder on your hands who doesn't know what to do for the summer?

Check out this event - there's still time!

Skateboard Competition on Friday, SK8 for a Cause on Saturday!

"Celebrate National “Go Skateboarding Day”and help raise money for Children’s Hospital National Medical Center inWashington, DC, by signing up and supporting SkateFest Fairfax.

Fairfax Surf Shop, Wakefield Skate Park and Fairfax County Park Authority presents this philanthropic skateboarding event and competition at Wakefield Skate Park (8100 Braddock RD. Annandale VA).

Previous SkateFest events have featured hundreds of participants ranging in ages from 5-50. Over $16,000 has been raised for the Children’s Hospital National Medical Center, Washington, DC through our philosophy of “kids raising money for kids.” The annual festival is at its fourth
year and is anticipated to be the most successful yet.

Beginning Saturday June 19, 2010, from 1pm to 7pm the excitement of the festival begins, and will commence with “SK8 For A Cause” with skateboarders of all ages and skill levels participating. SK8 For A Cause participants will follow a check pointed route through the Wakefield Skate Park. Skateboard competitions and the festival will proceed “Sk8 For A Cause.”

The action-packed festival features over $5,000 in prizes, food, activities. giveaways, games, open skate, music and the exciting final rounds of the skateboard competition. The festival gives skaters a chance to showcase themselves and even try out for the Fairfax Surf Shop Skate
Team.

On Friday June 18, 2010 at Wakefield Skate Park, registration begins at 5 pm and the preliminary rounds of the skateboard competition will be held from 6-9:30 pm. To sign up for SK8 For A Cause and SkateFest Fairfax visit www.skatefestfairfax.com or visit Fairfax Surf Shop (3936 Old Lee Hwy, Fairfax, VA). Or for more information feel free to call (703) 425-5400 or email jolleen@skatefestfarifax.com."

I hope you get to participate or at least that you will make a donation to Children's Hospital!! It only takes raising $25 in donations for Children's For Children's Hospital to receive a prize! Get your Family, friends neighbors or businesses to sponsor you. For Sponsor information, please click here.

Sounds like so much fun and for a great cause!

Lord and Taylor's Back to School Fashion Show Casting Call

Wouldn't it be fun to walk the catwalk at a young age? Or just to model the latest fashions even just one time?

Now is your chance. Lord and Taylor is hosting Fashion Show Casting Calls at various locations!

Bring in your kids, ages 4 to 11 (sizes 4-16 in girls, 4-20 in boys), for a chance to be a part of our Back to School Fashion Show.

Parents/guardians must bring one current color full-length or head shot photo and will be required to fill out an application in the store.

This website has a full listing of all the casting calls in the area. If you don't see your mall on the list, be sure to call to make sure they're not involved. I found a couple of malls that are not on the list but are holding a fashion show.

Recycle Those Running Shoes

It's that time of year again when you're out shopping for back to school. If your kids are anything like mine, they have already outgrown their shoes (again) and you are buying them a new pair for what seems like the 16th time this year.

So, what do you do with the old pair? Some of my previous options have been to give them to a younger child as hand-me-downs. Sometimes, I've sold them at a yard sale. I've also given them away to various organizations that collect shoes and clothing throughout the area.

But what about the shoes that just can't be used again? The ones that were well-worn and loved and just can't be given away for anyone else to use? You still love that shoe and can't bare to part with it, but you can't hang on to it either...

Well, here's the solution from one of our readers.

Check out NikeReUseAShoe.com

Nike Re-Use A Shoe will accept any type of athletic shoe (any brand) according to these guidelines:

• We can only recycle athletic shoes (running shoes, sneakers, etc.)
• We accept all brands of shoes
• No shoes containing metal
• No cleats or dress shoes
• No wet or damp shoes
• No sandals or flip-flops

NikeReUseAShoe would like for us to spread the word about this wonderful service. Check out this link for more details on how you can help!

So, gather up those ratty old running shoes and drop them off at your nearest recycling location:

The two in Northern Virginia are:

Nike Factory Store
241 Fort Evans Rd., NE, Ste. 510
Leesburg, VA 20176
(703) 771-3060

and

Nike Factory Store
2700 Potomac Mills Circle, Ste. 511
Woodbridge, VA 22192
(703) 497-4513

Or, if your organization would like to host a group shoe recycling drive, click here for more information.

What a great resource for everyone!

Thanks, Brenda, for the tip!

FREE School Physicals for UNINSURED Children

There are three facilities that are offering FREE School Physicals for NEW Students ONLY (not sports physicals) to Pre-K through 6th Grade ONLY.

They are all from 8am - 12noon

On July 24th at Falls Church Health Department, 6245 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA

On August 14th at South County Health Department, 8350 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, VA

On August 14th at Springfield Health Department, 8136 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, VA

For more information AND to make an appointment, please call 703-698-2550 - Space is Limited. Call Today!

They are also listed on the calendar.

ONE MORE

On August 14th at the Jeanie Schimdt Free Clinic in Herndon, VA from 9:30am - 1pm

This clinic is offering free physical AND sports/camp physicals to children ages 3-18. Children must be uninsured and have a family income of less than twice the federal poverty level. Children MUST HAVE a parent or legal guardian present. You may register by phone at (703) 481-8160 or online.

The physicals will be given at Connection for Hope at 13525 Dulles Technology Drive, Herndon, VA 20172. For Metrobus use the Fairfax Connector 950, 927

There are also two Salvation Army Community Meals Programs that I know of:

The Salvation Army is providing meals to individuals and families at

Big Lots Parking Lot in Sterling at 4pm on Saturdays

and at the Shenandoah Building (North Parking Lot) in Leesburg on Saturdays at 5:15pm.

No income information or ID is required. Meals are given on a first come, first served basis.

For further services contact The Salvation Army at 703/777-3371.