Pastimes - July 31 Paper

Saturday, Aug. 1

Bird watching at Ferry Farm
Bird enthusiasts will meet again Saturday for a bird-watching tour at Washington’s Ferry Farm. Paul Nasca, member of the Fredericksburg Birding Club, will lead the tour and identify birds from among 135 species known to the location. Those older than 12 and interested should meet in Ferry Farm’s parking lot with $5 per person. For more information, visit ferryfarm.org.

Bluemont concert
As part of the Bluemont Concert Series, Notorious will present music from traditional American and Celtic fiddle tunes to jazz, blues and the group’s original compositions at 7:30 p.m. in Fredericksburg at the Maury School Stadium field, located at the intersection of Hanover Street and Kenmore Avenue in Fredericksburg. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs. Admission is $5 per person, $4 for Bluemont Friends and seniors and $2 for children younger than 12. No pets, alcohol or smoking are allowed. In case of bad weather, the concerts will be held at James Monroe High School.

Monday, Aug. 3

Mom’s Herbal First Aid Kitchen
The public is invited to learn about remedies found in your spice rack that may be used to create a good medicine chest/first aid kit. Attendees will learn how to use popular spices for healing. The class will be held at the Rowser building from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Register online at staffordparks.com. The registration fee is $35 for Stafford County residents and $40 for non-residents.

Music on the Steps
Area residents are invited to Central Rappahannock Regional Library at 1201 Caroline St. in Fredericksburg for the 24th Annual Monday Night Music on the Steps series from 7 to 8 p.m. On Aug. 3, The Culprits, a “rockin, country blues” band, will perform. For more information, call (540) 372-1144.

Tuesday, Aug. 4

Bookmobile
Central Rappahannock Regional Library’s bookmobile will make stops in Stafford County on Tuesday. It will be at Falls Run from 9:30 a.m. to noon; at McKendree Manor from noon to 12:30 p.m.; at Hartwood Post Office from 1:30 to 2:15 p.m.; at GEICO from 2:30 to 3 p.m.; and at Stafford Lakes from 3:15 to 4:45 p.m. For more information, call (540) 372-1144.

Family Film Fest
Regal Cinema’s Free Family Film Festival offers free movies every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10 a.m. Tickets are available on the day of the show at Aquia 10 Theater, 2850 Jefferson Davis Highway. For more information and show listings, call (540) 659-4766.

Wednesday, Aug. 5

First aid class
Area residents are invited to a class at the Rowser building in Stafford from 6 to 10 p.m. that will teach how to care for medical, injury and environmental emergencies including bleeding, shock, burns, fainting, seizures, asthma, allergic reactions and poisoning. Participants should wear comfortable clothes. The registration fee is $50 for Stafford residents and $55 for non-residents. The class will also be held Sept. 9 from 6 to 9 p.m. To register, visit staffordparks.com.

Friday, Aug. 7

Moonlight canoe trip
Stafford County Parks and Recreation will offer a moonlight canoeing trip, during which participants will see wildlife as well as relax under the night sky. Canoes and kayaks will be offered, but canoes are designed for two people. Participants will be given life vests and taught basic strokes before setting off. Individuals must be 12 years or older. To register, visit staffordparks.com.

Saturday, Aug. 8

Youth triathlon
Children ages 8 to17 are invited to test their speed and endurance during a triathlon at 9 a.m. The event includes swimming, running and biking at Curtis Memorial Park. For more information and to register, visit staffordparks.com.

Monday, Aug. 10

Music on the Steps
Area residents are invited to Central Rappahannock Regional Library at 1201 Caroline St. in Fredericksburg for the 24th Annual Monday Night Music on the Steps series from 7 to 8 p.m. On Aug. 10, Jeni & Billy, Appalachian folk and bluegrass singers, will perform. For more information, call (540) 372-1144.

Saturday, Aug. 15

Basket-weaving class
From 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Rowser building, a class on basket weaving will instruct people 16 and older how to create a square summer basket. Registration is $21 for Stafford residents and $26 for non-residents, with a $15 supply fee. For more information, or to register, visit staffordparks.com.

Ice Cream Social and Neighborhood Carnival
John M. Porter Branch Library in Stafford invites families to celebrate the grand finale of the 2009 Summer Reading Club from 10 a.m. to noon at the library at 2001 Parkway Blvd. Free tickets will be available at the children’s desk starting Aug. 1. For more information, call (540) 659-4909.

Sunset Canoe Float
Friends of the Rappahannock invites the public on a sunset float from 6:30 to 9 p.m. The cost is $15 per person or $45 per family. For more details, call (540) 373-3448.

Monday, Aug. 17

Music on the Steps
Area residents are invited to Central Rappahannock Regional Library at 1201 Caroline St. in Fredericksburg for the 24th Annual Monday Night Music on the Steps series from 7 to 8 p.m. On Aug. 17, Euphonism: The Vocal Band, will perform. For more information, call (540) 372-1144.

Thursday, Aug. 20

Red Cross blood drive
Donors 17 and older are encouraged to participate in a Red Cross blood drive at John M. Porter Branch Library in Stafford, 2001 Parkway Blvd., from 1 to 7 p.m. Call (540) 659-4909 to sign up. Walk-in donors are also welcome.

Saturday, Aug. 22

Local authors’ book-signing party
Local authors will have copies of their books available to purchase at the end-of-summer book-signing party at John M. Porter Branch Library in Stafford, 2001 Parkway Blvd. from 2 to 5 p.m. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call the Reference Desk at (540) 659-4909.

Monday, Aug. 24

Music on the Steps
Area residents are invited to Central Rappahannock Regional Library at 1201 Caroline St. in Fredericksburg for the 24th Annual Monday Night Music on the Steps series from 7 to 8 p.m. On Aug. 24, Laurie Ross Griffith and Pete Mealy, acoustic folk, pop and jazz artists, will perform. For more information, call (540) 372-1144.

Tuesday, Aug. 25

Arts essay contest
M&S Studio of the Performing Arts is offering $8,000 in scholarships for the 2009-10 school year. To celebrate the studio’s 15th year teaching in Fredericksburg, it will give nine scholarships away, three scholarships for a free year of dance classes, three scholarships for a free year of music lessons and three scholarships for a free year of acting classes. An essay contest will determine the nine winners. The age ranges the contest is available for are 6-8, 9-12, and 13 and older. This contest is open to current students and the general public. The deadline for entering will be Aug. 25; the winners will be announced at a barbecue at the studio. Full contest details are available at mandsstudio.com.

Saturday, Aug. 29

Planning a vegetable garden
This lecture involves suitable fall vegetables, cover crops, winterizing and double digging followed by a hands-on experience in the vegetable garden at Gari Melchers Home and Studio in Falmouth. The class will be held from 9 a.m. to noon. For more information, visit garimelchers.org.

Sunday, Aug. 30

Guided woodland walk
Virginia Master Naturalists holds a nature walk on the last Sunday of every month. The walk covers a mile of woodland and field trails as well and introduces the historic ruins of Belmont. Tours start at 2 p.m. outside the Gari Melchers Studio Museum Shop in Falmouth. For more information, visit garimelchers.org.

Monday, Aug. 31

Music on the Steps
Area residents are invited to Central Rappahannock Regional Library at 1201 Caroline St. in Fredericksburg for the 24th Annual Monday Night Music on the Steps series from 7 to 8 p.m. On Aug. 31, Alias will perform a variety of music including top 40, jazz, disco and country. For more information, call (540) 372-1144.

Saturday, Sept. 12

Basket-weaving class
From 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Rowser building, a class on basket weaving will be taught. At this class, students will be taught to create a round twined basket. This basket has twined sides and a braided rim. This class is open to people ages 16 and up. Registration is $21 ($26 for non-residents), with an $11 supply fee. For more information, or to register, please check out staffordparks.com.

Music by Moonlight
The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary of Fredericksburg will present the 21st annual free community concert, Music by Moonlight, featuring the Fredericksburg Big Band, at 7 p.m. at Hurkamp Park, located at the corner or William and Prince Edward streets in Fredericksburg. Allman’s Barbeque will sell food and drinks beginning at 5 p.m. There will also be a concession stand, face painting and games. Donations from this event will send area children to Salvation Army’s Camp HappyLand. The rain date for the event is Sept. 26. For more information, call (540) 373-3431.

Saturday, Sept. 19

Basket-weaving class
From 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Rowser building, a class on basket weaving will be taught. At this class, students will be taught to create a tobacco basket. This basket is suitable for drying herbs. This class is open to people ages 16 and up. Registration is $21 ($26 for non-residents), with an $11 supply fee. For more information, or to register, please check out staffordparks.com.

Yankees in Falmouth!The second annual “Yankees in Falmouth!” event will feature the 2nd U.S. Sharpshooters, 7th Michigan Infantry, 14th New York State Militia and the U.S. Christian Commission. The living history event will take place Saturday and Sunday at Moncure Conway House and grounds in Falmouth. Activities include self-guided walking tours, an encampment, firing demonstrations, evening campfire stories, Civil War artifacts and the reading of actual soldiers’ letters from Falmouth.

— Staff reports