It’s my town: All sorts of goings-on at area libraries

Getting some knowledge and fun…

Bull Run Regional and Central Community Libraries have a wide selection of events on tap for the public during the rest of April and the month of May.

The activities begin Monday at 2 p.m. with a workshop on helping residents out of work find out what unemployment benefits are available to them.

A representative of the Virginia Employment Commission will be on hand to explain the unemployment compensa-tion program and other entitlement.

To register for the free program go to the Bull Run facility at 8051 Ashton Ave., Manassas, or call 703-792-4530.

On Thursday, the 1944 movie "The Falcon in Hollywood," with Tom Conway as the society sleuth trying to solve the murder of an actor, will be screened at 7 p.m. at the library. The accompanying short subject is "Porky's Movie Mystery."

As is the custom, there will be a trivia quiz during the movie and clever members of the audience can bask in fame and glory.

One of the highlights of the spring season will be when the Woodbridge Flute Choir presents its concert on May 17 at 2 p.m. at the library.

The choir includes 25 flutists who perform with a wide range of flutes, from bass to piccolo, and is the largest ensemble of its type in Northern Virginia.

The choir has played at fundraisers, churches, choir festivals, private parties, bookstores and other venues, including the White House and the Kennedy Center, bringing a cross-section of classical arrangements and original flute choir music to the general public.

Also planned at the library is a food allergy awareness program on May 6 at 7 p.m. Representatives from the Bristow Allergy Moms will present information from the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, such as what to do if someone has an allergic reaction to food.

Mystery buffs and amateur sleuths are invited to join the Mystery Book Club. Participants meet monthly on the second Monday at 7 p.m. to discuss a variety of titles. On May 11, the group will discuss "Fearless Four-teen" by Janet Evanovich.

Wills, trusts and estates attorney David G. Hoffman will give a presentation on May 13 at 7 p.m. at the library on "Why Good Wills Go Bad," an eye-opening 90 minutes of common sense, common errors and a common need to follow through. Topics include a review of Virginia will law; organizing assets; when to change a will; talking to an executor; reducing probate; will copies; and do-it-yourself tax plans.

The Virginia Division of Securities and Retail Franchising will present a 90-minute investor education seminar on May 16 at 2 p.m. The event will provide an overview of the basic elements of the financial market in plain English and an explanation of terms that people hear all the time but may not really understand.

The library has also started a new "Romance in the Afternoon" book discussion group. Participants will meet monthly on the third Monday at 1 p.m. to discuss a variety of titles. On May 18, the group will discuss "Outlander" by Diana Gabldon.

At Central Library Dreamtime Wednesdays, a special evening storytime designed for children ages 2 to 6 accompa-nied by an adult. PJs, slippers and bedtime animals are welcome on May 13 at 6:30 p.m. Just drop in, there is no registration for the free program. The theme is "Evening Shadows."

Muncha Buncha Books, a storytime for 2- to 6-year-olds, is offered on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10:45 a.m. Programs are May 6 and 7 "Monkey Mischief," May 13 and 14 "Oink! Oink!" and May 20 and 21 "There's a Mouse in the House."

Shennanigans is the library's craft program designed for students in grades kindergarten and up. It features unique, keepsake crafts that provide a fun, yet challenging activity for school-aged students. The program is conducted every two weeks on Thursday afternoon at 4. The topic on May 7 is "Flowers by the Handful" and May 21 "Tic Tac Toe."

More than 50 fifth- and sixth-grade students at Mayfield Intermediate School, Manassas, are gearing up for the production of "The Music Man, a musical extravaganza with elaborate props, choreography, costuming and well-versed cast—they've been practicing for six months. It's a production the Manassas community looks forward to each year, and even Gail Pope, superintendent of schools, has made a point to attend to attend the annual performances. Last year, the students put on "Oklahoma" and the year before "Fiddler on the Roof." Show dates are Monday and Tuesday.

Music director James Villani and the NOVA Manassas Symphony Orchestra will perform its season finale concert on Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Grace United Methodist Church, 9750 Wellington Road, Manassas.

Osbourn Park High School senior violinist Chris Bojarczuk headlines the program with Ludwig van Beethoven's "Romance in F" for violin and orchestra. The concert, titled "Around the World," features Piotr Tchaikovsky's joyous "Symphony No. 2 in C minor" and "Little Russian," which is based on Ukrainian folk songs.

… tickets are available at the door.