It’s my town: Mend-A-House celebrates 25 years

Lending a helping hand…

For the past 25 years Project Mend-A-House, Manassas, has been helping residents remain safely and independently in their homes through improvements to their dwellings.

To celebrate its Silver Jubilee, the organization has invited local residents its annual "Taste of the Town—Prince William County-Style" on Oct. 14 at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1503 headquarters, 14631 Minnieville Road in Dale City.

The event begins with social time from 6:30 to 7 p.m. followed by a buffet dinner hosted by more than 25 restau-rants and caterers.

The suggested donation is $25 and for reservations and ticket information call Ernestine Jenkins at 703-980-0892 or the Mend-A-House office at 703-792-7663. Tickets will also be sold at the door. Sponsorships are also avail-able.

Members of the Forest Park High School Key Club as well as restaurant representatives will be on hand to serve the dinner. A special music performance has been prepared by the talented Trevoche', an Andrews Sisters-style genre.

Mend-A-House is a home repair program that assists the elderly, disabled and low-income residents of the county and Manassas and Manassas Park. Since 1984, the nonprofit volunteer-based organization has completed thousands of home repair projects, safety installations and built more than 100 ramps, all at no cost to the homeowner.

"Join the volunteers, clients and local community for an entertaining evening to support a local home rehabili-tation program for the vulnerable residents," said Andrea M. Saccoccia, executive director.

The fifth annual "RELIC After Dark" is planned for Saturday at the Bull Run Regional Library from 7 to 11 p.m.

The gala event will give participants an opportunity to dine, conduct personal research and enjoy a talk by one of America's favorite genealogical lecturers, John Philip Colletta. Admission is $25 and proceeds will benefit RELIC's collections and programs.

Pied Piper Theatre will conduct auditions for its winter production of "Geppetto & Son" on Oct. 23 at 6 p.m. and Oct. 24 at 3 p.m. For an appointment (after Oct. 10) call the Center for the Arts at 703-330-2787.

Looking for the sweet life? It's at the Bull Run Regional Library.

On Monday at 7 p.m., a chocolate candymaking demonstration will be given by Sallee McCarthy from Fran's Cake and Candy Supplies in Fairfax.

There will be recipes and instructions for making Peanut Butter Cups, Chocolate Covered Cherries, Peppermint Patties and Peppermint Bank. And of course there will be samples at the program at the library. Registration is required.

The Suburban Gypsies, a belly dance troupe of Magnificent Belly Dance, will be performing at a benefit for the Buckhall Volunteer Fire Department at the fire station on Saturday from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Members of the troupe will perform several dances, teach attendees several belly dance moves and guide the women in lively freestyle dance. No prior experience is needed and all interested women are invited to attend. The cost is $10 advance and $15 at the door.

"Belly dancing began as a social outlet for women, in addition to preparation for childbirth—not as enter-tainment for men," said Lisa Clark, instructor and owner. "At Magnificent we encourage the everyday woman in this ancient and feminine art form." Tickets are available by calling 571-229-5185.

Luis Garay will perform jazz percussion at the Central Community Library on Sept. 27 at 2 p.m. as part of the ongo-ing series, "Jazz, The Music of America." He is a percussion soloist and director of Luis Garay Percus-sion World Ensemble. During his 30 year career, he has performed throughout the Americas and Europe.

Light refreshments will be available following the free concert.

…Funding provided in part for the concert by the Friends of the Library.