Neighborhood news: Introduce kids to dance in 'Footlights and Fairy Tales'

IN MANASSAS ...

Act, sing, and dance your way to the stage this summer in the Pied Piper Theatre's camps and classes. "Footlights and Fairy Tales" introduces children to movement, music and basic acting skills. A two week program running from 9 to 11 a.m., students will work on a short play for parents and friends.

Pied Piper Theatre also offers a musical theater day camp, "Theatre Express!" for ages 8 to 12. The camp is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with the morning session offering acting and improvisa-tion, theater combat, dance, voice, mime and visiting guest artists. In the afternoon, students work on a musical theatre production for the final camp performance.

The first Manassas camps begin July 20 at Manassas Presbyterian Church, 8201 Ashton Ave. Pied Piper Theatre Camps are also offered in Gainesville and Woodbridge throughout the summer. Space is limited, so sign up online at www.center-for-the-arts.org. Call the Center for the Arts at the Candy Factory at 703-330-ARTS for a brochure and more information.

Vendors, donations needed for fair

Independence Empowerment Center will have its 3rd annual Americans with Disabilities Act Fair on July 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Harris Pavilion. They want this event to promote disability awareness and bring individuals, families and community members together. IEC is looking for businesses and non-profits to be vendors. They will also be in need of donated items for a silent auction and some friendly volunteers. Please contact Stephanie at 703-257-5400, Ext.113, or go to www.ieccil.org for more information.

Celebrating 50

years of marriage

On June 13, 1959, Eleanor and Gene Sargent were married in Reading, Mass. They have been residents of the city of Manassas for 30 years. Your friends and family wish you the best.

Happy Birthday!

Happy birthday today to Shanel Norwood and on Tuesday to William Becker, who turns 90 years young.

IN MANASSAS PARK ...

Kids invited to summer camps

Weekly summer camps are offered Monday to Friday at Signal Hill Park or Costello Park. You can go on the Web site (www.cityofmanassas park.us) to register and find out more information.

n Preschool Camps: The cost per camp is $50 (Manassas Park residents) or $55 (non-residents), 3 to 5 years old, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

n School Age Camps or Sports Camps: The cost per camp is $100 (Manassas Park residents) or $105 (non-residents), grades K to 5, children must have completed kindergarten, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Each week is a different theme. This week's themes are: Preschool is "Sports of all Sorts;" School Age is "Salt Water Safari;" and Sports Camp is "Secrets of the Ninja" (Signal Hill Park).

It's garden time

From 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., come to Saturday in the Garden. It is about building a living wall, worm com-posting and biointensive gardening. Learn to grow herbs in a living wall, which provides a beautiful struc-ture in your garden as well as the microclimate that herbs prefer. Also, discover worm composting and how worms can "recycle" your kitchen scraps and make compost for your garden.

The children's program will be "Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Cabbage." The soil tells the story of whether a plant will live or die, but you can make the difference. This is a fun way to learn about plant chemistry.

Registration requested. Please call 703-792-7747 to register. All programs are located at the Teaching Garden at St. Benedict Monastery, 9535 Linton Hall Road, Bristow.

Enjoy music in the park

The Manassas Park Music Concert Series takes place Saturday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The concerts are free and open to the public at Signal Hill Park. The music for this Saturday is provided by Pennsylvania artist Ethan Cramer.

Dogs on film

Manassas Park Dog Days of summer movies will be outdoors and should start at 7:30 p.m. or dusk. It will be located at the Manassas Park Middle School lawn. The movie is free and open to the public. The movie on Saturday is "All Dogs Go to Heaven."

Brenda Facemire reports your neighborhood news from Manassas and Manassas Park every Monday in the News & Messenger. If you live in a Manassas neighborhood and have news about birthdays, your family, your club or your HOA activities, please send it to Brenda at brendafacemire@verizon.net. If you live in a Manassas Park neighborhood, please send your news to bfacemire@verizon.net.