Neighborhood news: Western PWC 'Sips and Socializes'

Residents from western Prince William County recently 'Sipped and Socialized' with the Manassas Lifelong Learning Institute and found out more about how they could continue to learn by be-coming members of LLI, as 50 Bristow residents are.

More than 75 non-members from across the county accepted the invitation to the "Sip and Social-ize" event; more than a third became LLI members that day.

LLI-Manassas started in 2003 and is hosted by Northern Virginia Community College's Manassas campus.

The mission is to provide quality, affordable educational opportunities for senior adults. The nonprofit organization offers daytime and early evening classes, free speaker forums, social activities and special events during the spring and fall semesters.

The cost for joining is $100 for 12 consecutive months, and members may take as many classes as they wish.

Open to members and non-members alike, the free monthly speaker forums are held at Colgan Hall on NVCC's Manassas campus.

More than 90 people attended a recent program on identity theft, and organizers expect that the Feb. 10 forum, "Future Plans for PWC-2030," will attract as many, if not more.

Other speaker forums will include "Author and His First Novel" and "Journey through Hallowed Grounds."

Check the LLI Web site at lli-manassas.org for details, or e-mail llimanas sas@gmail.com.

Take a bird walk

at Merrimac Farm

Come walk with the birds -- and a naturalist -- Sunday as Merrimac Farm offers a bird walk from 8 to 10:30 a.m.

Participants will meet at the north entrance to the farm, at 14712 Deepwood Lane and travel through the uplands to the edge of the floodplain, covering a variety of habitats, including open fields and woodland edges.

Everyone is welcome, and the program is free. Dress for the weather, and bring binoculars and cam-eras.

Call 703-499-4954 or e-mail alliance@pwcon serve.org for more information.

What on Earth is the Gaia Theory?

Learn about the Gaia Theory when the Nokesville-based Prince William Conservation Alliance holds its 1st Thursday Speaker event.

Martin Ogle, chief naturalist of the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, will explain the theory, which presents the Earth as a single living system; tell why the concept is not a New Age religion; and talk about how it relates to Prince William.

The free program will be held from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Bull Run Unitarian Universalist Church, 9350 Main St., Manassas. Call 703-499-4954 for information.

Katherine Gotthardt reports your neighborhood news from the Nokesville, Bristow and Brentsville. If you have news about birthdays, your family, your club or your HOA activities, please send it to Katherine at kgotthardt @comcast.net.