By JillAnderson

You know that Spring is close by when the calendar of events going on around our area starts growing exponentially.

Saturday, March 13th

MOMS of Mantua Children’s Consignment Sale – 8am to 1pm, Mantua Pool Clubhouse, 9330 Pentland Place, Fairfax. Fantastic bargains on baby and children’s clothes, toys and sporting gear. Half price sale on specially marked consignor’s items starting at 12:10pm. Sale is CASH ONLY.

Dr. Seuss is on the Loose: Long Branch Nature Center – 4-5 pm: Join Cat in the Hat, Yertle, Getrude, The Lorax, and more. Ages 5 to 10.

Goodnight Walk: Awakening Wildlife: Celebrate the extra hour this weekend with a nighttime stroll and catch a glimpse or the sound of creatures stirring after a long winter’s rest. Families with children, four years and older, are invited to Hidden Oaks Nature Center from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Enjoy cocoa after your walk. The fee is $6 per person. To make a reservation, call 703-941-1065.

Congressional’s Annual Gala and Auction, the schools’ largest social and fundraising event, will light up the night at the elegant Arlington Westin Gateway Hotel. Raffle Prize is a 7-Day Cruise for two people. Reservations are due immediately.

Sunday, March 14th

Daylight Savings Begins – set your clocks ahead one hour.

Create and Grow A Tropical Paradise: As part of Harry Allen Lecture Series at Green Spring Gardens from 1:30 to 3 p.m., come hear Joe Seamone, aka Boca Joe, share which tropical plants are the best and most dramatic. Find out how to create, grow and overwinter your piece of paradise. See amazing “tropical” gardens located in the Washington, D.C. area, as well as across the country. The cost is $10 per person. To make a reservation, call 703-642-5173.

JEB Stuart High School Spring Fiesta & Raffle – 5-7 pm in Cafeteria. Food is being provided by Moes, Chipotle, Qdoba and Baja Fresh. Win raffle prizes. Food Tickets are $5 per person. Raffle tickets, drink and desserts are $1 each. Tickets will be on sale at Curriculum Night on Wednesday (3/10) outside the auditorium. Some of the raffle prizes include iPOD Nano, Digital Camera, iHome, Tiffany Bracelet and a Digital Frame.

Monday, March 15th:
Mason District Community Feedback on FY2011 Advertised Budget: Mason District Government Center at 7 pm. The meeting (one of a series being held throughout Fairfax County) will give residents the opportunity to ask questions and discuss specific concerns. Representatives from the Department of Management and Budget will be present at each meeting.

And if you like to Plan Ahead:

Saturday, March 20th:

Spring Eggstravanza & Puppet Show: Come to Hidden Oaks Nature Center from 1 to 2 p.m. to celebrate the first day of spring with a puppet show, stories and crafts highlighting the awakening of many of the woodland creatures and the blooming of the new season. Discover the natural and cultural history of eggs. This activity is recommended for children four years and up. The fee is $5 per child. To make a reservation, call 703-941-1065.

Animals in Spring Puppet Show: Join a naturalist from Hidden Oaks Nature Center at Woodrow Wilson Library from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. as she shares the wonder of Fairfax County wildlife using stories, demonstrations, specimens and often live animals. This family activity for all ages is free. To make a reservation, call the library at 703-820-8774.

Worm Workshop: at Green Spring Gardens Park – 2-3pm. Celebrate this first day of spring with a family-friendly way to help keep our planet healthy! Explore the dark and wonderful world of worms in our indoor compost bin. Then make your own 10-gallon bin with newspaper bedding, food scraps, and real live wiggly worms to take home. Enjoy a wormy snack too! $25/project includes all materials, Age 6 & up.

Sunday, March 21st:
Trees for All Seasons: The Harry Allen Lecture Series features Sean Hogan at Green Spring Gardens from 1:30 to 3 p.m., who opens our eyes to an unexplored world of foliar beauty from China and Japan to Australia and New Zealand. Hogan is the co-founder of Cistus Design in Portland, Oregon, a nursery world-famous for its collection of rare plants and display gardens. Copies of his new book, Trees for All Seasons, will be available for purchase and signing. The fee is $10 per person. To make a reservation, call 703-642-5173.