Newcomers of Great Falls offers all residents of Great Falls, new and not so new, an opportunity to establish a stronger connection to the Great Falls community through social activities, volunteer opportunities at community events and philanthropic undertakings that benefit local charities. Residents of the Great Falls area are invited to attend up to two of the following events for free before joining the club:
Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) uncovers all that can be found in the universe as mothers. Mothers of children ages birth through kindergarten are invited to be encouraged in their role as a mom, wife and woman. Each meeting includes teaching based on Christian principles, breakfast, discussion time with other mothers and a craft. The children will be participating in the MOPPETS program. MOPS meet two Thursdays a month, September through May, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at McLean Presbyterian Church, 1020 Balls Hill Road, McLean. Visit www.mcleanpres.org/mops.htm or call 703-821-0800.
The Friends of Vale Schoolhouse Inc. was founded in 1934 by a group of 12 women for the purpose of preserving and protecting the Vale Schoolhouse, which was built in 1888. Today the women's group has approximately 150 members. In addition to the preservation efforts, they sponsor a variety of activities throughout the year. Visitors are welcome to attend the monthly meetings on the second Tuesday of every month at the Vale Schoolhouse, 3124 Fox Mill Road, Oakton, at 9:15 a.m. Call 703 264-3589.
Toastmasters International, Navygators. Group meets every Wednesday at noon at the Navy Federal Credit Union in Vienna, 820 Follin Lane. The group focuses on the skills of public speaking, as well as teaching participats to listen and think on their feet. Call Alan Payne 703-255-8208.
Mothers Against Unjust Law, (MAUL) meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in McLean. Women experiencing legal abuse, difficult litigation, parental alienation or child custody evaluations should call 703-748-0072.
Mothers & More of Northern Virginia General Meeting: Mothers & More is a support organization for women who have altered their career path to care for their young children at home. General meetings are held the first Thursday of each month at the Fairfax County Government Center at 7:30 p.m. Visitors are welcome. Free. Call toll-free 866-716-7766 or visit www.novamoms.org.
Toastmasters International, McLean Chapter, meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 6:45 p.m. Churchill Elementary School, 7100 Churchill Road, McLean. Join them to work on improving communication skills, in order to become more effective in meetings and to convey a message more concisely. Contact Kevin Whelan, 703-759-5009.
The Womens Center hosts the Job Hunters Forum the second Wednesday of each month from 7:30-9 p.m. The forum offers support for women and men who are actively searching for jobs. Cost is $10 members, $25 non-members each session. The center is located at 133 Park St., N.E., Vienna.
New Beginnings, a nonprofit support group for separated and divorced individuals, has six meetings a month in the area on different nights in various locations in members' homes. Call 301-924-4101 or visit www.newbeginningsusa.org.
McLean Newcomers Club is a social organization made up of newcomers and not-so-newcomers from McLean and its environs. The club meets at different locations throughout the month, both public and private, for various activities such as museum tours, coffees, card groups, book group, potluck luncheons, house and garden activities and more. Call 703-790-8384, or visit www.geocities.com/mcleannewcomers for information on activities or to join the club.
Friends of the Great Falls Library. A group of book-lovers and library users who support special programs for children and adults at the Great Falls Community Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike. The board meets monthly, September through June. For information on becoming a library friend, call 703-757-8560.
Mothers First is dedicated to supporting women who have chosen to alter their careers to raise children at home. Activities include parent/child morning meetings and field trips, moms' night out and lectures. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org.
Membership in the Pentagon Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution is open to any woman 18 or older, who can prove direct lineal descent from anyone who contributed to the cause of American independence. E-mail Margaret Thompson at mvthompson1@hotmail.com or Barbara Ellis at bjellis@erols.com.
Northern Virginia Bookcrossing Meetup. These book-lovers like to keep their books busy by reading, releasing and tracking their books' adventures with others locally, nationally and internationally. Take book challenges, hunt for books "in the wild" and more. Share books and be part of a group with a different angle to book loving. For more information and next monthly meetup date, visit bookcrossing.meetup.com/72.
PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) meets every second Tuesday at 8 p.m. at Beverly Hills Methodist Church, 3512 Old Dominion Blvd. in Alexandria. Call 301-439-FLAG or visit pflagdc.org.
The Analemma Society, through a cooperative agreement with Turner Farm Park, hosts a weekly public viewing of night skies at the observatory. All ages are invited to join with experienced astronomers and their telescopes on Friday evenings to learn and observe, weather permitting. Call 703 759-9018 or visit www.nps.gov/gwmp/grfa.