Send announcements to the Gazette-Packet, by e-mail to gazette@connectionnewspapers.com, by fax to 703-917-0991 or by mail to 1604 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314. Deadline is Friday at noon for the following week’s paper. Photos and artwork encouraged. Call Rebecca Halik at 703-917-6407 with questions.
The Mount Vernon Toastmasters Club meets at the Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, at 7:30 p.m., the first and third Mondays of each month. Guests are welcome and may participate in "table topics." For more information, call 202-861-5370 or e-mail mtvernontm@yahoo.com.
Come dine and shine. With Old Town Toastmasters-dinner club, improve your public speaking/leadership skills with fun and fellowship. Meet every second and fourth Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Trattoria da Franco, 305 S. Washington St., Alexandria, 22314. Call 703 566-4442 or e-mail heartvk@yahoo.com.
The Helmsmen Toastmasters Club helps members develop leadership and public speaking skills much in demand in today's job market. Join us beginning January 25 at our new location. The club meets every Thursday morning at 7:30 a.m. at the National Industries for the Blind (NIB Building), 1310 Braddock Place, Alexandria, VA 22314. Contact Kathleen Gallager, President, 703-310-0343 or Nancy Fosbrook, Secretary/Treasurer 202-251-8921. The dates are Jan. 25, Feb. 1, 8, 15 and 22. Guests are welcome.
MOMS Club of Alexandria, Northeast is a group for mothers that offers play groups, a baby-sitting co-op, mom's night out, service projects and outings to child-friendly attractions. Membership is open to moms living in the 22301, 22302, 22305 and 22314 zip codes. Meetings are held at Historic Christ Church in Old Town, 118 N. Washington St., 10 a.m. on the last Tuesday of each month. Children welcome. Call 866-251-5169, ext. 1083, e-mail momsclub@onebox.com, or come to the monthly meeting.
Granny Squares. The Granny Squares Grandmothers Club of Virginia meets the first Tuesday of each month at the Franconia Governmental Center. The group supports charitable projects for children. For more information, call Beverly Cherkis at 703-971-2326.
Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) meets the second and fourth Thursdays of the month 9:30-11:30 a.m., at Plymouth Haven Baptist Church, 8523 Fort Hunt Road. On site baby-sitting is provided. A ministry to mothers of young children, the group offers fellowship and the opportunity to work on crafts and listen to speakers on a variety of subjects. Contact Danielle Wolfe at 703-799-0077 or mopsrsvp@cox.net or visit www.MOPS.org.
The Washington DC Chapter of the Embroiderers' Guild of America invites all stitchers to join them on second Wednesdays of the month at 10:30 a.m., at the Hermitage Auditorium, 5000 Fairbanks Ave. Be part of a local community of stitchers and to learn about and participate in embroidery-related programs and events. Visit www.embroidery-marega.org/washingtondc.htm.
Book Discussion Group. Hollin Hall Senior Center, 1500 Shenandoah Road. Meets the fourth Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m. Call 703-765-4573.
Alexandria Civil War Round Table meets on the third Thursday of each month 8 p.m., on the second floor of the Fort Ward Museum, 4301 W. Braddock Road. Annual dues $20, due on Jan. 1 each year. E-mail Alexandria CWRT at cwrtalex@aol.com, call 703-758-1861, or toll-free at 1-888-336-1861.
Christian Business Women's Committee. Meets each Wednesday morning at the Royal Restaurant in Old Town. Open to any woman who wants to study faith in the workplace, related struggles, issues and successes. Call Pamela Nilsen at 703-519-4475, or e-mail NilsenP@ppnpf.com.
Engleside Lions Club.The Engleside Lions Club announces the formation of two Leo clubs at the Gum Springs Community Center. The Engleside Lions Leo clubs are open to ages 12-28. There is an Alpha club for youths 12-17, and an Omega club for those 18-28. For information, call Tom Nally, 703-451-5358 or Dawn Lucas, 703-921-0482.
Greenlight Toastmasters of Old Town. Meets at the Mount Vernon Rec Center, 2701 Commonwealth Ave., at 7 p.m., the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. Prospective members are always welcome. Call 703-836-3073.
MOMS Club of Alexandria. Meets the last Tuesday of every month. 10 a.m. Fairlington Presbyterian Church, 3846 King St. Club is open to moms living in Alexandria. Call 703-234-3953, Ext. 5318.
MOMS Club of South Alexandria. Meets the second Tuesday of every month. 10:30 a.m. Sunset Hills Baptist Church, 3500 Franconia Road. Club is open to moms and children living in South Alexandria. Call 703-960-3366.
New Beginnings. Discussion groups and social events available for recently separated or divorced men and women. Call 301-924-4101 or visit www.newbeginningsusa.org.
Single-Parent Power. Monthly support group every third Tuesday. 7-8:30 p.m. Sherwood Hall Library, Sherwood Hall Lane. Call 703-339-2962.
The Alexandria Treetop Speakers Toastmasters Club. Meets at 7:45 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday evenings of each month at the Park at Landmark Apartments community room, 225 South Whiting St., Alexandria. Call 202-270-1662 or 703-339-4056 or visit treetoptm.tripod.com.
The Virginia Shalem Group. Monthly prayer opportunity offered by the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation. The first Monday of each month. Relaxation, the presentation of different prayer practices, journal keeping and small group sharing. Virginia Theological Seminary, 3737 Seminary Road. 7:30-9 p.m.
Toastmasters Club: The Promise Speakers. Toastmasters Club meets on the second and fourth Saturday of each month. Denny's Restaurant, 7214 Richmond Highway. 7:30 a.m. Call Liz at 703-360-0790.