Send community notes to the Connection at mclean@connectionnewspapers.com or 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean VA 22102. Call 703-917-6449 with questions.
Professional flea market dealers and individuals who would like to sell their excess household items can sign up now to participate in the McLean Community Center’s Fall Community Flea Market. The sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8, at the Business Bank Parking Garage, 1451 Dolley Madison Blvd. A limited number of selling spaces remain and can be purchased for $40. To register, stop by the center or visit www.mcleancenter.org and click on the "Community Events" tab. Activity No. 2003.270. The deadline to apply is Thursday, Sept. 6. Call 703-790-0123 for more information.
McLean Presbyterian Church will offer English as a Second Language classes for adults on Wednesdays 9:30-11:45 a.m., beginning Sept. 19 and Thursdays 7-9 p.m., beginning Sept. 20. Registration for the classes will be Wednesday, Sept. 12, 9:30-11 a.m. and Thursday, Sept. 13, 7-8:30 p.m. Tuition is free, but a one-time fee of $15 is required to register. Students also pay $15-25 for their textbooks, depending on the class level. The church is located at 1020 Balls Hill Road in McLean near Cooper Middle School. Call the ESL hotline at 703-394-0593 or e-mail esl@mcleanpres.org.
On Saturday, Sept. 22, Purple Maple hosts a fund-raising event for Neighbors International, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Great Falls United Methodist Church, 10100 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. Specialty gift shopping features products created by artisans from all over the world. A percentage of sales will benefit Neighbors International. Bring a snack – donated fruit, granola bars, protein bars, sports drinks and baked goods will be delivered to local police and fire stations.
The McLean Farmers’ Market, located at Lewinsville Park on Chain Bridge Road, with the exception of McLean Day on May 18, will be open until Nov. 16. Market hours are 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. each Friday. Come to the market for fresh produce, herbs and spices, breads (including Turkish pastries), meats, eggs, fruits, flowers (cut and potted), plants, jams and jellies, and more.
New features this year include vendors selling honey, ice cream and lamb. The lamb vendor will also have specialty lamb dishes, e.g., lamb vindaloo and Moroccan lamb, for sale. Also this year there will be a Plant Clinic conducted by Fairfax County Master Gardeners. These gardeners will answer questions about plants including plant diseases, insects and related matters.
Weekly lunch and lead Tip Group meetings with the Vienna Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce to network, share leads and mingle, Tuesday and Thursday, 12:15-1:30 p.m. at Morton’s, The Steakhouse, 8075 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, 703-883-0800. For information, call Harvey Silverman at 703-319-8806. To RSVP for the Tuesday group, call Harvey Silverman at 703-319-8806; to RSVP for the Thursday group call Christa Walker at 703-766-2300.
The McLean Community Center is now offering its patrons online registration for a variety of classes, activities and events through its Web site, www.mcleancenter.org.
The Center has contracted with The Active Network Inc., based in San Diego, Calif. ActiveNnet, the company's hosted Web-based software program, provides users with excellent customer service and an easy-to-use interface. For enhanced security, all registration transactions will be processed on a Verisign secured site. More than 1,300 parks and recreation agencies in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand use the program. For more on ActiveNnet, visit: www.active.com/myevent.
For more information on online registration at MCC, contact the Center at 703-790-0123/TTY: 703-827-8255 (hearing impaired only), or visit: www.mcleancenter.org.
Arc of Northern Virginia offers respite care at their Kidz Clubhouse in Great Falls. They offer after-school, evening or weekend care. Respite care is available for children of all ages with disabilities and their siblings. Rates are $15 per hour from 8 a.m.-11 p.m., $7 per hour from 11 p.m.-8 a.m. and $5 per hour for siblings, with no charge for overnight care. Call 703-438-8370, fax-703-438-8371, or visit www.kidzclubhouse.org.
St. John Catholic Church, 6420 Linway Terrace, McLean, operates a thrift shop for all residents of Northern Virginia. The shop is located on the lower level of Carlin Hall under the parish office and features clothing, a children's room, a kitchen and household room and a limited amount of artwork and "bric-a-brac." Hours are Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Donations are accepted during hours of operation and Mondays from 9:30 a.m.-noon. Call 703-356-7420.
Vinson Hall Treasure Shop. Vinson Hall Military Retirement Community operates its Treasure Shop in the building at 6251 Old Dominion Drive, McLean. Anyone may come to shop Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Look at glassware, dishes, pictures, kitchen items and jewelry. Additional hours are the second Saturday of the month. Call 703-970-3722.