Sept. 28-30
Centreville — Food Drives. To conclude Hunger Action Month, Giant Food will host Giant Food Community Food Drives at all its neighborhood locations during store hours. Food banks across the region are in need of nonperishable food items including canned fruits and vegetables, pasta, pasta sauce, rice, 100 percent fruit juice, canned meats, cereal, peanut butter, and more.
Tuesday/Oct. 2
Free Parents Seminar. 6-7:30 p.m. Learn about Brain Education and help children build confidence, creativity and focus. 3903 Fair Ridge Drive. Call 703-359-7282 to reserve.
Free Fall Caregiver Seminars. 7-8:30 p.m. Behavior as Communication in Alzheimer's Disease. Call 703-324-5205, TTY711 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices/caregivereducation.htm to register. At the Centreville Regional Library, 14200 St. Germain Dr.
Saturday/Oct. 6
DAR Meeting. 1-3 p.m. Lane's Mill Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution monthly meeting will include a presentation about preservation of the Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens by Stephen McLeod, Assistant to the Director, Wreaths Across America. Free. Social time is 12:30 p.m. Prospective members are encouraged to attend. At the Sully Station II Community Center (Pool facility), 5501 Sully Park Dr. No RSVP needed. Contact lanesmillchapter@aol.com.
Wednesday/Oct. 10
Free Fall Caregiver Seminars. 3-4:30 p.m. Legal Tools for Caregivers. Call 703-324-5205, TTY711 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices/caregivereducation.htm to register. At the Sully Governmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd.
Saturday/Oct. 13
Annual Watershed Clean-Up Day. 9-11:30 a.m. Volunteers of all ages are welcome. Help clear out the Earth’s arteries. Collect debris from local waterways. Wear boots, old clothes and bring gloves. Trash bags will be provided. Call one of these sites to reserve a section of the watershed: Sully Historic Site, 703-437-1794 (Cain’s Branch) or Walney Visitor Center in Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, 703-631-0013 (Flatlick Branch, Big Rocky Run, Cub Run and Frog Branch).
Monday/Oct. 15
The Republican Women of Clifton Meeting. 7 p.m. Following President Marianne Gearhart’s business segment and before celebrating the club’s sixth anniversary, Bishop Jackson will talk about “The Black Robed Regiment,” featuring preachers from Country’s Founding Era. At Centreville High School, 6001 Union Mill Road. Visit www.cliftongop.com.
Thursday/Oct. 18
Volunteer Fair. 6:30-8 p.m. Teens can discover how to make their volunteer hours count. Middle and high school students and their parents are invited to meet representatives from local organizations that offer volunteer opportunities. Chantilly Regional Library, 4000 Stringfellow Rd.
Sunday/Oct. 21
College Fair and Night. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Fairfax County Public Schools will host its annual College Fair and College Night at 11700 Fair Oaks Mall. College Night is an evening of workshops on college information and preparation. Among the topics to be covered are SAT and ACT tests, career planning, financial aid, writing the college application essay, opportunities for student athletes, opportunities abroad, FCPS Family Connection, and considerations for students with disabilities.
Monday/Oct. 29
Paying for College Program. 7 p.m. A program offered by the CVHS Student Services Department on the different types of financial aid programs are available, as well as how to apply. All high school and middle school families are invited. In the Centreville High School Theatre. Korean and Spanish translation will be available. Email caleftwich@fcps.edu.
Ongoing
Pleasant Valley Preschool, a non-profit cooperative preschool located in the Greenbriar Community Center, currently has limited openings in its program for 4 and 5 year olds that meets on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. 4615 Stringfellow Rd. Visit www.pleasantvalleypreschool.com or call 703-378-6911.
Congregation Yad Shalom in Centreville provides a variety of activities in a traditional format with a modern flair. We welcome interfaith couples who wish to participate, and openly invite inquiries about a range of programs offered for the entire family. Contact the Congregation at 703-579-6079, or visit www.yadshalom.com.
The Chantilly Academy Auto Technology and Auto Collision Repair classes are looking for used cars as donations to the program. Contact Ann Booker at 703-227-3041 or Kenny Brown at 703-222-7466.
Northern Virginia Neighbors Club. A non-profit organization offering an opportunity to meet new friends. Activities include book clubs, card games, crafts, fitness, gardening, mah jong, needleworks, rummoli, theater and more. Meet members at one of the monthly luncheons, coffees or mixers. Email nvn156@yahoo.com.
Community Choir. A community choir is coming to Clifton and is looking for people of all ages to join. This choir will be about making music fun again. The music selection will range from folk to modern to pop, and all styles in between. Email helentsantoro@gmail.com.
The Stuart-Mosby Civil War Cavalry Museum at 13938 Braddock Rd. is now open, Saturdays and Mondays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Docents and additional volunteers needed, plus people willing to donate or loan artifacts. Call Don Hakenson at 703-971-4984.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Northern Virginia Connections groups are free, bi-weekly recovery support groups for adults living with mental illness. Second and fourth Tuesdays 12-1:30 p.m. Chantilly Library, 4000 Stringfellow Road. Contact Janette at 703-631-2410 or NAMINorthernVA@gmail.com
Senior Fall Prevention Classes are held in a heated indoor pool and are designed to work on balance and core muscles in order to prevent injuries and falls. Classes are held Tuesdays and/or Thursdays from 1:30-2:30 p.m.; Mondays and/or Fridays from 2-3 p.m. at The Woodlands Retirement Community, 4320 Forest Hill Dr. Registration required. Call 703-667-9800 to register, space is limited. Cost is $10 per class.
Fair Oaks Parkinson Support Group for people living with Parkinson’s disease, caregivers and family, meets on the fourth Saturday, from 10 a.m.-noon at Sunrise at Fair Oaks, 3750 Joseph Siewick Dr. Free. 703-378-7221. www.ParkinsonFoundation.org.
Parkinson Aquatic Exercise Classes for people living with Parkinson’s disease and caregivers meets 10:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, The Woodlands, 4320 Forest Hill Dr. People living with Parkinson’s $10, caregivers $5. Registration required. Sonia Gow 703-378-7221.
Colonial Dames. Are you a lineal descendant of an ancestor who lived and served prior to 1701 in one of the Original 13 Colonies? If so, the John Witt chapter of the Colonial Dames of the XVII Century is looking for you. As a Dame you will help educate your community about the importance of the Colonial Period in American history, participate in patriotic activities, learn about heraldry and its role in our ancestors' lives and research your family history. Email johnwittchapter@aol.com.
DAR. Membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) honors and preserves the legacy of one’s Patriot ancestor. Any woman is eligible for membership who is no less than 18 years of age and can prove lineal, blood-line descent from an ancestor who aided in achieving American independence. Admission to membership is by invitation through a Chapter. Contact lanesmillchapter@hotmail.com
New Neighbors League Club (NNLC) of Northern Virginia is looking for women who are new to the area, looking to reconnect, or just interested in meeting new people for fun and friendship. Visit www.newneighborsvirginia.com or email Newneighborsleagueclub@yahoo.com.
Visit the TASC Toastmasters Club and learn how membership can help one succeed. Improve communication skills. Be more effective in meetings. Get a point across more concisely. Meets Wednesday afternoons from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Northrop Grumman Building, Conference Center Drive, Chantilly. Contact Adim Okwudishu at 410-227-0177 or email adimkris@gmail.com. Visit www.tasctoastmasters.org.
Donate used bikes to make a difference in someone’s life. Bikes For The World works with partner charities in developing countries who train and hire local people to recondition bikes and distribute them to individuals in need of affordable transportation. A $10 donation along with your donated bike covers shipping and handling, and your donation will reduce landfill waste. Contact Senthil at senthil.kannan.61109@gmail.com or visit www.bikesfortheworld.org.
The League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area, a non partisan organization that is concerned with election processes, voter participation and civic engagement, is welcoming new members. All women and men interested in civic affairs are invited to join the group. Visit www.LWV-Fairfax.org. or call 703-658-9152.
Volunteers Needed. AARP Tax-Aide, a free, national volunteer-run tax counseling and preparation service for low to moderate income and elderly citizens, is currently in need of volunteers to electronically complete and file federal and state income tax forms for the 2013 tax season. Volunteers of all ages and background are welcome. The program will offer free five-day training using IRS computers and software. Volunteers become IRS Certified Tax Counselors after completing the training and passing the IRS examination. Training sessions will be held in Annandale, Centerville and Alexandria in December 2012 and January 2013. Visit www.aarp.org/taxaide.
White House Ornament Sale. The Western Fairfax County Woman’s Club is selling 2012 White House Christmas ornaments. This year’s ornament honors the 27th President, William Howard Taft. 2012 ornaments cost $19. Proceeds benefit charity. Order yours now by calling 703-378-6841 or 703-378-6216, or visit http://www.whitehousehistory.org/whha_ornament/ornament.html. It is possible to order previous years’ ornaments, ask when calling.
Holiday Greenery. Order holiday greenery from the Westfield H.S. crew team. Select from two sizes and colors of florist quality poinsettias and mixed wreaths. Order online now, visit http://poinsettiasale.westfieldcrew.org/. Orders due by Nov. 16 with pickup on Nov 28. Contact Candis Anhalt, anhalt.dc@cox.net.