Thursday/March 7
Information Event. 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the NetCom Learning location, 1100 N. Glebe Road. Learn about the CISSP certification and its benefits. Free, but reservations required. Visit mkt.netcomlearning.com/cissp-dc-rsvp.html for more.
Friday/March 8
Sobriety Checkpoint. The Arlington County Police Department will conduct checkpoints around the county.
Saturday/March 9
Clean-Up and Invasive Plant Pull. 9 a.m.-noon at Four Mile Run Cleanup. Visit arlingtonenvironment.org/register for information and to register.
Sculpture Demonstration and Talk. 1 p.m. at The Woman’s Club of Arlington, 700 S. Buchanan St. Local artist and Holocaust survivor Stella Repper will give the talk. Free. 703-553-5800.
Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser. 4:30-7 p.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 3022 Woodlawn Ave., Falls Church. Enjoy pasta, salad, dessert and more while listening to music. Donations accepted. Visit www.htluther.org or 703-532-6617.
Monday/March 11
Community Forum. 7-9 p.m. at Washington-Lee High School, 1301 N. Stafford St. “Preventing another Newtown: A Conversation on Gun Violence in America” is hosted by U.S. Rep. Jim Moran. Features a panel of experts on gun policy, mental health policies and more. Free.
Prayer Breakfast. 10 a.m. at the Woman’s Club of Arlington, 700 S. Buchanan St. Speaker is Pastor Anteneh Gebreselassie. $5. Everyone is welcome. RSVP by March 9 to 703-553-5800.
Wednesday/March 13
Scholarship Deadline. The Arlington County Scholarship Fund for Teachers, Inc. is awarding $2,000 scholarships to graduating seniors who desire a career in the field of education. Visit http://acsfft.arlingtonccpta.org for application information and forms.
Blood Drive. 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Virginia Hospital Center, 1701 N. George Mason Drive. Donate blood through the American Red Cross. Visit redcrossblood.org or 1-800-RED-CROSS.
Thursday/March 14
Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. 7-8:30 p.m. at the Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford St. Learn practices for establishing, renovating and maintaining lawns. Free, but registration requested. Visit mgnv.org or 703-228-6414.
Montessori Parent Education Night. 6-8:30 p.m. at Drew Community Center. Learn how to integrate the Montessori philosophy and more. Childcare provided and pizza available for purchase. 703-228-8632.
Charity Date Auction. 7-10 p.m. at Clarendon Grill, 1101 N. Highland St. The Arlington Young Democrats are auctioning off more than 20 eligible bachelors and bachelorettes, gift certificates and more. Portion of the proceeds benefit Doorways for Women and Families. $10 includes an auction bid card. Visit www.arlingtonyoungdems.org for more.
Friday/March 15
Free Lecture. 11 a.m.-noon at 601 S. Carlin Springs Road. Nancy Nollen, MA, MSW will discuss how to maintain healthy conversation between adult children and their parents. RSVP at 703-558-6859.
Annual Legislative Breakfast. 7:30-9:30 a.m. The Westin Arlington Gateway, 801 N., Glebe Road, Arlington. Legislators, including Sen. Barbara Favola (D-31), Del. Bob Brink (D-48) and other local senators and delegates share experiences from this year's General Assembly; breakfast will be followed by a Q&A session. $55; $45 for members. www.leadershiparlington.org.
Saturday/March 16
Silent Auction. 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 825 S. Taylor St. Items include spa treatment, private chef parties and more. Proceeds will help send 19 youth group members to the National Youth Gathering this summer in Texas. $20/advance; $25/at the door. Free childcare for potty trained children through grade 5. 703-892-4846.
Housing Expo. 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School, 7130 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. Talk one-on-one to housing experts, enjoy workshops on home finances, credit scores and more. Free. Visit www.novahousingexpo.org for more.
Post-Session Legislative Forum. 11 a.m. at Shirlington Library, 4200 CAmpbell Ave. The Arlington Branch of the American Association of University Women will host a forum with several members of the Arlington Delegation to the Virginia General Assembly, who will discuss the legislation that passed, and some that didn't pass during the 2013 session.
Sunday/March 17
SoberRide. 4 p.m.-4 a.m. Area residents can call the toll-free phone number 1-800-200-TAXI and be afforded a no-cost safe way home (up to a $30 fare). AT&T customers can dial #WRAP for the same service. For more information, visit www.soberride.com.
Monday/March 18
Public Hearing. Share thoughts and learn about current services for Arlington’s older residents at the Commission on Aging’s annual Public Hearing, 9 a.m. - noon at the Central Library Auditorium, 1015 N. Quincy St. The location is fully accessible and accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested at least five business days in advance. Contact the Agency on Aging at 703-228-1700, TTY 703-228-1788, or e-mail Arlaaa@arlingtonva.us.
Wednesday/March 20
Meeting. 12:30 p.m. at Culpepper Garden Senior Center, 4435 N. Pershing Drive. The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association present guest speaker Karl Van Newkirk. Topic is “Arlington in the 18th Century.” Free. 703-536-9148.
Thursday/March 21
Information Session. 6-7:30 p.m. at the Navy League Building, 2300 Wilson Blvd. Learn about the Signature Program. RSVP to Liz Nohra at lnohra@leadershiparlington.org or 703-528-2522 ext. 15.
Rock Spring Garden Club. 11 a.m. at Little Falls Presbyterian Church, 6025 Little Falls Road. Jim Olmos will talk about landscaping.
Friday/March 22
Rose Bush Pruning Demonstration. Noon-2 p.m. at Joan and Art Von Herbulis home, 10510 Oak Place Fairfax. Arlington Rose Foundation experts help clean and sharpen tools, and then give a demonstration and guidance in hands-on practice. Free. 703-371-9351.
Saturday/March 23
Rose Bush Pruning Demonstration. 1-3 p.m. at Bon Air Memorial Rose Garden. Arlington Rose Foundation experts help clean and sharpen tools, and then give a demonstration and guidance in hands-on practice. Free. 703-371-9351.
March 28-31
Holy Week Events. Last Supper reenactment on Thursday 7 p.m.; Good Friday service 7 p.m.; Easter egg hunt Saturday at 10 a.m.; Easter Sunday sunrise service at 6:30 a.m., contemporary service at 8:30 a.m., traditional service at 11 a.m. and Messiah sing 7 p.m. All events are at Clarendon United Methodist Church. 703-527-8574, or visit www.morefaith.org for more.
Every Friday in April
5k Fridays Race Series. 6:30 p.m. in Crystal City. Organized by Pacers Running Store, runners can enjoy a professionally timed and certified course. $20/race or $60/series. Visit http://runpacers.com/race/crystal-run-5k-fridays/ to register.
Wednesday/April 3
Information Session. 7:30-9 a.m. at the Navy League Building, 2300 Wilson Blvd. Learn about the Signature Program. RSVP to Liz Nohra at lnohra@leadershiparlington.org or 703-528-2522 ext. 15.
Friday/April 12
Free Lecture. 11 a.m.-noon at 601 S. Carlin Springs Road. Refresh your driving skills and find information about how to get around safely from Lincoln Cummings, AARP DSP instructor. RSVP at 703-558-6859.
Through April 19
Deadline. The Ballston LaunchPad Challenge is now accepting applications from innovators, entrepreneurs, and other creative thinkers who want to pitch their big idea to a panel of business and thought leaders from the region, including famed venture-capitalist Ted Leonsis, Founder, Chairman and Majority Owner, Monumental Sports & Entertainment. Visit www.ballstonlaunchpad.com for applications and more.
Thursday/April 25
Memory Screening Day. 9 a.m.-noon at Langston-Brown Senior Center. Get a confidential screening to detect any memory problems and get information about successful aging. Schedule an appointment or get information at 703-237-9048.
Looking for a Practice Space
Since 1993, Guiding Eyes for the Blind’s Dominion Puppy Raising Region has raised 470 puppies to become guide dogs for blind and visually impaired men and women around the world. For years the volunteer raisers from across Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax County, and McLean have gathered on Sunday afternoons at a local church for their weekly puppy raising class. As of Feb. 15, however, the group will be without a home.
The Dominion region volunteers, currently made up of 18 raiser/pup teams, are each given an 8-week-old Guiding Eyes pup to love, nurture, and educate for 12 to 16 months before they return a well-socialized young adult dog for formal guide dog training. Weekly puppy raising classes are run by Guiding Eyes’ Regional Manager to support raisers and their pups.
The raisers are in need of a large room without carpeting, preferably close to an outside exit and on the main floor. The location should be equipped with chairs, tables, bathrooms, outdoor waste receptacles and some parking. During class, pups and handlers work together mostly with a leash, but some off-leash work and pup play is also incorporated. An available staircase for pups and handlers to use would be beneficial, but isn’t a necessity.
Those interested in donating space are encouraged to contact Carrie Barnett at 410-960-7427 or via e-mail at cbarnett@guidingeyes.org. For more information on the Guiding Eyes for the Blind Puppy Raising Program, visit http://www.guidingeyes.org/volunteer/puppy-raising/. Meet the Dominion raisers online at http://www.gebdominion.org/.
Ongoing
The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority announces that cyclists and pedestrians will now have access to the W&OD Trail beyond normal daylight hours. The new W&OD Trail hours are from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., from Shirlington in Arlington County, all the way to the western town limit of Herndon in Fairfax County.
The Arlington Senior Golf Club, sponsored by the Office of Senior Adult Programs, is looking to expand its membership roster of players. ASGC is open to Arlington residents, men and women, 55 years of age and older. All skill levels are welcome. ASGC members play on Tuesdays and Thursdays at more than 20 courses in Northern Virginia with reasonable green fees between April and October. Tee times are available from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Contact President John Mashaw at 703-892-3793, johnmashaw@comcast.net_ or Membership Chairman Terry Townshend at 703-971-3124.
Have an unused instrument? Help another family build new musical memories. All previously donated instruments have been “placed.” Pending are requests for clarinet(s), violin(s) and musical recorders to begin a musical presence in an orphanage in Haiti. The Opera Guild Northern Virginia has tax exempt status for donations. Contact: Miriam Miller, OperaNOVA 703-536-7557; mcdm1@verizon.net; www.operaguildnova.org.
Alzheimer’s Association Support Group has meetings on the third Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at Carlin Springs Health Pavilion, 601 S. Carlin Springs Road and also the first and third Thursday at 10 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 4000 Lorcom Lane. They are open to people with Alzheimer’s, their caregivers, family members and friends. Free. Call the Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline at 703-359-4440 or 800-272-3900 before attending a group for the first time to verify meeting information, obtain directions or other information about the group. A complete list of all groups in the National Capital Area region can be viewed at www.alz.org/nca.
PFLAG of Arlington. Second Sunday at 3 p.m. PFLAG promotes the equality and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered persons and their families. Meets on the second Sunday of each month, at the Unitarian Universalist Church at George Mason Drive and Route 50. Contact aly.pflagdc@gmail.com.
Free Mall Walking Program for Seniors. Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:30 a.m. Walk at your own pace in a safe and friendly environment. Group stretch and cool down led by hospital staff. Call 703-558-6859. Ballston Common Mall (Food Court Level), 4238 Wilson Blvd.
Strength & Stretch For Seniors. Mondays and Thursdays at 1 p.m. Improve range of motion, strength & bone health. All abilities welcome. $42. Mondays at Virginia Hospital Center, 1701 N. George Mason Dr. Thursdays at Health Pavilion, 601 S. Carlin Springs Road.
Gentle Pilates. Saturdays at 9 and 11:35 a.m. A non-traditional mat Pilates class with modifications to suit all abilities. Learn proper form, strengthen core muscles and improve posture. $78. Virginia Hospital Center, 1701 N. George Mason Dr.
Gentle Yoga. Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. Restore flexibility, strength and ease tension. All levels welcome. $66. Health Pavilion, 601 S. Carlin Springs Road. Call 703-558-6859.
Tai Chi. Thursdays at 6: 15-7:15 p.m. Combine slow, flowing movements of Tai Chi and Qi Gong postures to foster a healthy, balanced mind and body. $80. 601 S. Carlin Springs Road. Call 703-558-6859.
Yoga for Everybody. Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. This traditional approach to yoga reduces stress and increases strength and flexibility. $66. Health Pavilion, 601 S. Carlin Springs Road. Call 703-558-6859.
Job Seekers' Support Group Meeting. Second and fourth Sundays, through Dec. 9 at 12:15 p.m. Arlington Temple United Methodist Church located at 1835 N. Nash St. is hosting Job Seeker and Career Enrichment Group meetings. The group is open to job seekers and those who are employed and wondering "what's next." Sessions are composed of readings, exercises and discussions to assist and hold members accountable for their own enrichment. Sign-up is required for participation. Contact atumcoffice@verizon.net, 703-525-6075 or www.Meetup.com/jobseeker.
Adaptive/Seated Yoga. Tuesdays at 11:15 a.m. For older or physically challenged adults with limited mobility, chronic pain or neuropathy. Adaptive yoga emphasizes breathing, gentle stretching and going at your own pace. $66 Health Pavilion, 601 S. Carlin Springs Road. Call 703-558-6859.
Call for Nominations. The County Department of Parks and Recreation is accepting applications for the Bill Thomas Outstanding Park Service Volunteers Award, now in its 8th year. Submissions will be accepted through 5 p.m. on Feb. 15. Nominations are judged on the basis of the nominee's direct involvement with an activity or contribution. Award criteria includes: 1) a contribution is the giving of personal time, expertise, a tangible gift or financial donation; 2) the activity or contribution upon which the nomination is based must have been completed prior to the year of selection and 3) the award may be for a specific accomplishment or for an accumulation of accomplishments over an extended period of time. To complete a nomination form, visit www.arlingtonva.us/dpr.
Lifeline Personal Alert System. Virginia Hospital Center Senior Health staff locally manage the personal emergency response system. Help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Monthly cost starts at $42. Call 703-558-6859 for more information.
Donations Needed. Our Lady Queen of Peace is seeking to replenish its food pantry. Particularly needed are rice (large bags appreciated, the pantry will rebag), dry beans, canned vegetables, soup, small jars of peanut butter, small jars of jelly, pasta and pasta sauce. 2700 South 19th St. Visit www.ourladyqueenofpeace.org.
Instruments Wanted. Instruments of any type or size — from a piano to a piccolo, for an orphanage in Haiti. Contact Miriam Miller, Opera Guild of Northern Virginia for pick up. 703-536-7557; mcdm1@verizon.net;www.operaguildnova.org.
Vounteers Needed
AHC Inc. is looking for volunteers to help middle- and high-school students with homework, and to be role models and mentors. Volunteers are needed once a week for about an hour and a half, from 6 -7:30 p.m. or 6:30-8 p.m. at six different AHC community centers. Visit AHC's Teen Tutoring Program or call Mary Zambrano at 703-486-0626 ext. 140.
Arlington Meals on Wheels needs volunteers to deliver meals to homebound Mondays to Fridays, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Call 703-522-0811 or mowvolunteers@yahoo.com.
Volunteers Needed. Arlingtonians Meeting Emergency Needs (AMEN Inc.) seeks volunteers who will take social workers’ calls from home 1-5 p.m., one or two weekday afternoons per month. Approve requests for emergency financial assistance for their clients. Must have some computer skills to record requests on AMEN’s laptop computer. Training and ongoing consultation provided. Contact 703-558-0035 or amen@emergencyneeds.org. Visit www.emergencyneeds.org.
Arlington Commission on Long-Term Care Residences. Commission members are appointed by the County Board and must live or work in Arlington. For more information or an application, contact www.arlingtonva.us/aging or Carolyn Ferguson at 703-228-1700, TTY 703-228-1788, or Arlaaa@arlingtonva.us.
The TreeStewards of Arlington and Alexandria are volunteers dedicated to improving the health of our urban trees through educational programs, tree planting and care, demonstrations and tree maintenance throughout the community. Applications now being accepted for the 2013 Class of TreeStewards. New volunteer training will be held on Wednesday evenings, starting Feb. 13 through April, with some Saturday mornings. Fun and interactive training is provided by recognized experts in tree care and citizen advocates. Visit www.TreeStewards.org or call 703-527-2349.
Northern Virginia Family Service seeks volunteers to serve as mentors to low-income seniors, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Volunteers will work one-on-one with seniors to help them plan and maintain monthly budgets, enroll in appropriate benefit programs and provide friendly support to lift the spirits of aging clients, among other duties. The position is located at Culpepper Gardens, 4435 North Pershing Dr. To sign up, please contact Navara Cannon at volunteer@nvfs.org or call 571-748-2536.