Friday/Jan. 10
Application Deadline. The Mount Vernon Council of Citizens Associations (MVCCA) is seeking to recognize a high school senior from Mount Vernon HS, South County SS and/or West Potomac HS, who demonstrates personal achievement through community involvement, volunteer work, and/or exceptional civic duties. The award will be made during the MVCCA Annual Gala on April 26, 2014. Visit www.mvcca.org.
Speaker Series Kickoff. 8:30-10 a.m. at the SpringHill Suites, 6065 Richmond Highway. Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation will host a free speaker series to encourage the startup
and growth of small businesses in Southeast Fairfax County. The series will be held on the second Friday of every month. Panelists include local business owners ready to share their tips, advice and lessons learned. Coffee and light breakfast will be served. RSVP to info@sfdc.org. Visit www.sfdc.org.
Tuesday/Jan. 14
Pet Loss Support Group. 1:30-2:30 p.m. at Hollin Hall Senior Center, 1500 Shenandoah Road. Talk with others who are dealing with the death of a beloved pet. Free, register by calling 703-333-6963.
Training Session. 7-8 p.m. at Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Center. Learn the aspects of trap-neuter-return program from Community Cats. Free. RSVP to animals13@verizon.net.
Wednesday/Jan. 15
Discussion. 9:30 a.m. at Hollin Hall Senior Center, 1500 Shenandoah Road. Richard Lilienthal, an Alexandria collector of antique bottles made in the D.C. and Alexandria area will share his collection. Free. 703-765-4573.
Thursday/Jan. 16
Model Railroad Club. 10 a.m. at Hollin Hall Senior Center, 1500 Shenandoah Road. Gillian Chen will discuss her “Trans-Canada Journey.” Free. 703-765-4573.
Independent Living Project. 1:30-3:30 p.m. at Kingstowne Center for Active Adults, 6488 Landsdowne Center. A free eight-week program that includes gentle exercises, presentations on county services, demonstrations and more. Register at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices/independent.htm or call 703-324-7210, TTY 711.
Saturday/Jan. 18
Open House. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Fort Hunt Preschool in the Carriage House, 1909 Windmill Lane. Learn about the school, meet teachers and our classrooms. Contact Alex St. Clair at admission@forthuntpreschool.com or visit www.forthuntpreschool.com for more.
Tuesday/Jan. 21
Mount Vernon Genealogical Society Meeting. 1 p.m. at Hollin Hall Senior Center, 1500 Shenandoah Road. Free. Features a presentation "Finding a Contraband's Kinfolks in the Neighborhood" by Char McCargo Bah. Visit www.mvgenealogy.org for more.
Friday/Jan. 31
Nomination Deadline. Nominations for 2013 Fairfax County Citizen of the Year are being accepted. Visit www.fairfaxfederation.org/COY/COYApplication.html to send in a nomination.
Tuesday/Feb. 18
Training Session. 7-8 p.m. at Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Center. Learn the aspects of trap-neuter-return program from Community Cats. Free. RSVP to animals13@verizon.net.
Monday/March 3
Application Deadline. The online application for the Military Officers Association of America Educational Assistance Programs for the 2014-2015 school year is now available online at https://scholarship.moaa.org/login.aspx. Students can apply for the interest-free loans and grants, which are awarded annually for up to five years of undergraduate study (or until a student graduates.)
Applicants must be graduating high school seniors or full-time college students working toward their first undergraduate degree. Students may apply online at www.moaa.org/education. The application deadline is Monday, March 3 at noon. Visit www.moaa.org/scholarshipfund or e-mail edassist@MOAA.org.
Volunteers Needed
The Kingstowne Senior Center in Alexandria needs volunteers to assist at the front desk on Fridays and instructors for classes in art, Spanish, and Tai Chi or QiGong/Khi Cong. Call 703-324-5406, TTY 711. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadults and link to Volunteer Solutions or e-mail VolunteerSolutions@fairfaxcounty.gov.
The Mount Vernon Adult Day Health Care Center in Alexandria needs social companions to help participants. Call 703-324-5406, TTY 711. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadults and link to Volunteer Solutions or e-mail VolunteerSolutions@fairfaxcounty.gov.
The Wakefield Chorale needs a piano accompanist to rehearse with and accompany them during performances at Northern Virginia retirement communities. Rehearsals and performances are all on Tuesdays from 7:30-9:30 p.m., from mid-September thru mid-December and from mid-January through mid-June. They need an accompanist who can begin in mid-January. Contact 703-960-0440 or donnajean5536@gmail.com.
The Northern Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program needs volunteer advocates for residents in assisted living and nursing facilities throughout the area. Volunteers can work in facilities close to where
they live. Training and support is provided. Call 703-324-5861, TTY 711, or email Lisa.Callahan@fairfaxcounty.gov. Find more information at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices/ltcombudsman/vol_ombud_program.htm.
Fairfax County needs Somali-speaking volunteers to provide rides to an older adult in the Lorton area. Call 703-324-5406, TTY 711, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadults and link to Volunteer Solutions or e-mail at VolunteerSolutions@fairfaxcounty.gov for information.
Fairfax County’s Adult Day Health Care Centers need outreach volunteers for 4 hours/week. Requires travel around the county. Marketing experience preferred. Call 703-324-5406, TTY 711, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadults and link to Volunteer Solutions or e-mail
VolunteerSolutions@fairfaxcounty.gov for information.
The Mount Vernon Adult Day Health Care Program needs a volunteer to greet people and answer phones one day per week from 10:30 a.m.-noon to start as soon as possible. Contact Fairfax County's Volunteer Solutions at 703-324-5406, TTY 703-449-1186,
VolunteerSolutions@fairfaxcounty.gov, or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices and click on volunteers.
Fairfax County's Meals on Wheels needs drivers and a coordinator. Contact Fairfax County's Volunteer Solutions at 703-324-5406, TTY 703-449-1186, VolunteerSolutions@fairfaxcounty.gov or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices and click on volunteers.
AARP Tax-Aide, a national volunteer-run tax counseling and preparation service for low to moderate income and elderly citizens, needs volunteers to electronically complete and file federal and state income tax forms for the 2013 tax season.The program offers free five-day training using IRS computers and software. Volunteers become IRS Certified Tax Counselors after completing and passing the IRS examination. Visit www.aarp.org/money/taxes/info-2006/volunteer_aarp_tax_aide.html.
Ongoing
The Groveton High School class of 1964 is looking for contact information for as many classmates as possible. The planning for the 50th reunion is underway, however only a small number of people have been contacted. If you are a Groveton graduate of ‘64 and interested in attending next September’s reunion please email contact information to GHS64@verizon.net.
The New Gum Springs Civic Association will start a new Cub Scout Pack for boys ages 6-10 and adult leaders. For more information call 888-740-6009 or visit www.gumspringscivicassociation.com.
School Board Member, Dan Storck, Mount Vernon District representative, hosts community office hours the second Saturday of each month: Sherwood Hall Library: 1-3 p.m. Members of the community are invited to stop by to ask questions or to discuss concerns. No appointment necessary. Contact Dan Storck at Dan.Storck@fcps.edu or his assistant, Barb Larsen at Barbara.Larsen@fcps.edu.
Band musicians are invited to join the Mount Vernon Community Band. Rehearsals are Tuesday 7:30-9:30 p.m. in the Mount Vernon High School band room, 8515 Old Mount Vernon Road. There are no auditions. The Mount Vernon Community Band is a nonprofit community service organization that has performed in the Mount Vernon area since 1978. 703-768-4172 or www.mvbands.com.
Alzheimer's Association support groups provide a place for people with Alzheimer's, their caregivers, family members, and/or friends to share valuable information, caregiving tips and concerns throughout the Alzheimer's journey. Groups are facilitated by trained group leaders and are ongoing, free and open to the community. There is a meeting on the second Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 8710 Mount Vernon Highway. 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.
Postpartum Support Virginia sponsors a free, bi-monthly support group for women suffering depression and/or anxiety during pregnancy or in the first year following childbirth. Meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month at Inova Alexandria Hospital, Health Education Center, rooms 1-2, 4320 Seminary Road. Contact co-moderator Susan Doyle at suzjdoyle@gmail.com or 571-403-0673.
The Boy Scout Troop 1906 is seeking members. They meet every Saturday morning at 9 a.m. at Bethlehem Baptist Church Parsonage, 7836 Fordson Road. Visit www.boyscouts-ncac.org/colonial.
UCM's Back Porch Thrift Store is in need of donations of furniture. UCM will pick up furniture, as well as other larger donations, or they can be dropped off at the back of the store Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. To arrange for pick-ups, call 703-768-7106, ext. 320. Located at the Mt. Vernon Crossroads Shopping Center at 7838 Richmond Hwy.
Training Courses. The American Red Cross in the National Capital Region will host training courses in CPR, First Aid, and AED in the Alexandria and Fort Belvoir offices. These classes offer a two-year certification. Classes range from $70-$110 and are available Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, or Saturdays. Advance registration is required. To register for a class or find another class in your area, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit redcross.org/takeaclass.
Dance for Parkinson’s Disease. Thursdays, 1:30-2:30 p.m. At Heritage Presbyterian Church, 8503 Fort Hunt Rd. Those with Parkinson’s and caregivers are welcome. No dance experience necessary.