CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS
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CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS

A variety of clubs and organizations are active in the McLean and Great Falls area. To add to or modify this list, call Joy Allen, assistant editor at 703-917-6432.

<lst>Alzheimers Family Day Center

The Alzheimers Family Day Center provides services and support for Alzheimers patients and their families, including family day care. For information, call Teresa Rollo, 703-204-4664.

American Association of University Women

The association promotes education and equity for women and girls and sponsors a yearly book sale to raise money for scholarships for young women. Call Hope Syverson at 703-726-6470, or visit the Web site at www.mcleanaauw.org.

McLean Great Falls Celebrate Virginia 1607-2007

This group was formed to plan a celebration for the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown on May 14, 1607. Meetings are at 5:30 p.m. on the fourth Monday of the month at the McLean Community Center. For information, call Carole Herrick, 703-356-8223.

Civitan Club of Tyson’s

The mission of Civitan, a nonprofit organization, is to build good citizenship by providing a volunteer organization of clubs dedicated to serving individual and community needs with an emphasis on helping people with developmental disabilities. Civitans seek experiences that provide life directions, character building, leadership development and the satisfaction of helping others. A few of the service projects of the club are the Falls Church/McLean Children’s Center, Merica House, Pathway Homes, Central Fairfax Services, the Alzheimer’s Association and Villa Maria Center. Meetings are at noon on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at Clyde’s of Tyson’s Restaurant, 8332 Leesburg Pike, Tysons Corner. For information on club activities and/or membership, e-mail tysonscivitans@aol.com. Contact Don Glasco, 703-494-7987, or Carl Hoffman, 703-527-0358

Cooper Trash Parkout, Inc.

A private, nonprofit organization formed in June 2003 to continue community garbage pickups and recycling efforts at Cooper Middle School, membership is $245 and entitles members to return recyclables and trash for pickup at Cooper every Saturday, 8-11 a.m. Call John Theon, 703-356-1435, or Dennis Lucey, 703-448-6870.

Democrat Women’s Rights Committee

Raises money and supports women candidates. The Women's Rights Committee meets at 7:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month at Fairfax County Democratic Headquarters, 7245 Arlington Blvd., Suite 205, Falls Church. Call 703-573-6811.

Dranesville District Democratic Women’s Club

This club promotes Democratic policies and candidates. Meets monthly at noon on the fourth Monday of the month for lunch at a local restaurant and a guest speaker who addresses local issues. For information, call Carole Herrick, president, 703-356-8223, or Trianthe Dakolias, 703-356-0529.

Dranesville District Democratic Committee

The committee identifies, grooms and supports potential political candidates for public office. Contact Dale Evans, district chairman, 703-848-2522.

Dranesville District Republican Committee

The committee's goal is nominating and electing Republicans to public office. This is where volunteer grass roots politics begins. Contact Dave Hunt, district chairman, 703-450-5127.

Equality Fairfax

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community and Advocacy. Equality Fairfax offers a wide variety of regular social activities, volunteer opportunities and issues education in Fairfax County. Pick and choose the activities of interest: social, volunteer, civic or issues advocacy. Equality Fairfax, P.O. Box 1223, Vienna, VA 22183. Call 703-255-1552 or visit www.EqualityFairfax.org.

Friends of McLean Central Park

This group supports the development and enhancement of the ambiance and features at McLean Central Park, a Fairfax County Park Authority property at the intersection of Dolley Madison Boulevard and Old Dominion Drive in McLean. Call Bari Levingston, president, 703-748-6068. 1028 Duchess Drive, McLean, VA 22102

Friends of McLean Community Center

This group raises money and provides support for programs to enhance the MCC. Open, public meetings take place at 7:30 p.m. on the second Monday of every month. To join or for information, call Carole Herrick, 703-356-8223.

Friends of Pleasant Grove Church

Volunteers preserve and maintain an historic church on Lewinsville Road in McLean. The church building is leased to the public for meetings, concerts and art exhibits. For information, call Gary Jewett, 703-893-9075 or Bonnie Klem, 703-759-5368.

Georgetown Pike Association

The association preserves the character and integrity of Georgetown Pike, once a buffalo trail along the Potomac River, now a two-lane road between Route 7 in Great Falls and Route 123 in McLean. The pike, 13 miles long, was Virginia's first scenic byway. This winding, shady, historic road is the home of residences, schools, churches and horse farms in McLean and Great Falls. Call John Adams, president, at 202-955-1512.

Greater McLean Republican Women

The Greater McLean Republican Women meet on the third Thursday of every month at different locations each month. The President is Leeda Allen and she can be reached by emailing at LAllen001@aol.com. Further information on the club can be obtained at www.GMRWC.org.

McLean Art Club

P.O. Box 7724,

McLean VA 22106

Meetings take place on the fourth Friday of each month at 10 a.m., at the McLean Community Center. Meetings usually consist of lectures and art demonstrations. Annual dues are $25. The president is Elaine Kesteloot. For more information, call 703-356-5519 or visit www.mcleanartclub.org.

McLean Chamber of Commerce

The Chamber of Commerce, located at 1437 Balls Hill Road, promotes the business community's interests in McLean and works to revitalize McLean to make it the best place to live, work and shop. The visitor center at the McLean Government Center offers maps, nonprofit information and McLean handbooks. The public is welcome to come for information. Contact Elise Neil Bengston, president, or Frederic B. Roehner, chairman of the board, at 703-356-5424.

McLean Citizens Association

Founded in 1914, the McLean Citizens Association, "the voice of McLean," is celebrating its 90th year of preserving the quality of life. In lieu of a town council, it provides a forum for McLean residents to resolve civic issues. The association supports excellence in education, protection of residential areas from commercial development, prudent taxation and spending policies, safe streets and highways, protection and preservation of the environment and the planting and maintenance of trees. Meetings take place at 8 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month except August at the McLean Community Center. Annual membership dues are $10 per member. For more information, write to P.O. Box 273, McLean, VA 22101, or call Susan Turner, president, at 703-356-9657. Visit www.mcleancitizens.org.

McLean Citizens Foundation

Formed by the McLean Citizens Association, the McLean Citizens Foundation makes grants for capital purchases to McLean charities. Recent beneficiaries include Friends of McLean Central Park, SHARE Inc., Alzheimers Family Day Center, Old Firehouse Teen Center and Falls Church-McLean Children's Center, as well as other educational and civic projects. Meetings are the third Thursday of the month at the McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean. Call Maj. Gen. Ira (Jim) Hunt, 703-893-0809, or Kal Rumberg, publicity chairman, 703-827-9210.

McLean Community Center

Opened in 1975, the McLean Community Center serves an area of 25 square miles with more than 60,000 residents of Dranesville Small District One, a special tax district in the center of McLean. Programs include classes and activities for adults and senior citizens, youth activities, visual and performing arts, the Alden Theatre, the Old Firehouse Teen Center, special events such as McLean Day and cooperative programs with the Emerson Gallery/McLean Project for the Arts. Call 703-790-0123, 703-827-8255 (TTY) or 703-790-9223 (Alden Theatre Box Office) for information. The center is located at 1234 Ingleside Drive, McLean.

McLean Historical Society

Meets September through June on the first Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m., at the McLean Community Center, for refreshments and a program about local history. Call Carole Herrick, 703-356-8223.

McLean Land Conservancy

This group is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of open land and green space in the McLean area. For information, call Adrienne Whyte, 703-241-1095. P.O. Box 224, McLean VA 22101.

McLean Little League

McLean Little League has a softball program for girls and boys ages 7-15. League offers softball players regular season games, training clinics, postseason tournament play and fall ball. The Little League also offers baseball for boys and girls ages 5-12. Call 703-356-2695. Visit www.mcleanll.com.

McLean Newcomers Club

The McLean Newcomers Club, founded in 1969, is open to both new and longtime residents. It fosters new friendships and provides opportunities for socializing while welcoming new arrivals to the community with monthly luncheons, coffees, tours and activities. The initial coffee of the 2004 school year will be Wednesday, Sept. 3. For information, access the Web site at http://geocities.com/mcleannewcomers/ or contact us either via e-mail at mcleannewcomers@yahoo.com .

McLean Planning Committee

This advisory group supports the interests of the Community Business Center in McLean. It includes four representatives and four alternates from each of four stakeholders: downtown landowners, the McLean Chamber of Commerce, the McLean Citizens Association and surrounding neighborhood associations. The MPC meets at 7:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month at the McLean Community Center. E-mail Mark Ruhe, president, at mbruhe@msn.com, or write to MPC, P.O. Box 57, McLean, VA 22101.

McLean Project for the Arts

MPA provides education in the visual arts through exhibitions, classes, tours and lectures at three galleries at the McLean Community Center. The group raises money for lectures, exhibits and lessons in the Susan B. DuVal Art Studio, where classes are provided by MPA and the Corcoran College of Art and Design. The Museum Shops Holiday Collection on the weekend after Thanksgiving bring goods from many different museums to be sold as a fund-raiser for MPA. In the spring, a benefit takes place in a local home. MPA exhibits are free and open to the public Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., and Saturday, 1 - 5 p.m., at the Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean. Call Sally Simms, president, 703-790-1953.

McLean Revitalization Corporation

A corporation formed to further the revitalization of the McLean Community Business Center (CBC), MRC is governed by a board of directors with two members each from the McLean Citizens Association, McLean Landowners Association, McLean Chamber of Commerce and Surrounding Citizens Association. The revitalization effort seeks to improve the appearance and ambiance of the CBC, enhance pedestrian access, improve traffic flow and safety, promote balanced land use and encourage public/private partnerships. Call George Lilly, executive director, 703-241-5420, or write to MRC, P.O. Box 6223, McLean, VA 22106.

McLean Trees

A standing committee of the McLean Citizens Association that collects and recycles newspapers and magazines at Cooper Middle School, the committee invests the proceeds in the purchase, planting and maintenance of trees and shrubs to beautify and conserve green space in McLean. Call Dick Poole, chairman, 703-356-6001.

McLean Youth Athletics, Inc.

Since 1963, MYA has been an organization dedicated to the development of leadership, character and athletic skills through team sports for young people within the community. It sponsors house leagues and travel teams in sports such as soccer, basketball, lacrosse, track and field, football, cheerleading, wrestling, volleyball, softball, rugby and field hockey. For information, visit www.myi.org or call John Forch, president, 703-307-2213.

National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution

The organization promotes history, education and patriotism. Meetings are at noon on the second Saturday of every month except July and August at the American Legion Post 270, 1355 Balls Hill Road, McLean. Visit www.dar.org. Call Sherry Edwards of the Freedom Hill Chapter at 703-356-8316.

New Dominion Women’s Club

A civic organization committed to enhancing the quality of community life through volunteer service and philanthropy, the club has several fund-raisers and social gatherings each year. It established the annual McLean Family Walkathon at Lewinsville Park on McLean Day and meets monthly on Monday evenings at the McLean Community Center. New members are welcome. For information, call Kitty Gonzalez, publicity chair, 703-448-6101, Lisa Vogt, president, 703-442-8648, or visit the Web site at www.ndwc.org.

Rotary Club of McLean

The club was founded in 1965 as a part of Rotary International. Members pursue the Rotary objective of "service above self" through a variety of community services as well as supporting programs of Rotary International, including leading the effort to stamp out polio worldwide and a student exchange program. McLean Rotary meets weekly for Tuesday lunch. Call Pamela Danner, president, 703-734-2793, or write P.O. Box 561, McLean, VA 22101.

Safe Community Coalition

Dedicated to maintaining a safe community for youth in public schools in the Langley and McLean High School pyramids, Thomas Jefferson High School and private schools in McLean, the coalition sponsors programs to keep schools and neighborhoods free of alcohol and substance abuse and violence; provides opportunities to discuss current issues; encourages sense of family and community; and promotes honesty and respect for individuals and property. Call Jan Auerbach, president, 703-893-6953, or visit the Web site, www.crosslink.net/~scc.

Toastmasters International, McLean chapter.

Toastmasters meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the meeting room of the Dolley Madison Library. Join them to work on improving communication skills, become more effective in meetings and to convey messages more concisely. Contact Melissa Adkins, vice president of membership, 703-262-5373.

Woman's Club of McLean

The Woman's Club of McLean is one of Northern Virginia's largest women's service organizations. Trips, arts workshops, historic preservation and public affairs activities are offered along with monthly luncheons. The club's largest fund-raiser is the annual Holiday Homes Tour. Call Joan Morton at 703-356-0089.

Fairfax Audubon Society

The Audubon Society is the largest conservation organization in Northern Virginia. Its mission is to conserve and enhance natural ecosystems. The first public event is Saturday, July 24, at 1 p.m. Call 703-256-6895 or visit the Web site, www.fairfaxaudubon.org, for information about membership, the adult education programs, field trips and/or conservation activities.

Analemma Society

The analemma is a correction curve that goes around the meridian, used to convert “sun time,” which changes day to day, to "civil time,” or clock and calendar time. This group of astronomers and scientists meets monthly to plan the observatory park at the Turner Farm in Great Falls. A plan for an international sundial garden and observatory with several telescopes for public use is under development. For information on this 501(c)3 organization, contact Charles H. Olin at 703-759-6616 or visit www.analemma.org.

Brogue Charities

As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Brogue Charities raises money for local causes in Great Falls. They have sponsored many local charitable organizations such as the Analemma Society, Great Falls volunteer Fire Department, Colvin Run Mill Park, and the Amadaeus concerts. Brogue Charities sponsors fireworks for the public at the Turner Farm on July 4. Call Mike Kearney, 703-759-6563 or e-mail at broguecharities@aol.com.

Colvin Run Citizens Association

This association meets at Colvin Run Schoolhouse and holds regular Saturday night dances featuring music of the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, and the Big Band sounds of the Colvin Run Dance Band at the Colvin Run Schoolhouse, 10201 Colvin Run Road in Great Falls. Lessons begin at 8 p.m. with instruction in tango, jitterbug, polka, salsa, waltz and other popular favorites. Dances follow at 9 p.m. and continue to midnight. Set-ups are provided. Admission is $12 per person. Call 703-430-3342.

Dranesville Community Trash and Recycling, Inc.

A private, nonprofit organization of volunteers who wanted to offer traditional parkouts in Great Falls, which permit citizens to pay a $239 annual fee to bring their trash and recyclables, including newsprint, bottles and cans, to Great Falls Elementary School at 701 Walker Road on Saturday mornings. Hours are 8 a.m. to noon. Call Garrett Preis, 202-439-8632.

Friends of Colvin Run Mill

Volunteers dedicated to preserving the heritage of Northern Virginia for future generations. The restored Colvin Run Mill is a working 19th century water-powered grist mill at a park at Colvin Run Road and Route 7 in Great Falls. Exhibits, programs and demonstrations include grinding grains, blacksmithing and whittling. Visit the mill and the and period-appropriate dry goods store at 10017 Colvin Run Road, Great Falls. Call 703-759-4360 or visit its Web site for more information at www.co.fairfax.va.us/parks/crm/.

Friends of the Great Falls Library

A group of book-lovers that raises money to expand programs for children and outreach at the Great Falls Community Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, the group meets the third Thurdsay of every month at 7 p.m., at the library, except for the summer when the group is on hiatus. For information, call the library at 703-757-8560. The presidents are Rumana Chaudhuri and Norma Baker, 202-429-3806.

Friends of Riverbend Park

Supports the staff and programs at the 418-acre park on the Potomac River in Great Falls. Volunteers raise money for equipment, work at the park, and raise community support for its needs. For information call Cathy Mayes, president, at 703-759-4194. Visit www.forb.org.

Great Falls Arts Center

Located on Walker Road in Great Falls, this center offers exhibitions, art classes and monthly programs on famous artists and major art movements. Year-round art classes in drawing, oil painting and pottery take place at the Fouquet Art Studio on weekdays and Saturday. The center also offers annual summer art camps through July and August for ages 6 and up. Call Marcia Fouquet, 703-759-3867, for a schedule or e-mail greatfallsart@yahoo.com.

Great Falls Business and Professional Association

The association advances community welfare by encouraging high business and professional ethics and practices; supports patronage of local retail and professional services; and supports Great Falls Children's Festival, Great Falls Day, the Great Falls Freedom Memorial and other community developments and events. The association meets every other month at Marcello's Restaurant. Call Ralph Lazaro, president, 703-759-3011, or Stephen Dulaney, membership chairman, 703-759-4155.

Great Falls Citizens Association

This volunteer civic group exists to protect the scenic, historic and semi-rural quality of life in Great Falls, defined as the area west of Difficult Run stream valley, south of the Potomac River, east of the Loudoun County line and north of Route 7. Members who reside within those boundaries pay $20 per person annually for voting privileges, but the public is invited to attend meetings. The GFCA is governed by an executive board of 13 members elected from the membership, plus four officers. GFCA committees study planning and zoning issues, parks and trails, and transportation issues such as roads and traffic. General membership meetings are the second Tuesday of every month, except July and August, at 7:30 p.m., at the Grange on Georgetown Pike. Call Eleanor Anderson at 703-757-0448 or write GFCA, P.O. Box 27, Great Falls, VA 22066. The Web address is www.gfcitizens.com, and the e-mail address is President@gfcitizens.org.

Great Falls Ecumenical Council

The Great Falls Ecumenical Council has members from all the churches in Great Falls. The group supports Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, the Good Shepherd alliance housing for the homeless, Pedals for Progress in April, after-graduation parties for local high schools, Camp Fraser and a 5 kilometer walk/run and blood drive on July 4. It also sponsors blood drives throughout the year. The council hosts ecumenical worship services at Thanksgiving, on Good Friday, a sunrise service at Great Falls National Park on Easter Sunday and a January ecumenical service. Contact Paul Gysan, pastor of Christ the King Lutheran Church, president, 703-759-6068.

Great Falls Equestrian Society

Not limited to Great Falls residents, the society works to foster equestrian sports in Fairfax County and develop equestrian facilities at the Turner Farm, including a riding arena and trails. No dues. Call Molly Hockman at 703-759-1952.

Great Falls Friends

GFF is a community group based on friendship that has three kinds of membership: individuals, businesses and community organizations. The organizing principle is that the Friends believes in giving back to the community. It sponsors the annual July 4 celebration and a fall festival at Halloween at Village Centre and Great Falls Shopping Center. The Friends meets from 8 to 9 a.m. on the first Wednesday of every month except July and August at the snuggery of the Old Brogue at Village Centre. Everyone is invited to attend. After a brief social time, introductions, and coffee and breakfast treats, there is a topical program brought by a local person with a special interest. Membership fee is $25. For information, call Candace Bovee, president, 703-759-0375, or write to GFF, P.O. Box 388, Great Falls, VA 22066.

Great Falls Garden Club

Organized in 1941, the club maintains a perennial bird and butterfly garden featuring native species at the Great Falls Library. Its purpose is to improve the quality and character of gardens, study gardening, share experiences and problems, and encourage the protection of natural resources, native plants, wildlife and scenery. The club meets in members’ homes for programs about all aspects of gardening, floral design and the environment. Members have plant exchanges, field trips to other gardens and nature walks. Call Elly-Mae Doyle, president, 703-759-4541, or write GFGC, P.O. Box 1412, Great Falls, VA 22066.

Great Falls Historical Society

The society researches and preserves the accuracy of the historical record of Great Falls as a community that was first known as Matildaville and, later, Forestville, before it was named Great Falls. It produces publications on local historical sites and holds varied social functions. Monthly meetings are on the second Wednesday of each month at the Grange. Membership is $25. Call Betty Nalls Swartz, 703-759-2378, or Milburn Sanders, 703-759-2352. Write GFHS, P.O. Box 56, Great Falls, VA 22066.

Great Falls Lacrosse Association

Open to boys and girls, third through eighth grade, the association is not only for Great Falls residents. An instructional league takes place in the fall and competitive play begins in the spring. Call the association at 703-759-4552 and leave a message. The Web site is www.greatfallslacrosse.com.

Great Falls Lions Club

The local chapter of the country's largest service organization has ongoing fund-raisers, including regular crab feasts and citrus sales at the Great Falls Fire Department and sales of a commemorative coverlet depicting Great Falls scenes. The Great Falls Lions Club provides crutches, wheelchairs, walkers and other items for those in need. The club awards two $1,000 scholarships to Langley High School students and supports a long list of other charities. Dinner meetings convene at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at Great Falls United Methodist Church, 10100 Georgetown Pike. Call the Lions hotline at 703-757-5361 or Larry Simmons, president, at 703-450-5373. To purchase a coverlet, call Gene Cole, 703-759-2334, or write GF Lions, P.O. Box 43, Great Falls, VA 22066.

Great Falls Optimist Club

A group of men and women committed to programs that educate youth and help them expand their horizons and avoid pitfalls as they mature, the Optimists sponsor the "Just Say No" program and an oratorical contest. It sponsors boys and girls softball and baseball teams and Operation Smile. Call Mike Mullen, treasurer, 703-759-1993.

Great Falls Republican Women’s Club

Chartered in 1982, its membership is broad-based geographically and diverse in its interests and talents but united by common goals and a commitment to the Republican Party, its philosophy and its candidates. Write P.O. Box 616, Great Falls, VA 22066. For more information call Daisy Logan, 703-356-1968.

Great Falls Trailblazers

Trailblazers supports development and maintenance of trails, both stonedust and natural surface, in Great Falls. It monitors development to ensure compliance with the trails designated in Fairfax County's Comprehensive Plan trails map and is actively working to complete trails on Georgetown Pike and Walker Road. It meets monthly at 7:30 p.m. on third Wednesday, except August and December, at the Old Schoolhouse in Great Falls. Call Eleanor Weck 703-759-2059 or visit www.geocities.com/greatfallstrails.

Great Falls Woman’s Club

This diverse group makes things happen in the community and looks to residents to join in. For the last two years, the club has raised thousands of dollars with a Casino Night Gala and fund-raiser to support construction of a new fire station for professional and volunteer firefighters and paramedics in Great Falls. While they perform community service, raise money and award women's scholarships, members of the Great Falls Woman's Club and have programs that foster camaraderie within the club. Membership includes many former Great Falls Newcomers. Call Dawn Doughty, president, 703-757-6234.

Newcomers of Great Falls

Newcomers of Great Falls helps new residents of Great Falls and its school district meet each other and assimilate into the community. The nonprofit organization offers more than 300 members a variety of activities and programs along with opportunities for leadership, community service and support to local charitable and civic organizations.

The Newcomers sponsors the Halloween Haunted House at Village Centre and actively supports the baby parade and other festivities such as the July 4 Hometown Celebration.

Other activities include monthly lunches, coffees, bridge, book clubs, evening socials, wine and food tastings, cultural excursions, play groups for parents and young children and volunteering for charitable and community events. The Newcomers provide financial support for such community charities as Camp Fraser, Lift Me Up! and Volunteer Emergency Families for Children. Call Barbara Chen, president, at 703-757-7962.

Friends of Turner Farm

The Friends of Turner Farm are volunteers who raise money and public support for Turner Farm- a public park that was once a dairy farm at Georgetown Pike and Springvale Road. The Friends of Turner Farm works closely with the Fairfax County Park Authority to plan and build the park’s facilities: a picnic pavilion, a tot lot, equestrian riding rings and a celestial observatory. For information about the Park, visit the Park’s Web site at fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/turnerfarm. To join the Friends, contact Molly Hockman at 703-759-1952 or mhockman@cox.net. For information about the celestial observatory, visit the Analemma Society’s Web site at www.analemma.org or call Charles Olinm, 703-759-6616, e-mail olin@dgsys.com, or Bill Kemmerer, 703-757-7424.

The American Indian Society of Washington, D.C.

This nonprofit organization serves the needs of Native American tribes in the D.C. area. P.O. Box 6431, Falls Church, VA 22040-6431. Visit www.aisdc.org.

Soup and Fish Club

The Virginia chapter of the Wodehouse Society provides a good laugh or refuge from the unpleasant people and times in the gentle writing of the master of farce, P.G. Wodehouse. Call Deb Dillard, 703-815-9073, or write to plum1881@aol.com and put "Wodehouse" in the subject line.

Fairfax Trails and Streams

Meets the fourth Monday of the month, 7:30 p.m., at the McLean Government Center. The group discusses trails, especially stream valley trails and the Pimmit Run Trail through the heart of McLean, the group's adopted trail and major project. The group is also involved in Cross-County Trail and the Potomac Heritage Trail. Those who like to hike and are interested in building trails, cleaning them up and improving them are welcome. Contact Bill Niedringhaus at 703-883-7169 or fairfaxtrails@aol.com. An e-mail newsletter is available. For more information visit www.fairfaxtrails.org.

Potomac Heritage Trail Association

This membership organization is dedicated to completing the Potomac Heritage Trail. Contact Rick Francke, 571-436-7801, fbfrancke@aol.com, or visit the Web site, www.potomactrail.org.

The Fairfax Small Business Development Center

The center, located at the Mason Enterprise Center, 4031 University Drive, Suite 200, Fairfax, offers a variety of services to support small businesses in Fairfax County, whether they have been in business for many years and are seeking growth or are aspiring entrepreneurs looking for direction. The center offers training in all phases and aspect of small business management including marketing, business plans, capital acquisition, financial management and employer-related issues. One-on-one counseling is available at no cost by staff and volunteers from the professional sectors. Visit www.sbdc.org or call 703-277-7700 for additional information. Visit www.masonenterprisecenter.org.

Mother’s First – Great Falls

This support group for women who have chosen to alter careers to raise children at home has meetings, lectures, field trips, moms night out and more. The Great Falls group meets the first and third Wednesdays at the Great Falls Library. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org. for more information.

Mother’s First – Vienna/McLean

This support group for women who have chosen to alter careers to raise children at home has meetings, lectures, field trips, moms night out and more.. The Vienna/McLean group meets the second and fourth Wednesdays at the Patrick Henry Library from 10:15 a.m. to noon. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org. for more information.