Know of something that should be included in Around Town? Send a brief write-up to Lea Mae Rice at 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, fax to 703-917-0991 or call 703-917-6459.
Fairfax Elderhostel Alumni Association will present a discussion with four Elderhostellers Sunday, June 11 from 2-4 p.m., at the George Mason Public Library, 7001 Little River Turnpike in Annandale. Members will speak about past adventures and trips.
Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) offers a new associate degree in information technology that transfers easily to George Mason University. After two years of following NVCC’s associate in science in information technology curriculum, students will be on track to transfer to GMU, where they can complete a bachelor’s degree in information technology in just four semesters. To learn more about the new program, visit ait@gmu.edu and choose “Transfer Information.”
The Continuing Education and Workforce Development Office at Northern Virginia Community College introduces a comprehensive program in conjunction with MedCertify, Inc., for students interested in the growing field of medical coding. This course will be offered through NVCC’s Medical Education Campus. To register or for more information, call 703-822-6523 or visit www.nvcc.edu/medical/continuing.
All branches of the Fairfax County Public Library now allow customers to use Visa or MasterCard credit and debit cards to pay for overdue or lost books.
Registration has begun for Fairfax County Public Schools' Adult and Community Education's winter and spring 2006 classes. Visit www.fcps.edu/DIS/OACE/classesetc.html. Call 703-227-2377.
NOVACO Transitional Housing is a nonprofit program for victims of domestic abuse. Through HUD funding and community and church donations, the organization offers a comprehensive two-year transitional housing program for families, that includes counseling, education for job enhancement, life skills training and child care. All clients receive follow-up counseling for up to two years after graduation from the program. Call 202-723-3000.
Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) seeks area residents to become a foster care providers to neglected children with special needs. NVFS helps families get the most out of foster/respite care experience by providing intensive training, certification and continuing education; careful child/parent matching; ongoing assistance and 24-hour support from professional social workers; financial reimbursement; help locating support services for your special foster/respite child; foster/respite parent support groups; and family activities. Register now for summer training. Call Ginny at 703-219-2184.
The Women's Center offers career services. For more information, visit their Web site at www.thewomenscenter.org.
The Fairfax County Public Library offers 700 free audio books that residents can listen to on computers and portable players. The collection can be accessed at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library.
The West Springfield Shield, a free monthly newsletter produced by the West Springfield District Police Station's Crime Prevention Unit, is available to anyone interested in receiving it. It offers the latest alerts, important news, crime prevention tips and more, and is provided via e-mail. To subscribe, e-mail wspnewsletter@fairfaxcounty.gov.
The Fairfax County 2007 Community Citizen Planning Committee, as part of the larger Virginia 2007 Community Program to commemorate 400 years of Virginia history, is publishing a book as a legacy project for county residents. The book will feature a minimum of four vignettes, anecdotal articles and essays from each of the last four centuries since the founding of Jamestown. The committee is soliciting original, non-published, history-related items for publication. The deadline is June 1, 2006. To submit an entry or for more information, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/opa/va2007 or call 703-324-3187, TTY 711.
Mighty Mondays with Mr. Knick Knack. Noodles & Noggins presents Mr. Knick Knack each Monday from 10-11 a.m. at the Clifton Town Meeting Hall, 12641 Chapel Road, Clifton. Sing, dance and have loads fun. For all ages. Suggested contribution per child. Call the store for more information at 703-815-8600.
The Fairfax County Public Library now offers free wireless access to the Internet at five branches, including the Pohick Regional Library in Burke. The new wireless access service will allow people to use their own Wi-Fi enabled, Windows-based or Mac laptops to access the Internet for an unlimited amount of time from any public area of the five pilot branches.
Fun Club. Noodles & Noggins Fun Club on Wednesdays from 10-11 a.m. at the Clifton Town Meeting Hall, 12641 Chapel Road, Clifton. Enjoy some great books, do a fun craft, sing songs and dance. A new theme each week. For ages 1-6 years. Suggested contribution per child. Call the store to register at 703-815-8600.
Thumpin' Thursdays with Mr. Don. On Thursdays from 4-5 p.m. at the Clifton Town Meeting Hall, 12641 Chapel Road, Clifton. Sing, dance, play instruments and have loads fun. For all ages. Suggested contribution per child. Call the store for more information at 703-815-8600.
The City of Fairfax Parks & Recreation Department is seeking craft vendors for a fall festival. All items must be handmade by the vendor. Deadline is open until filled. The application fee is $5. The Fall Festival will be Oct. 14 (rain date Oct. 15). It is a family friendly street festival in the heart of the City of Fairfax. More than 500 juried crafters and food vendors sell wares. Activities include children's rides, pony rides, inflatable games and family entertainment. Vendor spaces are 10x10 and cost is $125. Expected attendance is 20,000. To receive an application, call 703-385-7949 or e-mail lherman@fairfaxva.gov. Applications are also available on-line at http://www.fairfaxva.gov/ParksRec/VendorInformation.htm.
The local offices of the American Red Cross have relocated to the first floor of the East County Government Center at 6245 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, to jointly staff an assistance center for Hurricane Katrina victims. This will enable the Red Cross and the local jurisdictions to better serve those who need various types of assistance. Clients will no longer be seen at the local chapter offices, except under special circumstances. The phone number at the relocated center is 703-538-7440, TTY 711. Hours of operation for the new location are Monday-Friday, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Virginia Business and Professional Women’s (VA BPW) Foundation offers a variety of scholarships, grants and fellowships to assist women to re-enter the job market or further their education and careers, as well as to support the study of women's issues. Visit www.bpwva.org.
The Wakefield Chorale is looking for men and women for its 24th singing season. Rehearsals are on Tuesdays, from 8-10 p.m. at Falls Church High School, 1721 Jaguar Trail. For more information, call 703-938-8044.
Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) students who have been in foster care may qualify for a state financial aid program to assist them in continuing their education at NVCC. The Foster Care Tuition Grant program is available to high school graduates or those who complete general education development (GED) who were in foster care, in the custody of a social services agency, or considered a special needs adoption when they received their high school diploma or GED. Call Carol Mowbry at 703-323-3014 or visit www.vccs.edu/vccsasr/Tuitiongrant/tuitiongrant.html.
The City of Fairfax Commission for Women has published a brochure as part of its campaign to raise awareness about domestic violence and offer hope to victims. The brochure, "Someone You Know Might Need Help", offers information about where domestic violence victims can seek help, as well as suggestions for those who may know victims of domestic violence. It is available in English and Spanish. For a copy, visit www.fairfaxva.gov or call 703-385-7894.
Celebration Singers, an all-volunteer women's show chorus, seeks first or second sopranos and altos to join its group. Shows include singing for the community, civic, military and social groups as well as retirement and nursing homes. Rehearsals take place on Wednesdays at the Springfield United Methodist Church and Heritage Hunt. For more information or to set up a rehearsal time, call 703-971-2124.
The Fairfax County Public Library now offers 40 book discussion kits, available for book clubs to check out for six weeks. The kits include 10 copies of a book and support material. Call 703-324-8319 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library.
Sharon Bulova, Braddock District Supervisor, debuted “Braddock’s True Gold in 20th Century History in the Heart of Fairfax” at the Heritage Festival Saturday, June 3. The book is a collection of memories about life in the Braddock District area of Fairfax County and a product of the “A Look Back at Braddock” history project that also produced a layered map, short film and a student paper competition. 703-569-0285.