<i>A variety of clubs and organizations are active in the McLean area. To add to or modify this list, send a note to <a href=mailto:mclean@connectionnewspapers,com>mclean@connectionnewspapers,com</a> or a letter to McLean Connection, 7913 Wespark Drive, McLean, VA 22102.</i>
Alzheimers Family Day Center
The Alzheimers Family Day Center provides services and support for Alzheimers patients and their families, including family day care. Call Tori Adams at 703-204-4664.
American Association of University Women
The McLean Area Branch of the American Association of University Women’S (AAUW) membership is open to any individual who has earned an associate or academic equivalent, bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited college or university. The mission of AAUW, which was founded in 1881, is education and equity for all women and girls, positive societal change, and lifelong learning. AAUW’s annual book sale at the McLean Community Center on September 19, 20 and 21 raises money for scholarships for women. At meetings and social events there are opportunities to develop friendships with others who share your interests. Interest groups include literature, great decisions, current events, bridge, dining out, international hospitality, tutoring at Pimmit Hills High School and a lobby corps that meets on Capitol Hill each week. Visit www.mcleanaauw.org or open house reception at the McLean Community Center on September 28 from 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Civitan Club of Tysons
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 Merica House, Pathway Homes, Central Fairfax Services, the Alzheimer’s Association and Villa Maria Center. Meetings are held monthly. For information on club activities and/or membership, e-mail tysonscivitans@aol.com.
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 $270 and entitles members to return recyclables and trash for pickup at Cooper every Saturday from 8-11 a.m. Call John Theon at 703-356-1435
Democrat Women’s Rights Committee
Raises money and supports women candidates. The Women's Rights Committee meets monthly at Fairfax County Democratic Headquarters, 7245 Arlington Blvd., Suite 205, Falls Church. Call 703-573-6811. Visit www.fairfaxdemocrats.org for schedule.
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 presents a guest speaker who addresses local issues. Call Trianthe Dakolis 703-356-0529.
Dranesville District Democratic Committee
The committee identifies, grooms and supports potential Democratic political candidates for public office. Call Sue Rosenberg, district chairman, at 703-938-5031 or visit www.fairfaxdemocrats.org.
Dranesville District Republican Committee
The committee's goal is nominating and electing Republicans to public office. This is where volunteer grassroots politics begins. Call Dave Hunt, district chairman, at 703-734-4868.
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, at 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 monthly. Call 703-790-0123.
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. Call Joan Jewett, president at 703-893-9075 or Bonnie Klem, board of directors member, at 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 703-893-8573.
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 Betsy McIntire, and she can be reached by e-mailing betsygmrw@yahoo.com. Visit www.GMRWC.org.
McLean Art Society
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 society meets September through June. Call 703-356-5519 or visit www.mcleanartsociety.org.
McLean Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber of Commerce, located at 1437 Balls Hill Road, promotes the business community's interests in McLean and continues to promote 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. Call Matthew Wallace, president, or Frank McGovern, chairman of the board, at 703-356-5424. Visit www.mcleanchamber.org.
McLean Citizens Association
Founded in 1914, the McLean Citizens Association, "the voice of McLean," has celebrated its 90th year of preserving the quality of life. In lieu of a town council, it provides a forum for McLean residents to address 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 $15 per member. Write to P.O. Box 273, McLean, VA 22101, or call Rob Jackson, president, at 703-556-9160. 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. E-mail Trish Butler, president at tbutler@sagecommunications.net.
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). The center is located at 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean. Visit www.mcleancenter.org
McLean Historical Society
Meets monthly September through June at the McLean Community Center, for refreshments and a program about local history. Call 703-790-0123.
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. Call Adrienne Whyte at 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. Meets on the third Wednesday of the month, location as announced. Access the Web site at geocities.com/mcleannewcomers or e-mail 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 the third Wednesday of each month, 7:30 p.m. at the McLean Community Center. E-mail mpcchair@yahoo.com, or write to MPC, P.O. Box 273, 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 + Design. The Museum Shops Holiday Collection on the weekend after Thanksgiving brings 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.-4 p.m., and Saturday, 1-5 p.m., at the Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean, second floor. Call Nancy Perry, executive director at 703-790-1953. Visit www.mpart.org
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. Write to MRC, P.O. Box 8303, McLean, VA 22106.
McLean Trees
An independent foundation affiliated with 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 Eric Simpson, chairman, at 571-232-5762.
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. Visit www.myathletics.org or e-mail Joel Stillman, president, at jstillman@capfin.net
National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution
The organization promotes historical preservation, education and
patriotism. Local meetings are at noon on the first Saturday of every
month September through June at the American Legion Post 270, 1355 Balls Hill Road, McLean. Visit www.dar.org or www.freedomhilldar.org and select "Membership" or call Michelle Meehan of the Freedom Hill Chapter at 703-967-8662.
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 meets September through June on the third Monday of the month, 7:30 p.m. at the McLean Community Center. New members are welcome. Jaimie Galbreath and Jenny Names are co-presidents. Visit www.ndwc.org or e-mail info@ndwc.org for more information.
Rotary Club of McLean
Founded in November 1965, the Rotary Club of McLean comprises more than 70 business and community leaders dedicated to providing humanitarian service, encouraging high ethical standards in all vocations and helping to build goodwill and peace in the world. The McLean club is one of more than 32,000 Rotary Clubs located in more than 200 countries worldwide. Its weekly lunch meetings take place Tuesdays at noon at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer-Fellowship Hall, 1545 Chain Bridge Road, McLean, VA 22101. Web site: www.mcleanrotary.org
Safe Community Coalition
The Safe Community Coalition (SCC) is a 501(c) (3) organization whose vision is a community where youth learn to make responsible decisions and where they are safe, healthy, and free from alcohol and drug use. Serving the McLean/Great Falls/Falls Church school communities since 1995, the SCC offers programs for youth, parents, and the community in collaboration with other community sectors concerned about our youth: schools, PTAs, faith organizations, businesses, law enforcement, the medical community and civic organizations. There are volunteer opportunities available for high school students, through the Youth Advisory Council, and for adults through the task forces on Academic Pressure and College Stress, Safe Social Alternatives, Mental and Physical Health, The Internet and Technology, Values Clarification and Alcohol, Drugs, and Smoking. To learn more about the Safe Community Coalition, please visit www.safecommunitycoalition.net or email us at scc@safecommunitycoalition.net
Toastmasters International, Pauline Shirley Chapter.
Toastmasters meets the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at 6:45 p.m. at the Dolley Madison Library. Join them to work on improving communication skills, becoming more effective in meetings, and conveying messages more concisely. Call Hilda Harnack, President, at 703-893-5506 or visit pstm-va.org.
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.
Audubon Society of Northern Virginia
The Audubon Society is the largest conservation organization in Northern Virginia. Its mission is to conserve and enhance natural ecosystems. Call 703-256-6895 or visit the Web site, www.audubonva.org for information about membership, the adult education programs, field trips and/or conservation activities.
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 period-appropriate dry goods store at 10017 Colvin Run Road, Great Falls. Call 703-759-2771 or visit www.co.fairfax.va.us/parks/crm.
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. Weekly art classes for all ages. Ongoing registration for annual summer art camps through July and August for ages 6 to teen. Call Marcia Fouquet at 703-759-3867 for a schedule or e-mail greatfallsart@yahoo.com.
Greater McLean Republican Women’s Club
Begun in 1944 and federated in 1968, 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. The organization informs the public through education and activity, recruits and supports Republican women candidates on local, state and national levels, and supports the policies of the Republican National Committee. Write P.O. Box 417, McLean, VA 22101 or e-mail Betsy McIntire, President, at betsygmrw@yahoo.com.
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 (Wodehouse Society Virginia Chapter)
The Virginia chapter of the Wodehouse Society provides a good laugh and refuge from unpleasant people and times in the gentle writing of the master of farce, P.G. Wodehouse. Call Debs Dillard at 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 at 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. E-mail webmaster@fairfaxtrails.org. An e-mail newsletter is available. Visit www.fairfaxtrails.org.
Potomac Heritage Trail Association
This membership organization is dedicated to completing the Potomac Heritage Trail. Contact Ric Francke at 571-436-7801 or fbfrancke@aol.com, or visit the Web site at 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 aspects 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.
Mothers 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. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org for meeting schedule.