Mount Vernon — Wednesday/Feb. 6
Informative Presentation. 6:30-8 p.m. at Mount Vernon High School Little Theatre. Ann Dolin will discuss how to manage a demanding schedule and find a balance between academics, sports and extracurricular activities, and how to plan and prepare for SAT/ACT tests and college applications. RSVP to dana.melvin@cox.net.
Friday/Feb. 8
Documentary Screening. 7 p.m. at Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, 1909 Windmill Lane. Watch “Little Town of Bethlehem” and discuss it. Free. Refreshments provided. 703-721-0595 or gpourchot@yahoo.com.
Saturday/Feb. 9
Boater Education Course. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 8592 Richmond Highway. This course meets all the state requirements to allow people to operate boats. Contact Rich Miller at eaglesailor75@cox.net or 703-780-3765 to get an enrollment form.
Mardi Gras. 8-11 p.m. at Don Beyer Volvo, 7416 Richmond Highway. Meet all 2013 democratic candidates for lieutenant governor and attorney general and vote for your choice in a straw poll. Enjoy a buffet, open bar, music, dancing and auction. $45/person. Visit www.mvdemocrats.com for tickets.
Multicultural Fair. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Hollin Meadows Elementary School, 2310 Nordok Place. Explore the sights, sounds and tastes of cultures around the world as students, families and professional groups share their talents and expertise.
Through Feb. 9
Crystal Couture Fashion Event. From 6-10 p.m. each night, West Potomac Academy fashion design students will showcase their collections alongside several professional designers. They will also have a boutique display area to sell their original garments, with proceeds benefitting the program. Free. Located on the top floor of 251 18th St.
Sunday/Feb. 10
Volunteer Meeting. 1:30-3 p.m. at Huntley Meadows Park, 3701 Lockheed Blvd. Anyone who is interested in volunteering as a docent or historic program assistant can contact Site Coordinator Geoffrey Cohrs by email at geoffrey.cohrs@fairfaxcounty.gov or 703-768-2525.
Monday/Feb. 11
Young Naturalist Science Series. The five-class series for students age 9-12 meet from 3-4:30 p.m. at Huntley Meadows Park, 3701 Lockheed Blvd. Students will work on a journal where they will document observations, sketch and more. $84/Fairfax County residents; $99/non-residents. Register online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes or 703-768-2525. Program #3401702501
Tuesday/Feb. 12
Benefit Day. A portion of the proceeds will benefit UCM when an order is placed at Ledo Pizza at Mount Vernon Square, 7475 Richmond Highway from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Mention UCM when an order is placed. 703-660-8989 to place an order.
Local History Talk. 10 a.m. at Franconia Museum. Refreshments will be served. Stories of the old gravel pits that dotted Franconia more than 60 years ago will be explored. Free.
Thursday/Feb. 14
Information Session. 9:20-9:50 a.m. at Mount Vernon High School. Get information on the three elements of the International Baccalaureate Program. Free. If interested in the details of the new IBCC, contact Berkeley McHugh at BFMcHugh@fcps.edu or 703-619-3100. If interested in the details of the IBMYP certificates, contact Karen Hertel at KJHertel@fcps.edu or 703-619-3261.
Feb. 15-17
UCM Coat Drive. Get free admission for two people by donating a clean, gently used coat or jacket (children or adults, all sizes) at the International Gem & Jewelry Show at Dulles Expo Center.
Saturday/Feb. 16
Archaeology Symposium. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Gunston Hall. “Small Things Considered: Historic Artifacts of Everyday Life” includes lunch, afternoon snacks and a guided tour of the mansion. $40/person until Feb. 8; $50/person after; $40/FOFA member and Friends of Gunston Hall. Register online at www.gunstonhall.org or 703-550-9220.
Through Feb. 18
Application Deadline. Applications are due for the inaugural Citizens Fire & Rescue Academy. Learn what firefighters and paramedics do every day. Must be at least 18 and apply online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fr/cfa. Classes start March 28.
Tuesday/Feb. 19
Genealogical Society Meeting. 1 p.m. at Hollin Hall Senior Center, 1500 Shenandoah Road. Hear a presentation on “Our Ancestors Did Not Live Alone,” which talks about exploring the family of neighbors and other acquaintances to learn more about the ancestors. Visit www.mvgenealogy.org or 703-866-2478.
Dinner Meeting. 7 p.m. at Pema’s restaurant. The Mount Vernon Evening Lions Club will give information on the Lions Hearing Aid Bank Foundation. Contact Andrea Corsillo 703-960-4973.
Thursday/Feb. 21
Meeting. Colonial Republican Women will meet from 6:30-9 p.m. at Virginia Hills Administration Center at Old Virginia Hills School, 6520 Diana Lane. Refreshments will be served. E-mail colonialrepublicanwomen@gmail.com or call Debbie at 703-768-1934.
Mount Vernon Branch AAUW Meeting. 7 p.m. at Mt. Vernon Governmental Center, 2511 Parker’s Lane. June Malina will discuss “How to Enrich Your Travels While Saving Money.” Free. 703-395-9626 for more.
Saturday/Feb. 23
MVHs Combined Parent Council. Planning, coordinating and scheduling for the upcoming mulch sale will start. Contact MVHS CPC at 703-781-0461.
Monday/March 18
Workshop. U.S. Rep. Jim Moran will host a workshop entitled “Making College Affordable: Financing Your Education” from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at Mount Vernon High School, 8515 Old Mt. Vernon Road. High school seniors and parents can get help on how to navigate opportunities to pay for higher education. Free.
Wednesday/March 27
Workshop. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Lincolnia Senior Center, 4710 N. Chambliss St. Enjoy a workshop on “Staying Home: Making Smart Choices for Easy Living.” Topics include home modifications, avoid frauds and scams and more. Light refreshments will be served. Free, but seating is limited so registration required. Register online at http://aarp.cvent.com/MakingSmartChoicesforEasyLivingVA or 1-877-926-8300.
Volunteers Needed
Fairfax County needs a Meals on Wheels coordinator for the Mount Vernon area. Contact Fairfax County's Volunteer Solutions at 703-324-5406, TTY 703-449-1186, VolunteerSolutions@fairfaxcounty.gov, or visit Volunteer Solutions at 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. Training sessions will be held in Annandale, Centerville and Alexandria in Jan. 2013. Visit www.aarp.org/taxaide.
Ongoing
Band musicians, young and old, 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 for more.
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.