Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind (CLB), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing programs and services to people who are blind or visually impaired, announces the Gerald W. Vesper Scholarship Fund. The fund awards a $5,000 scholarship each year to an academically motivated law student who is blind or visually impaired and enrolled full time at a Washington, D.C. metropolitan-area law school.
The scholarship fund was created in honor and remembrance of CLB's former board chairman, Gerry Vesper.
For additional information or to request a brailled copy of the application, contact Kim Zimmer, CLB's vice president and chief operations officer at 202-454-6411 or via e-mail at kzimmer@clb.org. The application is available online at www.clb.org. The scholarship application deadline is April 1, 2004.
The second annual Meadowlark Nature Photography Exhibition, takes place Saturday and Sunday, March 6 and 7, at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna. Professional and amateur photographers from the Northern Virginia Alliance of Camera Clubs (NOVACC), a coalition of Loudoun Photography Club, Mclean Camera Club, Manassas-Warrenton Camera Club, Northern Virginia Photographic Society, Reston Photographic Society and Vienna Photographic Society, host the event from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. each day in the indoor garden setting of The Atrium and in the Gardens' Visitor's Center.
Admission and each day's activities is free, including complimentary camera cleanings on Saturday. Aspiring and experienced photographers may bring samples to be critiqued and attend photography technique programs.
Visit www.MeadowlarkPhotoExhibit.com, for more information or call 703-255-3631 or visit www.nvrpa.org/atrium.html.
Fairfax County Public Library Foundation, Inc. is offering a paid summer internship to a college student who will be a full-time undergraduate in the fall of 2004. The $2,000 salary for the eight week, 35-hour per week position will be donated by ExxonMobil. Resumés must be received by the Library Foundation no later than March 26. Visit www.fcplfoundation.org.
Young women between the ages of 17-14 who work, live or attend college full time in Virginia are invited to apply for the title of 'Miss Greater Springfield.' The Miss Greater Springfield Scholarship Pageant takes place March 27, at 7 p.m., at Greenspring's Village Square Theatre, 7410 Spring Village Drive, Springfield. Applications are due by Saturday, Feb. 28. Competition at the Pageant consists of five major categories including interview, swimwear, talent, evening gown and platform. The winner competes in the Miss Virginia Pageant in Roanoke in June. To receive an application, e-mail MissGSpringfield@aol.com or write to Miss Greater Springfield, P.O. Box 6392, Springfield, VA 22150.
Designs for the City of Fairfax's 2004 Independence Day logo are due by Friday, March 12. All citizens are invited to submit designs. This year's theme is "Forever the Eagle Soars High," contributed by Connor, Brendan and Sean McAlevy of St. Leo The Great Catholic School. Call for more information at 703-385-7949.
The Capitol Steps synchronized skating teams are hosting their annual open house on Wednesday, March 31, at 6 p.m. at the Fairfax Ice Arena, 3779 Pickett Road, Fairfax. The teams invite all skaters to join them on the ice to experience synchronized team skating. Workshops will take place April 7 and 14, followed by team selections on May 5 and 12. The first practice for the newly formed teams will be May 19. Visit www.capitol-steps.net. For directions to the ice arena, visit www.fairfaxicearena.com.
The Arc of Northern Virginia's Patriots' Cup 8K Corporate Challenge has been scheduled for May 2, 2004. The organization is currently looking for corporate and individual runners, volunteers, and sponsors for the race including sponsors for food, awards, photography, an emcee, a piece of the course, or even a title sponsorship for the whole race. Sponsorship starts at $400. Contact Lynn Ruiz to learn more about sponsorship, to sign a company up with a team, or for more information at Lruiz@TheArcofNoVa.org.
Tax forms and preparation assistance is available to Virginia residents at all 21 branches of the Fairfax County Public Library. Forms are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last. Forms are also available online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library.
The AARP and IRS joined together to sponsor a free confidential program, "Tax-Aide," in which trained counselors prepare income tax returns and answer income tax questions for low and middle income and senior citizens. The program in Vienna takes place each Tuesday and Wednesday, through April 14, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., at The SunTrust Bank, 515 Maple Ave., East. Taxpayers should use the bank's Berry Street entrance and go to the third floor. No appointment is needed and the service is free of charge. Items taxpayers should bring include:
* Copies of 2002 Federal and Virginia returns;
* Federal and Virginia 2003 taxforms and booklets received;
* Social Security card or other evidence of numbers for taxpayers and dependents;
* Documents received showing 2003 wages, interest, dividends, pensions;
* Social Security benefits, capital gains and any other income; and
* Documents received showing deductible expenses such as mortgage interest, personal property taxes, medical and health and long term care insurance expenses, charitable contributions and any other deductible expenses.
For more information, contact Ken Quincy at 703-573-7919.
"Life Notes with Vera Turner" is in production for broadcast in 2004 on Cox Cable channel 10 in Fairfax and on Comcast Cable channel 10 in Reston. Later in the year, expanded coverage is planned for other public access cable stations in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The show tapes before a live audience at Fairfax Public Access Studios on March 15, April 19, May 3 and June 7. To reserve a seat, e-mail info@lifenotestv.com. Visit www.lifenotestv.com. Call 703-837-0227.
The Children's Friendship Project for Northern Ireland (CFPNI) is seeking host families for visiting Protestant and Roman Catholic teens (boys or girls), ages 15-18, for four weeks over the summer. To be eligible, families must have a safe, neutral setting for the teens to get to know one another, a single bedroom for them to share and day-long supervision.
During their stay in the area, the teens attend a leadership conference on Capital Hill and other team-building and social activities, although the majority of their time is spent getting to know each other and joining in the host family's normal routine.
Applications to host must be submitted by March 2004. For more information or to obtain a host family application, contact Jenny Mullen at 703-450-4479 or nvacoordinator@cfpni.org. Visit www.cfpni.org.
CFPNI is a 17-year-old national, all-volunteer peace program aimed at building trust, understanding and friendship among the next generation of leaders in Northern Ireland.
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. For more information, call 703-938-5458.
Mother's First Organization is a support group for women who are adjusting to motherhood and staying at home full/part time. Support meetings, field trips, lecture series, mom's night out and other events. Groups throughout Northern Virginia and Maryland. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org.
The 25th Anniversary Adopt-a-Flag Program calls for the display of American flags along Burke Centre Parkway each year on various holidays and other notable dates. Currently, the program consists of 50 flags to be displayed, which residents may adopt. The adoption fee is $50 for a two-year period. The adoption fee covers the cost of the flags, poles, pipe sleeves, flag storage and general upkeep. Flag adopters will receive a certificate of adoption noting the number of their particular flag. Those interested in adopting a flag should stop by the Burke Conservancy office to complete a short form and make payment. Adoption certificates will be issued by mail. For more information, contact the Burke Conservancy office at 703-978-2928.
New Beginnings offers discussion groups and social events for recently separated or divorced men and women. For Northern Virginia activities, call 301-924-4101 or visit www.newbeginningsusa.org.
NARFE (National Association of Retired Federal Employees): The only organization that serves current and retired federal workers, spouses and survivors united to preserve their economic security and well-being by supporting legislation to protect current retirement benefits; to clarify the public's perception of federal workers; and to strengthen political influence at both state and national levels. Springfield Chapter 893 meets the second Wednesday each month, except July and August, at 1 p.m., St. John's United Methodist Church, 5312 Backlick Road, Springfield.
World Heritage is seeking families, couples (with or without children) or single parents interested in hosting a high-school-age foreign exchange student. Call Judith Henderson at 703-998-0606.