Send community notes to the Connection at mclean/greatfalls@connectionnewspapers.com or 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean VA 22102. Call 703-917-6449 with questions.
Book discussion and signing: Local authors, internationally recognized Sara Schneidman, "Regenesis", Carolyn Rapp, "Garden Voices" and Susan Foulke, "Did You Know…? Wise Words & Advice for Gardeners & Floral Designers" will be discussing and signing their books at The Artisans, Langley Shopping Center, 1368 Chain Bridge Road, McLean, noon-5 p.m. Sunday, April 29. Call 703-506-0158 or visit www.theartisans.biz. 10 percent of proceeds benefit NOVAM: The Northern Virginia AIDS Ministry.
Join the Great Falls Friends for their May meeting on Wednesday, May 2, 8 a.m. at the Old Brogue Snuggery in Great Falls. The event will feature networking opportunities and a guest speaker from the Friends of the River Bend Park. Breakfast will be served. For more information call 703-759–0375.
The McLean Farmers’ Market, located at Lewinsville Park on Chain Bridge Road, will open on Friday, May 4, and with the exception of McLean Day on May 18, will be open until November 16. Market hours are 8:30am to 12:30pm each Friday. Come to the market for fresh produce, herbs and spices, breads (including Turkish pastries), meats, eggs, fruits, flowers (cut and potted), plants, jams and jellies, and more.
New features this year include vendors selling honey, ice cream and lamb. The lamb vendor will also have specialty lamb dishes, e.g., lamb vindaloo and Moroccan lamb, for sale. Also this year there will be a Plant Clinic conducted by Fairfax County Master Gardeners. These gardeners will answer questions about plants including plant diseases, insects and related matters.
The Great Falls Garden Club is holding a flower show and annual plant sale at the Great Falls Community Library on Georgetown Pike. The flower show will be open to the public Friday, May 4, 4-6 p.m. and Saturday, May 5, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The plant sale will be held Saturday May 5, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
The theme of this year’s flower show is "The Elements: Earth, Fire, Wind and Water." For more information about the Great Falls Garden Club, contact Membership Chair Caroline Van Wagoner at 703-430-9030.
Northern Virginia Family Service needs 15-20 volunteers for it's annual Road to Independence Gala on Friday, May 4, 6-11 p.m. The event will be held at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner hotel at 7920 Jones Branch Drive, McLean.Volunteers can work in 90-minute shifts or all evening. Participants will assist with greeting guests, silent and live auctions, raffle, information table, and clean up. Appropriate attire required: suit & tie or tuxedo for men, cocktail or evening dress for women. Minimum age is 16. For information or to volunteer contact Ann Granger at 703-219-2193 or volunteer@nvfs.org. Visit www.nvfs.org.
The McLean Branch of the American Association of University Women will be collecting used books, CD’s, tapes, videos and software on Saturdays, May 5 and 19 at the Sun Trust Bank, 515 Maple Ave. E in Vienna. The collections will be held 10 a.m.-4 p.m. No records, textbooks or encyclopedias will be accepted. Children’s books are needed. Similar collections will take place June 9 and 23 as well as July 14 and 28. For further information call 703-726-6470 or e-mail DSNUSN@aol.com.
The McLean Community Center is now offering its patrons online registration for a variety of classes, activities and events through its Web site, www.mcleancenter.org.
The Center has contracted with The Active Network Inc., based in San Diego, Calif. ActiveNnet, the company's hosted Web-based software program, provides users with excellent customer service and an easy-to-use interface. For enhanced security, all registration transactions will be processed on a Verisign secured site. More than 1,300 parks and recreation agencies in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand use the program. For more on ActiveNnet, visit: www.active.com/myevent.
For more information on online registration at MCC, contact the Center at 703-790-0123/TTY: 703-827-8255 (hearing impaired only), or visit: www.mcleancenter.org.
Word Processing Software is offered on public computers in the Fairfax County Public Libraries. Free service. www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library.
Arc of Northern Virginia offers respite care at their Kidz Clubhouse in Great Falls. They offer after-school, evening or weekend care. Respite care is available for children of all ages with disabilities and their siblings. Rates are $15 per hour from 8 a.m.-11 p.m., $7 per hour from 11 p.m.-8 a.m. and $5 per hour for siblings, with no charge for overnight care. Call 703-438-8370, fax-703-438-8371, or visit www.kidzclubhouse.org.
St. John Catholic Church, 6420 Linway Terrace, McLean, operates a thrift shop for all residents of Northern Virginia. The shop is located on the lower level of Carlin Hall under the parish office and features clothing, a children's room, a kitchen and household room and a limited amount of artwork and "bric-a-brac." Hours are Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Donations are accepted during hours of operation and Mondays from 9:30 a.m.-noon. Call 703-356-7420.
Vinson Hall Treasure Shop. Vinson Hall Military Retirement Community operates its Treasure Shop in the building at 6251 Old Dominion Drive, McLean. Anyone may come to shop Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Look at glassware, dishes, pictures, kitchen items and jewelry. Additional hours are the second Saturday of the month. Call 703-970-3722.