To have a notice listed in the Bulletin, e-mail gazette@connectionnewspapers.com. Call Rebecca Halik at 703-917-6407 with questions.
The Mt. Vernon Republican Women are having Col. Joanne McPherson as the speaker for the December luncheon. Colonel Joanne McPHerson, a Mount Vernon resident, has agreed to address the group. She is a full Air Force colonel who has just finished her position as CEO of Kirkland Air Force Hospital, Kirkland, New Mexico and is presently stationed at Ft. McNair where is working toward her second Masters degree. The luncheon will be held on Thursday, Dec. 13 at Mike's Italian Resturant on Route 1. The social begins at 11:30 a.m. All spouses, guests, friends, and community members are welcomed. For information, call Debbie Fountain, 703 780-5942.
Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church is having an Intergenerational Christmas Musical on Sunday, Dec. 16, at both the 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. services. Every Sunday through Dec. 16, from 9:45-10:45 a.m., There will be a workshop series, "Great Biblical Figures: Abraham, Moses, David, Elijah and the Birth of Jesus." MVPC is located at 2001 Sherwood Hall Lane. For more information call the church office at 703-765-6118 or visit www.mvpconline.org.
Mount Vernon Estate's 2007 holiday season officially got underway Nov. 1 when tickets for "Mount Vernon by Candlelight" tours went on sale at the Ford Orientation Center, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, and through Ticketmaster at 703-573-SEAT or www.ticketmaster.com. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for children under 12 years of age.
Held Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, Dec. 7, 8 and 9; this holiday event is the only time during the year the Estate is open for public evening tours and one of the few times the Mansion's rarely-seen third floor is open for public viewing.
Following the Mansion tour, guests are invited to stroll candlelit walks, join in fireside caroling, and enjoy complimentary hot cider and cookies. The Food Court is open during the tours for fresh and convenient meals and holiday treats.
Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant, with its colonial American fare and costumed servers, offers the perfect complement to the candlelight tour. Reservations are suggested and can be made by calling 703-780-0011.
Hundreds of socially isolated and lonely seniors in Fairfax County will receive gifts and companionship this holiday season thanks to "Be a Santa to a Senior." This program runs through Dec. 16. Giving trees are currently up in several locations including participating K-Mart, Kohls and Giant locations in Annandale, Fairfax and Alexandria. Other locations and the names of program partners can be found at www.beasantatosenior.com.
VIC-HOP (Ventures in Community Hypothermia Outreach Program) is in jeopardy of not being able to fully open for lack of volunteers. The Hypothermia Shelter is located at Rising Hope United Methodist Mission Church, 8220 Russell Road, and is open during the winter months to prevent any deaths from freezing among the area’s homeless population. The hypothermia program opens this year on Dec. 3. Currently, three of the seven nights are in need of volunteers. Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday nights are still open in December and January. Call to volunteer, 703-360-1976.
Adoption Support Groups are forming in the Mount Vernon area. All members of the adoption triad, (adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive parents) are encouraged to call for more information about the groups as well as individual, couples, and/or family counseling. The groups will be held in the evenings. Contact Diana Tracey, licensed clinical social worker, at 571-245-0054.
The Inova Mount Vernon Hospital Auxiliary is currently accepting applications for adult volunteers. Volunteering at Mount Vernon Hospital is fun, exciting, and rewarding. A variety of positions are available and every effort is made to match your availability, interests, and abilities with the volunteer opportunities within the program. The hospital is located at 2501 Parker's Lane in Alexandria. For further information, call 703-664-7260, stop by the Director of Volunteer Services office Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., or visit www.inova.org.
MOMS Club of Alexandria meet every second Wednesday of each month at 10:30 a.m. at Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church, 2001 Sherwood Hall Lane. Children are welcome to all activities. Activities include: Monthly Meetings, playgroups, Park Days, Sunshine Committee, Community Service Projects, MOMS Night Out, etc. Visit www.geocities.com/southalexmomsclub/index.html for contact information.
First Night Alexandria's redesigned Web site is updated with new real-time ticket sales, a Kids Club, a Performer Corner, and an easy-to-read schedule. Visit http://www.firstnightalexandria.org/ for streamlined navigation and graphics, games for kids in the new Kids Club section, detailed performer information in the new Performer Corner, and a mobile device-friendly schedule that is sortable by performance times, type, and location.
In compliance with Governor Tim Kaine‚s statewide burning ban which went into effect on Oct. 19, at 12:01 a.m., the Fairfax County Fire Marshal has banned all bonfires, recreational fires, and open burning in Fairfax County. Controlled burning permits will be issued and approved on a case by case basis. The burning ban will remain in place until further notice. Failure to comply with the ban is considered a Class 3 misdemeanor, and violators will be prosecuted with a fine of not more than $500. For information about controlled burning in Fairfax County, contact 703-246-4849, or visit www.dof.virginia.gov..