Know of something missing from our community civic calendar? Send it to The Arlington Connection, e-mail it to arlington@connectionnewspapers.com, mail to 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is 2 p.m. the Thursday before publication. Call Rebecca Halik at 703-917-6407 with any questions. Photos are welcome.
Thursday/Feb. 8
Montessori Information. Parents of preschool aged and elementary school children can learn more about the preschool and elementary Montessori program in the Arlington Public Schools during Montessori Information Night from 7-8:30 p.m., at Drew Model Elementary School, 3500 South 23rd St. Spanish translation will be provided. There is no admission for the event and free parking is available. For more information, contact the APS Office of Early Childhood Education at 703-228-8632.
Lecture. 7:30-9 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, 4444 Arlington Blvd. "War and Resistance: The Middle East in a Global Context" will include panelists from a university and more. Free. Contact Serene at s_atiani@hotmail.com.
Saturday/Feb. 10
Ceremony. Arlington’s annual Harambee Ceremony to honor elders from its African American Community will be at 11 a.m., Walter Reed Community Center. Seven elders will be recognized for their contributions to the community, friends and/or family. The program is free and open to the public.
Sunday/Feb. 11
Valentine Tea. Celebrate a history of caring, sponsored by the Arlington League of Women Voters from 2-4 p.m. at the Arlington County Library, 1015 N. Quincy Street. Donations of household items, food (nonperishable) and cleaning supplies are being collected for Doorways (shelter for abused women). Call 703-536-8270.
Pet Diabetes Lecture. 5-6 p.m. at PetMAC, 822 N. Kenmore St., Arlington. Learn what can be done to prevent, diagnose and treat diabetes in pets. $10. RSVP to seminars@petmac.org or call 703-908-PETS (7387).
Tuesday/Feb. 13
Speaker. The Arlington Branch of the Association of American University Women (AAUW) will listen to National Science Foundation Einstein Fellow Allan Miller at 7:30 p.m. at the Langston Brown Community Center, 5722 Lee Highway, Arlington. He went to Antarctica and will talk about global warming and his observations. Free. Refreshments will be served. 703-527-4647.
Friday/Feb. 16
Open House. Arlington Learning in Retirement. 9 - noon at the George Mason University Campus, 3401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 329, Arlington. Information on courses for the session beginning in March and on clubs, special events and other opportunities. Refreshments will be provided. Call 703-228-2144.
Saturday, Feb. 17
Row For Humanity. The Yorktown High School crew team and Habitat for Humanity chapter are participating in the 3rd Annual Row for Humanity. Proceeds will benefit Habitat for Humanity and the crew team. 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m. at Ballston Commons Mall, 4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. Call Adrienne Eng at 703-237-1631.
Saturday/March 10
Monte Carlo Night. Leadership Arlington will host its second annual Monte Carlo Night gala in the Historic Terminal ‘A’ of Washington Reagan National Airport. This fundraiser promises a night of fun with dancing, food, and gaming tables of Texas Hold’em and Black Jack. There is also a silent auction. Doors open at 7 p.m. and gaming begins at 8 p.m. Ticket cost is $100 per person which includes food and initial gaming money. Contact Erika Mendez, Director of Membership, at 703-528-2522.
F.Y.I.
Have your taxes prepared at no cost by volunteers from the AARP TaxAide program. All volunteers are trained in tax preparation and certified by the IRS. All returns will be e-filed and you can have your refund sent directly to your bank. Most clients receive their refund deposits within 2 weeks. You do not have to be retired or a member of AARP to benefit from this free program. The program begins Feb. 1 and runs through April 16. Call 1-888-AARPNOW for additional information.
* Sherwood Regional Library (Fairfax County). 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria. Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday 5-8 p.m.
* Columbia Pike Branch Library, 816 S Walter Reed Drive, Arlington. Tuesday 1-8 p.m.; Thursday and Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
"Art, Books and Creativity" will be on view from Jan. 2-27 at the Arlington Arts Center, 3550 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. This is an exhibit of artists' books made by fourth-grade students. Call 202-266-2826.
Nominations for the Governor's Volunteerism & Community Service Awards are now being accepted. The award has been honoring Virginians for more than 16 years and recognizes excellence in community service and volunteering. The awards include recognizing volunteer service on the part of businesses, faith-based groups, families, government, emergency preparedness and disaster recovery, national service, nonprofit organizations, seniors, volunteers, volunteer administrators, and youth. A narrative and two letters of support are required. Visit www.vaservice.org to download the nomination form or submit an online nomination through the Web site. The nomination process ends at 5 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007. The awards ceremony will take place April 12 at the Virginia Conference on Volunteerism and Community Service in Richmond.
The Arlington Public Schools Aquatics program is accepting registration for the winter session of its lifeguard program with training scheduled to begin Jan. 16. The lifeguard program is designed for individuals ages 15 and older with a desire to become aquatic professional rescuers. Successful candidates may be placed as lifeguards at one of the three Arlington Aquatic Centers. The fee for the three-week lifeguard training program is $250 and is reimbursable upon the completion of 100 hours of work. Contact Arlington Public Schools Aquatics Office at 703-228-6263 or visit www.arlington.k12.va.us/facilities/aquatic/ to apply. Applications for the spring and summer sessions are also being accepted.