Know of something missing from our community calendar? E-mail it to arlington@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is 2 p.m. the Thursday before publication. Call Rebecca Halik at 703-917-6407 with any questions. Photos are welcome. For more volunteer opportunities, classes, announcements visit www.arlingtonconnection.com and click on Community.
Wednesday/Sept. 12
Meeting. Janet E. Witt, Grassroots Manager of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, will be the featured speaker at 12:30 p.m. at the Church of the Covenant, 2666 Military Road in Arlington. Call Frances Finta at 703-528-2882.
Saturday/Sept. 15
Discussion. The Arlington Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) will discuss the pay gap between male and female workers at its first fall meeting at 9:30 a.m. at Nottingham Elementary School, 5900 Little Falls Road in North Arlington. The public is invited. Call 703-271-5504.
Four Mile Run Cleanup. 10 a.m.-noon at Barcroft Park, 4200 S. Four Mile Run Drive. Tally trash and clean up the stream. Organized in conjunction with Virginia Waterways Cleanup and the International Coastal Cleanup. Register at volunteer@arlingtonenvironment.org or 703-228-6406. Visit www.arlingtonenvironment.org.
Monday/Sept. 17
Meeting. Get Involved with Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment 7-8 p.m. Arlington Central Library Auditorium, 1015 N. Quincy St. Learn about volunteer activities. Register at volunteer@arlingtonenvironment.org or 703-228-6406. Visit www.arlingtonenvironment.org.
Saturday/Oct. 6
E-CARE Event. The Department of Environmental Services will hold an Environmental Collection and Recycling Event from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Household hazardous materials, computers and electronics, shoes and eyeglasses are available for recycling. There is a fee for monitors, televisions and bikes. Located at Thomas Jefferson Middle School, 125 S. Old Glebe Road. 703-228-5900.
F.Y.I.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, National Capital Chapter seeks volunteers for the 5th Anniversary MS Challenge Walk pwresented by Security Storage, an endurance walk covering three days and 50 miles on Sept. 28 through 30. Volunteer opportunities include in-office assistance before the event, setting up sites, assisting with participant registration, serving food, and cheering on walkers. Interested individuals can help for a few hours or all three days. To learn more or register as a volunteer, contact the National Capital Chapter at 202-296-5363 or visit www.MSandYOU.org.
Northern Virginia Epilepsy Group meets every Wednesday from 7-8 p.m. at Falls Church High School, Entrance 1, Room 100, 7521 Jaguar Trail, Falls Church. Free. For adults diagnosed with seizure disorders and caregivers. Call Dana at 703-425-6669.
Do you know a young girl who loves the water, but wants to try something besides racing back and forth? Synchronized swimming may be just the activity for her! NoVa Synchro, an Arlington-based synchronized swimming team, invites all interested girls ages 6-19 to come to two open practices to try the sport for themselves. Stop by either Friday, Sept. 7 from 7-9 p.m. at Providence RECenter (7525 Marc Dr. in Falls Church) or Sunday, Sept. 9 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at Wakefield High School (4901 Chesterfield Rd. in Arlington). Visit www.NoVaSynchro.net for more details, or e-mail NoVaSynchro99@yahoo.com with any questions.
Soroptimist International of Arlington started a community-wide campaign to collect used, unwanted cell phones. Proceeds from the collection efforts will be applied to the Women’s Opportunity Award and the Violet Richardson Award, as well as to fund various advocacy and educational programs throughout the community. Contact Sharon Williams, 703-203-3691 or e-mail swilliams@siarlington.org on where to find the drop offs.
The Art Institutes Passion for Fashion Competition offers students interested in Fashion Design or Fashion Marketing, Merchandising or Retail Management an opportunity to compete for a full tuition scholarship to study at one of The Art Institutes schools. Deadline for entries into the competition is Nov. 19. To be eligible, students must be a senior in high school, set to graduate in 2008, complete an entry form, have a minimum G.P.A of 2.0, write a short essay describing their interest in fashion and submit a finished, originally designed eveningwear garment and process book, for the Fashion Design category or a create a product or plan for the Fashion Marketing, Merchandising and Retail Management category. For more information on how to enter The Art Institutes Passion for Fashion Competition, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/passionforfashion.
Some children in the after school program have difficulty completing their homework assignments and would benefit from a one-on-one tutor. It would also be helpful to read books and assignments with them and help them improve their reading skills. The children are in the after school program from 4-6 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and from 2-6 p.m. on Wednesdays. The staff would like to pair an adult (or teen) with one child throughout the school year. Spend one hour with "your" tutee one or more afternoons a week. Minimum age is 14 or completed middle school. Program staff will orient volunteers to their operations. Contact Janice Covert, Volunteer Coordinator, 703-228-4730.
AHC Inc, a nonprofit in Arlington, is currently seeking volunteers to work with teens and/or children in tutoring or after-school programs. AHC, which provides affordable housing in the Arlington area, has been helping families who live in AHC communities since 1993. Here’s how to get involved and make a difference:
* Looking for dedicated volunteers to help middle and high school students with homework, and more importantly, to be a role model and mentor. The tutoring program, which runs from 6:30 to 8 p.m. once a week, provides a friendly environment to foster both academic and life skills. Tutors are paired with one student throughout the school year to help youngsters and volunteers build an ongoing personal relationship.
There are several locations you can choose from. The teen tutoring program is offered at six different sites in Arlington and is on either Tuesdays or Wednesdays (depending on the site) and all of them run from 6:30–8 p.m. Two of the sites are Metro accessible. See list below for site locations and specific days and times.
* Seeking volunteers to help tutor and mentor elementary students in one of five After-School Programs in Arlington. After-School Programs, which are generally offered in the afternoon through early evening, are designed to provide a safe, fun, learning environment where children can do their homework, develop social skills and participate in activities like arts and crafts. A key aspect of the program is to build children’s academic skills, with a strong emphasis on literacy.
The After School Program times and days differ by site. See list below for each site and their respective times and days: Volunteers for this program can come as little as one hour a week, or as much as they are able. For more information on AHC, visit www.ahcinc.org or contact Chris Papavasiliou, Volunteer Coordinator at 703-807-1941.
If you enjoy talking about books, become a book discussion leader at The Carlin, a senior independent living facility. Work with an interested group of people to select the books to be read, and lead the monthly discussion. The books will be supplied by Arlington Public Library. Need someone who is dependable, enjoys discussion books and is able to lead a discussion making sure everyone gets a chance to share their views. The group meets for two hours on the second Thursday of each month at Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St. A six-month commitment is required. Contact Barbara Dean, Volunteer Coordinator, at 703-228-7688.
The Parkinson’s Disease Support Groups (Patient Discussion, Carepartners and Wilber McBay Exercise Program) meet weekday mornings at the Cherrydale Baptist Church, 3910 Lorcom Lane, Arlington. The Parkinson Foundation (PFNCA) invites persons with PD and their carepartners. Interested participants must call ahead. For schedules and more information, contact Leon Paparella at 202-966-4450.
Connections Café for retirees and soon-to-be retirees looking for opportunities for volunteer service, employment, learning, recreation and social interaction, open Tuesdays, 10 a.m.- noon, Thursdays, 1 p.m. 3 p.m., Walter Reed Community Center, 2909 S. 16th St. and Mondays and Wednesdays, noon to 2:30 p.m., Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington. For more information, call 703-228-4745.
The Naomi Project needs volunteers who will be trained to serve as mentors to disadvantaged pregnant women and new mothers in the Northern Virginia area. Mentors are matched with a client in a one-on-one relationship. The next training session for volunteers is Saturday, Sept. 29, from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at Falls Church Presbyterian Church, 225 E. Broad St., Falls Church. A $20 registration fee covers a background check, study materials and lunch. Spanish-speaking volunteers are especially needed. Contact Pilar Jones at 703-860-2633 or naomiproject@hotmail.com, or visit www.naomiproject.org.
Applications are being accepted for Dance Sampler with the Jane Franklin Dance Company, a festival with performances on Nov. 10 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 11 at 3 p.m. Works will be selected by an adjudication panel: Maida Withers and Dan Joyce. Information about how to apply is at www.janefranklin.com/DanceSampler2.html. Call 703-298-3235 or visit www.janefranklin.com for more on the dance company.
As summer reaches its height, Arlington gardeners wanting to donate fresh produce from their gardens to the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) have two new locations that serve as drop-off points. In addition to dropping food off directly at AFAC, food can also be left at:
* Arlington Farmers’ Market, Courthouse, N. 14th Street & N. Courthouse Road at the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia Help Desk. Saturday mornings, 8 am – noon. .
* St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 2609 N. Glebe Road. Sunday mornings: 8 am – noon.
Beyond the Hoop, an Arlington-based non profit youth educational group has launched a drive to collect shoes to donate to Hoops4Hope, a not-for-profit organization that provides the athletic footwear to youth in South Africa and Zimbabwe who often have no shoes and must do their recreation in bare feet. Donate any athletic shoes in reasonably good condition, men’s, boys, women and girls, will be accepted. Even shoes with cleats will be accepted for the Soccer4Hope program. For more contact Kenny Robinson, Beyond the Hoop at 703-533-9158. Collection points through Oct. 14 are:
* Arlington YMCA, 3422 N. 13th St., Monday to Friday – 6 a.m.-10 pm; Saturday: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
* Trinity Church, 5533 N. 16th St., Sundays only, 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Doorways for Women and Families is seeking volunteers for its Safehouse domestic violence shelter program. Volunteers are needed for weekend and evening shifts and to answer our 24/7 hotline. Some weekday opportunities are also available. Training begins August-September. Call 703-522-8858 x13 or e-mail volunteer@doorwaysVA.org. Visit www.doorwaysva.org/volunteer.
Plan and organize fundraisers for Northern Virginia’s Most Vulnerable Children. The Development Committee assists with donor cultivation (corporate and individual) as well as special event organization and planning. Looking for some fresh ideas for upcoming events and people willing to roll up their sleeves to raise additional funding to provide programs to children in Alexandria and Arlington who otherwise would not be able to attend a high quality preschool program. Contact Kate Lyng, CFNC’s Manager of Development, (klyng@cfnc-online.org or 703-836-0214 x235) for more information on CFNC’s Development Committee.
Girls’ Outreach Program is an after school program dedicated to working with adolescent females who have been adjudicated delinquent or in need of supervision. No training requirements, however, all volunteers must have a Child Protective Services and criminal background check. Contact Tara Magee, Program Coordinator, 703-228-0425.
Parent Allies for Student Success (PASS) is a collaborative effort of a community-based organization. Allies will help parents gain useful educational awareness and knowledge so that they can advocate for a successful future for their children. Parent allies will go through a screening process — 16 hours of training are required and will be done locally by professors from George Mason University in two parts and is scheduled for the fall of 2007 (September/October time frame). Contact Kyppee Evans, Program Director, 703-979-2300.
Work with elderly and disabled people, providing recreational activities such as crafts, music, games, visiting one to one, and assisting in setting up the recreational programs. All volunteers who will be working with residents for an unlimited duration must have a TB test or chest X-ray. The TB test will be provided by the center. Contact Leea Lynch, Program Director, 703-920-5700 ext. 384.
Volunteer movers are needed to assist families in the HomeStart (transitional housing) program. The families that Doorways serves often in need of assistance moving into their new homes or picking up and delivering donated furniture items. Looking for volunteers who have access to trucks and/or could lend a hand in assisting families transitioning out of homelessness. Movers would help families moving in or out of Doorways HomeStart Program (formerly the transitional housing program) on an as-needed basis. All volunteers must be at least 18 years of age and able to lift small and/or large pieces of furniture. Contact Candice Lopez, Community Resources Manager, 703-522-8858 x13 or visit http://www.doorwaysva.org
Capital Hospice, is looking for daytime volunteers with diverse backgrounds who want to aid their community through Patient/Family Care, Translating Languages (especially Spanish, Korean and Vietnamese) and more. Call Capital Hospice at 703-538-2065 and ask to speak with a Volunteer Services Coordinator or visit www.capitalhospice.org. Eighteen hours of training, provided. Patient Care volunteers must take a TB skin test and complete a criminal background check, provided at no cost.
The "Live And Let Live" Alanon Family Group (www.alanonva.com/) provides a safe and dependable space where GLBT people gather to disciss the 12 Steps and Traditions of Al-Anon Every Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Unitarian Church, 4444 Arlington Blvd. Arlington.
Starting now, those who live, work in and visit Arlington County can register for Arlington Alert by texting "1776" to 411911. Arlington County uses Arlington Alert, to contact citizens when an emergency occurs via cell phone, e-mail, pager, BlackBerry, wireless PDA and XM Satellite Radio. In addition to enrollment via text message, Arlington Alert is available on the internet at www.arlingtonalert.com.
Arlington Public Schools is sponsoring a free breakfast and lunch program at 19 sites in Arlington. Free meals or snacks will be provided to all children age 18 and younger through Aug. 18. Contact Food Services at 703-228-6131.
The 2007 Northern Virginia Senior Olympics will be held Sept. 15-27. Participants must be 50 years of age and live in one of the sponsoring jurisdictions: cities of Alexandria, Fairfax or Falls Church, counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun or Prince William. Registration is $10 which includes one event; additional events are $1. Registration forms are available at senior centers or by calling 703-228-3600, ext. 9996. They can also be downloaded from www.novaseniorolympics.com. Registration deadline is Sept. 1.
The Arlington Agency on Aging has limited funds to purchase air conditioners or fans for Arlington residents aged 60 and older, whose income is $15,315 a year ($1,276 a month) for a single person or $20,535 a year ($1,711 a month) for a two-persons household, who have a home situation without air conditioning that presents a threat to the person's health and well being. For an application or more information, contact the Agency on Aging at 703-228-1700, TTY 703-228-1788, or e-mail arlaaa@arlingtonva.us.
Arlingtonians are looking for volunteer ombudsman to act as advocates. Volunteer advocates are assigned to a specific local nursing home or assisted-living facility in Arlington County and make weekly visits, meeting one-on-one with residents. Applicants must be available to volunteer four hours per week, primarily during regular business hours. Also, volunteer ombudsmen must not be employed by a long-term care facility. Interviews of applicants will be held this summer in preparation for the next annual training, scheduled for Sept. 17, 18 and 28 from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. each day. For further information and an application, call 703-324-5861, TTY: 703-449-1186 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/LTCOmbudsman.
Volunteer Nurses are needed to work in the Communicable Diseases Clinic of the Arlington County Department of Human Services. Nurses must have Virginia license, current CPR card, and liability insurance. Orientation and training will be provided. Volunteers must be able to work two clinics (Thursdays) per month. Contact Tracey Hess at 703-228-5664. Located at 800 S. Walter Reed Drive.
Arlington’s Youth Team is for young volunteers ages 12 - 18 and provides a way for young people to volunteer for the Red Cross in a fun, social setting, while providing necessary services to the Arlington community. During the school year, the Youth Team has meetings once every other week in the evening, along with weekend and evening projects. During the summer, the Youth Team is much more active, with volunteer projects occurring 3-4 times per week during the day. All volunteers (youth and adult) must first attend a New Volunteer Orientation. Orientations are held approximately twice per month. You can find specific dates on www.arlingtonredcross.org. Volunteers age 18 and older must complete a background check. Contact Heather Pritchett, Volunteer Services Coordinator, 703-527-3010 x735.
Library Volunteer. Help make the Central Library's, 1015 N. Quincy St., programs go more smoothly by ushering, handing out programs, preparing children's crafts ahead of time, and then helping children complete their projects during the program. We need reliable, dependable, friendly people. Experience working with children is a plus. Contact Barbara Dean, Volunteer Coordinator, 703-228-7688.
The Arlington Disability Advisory Commission is seeking applicants to interview for several vacant positions. The Arlington Disability Advisory Commission is a 13 member, County Board appointed advisory group comprised of individuals who live and/or work in Arlington, and who are interested in and knowledgeable about issues involving people with physical and sensory disabilities. The Commission is seeking expressions of interest from people who would like to serve on the Commission and/or one or more of its committees. Time commitment is approximately 6 - 8 hours per month. Individuals interested in serving on the Commission or any of its committees should contact the Disability Advisory Commission staff at 703-228-7096 or e-mail at amaynard@arlingtonva.us.
Doorways for Women and Families is seeking volunteers for its Safehouse domestic violence shelter program. Volunteers are needed for weekend and evening shifts and to answer our 24/7 hotline. Some weekday opportunities are also available. Training begins August-September. Call 703-522-8858 x13 or e-mail volunteer@doorwaysVA.org. Visit www.doorwaysva.org/volunteer.
Farmers Market. Saturdays from 9 a.m.-noon at N. Courthouse Road and N. 14th St. in Arlington. Enjoy a variety of vendors.