Know of something that should be included in Around Town? Send a brief write-up to Lea Mae Rice at 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, fax to 703-917-0991 or call 703-917-6459.
Nominations are sought for the Governor’s Awards for the Arts 2008, presented by Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) in September. Joanna Ormesher, City of Fairfax Cultural Arts Manager, is area coordinator for the City of Fairfax and Fairfax County. Send or e-mail nominations to the Virginia Commission for the Arts by May 15. Forms online at www.arts.virginia.gov or at Fairfax Commission on the Arts, 10455 Armstrong Street, Suite 123, Fairfax. Call 703-963-5979 for more.
Franconia Museum, located in the Franconia Government Center building at 6121 Franconia Road, Franconia, is open Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Members of the Board of Directors staff the museum and are on hand to take questions and discuss local history. The Franconia Museum is a private, non-profit local history museum dedicated to preserving the past, present and future of the Franconia area in pictures, artifacts and stories. On Wednesdays, Jac Walker is on hand to help Franconia residents begin writing their personal story of growing up in the area.
The Fairfax County Park Authority has trail maps illuminating the network of over 200 miles of trails throughout the county. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/trailsframe.htm to download maps of the nationally recognized Cross County Trail and other popular stream valley trails. The maps show the nearest points to access a trail, the location of stream crossings, and provide trail descriptions and distances.
The Greater Chesapeake and Potomac (GC&P) Region of the American Red Cross reports a declining blood supply and low appointment rates. All eligible donors are invited to schedule a donation appointment at any blood drive or donor center, by calling 1-800-GIVE-LIFE. Platelet donors can call 1-800-272-2123 to schedule an appointment. Additional listings can be found at www.my-redcross.org or by calling 1-800-GIVE LIFE (1-800-448-3543).
The Fairfax County Park Authority and Fairfax County Animal Shelter offer discounted dog-training courses to those who adopt a dog from the county shelter. Adoptive families who attend a Park Authority workshop receive a coupon for half-off tuition for the Park Authority Obedience I or Puppy Kindergarten class. Conditional upon completion of the course. For more about dogs available for adoption, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/animalservices or call 703-830-1100. For more about FCPA dog training classes, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks.
The Fairfax County Public Library Grants and Funding Research Center is located at Fairfax County Public Library, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. Hours Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. 703-324-8343
The Virginia Business and Professional Women’s Foundation offers a variety of scholarships, grants and fellowships to assist women to re-enter the job market or further their education and careers, as well as to support the study of women's issues. Visit www.bpwva.org.
The Fairfax County Park Authority offers an off-leash dog park at South Run Park, 7550 Reservation Drive, Springfield. It has a capacity of 85 dogs and is sponsored by Lorton Dogs, Inc. For more see www.southrundogs.com.
Have taxes prepared at no cost by volunteers from the AARP TaxAide program. It is not necessary to be retired or a member of AARP. The program runs through April 15. Call 1-888-AARPNOW for more. Nearby locations include:
* Mason District Government Center, 6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale. Hours Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Monday and Thursday 1-8 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
* Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria. Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.- 2 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday 5-8 p.m.
Trout stocking at Lake Accotink goes until April in the creek below the dam at the park, 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield. Trout fishing is open 7 a.m.-dusk until April 20. Season passes: $35/adult, $30/ages 11-15 and 60 and up. Daily passes: $10-$9. Passes may be purchased at the park. For more information, call 703-569-3464.
Fairfax Little League Baseball spring registration is ongoing at http://eteamz.active.com/fairfaxll/. For more call 703-732-8532.
Northern Virginia Community College students who have been in foster care may qualify for a state financial program to assist them in continuing their education at NVCC. The Foster Care Tuition Grant program is available to high school graduates or those who complete general education development (GED) who were in foster care, in the custody of a social services agency, or considered a special needs adoption when they received their high school diploma or GED. Call Carol Mowby at 703-323-3014 or visit www.vccs.edu/vccsasr/Tuitiongrant/tuitiongrant.html.
The City of Fairfax Parks & Recreation Department has partnered with Activenet to create a new online "office." This will allow online registration for classes and trips, and facility rental inquiries. Online registration will be provided at the same fee as in office. To learn more, visit www.visitfairfax.gov, Parks & Recreation.
CUE Bus now accepts SmarTrip cards. The plastic cards are sold by Metro for Metrorail and MetroBus fares and Metrorail parking lot payments. Fares are automatically deducted from the card, with no need for tickets or change. For information, visit www.wmata.com/riding/smartrip.cfm or call 888-SMARTRIP.
The Women's Center offers career services. For more information, visit www.thewomenscenter.org.
The Green Acres building has new office hours: Monday-Thursday from 8:30a.m.-5 p.m. The building is still open Friday. For more see www@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-385-7858.
From May through September, Master Gardeners are available to answer gardening-related questions at local farmers' markets and public libraries in Fairfax County. Bring plant samples and questions. Free. For information see www.co.fairfax.va.us/parks/farm-mkt.htm. Locations are:
* Burke Farmer's Market. Thursdays and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. VRE Parking Lot, 5671 Roberts Road, Burke.
* Fairfax Farmer's Market. Wednesdays 6:30-9 p.m., Tuesdays 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and Saturdays 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Van Dyck Park, 3730 Old Lee Highway,
* Kings Park Library. Saturdays 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke.
* Kingstowne Farmer's Market. Fridays 4-7 p.m. Kingstowne Town Center, Kingstowne Blvd., Springfield.
* Pohick Library. Mondays 6:30-9 p.m. and Tuesdays 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke.
* Fairfax Cooperative Extension Office. Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Master Gardeners Help Desk, 10th Floor, Pennino Building, 12011 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax.
* Farmers Market. Wednesdays 2-5 p.m., first and third Sundays 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Whole Foods, 4501 Market Commons Drive, Fairfax.
TaxiAccess is a new transportation service that is available to Fairfax County residents with disabilities. TaxiAccess provides subsidized taxi transportation service to county residents who are currently registered users of MetroAccess. Users may purchase up to eight coupon booklets per year for $10 each. To apply for the program, contact the Fairfax County Department of Transportation at 703-324-1172, TTY 711 Monday-Friday, between 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For more, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/taxiaccess.htm.
Showcase talents and voice opinions on Ted Little's local radio show talent forum Mondays 12-1 p.m. The nonprofit station WEBR, located in Fairfax, has 250,000 potential listeners. Show is open to all: singers, songwriters, magicians and more. For more visit www.fcac.org/webr or call Ted at 703-938-6064.
The Old Bridge Chamber Orchestra (OBCO) of Woodbridge is accepting new instrumental musicians. Visit www.obco.org and click on "Join us" to fill out an application.
The Fairfax Public Law Library, located on the first floor of the new Fairfax County Courthouse, has extended hours. Located at 4110 Chain Bridge Road #308, Fairfax, the Public Law Library will be open Mondays and Thursdays until 8 p.m. and will continue its normal hours of 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. For more call 703-246-2170 or e-mail liblawlibrary@fairfaxcounty.gov.