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.
Ongoing Items
Now through Dec. 20, Arlington Virginia Federal Credit Union will be collecting new or gently used blankets, winter coats, hats, scarves and gloves to benefit Arlington Street People’s Assistance Network (A-SPAN) and Shirlington Employment and Education Center (SEEC). Collection boxes will be located in the lobbies of both the Main Branch (2130 North Glebe Road) and Courthouse Branch (1435 North Courthouse Road, Suite 11). For more information contact Patty Browne, community relations manager, at 703-526-0200 ext. 265 or pbrowne@arlingtonvafcu.org.
Poets over the age of 18 can submit poems by Friday, Jan. 23 by mail or e-mail. Six poems will be chosen to be exhibited on buses. Visit www.arlingtonarts.org or 703-228-1854. Open to all who live within the Metro’s transit zone.
Arlington Public Schools students are invited to take part in the "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Writing Contest" now through Friday, Dec. 19. All students will be expected to write an essay about their dream for making the world a better place. The contest is open to all Arlington students in grades one through 12. Winners will be announced Friday, Jan. 9, 2009. There is no fee to enter the writing contest. Entry forms are available now at all Arlington Public Schools and Arlington County libraries. Entries can also be submitted by e-mail to mlkentries@arlington.k12.va.us. Click here for the entry form. All entries must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 19.
Yorktown HS Crew Boosters annual Wreath Sale is going on now. Place an order for a 24" fully decorated, fragrant, fresh balsam fir wreath to arrive the first weekend of December. Wreaths will be delivered locally by rowers and Booster parents ($22) and can also be sent as gifts to friends, family and business associates via UPS or FedEx anywhere in the US ($32). All proceeds from this fundraiser go towards the purchase and maintenance of boats and rowing equipment necessary to sustain the rowing teams of Yorktown Crew. To order, visit www.yorktowncrew.org or call Karen Monborne at 703-534-5599.
Thursday/Dec. 18
A Wrapping Party for children of incarcerated parents that will be held Dec. 18 from 6:30-8 p.m. at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 4000 Lorcom Lane. Community volunteers are needed to:
* Donate new unwrapped gifts (no clothing) for children up to 18 years of age; gifts for teens over 14 especially needed. You can bring the toys to the OAR Office at Courthouse Square, or bring the gifts with you to the party.
* Contribute financially to help cover the costs of delivery, postage, and supplies.
* Deliver the wrapped gifts to one or two families in your zip code.
The party is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Call 703-228-7030 for information.
Support Group. 7 p.m. in south Arlington. Meet with NAMI support group; for family members who have mental illness. Free. 703-892-2197 for location.
Sunday/Dec. 21
Meeting. NAMI-Arlington sponsors a support group for parents of children, teens and young adults with a psychiatric diagnosis. Meetings are the third Sunday of each month, with the next meeting at 1- 2:30 p.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 5533 N. 16th St. Contact Naomi Verdugo at 703-862-9588.
Tuesday/Dec. 23
Support Group. 7:30 p.m. at Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church, 1500 N. Glebe Road. Nami-Arlington support group for individuals with friends or family members with mental illness. E-mail namiarlington@gmail.com.
Thursday/Jan. 1
New Year’s Day Organizational Meeting. 11 a.m. at County Board Room, 2100 Clarendon Blvd., Room 307. Meeting of Arlington County Board. Free. 703-228-3130.
Friday/Jan. 16
Application Deadline. The Virginia Master Naturalist program trains volunteers that gain certification through state-approved natural history courses and a commitment to volunteer service. The Arlington chapter of Master Naturalists will be holding its spring classes from Feb. 24 through June 9. Applications are due by Jan. 16. Visit www.armn.org.
Monday/Jan. 19
Inaugural Ball. “Celebration of Turning Virginia Blue” at Westin Arlington, 801 N. Glebe Road. Visit www.vademocrats.org/page/s/obaminauguration for more.