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.
Tuesday/March 4
Tax Assistance. 1:15 p.m. at Columbia Pike Library. Free. Bring copies of 2006 returns, 2007 W-2, social security and 1099 forms. No appointments required. 703-228-5710.
Wednesday/March 5
The Arlington League of Women Voters General Meeting will be held from 7-8:45 p.m. at Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St. The speaker will be Dr. Lewis H. Ziska, a Plant Physiologist with the USDA's Agriculture Research Service. He will speak on "Rising CO2. Warming and Plant Biology: From Mangoes to Morphine." 703-536-8270.
Tuesday/March 11
Tax Assistance. 1:15 p.m. at Columbia Pike Library. Free. Bring copies of 2006 returns, 2007 W-2, social security and 1099 forms. No appointments required. 703-228-5710.
Tuesday/March 18
Tax Assistance. 1:15 p.m. at Columbia Pike Library. Free. Bring copies of 2006 returns, 2007 W-2, social security and 1099 forms. No appointments required. 703-228-5710.
Tuesday/March 25
Tax Assistance. 1:15 p.m. at Columbia Pike Library. Free. Bring copies of 2006 returns, 2007 W-2, social security and 1099 forms. No appointments required. 703-228-5710.
Tuesday/April 1
Tax Assistance. 1:15 p.m. at Columbia Pike Library. Free. Bring copies of 2006 returns, 2007 W-2, social security and 1099 forms. No appointments required. 703-228-5710.
Tuesday/April 8
Tax Assistance. 1:15 p.m. at Columbia Pike Library. Free. Bring copies of 2006 returns, 2007 W-2, social security and 1099 forms. No appointments required. 703-228-5710.
F.Y.I.
The Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) is asking local gardeners to grow fruits and vegetables to help feed families in need in Arlington. AFAC – Arlington’s food pantry – will again provide free seeds to those gardeners willing to donate all or a portion of what they grow. To obtain free seeds for an individual or community Plant A Row plot or help in other ways, call Puwen Lee at 703-845-8486 or send an e-mail to afacpuwen@aol.com.
Goodwill of Greater Washington has a new bookstore called The Goodwill Book Nook. The bookstore will sell quality new and donated books. It is located at the basement of the Goodwill Retail Store at 4714 Columbia Pike in Arlington. While all Goodwill Retail Stores will still sell books, The Book Nook will have a much larger quantity and selection of books than will be found at other Goodwill Stores. 202-715-2617 or visit www.dcgoodwill.org.
The Commonwealth Circle of Northern Virginia is a women’s organization that supports charitable activities in Northern Virginia through financial contributions and volunteer efforts. It is now accepting applications for small grants from social service not-for-profit organizations located in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax and Falls Church. Call 703-901-1135 for additional information, or write to Grants Chairman, Commonwealth Circle, 1135 Basil Road, McLean, VA 22101. Applications are due by March 1.
The Ballston-Virginia Square Partnership needs volunteers to help with 2008 Arts + Crafts Markets. The Markets are held on the second Saturday of every month, May through October. Assist with setting up the market, staffing the Partnership booth and breaking down at the end of the day. No training required, but volunteers should be able to lift moderate weight boxes and carry items such as tables and chairs. Contact Julie Martin Mangis, Executive Director, 703-528-3527.
The Virginia Macintosh Users Group (VMUG), a support and network group for Macintosh users in northern Virginia, has moved its meeting location to the Walter Reed Community Center located at 2909 16th St. South in Arlington. VMUG meets on the first Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m.
Two Arlington County Board-appointed commissions that significantly impact the well-being of Arlington's older residents are looking for new members: The Commission on Aging and The Commission on Long-Term Care. If interested, contact the Agency on Aging at 703-228-1700, TTY 703-228-1788, or via e-mail at Arlaaa@arlingtonva.us. Information and applications are available online at www.arlingtonva.us/aging, select link to Commission on Aging or Commission on Long-Term Care Residences.
Assist with monthly Family Fun Nights at Langston Community Center, 2121 N. Culpeper St. — a drop-in program for families with children and teens on the autism spectrum. Volunteers will assist with crafts, help to lead games and sports and generally try to engage the children and parents in the activities that are offered. Every third Friday from 6:30-9 p.m. Contact Janice Covert at 703-228-4730.
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 people with PD and their carepartners. Interested participants must call ahead. For schedules and more information, contact Leon Paparella at 202-966-4450.
The East African Center is seeking motivated volunteers to help in a variety of ways in the Arlington area. They are an international development organization that works with women and children in very poor rural communities in Kenya. Seeking volunteers to work with our local staff (in the Arlington area) to help with outreach and communications, web-design, grants development and administrative tasks. Contact Theresa Wilson, President, 703-845-0208 or visit www.eastafricancenter.org for more.
Sign up now to be a Classroom Assistant in one of the Child & Family Network Centers (CFNC) preschool classrooms. The students are 4-year-olds. You will assist a teacher in guiding the children through new adventures in reading, science, art, music and computer basics, among other skills. And of course, there’s play, games, field trips and much more. Call Patricia Chapman, 703-836-0214 or send an e-mail to pchapman@cfnc-online.org to set up a time.
VFW Post 3150 has authorized the formation of a Men’s Auxiliary to assist the Post in carrying out its mission among its fellow veterans and their families and the community of Arlington. Membership in the Men’s Auxiliary requires that the applicant be the husband, father, grandfather, son, grandson, brother or half-brother (who attained that status prior to age 16) of a veteran who was or is eligible for membership in the VFW. Those interested should contact the Post at 703-525-0108, e-mail cdrpost3150@va.vfwwebmail.com or Ernie Deal at 540-522-1158 or 703-979-5268.
Hoffman-Boston Elementary. 1415 S. Queen St., Arlington, needs volunteers for Book Buddies, a one-to-one reading support program for at-risk first and second grade students. Volunteers tutor two mornings a week, before school, from 8:15-9:15 a.m., Monday-Wednesday or Tuesday -Thursday. The commitment is for the entire school year. All lesson plans and materials are designed individually and prepared in advance by the coordinator. An initial training session takes about an hour. On-going support is provided by the program coordinator. Contact Kim Durand, Volunteer & Partnership Program Specialist, 703-228-6003.
Hoffman-Boston Elementary School, at 1415 S. Queen St., needs adult volunteers to tutor a first or second grade struggling reader for two mornings a week from 8:15-9:15 a.m. during the school year. On-going support with training, lesson plans and all materials provided. Call Marty Maher, Book Buddies Co-ordinator, at 703-228-5845 or e-mail martha_maher@apsva.edu.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 703-228-6131.1.