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.
Arlington residents whose vehicles carry out-of-state license plates will have to pay an annual license fee of $100, starting in April 2008, according to Arlington County’s Commissioner of Revenue. Current Virginia license plates may be obtained by visiting the DMV Select, located at the Commissioner’s office, 2100 Clarendon Blvd., 2nd floor, or at any Virginia DMV Customer Service location. Residents have until March 31 to comply with the law. Contact the Office of the Commissioner of Revenue at 703-228-3135, or e-mail vehicle@arlingtonva.us.
<b>Tuesday/April 1
</b> 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.
County Board Session. 7 p.m. at County Board Room 307, 2100 Clarendon Blvd. Work session regarding the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department. Free. 703-228-3130.
<b>Wednesday/April 2
</b> Advisory Committee. 6:30 p.m. at Department of Human Services, 3033 Wilson Blvd. Attend a free community development citizens advisory committee meeting. 703-228-3822.
<b>Tuesday/April 8
</b> 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.
<b>Saturday/April 19
</b>Home Owning Seminar. 9:30-11:30 a.m. at AVFCU Main Branch, 2130 N. Glebe Road. Free. To register, 703-526-0200 ext. 310.
<b>Tuesday/May 6
</b>Credit Control. 4-5 p.m. at Northern Virginia Community College, 4600 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington. Learn the basics of credit cards. Free. To register, 70-526-0200 ext. 265.
<b>Tuesday/May 20
</b>Mystery of Credit Reports. 4-5 p.m. at Northern Virginia Community College, 4600 N. Fairfax Drive. Learn everything about credit reports. To register, 703-526-0200 ext. 265.
<b>F.Y.I.
</b> The American Society of Appraisers machinery and technical specialties section will conduct an Introduction to Machinery and Equipment Valuation class at the Westin Arlington Gateway, Arlington, Va., May 29–June 1. For more information or to register, call the American Society of Appraisers at 800-ASA-VALU or register online by selecting a course at www.appraisers.org/education/.
The Toastmasters are holding a Division B speech contest on Saturday, April 24 at national Rural Electric Cooperative Association, 4301 Wilson Blvd. The public is welcome, and specific information is available from Division governor James Murphy at 703-874-2231.
The Center Dance Company, Inc and its school Arlington Center for Dance announce that it will soon be moving to 3443 Carlin Springs Road, Falls Church. The new facility is scheduled to open in May 2008 and will include at least five, large studios that will feature top of the line Harlequin flooring, high ceilings, and large uninterrupted space. Information on the school's programs can be found at www.ArlDance.org.
There will be a retirement course from April 3 through May 8 at Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington. $70/member; $75/non-member includes two books. Register at reasst@uucava.org or 703-892-9061.
The Arlington County Bar Foundation, a non-profit grant making organization is seeking grant applicants for its 2008 grant year. Grant applications will be accepted from civic minded organizations in need of funds for projects of legal interest within the greater Arlington area. Grant applications may be found at www.arlingtonbar.org and are due no later than May 2.
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.
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.
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.