<i>Know of something missing from our community calendar? E-mail it to <a href=mailto:arlington@connectionnewspapers.com> arlington@connectionnewspapers.com</a>. 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 <a href=http://www.arlingtonconnection.com>www.arlingtonconnection.com</a> and click on Community.</i>
Yorktown HS Crew Boosters annual Wreath Sale is going on now! Place your order for a beautiful, 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 ($22.00) and can also be sent as gifts to friends, family and business associates via UPS or FedEx anywhere in the US ($32.00). 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.
Psi Nu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. will be hosting its 36th annual Achievement Week Observance banquet on Friday, Nov. 14 at the Fort Myer Officers Club, Fort Myer. They will honor Preston M. Royster, Ph.D. as their Citizen-of-the-Year and the keynote speaker for the evening will be Ms. Brenda Stith Finch, Vice President, Project/Program Management for Verizon Business. For more information, contact: Mitch, 301-372-8800; mitchjamitchell@aol.com
4th Annual After-the-Election Senior Forum. Nov. 20 at 10 a.m. at Culpepper Garden, 4435 N. Pershing Drive. The 4th annual After-The-Election Senior Forum will provide a setting for all to discuss senior issues with Arlington's and Alexandria's General Assembly Officials. For more information, contact Terri Lynch at 703-228-1733 or e-mail the Arlington Agency on Aging at Arlaaa@arlingtonva.us.
There will be a free public meeting on water quality in Tidal Four Mile Run on Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. at Fairlington Community Center, Room 134, 3308 S. Stafford St. Call Katie Conaway at 703-583-3804 for more.
This November the Animal Welfare League of Arlington celebrates "Adopt a Senior Pet Month" with reduced adoption fees for "senior" cats and dogs. The reduced fee is $50 for senior cats (at least five years old); the usual fee is $100. The adoption fee is $75 for senior dogs (at least five years old); the usual fee is $120. All of our cats and dogs receive vaccinations and microchips and are spayed or neutered before going to their new homes so a senior pet is a real bargain.
The League currently has 15 cats that are at least five years old, and we always have friendly adult dogs. For those who are considering adding an animal companion to their home, now is a great time to adopt from our shelter. You can take advantage of a reduced adoption fee and help a homeless animal. You can see all of our available pets on our Web site at www.awla.org or call us at 703-931-9241 x200. We have staff and volunteers who will be happy to help you meet our cats and dogs and find the right one to become your new best friend. Visit us Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, noon to 7p.m. or Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. at 2650 S. Arlington Mill Drive, Arlington.
Valerie Cahill, high school special education teacher in Orange, Calif., requests mementos of Virginia for her 3rd period English class students, who are studying the state. Please send any contributions to: Valerie Cahill, El Modena High School, 3920 Spring St., Orange, CA 92869.
The Walter Reed Community Center is now home to Arlington's newest adult day health care center. It also contains a secured out-door garden area where participants can pace or just enjoy nature. For more information, to arrange a tour, or to schedule your free trial day, call Deborah Greenbush, Center Director at 703-228-0965.
Nominations are open for the Jim Hunter Human Rights Award. Applications are due on Monday, Nov.17. Recipients will be honored on Wednesday, Dec. 10, during a ceremony and reception at the Arlington Central Library. For more information, visit www.arlingtonva.us/departments/commissions/HumanRights.
Financial pressure is mounting for families across the region as a result of the ongoing economic turmoil. With so many more people now in need of help, 2-1-1 VIRGINIA provides a new, easy to remember 3-digit phone number available 24/7 for people looking for community resources.
2-1-1 is the nationally designated 3 digit phone number for free, confidential community Information and Referral service with information on 4,400 programs that provide:
· Food, shelter, and clothing
· Utility and rent assistance
· Employment services
· Health care
· Legal Assistance
· Financial, Credit, Budget and Home Counseling
· Mental Health services
· Prescription Assistance
For more information, visit www.crisislink.org
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.
Doorways for Women and Families is looking for donations for its Holiday Wishes program. Donors are asked to adopt a family and fulfill the holiday wish list for one family member, provide gift cards to allow families to shop for their own holiday gifts or begin collection drive at your workplace, faith community or family and friends. To learn more about donating contact Candice Lopez at clopez@doorwaysVA.org or 703-522-8858 x 19.
The Arlington Artists Alliance is pleased to announce it's "Artful Weekend" at Fort C.F. Smith on December 6th and 7th. This annual show features 39 2D and 3D artists working in oil, pastel, water media, wood, ceramics, and glass. The show and sale will be open at the historic Hendry House at Fort C.F. Smith on Saturday, December 6th from 10am - 5pm and on Sunday, December 7th from 12 noon - 4pm. Music will be provided by the Stardust Dance Band from 1pm - 3pm on Sunday. Fort C.F. Smith is located at 2411 North 24th Street, Arlington, Virginia.
Greenbrier Learning Center needs volunteers for its after-school program with 3rd-5th graders in South Arlington. Volunteers must be at least 15 years old, have a strong interest in working with children, be motivated, and have the ability to provide tutoring to 3rd-5th grade students. 703-379-6488 x104, volunteer@gblc.org.
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.
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..
The Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross is seeking volunteers to assist its blood collections staff at blood drives and blood donor centers. Volunteers will assist with providing a high level of customer service to donors, and with caring for donors in the refreshment area after the donation process. This position is offered to people who are 14 years of age or older. Training is scheduled at volunteer’s convenience at Red Cross offices in Arlington. To register for training, call the American Red Cross Volunteer Office at 1-800-272-0094, ext 1, or e-mail karlofft@usa.redcross.org.