Send notes to the Connection at south@connectionnewspapers.com or call 703-917-6459. Deadline is Friday. Dated announcements should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event.
<cal1>Saturdays
<cal2>Al-Anon Beginner's Meeting. 7-8 p.m., at Messiah Methodist Church, Room 212, 6215 Rolling Road, Springfield. See www.AlAnonVA.com for more information and meeting times. For those whose life has been affected by another person's drinking, Al-Anon may help. Al-Anon Family Groups are a fellowship of relatives and Friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength and hope in order to solve their common problems.
<cal1>Thursday/Aug. 6
<cal2>Information Session about NOVA's ESL for Employment Course. Intended for workers who want to improve their English language skills and advance their career. 6:30-8:30 p.m., at NOVA's Annandale Campus, 8333 Little River Turnpike, Room CE 202. Free. Bring photo identification and a document showing eligibility for employment in the U.S. To register and obtain more information, call 703-764-7779 or e-mail ESLemployment@nvcc.edu.
<cal1>Tuesday/Aug. 18
<cal2>Suicide Loss Bereavement Workshop. Learn about the grief process and other issues about grief after a loss by suicide. There will be an opportunity for questions and answers. Free. 7-9 p.m., Haven of Northern Virginia, 4606 Ravensworth Road, Annandale. Registration required. For registration and information, call 703 941-7000. Visit Haven’s web site at www.havenofnova.org or e-mail havenofnova@verizon.net.
<cal1>Thursday/Aug. 20
<cal2>Western Fairfax Republican Women's Club Meeting. Kala Quintana, director of Public Outreach for the Northern Virgina Transporation Commission and the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, will be speaking on Northern Virginia's ongoing and current transportation issues. 6:30 p.m., at the Fairfax County Government Center, Sully District Station, 4900 Stonecroft Boulevard, Chantilly. www.wfrwc.org/.
<cal1>Sunday/Aug. 30
<cal2>NOVA Grassroots Rally for Bob McDonnell. 1-4 p.m. at Burke Lake Park. Meet and greet local candidates. Barbecue by Red, Hot and Blue. Bring the family. Sponsored by Virginia Federation of Republican Women clubs in districts 8,10 and 11. Info call 703 591-7368.
<cal1>September/October
<cal2>Haven of NOVA Volunteer Training. Haven of Northern Virginia, 4606 Ravensworth Road, Annandale 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Haven, an all Volunteer bereavement support organization, will be offering Volunteer training. The training will be Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for two weeks. For registration and information, call 703 941-7000. Visit www.havenofnova.org or email havenofnova@verizon.net.
<cal1>Tuesday/Sept. 8
<cal2>South County Federation Meeting, 7:30 p.m. at the South County Secondary School, 8501 Silverbrook Road, Lorton. Southcountyfederation.com.
<cal1>Sunday/Sept. 13
<cal2>Ostomy Support Group of Northern Virginia LLC meets at Physicians Conference Center, Inova Fairfax Hospital, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church. Meet & Eat begins 1:30 p.m.; program begins 2-3:30 p.m. Featured speaker: Dr. Ian Shenk, gastroenterologist, discusses differences between Crohn's Disease and ulcerative colitis. To learn more, call OSGNV at 703-802-3457 or visit www.ostomysupportofnova.org.