The Red Hat Society (Clifton Chapter) is part of an organization with over 25,000 chapters worldwide. Members are age 50 and older and meet monthly just to socialize and have fun. They go on outings and day trips, meet for lunch and tea. The group is currently closed to new members. Call Orene Blum at 703-250-7554 if interested in starting a new chapter.
* The Town of Clifton Beautification Committee meets at the Clifton Caboose for assignments and asks for volunteers once a year in the spring. Eagle Scout projects are recommended. The committee coordinates the Christmas Candlelight Home Store on the first Saturday in December. For questions, call Jennifer Chesley at 703-830-2129 or Lynne Garvey at 703-322-1811.
* Clifton Town Council meets the first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Clifton Town Meeting Hall, 12641 Chapel Road.
Annual car show on Main Street is held on Labor Day. Clifton Day is held the Sunday before Columbus Day in October. Contact Mayor Tom Peterson at 703-CLIFTON or at mayorofcliftonva@aol.com.
* Architectural Review Board — An organization that approves structural and cosmetic changes to houses, fences and other out-buildings to maintain the historic flavor of the town. Homeowners must submit an application to the board before a building permit will be issued. Meets the fourth Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the Clifton Town Hall. Call Royce Jarrendt at 703-266-0767.
* The Clifton Betterment Association meets four times a year to maintain the historical integrity of Clifton by sponsoring Clifton Day, the Fourth of July party, Clifton 5K Caboose Run, charity events and by working to preserve the green space around town. It also publishes a directory and quarterly newsletter, The Clifton Clatter. Call editor Lane Johnston, at 703-222-9872 or check out the Web site at www.cliftonva.org. The president of CBA is Michelle Stein, 703-830-4908.
* The Clifton Community Woman's Club is a service organization that is open to residents of the Clifton community and surrounding areas. Meetings are the first Thursday of the month. The 9 a.m. meetings are at the Fairfax Station Museum and the 7:30 p.m. meetings are at members' homes. For more information, email cliftoncwc@cox.net or visit the Web site at www.cliftoncwc.org.
* The Clifton Community Woman's Club Homes Tour takes place the third Thursday in May from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The club selects five houses in the area for touring and then sells tickets for the event, which also includes a silent auction and a boutique of handcrafted items. The proceeds go to charity and also fund four scholarships for students headed to GMU and NOVA. Call Diane Smith at 703-830-3418.
* The Democratic Women of Clifton has some 270 members and is active in Democratic politics. Co-chairmen are Jane Blechman and Jane Barker. Meetings are held during the school year, Sundays from 2-4 p.m., at the Clifton Community Center, 12641 Chapel Road in Clifton. For more information, visit www.democraticwomenofclifton.org.
* Clifton Lions Club meets the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at 7 p.m. in the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum on Fairfax Station Road. This group contributes funds raised by charity events to organizations helping the blind and hearing-impaired. It also holds an annual pancake breakfast and sponsors a fund-raising, vintage-motorcycle show and several other local fund-raisers. For more information, contact the club at 703-449-9794 or visit the web site at www.clcv.clubexpress.com.
* The Fairfax Jugglers Club teaches and holds practice in juggling. Meetings, which are free and open to the public, are typically every Thursday, 7:30-10 p.m. Call Pete Walker for more information at 703-250-3281, or e-mail Pwalker800@aol.com. Visit the Web site at www.fairfaxjugglers.com.
* Friends of Fairfax Station Inc. is an all-volunteer board of directors that runs the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum at 11200 Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station. Open Sundays between 1 and 4 p.m. There is an admission fee of $2 for adults and $1 for children.
Special Events include:
A Forum entitled “Devereaux and Haupt, The Magician Engineers of the US Military Railroad,” led by speaker Bill Etue. Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.
A display of H0, N scale, and Lego trains. Sunday, Sept. 6 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Monday, Sept. 7, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The 20th Annual Model Train Display will be held on Saturday, Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information, visit www.fairfax-station.org or call 703-425-9225.
* Alcoholics Anonymous, for meeting information and locations, call 703-876-6166.
* Acacia Lodge meets the first Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Masonic Temple on Main Street in Clifton. Call David Morris at 703-978-4441 or 301-568-5005.