Send notes to the Connection at south@connectionnewspapers.com or call 703-778-9416. Deadline is Friday. Dated announcements should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event.
<b>Thursday/Dec. 3
</b>“Coping with the Holidays after the Death of a Loved One” presented by Haven of Northern Virginia. 7:30-9 p.m. After a loved one has died, the holidays can be a painful reminder of loss. Take to bring new meaning to this time of year. This presentation will offer strategies and ideas for reinventing the holidays. The presentation is free but requires registration For registration and information, call 703-941-7000, visit Haven’s Web site at www.havenofnova.org, or e-mail havenofnova@verizon.net. Haven of Northern Virginia offers one-on-one support to those grieving the death of a loved one. Call Haven to schedule an appointment with one of our trained volunteers. Walk-ins are also welcome, Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., 4606 Ravensworth Road, Annandale.
<b>Sunday/Dec. 6
</b>Ostomy Support Group of Northern Virginia. 1:30-3:30 p.m. Fairfax Hospital Physicians Conference Center. Annual Holiday Festivities; also Capital Hospice. Information, phone 703-802-3457 or Web site www.ostomysupportofnova.org.
<b>Tuesday/Dec. 8
</b>South County Federation Meeting, 7:30 p.m. at the South County Secondary School, 8501 Silverbrook Road, Lorton. Southcountyfederation.com.
<b>Thursday, Dec. 10
</b>League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area. 7:45 p.m. at Paul Spring Retirement Community, Mount Vernon Room, 7116 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria. Contact Marge, 703-768-5212 or www.lwv-fairfax.org.
<b>Wednesday/Dec. 9
</b>NARFE Springfield Chapter Meeting. 1:30 p.m., followed by holiday tunes lead by guitarist Bob Drake. Donations for homeless vets requested. Meeting place is The American Legion Post 176, 5620 Amherst Ave., Springfield. Contact Chapter President Dick Gallagher at rmgallagher@verizon.net or 703 455-4373.
<b>Monday, December 14
</b>League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area. 1:30 p.m. at Hunters Crossing Classroom, Spring Village Drive, Springfield. Contact Kay, 703-644-2670 or www.lwv-fairfax.org.
<b>Tuesday/Jan. 12.
</b>An Inside Look at Medicare, Present and Future, with Medicare Specialist Howard Houghton. 10 a.m. at Ernst Cultural Center on the NVCC Annandale Campus, 8333 Little River Turnpike. (refreshments, 9:30 a.m.) Open Forum offered by Lifetime Learning Institute of Northern Virginia. Free, no reservations needed. lli.nova.org or 703-503-0600.