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.
<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>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 e-mail havenofnova@verizon.net.
<cal1>Thursday/Sept. 17
<cal2>Western Fairfax Republican Women's Club. 6:30 p.m. at Fairfax County Government Center (Sully District Station), 4900 Stonecroft Blvd., Chantilly. Meeting and presentation by the speaker, Jim Gilmore, former governor of Virginia will begin at 7 p.m. after the social. For more, visit http://www.wfrwc.org/.
<cal1>Friday/Sept. 18
<cal2>What to Expect this Flu Season. 7 p.m., at the Mount Vernon Governmental Center, 2511 Parkers Lane, Alexandria. These town hall style meetings will give residents the opportunity to ask any flu-related questions they may have. Dr. Gloria Addo-Ayensu will begin each meeting with a brief presentation before taking questions from the public. For information about the town hall meetings visit the Health Department’s Web page: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/hd/flu/town-hall-meetings.htm, or call 703-246-2411, TTY 703-591-6435.
<cal1>Sunday/Sept. 20
<cal2>Democratic Women of Clifton will host U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11) from 3-5 p.m., at Clifton Community Hall, 12641 Chapel Road, Clifton. Connolly will discuss how a bill is made and the upcoming Virginia elections. Parking available in the parking lot next to the shops.
<cal1>Monday/Sept. 21
<cal2>Self-Defense Class. Join 0fficer Courtney Thibault of the Fairfax County Police's crime prevention unit to learn about self-defense for women. 7 p.m., at the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax. Free. Dessert served. RSVP to 703-323-0880.
<cal1>Thursday/Sept. 24
<cal2>Universal Design Seminar. 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., at West Springfield Governmental Center, 6140 Rolling Road, Springfield. Universal design modifications can help older adults make their homes safer and more comfortable. Free. Space is limited to 45; RSVP by e-mail to springfield@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-451-8873, TTY 711.
<cal1>Saturday/Sept. 26
<cal2>Volunteer Fair for Older Adults. 10 a.m.-12 p.m., at Kingstowne Center for Active Adults, 6488 Landsdowne Center, Alexandria and the adjacent Kingstowne Library. www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library or 703-704-6075 or trina.mayhan-webb@fairfaxcounty.gov. Attendees will have the chance to visit with area nonprofit groups and county agencies that are in need of volunteers.
<cal1>Tuesday/Sept. 29
<cal2>What to Expect this Flu Season. 7 p.m., at the Franconia Governmental Center, 6121 Franconia Road, Alexandria. These town hall style meetings will give residents the opportunity to ask any flu-related questions they may have. Dr. Gloria Addo-Ayensu will begin each meeting with a brief presentation before taking questions from the public. For information about the town hall meetings, visit the Health Department’s Web page: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/hd/flu/town-hall-meetings.htm, or call 703-246-2411, TTY 703-591-6435.
<cal1>Wednesday/Sept. 30
<cal2>Fall Ethics Seminar. Ravensworth Baptist Church, 5100 Ravensworth Road, Annandale, will begin its fall discussion series with a three-part dialogue on bio-ethics-understanding science within a faith framework. Discussion will focus on end-of-life issues, access to health care and advances in medical science. Sept. 30, Oct. 7 and 14, 6:30 p.m. 703-941-4113. www.rbc-va.org.
<cal1>Saturday/Oct. 3
<cal2>Fairfax County Republican Committee Pep Rally Breakfast. 8:30-10:30 a.m., Burke Firehouse, 9501 Old Burke Lake Road.
<cal1>Sunday/Oct. 4
<cal2>Ostomy Support Group of Northern Virginia LLC will have its monthly meeting 1:30-3 p.m., at Physicians Conference Center, Inova Fairfax Hospital, 3300 Gallows Road. Falls Church. Martha Hammond WOCN discusses Skin Care, Q&A. To learn more, call 703-802-3457 or visit www.ostomysupportofnova.org.
<cal1>Monday/Oct. 5
<cal2>Autism Summit: A Question of Medical Insurance. 6:30-8:30 p.m., Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, 5000 Seminary Road, Alexandria. Autism Summit to discuss the need for improving autism services in Virginia.
<cal1>Tuesday/Oct. 13
<cal2>South County Federation Meeting, 7:30 p.m. at the South County Secondary School, 8501 Silverbrook Road, Lorton. Southcountyfederation.com.
<cal1>Saturday/Oct 17
<cal2>Seasonal Flu Shot Clinic. Franconia United Methodist Church, 6037 Franconia Road, Alexandria, will host a Seasonal Flu Shot Clinic from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Cost will be $30, but Medicare B will also be accepted. Refreshments will also be served. To learn more, contact Bruce at 703 577-3137, or call the church at 703 971-5151 or e-mail admin@franconiaumc.org. http://www.franconiaunc.org.
<cal1>Monday/Oct. 19
<cal2>Fairfax County Republican Committee Meeting. 7-10 p.m., Falls Church High School, 7521 Jaguar Trail, Falls Church. Guest Speaker: U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf (R-10).
<cal1>Wednesday/Oct. 21
<cal2>Tying the Knot: A Pre-Marriage Workshop for Couples. 7:30 p.m., at JCC of Northern Virginia, 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax. Those planning to marry or are considering engagement may come to explore their relationship and the skills needed to handle the challenges that arise when couples share their lives. Sessions run Wednesday through Nov. 18. Jewish values and traditions provide a strong context for a safe and supportive group discussion. $75/per couple. For more information or to register, visit www.jccnv.org or contact Laurie Albert, LaurieA@jccnv.org, 703-323-0880.
L'Amazing Baby: Childbirth Preparation with a Jewish Twist. 7 p.m., at JCC of Northern Virginia, 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax. Running Wednesdays through Dec. 2, this class offers parents-to-be a traditional prepared childbirth class for labor and delivery, including stages of labor, breathing and relaxation and coping techniques, plus a spiritual, ritual and emotional support network for welcoming a Jewish child into the community. $75/per couple. For more information and to register, visit www.jccnv.org or contact Laurie Albert at laurieA@jccnv.org or 703-323-0880.
<cal1> Wednesday/Oct. 28
<cal2>Haven of Northern Virginia is offering a free six-week suicide loss support group. 7:30-9 p.m. 703-941-7000 or havenofnova@verizon.net. Registration is required.
<cal1>Tuesday/Nov. 10
<cal2>South County Federation Meeting, 7:30 p.m. at the South County Secondary School, 8501 Silverbrook Road, Lorton. Southcountyfederation.com.
<cal1>Thursday/Nov. 12
<cal2>Medical Lecture. Dr. Bill Hamilton will present Osteoarthritis, Joint Replacement Advances and New Anterior Approach to Hip Replacement 7 p.m. at the Springfield Hilton, 6550 Loisdale Road, Springfield. To register for this free class call 703-750-8800 or register online at https://webcentaur.inova.org/weblink/clSc.do.
<cal1>Tuesday/Dec. 8
<cal2>South County Federation Meeting, 7:30 p.m. at the South County Secondary School, 8501 Silverbrook Road, Lorton. Southcountyfederation.com.
Community Dialogues on the FY 2011 Budget will again be an opportunity to share your input on the Fairfax County budget. The community dialogues are sponsored by the Fairfax County government and the Fairfax County Public School system. Please join us at one of the following sessions:
Saturday, September 19: 10am to 12pm, Kings Park Library: Tuesday, September 30: 7pm to 9pm at McLean Community Center; Wednesday, September 30: 7pm to 9pm at West Springfield High School Cafeteria; Wednesday, October 14: 7pm to 9pm at South County High School Cafeteria; Saturday, October 24: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at John Marshall Library; Thursday, October 29: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at
Woodson High School Cafeteria.