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. 2
</b>Coping with the Holidays after the Death of a Loved One. 7:30 p.m. Haven of Northern Virginia, 4606 Ravensworth Road, Annandale. Registration required at 703-941-7000 or www.havenofnova.org.
<b>Friday/Dec. 3
</b>“Consuming Kids: the Commercialization of Childhood.” 7 p.m. at Accotink Unitarian Universalist Church, 10215 Lakehaven Court, Burke. The film focuses on the growth of child marketing in the wake of deregulation, showing how youth marketers have used advances in psychology, anthropology, and neuroscience to transform American children into one of the most profitable consumer demographics in the world. Free admission. 703-503-4579 or www.accotinkuuc.org.
<b>Saturday/Dec. 4
</b>Open Season Workshop for Federal Employees and Retirees. 10 am.-2 p.m. 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly’s (D-11) annual workshop to help federal employees and retirees navigate through the improvement and changes in the 2011 Federal Employees Health Benefits Plans, dental and vision insurance programs, and flexible spending accounts. Speakers 10-11 a.m., Representatives of various FEHB health plans 10 a.m.2 p.m. George.burke@mail.house.gov.
<b>Tuesday/Dec. 7
</b>South County Federation Meeting. 7:30 p.m. at South County Secondary School Media Center, 8501 Silverbrook Road, Lorton. Contact Alan Salisbury at southcountyfederation.com.
Wakefield Chorale Practice. 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at North Springfield Elementary School, 7602 Heming Court, Springfield. No audition required. Contact Jule, 703-451-7917.
Telephone Support Group for Older Adults. 7-8 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. “From Stress to Success: How Do You Handle Holidays?” Sponsored by the Adult and Aging Services, Fairfax Area Agency on Aging and the Fairfax Family Caregiver Support Program. Register at 703-324-5484 TTY 711 or www.fairfaxcounty.gov/DFS/OlderAdultServices.
<b>Sunday/Dec. 12
</b>Community Hours. Del. Eileen Filler-Corn (D-41) will be meeting with constituents 6-7:30 p.m., at Panera, 6230 W. Rolling Road, Springfield.
<b>Tuesday/Jan. 11
</b>South County Federation Meeting. 7:30 p.m. at South County Secondary School Media Center, 8501 Silverbrook Road, Lorton. Contact Alan Salisbury at southcountyfederation.com.