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>Saturday/Jan. 22
</b>Open House. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The Boyds School, 3909 Oak St, Fairfax. Serving infants through middle school. Year round and academic year program options available. 703-934-0920.
Merrifield Garden Center Seminars. 10 a.m. Register at www.MerrifieldGardenCenter.com/seminars.
* Greenhouse Flowers and Foliage. Merrifield Community Hall, 8104 Lee Highway, Merrifield. Reliable and easy to grow houseplants.
* Orchids For Everyone. Merrifield Fair Oaks Meeting Room, 12101 Lee Highway, Fairfax. With Jonathan Kavalier, Horticulturist, Smithsonian Institution.
<b>Monday/Jan. 24
</b>Surfin' the Tsunami to a Federal Job. 1 p.m. JCCNV, 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax. Free workshop presented by Karol Taylor, federal retiree, federal job search expert and co-author of Guide to America's Federal Jobs. Register at careerinfo@jssa.org.
<b>Wednesday/Jan. 26
</b>JSSA Parent Support Group for Young Adults Across the Autism Spectrum. 7 p.m. at JSSA, 3018 Javier Road, Fairfax. A monthly support group. Identifying community resources, building a support network and balancing one's own needs with that of an adult son or daughter. Register at 703-204-9100.
Financial Literacy Volunteers Training. 9 a.m. at Our Daily Bread, 10777 Main St., Room 310, Fairfax. Non-profit Our Daily Bread and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) host a free seminar to train Financial Literacy volunteers to teach budgeting strategies to working families the using the FDIC’s Money Smart curriculum. Lunch provided. www.our-daily-bread.org or 703-273-8829.
<b>Thursday/Jan. 27
</b>Fairfax County Park Authority Monticello Park Public Comment Meeting. 7 p.m. in the cafeteria at Bonnie Brae Elementary School, 5420 Sideburn Road, Fairfax. The Park Authority has initiated a public master planning process for Monticello Park, 5315 Guinea Road in Fairfax. The park consists of primarily a large lawn area and is classified as a local-serving park. This meeting will feature a presentation about the site's existing conditions, potential future uses, and the park master planning process. 703-324-8662 or Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.
<b>Saturday/Jan. 29
</b>Journey through Grief. 2 p.m. Haven of Northern Virginia, 4606 Ravensworth Road, Annandale. Free workshop. Snow day is Saturday, Feb. 5. Registration is required at 703-941-7000, www.havenofnova.org, or havenofnova@verizon.net.
Merrifield Garden Center Seminars. 10 a.m. Register at www.MerrifieldGardenCenter.com/seminars.
* Color And Interest In The Winter Garden. Merrifield Community Hall, 8104 Lee Highway, Merrifield. Create intrigue with berries, seed heads and more.
* Growing Bonsai. Merrifield Fair Oaks Meeting Room, 12101 Lee Highway, Fairfax. With Chuck Croft, Northern Virginia Bonsai Society.
<b>Sunday/Jan. 30
</b>Volunteers for Change Orientation. 12-1 p.m. Volunteer Fairfax Office, 10530 Page Ave., Fairfax. Weekend and weekday evening projects. Register at 703-246-3895 or aduffield@volunteerfairfax.org.
Burke Historical Society Meeting. 4 p.m. The Silas Burke House, 5641 Burke Centre Parkway,. Burke. Ron Beavers will appear in period attire with a program on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. wizet@cox.net.
<b>Tuesday/Feb. 1
</b>ESL Class Registration. 7 p.m. Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 5114 Twinbrook Road, Fairfax. Cost is $35, including text book. Classes will be 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting Feb. 8. School-age childcare provided. 703-323-9500 or www.lordoflifelutheran.com