Ongoing
UCM's Back Porch Thrift Store is in need of donations of furniture. UCM will pick up furniture, as well as other larger donations, or they can be dropped off at the back of the store Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. To arrange for pick-ups, call 703-768-7106, ext. 320. Located at the Mt. Vernon Crossroads Shopping Center at 7838 Richmond Hwy.
Volunteers Needed. AARP Tax-Aide, a free, national volunteer-run tax counseling and preparation service for low to moderate income and elderly citizens, is currently in need of volunteers to electronically complete and file federal and state income tax forms for the 2013 tax season. Volunteers of all ages and background are welcome. The program will offer free five-day training using IRS computers and software. Volunteers become IRS Certified Tax Counselors after completing the training and passing the IRS examination. Trainings sessions will be held in Annandale, Centerville and Alexandria in December 2012 and January 2013. Volunteers interested in the program should visit: www.aarp.org/taxaide. Email will be sent in December announcing the specific, dates and times the above sites will be opened for the 2013 tax season.
Every Thursday
Dance for Parkinson’s Disease. 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. At Heritage Presbyterian Church, 8503 Fort Hunt Road. Those with Parkinson’s and caregivers are welcome. No dance experience necessary.
Tuesdays/Through Nov. 27
Seminars. 12:30–2:30 p.m. Join Fairfax County’s Independent Living Project, a free series of educational seminars for older adults, along with exercise or yoga classes for strength and balance. The program also provides home safety visits for 60+ adults and adults with physical disabilities. Participation in the full project is advised, and space is limited. At 7000 Schoonmaker Court. Register with Jennifer Edge at 703-324-7210, TTY 711 or email Jennifer.Edge@fairfaxcounty.gov. Visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices/independent.htm.
Through Nov. 30
Training Courses. The American Red Cross in the National Capital Region will host training courses in CPR, First Aid, and AED in the Alexandria and Fort Belvoir offices. These classes offer a two-year certification, a choice of free digital or affordable print materials, and digital refreshers. Classes range from $70-$110 and will be held Monday through Saturday, dependent upon the participant’s choice. Advance registration is required. To register for a class or find another class in your area, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit redcross.org/takeaclass.
Through Dec. 7
Medicare Open Season. Howard Houghton will discuss what people need to know about the 2013 Medicare health and drug plans at these free Fairfax County presentations. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices/vicap.htm.
Wednesday/Nov. 7
District Schools Meeting. 7-9 p.m. Dan Storck, Mount Vernon District School Board Member, invites Mount Vernon District parents, students, and community members to join with Fairfax County Public Schools and community leaders at a Town Hall meetings to discuss current education topics of interest, including school issues and priorities, as well as Mount Vernon District's needs. At Walt Whitman Middle School Lecture Hall, 2500 Parkers Ln.
Thursday/Nov. 8
From Distressed to De-Stressed: Making Wellness a Priority for Women. 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring another Women in Business program, “From Distressed to De-Stressed: Making Wellness a Priority for Women,” at the Historic Mount Vernon Inn. Hilaire Henthorne will discuss the top stressors for women and what can be done to minimize stress. Women in Business supports women by providing educational and networking opportunities that help them grow personally and professionally. To make reservations, call 703-360-6925 or visit www.MtVernon-LeeChamber.org
Through Nov. 9
Online Survey. Fairfax County residents 18 and older are being asked to complete a brief survey on behaviors and attitudes about underage drinking, binge drinking, and alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes in the county. Data collected in the survey by George Mason University will be used by the non-profit Unified Prevention Coalition of Fairfax County (UPC) to develop and implement strategies to reduce the number of alcohol-related crashes for those 18-24. To take the anonymous survey, visit www.unifiedpreventioncoalition.org
Sunday/Nov. 11
“Walking and Walking” to Bridge the Gap. 1 p.m. Wheels to Africa organizers and volunteers will walk from Alexandria, Belle Haven Marina over the Woodrow Wilson Bridge to National Harbor, Md. to bridge the gap between Africa and America. Walking about 3 miles to benefit the children in Africa who walk to school each day. At Belle Haven Marina, Alexandria, VA to Awakening Statue, National Harbor. Transportation from National Harbor to Belle Haven Marina will be provided at 1 p.m. A donation of $25 includes a T-shirt and tax-deductible support for the Dec. 8 bike collection that will benefit children in Africa. Visit www.wheels-to-africa.org or email d_duncan@comcast.net
Thursday/Nov. 15
"Chart Your Retirement" 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. George Mason University is offering a non-credit, 8-hour class at the Hollin Hall Senior Center, 1500 Shenandoah Rd. Participants will discuss changing roles and relationships, work, the value of community involvement, and changing family commitments. Presenters will share tools to create a customized retirement plan. Since this is part of a pilot project for potential research, the university is offering this class at a reduced rate of $40. Contact Lois Tetrick at ltetrick@gmu.edu.
Film and Discussion. 6 p.m. Mount Vernon Branch AAUW will sponsor a free showing of the film Food Inc. at the Heritage Presbyterian Church at 8503 Ft. Hunt Road. After the film, there will be a panel discussion. Speakers will include organic farmers Jim Bourne of Calvert County and Maureen Moodie of Arcadia Farm at Woodlawn Plantation. Hope Warshaw, a nutritionist, will participate along with a member from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Contact Joanne Clark at 703-768-8996.
Saturday/Nov. 17
Volunteer Session. 11 a.m.-noon. A new case of child abuse or neglect enters the Fairfax County Domestic & Juvenile Relations Court system once every 36 hours. These children need caring advocates to help ensure that they grow up in safe and permanent homes. Fairfax CASA trains volunteers to advocate for a child’s best interests in Court. If you seek a volunteer role with real purpose that can create real change, please attend Fairfax CASA’s upcoming information session at the Sherwood Regional Library. For reservations or information, contact Elisa Kosarin at 703-273-3526, ext. 22, email ekosarin@casafairfax.org, or visit www.fairfaxcasa.org.
Emerging Minority Leaders Conference. 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Join parents, PTA leaders, caregivers, and advocates at the Emerging Minority Leaders Conference to learn about resources and tips to help better engage parents in diverse communities throughout Fairfax County. Sponsored by the Fairfax County Council of PTAs, the conference is open to all FCPS parents and staff and will be held at Mount Vernon High School, 8515 Old Mount Vernon Road. Registrations are required. Visit www.fccpta.org or email diversity@fccpta.org or president@fccpta.org.
Monday/Nov. 19
Mini Open House. 1 p.m. Tour Hollin Hall Senior Center, enjoy refreshments, and peek in on some ongoing sessions. At 1500 Shenandoah Road. Call 703-765-4573
Tuesday/Nov. 20
Mount Vernon Evening Lions Club Dinner Meeting. 7 p.m. At Pema's restaurant. The speaker will be Susan Rockwell from Reach Out and Read Virginia. Come learn about the activities Lions do in our local community. Call Andrea Corsillo at 703-960-4973.
Thursday/Nov. 29
Public Information Meeting. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fairfax County Park Authority staff members and wetlands design professionals from Wetlands Studies and Solutions, Inc. will present a wetlands restoration plan for Huntley Meadows Park, a 50-plus acre freshwater wetland. The public information meeting is in the park Visitor’s Center located at 3701 Lockheed Blvd. Working closely with the public, wetland experts and design professionals, park staff and volunteers gathered data, developed project goals and worked through several designs over the years. The final design will be presented.
Sundays/Dec. 2-23
Advent Celtic Evening Eucharist Services. 5:30 p.m. St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church will be offering a 4-week series of Advent Celtic Evening Eucharist Services. Candlelight, silence, prayers and music from the Celtic tradition will set the tone for this Sunday evening worship and communion service. All are welcome. The Sunday Evening Celtic Services will be held on Dec. 2, 9, 16, and 23. St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church is located in the Fort Hunt neighborhood, 8531 Riverside Road. Call John Baker at 703-360-4221, Susan Hartzell at 703-309-9103 or visit www.staidansepiscopal.com
Monday/Dec. 3
Stress, Grief and Coping with Change during the Holidays. 11 a.m. Capital Caring presents “Stress, Grief, and Coping with Change during the Holidays” with bereavement counselor Wendy Maiwurm. At Hollin Hall Senior Center, 1500 Shenandoah Road. To reserve a seat, call 703-765-4573.