Ongoing
Mount Vernon — 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.
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. Classes range from $70-$110 and will be held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, or Saturdays, 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.
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.
Thursday/Oct. 18
Parents Night. 6:30 p.m. The Administrative Staff of Mount Vernon High School will host the annual Information Night for Parents, In the Little Theater (entrance 4). Parents can learn everything about Mount Vernon High School, including test scores, academic programs, school plan, attendance and discipline policies. Email nardos.king@fcps.edu or call 703-619-3103.
Friday/Oct. 19
Help the Homeless. Northern Virginia Family Service, Shelter House, Inc. and United Community Ministries have partnered to host a “True Reality” Sleep Out from 9 p.m., Oct.19 through 7 a.m., Oct. 20, as part of Fannie Mae’s 2012 Help the Homeless program. The event will be held outdoors at Shelter House’s Administrative Office (2579 John Milton Drive, Herndon). Participants will rough it for one night (limiting themselves to four supply items apiece, with only basic resources such as water and restroom facilities being provided) to raise awareness and funds for the families in need in our community. Individuals can register to participate or make a donation to their hosting organization of choice at www.hthwalks.org. Registration fees are $20 for youth (ages 25 and younger), $30 for adults, and $35 for virtual participants.
Saturday/Oct. 20
Little Hunting Creek Cleanup. 12-4 p.m., Del. Scott Surovell will host a cleanup for Little Hunting Creek in coordination with Mount Vernon Girl Scout Troop 922. Staging location is at the Sequoyah Condominiums parking lot, 7950 Seven Woods Drive. Gloves and bags will be provided. Volunteers should wear appropriate clothing and waterproof shoes. RSVP at bit.ly/octobercleanup
Tauxemont Preschool Rummage Sale. 8 a.m.–2 p.m. The annual Tauxemont Cooperative Preschool Rummage Sale features great deals on gently used infants’, children’s and adult clothes, toys, games, gear, books, electronics, household wares, furniture and much more. Rain or shine at the school at 7719 Fort Hunt Rd. Visit www.tauxemont.org
Sunday/Oct. 21
Free Health Lecture. 1:30 p.m. (in English) and 3:30 p.m. (in Spanish) "Divine Love: the Answer to Universal Health," hosted by First Church of Christ Scientist, featuring Christian Science lecturer, Jose’ de Dios Mata. Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane.
Forum and Brunch. 9:30-11:30 a.m. There will be a brunch forum for the candidates for the Congressional seats of the 8th and 11th Congressional Districts at Agudas Achim Congregation, 2908 Valley Dr. Confirmed candidates are all four running in the 8th District (Cong Jim Moran, Patrick Murray, Janet Murphy, Jason Howell) and Cong Gerry Connolly (D) and Col. Chris Perkins (R) in the 11th. Forum begins at 10 a.m. $5 with reservation; $7 at the door. RSVP by calling Brian Kolstad at 703-965-4036.
Tuesday/Oct. 23
PrimeTime Business Expo. 7-9 p.m. Take a stroll down “Main Street” and meet the businesses that are in neighbors in the greater South Alexandria business community. At the Knights of Columbus Hall, 8592 Richmond Hwy. Free. Call 703-360-6925 or visit www.MtVernon-LeeChamber.org
Friday/Oct. 26
Autumn Carnival. 6:30 - 8:30 pm. The Fort Hunt Elementary School's PTA-sponsored event will feature free carnival games/Bingo, crafts and other surprises. Food will be available for purchase and costumes can be worn. Parents, staff and middle/high school students will be serving as volunteers for this community event. The PTA is providing a bus for the Creekside Community. Contact Liz Maurer (elm.1028@gmail.com) for more information.
Computer Lab Open House. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Meet the instructors and one-on-one volunteers, preview their curriculum and try the lab terminals. Light refreshments served. Call 703-765-4573 to reserve a seat. Hollin Hall's computer lab, 1500 Shenandoah Rd.
Oct. 26-27
The Art of Marriage Video Conference. The Art of Marriage video conference will be hosted by Plymouth Haven Baptist Church, 8600 Plymouth Dr. Refreshments will be served on 7-9:30 p.m. and on Oct. 27 from 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m. The Art of Marriage Event consists of six video sessions that combine dramatic stories, real-life testimonies, expert interviews, humorous vignettes and other teaching methods to lay out God’s design for marriage in a fresh, engaging way. Guests attending the event are each provided a manual with projects to help them apply the principles taught in each session, augmented by dozens of articles and additional content to help them dive deeper. Register at 703-360-4370.
Saturday/Oct. 27
Free Mammogram. To celebrate the growing awareness around breast cancer, this free screening is available to all women over 40 who have a physician order. At Inova Mount Vernon Hospital, 2501 Parkers Ln. Registration is required. Call 571-423-5400.
Sunday/Oct. 28
Free Pre-Halloween Event. 5:30–7 p.m. Plymouth Haven Baptist Church located at 8600 Plymouth Dr. will sponsor a pre-Halloween Identi-kid event that will provide hand/finger printing for children five years old to sixth grade. The Identi-kid kit will be given to the parents to store at their own discretion in the event such would be needed for their child. During that time there will be a parent information time provided to ward of stranger danger, familiar faces danger, and internet dangers children face today. The event is limited to 100 children. Register at 703-360-4370.
Monday/Oct. 29
Medicare Session: “Getting Through the Medicare Maze.” 10:15 a.m. Call 703-324-4600, TTY 711. Hollin Hall Senior Center for Creative Retirement, 1500 Shenandoah Road.
Safe Driving Course. 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Improve driving skills and possibly decrease auto insurance costs. $12 for AARP Members and $14 for non-members. Checks payable to AARP at time of sign-up. Call 703-765-4573 to reserve a seat. Hollin Hall Senior Center, 1500 Shenandoah Road.
Nov. 1-30
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.
Saturday/Nov. 3
Church-wide Yard Sale. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Baked goods and lunch also available for sale. At Cameron United Methodist Church located at 3130 Franconia Rd. Rain or Shine. Contact Marilyn by Oct. 22 at 703-765-6817 to purchase a table for $20 if you want to be a seller.
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.
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.