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.
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.
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 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.
Monday, Oct. 29, 10:15 a.m. Hollin Hall Senior Center, 1500 Shenandoah Rd. Call to register: 703-765-4573, TTY 711.
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.
Grand Day Celebration. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. In honor of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Women’s Group of Mount Vernon, Inc. is sponsoring a Grand Day celebration at the Gum Spring Community Center, 8100 Fordson Rd. Grand Day celebrates survivors and pays tribute to those who have lost their lives at the hands of domestic violence. Local leaders including Sharon Bulova, Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors; Jeff McKay, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors; Virginia State Delegate Scott Surovell and Virginia State Senator Toddy Puller have confirmed attendance to the event. The event is free and will educate the community on the signs and prevention methods for domestic violence. Free childcare will be available on site.
Workshop: “I Love Myself — I Know I’m Grand.” 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Featuring speaker Donna Marzigiliano, domestic violence survivor. Childcare and lunch provided. Workshops in Spanish. Special candlelight vigil oct 26, Sherwood Hall Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane at 7-9 p.m. At Gum Springs Community Center, 8100 Fordson Rd. Email womensgroupmv@hotmail.com for more information.
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. 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
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.
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.