Arlington — E-mail announcements to arlington@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is noon the Thursday before publication. Photos are welcome.
Sundays/Jan. 27, Feb. 3, 10, 17
Meditation and Buddhism Introductory Class. 12:30-1:30 p.m. at Buddhist Center, 4001 N. 9th St., Suite 105. $10/class. Enjoy a guided meditation, lecture with questions and answers. Visit www.meditation-dc.org or 202-986-2257.
Through Jan. 28
Citrus Sales. 8 a.m. until dark at the Well Fargo Bank on corner of North Glebe Road and Lee Highway. The Arlington Host Lions will sell grapefruits, naval oranges, tangelos and more.
Thursday/Jan. 24
Fundraiser. 5:30-10 p.m. at Marriott Crystal Gateway. Benefits law enforcement officers who were impacted by Hurricane Sandy. $150/government; $175/other. Visit www.ijis.org/_about/benefit.html for more.
Friday/Jan. 25
Free Lecture. 11 a.m.-noon at 601 S. Carlin Springs Road. Learn about fall prevention with Dana Edwards, PT, Certified MDT of Virginia Hospital Center. RSVP at 703-558-6859.
Blood Drive. 8 a.m.-noon at Hilton Arlington, 950 N. Stafford Drive. 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Westover Branch Library, 1644 N. McKinley Road. Donate blood through the American Red Cross. Visit www.redcrossblood.org or 1-800-RED-CROSS to make an appointment.
Saturday/Jan. 26
Business Gala. 6:30 p.m.-midnight at Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City. Features more than 100 silent and live auction items, along with a vacation raffle. $180 if purchased by Dec. 21 or $200/ticket from Dec. 22-Jan. 18. Visit www.arlingtonchamber.org or 703-525-2400.
Saturdays/Jan. 26 and Feb. 2
Two-day Basic Literacy Tutor Training. More than 75 new volunteer Basic Literacy tutors are needed to help area English-speaking adults learn to read and write. Currently on a waiting list to be matched with tutors, these adult students are eager to improve their literacy skills by working one-to-one with a trained volunteer. A $40 training fee contributes to the cost of books and materials. All tutor training workshops take place at the James Lee Community Center, 2855 Annandale Road in Falls Church from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m., but the tutoring will take place in a library or community center in the tutor’s neighborhood. Students and tutors are matched based on geographic proximity to make the weekly sessions as convenient as possible. Email volunteers@lcnv.org or call 703-237-0866 x111.
Monday/Jan. 28
Kindergarten Information Night. 7 p.m. at Washington-Lee High School, 1301 N. Stafford St. Parents with children entering kindergarten can attend a presentation that will give information on the registration process, school options and more. Free.
Tuesday/Jan. 29
Blood Drive. 3-7:30 p.m. at Wakefield High School Red Cross Club, 4901 S. Chesterfield Road. Donate blood through the American Red Cross. Visit www.redcrossblood.org or 1-800-RED-CROSS to make an appointment.
Saturday/Feb. 2
Open House. Arlington Unitarian Cooperative Preschool, 4444 Arlington Blvd., will hold an open house from 10 a.m.-noon for prospective parents. Free.
Spring Course Preview. 9 a.m. at GMU-Arlington, Founders Hall, 3351 N. Fairfax Drive. Instructors will present short talks about upcoming courses, membership to Encore Learning, formerly ALRI, and more. Open to members and those interested in joining who meet the basic age requirement of 50. Visit www.EncoreLearning.net or 703-228-2144.
Sunday/Feb. 3
Lecture. 5 p.m. at Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St. Leslie Jones will discuss the differences between the White House during Lincoln’s presidency and the present. Free.
Monday/Feb. 4
Lecture. The Woman’s Club of Arlington is hosting Matthew Penrod, a park ranger at Arlington House and Robert E. Lee’s Memorial. He will discuss Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation at 1 p.m. at Woman’s Club of Arlington clubhouse, 700 S. Buchanan St. Free. School children from Our Savior Lutheran School will be in attendance.
Tuesday/Feb. 5
Blood Drive. 1-6 p.m. at Westwood College, 4420 N. Fairfax Drive. Donate blood through the American Red Cross. Visit redcrossblood.org or 1-800-RED-CROSS to make an appointment.
Blood Drive. 2-8:30 p.m. at Walker Chapel, 4102 Glebe St. Donate blood through the American Red Cross. Visit redcrossblood.org or 1-800-RED-CROSS to make an appointment.
Thursday/Feb. 7
Medicare Explained. 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Arlington Human Services Center, 2100 Washington Blvd. Learn about the basics of coverage and choices. Registration required, 703-228-1700.
Saturday/Feb. 9
Feel the Heritage Festival. Noon-4 p.m. at Langston-Brown Community Center, 2121 N. Culpeper St. Features music and dance performances, food, vendors and more. Free. There will be a memory-sharing walk at 2:30 p.m.
Tuesday/Feb. 12
Pancake Supper. 4:30-7 p.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 3022 Woodlawn Ave., Falls Church. Enjoy pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon and more. Donations accepted with proceeds benefiting the youth program. Visit www.htluther.org or 703-532-6617.
Wednesday/Feb. 13
Volunteer Training. The TreeStewards of Arlington and Alexandria are holding training sessions for people interested in learning how to plant, care and maintain trees throughout the communities. Visit www.treestewards.org or 703-527-2349 for application.
Tuesday/Feb. 19
Medicare Explained. 10 a.m.-noon at Arlington Human Services Center, 2100 Washington Blvd. Learn about the basics of coverage and choices. Registration required, 703-228-1700.
Friday/Feb. 22
Free Lecture. 11 a.m.-noon at 601 S. Carlin Springs Road. Terri Remy, M.D. of Medical Associates of Beauregard will present some of the symptoms of menopause, the effects of the changes and how to manage the change. RSVP at 703-558-6859.
Wednesday/March 13
Scholarship Deadline. The Arlington County Scholarship Fund for Teachers, Inc. is awarding $2,000 scholarships to graduating seniors who desire a career in the field of education. Visit http://acsfft.arlingtonccpta.org for application information and forms.
Friday/March 15
Free Lecture. 11 a.m.-noon at 601 S. Carlin Springs Road. Nancy Nollen, MA, MSW will discuss how to maintain healthy conversation between adult children and their parents. RSVP at 703-558-6859.
Friday/April 12
Free Lecture. 11 a.m.-noon at 601 S. Carlin Springs Road. Refresh your driving skills and find information about how to get around safely from Lincoln Cummings, AARP DSP instructor. RSVP at 703-558-6859.
Thursday/April 25
Memory Screening Day. 9 a.m.-noon at Langston-Brown Senior Center. Get a confidential screening to detect any memory problems and get information about successful aging. Schedule an appointment or get information at 703-237-9048.
Looking for a Practice Space
Since 1993, Guiding Eyes for the Blind’s Dominion Puppy Raising Region has raised 470 puppies to become guide dogs for blind and visually impaired men and women around the world. For years the volunteer raisers from across Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax County, and McLean have gathered on Sunday afternoons at a local church for their weekly puppy raising class. As of Feb. 15, however, the group will be without a home.
The Dominion region volunteers, currently made up of 18 raiser/pup teams, are each given an 8-week-old Guiding Eyes pup to love, nurture, and educate for 12 to 16 months before they return a well-socialized young adult dog for formal guide dog training. Weekly puppy raising classes are run by Guiding Eyes’ Regional Manager to support raisers and their pups.
The raisers are in need of a large room without carpeting, preferably close to an outside exit and on the main floor. The location should be equipped with chairs, tables, bathrooms, outdoor waste receptacles and some parking. During class, pups and handlers work together mostly with a leash, but some off-leash work and pup play is also incorporated. An available staircase for pups and handlers to use would be beneficial, but isn’t a necessity.
Those interested in donating space are encouraged to contact Carrie Barnett at 410-960-7427 or via e-mail at cbarnett@guidingeyes.org. For more information on the Guiding Eyes for the Blind Puppy Raising Program, visit http://www.guidingeyes.org/volunteer/puppy-raising/. Meet the Dominion raisers online at http://www.gebdominion.org/.
Ongoing
Alzheimer’s Association Support Group has meetings on the third Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at Carlin Springs Health Pavilion, 601 S. Carlin Springs Road and also the first and third Thursday at 10 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 4000 Lorcom Lane. They are open to people with Alzheimer’s, their caregivers, family members and friends. Free. Call the Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline at 703-359-4440 or 800-272-3900 before attending a group for the first time to verify meeting information, obtain directions or other information about the group. A complete list of all groups in the National Capital Area region can be viewed at www.alz.org/nca.
PFLAG of Arlington. Second Sunday at 3 p.m. PFLAG promotes the equality and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered persons and their families. Meets on the second Sunday of each month, at the Unitarian Universalist Church at George Mason Drive and Route 50. Contact aly.pflagdc@gmail.com.
Free Mall Walking Program for Seniors. Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:30 a.m. Walk at your own pace in a safe and friendly environment. Group stretch and cool down led by hospital staff. Call 703-558-6859. Ballston Common Mall (Food Court Level), 4238 Wilson Blvd.
Strength & Stretch For Seniors. Mondays and Thursdays at 1 p.m. Improve range of motion, strength & bone health. All abilities welcome. $42. Mondays at Virginia Hospital Center, 1701 N. George Mason Dr. Thursdays at Health Pavilion, 601 S. Carlin Springs Road.
Gentle Pilates. Saturdays at 9 and 11:35 a.m. A non-traditional mat Pilates class with modifications to suit all abilities. Learn proper form, strengthen core muscles and improve posture. $78. Virginia Hospital Center, 1701 N. George Mason Dr.
Gentle Yoga. Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. Restore flexibility, strength and ease tension. All levels welcome. $66. Health Pavilion, 601 S. Carlin Springs Road. Call 703-558-6859.
Tai Chi. Thursdays at 6: 15-7:15 p.m. Combine slow, flowing movements of Tai Chi and Qi Gong postures to foster a healthy, balanced mind and body. $80. 601 S. Carlin Springs Road. Call 703-558-6859.
Yoga for Everybody. Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. This traditional approach to yoga reduces stress and increases strength and flexibility. $66. Health Pavilion, 601 S. Carlin Springs Road. Call 703-558-6859.
Job Seekers' Support Group Meeting. Second and fourth Sundays, through Dec. 9 at 12:15 p.m. Arlington Temple United Methodist Church located at 1835 N. Nash St. is hosting Job Seeker and Career Enrichment Group meetings. The group is open to job seekers and those who are employed and wondering "what's next." Sessions are composed of readings, exercises and discussions to assist and hold members accountable for their own enrichment. Sign-up is required for participation. Contact atumcoffice@verizon.net, 703-525-6075 or www.Meetup.com/jobseeker.
Adaptive/Seated Yoga. Tuesdays at 11:15 a.m. For older or physically challenged adults with limited mobility, chronic pain or neuropathy. Adaptive yoga emphasizes breathing, gentle stretching and going at your own pace. $66 Health Pavilion, 601 S. Carlin Springs Road. Call 703-558-6859.
Call for Nominations. The County Department of Parks and Recreation is accepting applications for the Bill Thomas Outstanding Park Service Volunteers Award, now in its 8th year. Submissions will be accepted through 5 p.m. on Feb. 15. Nominations are judged on the basis of the nominee's direct involvement with an activity or contribution. Award criteria includes: 1) a contribution is the giving of personal time, expertise, a tangible gift or financial donation; 2) the activity or contribution upon which the nomination is based must have been completed prior to the year of selection and 3) the award may be for a specific accomplishment or for an accumulation of accomplishments over an extended period of time. To complete a nomination form, visit www.arlingtonva.us/dpr.
Lifeline Personal Alert System. Virginia Hospital Center Senior Health staff locally manage the personal emergency response system. Help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Monthly cost starts at $42. Call 703-558-6859 for more information.
Donations Needed. Our Lady Queen of Peace is seeking to replenish its food pantry. Particularly needed are rice (large bags appreciated, the pantry will rebag), dry beans, canned vegetables, soup, small jars of peanut butter, small jars of jelly, pasta and pasta sauce. 2700 South 19th St. Visitwww.ourladyqueenofpeace.org.
Instruments Wanted. Instruments of any type or size — from a piano to a piccolo, for an orphanage in Haiti. Contact Miriam Miller, Opera Guild of Northern Virginia for pick up. 703-536-7557; mcdm1@verizon.net;www.operaguildnova.org.
Vounteers Needed
AHC Inc. is looking for volunteers to help middle- and high-school students with homework, and to be role models and mentors. Volunteers are needed once a week for about an hour and a half, from 6 -7:30 p.m. or 6:30-8 p.m. at six different AHC community centers. Visit AHC's Teen Tutoring Program or call Mary Zambrano at 703-486-0626 ext. 140.
Arlington Meals on Wheels needs volunteers to deliver meals to homebound Mondays to Fridays, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Call 703-522-0811 or mowvolunteers@yahoo.com.
Arlingtonians Meeting Emergency Needs (AMEN Inc.) seeks volunteers who will take social workers’ calls from home 1-5 p.m., one or two weekday afternoons per month. Approve requests for emergency financial assistance for their clients. Must have some computer skills to record requests on AMEN’s laptop computer. Training and ongoing consultation provided. Contact 703-558-0035 or amen@emergencyneeds.org. Visit www.emergencyneeds.org.
Arlington Commission on Long-Term Care Residences. Commission members are appointed by the County Board and must live or work in Arlington. For more information or an application, contact www.arlingtonva.us/aging or Carolyn Ferguson at 703-228-1700, TTY 703-228-1788, or Arlaaa@arlingtonva.us.
The TreeStewards of Arlington and Alexandria are volunteers dedicated to improving the health of our urban trees through educational programs, tree planting and care, demonstrations and tree maintenance throughout the community. Applications now being accepted for the 2013 Class of TreeStewards. New volunteer training will be held on Wednesday evenings, starting Feb. 13 through April, with some Saturday mornings. Fun and interactive training is provided by recognized experts in tree care and citizen advocates. Visit www.TreeStewards.org or call 703-527-2349.
Northern Virginia Family Service seeks volunteers to serve as mentors to low-income seniors, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Volunteers will work one-on-one with seniors to help them plan and maintain monthly budgets, enroll in appropriate benefit programs and provide friendly support to lift the spirits of aging clients, among other duties. The position is located at Culpepper Gardens, 4435 North Pershing Dr. To sign up, please contact Navara Cannon at volunteer@nvfs.org or call 571-748-2536.