Fairfax Community Events Jan. 8-15, 2009

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Thursday 8

FORECLOSURE DISCUSSION, for homeowners and renters who live in Fairfax County, hosted by Supervisor Catherine M. Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill); representatives from Legal Services of Northern Virginia will be available to provide foreclosure counseling and answer questions. 7-9 p.m., Reston Community Center, 2310 Colts Neck Rd., Reston. Free; registration required. 703-478-0283.

ADVENTURES IN LEARNING REGISTRATION, for age 50 and older, register for classes to be held Thursdays, Jan. 15-March 5, sponsored by the Shepherd's Center of Oakton-Vienna. Classes include bridge, tai chi, national and international affairs, "Great ladies of Song," "Writing Your Spiritual Autobiography" and more. Registration, 10 a.m.-noon today, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax, 2709 Hunter Mill Rd., Oakton. $35 for eight-week session at the church. 703-281-0538.

FAIRFAX COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD MEETING, 7 p.m., Luther Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallows Rd., Falls Church. 571-423-1050.

FAIRFAX ESL REGISTRATION, register 7-9 p.m. today for a 12-week English as a Second Language program to be held Tuesday and Thursday evenings, beginning Tuesday, St. George's United Methodist Church, 4910 Ox Rd., Fairfax. $20; registration required. 703-385-4550.

PROGRAM ON BEES, entomologist T'ai Roulston of the Blandy Experimental Farm in Boyce discusses pollination and the diversity of native bee species and their ecological interactions in eastern North America. Sponsored by the Virginia Native Plant Society. 7:30 p.m., Green Spring Gardens Park, 4603 Green Spring Rd., Alexandria. Free. 703-642-5173.

SWING DANCE, music by J.P. McDermott, 8-10 p.m.; swing dance lesson, 7:30 p.m., Old Town Hall, 3999 University Dr., Fairfax City. $10. 703-424-1745 or http://www.headoverheelsdance.com.

INFORMATION ON TRINITY SCHOOL, for families of seventh- through 12th-grade students. 7:30 p.m., Trinity School at Meadow View, 2849 Meadow View Rd., Falls Church. Free. 703-876-1920.

Friday 9

GREAT FALLS FIRESIDE STORY TIME, for age 6 and older, listen to a story told by the fireside and visit exhibit animals; with refreshments. 10:30 a.m.-noon Fridays, through Jan. 23, Riverbend Nature Center, 8814 Jeffery Rd., Great Falls. $6 per child; $2 per adult; registration required. 703-759-9018.

SOUSA STYLE CONCERT, by the United States Marine Band. 7:30 p.m., George Mason University, Center for the Arts Concert Hall, 4400 University Dr., Fairfax. Free. 703-993-8888 or http://www.gmu.edu/cfa.

FAIRFAX CITY CHORAL CONCERT, a classical program by the U.S. Navy Band's Sea Chanters. 8 p.m., Old Town Hall, 3999 University Dr., Fairfax City. Free. 703-352-2787.

Saturday 10

LANDSCAPE DESIGN PROGRAM, learn principles of design to create a plan for your yard. 9:30-11 a.m., Green Spring Gardens Park, 4603 Green Spring Rd., Alexandria. $15; registration required. 703-642-5173.

HOLIDAY CARD CRAFT RECYCLING WORKSHOP, how to turn old cards into baskets and boxes. 10 a.m., Cherry Hill Farmhouse, 312 Park Ave., Falls Church. $5; reservations required. 703-248-5171.

LEGAL ASPECTS OF SEPARATION AND DIVORCE, lawyer Jeffrey Sprowls discusses the rights and responsibilities of parties involved in separation or divorce. Learn how the legal process works in Virginia, sponsored by the Women's Center. 10 a.m.-1 p.m., McLean Governmental Center, 1437 Balls Hill Rd., McLean. $55; members, $45; registration required. 703-281-2657 or http://www.thewomenscenter.org.

IRISH DANCE CLASSES, learn Irish ceili and set dancing, no experience or partner required, sponsored by the O'Neill-Malcom Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann. 10:30 a.m.-noon Saturdays, through Feb. 14, Green Acres Center, 4401 Sideburn Rd., Fairfax City. $40 per six-class session; members, $30. 703-707-8104, http://www.ccepotomac.org or lfrank@earthlink.net.

MASON NECK WINTER WATERFOWL, meet park staff and search for swans, ducks and other migrating waterfowl that live in Belmont Bay in winter. Binoculars and spotting scope available to use. 10:30 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays in January, Mason Neck State Park, meet at the visitor center, 7301 High Point Rd., Lorton. Free. 703-339-2385.

MCLEAN CHILDREN'S CONCERT, for age 4 and older, the story of Gustafer Yellowgold told through music, moving images and songs by Morgan Taylor. 2 p.m., McLean Community Center, Alden Theatre, 1234 Ingleside Ave. $12; McLean residents, $8. 703-790-0123.

MOUNT VERNON STORYTELLING, for children 3-8 accompanied by an adult, stories about the country's first inauguration. 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, through Jan. 25, Mount Vernon, Hands-on History Room in the Donald W. Reynolds Education Center, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy., south of Alexandria. $15; ages 6-11, $7; 5 and younger, free. 703-780-2000.

MASON NECK EAGLE SEARCH, meet park staff and search for bald eagles. Binoculars and spotting scope available to use. 2:30 p.m. Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays, through Jan. 31, Mason Neck State Park, meet at the visitor center, 7301 High Point Rd., Lorton. Free. 703-339-2385.

BAY VIEW SUNSET WALK, look for diurnal animals getting ready for the night and listen for their calls before sunset, led by a park staff member. 4 p.m. Saturdays, through Jan. 31, Mason Neck State Park, meet at the visitor center, 7301 High Point Rd., Lorton. Free. 703-339-2385.

ART EXHIBIT CLOSING RECEPTION, for Solomon T. Wondimu's exhibit "Skin: America in Black and White." The exhibit features large media pieces, digital prints, wall paint on canvas, sculpture and video. 5-8 p.m., George Mason University, Fine Arts Gallery, 4400 University Dr., Fairfax. Free. 703-993-2787.

RESTON CONTRA DANCE, Michael Barraclough calls the contra dances to the music of the June Apple Band. No partner necessary. Bring a snack to share. Beginners workshop, 7:15-8 p.m.; dance, 8-10:45 p.m., Reston Community Center, 2310 Colts Neck Rd. $7; workshop, free. 703-709-9121.

Sunday 11

JUMPER HORSE SHOW, watch local residents compete indoors in a variety of jumping classes. 9 a.m., Frying Pan Farm Park, 2709 W. Ox Rd., Herndon. Free. 703-437-9101.

SUNDAY "LASSIE" FILM MATINEE, noon-1:30 p.m. and 2-4 p.m., Frying Pan Farm Park, visitor center, 2709 W. Ox Rd., Herndon. Free. 703-437-9101.

TABLEWARE AND TEA PROGRAM, learn how to keep china, glass, silverware and linens in good condition, followed by a full English tea. 1-3 p.m., Green Spring Gardens Park, 4603 Green Spring Rd., Alexandria. $25; registration required. 703-941-7987.

LANDSCAPING LECTURE, author Richard Darke discusses strategies for creating private gardens and landscapes that celebrate cultural and biological diversity. 1:30-3 p.m., Green Spring Gardens Park, 4603 Green Spring Rd., Alexandria. $20; registration required. 703-941-7987.

AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY PROGRAM, Lauranett Lee, curator of African American History at the Virginia Historical Society, discusses the exhibition "Sites and Stories: African American History in Virginia." 2 p.m., Fairfax Museum, 10209 Main St., Fairfax. Free. 703-385-8414.

LANDSCAPING WITH CHRYSANTHEMUMS, learn what steps to take now to produce fall colors in your garden at a meeting of the Old Dominion Chrysanthemum Society. 2:30 p.m., Falls Church Community Center, 223 Little Falls St., Falls Church. Free. 703-560-8776.

CAPITOL STEPS PERFORMANCE, political humor troupe, to benefit West Potomac High School's crew team. Refreshments available. 4 p.m., the school's Springbank Auditorium, 6500 Quander Rd., Alexandria area. $30; $25 in advance. 703-328-7240.

WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN ACCORDION SOCIETY, Daniel Darrikhuma gives a workshop on playing gospel and religious music. Bring your accordion or just listen. 4 p.m., Sleepy Hollow United Methodist Church, 3435 Sleepy Hollow Rd., Falls Church. Free. 703-671-5395 or http://www.washingtonaccordions.org.

HOT SOUP CONCERT, the vocal trio, accompanied by guitar, banjo and lap dulcimer, plays folk and novelty songs, swing tunes, nostalgia songs and topical ballads. 7 p.m., Church of the Resurrection, 2280 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria. $15; members, $12. 703-501-6061 or http://www.focusmusic.org.

SPRINGFIELD BINGO, for age 12 and older, no smoking permitted, youths 12-17 must be accompanied by an adult. 7 p.m. Sundays and Tuesdays, Greater Springfield Volunteer Fire Department, 7011 Backlick Rd. $1-$35. 703-569-9828.

Monday 12

FAIRFAX COUNTY BOARD MEETING, 9 a.m., Fairfax County Government Center, the Board Auditorium, 12000 Government Center Pkwy. 703-324-3151.

Tuesday 13

FRIENDS OF VALE SCHOOLHOUSE MEETING, a women's group dedicated to preserving the 1888 schoolhouse. Food writer Domenica Marchetti will be the guest speaker. 9:15 a.m., Vale Schoolhouse, 3124 Fox Mill Rd., Oakton. Free. 703-264-3589 or http://www.valeschoolhouse.org.

FAIRFAX CITY COUNCIL MEETING, 7 p.m., Fairfax City Hall annex, Room 100, 10455 Armstrong St. 703-385-7935.

VIENNA LIBRARY TOUR, branch manager Andrew Pendergrass leads a tour and discusses the library's services. 7:30-9 p.m., Patrick Henry Library, 101 Maple Ave. E., Vienna. Free. 703-255-6360.

Wednesday 14

ANNANDALE PRESCHOOL CO-OP OPEN HOUSE, learn about the parent-led, developmentally oriented cooperative school for ages 2-5. 9:30-11:30 a.m. Wednesday and Jan. 16, Annandale Cooperative Preschool, 8410 Little River Tpk. Free. 703-978-6127 or http://www.annandalecoop.org.

Thursday 15

"FOUNDATIONS OF WRITING THE MEMOIR II," learn how to start and end a piece, use creative sentence structure and how to write about difficult times. Previous attendance at the Foundations I class not required. 8:30-10:30 a.m. Thursdays, Jan. 15-March 5, Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St. SE, Vienna. $88.50; Vienna residents, $71. 703-255-6360.

VIENNA "SPYCRAFT" BOOK TALK, author Robert Wallace, former director of the CIA's Office of Technical Services, discusses the book "Spycraft: The Secret History of the CIA's Spytechs From Communism to al-Qaeda," which he wrote with H. Keith Melton and Henry R. Scheslinger. 7 p.m., Patrick Henry Library, 101 Maple Ave. E., Vienna. Free; registration required. 703-938-0405.

VIETNAM VETERANS MEETING, retired Army Col. Ward B. Nickisch gives an audio-visual presentation on the process of recovering and identifying the remains of service members from World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. 7:30 p.m., Neighbor's Restaurant, 262D Cedar Lane, Vienna. Free. 703-255-0353 or http://www.vva227.org.

-- Compiled by JEAN MACK

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