The 2009 Marine Corps Combat Development Command Marine Corps Ball will be held Nov. 6 from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Gaylord National Hotel Convention Center National Harbor, Md. The guest of honor will be Gen. Al Gray, 29th commandant of the Marine Corps. A limited number of hotel rooms have been set aside at a special rate of $159 per room. Call 301-965-2000 for reservations. Self parking is $12. Valet parking is $24.

Bus transportation from MCB Quantico to the Ball and return to MCB Quantico is planned. For additional information, click on the MCCDC Birthday Ball link at www.quantico.usmc.mil.

Jazz for Justice slated for Nov. 13

The George Mason University Jazz Ensemble and the Fairfax Law Foundation present the 8th annual Jazz for Justice concert at George Mason University's Center for the Arts Concert Hall on Friday, Nov. 13 at 8 p.m. The ensemble, led by director Jim Carroll, performs with nine-year-old trumpet prodigy Geoffrey Gallante and George Mason University freshman communications major Sha'Air Hawkins as a guest vocalist. George Weiner, a Fairfax County Public School teacher and brother of Jazz for Justice founder Edward Weiner, will guest conduct. The proceeds from Jazz for Justicebenefit the charitable endeavors of the Fairfax Law Foundation, including supporting students in Mason's Jazz Studies program.

Tickets for Jazz for Justice are $20 adults, $15 students⁄seniors, and a limited number of tickets are free for students with a valid Mason ID. Charge by phone at 888-945-2468 or visit www.gmu.edu⁄cfa. The Center for the Arts complex is located on the Fairfax campus of George Mason University at the intersection of Braddock Road and Route 123. Paid parking is located in the deck adjacent to the mainstage Concert Hall and free parking is located in university lot K. Visit www.gmu.edu⁄cfa.

Park offers two scare-free Halloween events

Lake Ridge Park and Chinn Aquatics & Fitness Center are hosting its Creepy Carnival on Friday, from 6 to 9 p.m. Recommended for kids age 10 and under, the party will feature face painting, games, a moon bounce, food and more.

Tickets will be sold at the door. The event is free for kids age 2 and under, $6 for ages 17 and under and $3 for adults. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Chinn Aquatics & Fitness Center is located at 13025 Chinn Park Drive, off of Old Bridge Road in Woodbridge. For more information about the Chinn carnival, contact Chirsty Moore at cmoore@pwcparks.org.

For a relaxing trick-or-treat alternative, Lake Ridge Park is hosting the Howling Moonlight Paddle Trip on October 31. Although the marina closed for fall, participants in this trip can appreciate one last paddle on the Occoquan Reservoir and see the beautiful fall leaves. The trip starts at 5:30 p.m. with a short refresher course. Everyone ages 5 and up is welcome.

Lake Ridge Park is located at 12350 Cotton Mill Drive, Lake Ridge. For questions and registration for the boat trip, call 703-494-5564 or go to www.pwcparks.org.

Military appreciation day

Veterans and active duty military are invited to the Woodbridge Campus of Northern Virginia Community College for Military Appreciation Day on Nov. 4 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the first floor atrium.

Active duty military, retirees and their dependents can collect information from programs including Disabled American Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Representatives will be available to answer questions about college programs and financial aid.

The campus is located at 15200 Neabsco Mills Road. To learn more, call Diane Malone at 703-878-5748.

Listen to stories at Mount Vernon

Children enter a world of fantasy and fables when costumed interpreters weave three tales together during Mount Vernon’s storytelling session, ‘‘Once Upon a Time at Mount Vernon,” held every Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Beginning in November, storytellingsessions will take place in the Hands-On History Room in the Donald W. Reynolds Education Center. ‘‘Good Manners” and ‘‘Giving Thanks” are the themes. The storytelling program is recommended for children ages three to eight. ‘‘Once Upon at Time at Mount Vernon” is included in regular Estate admission: adults, $15; youth ages 6-11, $7; and children under 5 are admitted free. Visit www.mountvernon.org for more.