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TextStory Ideas in Fairfax County
Fairfax County Office of Public
Affairs
12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 551
Fairfax, VA 22035-0065
703-324-3187, TTY 703-324-2935, FAX 703-324-2010
April 15, 2005
Story Ideas in Fairfax County
The Fairfax County Office of Public Affairs provides a summary of news briefs designed to inform the media about great story ideas in Fairfax County government. The information provided gives the background on a newsworthy story as well as the contact information to provide more information, interviews, etc. For additional questions on the Future Features service, contact the Office of Public Affairs at 703-324-3187, TTY 703-324-2935.
Local Photographer Joins Relief
Efforts
Local photographer Art Cole, regional supervisor for the Department
of Family Services, is participating in a photography project to raise
funds to help those devastated by the Dec. 26 Asian tsunami. Cole donated
images that he has taken in Virginia, to the 110-page, full-color
publication entitled, “Images to Brighten Our World,” that retails for
$34.95. Twenty-five dollars from each sale will be given directly to
relief organizations. For more information, contact the Office of Public
Affairs at 703-324-3187, TTY 703-324-2935.
Pet Fiesta
The Fairfax County Animal Shelter will be among the many exhibitors
at the 5th Annual Pet Fiesta and Exhibition on Saturday, May 7, from 11
a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Reston Town Center, 11921 Freedom Drive, Reston.
Sponsored by the Reston Town Center, GoodDogz and Reston Dogs, the event
will feature local pet adoption agencies, pet contests, face painting and
caricature artists.
Pet Fiesta is dedicated to educating potential dog owners on dog selection and care and supporting the efforts of rescue groups. This year’s event will include a Super Pet Adoption which will allow rescue groups to showcase adoptable animals to potential families. Participating rescue groups include the Fairfax County Animal Shelter, Northern Virginia SPCA and Homeless Animals Rescue Team.
For more information about this event, contact Mark Bates at 703-623-3304, TTY 711 or e-mail mark@gooddogz.org or visit the Web site www.petfiesta.org. For more information about adopting a pet, contact the Fairfax County Animal Shelter at 703-830-1100, TTY 703-691-3255 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ps/ac/.
One of Ten
The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board’s New Generations
program is one of only 10 programs in Virginia to receive the “Living the
Vision” recognition by the Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental
Retardation and Substance Abuse Services. New Generations is a long-term
residential substance abuse treatment program for mothers and children.
For more information, call James A. Thur, executive director of the
Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board Office, at 703-324-7000,
TTY 703-802-3015.
Ways to Save on Gas, Time and
Stress
According to a recent USA Today survey, the Washington metropolitan
region ranked 8th among the nation’s 20 highest prices for a gallon of
regular unleaded gas. Coupled with the news that Americans spend more
than 100 hours commuting to work each year, according to an American
Community Survey by the U.S. Census Bureau released in March – is not
good news for commuters. This exceeds the two weeks of vacation time (80
hours) frequently taken by workers over the course of a year. For Fairfax
County residents, the average daily commute lasted about 30.7 minutes in
2003.
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation reminds commuters that
there are alternatives. The RideSources program provides commuters with
free ridesharing information, including ridematching assistance to form
or join carpools or vanpools. By sharing the ride with just one other
person, you can cut your commuting expenses in half, use the HOV lanes to
travel faster and enjoy a less stressful commute. For assistance in
setting up transportation programs
at employer or residential community sites, call
the Outreach Specialist at 703-324-1100, TTY 703-324-1102, or visit
the Web page www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot.
Employees Recognized for
Service
On March 11, the county honored 593 employees who have completed 20
(309 employees), 25 (207 employees), 30 (61 employees), 35 (13 employees)
and 40 (three employees) years of service. “This is the largest group
ever of employees recognized for continued service with the county,” said
Peter Schroth, director of Human Resources. For more information, call
Schroth in the Department of Human Resources at 703-324-3371, TTY 711.
In Addition…
On Thursday, April 28, Fairfax County government will observe the
5th annual “Bring Our Children to Work Day,” from 9 a.m.
to noon at the Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway,
Fairfax. The purpose of this event is to introduce school children, ages
9 - 15, to the world of public service. Various agencies will present
demonstrations that include a helicopter landing and police dog workout
in addition to interactive exhibits and displays. For more information
about this event, contact Cathy Maynard in the Office of the County
Executive at 703-324-3239, TTY 711.
The Fairfax County Department of Family Services Foster Care and
Adoption Program invites school-age children to participate in
Butterfly Days by hand-decorating butterflies at the
Springfield Mall on April 16 and 30, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. There is no
cost to participate and art supplies will be provided. Representatives of
the county’s Foster Care and Adoption Program will be available to answer
questions and provide information on how to become a foster parent. For
more information about the Fairfax County Foster Care and Adoption
Program, and to learn how you can help, call 703-324-7639, TTY
703-222-9453. Information also is available on the county Web site at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/service/dfs.
FAIRFAX COUNTY IS COMMITTED TO A POLICY OF NONDISCRIMINATION IN ALL COUNTY PROGRAMS, SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES AND WILL PROVIDE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS UPON REQUEST. TO REQUEST SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS, CALL 703-324-3187, TTY 703-324-2935. PLEASE ALLOW FIVE WORKING DAYS IN ADVANCE OF EVENTS IN ORDER TO MAKE THE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS.
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