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TextNews to Use Podcast Transcript: Feb. 24, 2009
Good day, and welcome to the Fairfax County News to Use podcast for
February 24, 2009. Coming up, get information on a seedling sale
that’s for the birds, hear how your Fairfax County business can be
recognized for going green, learn about National Consumer Protection Week
in Fairfax County, and find out what the county is “tweeting”
about.
The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District is holding
its annual seedling sale for 2009. The sale makes low-cost native
shrub and tree seedlings available to Northern Virginia residents. All
seedlings in the package are native to Northern Virginia and this year’s
varieties were specially picked to be bird friendly. Each
package is $17.95 and includes two of each of the following
varieties: Washington hawthorn, Elderberry, Willow oak, Silky
dogwood, American hazelnut, and Persimmon. These plants are sure to
bring song birds to your backyard! Order forms can be
downloaded from the Conservation District at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/nvswcd. Seedlings are
available for pick-up in mid-April. For more information call
703-324-1420. Trees and shrubs help cleanse water, prevent soil
erosion, provide habitat, cool our climate and clean the air. Considering
adding native trees and shrubs today!
Going green at work? Fairfax County wants to hear from you!
The county’s Business Recycling Awards program is designed to recognize
Fairfax County businesses and nonprofit organizations implementing
innovative programs in waste reduction, recycling and reuse. Any Fairfax
County business or nonprofit is eligible to apply. All waste reduction,
recycling, and/or reuse efforts carried out between Jan. 1, 2008, and
March 1, 2009, are eligible for consideration. Judging Criteria include:
the total amount of trash diverted from the waste stream through
recycling, waste reduction and/or reuse efforts; positive impact on and
benefit to Fairfax County’s environment; level of employee participation;
and innovation and creativity of the program. Deadline for
submission of application materials is March 13, 2009. Applications sent
in by mail must be postmarked by March 13, 2009. For more information,
call 703-324-5230.
The Fairfax County Office of Public Affairs is now using Twitter, a
social media platform that allows users to send and receive short
messages and updates. Fairfax County residents can stay connected
by “following” the county on Twitter. 304 “followers” have signed
on to get updates from the county since it began “tweeting” in
January. The Office of Public Affairs “tweets” live from Board of
Supervisors meetings, and also provides short updates on everything from
winter storm warnings to dog licenses. To sign up and follow
Fairfax County on Twitter, go to www.twitter.com/fairfaxcounty. The
county is also using other social media platforms, including Facebook and
YouTube. To learn about all of the ways you can stay in touch with
Fairfax County, go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/getfairfax.
Next week is National Consumer Protection Week with the theme ”Nuts
& Bolts: Tools for Today’s Economy.” The Consumer Affairs Branch of
the Fairfax County Department of Cable Communications and Consumer
Protection has scheduled free events throughout the county to provide
information, education and tools consumers can use in uncertain economic
times. Free seminars will be offered about foreclosure, short-term loans
and choosing a contractor for home repairs or improvements. Also, Fairfax
County Government Channel 16 will televise “Consumer Focus: Tools to
Avoid Debt Traps.” For the complete schedule of events and locations, and
to find out how to register for the free seminars, call Consumer Affairs
at 703-222-8435 or go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/consumer.
That’s all for this News to Use podcast. Thanks for listening. For more
information about the topics in this podcast and for continuous news
updates, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news. You may also call 703-FAIRFAX,
that’s 703-324-7329, weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. News to Use is
produced by the Fairfax County, Virginia, government.
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