2022 Fairfax County Teen Job Fair Series – I am very excited to announce that I will again be hosting my annual Teen Job Fair Series in partnership with Connection Newspapers, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), and our local chambers. Last year I hosted two fairs online because of the pandemic and still had over 124 business representatives and over 1,000 students participate. While our virtual fairs were highly successful, I am pleased to report that this year’s fairs will be back in-person at West Springfield High School on March 12^th from 1 - 3 p.m. and Chantilly High School on March 19^th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

These fairs are some of my favorite events each year because they provide an invaluable opportunity for students to interact with employers. This year especially, I know our local businesses are eager to hire and our students are hopeful to start new opportunities put on hold by the pandemic. Over the last seven years hosting these fairs, I have heard from countless students that this is where they landed their first job. For businesses, it’s a great opportunity fill vacant positions and put a bug in the ear of younger job seekers who may apply in years to come. The last time we hosted the job fairs in person, one business filled all ten of their open positions within the first half of the fair and left with back up contacts as well. While most job seekers attending the fair are between ages 16 to 18, limited opportunities are sometimes available for students as young as 14. Job opportunities at the fair include full-time, part-time, seasonal, volunteer, and internship opportunities. In addition to job opportunities at the fair, students will also be able to attend a career-building workshop, like a Resume Workshop and Interviewing 101. 

The best part of this fair is that it is completely free for students and participating businesses.

For students, you simply register here. There is no requirement to be a resident or student in Fairfax County, although the opportunities at the fair will be based in Fairfax County.

For businesses, you can register here. After you register, you will receive confirmation and further information about the fair if your registration has been approved. Registered businesses will be provided a table space at the fair to set up materials and interact with students. Please note, businesses and organizations registering for the fair must be offering positions for their entity. Job hiring services, preparatory services, and advertising platforms not offering direct hiring will not be permitted. While these services have value, we have limited space for businesses at the fair and want to reserve every opportunity for employers offering positions to students.

For more information on the fairs, you can visit here.

If you have any questions or concerns about the fair, feel free to call my office at 703-451-8873 or email [email protected]. 

Citizen Budget Review Committee – Throughout each year, I hear from many of you who want to know what you can do to stop out of control Board spending and protect your hard-earned tax dollars. While I encourage all of you to share your feedback by testifying before the Board, I hope some of you with the time and inclination will also join me in taking a closer look at the FY 2023 budget as part of my Citizen Budget Review Committee.

Following the release of the FY 2023 budget on February 28^th, this committee will evaluate the priorities and spending in the FY 2023 budget and provide recommendations for what direction we should be moving in as a County. In past years, I have convened this group and its members have come up with great ideas for how Fairfax County can be more efficient and aligned with priorities residents care about. Whether you participate or not, I look forward to hearing from you on the County’s upcoming budget.

With the increase in spending on Board “initiatives,” Board use of one-time funds for recurring expenditures out of the budget cycle, a winding down of federal COVID funds, a shrinking commercial real estate tax base and a significant increase in residential assessments, this year and next will be difficult budget years. This budget is also important as our residents have already seen their real estate taxes rise 45 percent over the last 10 years in addition to record inflation and fiscal uncertainty. We need to reduce the cost of government.

If you are interested in participating in the Citizen Budget Review Committee, please fill out this one-minute survey. Familiarity with the County and/or FCPS budget is a bonus but is not required for participation. If you have any questions about the committee, please reach out to my office at 703-451-8873 or email us at [email protected]. 

Thanks for the mountains of donations we have been receiving at the West Springfield office but ECHO still needs your help to restock their pantry. High food prices and food shortages affect all consumers, but the most vulnerable families in the community suffer actual hunger. ECHO needs donations of all categories of non-perishable foods and hygiene products. The following items are in shortest supply: cooking oil, masa flour, pancake syrup, muffin/corn meal mix, tortillas, laundry detergent, shaving cream and deodorant. ECHO Food volunteers are currently unable to order bulk quantities of needed foods due to the shortages. The most effective way to help keep ECHO Food Pantry shelves stocked is to bring food donations to ECHO or to one of the remote donations sites listed at the bottom of ECHO’s homepage at echo-inc.org.

ECHO is also looking for volunteers in such diverse areas as facilities maintenance, fund-raising, and social media. Time commitments vary from “occasional” to weekly, to daily, depending on the volunteer's availability. For more information on these positions as well as receiving and distribution positions, email [email protected].

Be on the lookout for the Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults. This survey will be randomly sent to a sample of residents 50 and older this month. This survey will ask for information on your use of public transportation, senior centers, volunteering, and other issues faced by seniors. We will be using this information as we develop the SHAPE The Future of Aging plan to meet the needs of our older adults. For more information, please see this presentation. 

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at George Mason University (OLLI Mason) offers a robust level of class offerings and recruits a wonderful set of teachers from all walks of life, including George Mason University, OLLI membership, and outside experts.

Despite the challenges brought by the pandemic, OLLI Mason thrived as an organization. In 2021, they have continued to program and deliver over 500 classes on a broad spectrum of subjects. Over 20 clubs continued to meet online, giving members the ability to stay connected. OLLI plans to resume field trips and in-person classes during the spring term (March 28—May 20).

Currently, OLLI Mason membership is available to new members at an incredible value. OLLI is offering a $300 special promotion rate for those who purchase an annual membership during the winter 2022 term (January 24—February 18), so act now! Curious about class offerings or want more information about OLLI?

At no cost to you, please visit the OLLI George Mason University YouTube channel. You can view a sample of the recent, fantastic class offerings. You can find more information about OLLI Mason on their website or by emailing the administrator at [email protected].

Loretta Woodward Veney is a trained LEGO Serious Play facilitator in 2014. As her Mom's dementia progressed, their communication continued through the building with LEGO bricks, spurring Loretta to begin using LSP with caregivers as well as those with dementia.

In this session participants will learn what LSP is, and how it can be used with care partners, care receivers and in Memory Café sessions to spark past memories, make new memories, and bring joy and hope to the caregiving experience. 

 

 

Springfield United Methodist Church is holding a food drive on Saturday, March 5 from 1 to 3PM.  ECHO’s Food Pantry has been dramatically impacted by increasing need. All food donations are vital to ECHO right now.

 

Springfield United Methodist Church

7047 Old Keene Mill Road in Springfield

Collection area in parking lot

Mark your calendars – In-person and virtual Real Estate Tax Relief Workshops will start on March 16! Workshops will last until April 20; the Springfield District workshops are set for April 7 & 8. Please see this link for more information: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/taxes/workshops

These submissions will be evaluated, with top candidates being interviewed by the Round Table Scholarship Committee, for the final selection of a winner. Packages may be e-mailed to [email protected], or mailed to: BRCWRT-Scholarship Team, P.O. Box 2147, Centreville, VA 20122.

The nonprofit Bull Run Civil War Round Table was established in May 1991 to unite those wishing to expand and share knowledge of the Civil War via lectures, research, field trips and active participation in the preservation of Civil War sites. For more information, go to bullruncwrt.org.