Tax Holiday Applies for School Supplies, Clothing
Families in Virginia will get a sales tax break on clothes and supplies for school when the state holds its annual Virginia tax holiday, August 1-3.
To be eligible for the tax break, school supply items must be priced at $20 or less, and clothing and footwear must be priced at $100 or less. Clothing includes choir clothing, household and shop aprons, coveralls, gym clothes, lab coats, and uniforms.
Among the eligible school supplies are art and music supplies, calculators, composition books and notebooks, paper, dictionaries, crayons, lunch boxes, pens, pencils, and reference books.
More information about the Virginia tax holiday, including complete lists of eligible school supplies and clothing items, is available online.
Alzheimer's Association to Hold Workshop
On Aug. 16 at 10 a.m., the Alzheimer's Association National Capital Area Chapter, [3701 Pender Drive, Suite 400, Fairfax, VA 22030] will have a free workshop for individuals and families dealing with Alzheimer's who need to know more about what legal and financial issues to consider and how to put plans in place. Topics covered include:
• Making legal plans that fit your needs
• Legal documents you’ll need and what they mean for all of you
• How to find legal and financial assistance
• Practical strategies for making a long-term plan of care
• Tax deductions and credits
• Government programs that can help pay for care
To register, call the Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900.
Farmers Market on Thursdays
Each Thursday, from 3-7 p.m., the Fairfax County Government Center hosts a farmers market in its parking lot. The Government Center is at 12000 Government Center Parkway in Fair Oaks, and the next markets are slated for July 31 and Aug. 7.
Citizens Police Academy
People interested in law enforcement and who’d like to learn about the Fairfax County Police Department and meet many of those who serve in it may now do so. They may apply to join the Sept. 11-Nov. 15 session of the Citizens Police Academy. It’s a free, 10-week program put on by the Police Department and is open to people who live or work in this county.
Participants complete some 40 hours of learning to gain a better understanding of and appreciation for police via a combination of lectures, tours and hands-on activities. Topics covered include the 911 Call Center, patrol, traffic stops, Adult Detention Center, gangs, financial crimes and SWAT team.
To apply, go to http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/services/citizens-police-academy.htm or email CPA@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Give Caregivers a Break
Fairfax County needs Respite Care volunteers throughout the county to give family caregivers of a frail older adult a well-deserved break. Volunteers visit and oversee the safety of the older adult for a few hours each month. Volunteers are matched with families in or near their own neighborhoods. Support and training is provided. Contact Kristin Martin at 703-324-7577, TTY 711, or Kristin.Martin@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Afghan-American Women's Association to Hold Dinner Reception
On Aug. 28, the Afghan-American Women’s Association, based in Fairfax, will be hosting its 5th Annual Dinner Reception in order to raise funds for building a community center. The A-AWA is an up and coming non-profit dedicated to organizing, empowering and educating the growing population of Afghan-American women through cultural, educational, social and charitable opportunities in the Northern Virginia area. The event is being held in order to raise funds for a community center for the A-AWA, and boasts two Afghan-American women of particular renown as the night’s speakers: The Honorable Shinkai Karokhail, a renowned women’s/human’s rights activist from Afghanistan and Suraya Sadeed, author and activist.
The community center, the object of the night’s fundraising, will enable the Association to continue accomplishing their goals: to mobilize membership, strengthen the program and expand services in a variety of critical areas such as community leadership, women's empowerment, education, training, counseling, and health and settlement services for new immigrants. The event will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
For more information on the A-AWA, or instructions on how to donate or get involved, visit http://a-awa.org/index.html
Fairfax Library Foundation Awards Continuing Education Scholarships
Fairfax Library Foundation has awarded three Continuing Education Scholarships to Fairfax County Public Library employees and volunteers. Fairfax Library Foundation is offering these scholarships to help underwrite the costs of conferences, classes, courses, and events that foster the professional development of the library team. The Foundation appreciates the support of the Friends of the Pohick Regional Library for making generous contributions to help fund scholarship awards.
The awardees are:
Matthew Moffett, Assistant Branch Manager at Burke Centre Library, who received a scholarship to cover the costs of attending the American Library Association Annual Conference.
Gail Wellock, Youth Services Information Assistant at Chantilly Library, who was awarded a scholarship to help pay for two classes with the American Library Association. These classes were “Reaching Every Patron: Creating Outreach to Patrons of All Abilities,” and “Next Chapter Book club Orientation: Book Club For Individuals with Developmental Abilities.”
Laura Wickstead, Virginia Room Librarian, who received a scholarship to attend “Ensuring Access: Archives and Records 2014.”
The next opportunity for FCPL employees and volunteers to apply for Continuing Education Scholarships is Dec. 15, 2014. More information at http://fairfaxlibraryfoundation.org/yourgiftsatwork/scholarships/default.htm for more information.