First Turkey Trot for Parkinson’s at Burke Lake Set For Thanksgiving
The inaugural Turkey Trot for Parkinson’s is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 26 at Burke Lake Park. Events including a five-kilometer run/walk and one-mile “Gobble Wobble” walk are set to begin at 9 a.m.
Juliet Neal, owner and coach with West Springfield Running, is hosting the race, which benefits the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
Volunteers at the race will also be collecting donations of winter clothing and food for the Springfield-based community support organization ECHO.
Prior to the race date, the event had already sold out of its 500 registration spots for runners and walkers.
For more information, visit www.turkey-trot-5k.com.
-Tim Peterson
Church Forum Offers a Preview of Virginia Assembly Session
The Conway Forum: A Legislative Preview of The Virginia General Assembly's 2016 Session will be held on Sunday, Dec. 6, 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the
Accotink Unitarian Universalist Church, 10125 Lakehaven Court in Burke.
Guests: Del. Dave Albo (R-)42 and Del. Rip Sullivan (D-48).
Offered as a Service by The Accotink Unitarian Universalist Church and The Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of Virginia.
The forum provides the public an opportunity to discuss many sides of issues important to the communities in a spirit of respect and service and to learn from two Virginia delegates about legislation that is likely to come up before the Virginia House of Delegates in the January 2016 legislative session.
Refreshments will be provided during and after the program
Child care at no cost will be provided, but reservations requested (703-503-4579).
"The Conway Forum" is named for Rev. Moncure Daniel Conway. Born in 1832 to a slaveholding family, Moncure Conway was inspired by divine reflection to reject slavery. He gave up his family fortune and a chance to be among the ruling class of Stafford County, Va., choosing instead to serve the world as a Unitarian Minister and Abolitionist. Conway famously whisked 30 former slaves out of Baltimore during a Civil War era race riot and set them up on a farm in Ohio at his own expense.
Two Weeks Remaining in Blanket/Coat Drive for Refugees
There are two weeks remaining in the blanket/coat drive to help Syrian/Iraqi refugees who have fled the violence of their home countries for Turkey.
This year’s drive is underway and will conclude on Dec 5. There are collection locations throughout Northern Virginia and in 16 other states and the District of Columbia. Loudoun Board Chairman Scott York, Fairfax Board Chairman Sharon Bulova, Prince William Chairman Corey Stewart, Arlington County Chairman Mary Hynes and Alexandria Mayor William Euille are co-chairing this effort. The Northern Virginia Regional Commission is coordinating the drive for the region.
Details on the collection drive and drop off locations can be found at www.helpsyrianrefugees.us.
Over the past two years more than 40,000 blankets have been collected and $115,000 in funds has been donated. Donations raised for this program will help purchase blankets and supplies in Turkey for the refugees. For the past two years the blankets were transported by Paxton Van Lines to the Port of Virginia where they were shipped to Turkey via Maersk. Both companies donated their services and are once again donating them this year.
Fairfax Chamber to Become the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce
Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce (Fairfax Chamber) Board of Directors approved the rebranding and restructuring of the Fairfax Chamber to the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce. The new entity, effective January 2016, is an answer to the call from business and political leaders for one unified business voice for Northern Virginia that more accurately reflects a role the Fairfax Chamber is already fulfilling.
“The Fairfax Chamber is the Voice of Business in Northern Virginia and has been for some time now,” said Mitchell D. Weintraub, partner, Cordia Partners and chairman, Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce. “The rebranding and restructuring will allow us to better serve and increase our value to our members, stakeholders and business community.”