Submit civic/community announcements at ConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos and artwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, at least two weeks before event.
Fairfax County Activates Coronavirus Information Center
Fairfax County activated a Joint Information Center in response to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) on March 13.
Fairfax County Health Department COVID-19 webpage – www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/novel-coronavirus
Emergency Information Blog (you can subscribe by email or follow by RSS) – www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/blog
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Call Center – The community may call 703-267-3511 with questions. The call center is open from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends.
Residents may also text FFXCOVID to 888777 to receive updates from Fairfax County about COVID-19.
Twitter – @fairfaxcounty and @fairfaxhealth
Facebook – www.facebook.com/fairfaxcounty and www.facebook.com/fairfaxcountyhealth
Input Sought on Plan for Herndon-Reston Silver Line Bus Service
Fairfax County Department of Transportation will hold a third round of community meetings and engagement opportunities to encourage public input on the preferred plan to provide enhanced Fairfax Connector bus service in the Reston and Herndon areas, including connections to the future Metrorail Silver Line Phase 2 stations. The preferred service plan was developed based on public input received through community engagement in 2019, stakeholder engagement and technical analysis. After this final round of community input meetings, FCDOT will finalize the preferred plan based on public feedback and technical analysis and take to the Board of Supervisors for approval.
Attend an Interactive Community Meeting:
Hutchison Elementary School - 13209 Parcher Ave., Herndon
Saturday, March 21, 2020, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Meeting location is accessible via Fairfax Connector Route 937 and Route 950.
South Lakes High - 11400 South Lakes Dr., Reston
Wednesday, March 25, 2020, 7-9 pm.
Meeting location is accessible via Fairfax Connector routes RIBS 2 and Route 551.
Sully District Governmental Center - 4900 Stonecroft Blvd., Chantilly
Wednesday, April 1, 2020, 7-9 p.m.
Meeting location is accessible via Fairfax Connector routes 640 and 642.
Monday/March 23
DMV2Go at the Pavilion. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at 11900 Market St., Reston Town Center. The wireless office on wheels offers all DMV services: driver’s license and ID card applications and renewals, driving records, vehicle titles, license plates, decals, order disabled plates, and more. Information on all services available at dmv.virginia.gov/general/#dmv_2go.
Support Groups
Parent Support Partners, a service of the Healthy Minds Fairfax initiative, are all parents who have received training and are qualitied to offer education, support and assistance at no cost to families or caregivers. They provide reliable information that families can use in decision-making and are familiar with services and resources that can help families in distress. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/healthymindsfairfax or www.nami-northernvirginia.org/parent-peer-support.html.
Ongoing
STEM Professionals Needed. Volunteers are needed to assist K-12 STEM teachers in northern Virginia as part of the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s STEM Volunteer Program, stemvolunteers.org, during the 2019-20 school year.Contact Don Rea at 571-551-2488 or donaldrea@aol.com.
Assistance League of Northern Virginia is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that feeds, clothes and educates children in need. Assistance League's philanthropic programs touch the lives of thousands of children, including those at 11 Title 1 elementary schools in Fairfax and Prince William counties and the City of Alexandria. There are many volunteer opportunities for community members to contribute to helping those in need through Weekend Food for Kids, tutoring programs and providing new clothing and layettes. To learn more, email: info@alnv.org, or visit www.alnv.org
Volunteer Adult Mentors Needed. Help assist the Department of Family Services’ BeFriendA-Child mentoring program. The mentors provide opportunities for companionship, guidance and support to children who have been abused and neglected, or who are at risk of abuse and neglect. Contact Ibrahim Khalil at Ibrahim.khalil@fairfaxcounty.gov or 703-324-4547.
RSVP, a volunteer network for seniors seeking service opportunities in and around Fairfax County, Arlington County and the City of Alexandria, offers a wide array of opportunities for volunteers 55 and older. RSVP volunteers enjoy flexible schedules, free accident and liability insurance while serving, optional mileage and meal reimbursement and are invited to volunteer group projects and social gatherings. To sign up for an upcoming orientation, email Carly Hubicki at chubicki@volunteerfairfax.org or call RSVP at 703-403-5360. To learn more about RSVP, visit www.rsvpnova.org.
Sunrise at Reston Town Center offers a monthly Caregiver Support Group on the fourth Wednesday of the month, 6:30-8 p.m. Monthly support group offers a safe place for family caregivers, to meet and develop a mutual support system and to exchange practical information and possible solutions. Learn about resources available in the community and how to manage caregiver related stress. Call 703-956- 8930 or email Reston.ED@sunriseseniorliving.com to RSVP.
Exercise for Parkinson’s. Every Monday, 1:15-2:15 p.m. Reston Sport&Health, 11445 Isaac Newton Square, Reston. This program brings together people impacted by Parkinson’s Disease to participate in various physical exercises aimed at improving posture, balance and circulation and increasing strength, muscle control and mobility. Free. parkinsonfoundation.org. Call Natalie McCall nmccall@onelifefitness.com 703-904-7600 for more.
Master Gardener Training. The Fairfax County Master Gardener Association offers plant clinics, home turf training or speakers for homeowner’s meetings. Fees vary. Visit fairfaxgardening.org or call MG Help Desk at 703-324-8556 for more.
Over-40 Softball League. A Fairfax-based league is looking for enough players to form another team. Players must be at last 40 years of age to be eligible. All games are doubleheaders - played on Sundays at Bready Park in Herndon between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Email skeduman@aol.com for more.
Hypothermia Prevention: An Emergency Program for the Homeless To help our vulnerable neighbors survive the winter, we provide overnight shelter with a “no turn-away” policy at all emergency homeless shelters during freezing weather. Through the coldest months of the winter, we also provide the Hypothermia Prevention Program, a countywide community network of 45 overnight shelters. Through this program last winter, our nonprofit and faith-based community partners served almost 1,000 men and women with a safe, warm place to sleep. If you see someone at night who is unsheltered and you think could be at risk of hypothermia, call the county’s non-emergency phone line at 703-691-2131, TTY 711.
Passages DivorceCare. For those experiencing the pain of separation or divorce, the caring community at Vienna Presbyterian Church offers Passages DivorceCare. This 15-week program offers a path toward healing. Vienna Presbyterian Church is located on the corner of Maple Avenue (Rt. 123) and Park Street in Vienna. Cost to cover materials is $20, scholarships available. For more information or to register call 703-938-9050, go to www.viennapres.org, or send an email to Passages@ViennaPres.org.
The Herndon Adult Day Health Care Center needs volunteers to assist with fitness activities, arts and crafts, mealtime, entertainment and much more. For these and other volunteer opportunities, call 703-324-5406, TTY 711 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadults and click on Volunteer Solutions.
The Northern Virginia Long Term Care Ombudsman Program needs volunteer advocates for residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Contact Lisa Callahan at 703-324-5861, TTY 711 or email Lisa.Callahan@fairfaxcounty.gov . Also visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices/ltcombudsman/.
Fairfax County needs volunteers to drive older adults to medical appointments and wellness programs. For these and other volunteer opportunities, call 703-324-5406, TTY 711 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadults and click on Volunteer Solutions.
Respite Care volunteers give family caregivers of a frail older adult a well-deserved break so they can go shopping, attend a doctor's appointment or just have coffee with a friend. Volunteers visit and oversee the safety of the older adult for a few hours each month. Support and training are provided. Contact 703-324-7577, TTY 711, or Kristin.Martin@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Fairfax County’s Meals on Wheels urgently needs drivers in the Annandale, Franconia/Kingstowne, Reston, Mount Vernon and McLean areas. 703-324-5406, TTY 711 or www.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadults.
Habitat Heroes Project. The fourth Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. - noon. Join the Habitat Heroes in protecting Reston’s forests from aggressive plants and restoring them to their natural state. Wear long sleeves, long pants, and if possible, gardening gloves to protect from insects and dangerous plants. R.A. will provide tools, gloves, snacks, and water. To volunteer and find more information, contact habrock@reston.org or 703-435-7986.
ARTSPACE HERNDON – ArtSpace Herndon needs volunteer docents to greet guests, answer the phone and complete sales during normal gallery hours. Volunteers are also needed a few hours each month to assist with exhibit installation and special performing arts events. Training is provided. Flexible shifts are available. For additional information see our website www.artspaceherndon.com. Or contact us at 703-956-9560, volunteer@artspaceherndon.com. ArtSpace Herndon, 750 Center Street, Herndon.