Jerry Ferguson, director of development, Fairfax Public Access television, Vienna
“2013 is shaping up to be an incredible year for Fairfax Public Access. The launch of our newest cable channel 36 this coming spring, devoted to spiritual and religious programming, along with international channel 30, Radio Fairfax channel 37 and our flagship channel 10, offers the public even more options to engage in locally-produced programming, or to get involved and share their own ideas, interests and perspectives with other county residents. As director of development, I’m looking forward to helping spread the word about the resources we offer everyone as Fairfax County’s community television and radio station.
We’re also excited to take the lead in the 2013 Video Fairfax competition, a chance for K-12 students of Fairfax County Public schools to create their own videos to be judged by professionals in the field, with cash prizes awarded to the winners in four different grade categories, and airings on Cox’s On Demand and on Fairfax Public Access channel 10. This partnership with Cox Communications, the Arts Council of Fairfax, Fairfax County Public Schools and Fairfax Spotlight for the Arts is a natural fit, as our mission is to provide the tools, training and technology for anyone to learn video and/or radio production as well as a platform for disseminating whatever they create with that knowledge.
For my personal hopes in the new year, I hope that Congress starts valuing statesmanship over brinksmanship, that Richmond finally comes to grips with the transportation issues in our region, that we all contribute to seeing that the county’s 10-year plan to end homelessness succeeds, and that the NHL quits acting like Congress, get a deal done, and let the Capitals get back to finally winning us a Stanley Cup.”
Liza Lara, attorney-at-law, Reston
“My plans for 2013 include resuming the practice of law in Northern Virginia after relocating from the midwest, spending quality time with my pre-schooler before he goes to kindergarten in the fall, and biking a ‘century’ with my husband during the summer.”
Anne Stuntz, president of Historic Vienna, Inc., Vienna
“We've got lots of things going forward for the New Year. Our new museum chairman Mike Berger is full of energy and enthusiasm for putting together upcoming exhibits. He and his committee have a long list of possible topics, and I think we’ll start out the year with an exhibit on the Alexandria Loudoun and Hampshire Railroad and its descendants, up to the present with the W&OD Bike Trail. The building [Freeman House] is closed in January and February, so this would probably open in March.
The main event of 2013 will be to commemorate the unveiling of the plaque honoring the Freeman Store's inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. This is scheduled for Saturday, April 6. The Freeman Store is the only building in the Town of Vienna that is on the National Trust's register. We want the whole town to come out to celebrate this highest honor. After all, the town itself owns this fine building, and we at HVI run the museum and the store and the Little Library. It belongs to the community and we want to have an event that everyone can enjoy and be proud of.
As part of the festivities, Cathy Salgado has secured a visit from the “history mobile” on April 5 and 6. Look that up at http://www.virginiacivilwar.org/historymobile.php. It's been traveling all over Virginia.
There are probably a zillion other things HVI will be doing.
Personally, my main goal, besides maintaining my regular exercise routine is to deal with all the clutter. I might even relent and hire a professional.”