ResOURces Newsletter-Nov 2012

By Fairfax County Park Authority - Friday, October 26, 2012


NATURE, HISTORY AND HORTICULTURE IN FAIRFAX COUNTY

 November 2012   Volume 12,  Number 8

Holiday Events in the Parks

Holidays are filled with fun events in the parks. Get a head start on your holiday planning by exploring park possibilities right here:

See the entire Thanksgiving holiday program lineup online or below under Events in the Parks. See an expanded list of December events below under Events in the Parks, and keep an eye out for our December holiday web page coming to the Fairfax County Park Authority website in late November.  
 
 

Bluegrass at the Farm

The Fairfax County Park Authority is hosting some of the best bluegrass musicians in the region this winter.

Be part of the BlueGrass Barn concert series in the Visitor Center at Frying Pan Farm Park.
 
There are concerts on the first and third Sundays of each month through April. 
 
See the concert lineup and buy tickets on Frying Pan's website.
 

A Walk in the Woods

Remember sitting in your office wishing you were outside because it was such a beautiful day? Don't miss your next chance. The next time you're at home wondering what to do, remember how you felt that day in your office. This time, go to a park. We've got more than 400 of them. Which park? Let us suggest Riverbend, one of the most captivating in the county. What to do when you get there? Take a walk. Stop by the visitor center and pick up a trail map, and maybe check out the new mile-long Riverbend Park Tree Walk, a stroll that helps you identify 20 different varieties of trees. If you do, we bet you don't find yourself standing out there wishing you were back inside at your office.
 

Charm Your Date in a Park

This is the perfect way to start a romantic evening. Enjoy festive food and drink along with seasonal and popular music of the 18th century as part of Sully's Elegant Evening: Sully Candlelight Tour. Experience the engaging pursuits that bring the past to life in the gracefully holiday-decorated 1794 Lee home at Sully Historic Site. This is a featured new part of Sully's annual Candlelight Tour program.
 

Have a Say in the County Budget

Fairfax County is drafting its next budget. Potential cuts could have a big effect on parks. Tell county officials what you feel are the county's priorities. Click these links for details on the county budget and for a place to share your thoughts and suggestions.
 

Tree Trouble?

What do you do if a tree on parkland falls on your property? What if you're worried about a parkland tree that looks like it could fall and hurt someone? Here's what to do.
 

Do Something Great

Want to do something great for your parks? Really great? With benefits?
We're talking about the Super Bowl MVP-Beatles-Johnny Carson-Miss Piggy-Elvis-Babe Ruth-23 Skidoo-Groovy-World Cup-Pele-Awesome-The Godfather-1913 US Open-Aretha Franklin-Gatsby-Les Miserables-Mia Hamm-World Series Game Six-Warren Buffett-1958 NFL Championship Game-Muhammad Ali-Sean Connery kind of great.
Well, here it is: Join a Friends group.
It's that simple, and it's that great for you and for parks.  Start now. Click one of these: 
 

Did Something Great

Hidden Pond Nature Center Acting Manager Mike McCaffrey receives a national award this month. On Nov. 15, the National Association of Interpreters will present McCaffrey its 2012 Master Interpretive Manager Award at a ceremony in Hampton, VA.  He's being honored for his mastery of interpretive technique, his site management and his ability to pass on his skills to others. Mike is the second Fairfax County Park Authority employee to be so honored, joining retired interpreter Mona Enquist-Johnston, who received the honor in 2003.
 
Honored last month by the Virginia Conservation Network were the Friends of Hidden Oaks Nature Center. They were named Local Conservation Heroes for their work on the Community Wildlife Habitat initiative.
 

The Park Foundation and Open Space

The Fairfax County Park Foundation supports the county's parks by raising funds through private donations. Ever wonder where your money goes? One of the foundation's priorities is open space, the land that provides you with parks, improves air and water quality, reduces water runoff and protects wildlife habitat. Your donations helped purchase a 3.6-acre addition to Turner Farm Park, 27.9 acres of Mason Neck West, 6 acres that became Hogge Park, an 8.6-acre addition to Woodglen Lake Park, 5.5 acres of Patriot Park, and 16 acres that are now part of Waples Mill Park. Learn more about open space for your descendants through the Fairfax County Park Foundation.
 
 

Holiday Shopping for the Parks

When you shop for the coming holidays, remember your parks. Start your search on Amazon through the Park Foundation search box, and Amazon makes a donation from your purchase to the Park Foundation. If you sell or buy on eBay, start on the Park Foundation page at eBay. 

  

Scout Leaders: Did You Know?

Park Authority scouting programs are now searchable in our online registration system. To see all of our current scouting programs, go to Parktakes Online and type "scout" in the Search by Keyword box. You can register online, at the site, or through the central registration phone line.
  

New Wildlife Program for 3-to-7 Year-Olds

A new series of wildlife exploration classes for children age three to seven is coming to Stone Mansion, the Revolutionary War-era mansion in Alexandria. Nature Time Tuesday is a one-hour program that will explore amphibians, reptiles, birds and more. Information and class registration is online.
 

Vendors Needed for Community Flea Market

Plan now for a community Flea Market on Saturday, April 13, 2013, at Hunter House in Nottoway Park, Vienna, VA.  The Park Authority is seeking vendors for the market.  For information, contact Barbara Ziman at 703-437-1794 or barbara.ziman@fairfaxcounty.gov.  Early registration is a good idea, because spaces do sell out.
  

Thank You....and Thank You

Thank you for your support on the November park bond. We recognize our obligation toward your quality of life and for fiscal responsibility, and we will do our best to conscientiously fulfill the trust you have placed in us.
 
Also, thanks to Whole Foods in Burke. The store designated 5% of its sales on Aug. 22 to Hidden Pond, donating $3,036 to the nature center.
 
 
Events in the Parks

 Park Calendar of Events

 Nov. 15: Kids Korner, at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, 10 a.m.
 Nov. 15: Storytime in the Forest, at Huntley Meadows, 1:30 p.m.
 Nov. 17: The Teas of India, at Colvin Run Mill, 3 p.m.
 Nov. 18: Turkey Walk, at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, 9 a.m.
 Nov. 18: Baking Workshop, at Sully Historic Site, 10 a.m.
 Nov. 19: Turkeys are Terrific, at Hunter House, 2:30 p.m.
 Nov. 19: Feeding Day, at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, 3 p.m.
 Nov. 24: Safari Saturday, at Hidden Pond Nature Center, 10:30 a.m.
 Nov. 26: Nature Quest, at Hidden Pond Nature Center, 10 a.m.
 Nov. 28: Indian Lore Merit Badge, at Huntley Meadows, 4:30 p.m.
 Nov. 29: Storytime in the Forest, at Huntley Meadows, 1:30 p.m.
 

 
 Dec.  1: Night Sky Festival, at Riverbend Park, 5 p.m.
 Dec.  2: Gardener's Holiday Open House, at Green Spring Gardens, 12 noon - 4 p.m.
 Dec.  3: Forest Fledglings, at Hidden Oaks Nature Center, 9:30 a.m.
 Dec.  3: Nature Quest, at Hidden Pond Nature Center, 10 a.m.
 Dec.  3: Little Acorns, at Hidden Oaks Nature Center, 11 a.m.
 Dec.  5: Kids Korner, at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, 1 p.m.
 Dec.  5: Animal Vets, at Riverbend Park, 4 p.m.
 Dec.  6: Kids Korner, at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, 10 a.m.
 Dec.  6: Brandywine Holidays, through Green Spring Gardens, 11 a.m.
 Dec.  8: Safari Saturday, at Hidden Pond Nature Center, 10:30 a.m.
 Dec.  8: Minerals Rock!, at Green Spring Gardens, 2 p.m.
 Dec.  8: Santa at the Mill, Colvin Run Mill 3 p.m.-6 p.m.
 Dec.  8: Candlelight Tours, at Sully Historic Site, 4:45 p.m. to 7 p.m.
 Dec.  8: Wagon Ride, at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, 5 p.m.
 Dec. 10: Nature Quest, at Hidden Pond Nature Center, 10 a.m.
 Dec. 10: Venturers, at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, 4 p.m.
 Dec. 13: Storytime in the Forest, at Huntley Meadows, 1:30 p.m.
 Dec. 15: Santa Visits Lake Accotink, at Lake Accotink, 1:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.
 Dec. 15: Candlelight Tours, at Sully Historic Site, 4:45 p.m. - 7 p.m.
 Dec. 15-16: Holiday Model Train Display, at Colvin Run Mill, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
 Dec. 16: Candlelight Tours, at Sully Historic Site, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
 Dec. 22-23: Holiday Model Train Display, at Colvin Run Mill, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  
   
 
 

One, Two, Three, CLICK:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  

   This is a Fairfax County Park Authority Publication.         
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Fairfax County Park Authority | Fairfax, VA 22035 | 703-324-8695 | Fax 703-324-3996 | TTY 703-803-3354 | www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/resources


 

 

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