One Dead, $100,000 in Damage from Fairfax Station House Fire
An unnamed elderly woman died after she sustained injuries from a house fire on Sylvan Glen Lane in Fairfax Station. The fire took place early in the morning on Saturday, Nov. 21. Firefighting units responded around 4:25 a.m.
Fire investigators believe the fire was accidental and resulted from an electric heating pad in the single-story home’s family room. During the fire, a hallway smoke alarm failed to activate, the Fairfax County Fire Department said in a release.
Firefighters contained the blaze to the family room and extinguished it, then rescued the elderly woman as well as a dog. The woman died after she was transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital.
Though the fire didn’t spread beyond the one room, damage to the home is estimated to be $100,000.
--Tim Peterson
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.