Mark your Calendar for the SFCC Fall Meeting

The South Fairfax Chamber of Commerce will hold it's Fall General Membership Meeting Thursday, October 22, 2009 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.  The meeting will feature a pre-election forum with local candidates on hand to answer questions and present their ideas and goals for area commerce.  The meeting will be held at the Lorton Arts Foundation, located at 9601 Ox Road in Lorton.

Don't miss this opportunity to meet and mix with your fellow Chamber supporters, and local candidates.

Good News for Chamber Members

Thanks to the generous support of South Fairfax Chamber of Commerce members and our Corporate Founders, we are very happy to announce that we are waving annual membership dues renewal for all current Chamber members through September 30, 2010.

We realize that in this tough economy, every penny counts.  At SFCC we have structured our organization to run efficiently and economically.  We have no salaried staff or paid officers.  The Chamber operates primarily through our online presence at SouthFairfaxChamber.org, eliminating the need for expensive office space.  These cost-saving measures have enabled us to maintain a budget in excess of our planned operating expenses for the coming year, and we are passing the benefits of this along to our members.

Our Corporate Founders, who have each made a significant donation to the Chamber's start-up fund, include Davis Industries, Inc., EnviroSolutions, Inc., and Rainwater Concrete Co., Inc.  We want to take this opportunity to recognize their generosity and give them a special round of applause.

Fall's Bounty at the Lorton Farmers Market

Summer may be slipping away, but there are still good things ahead for shoppers at the Lorton Farmers Market. The Market is open every Sunday from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., in the VRE parking lot located at 8990 Lorton Station Boulevard.

Many residents have taken advantage of the market this summer, enjoying delicious and fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables, baked goods, meats, and home-made ice cream. All products sold at the Farmers Market are produced by vendors within 125 miles of Fairfax County. Buy local and support sustainable agriculture in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Just because summer is waning, don't miss out on the delights of the fall harvest.  Apples, pears, pumpkins, butternut squash, and a host of other wonderful items will be available at the Farmers Market through October 25.

Chamber on the Run!

South Fairfax Chamber of Commerce Life Without Limits 10K Run

It's right around the corner!  The SFCC Life Without Limits 10K Run will take place Saturday, September 12, 2009, beginning 8:00 a.m. at South County Secondary School in Lorton.  The event will benefit United Cerebral Palsy of Washington and Northern Virginia (UCP). This will be a fun-filled day for both runners and spectators, with live music and local celebrities joining in the festivities.

UCP is one of the nation's largest health charities and has been serving adults with cerebral palsy and other disabilities since 1949. Their mission is to advance the independence, productivity, and quality of life for individuals with disabilities and their families.

The race course takes runners from the South County Secondary School along the Laurel Hill Golf Course and through an area of Lorton that holds some of its historic core.  Runners will use ChronoTrack D-Tag timing on the USATF-certified 10K course.  All registered runners will receive an official commemorative race t-shirt.

An awards ceremony and celebration will follow the race. The top three male and female runners, and first, second, and third place winners in 10-year age groups will receive merchandise prizes. There will also be great random prizes from local merchants & other race sponsors.  Live music and an appearance by Redskin fan favorites, The Hogettes, will cap off the event.

It's not too late to register to run!  Online registration is available through September 9.  Visit SouthFairfaxChamber.org/10KRun for pre-race registration, or register on race day beginning at 6:30 a.m.  Advance registration fee is $20.00 ($25 on race day.)

Pre-registered runners can pick up their race packets, including bibs, t-shirts, ChronoTrack timers, and other goodies on Friday, September 11, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the tent at the Workhouse Arts Center, 9601 Ox Road, just off of Route 123 in Lorton.  Race packets will be available on race day from 6:30 to 7:50 a.m. at South County Secondary School, 8501 Silverbrook Road, Lorton.

If running is not your thing, you can still be part of the event by volunteering your time. Volunteers are needed for manning the registration tables, directing runners along the course, and dispensing water to runners.  Sign up to volunteer at SouthFairfaxChamber.org.  All volunteers will receive a free race t-shirt.

Join us at the SFCC Life Without Limits 10K Run on Saturday, September 12 for a fun-packed day to support a great cause.  See you there!

South County Secondary School Business Cooperative Internship Program

It's a win-win for local businesses and area students

The Business Cooperative Internship Program (BCIP) is a cooperative arrangement between South County Secondary School and employers in the community. It allows participating students who are enrolled in the program to receive class credit for on-the-job work experience.

In these tight economic times many businesses are looking to cut costs wherever they can. By hiring a BCIP student, employers get a highly qualified individual at a lower pay rate.  Students have taken classes to prepare them for the tasks and challenges that they will encounter in the work pace.  In addition, employers have access to a continuous source of supervised, skilled, and dependable workers.

Students are trained in a variety of business practices, including accounting, office administration, management, desktop publishing, and retail sales, to name a few.  A large number of our students are Microsoft Office Specialists, with experience in creating documents, correspondence, spread sheets, and PowerPoint presentations.

By participating in this program you will take an active role in the education and career preparation of students in our community.  You will provide real-world experience that enables our young citizens to transition from school to career, increasing the number of economically productive members of society.

Students are ready and waiting now for placement in area businesses.  Contact Patty P. Washington, Business Cooperative Internship Program Coordinator  at South County Secondary School, by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or call 703-446-1773.