Sales-Tax-Free Back-to-School Shopping, the Crime-Solvers 5k Race and More

Fairfax City Patch recently debuted our new briefs that offer readers a quick snapshot of the daily news.

Each Monday, we offer 'The Week Ahead,' to help set up your week and plan for key news and events.

1. Been thinking about a new pet? This Saturday, members of the City of Fairfax Police Department’s Animal Control division, in partnership with Pets Brings Joy nonprofit, bring you the Kitties, Bunnies and More Adoption Event. Come and meet scores of adorable kitties, bunnies, dogs and other animals and consider adopting one. Special guests will include the “orange crush kittens” – 14 cute little orange tabby kittens the animal control division rescued all from the same litter. The event takes place this Saturday, Aug. 3, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Town & Country Animal Hospital at 9836 Fairfax Blvd. in Fairfax. For more information, call 703-385-7919 or e-mail info@petsbringjoy.org.

2. School starts in a little under six weeks, so you’ve got time – but you might want to consider doing your back-to-school shopping this coming weekend, Friday to Sunday, Aug. 2-4. Why? It’s Virginia’s August Sales Tax Holiday on School Supplies and Clothing. During this three-day period, purchases of qualifying school supplies selling for $20 or less per item, and purchases of qualifying clothing and footwear selling for $100 or less per item, will be exempt from sales tax, thanks to the folks at the Virginia Department of Taxation. Some retailers are choosing to offer tax breaks on additional items as well to lure in shoppers, so you could score yourself some good deals on lots of shopping this weekend. See the VDT’s website for more information.

3. This Saturday, meet one of Virginia’s ultimate chefs at Wegman’s of Fairfax. The store is welcoming Patrick Evans-Hylton, chef and author of Dishing Up Virginia: 145 Recipes that Celebrate Colonial Traditions and Contemporary Flavors. Purchase his book at the store for a 20 percent discount off the usual retail price ($15.96), and you can meet him and get it signed. Wegman’s Fairfax is located at 11620 Monument Dr. Call 703-653-1600 for more information. 

4. Support crime-solving efforts in Fairfax County and get some exercise this Sunday, Aug. 4 with the inaugural Crime-Solvers 5k Race, presented by Fairfax County Crime-Solvers and Capital Area Runners. The USATF-approved course starts at the Fairfax Corner Shopping Center and weaves through nearby roads. The race will be chip-timed, courtesy of raceDCTiming.com, and results posted. The 5k kicks off at 8 a.m., and a fun kids’ race kicks off at 8:45 a.m. More information and registration is available online.

5. Have a great time and benefit a great cause – and maybe even win yourself some cash or prizes in the process. This Friday, and every Friday night, at 7 p.m., the Fairfax Volunteer Fire Department hosts Smoke-Free Bingo at 4081 University Dr. in Fairfax City. All proceeds go toward purchasing fire and rescue equipment. Free coffee, good food, a guaranteed $1,000 jackpot, progressive “treasure chest” raffles and more. Bingo cards are $5 each, or get a discount when you purchase six or more. For more information, visit the Smoke-Free Bingo page on the department’s website.

Anything important coming up this week that we failed to put on the list? Tell us about it in the comments below.

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