It's my town: Americans with Disabilities Act nears anniversary

A reason to celebrate…

To observe the 19th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a local center for independent living, Independence Empowerment Center, is hosting its annual ADA Fair on July 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Loy E. Harris Pavilion in Old Town Manassas.

Some of the changes that have taken place over the past 19 years by the Act include accessible public buildings and retail establishments, improvements in public transit systems and universal design of prod-ucts and buildings.

Because of the ADA, the community is now a better and more convenient place in which to live.

The fair will feature more than 25 organizations and provide activities for family fun. Food will be avail-able from A La Carte Catering. Organizations such as Care Connection for Children and Poison Prevention will be there. Some groups that serve individuals with disabilities will be represented, including Didlake and Awl Personal Care.

Local government agencies participating include Manassas, Prince William County and Fauquier Disability Services Boards, Prince William County Area Agency on Aging, Human Rights Commission and Prince William County Emergency Preparedness Citizen's Corp.

Best Buy is sponsoring a raffle for both Wii Sports and Wii Fit with all proceeds going to IEC. There will be activities for children such as games, a magician and a puppeteer. The Happy Hoofers of Manassas and two local bands, Stir Fry and Jericho Ditch, will perform.

For the third year, the organization has collected items from local businesses for a silent auction, with items ranging from statues of wizards and dragons, a white water rafting trip, restaurant certificates, Yankee candle and handmade jewelry. For the sport enthusiast, there will be autographed items from the Washing-ton Capitals and Washington Redskins. An assortment of items will be available for children and pets.

Independence Empowerment Center is a community-based, non-profit, non-residential, service and advo-cacy organization. It is operated for people with disabilities by people with disabilities. Its philosophy is that people, regardless of their disabilities, have the potential and the right to exercise individual self-determination. The Center is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

Bull Run Regional Library is continuing its popular English Conversation Club meetings today, July 20 and 27 at 6 p.m. and Tuesdays July 21 and 28 at 10 a.m. This is an opportunity for those with a basic knowledge of English to practice their conversation skills in a friendly and supportive setting. Fluent Eng-lish speakers are also welcome to help other learn English. Those wanting to attend must be able to speak some English. No registration is needed and new members are always welcome. For more, stop by the library at 8051 Ashton Ave. in Manassas or call 703-792-4530.

The library also offers a Spanish Conversation Club --Spanish for Fun! -- which meets every Tuesday from noon to 2 p.m.

The meetings this month will be July 14, July 21 and 28. This is not a class; there are no tests or evaluation. This is an opportunity for those with a basic knowledge of Spanish to practice their conversation skills in a friendly and relaxed setting and fluent Spanish speakers are available for help.

Those interested can bring their lunch and enjoy coffee and dessert, courtesy of the Friends of Central and Bull Run Libraries. No registration is necessary and new members at all learning levels are always wel-come.

Have you felt a need to express yourself with the written word but are not sure how to get started? If so, Bull Run Library has a program for you.

Memoires Writers meet the first Tuesday morning of each month. The next meeting with be Aug. 4 at 10:15 a.m. Writers of Children's Lit meet semi-monthly on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. and will conduct meetings July 14 and July 28. Writers of Adult Lit meet semi-monthly on Saturdays at 2 p.m. and will meet next on July 25. These groups share their writings and offer encouragement and constructive criticism as needed. New members are encouraged.

The credit crisis, market decline and recession have impacted just about everyone. The Virginia Division of Securities and Retail Franchising will present a 90-minute investor education seminar at Bull Run Library on Saturday at 2 p.m. This seminar will provide an overview of the basic elements of the financial markets in plain English and an explanation of terms that people hear all the time but may not really under-stand.

… to register for the free program, call 703-792-4524.