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Dear Friend,
This week I am hosting an online collection drive of menstrual supplies for Period Poverty Awareness Week (5/22 - 5/28), benefitting the Vienna-based nonprofit BRAWS.
Here is a link to the Period Poverty Drive! If you are able, please consider donating to this great cause.
Special Olympics Virginia
Every child deserves the opportunity to shine - and that is EXACTLY what happened today at the @SOlympicsVA Fairfax Little Feet Meet hosted by James Madison High School. The athletes AND volunteers modeled inclusion with so much joy and love, and I was so grateful to be part of it!
Early Voting Has Started!
Whenever you are ready, you can vote in the 2023 primary elections at your local general registrar's office. Find the list of candidates in your area here.
Bike to Work 2023
Congrats to all the bikers who participated in last Friday's Bike to Work Day!
Northern Virginia Labor Federation
Inspirational night celebrating Labor with NOVA Labor! Such powerful stories of everyday working people mobilizing for social and economic justice - fair wages, benefits, safe conditions - and communities that are better for ALL! Made me so proud to have been a #Union member!
Art of Living - World Cultural Festival
Loved chatting with friends from ArtofLiving this week as they prepare for the World Cultural Festival to be held September 29 – October 1 on The National Mall in DC. Learn more here: https://wcf.artofliving.org
Congratulations, Vienna Elementary School!
Congratulations to ViennaES on their 150th anniversary! VES will always hold a special place in my heart. I taught 4th grade at VES, and then years later my own children attended from K-6th! What special memories!
AAPI Heritage Month 2023
I attended the Democratic Asian Americans of Virginia event last weekend and it was fantastic! What a wonderful tribute to the contributions of our #AAPI community and congrats on 10 years!
I-66 Parallel Trail
I was excited to be part of Vienna history this week! The I-66 Parallel Trail is now open. Thanks to all who advocated over the last decade - especially Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling - for better and safer walking and biking options in our community!
Vienna Business Recognition
Such a pleasure to join the Town of Vienna Town Business Liaison Committee & the Economic Development Division last night as they recognized businesses in our community. Congratulations to the 43 businesses honored - some of which have been in Vienna for over 50 years!
Re-election
I am officially the Democratic nominee in the new 12th House District! Check here to see if you’re in the new 12th District. And, if you are able, please consider donating to my campaign to help me get re-elected. With a new district comes new communities to connect with. Every dollar counts and will go directly to support our efforts to reach new voters and get our message out. It has truly been an honor to serve our community and represent your voices these last few months and I hope you will send me back to Richmond to do it again! The link to donate is: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/hollyseibold Thank you for your consideration!
Moms Demand Gun Sense Candidate
I’m proud to once again be named a Moms Demand Gun Sense Candidate! I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work protecting the progress we’ve made and fighting for common sense reforms to get weapons of war off our streets.
Team Freedom VA Endorsement
Times are tough, but Virginians should not be in a position where they have to decide between paying their bills or affording their medication. That’s why I will always stand on the side of our hard-working families! Proud to be endorsed by Team Freedom VA!
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia
Wednesday was International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, it’s important to raise our voices against hate. Let's work towards a society that celebrates and respects the rights of every individual, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
REPRO Rising Student Advocacy Fellowship
The Rise Up for REPRO Student Advocacy Fellowship offers an exclusive opportunity to driven, passionate students ready to join the ranks of Virginia’s reproductive freedom champions. Our program develops next-generation leaders with the skills and support they need to make changes on their campus and in Virginia. As an alum of the program, I know firsthand how valuable this experience can be for the amazing students who engage with it and the amazing work that can be done for Reproductive Freedom through this program.
The Student Advocacy Fellowship is open to undergraduate sophomores, juniors, and seniors enrolled at a Virginia public or private university. There will be two fellowship positions open at each university. Each fellow will commit to 8 hours of work in the fall and spring semesters, and 2 – 4 hours over winter break. Our fellows receive a $1000 stipend per semester to compensate them for their work.
To be considered for the 2023 – 2024 cohort, applicants must submit an online application and resume no later than July 1, 2023. Apply here.
Oakton Student is Miss VA Teen USA!
From the Oakton High School dance team to Miss VA Teen USA! Ashley Wang is a sophomore making history beyond the pageant stage. Ashley Wang is the first East Asian and the second Asian to win the title of Miss Virginia Teen USA. She is a proud Chinese American who loves to embrace her culture. One of her favorite aspects of her culture is Chinese folklore. Dance is a huge aspect of her life, as she is a part of two nationally-ranked dance teams. Ashley's motto comes from her dance coach: B.E.S.T. (Better Every Single Time). As Ashley gears up to represent Virginia in the Miss Teen USA competition, she is spreading a message of self-love and encouraging everyone to embrace the unique qualities that make them different.
Concorde District Champions
Congratulations to Oakton Boys Track and Field for winning the Concorde District championship!
Vienna Student Promotes Reusable Diapers Among NoVa Communities
For a Girl Scout Gold Award project, a Madison High School student is educating local communities on the cost benefits of reusable diapers. Madison High School junior Avery Cañedo is sharing the benefits of reusable diapers and resources for families to use. She recently exhibited at Culmore Community Day to share information with families.
BRAWS Donation
Thank you Elected Women, KC Corp, and U By Kotex for the donation of 330 boxes of pads to BRAWS, the Vienna, VA-based nonprofit organization I founded eight years ago, to address Period Poverty in our local community. This will make an enormous impact on the lives of those it serves!
Fairfax Founders Fund
Fairfax County launched a million-dollar Fairfax Founders Fund for early-stage tech companies. It will provide up to $50,000 in capital to help start-ups develop their business and prepare for later-stage investment. Apply by May 22 here.
Business Directory on Explore Vienna Website
The Town of Vienna is home to more than 1,800 businesses, including retailers, specialty shops, restaurants, medical offices, fitness and wellness centers, and many other personal and professional services. Businesses can use this directory to share customer promotions, jobs, and share details about services.
To be added to the directory, check out the business directory page for instructions and complete the "List My Business" form. The Economic Development Division will add your business to the listing after verifying that it is within the Town limits.
Viva Vienna Festival
The Town of Vienna is excited for the 2023 Viva Vienna festival to return to on Memorial Day weekend (May 27 - May 29). The carnival will be located in the parking lot across from the Freeman Store, with the food court being in the parking lot adjacent to the W&OD trail, as well as entertainment being held on the Town Green for all three days. For more event details, click here.
ViVa! Vienna! Festival hours:
Saturday, May 27 (10 a.m. - 10 p.m.)
Sunday, May 28 (10 a.m. - 6 p.m.)
Monday, May 29 (10 a.m. - 6 p.m.)
Congressional Art Competition Exhibit
The Annual Congressional Art Competition provides Members of Congress with the unique opportunity to showcase the artistic creativity and talent of high school students from across the United States. Congressman Gerry Connolly is hosting the competition for all high school students who are residents of the 11th Congressional District. All entries will be displayed at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, Virginia. The exhibit will be open to the public from May 5, 2023 to May 21, 2023. Learn more HERE. Vienna Parking Study Team Holding Focus Group Meetings
The Town of Vienna recently initiated a parking study of the Town’s Commercial Corridors, which includes businesses, restaurants, stores, and other commercial activity along Maple Avenue, Cedar Lane, Church Street, Park Street, Mill Street, Dominion Road, and Center Street. The Parking Study will help the Town understand the nature of parking in light of emerging trends and plan for the Town’s needs of the next ten years while also informing the Town’s on-going Zoning Code update.
Attend one of the sessions to share concerns about parking for your business--including for staff and customers of your business.
A major component of the parking plan is the solicitation of feedback from stakeholders in the study area. We wish to invite you to one of the two scheduled stakeholder focus group discussions to hear about the project and analysis to date, solicit your thoughts about parking, discuss ways to improve the Town’s parking policies, operations, and management.
Focus Group Sessions
Tuesday, May 23 6 – 7p.m.
Wednesday, May 24 9 – 10 a.m.
RSVP here
Elevate NOVA Book Circle: Register Today!
The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia announces the launch of its inaugural Elevate NOVA Book Circle with Mónica Guzmán’s I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times.
Learn more here!
Constituent Meetings My office had the pleasure of attending a number of meetings this week with constituents on issues ranging from taxes to invasive vines to health care.
If you would like to meet with us or organize an introduction to your group, please reach out to our office!
ICYMI: Reconvene Session in Richmond
This month, I returned to Richmond for the General Assembly's reconvened session. We dealt with budget issues, considered bills that the Governor returned with amendments, and voted to sustain or override the Governor's vetoes. We re-enrolled 61 bills, for a total of 799 bills and 1 Constitutional Amendment from the 2023 General Assembly Session. We voted on important issues like intoxicating hemp products, utility rates, and others. You can find a summary of those votes here, and a full list of the legislation we considered here. ICYMI: End of Session Debrief
In case you missed it, I hosted an End of Session Debrief with Senator Chap Petersen and Vienna Mayor Linda Colbert. If you want to view the full slideshow, click here. Community Input What do you value the most in public spaces? Residents and non-residents of the Town of Vienna can provide input on what the town should do with the former Faith Baptist Church location.
Contact Me If my office can be of any service to you, please send an email to delhseibold@house.virginia.gov or call us at 804-698-1035. Please make sure to also follow us on social media to receive updates throughout the year!
With Gratitude,
Holly Seibold Delegate, 35th District www.HollySeibold.com Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
To learn more about Holly, visit hollyseibold.com Holly Seibold for Delegate PO Box 2304 Vienna, VA 22183