<sh>Fire Causes $100,000 Damage
<bt>Fairfax County fire officials say a blaze last Wednesday, Oct. 15, at a commercial warehouse in Chantilly caused an estimated $100,000 in damage. The fire began around 1 p.m. at Suburban Kitchen/Cabinets at 4390 Henninger Court in the Chantilly Industrial Park off Willard Road.
Firefighters responded from Chantilly's Fire Station 15, Centreville stations 17 and 38, Fair Oaks Fire Station 21 and the Frying Pan station. First arriving units reported light smoke showing from the roof and rear of the two-story structure.
Authorities say the blaze began in the cabinet-shop showroom within the warehouse and sprinklers were activated. Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control in about 15 minutes. Both the shop and office areas sustained smoke and water damage. Tuesday afternoon, the cause of the fire was still under investigation.
<sh>Local Groups Help Needy
<bt>Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) and Our Neighbor's Child (ONC) are interviewing applicants for Thanksgiving and Christmas gift baskets, plus children's gifts for the holidays. Anyone seeking assistance in these programs should call 703-766-8175 by Nov. 4 to make an appointment.
Families should bring proof of address (utility bill), identification for all family members and three proofs of income. Once these interviews are completed, ONC will interview qualified families about appropriate gifts during the Christmas season.
"Western Fairfax Christian Ministries and Our Neighbors Child are always grateful for the help the community extends to the less fortunate members of its community," said WFCM Executive Director Dorothy Fonow. "Together we can make a difference."
Groups or individuals wanting to adopt a family for Thanksgiving or Christmas should call WFCM's business office at 703-988-9656. In addition, donations to WFCM may be made by designating No. 8234 in the United Way Combined Federal Campaign.
<sh>It's Time to Fall Back
<bt>It's that time again — the end of Daylight Savings Time. It officially comes this Sunday, Oct. 26, at 2 a.m. So before you go to sleep, Saturday night, don't forget to turn your watches, clocks, VCRs, microwaves, etc. back one hour. It's also a good time to change the batteries in your smoke alarms.
<sh>Parkway Interchange Hearing
<bt>A public hearing will be held Tuesday, Oct. 28, from 5-8 p.m., at Chantilly High regarding the design of the proposed Fairfax County Parkway and Fair Lakes Parkway interchange. VDOT will make a presentation at 6 p.m.
<sh>CCF to Meet Tuesday
<bt>The Centreville Day committee of the Centreville Community Foundation (CCF) will meet Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 7 p.m. in the Sully District Governmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. Call Sandy Shapiro at 703-266-3653.
<sh>Supervisors OK Kustom Kastles
<bt>The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Monday approved a rezoning that paves the way for construction of five new houses — a development called Kustom Kastles — next to the Fair Lakes Chase subdivision. These single-family, detached homes will be built near the intersection of Veronica Road and Fenbrook Drive
First, though, the developer needed the county's permission to have 2.6 acres rezoned from their current designation of one home per acre to two homes per acre in a cluster arrangement. And on Monday, the supervisors agreed.
The houses will constitute an infill development within an already-existing residential area and will be incorporated into the Fair Lakes Chase homeowners association. The developer will make a contribution to Rocky Run Middle School because that's the school the new community's residents will attend. In addition, Kustom Kastles has proffered a $4,000 donation to the county Park Authority.
<sh>Teenage Drinking Forum
<bt>The Westfield Community Coalition will be sponsoring a Teenage Drinking Forum on Monday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. It will be held at the new Sully District Police Station, 4900 Stonecroft Boulevard, Chantilly. The purpose is to inform parents on current teen drinking issues in the community, focus on the laws involving teen drinkers, and consequences of that behavior. The program is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided.
Also, on Nov. 17, the Westfield Coalition will be having a meeting at Stone Middle School, at 9:30 a.m. Current and new members are welcome to discuss the upcoming Parent Pledge for the middle and high school families, teen drinking, and review proposals for grant funding. Contact Nancy Bennett at 703-266-2370 with any questions or to be updated about current issues via email.