<sh>Attempted Robbery in Tysons Area
<bt>According to Fairfax County Police, on Thursday Feb. 16, at approximately 4 p.m., a 60-year-old Great Falls area woman pulled into the driveway of her son's home on the 1900 block of Ware Rd. She saw a man walking down the driveway, carrying a shovel behind him. The suspect then brandished a handgun. The woman called her 39-year-old son who notified the police. The suspect then fled. The suspect is described as 20 years old, 5 ft. 1 in. tall, and weighing approximately 170 lbs. He was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and jeans. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, or Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.
<sh>VDOT to Begin Work on Route 7 Over the Beltway
<bt>On February 17, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will begin site preparation for the rehabilitation of the Route 7 bridge over the Capital Beltway (I-495). During the 7-month repair project, motorists should expect delays between 9 p.m. and 4:30 a.m., according to a VDOT press release. Once construction swings into high-gear in mid-March, Beltway motorists heading to Route 7 towards Tysons Corner or Falls Church will be detoured to Route 123. The I-495 northbound ramp to westbound Route 7, and the southbound I-495 ramp to eastbound Route 7 will be closed from 9p.m. - 4:30a.m. Both the eastbound and westbound spans of the Route 7 bridge will undergo major repairs. Construction crews will repair and resurface the bridge deck, repair and replace broken or missing railing, and clean the drainage system. Martins Construction, Inc. of Arlington is the contractor for the $475,000 project.
<sh>Dr. Gridlock to Speak at MCA Meeting
<bt>Washington Post traffic columnist Ron Shaffer, "Dr. Gridlock," will speak at the McLean Citizens Association membership meeting on Thursday, Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m. at the McLean Community Center. Shaffer will take questions from the audience about their traffic concerns. The public is invited. For more information please contact Susan Turner at 703-356-9657.
<sh>Great Falls Committee Summons Residents
<bt>The Great Falls Freedom Memorial is dedicated to honor those in the Great Falls community who have given the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedom. The memorial, located adjacent to the Great Falls Library, is host to ceremonies for the community on Memorial Day, 9-11 and Veterans Day. The continuing work on the memorial's design, construction, community outreach and education programs, and the yearly commemorative ceremonies is the mission of the Great Falls Freedom Memorial Committee. The monthly meeting of the Great Falls Freedom Memorial Committee will be held on Wednesday, March 1, at 10 a.m. at the Old Brogue Irish Pub, 760c Walker Rd. in Great Falls. The committee welcomes all who wish to participate in its efforts. For further information, contact President Bob Pattavina at 703-759-7727.
<sh>Fresh Air Fund Seeks Host Families
<bt>Close to 5,000 New York City children visit volunteer host families in the Northeast for two weeks or longer each summer through The Fresh Air Fund’s Friendly Town program. Hosts help children from low-income neighborhoods in New York City experience the simple summer pleasures of the suburbs.
There are no financial requirements, and the host family can choose the age and gender of their visitor. First-time visitors range in age from 6 to 12 and can be invited back through the fund until age 18.
Contact Cynthia Kronlage at 703-426-1616, call the fund at 800-367-0003, or visit www.freshair.org.