<sh>'Seniors '07' Tag the Area
<bt>According to police reports, evidence of a senior prank was seen all across the McLean area. Just after midnight Sept. 29, officers found VDOT and county signs painted with “Seniors 07.” Police are still investigating but believe Homecoming events for Langley High School were a factor. The school's football field was also painted. Profane words were found on traffic signs. Numerous other reports were filed in the area to include graffiti on signs and a Fairfax County school bus parked at Cooper Middle School, located at 977 Balls Hill Road. St. Luke’s Catholic Church, at 7005 Georgetown Pike, and St. Luke’s Orthodox Church, at 6801 Georgetown Pike had signs painted. Mailboxes and signs along the following streets were also painted:
Georgetown Pike from I-495 to Chain Bridge Road
Balls Hill Road from Dominion Drive to Chain Bridge Road
1100 block of Waverly Way
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477 or Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.
<sh>Grand Opening Ceremonies for Clemyjontri Park
<bt>On Monday, Oct. 9, McLean will celebrate the grand opening of Clemyjontri Park. Due to the efforts of the Friends of Clemyjontri, the Park Authority and hundreds of individuals, families and organizations. Clemyjontri Park is the county's first playground where parents and children with disabilities can play side by side with children without disabilities. The two acre playground is one of the largest play areas in the county. The playground is divided into four sections, each with a distinctive bright color scheme. The entire site is barrier-free and covered with a rubberized surface. The play apparatus pieces can accommodate children with physical disabilities and wheelchairs, and the regular swings are next to the swings for wheelchairs. Centering the entire site is a 36-foot American Classic carousel with moving and stationary horses to ride.
<sh>Area Fire Stations Open Up
<bt>In an effort to prevent fires, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department will host Fire Prevention Open House Week, Saturday, Oct. 14. The theme for this year's Fire Prevention Week is “Prevent Cooking Fires: "Watch What You Heat.”
Stations will have displays and activities that will both raise awareness and educate residents on fire safety, including preventing fires and fire injuries. Firefighters and paramedics will provide information on cooking safety, the dangers of unattended cooking, and what to do should a fire occur in the home. Additionally, firefighters and members of Local 669, Road Sprinkler Fitters Union, will present a series of training programs on automatic sprinkler systems using mobile training units. One unit contains a working automatic sprinkler system, allowing fire inspectors to perform tests on the system. The second unit contains a live fire room, allowing inspectors to see a fire develop and then see the activation of an automatic sprinkler system.
For 85 years, Fire Prevention Week has been sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
<sh>Celebrating 35 Years
<bt>The McLean Symphony is celebrating the 35th anniversary of musical contributions to area communities by Music Director Dingwall Fleary. Fleary has been honored with numerous recognitions and awards during his career. The McLean Symphony will dedicate the opening concert to Maestro Fleary on Oct. 14, 2006 in the McLean Community Center Alden Theater, 1234 Ingleside Ave. The 2006-2007 Concert Series, “Dance Music of the Stars”, will feature music by the great composers who have kept audiences smiling and ear-dancing for years with their musical inventiveness. Guest artists for this program are violinists Marc Ramirez and Olivia Hajioff. Tickets are available at the door or through Ticketmaster. General admission $20. Seniors and youth $15. Children under 12 $5. Tickets for the five concert season series are available at discount. General admission $90. Seniors and youth $70. Children under 12 $20. Visit www.mclean-symphony.org.