Students Robbed Inside Fairfax Townhouse
Police responded to a burglary of an occupied dwelling around 11 p.m. Tuesday, March 6 in the 4800 block of Carriage Park Road. Five GMU students were studying, playing video games and chatting when they saw two men with guns yelling at them and demanding their money and valuables.
The suspects ran throughout the home; the victims complied with demands and no one was injured. The thieves stole electronics and other items.
Police were called and arrived within minutes of the report. A K9 and the FCPD helicopter responded to the area as well but no apprehensions were made.
The suspects are described as black, around 20 years old and 6 feet tall. Both wore masks and dark clothing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, e-mail at www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text "TIP187" plus your message to CRIMES/274637 or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.
Smoke Alarms, Escape Plans
This Saturday, March 10, from 9 a.m. to noon, firefighters will canvass homes in selected neighborhoods throughout Fairfax County, checking for working smoke alarms. They’ll also provide family escape plans in case of a fire. It’s part of the nationwide "Install. Inspect. Protect" campaign that emphasizes that smoke alarms save lives. According to authorities, more than 3,000 people in the U.S. die in home fires each year; most of these fatalities occur in homes without a working smoke alarm.
Green Breakfast Is Saturday
The 55th annual Green Breakfast will be held Saturday, March 10, from 8:30-10 a.m., at Brion’s Grille in Fairfax. Residents may learn about the Fairfax County Public Schools’ Get2 Green program, spearheaded by Elaine Tholen, an FCPS environmental educator. She’s helping the school system act on the concept of "no child left inside" and the importance of connecting children with the outdoors and promoting environmental stewardship. She also co-founded NoVA Outside, a regional network of environmental educators.
Spring Forward One Hour
Daylight Saving Time starts this Sunday, March 11, at 2 a.m. So before going to bed, Saturday night, be sure to turn those clocks, recording devices and watches ahead one hour. (And don’t forget) those clocks on the microwave and in the car.
Park Authority to Meet
The Fairfax County Park Authority will meet Wednesday, March 14, at 7:30 p.m., in the Herrity Building, 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 900 in Fairfax. Call Judy Pedersen at 703-324-8662.
Race and Help Save Lives
On Saturday, March 24, at the Fairfax Corner Shopping Center, Rogue Racers and Rev3 Adventures will hold the Rev3 Run Rogue 5K, with proceeds going to Life with Cancer www.http://lifewithcancer.org/ and the National Brain Tumor Society http://www.braintumor.org/.
It’s a fun, family-oriented event where participants may walk or run a USATF-certified 5K course at 8:30 a.m., or participate in a 1K kids’ fun run at 8 a.m., before the main event. Cash prizes will be given to the top three male and female finishers, and the first-place winners will also receive coupons for a free pair of Brooks shoes. There’ll also be age-group awards and over-40 cash prizes. Sign up at http://www.runrogue5k.com/Run_Rogue_5K/Race_Info.html.
Meals on Wheels Volunteers
Fairfax County needs group Meals on Wheels coordinators in Fairfax. Contact Volunteer Solutions at 703-324-5406, TTY 711, VolunteerSolutions@fairfaxcounty.gov or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices/volunteer-solutions.htm.
Free Cab Rides on St. Patrick's Day
Free cab rides will be offered to would-be drunk drivers throughout Fairfax County on Saturday, March 17, St. Patrick’s Day.
Offered by the nonprofit Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP), the St. Patty’s Day SoberRide program will be in operation beginning at 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 17 and continue until 6 a.m. the following day as a way to keep local roads safe from impaired drivers during this traditionally high-risk holiday.
During this 12-hour period, area residents celebrating with alcohol may call the toll-free SoberRide phone number 1 – 800 – 200 – TAXI and be afforded a no-cost (up to a $ 30 fare), safe way home.
AT&T wireless customers can dial # - TAXI for the same service. Local taxicab companies throughout the Washington-metropolitan area provide this no-cost service to local residents age 21 and older who otherwise may have attempted to drive home after drinking.
"On Saint Patrick’s Day, over a third of all U.S. traffic deaths are caused by drunk drivers," said Kurt Gregory Erickson, WRAP’s President.
For more information, visit www.soberride.com.
Our Daily Bread Sponsors Art Contest
Fairfax-based charity Our Daily Bread is sponsoring an art contest to create the design for its 2012 Complete the Circle Community Event and Food Drive this October. Artists of all ages are invited to create an image that will be turned into a "living picture" by community members and photographed by Art for the Sky artist Daniel Dancer to raise awareness about hunger and need in the Fairfax County area. The artwork should convey Our Daily Bread’s mission to "empower the community to help our neighbors maintain self-sufficiency." There is a $10 submission fee and the artist who creates the winning design will receive a $200 cash prize. Submissions are due to Our Daily Bread by March 30. For contest rules and to view the 2011 Complete the Circle design and resulting photo, visit www.odbfairfax.org. Contact info@ODBFairfax.org or 703-273-8829 for more information.