Bullying Awareness Day
Rocky Run Middle School will host the Chantilly High pyramid’s first-ever Bullying Awareness Day on Friday, Oct. 12. The theme, “Stand by Me,” was chosen to support the countywide initiative to provide children with information and strategies about what bullying is and how to handle themselves if they’re ever faced with a bullying situation.
Fire Stations’ Open House
To try to prevent home fires before they start, all Fairfax County Fire and Rescue stations will host Fire Prevention Week Open Houses on Saturday, Oct. 13, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. They include Stations 17 and 38 in Centreville, Station 15 in Chantilly and Station 21 in Fair Oaks. The theme is: “Have Two Ways Out.”
Firefighters and paramedics will have displays and activities emphasizing fire safety, including preventing fires and fire injuries, especially in the home. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, nearly 3,000 people die in home fires each year. About two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working alarms. In 23 percent of home fire deaths, smoke alarms were present, but didn’t sound.
Bedrooms are the main locations where residential fire fatalities occur, with 75 percent of these fire victims escaping or sleeping at the time of their deaths. Smoking was the leading cause of fatal fatalities in residential buildings. To learn more about fire prevention, go to www.firepreventionweek.org.
Alliance Book Fair Fundraiser
The Alliance Theatre is holding a Book Fair Fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 13, all day, at Barnes & Noble, 12193 Fair Lakes Promenade (off West Ox Road) in Fair Oaks. When customers mention “The Alliance Theatre” at check-out, a percentage of the purchase will go to Alliance. The same applies to online purchases made from Oct. 14 through Oct. 18. Go to http://www.bn.com/bookfairs and use Alliance’s special, book-fair number, 10807774.
Special activities from noon-4 p.m. will include face-painting, Clifford the Big Red Dog reading stories to children, and Alliance actors singing songs from their upcoming production of “Nunsense.” Also planned is a raffle for tickets to see “Nunsense” in November at Mountain View High School, plus information on Alliance’s 2013 season. Special in-store food discount vouchers are available by e-mailing contact_us@thealliancetheatre.org.
Forum on Youth Drinking
The Citizens Advisory Committee of the Sully District Police Station will hold a community forum on drinking and driving by youth and young adults. It will be presented by the Unified Prevention Coalition on Tuesday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m., at the Sully District Governmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly.
It’s aimed at reducing the number of alcohol-related motor-vehicle crashes involving drivers ages 15-24. Crash data will be shared and attendees will be asked what they think are the primary causes of these motor vehicle crashes. The forum is designed for adults 18 and older.
“We hope to obtain a better understanding of community perceptions related to underage drinking, binge drinking, and drinking and driving, as well as enforcement of the drinking laws,” said UPC President Lisa Adler.
Free Carseat Inspections
Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections Thursday, Oct. 18, from 5-8:30 p.m., at the station, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. No appointment is necessary. But residents should install the child safety seats themselves so technicians may properly inspect and adjust them, as needed.
However, because of time constraints, only the first 35 vehicles arriving on each date will be inspected. That way, inspectors may have enough time to properly instruct the caregiver on the correct use of the child seat. Call 703-814-7000, ext. 5140, to confirm dates and times.
Democratic Women of Clifton
The Democratic Women of Clifton (DWC) will meet Sunday, Oct. 21, from 3-5 p.m., in the Clifton Town Meeting Hall, 12641 Chapel Road in Clifton. All Democratic women in Northern Virginia are invited. The guest speaker will be Hilaire Henthorne, a life coach and public speaker who’s worked as a lawyer, led a congregation and raised a family. In her presentation, “From Distressed to De-Stressed: Wellness Wisdom for Women,” she’ll discuss the top stressors for women and offer practical strategies for reducing stress.
For more information, e-mail cliftonwomendems@aol.com or visit www.democraticwomenofclifton.org.
Recycle During Electric Sunday
Residents may recycle old TVs, computers, peripheral electronic devices – such as keyboards, speakers, printers and scanners, as well as household hazardous wastes – including fluorescent light bulbs and tubes, for free, during Fairfax County’s “Electric Sunday” events. The next one is slated for Sunday, Oct. 21, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at the I-66 Transfer Station, 4618 West Ox Road in Fairfax. For more information, call 703-324-5052.
WFCM Seeks Food, Volunteers
Western Fairfax Christian Ministries’ (WFCM) food pantry urgently needs donations of oil (48 oz. or smaller); flour (2-5 lb. bag); sugar (2-5 lb. bag); rice; canned meats; salad dressing, jelly; jam; peanut butter, spaghetti sauce, Ramen Noodles, canned fruit; canned beets and collard greens; canned soup and beans; dry pasta and beans; ketchup, mustard, pancake mix and syrup; hot and cold cereal and coffee. In addition, the Food Pantry would appreciate fresh produce, such as tomatoes, from local gardens.
Also needed are laundry detergent, toothpaste, shampoo, toilet paper and diapers (sizes 4, 5 & 6). WFCM clients are also in great need of gasoline cards.
Bring all items to WFCM’S food pantry at 13981 Metrotech Drive (near Backyard Grill and Bar) in Chantilly. Volunteers are also needed:
Thrift store: Volunteers are needed Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., to receive donations. Contact Volunteer Manager Annette Bosley at 703-988-9656.
Food pantry: Regular volunteers are needed needed to pick up donated food from Costco on Thursday mornings and from Harris Teeter on Fridays between 9-10 a.m.
Meals on Wheels Volunteers
Fairfax County needs Meals on Wheels drivers in Chantilly and group Meals on Wheels coordinators in both Chantilly and Fairfax. Contact Volunteer Solutions at 703-324-5406, TTY 711, VolunteerSolutions@fairfaxcounty.gov or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices/volunteer-solutions.htm.
Women's Self Defense Program
The Fairfax County Law Enforcement Foundation is partnering with the Fairfax County Police Department to offer the Women's Self Defense Training program. It’s based on the SAFE program formerly provided by the Police Department, but now being taught by C&J Security Corp.
The program is a two-day class that will meet on consecutive Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:15-9:30 p.m. It’s currently offered free and all class materials are included. Program funding is provided through the Fairfax County Law Enforcement Foundation.
The course is offered to females, age 13 and older. A female guardian must accompany girls 13-18. No men other than the instructors are permitted to be present during a class. For more information, call 703-246-7806, e-mail WSD@fairfaxfoundation.org or go to www.fairfaxfoundation.org.