Fairfax County firefighters responded to an outside fire, Sunday, April 7, around 12:05 p.m., at Route 50 and the Fairfax County Parkway in Fair Oaks. While battling the blaze, they discovered the body of an unidentified adult male. Tuesday afternoon, police identified him as Handel Vincent Stephens-Dowd, 24, of Chantilly.
Upon arrival, firefighters encountered grass, brush and several trees on fire near the eastbound ramp of Route 50 leading to the parkway. After quickly bringing the fire under control, they found the body in the area of the fire.
Fire investigators and police are jointly investigating the incident. The medical examiner will determine the cause and manner of death following an autopsy. Police had no further information regarding Stephen-Dowd’s family or occupation.
Free Carseat Inspections
Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections Thursday, April 11, 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.
Chantilly Show Stoppers Cabaret
Chantilly High’s Show Stoppers Spring Cabaret is this Friday, April 12, at 7 p.m., at Grace Covenant Church, 4465 Brookfield Corporate Drive in Chantilly. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for an evening of entertainment featuring some of the Show Stoppers Show Choir students in a variety of solo and small-group numbers. Tickets are $5 at the door; cash or checks only.
Erin Peterson Gospel Concert
The 6th Annual Erin Peterson Gospel Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, April 14, at 4 p.m., at Mount Olive Baptist Church, 6600 Old Centreville Road in Centreville. A 2006 Westfield High grad, Peterson was one of the Virginia Tech shooting victims, and donations collected at the concert go to the Erin Peterson Fund that provides grants and scholarships to deserving students.
The event’s featured entertainer will be Crystal Aikin, the 2008 winner of BET’s hit singing competition, “Sunday Best,” along with area gospel choirs and singers. Also performing will be the Mount Olive Baptist Church More and More Praise Liturgical Dancers and Unspoken Praise Mime Ministries, as well as the Mount Zion Baptist Church Choir. The program is free and open to the public.
Litzenberger at WFCCA Quarterly
The quarterly meeting of the West Fairfax County Citizens Association (WFCCA) is Monday, April 15, at 7 p.m., in the Sully District Governmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. Sully District Planning Commissioner John Litzenberger will give an update on pending land-use issues within the district. He’ll also provide information on Planning Commission committees and their pending items.
Sully District Council Meeting
The Sully District Council of Citizens Associations and its Land-Use Committee will meet Wednesday, April 24, at 7 p.m., in the Sully District Governmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. (This meeting was postponed from March 27). Call Jeff Parnes, evenings, at 703-904-0131. Agenda items are as follows:
Fairfax County’s Fairfax Forward plan to replace the APR (Area Plans Review) land-use process is ready for a public hearing. The panel will receive an update briefing.
Verizon Wireless has identified a gap in wireless coverage and service in the local community. Verizon Wireless and Milestone Communications have applied to have a wireless telecommunications tower at London Towne Elementary.
The panel will learn about proposed changes to the Dulles Discovery parcels on both sides of the Air and Space Museum Parkway, east of Route 28.
Food Donations for WFCM
Western Fairfax Christian Ministries’ food pantry urgently needs donations of spaghetti sauce, canned fruit, rice (2-lb. bags), canned pasta, peanut butter, canned tuna and meat, hot and cold cereal, fruit juice, and pancake mix and syrup. Bring all items to WFCM’S new food-pantry location at 13888 Metrotech Drive, near Papa John’s Pizza and Kumon Learning Center, in Chantilly’s Sully Place Shopping Center.
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.
Give Caregivers a Break
Fairfax County needs Respite Care volunteers throughout the county to give family caregivers of a frail older adult a well-deserved break. Volunteers visit and oversee the safety of the older adult for a few hours each month. Volunteers are matched with families in or near their own neighborhoods. Support and training is provided. Contact Kristin Martin at 703-324-7577, TTY 711, or Kristin.Martin@fairfaxcounty.gov.
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.