Free Carseat Inspections
Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections Thursday, May 8, from 5 p.m. to dusk, 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.
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. (The inspection may be cancelled in the event of inclement weather). Call 703-814-7000, ext. 5140, to confirm dates and times.
Book Fair Helps Students
This Friday, May 9, from 5-9 p.m., the Mountain View High School Foundation will host its annual book fair at Barnes & Noble, 12193 Fair Lakes Promenade in Fairfax. The Foundation raises and donates thousands of dollars in scholarships so graduating seniors may be able to attend college.
‘Shrek, the Musical’ Auditions
Auditions for The Alliance Theatre’s production of “Shrek, the Musical” are set for May 13, 14 and 15, from 6-10 p.m. at Mountain View High School, 5775 Spindle Court in Centreville (behind Glory Days Grill). Call backs will be May 16. (Show dates are Aug. 1-10).
This play will culminate Alliance’s annual, Summer Stars program for rising third-graders through rising eighth-graders. The cast will be comprised of Summer Stars members, plus high-school students and adults. For more information, go to www.thealliancetheatre.org.
Auditions Open for ‘How to Succeed…’
Westfield Summer Stage celebrates 14 years of summer musicals with the musical-comedy satire, “How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying.” Auditions are open to Northern Virginia teen actors, singers and dancers in rising grades 7-12, plus 2014 high-school graduates. Some 55 actors will be cast.
Hopefuls should attend an audition workshop Tuesday, May 13, at 6:30 p.m., when material for the vocal and dance auditions will be taught, and where students may sign up for auditions. Auditions are May 17, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; callbacks are May 18 at 2 p.m.
All activities are at Westfield High, 4700 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. Rehearsals begin June 19; most are on weekday evenings until the performances, July 18-26. The theatre workshop fee is $300 for students who are cast and accept their role.
Learn about Gang Unit
The Sully District Police Station and its Citizens Advisory Committee present the Fairfax County Police Department’s Gang Unit. They’ll be at the Sully District Governmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly on Wednesday, May 14, at 7:30 p.m.
Residents will learn about efforts to identify and prevent gang activities in the community. They’ll also hear from experienced members of the unit and the techniques they use to carry out their mission.
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, May 18, 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.
Food Donations for WFCM
Western Fairfax Christian Ministries’ food pantry needs donations of Ramen Noodles, spaghetti sauce, fruit juice, canned vegetables (no green beans), cooking oil; canned pasta, sugar, flour and canned fruit and meat. Also needed are diapers in sizes 5 and 6, toothpaste, deodorant and baby wipes. (WFCM clients cannot purchase toiletries with food stamps).
Bring all items to WFCM’S food pantry, weekdays, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at 13888 Metrotech Drive, near Papa John’s Pizza and Kumon Learning Center, in Chantilly’s Sully Place Shopping Center.
Thrift-store needs include spring and summer clothing, quality shoes and like-new houseware. The store is at 13939 Metrotech Drive. In addition, Thrift Store volunteers are needed for two-hour shifts Saturdays, anytime between 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Personal Trainer Is Needed
The Sully Senior Center, at 5690 Sully Road in Centreville, needs a certified personal trainer – preferably, one with experience working with older adults – for one hour, two days a week. For these and other volunteer opportunities, call 703-324-5406 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadults and click on Volunteer Solutions.
Drive Seniors to Appointments
Fairfax County needs volunteers to drive older adults to medical appointments and wellness programs. Call 703-324-5406, TTY 711, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadults and link to Volunteer Solutions or email VolunteerSolutions@fairfaxcounty.gov.
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
How to Help the CLRC
The Centreville Labor Resource Center (CLRC) needs volunteers to lead vocational training workshops to increase the workers’ job skills. A Wednesday morning ESOL instructor is also needed; contact Molly Maddra at coordinator@centrevilleLRC.org for more information.
In addition, end-of-year contributions to CLRC may be made at www.centrevilleimmigrationforum.org. The organization is supported totally by grants and donations; it receives no government funding.
Long-Term Care Advocates
The Northern Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program needs volunteer advocates for residents in assisted living and nursing facilities. Training is provided in March. Call 703-324-5861, TTY 711 or email Lisa.Callahan@fairfaxcounty.gov.
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.
How to Hire CLRC Workers
The Centreville Labor Resource Center (CLRC) serves businesses and homeowners needing help with just about any home remodeling or maintenance project. And local residents who’d like to hire a worker from the CLRC may do so easily. Either call 703-543-6272 or go to www.centrevilleLRC.org and click on the “How to Hire” link. Tell what kind of work is required, how many workers are needed and when.
The CLRC will match the needs to its registered workers’ skills and set up the job. The price for work will be negotiated. After the job is completed, employers are encouraged to provide the CLRC with feedback to ensure that the work was done well and to their satisfaction and to make sure the workers are fairly paid.
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.