Animal Shelter Grand Opening
The Fairfax County Animal Shelter will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house this Saturday, May 17, to celebrate the official completion of the shelter’s renovation and expansion. Festivities begin at 1 p.m. and will include behind-the-scenes tours, face-painting and hands-on interaction with rabbits, guinea pigs and small reptiles. The shelter’s at 4500 West Ox Road and is open Tuesday through Friday, noon to 7 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Route 28/I-66 Lanes Done
Drivers in Centreville trying to turn left from Route 28 south to get onto I-66 east may now rejoice — VDOT has just finished extending the two, left-turn lanes there by some 750 feet. The $4.1 million project also included demolishing and upgrading the raised median and adjusting the drainage. Martins Construction Corp. performed the work, which should result in shorter wait times, reduced congestion and safer traffic flow.
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.
WFCCA Land-Use Meeting
The West Fairfax County Citizens Association (WFCCA) Land-Use Committee will meet Tuesday, May 20, at 7 p.m., in the Sully District Governmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd., in Chantilly. Tentative agenda items are as follows:
COPT Stonecroft LLC: Application for a 9-foot fence on a 64-acre parcel. This is a secure government facility, so the fence will have anti-climb devices, black chain link and tension wire at the top.
Akridge - The Preserve at Westfields: A proposal for mixed-use residential and retail. It will also have parks plus hiking and running trails.
Free Carseat Inspections
Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections Thursday, May 22, 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.
VIN-etching for Vehicles
A free, VIN-etching event will be held Saturday, May 31, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Sully District Police Station, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. Virginians pay a high price for stolen vehicles. Thefts drive up the cost of automobile insurance and generate innumerable amount of social costs associated with the crime. But VIT etching is a safe and economical deterrent to auto theft because VIN-etched windows help police detect and identify stolen vehicles.
So this event will enable local residents to have their vehicles etched. They may also chat with some of the officers and learn new information about preventing auto theft. Some insurance companies offer a discount for VIN-etched vehicles. Etching is easy and fast; vehicles will be etched in order of arrival. Sponsoring this event are the Fairfax County Police Department and the Virginia State Police H.E.A.T. (Help Eliminate Auto Theft) program.
Food Donations for WFCM
Western Fairfax Christian Ministries’ food pantry urgently 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.