Centreville — More MathCounts Success
Coached by Rocky Run Middle School’s MathCounts coach, teacher Melanie Roller, Virginia’s MathCounts team came in fifth last week in national competition. And one of the team members, Rocky Run eighth-grader Robin Park, was ranked 11th in the U.S. in the individual standings.
In March, Rocky Run’s MathCounts team won the state championship, and Robin, the team captain, finished second in the state. So he got to compete on Virginia’s team in Nationals, May 10-11, in Orlando, Fla., with the other three highest scorers in the state, and Roller coached them.
Older Cats Need Homes, Too
The Fairfax County Animal Shelter is hosting a special adoption event featuring senior cats. Shelter officials say they’ll be “Rockin’ n’ Adopt’n with the oldies but goodies” during the event. Adoptions will take place Thursday-Friday, May 17-18, from noon-6:30 p.m., and Saturday, May 19, from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., at the shelter at 4500 West Ox Road in Fairfax.
Special adoption fees for cats, 5 years and older, will be $15 – half the normal fee. These cats will receive a free spay or neuter and will be current on all vaccinations.
Adopters will receive a Friends of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter gift bag with a cat bed, food, scratching box and cat toys. Anyone adopting a cat, 7 years or older, will also receive a free full panel of blood work on that cat (provided by the shelter’s contract veterinarian) to provide basic health information about the feline.
“Senior cats make great pets,” says Karen Diviney, shelter director. “They’re often overlooked in animal shelters, but [can be] wonderful additions to a family.” For more information, call the shelter at 703-830-1100 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov and click on “animals.”
Relay For Life Meeting
Local residents are invited to attend a Relay Rally planning meeting, Thursday, May 17, at 7 p.m., at the nZone, 14550 Lee Road in Chantilly. It’s to present details about the upcoming Relay for Life walk, which raises money for the American Cancer Society. People may form a team of walkers, serve on the planning committee or volunteer at the June 9 Relay at the nZone. For more information, visit www.CentrevilleRelay.org or contact Brandi Steward of the American Cancer Society at brandi.steward@cancer.org.
Free Carseat Inspections
Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections Thursday, May 17, and Thursday, May 31, 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.
EMS Events Saturday at Cub Run Rec Center
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department is hosting several activities this Saturday, May 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Cub Run Rec Center, 4630 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly; phone 703-817-9407. It’s doing so in support of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week.
This year’s theme is “EMS: More Than a Job, A Calling.” It reflects the fact that EMS providers don’t choose the field for pay, comfortable working conditions or 9-to-5 work hours; they have a true calling to help and serve others in their hour of need.
Once again, partnering with the Park Authority, EMS providers will have various displays and educational materials for adults covering cardiac and stroke issues. They’ll also provide blood-pressure screenings and apparatus displays and will speak directly with community residents.
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 20, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at the I-66 transfer station at 4618 West Ox Road in Fairfax. For more information, call 703-324-5052.
Women’s Self-Defense Course
A free, two-day, self-defense course for women of all ages will be held Tuesday, May 22, and Thursday, May 24, from 6-9 p.m., at the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy, 14601 Lee Road in Chantilly. A second session is also available Tuesday, June 12, and Thursday, June 14. It’s sponsored by the Fairfax County Police Department, the Fairfax Police Law Enforcement Foundation and C & J Security Corp.
This comprehensive safety course is taught by trained experts with years of experience and will help prepare women to fend off attackers. They’ll learn risk awareness and reduction, crime-prevention strategies and defensive concepts, while receiving hands-on training in defensive tactics.
Women will test their newly-learned skills in realistic, controlled environments and will experience what it’s like to be suddenly grabbed in a stairwell, a parking lot or an elevator. The course is open to women 13 years and older; however mothers (or female guardians) must attend with their teens. Men are not allowed to attend. For more information or to register for one of the two-day sessions, e-mail wsd@fairfaxfoundation.org or call 703-246-7806. Seating is limited.
Immigration Forum Meeting
The Centreville Immigration Forum (CIF) will hold its first, general meeting for the public since the Centreville Labor Resource Center opened in December 2011. There’ll be an update on its progress, plus talks by local leaders. Planned is a multimedia presentation on the center’s operational data. The speakers will discuss issues related to CIF concerns, including demographic changes in the Centreville area and employment issues.
Sully District Council Meeting
The Sully District Council of Citizens Associations and its Land-Use Committee will meet Wednesday, May 23, at 7 p.m., in the Sully District Governmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. The topic is a proposed residential development on the EDS site fronting Centreville Road between Wall Road and the Cox Communications offices. Call Jeff Parnes, evenings, at 703-904-0131.
Park Authority To Meet
The Fairfax County Park Authority will meet Wednesday, May 23, at 7:30 p.m., in the Herrity Building, 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 900 in Fairfax. Call Judy Pedersen at 703-324-8662.
Roadside Mowing Underway
VDOT mowing crews are out working along roadsides in Northern Virginia, so VDOT is reminding drivers to slow down and stay alert in work zones where crews are mowing grass, pruning trees, cutting brush and removing litter.
Much of this work is done slowly, so motorists are asked to watch for posted signs, slow-moving trucks and crews along roadsides and in medians. Drivers should also slow down in these areas and move into the opposite lane, where possible, when approaching the work zone. These courtesies allow VDOT crews space to work while helping keep both them and motorists safe.
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.
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 (2 lb. bags); canned meats; salad dressing, jelly; jam; spaghetti sauce, Ramen Noodles, canned fruit; canned beets, spinach, greens, and mixed vegetables; canned garbanzo, lima, butter and northern beans; pancake mix and syrup; hot cereal and coffee. Also needed are laundry detergent, toothpaste, shampoo, toilet paper and baby wipes. 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 needed Mondays and Fridays, for two or three hours between 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Volunteers needed Tuesdays and Thursdays, for two or three hours between 1-6 p.m., as well as Saturdays, from 2-5 p.m. For more information, contact Volunteer Manager Annette Bosley at 703-988-9656.
Food pantry: Volunteers are needed Mondays and Wednesdays, from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Furniture ministry: One person is needed to help move furniture that will be given to clients in need.