<sh>City Has New Web Address
<bt>Citizens may now be able to access Fairfax City's Web site by typing in www.FairfaxVa.gov. The name change was simplified to make the domain name easier to remember.
The old domain name, www.ci.fairfax.va.us, will remain effective for a period of time. Both domain names will take the browser to the same Web site.
For more information, call 703-385-7895.
<sh>Electrical Fire at Fairfax Restaurant
<bt>The City of Fairfax Fire Department and units from the Fairfax County Fire Department responded to an early morning fire at Mama's Italian Restaurant, 9715 Lee Highway. The on-duty manager called 911 after discovering smoke in the kitchen of the restaurant. The manager went to the basement and found that an electrical panel box and nearby wood framing were on fire. He was able to extinguish the bulk of the fire with a portable fire extinguisher wile the Fire Department was enroute.
Rescue Engine 433 arrived and found smoke coming from the building. Using a thermal imaging camera, the crew was able to see through the smoke to find the heat source. They found a smoldering electrical panel and wood framing in the basement of the building. Dominion Power was called to the scene and they disconnected electrical service from the structure. The crew from Rescue Engine 433 used a hose line to extinguish the remaining fire and the situation was considered under control within 30 minutes.
There were no reported injuries at this fire. Extensive electrical damage was found in the basement storage area. The use of a portable fire extinguisher by the restaurant manager kept the fire in check and prevented a large loss incident. The City of Fairfax Fire Marshal's office investigated the basement electrical fire and determined it to be accidental in nature.
<sh>Arrests Made in Fairfax Burglaries
<bt>Thanks to information received through Crime Solvers and an investigation by police, Fairfax County Police arrested three people in connection to a series of burglaries in the Fairfax, Chantilly and Centreville areas.
Police arrested Alvin Anioay, 22, and Julie Torres, 24, both of Herndon along with 17-year-old teenager of the Herndon area. The arrests were made in connection with at least 12 commercial burglaries that occurred during the night-time hours at mini-marts and restaurants. The businesses were ransacked and more than $13,000 in phone cards and over $3,600 cash, along with a credit card, where stolen.
Police charged Anioay with nine counts of burglary and three counts of grand larceny and was held without bond. Torres was given a $3,000 bond, after being charged with one count of grand larceny. The juvenile was charged with three counts of grand larceny. Further charges are pending.
Police acted on information received from an anonymous caller who had called the Crime Solvers tip line.
<sh>Area Man Charged in Assault
<bt>Fairfax County Police responded to the report of a man armed with a silver handgun dragging a woman across a parking lot and into his apartment.
The incident took place on Aug. 29, about 10 p.m., in the 9500 block of Blake Lane in the Fairfax area. According to police, the man, identified as Yin Paul Caracamo-Garcia, 26, dragged the victim to his apartment, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her. Investigation revealed the victim was a former girlfriend.
Police charged Caracamo-Garcia with abduction and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Further charges may be made following the completion of the investigation. Caracamo-Garcia was held without bond.
<sh>Chinese Classes at GMU
<bt>New World Bilingual Institute (NWBI) opens its 2003 Fall Semester to the general public beginning Sunday, Sept. 14. On every Sunday, from 1:30-5:30 p.m., NWBI will offer Chinese language, cultural, dance and martial arts classes on the Fairfax campus of George Mason University. English SAT, writing and speaking classes and various community outreach services will also be offered. Registration is required. Contact Hsu Terry Wang, principal, at 703-978-7905; Linda Yao, assistant principal, at 703- 978-6323; Judith Boose, dean, at 703-241-5569; and Gloria Yeh, registrar, at 703-502-0533.
<sh>County to Dedicate 9/11 Memorial
<bt>The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and the Fairfax County Free Commission will dedicate the county's 9/11 Memorial Grove Garden, on Monday, Sept. 15, at 1 p.m. The 9/11 Memorial Grove Garden is located on the grounds of the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. The dedication is open to anyone interested and attendees should gather in the forum area of the Government Center prior to the ceremony. Those attending will proceed to the 9/11 Memorial Grove Garden site as a group beginning at 1 p.m.
The Fairfax County 9/11 Memorial Grove Garden was designed by National Park Service landscape architect and Fairfax County Tree Commissioner Michael McMahon. During the ceremony, a permanent plaque for the garden will be unveiled and a local family will lay a wreath at the base of the plaque in memory and in honor of those affected by the events of Sept. 11, 2001. In addition, the Fairfax County Public Safety Honor Guard will present the colors and the Fairfax Jubilaires will perform the national anthem. For more information on the ceremony, contact the Office of Public Affairs at 703-324-3187, TTY 703-324-2935.
<sh>September Sampler Scheduled
<bt>The Assistance League of Northern Virginia (ALNV) will host its September Sampler meeting on Monday, Sept. 15, from 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., at the Chantilly Library, 4000 Stringfellow Road in Chantilly. The meeting will inform prospective and new members about ALNV's philanthropic projects. ALNV is a nonprofit, nonsectarian, volunteer service organization founded in 1919. The guild is dedicated to promoting the well-being, self-esteem and education of at-risk youth and adults living in Fairfax Loudoun and Prince William Counties. For more information about September Sampler or ALNV, contact Cindy Burgess at 703-758-8454.
<sh>Learn How to Be a Lobbyist
<bt>Del. James Dillard (R-41st) and Kathy May will present a "How to be a Professional Lobbyist?" workshop on Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m., at the Good Shepard Church, on Braddock Road, in Burke. The Arc of NoVa will be hosting a night of learning. Seating is limited. Sign-up by calling 703-532-3214.
The Arc of Northern Virginia is also sponsoring a "Call to Action: Building Communities for Citizens with Disabilities" rally in Richmond on Sept. 20. Participants will march from Mayo Island to Virginia's Capitol from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Participants from the Northern Virginia area are invited to meet at the Northern Virginia Training Center from 7-7:30 a.m. The group will leave at 8 a.m. and return by 4:30 p.m. For more information, call Lynn Ruiz at The Arc at 703-532-3214.
<sh>Charity Golf Tournament
<bt>The Ashley Fister Cole Foundation is sponsoring a charity golf event, "Driving for Surviving" Melanoma, on Oct. 3, at Bristow Manor Golf Club, in Bristow, Va. The Foundation was founded in memory of Ashley Fister Cole who died of melanoma on Oct. 8, 2002 at the age of 28. All proceeds from "Driving for Surviving" will go directly toward melanoma research and trial studies. The cost to play in this 18 hole four-person Captain's Choice is $85 and includes range balls, green and cart fees, and a barbecue dinner.
A shotgun start at 1 p.m. will kick-off the afternoon which concludes with dinner, a silent auction and raffle drawings. To register to play, send a check to The Ashley Fister Cole Foundation, Driving for Surviving, 9601 Hershour Court, Fairfax, VA 22032, by Sept. 19. For more information, contact Brian Cole at 703-323-4683 or briancole428@hotmail.co.
<sh>Coptic Orphans 5K
<bt>To help raise funds to end the cycle of poverty in Egypt, Coptic Orphans will be hosting the 3rd annual 5k run/walk on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 8 a.m. at Burke Lake Park, 7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station. A $10 donation per person is suggested. Pledges are encouraged as well, and the participant with the most pledges will receive an award. First and second place runners and walkers will also be recognized. Participants can register by calling Danyelle Ballard at 703-641-8910 and can register and download pledge forms online at www.copticorphans.org.