<sh>Charge Against Najarro Dropped
<bt>On Feb. 21, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department investigators charged Reyes Najarro, 46, of Centre Ridge with setting an old van on fire. He was slated to have a jury trial, Oct. 26, in Circuit Court; but instead, the charge against him was dropped.
<sh>CentrevilleDogs Fund-Raiser
<bt>CentrevilleDogs will hold its first Fall Dog Hike fund-raiser on Sunday, Nov. 14, at 1 p.m. at the Manassas National Battlefield Park (off Route 29, on the right). Big dogs, little dogs, all leashed dogs are welcome. The hike will last about 90 minutes — but there are plenty of short cuts for a 45-60 minute hike.
Every dog will receive a bandana at the start of the hike. Walkers will be treated to apple cider and cookies at the end of the hike, plus lots of water for the dogs. Dog walkers are encouraged to raise a minimum of $20 before the hike — by asking neighbors, friends or co-workers to sponsor them — but everyone is welcome.
This event will help spread the word about CentrevilleDogs. All donations will go toward building a dog park at Quinn Farm (check out the fund-raising progress on the Web site). Although donations cannot be collected at the time of the hike, envelopes will be provided for easy mailing.
Dog walkers are urged to wear the blue or red CentrevilleDogs T-shirts. To obtain one, e-mail Centrevilledogs@yahoo.com. To learn more about CentrevilleDogs, see www.centrevilledogs.org.
<sh>WFCCA Meeting Nov. 16
<bt>A bank, a child-care center, an auto park and new homes will be among the topics at the Tuesday, Nov. 16, meeting of the West Fairfax County Citizens Association (WFCCA) Land-Use Committee. The meeting is at 7 p.m. in the Sully District Governmental Center at 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly.
* Chevy Chase Bank wants to open a new branch at Walney Road and Route 50 in Chantilly and needs a special-exception permit for a drive-through window.
* Happy Faces Daycare in Centreville's Historic District is also seeking a special-exception permit so it may increase the size of its building to hold more children.
* The West Group will address the WFCCA about a rezoning it wants so it may add more property to the Dulles Auto Park, off Route 50 and Stonecroft Boulevard in Chantilly.
* Stanley Martin is also seeking a rezoning so it may build another residential project in the Centreville Historic District. (This is a tentative item on WFCCA's agenda).
<sh>Shelter's Pond-Design Meeting
<bt>A community meeting will be held Wednesday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m. to discuss the design of the stormwater-management pond at the Katherine Hanley Family Shelter. The meeting is in conference rooms 4 and 5 of the Fairfax County Government Center.
<sh>WFCM Urgently Needs Food
<bt>Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) is in urgent need of canned goods and groceries for its food pantry for local needy families. Especially needed are all canned meats (chicken, turkey, ham, Spam, fish, etc.), Chef Boyardee style meals (16 oz), kidney beans, peanut butter, jelly, Baby Wipes, diapers size 4, 5, and 6, macaroni and cheese, and dry pasta. Items may be brought to WFCM's Shepherd Center in the Sully Plaza Shopping Center at 13981 Metrotech Drive in Chantilly.
<sh>Blood Donations are Sought
<bt>The Inova Blood Donor Center in the Centremed I Building on Route 29 in Centreville (across from the Centreville Multiplex Cinemas) is in urgent need of blood donations — especially O positive or negative, as well as A and B. They're accepted Tuesday-Friday, noon-8 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. For an appointment to give blood, call 703-322-1970, or drop in at your own convenience.