<sh>Unattended Propane Grill Causes House Fire
<bt>Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units responded to a house fire in the McLean area of Fairfax County on Thursday, April 21 at approximately 1 a.m. The home is located at 1833 Somerville Drive.
First-arriving units reported a two-story home with heavy fire showing. Fire-fighters brought the fire under control in approximately 15 minutes. Two adults were at home when the fire started. There were no reported injuries. The American Red Cross is assisting the two adult residents. Damage is estimated at $200,000.
According to fire investigators, the fire was accidental. An unattended propane gas grill on the rear deck caused the fire.
<sh>Picnic Salute
<bt>J.R.'s Festival Lakes is working in concert with the Northern Virginia Chambers of Commerce to offer a Picnic Salute to Military Children at Festival Lakes, 42830 Ft. Evans Road, Leesburg, from 3-7 p.m. Admission is free for any Virginia resident with a family member serving in the military. A military I.D. is necessary for admittance. Festival Lakes is donating use of the facility and food. Register by calling 1-888-KS2-KS22 or e-mailing info@ks2.org.
<sh>Farmers Markets Open Soon
<bt>Every week, spring through fall, nine sites throughout Fairfax County become bustling marketplaces for farmers, residents and employees of local communities.
The markets offer a wide variety of freshly picked and locally grown fruits and vegetables, baked goods, cut flowers, potted plants, cider and honey. The Farmers' Markets are supervised by the Fairfax County Park Authority, but the daily operations of the markets are the responsibility of volunteer Market Masters.
The markets also have master gardener plant clinics on site to answer questions and solve problems.
Local markets include:
The Vienna Farmers Market, 8 a.m. until 12:30 on Wednesdays at Nottoway Park, 9601 Courthouse Road between Nutley and Sutton Road. The market opens May 4 and runs until Oct. 26.
Wednesdays
The McLean Farmers' Market, 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Fridays at Lewinsville Park, 1659 Chain Bridge Road. The market opens May 6 and runs until Nov. 18.
<sh>Library Announces Book for All Fairfax Reads
<bt>Fairfax County Public Library invites adults to participate in All Fairfax Reads, a "one book, one community" project encouraging residents to read and discuss the same book between now and Sept. 20. This year's selection is the best-selling novel, "The Kite Runner," by Khaled Hosseini.
Set in Afghanistan and the U.S., "The Kite Runner" is a story about the friendship between a wealthy Afghan youth and his servant's son. The novel is a story of betrayal, redemption and a father-son relationship, offering insight into the culture of Afghanistan and the experience of some Afghan-Americans.
Residents are invited to discuss the book on May 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the Kings Park Library in Burke and on May 23 at 10 a.m. at the Centreville Regional Library. Discussions are free, but registration is necessary. Call 703-978-5600 for the Kings Park discussion and 703-830-2223 for the Centreville discussion.
<sh>Adopt-a-Thon Returns to Metro Area
<bt>On Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1, representatives from more than 26 metro-area animal shelters and rescue organizations will be on-hand at Fairfax Corner Shopping Center, at Monument Drive and Government Center Parkway in Fairfax, to match individuals and families with pets in need of permanent homes. Call 703-780-9424 or visit www.fairfaxcorner.com. For information about No More Homeless Pets, visit www.nmhpdc.org.
<sh>Host a Member of the Wolf Trap Opera Company
<bt>The Wolf Trap Opera company is in the process of choosing housing hosts for this summer's young artists and urgently needs a few more housing placements for this summer's company. Housing is needed from May 20-Aug. 20. Hosts must supply a private bedroom and bath with access to kitchen and laundry facilities. Nonsmoking, pet-free homes close to Wolf Trap are preferred. Company members are responsible for their own food, telephone expenses and transportation. Housing hosts will have the opportunity to attend dress rehearsals and other by-invitation-only company events and will be invited to an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Filene Center. Contact Susan Weinsheimer at 703-255-1935 or at susanw@wolftrap.org.
<sh>Host Families Needed for French Students
<bt>The International Center for Language Studies, which has been selected to run an English as Second Language program for 25 high school students from France this summer, needs families to house them during each of their two three-week sessions (July 10-July 30 and July 31-August 20). Families will be expected to provide room and board, help facilitate the student's use of public transportation to travel to and from ICLS and include them in weekend activities that will enhance their American experience. The students will have paid for the various incidental costs; a stipend will be paid to each host family. Call ICLS at 202-639-8800.
<sh>Childhelp USA Spring Fling
<bt>The Washington Area Chapter of Childhelp USA presents a Spring Fling party Wednesday, May 11 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Olive Garden at Tysons Corner, Route 7 and Gallows Road. Childhelp USA is one of the country's oldest and largest nonprofit organizations dedicated to the treatment and prevention of child abuse and neglect. The event is free, and books for children ages 6 to 12 are happily accepted and will be donated to children living at the Alice C. Tyler Village in Culpeper. RSVP by May 4 to Bridgette Walsh, 1923 Kennedy Drive, No. 201, McLean, VA 22102, 703-734-1376 or . spencer_bridgette@bah.com