<sh>Free Carseat Inspections
<bt>Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections, Thursday, Dec. 15, from 5-9 p.m., and Monday, Dec. 19, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at the station, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. They'll make sure the seats are correct for the child’s age and height, the child is securely placed in the seat and the seat is properly installed in the vehicle.
No appointment is necessary. But residents should install the child safety seats themselves, so the technicians may properly inspect and make adjustments, as necessary. Call the Sully District Child Seat Information line (703-814-7000, ext. 5140) to confirm dates and time. For additional child seat inspection times throughout Fairfax County, call the Fairfax County Operations Support Bureau at 703-280-0559.
<sh>No 'Miracle of Lights'
<bt>The annual, "Miracle of Lights" holiday display in Bull Run Regional Park will not be happening this year, since its independent promoter is unable to produce it. And Paul Gilbert, executive director of the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, is disappointed.
"Unfortunately, we were informed too late in the season to seek another producer," he said. "We have been encouraged by the volume of calls and e-mails from local residents seeking information about the 'Miracle of Lights' and will make it a priority to offer a similar, holiday-themed feature in the near future."
<sh>Volunteer for County Posts
<bt>A number of county boards, authorities or commissions have vacancies available for either the Sully District or at-large representative. Anyone interested in serving on any of them should contact Supervisor Michael R. Frey (R-Sully) at 703-814-7100 or Sully@fairfaxcounty.gov. The following positions are available:
Advisory Social Services board (four-year term), Child Care Advisory Council (two years), Commission on Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation (four years), Engineering Standards Review Committee, Human Rights Commission, Human Services Council and Road Viewers board.
<sh>WFCM Needs Donations to Help Local Needy Families
<bt>Each month, Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) provides food, personal-hygiene and cleaning items to some 300, low-income, working families of all races and religions in western Fairfax County. Its food pantry and clothes closet are at 13981 Metrotech Drive in Chantilly, and it's in great need of donations from the community.
The 10 most-needed items are: Cooking oil (22-34-ounce bottles), flour, (2-5-pound sizes), complete pancake mixes and syrup, juices (preferably concentrate), spaghetti sauce, feminine-hygiene products, deodorant and laundry detergent. Food and personal-product donations are accepted Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at WFCM's back door.
WFCM's thrift shop is open to the public, Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Clothing, household items, miscellaneous donations are accepted Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at the back door. Call 703-988-9656 with questions or to volunteer, or see www.wfcmva.org.
<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.