<sh>"Terrorism and Religion"
<bt>The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 1545 Chain Bridge Road, McLean, invites the general public to its Faith and Life Forum on Sunday, Feb. 20, at 9:45 a.m. This one-hour program features Dr. Thomas Imhoof, who will lead a discussion on terrorism and religion, examining religious efforts in the Islamic world to persuade extremists that the Koran forbids the use of violence, especially against the innocent. All are welcome. For more information, visit www.redeemer-mclean.org, or call 703-356-3346.
<sh>McLean Center Board to Meet Feb. 23
<bt>The regular monthly meeting of the McLean Community Center's Governing Board will be held at the Community Center at 1234 Ingleside Ave. on Wednesday, Feb. 23, at 7:30 p.m. It will be preceded at 7 p.m. by the annual joint meeting with the McLean Project for the Arts.
All Governing Board meetings are open to the public. Those who wish to speak during the citizen comment period at the beginning of the meeting are asked to contact Carol Pardon at 703-790-0123 to be placed on the agenda.
<sh>Franklin Celebrates 90 Years
<bt>The Franklin Sherman Elementary School in McLean is celebrating its 90th Anniversary. To mark the occasion, the PTA will be producing a commemorative edition yearbook, and it is looking for alumni to share their fondest memories, stories of favorite teachers and what made their years at Franklin Sherman special for them. The submission deadline is Friday, Feb. 18. Send submissions with name, address (will not be published in yearbook), and years attending, to Franklin Sherman Yearbook, 6630 Brawner St., McLean, VA 22101, or send an e-mail to franklinshermanyearbook@yahoo.com.
<sh>MHS Anniversary Celebration
<bt>McLean High School is looking for alumni or other volunteers to plan its 50th Anniversary celebration, which will be held on Homecoming Weekend, Oct. 20-21. Planning meeting will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 23, at 7 p.m., in McLean High School's Elizabeth Lodal Library. If interested in helping out but unable to attend the meeting, contact Demby Banbury, assistant activities director, McLean High School, at 703-714-5863.
<sh>Local Homicide
<bt>Police found a homicide victim in the 7400 block of Lee Highway. Around 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, a woman called police because she was concerned for the safety of a family member. After checking the woman’s apartment, police found a 27-year-old woman dead of asphyxiation. Police have charged the homicide victim's boyfriend, Marcos E. Gonzales-Reyes, 29, of 7481 Lee Highway in the Falls Church area, with murder. He has not been located at this time but is believed to be in a 2004 silver Toyota Corolla with Virginia tags JGP-8862. The victim of the homicide has been identified as Jin Ho Kim. She lived at 7481 Lee Highway #318 in Falls Church.
<sh>MCC Governing Board Seeks Members
<bt>McLean Community Center (MCC) is seeking community-service-minded leaders to serve on its 2005-06 Governing Board. The Board sets policy and provides general oversight for all the facilities and programs of the Center, including the Old Firehouse Teen Center. Although service on the Board requires considerable time and effort, it provides its members with the opportunity to improve the quality of the programs and services the Center provides. MCC is located at 1234 Ingleside Ave.
All residents of Dranesville Small District No. 1 are eligible to run for a seat on the 11-member Board. Candidates are required to obtain the signatures of 10 McLean district residents in order to have their names placed on the election ballot. Nominating petition forms will be available at the Center on Monday, Feb. 28, at 9 a.m. The deadline for filing completed petitions is Friday, April 1, at 5 p.m. Candidate photos will be taken on Saturday, April 2, 10 a.m.-noon, at the Center.
Three adult positions and two youth positions are open this year. Adult members serve three-year terms; youth members serve one-year terms. Youth candidates must be 15-17. One youth member will be selected from the area served by McLean High School, and one will represent the area served by Langley High School. Candidates do not have to attend these schools to serve on the Board.
Residents of Dranesville Small District No. 1 may cast their votes in the election at the McLean Day 2005 festival, on Saturday, May 21, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. The festival takes place at Lewinsville Park, 1659 Chain Bridge Road.
Residents also may vote by absentee ballot. Absentee ballots will be available beginning Monday, April 18. A resident may request an absentee ballot package by phone or e-mail (mail@mcleancenter.org), or he may pick one up at the Center during operating hours. Completed ballot packages must be received at the Center by close of business (11 p.m.) on Wednesday, May 18. Adults vote for adults, and youth (15, 16 and 17) vote for the youth candidate who resides within the same high-school district, Langley or McLean.
For more information on the MCC Governing Board election, call the Center at 703-790-0123/TTY: 703-827-8255, or visit www.mcleancenter.org.
<sh>Accessibility Summit Set for April
<bt>The Accessibility Summit 2005, presented by Access Ministry, McLean Bible Church, will take place Friday-Saturday, April 8-9, in Tysons Corner. This sixth annual conference for the Washington, D.C.-area disability community brings together families and caregivers of those affected by disabilities, as well as faith-based organizations, professionals, community resource organizations and government agencies. With over 36 new dynamic sessions, a brand new Exhibit Hall will host nearly 100 industry exhibitors and sponsors, and inspirational Summit keynotes like Coach Harold Jones and “Radio,” author Joel Sonnenberg, and DOVE Award guest artist Ginny Owens.
Organizations at the Accessibility Summit 2005 will include The National Organization on Disabilities, The National Institute on Mental Health, National Fragile X Foundation, Autism Society of Northern Virginia, Arc of Northern Virginia, Epilepsy Foundation, Fairfax Area Disability Board, Joni and Friends, Kellar Institute for Human disabilities at George Mason University, LifeWay Church Resources, PEATC, St. Coletta of Greater Washington, The Ivymount School, Virginia Association for the Deaf, We Care America, Willow Creek Association, World Vision, and Special Olympics of Virginia.
For more information or to register, visit access.mcleanbible.org, or contact Jan Sanders at 703-770-2938.