<sh>Fair Oaks Townhouse Fire
<bt>Fire officials say a fire last week at a Fair Oaks townhouse displaced four residents and caused an estimated $60,000 damage. They say the cause was accidental — an electrical malfunction near a portable stereo in a second-floor bedroom started the blaze.
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue units responded last Wednesday, April 27, around 5:50 p.m. to a two-story townhouse at 4247 Fox Lake Drive. Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke showing from the front of the structure. More than 40 emergency personnel fought the flames, bringing them under control in about 15 minutes.
Two adults were at home when the fire started. One adult female was transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Firefighters responded from the following stations: Fair Oaks, Chantilly, Centreville, West Centreville, Oakton, City of Fairfax and Frying Pan.
<sh>Battlefield Bypass Public Hearing
<bt>A public hearing on the draft environmental impact statement for the proposed Manassas National Battlefield Park Bypass will be held Thursday, May 5, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Battlefield High School in Haymarket. Federal Highway Administration and National Park Service representatives will make a brief presentation at 7 p.m., followed by a public-comment period.
At issue is the closure of Routes 29 and 234 through the park and the relocation of the traffic elsewhere. A preferred route has been selected, but nothing is definite, yet, so public input is still critical in determining the exact path the bypass will take. Citizens may register at the door to speak and will have three minutes each to speak their minds.
To reach Battlefield High, take I-66 west to exit 40-Haymarket; this will be Route 15 north. Travel approximately 2.5 miles and turn right at the traffic light onto Graduation Drive. The school is at 15000 Graduation Drive.
<sh>Chantilly Community Coalition Meets
<bt>The Chantilly Community Coalition will meet Monday, May 9, at 4 p.m. in the conference room of the Chantilly Regional Library. Call John Hanyok at 703-262-2475.
<sh>Help Plan Centreville Day
<bt>The public is encouraged to join Centreville Day chairperson Sue Davis and other volunteers, Wednesday, May 11, from 7-9 p.m. to help plan the Centreville Day celebration. The meeting will be in the Sully District Governmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly.
Centreville Day is an annual community event that includes entertainment, children's activities, a business and craft expo and food. And this year's celebration will be held Saturday, Sept. 17. It attracts some 4,000 people of all ages and is organized by the Centreville Community Foundation (CCF) and planned by volunteers representing all aspects of the community.
Beginning with the May 11 meeting, the committee will meet monthly, at the same place and time. The other meetings will be on June 8, July 13, Aug. 10 and Sept. 14. Call Sue Davis at 703-327-4392 (work) or 571-213-7298 (cell).
<sh>Park Authority to Meet
<bt>The next meeting of the Fairfax County Park Authority will be Wednesday, May 11, at 7:30 p.m. in the Herrity Building, 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 900, in Fairfax. Call Judy Pedersen at 703-324-8662.
<cl>CV-186
<sh>Del. Reese Is Named to Virginia's Housing Commission
<bt>Del. Gary Reese (R-67th) has been appointed to Virginia's Housing Commission. The Speaker of the House of Delegates, William J. Howell, appointed him at the request of the Commission's chairperson, Del. Terrie L. Suit. Reese said he's particularly interested in pursuing affordable housing issues, as well as leveling the playing field for those who have had property taken by eminent domain. He also believes that Northern Virginia needs to address affordable housing in order to retain its teachers, police officers and firefighters.
<sh>Democratic Women of Clifton
<bt>The Democratic Women of Clifton will hold a general meeting on Sunday, May 15, from 2-4 p.m. at the Clifton Town Meeting Hall. Guest speaker, Laura Feldman, from the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, will present the program, “Social Security: Secure or Scary?” to DWC members and their guests.
Members will then break into Issue Groups, based upon specific areas of interest, to begin developing a framework for identifying common interests and future goals. For more information, contact CliftonWomenDems@aol.com or call Kathy Kinter at 703-988-9565.
<sh>Westfield Community Coalition Mtg.
<bt>The Westfield Community Coalition will meet Monday, May 16, at 1 p.m. at the Sully District Governmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. Members will discuss plans for next year and elections for new coordinator, secretary, finance liaison, etc. All are encouraged to attend. For more information, call Nancy Bennett at 703-266-2370.
<sh>Clifton Clean-up Day
<bt>Clifton Clean-up Day will be held Saturday, May 7 from 8 a.m. to noon. Volunteers will be planting flowers, cleaning up the bridge, painting, tidying and pruning. The meeting place is the red caboose. Call Jennifer Chesley at 703-830-2129 or Lynne Garvey Wark at 703-322-1811.