67th Candidates Forum
<bt>Candidates for the 67th District delegate race — Chuck Caputo, Chris Craddock and Chuck Eby — will participate in a candidates forum, Thursday, Oct. 13, at 7:30 p.m. Hosted by the Westfield High PTSA, it will be held in the school lecture hall, 4700 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly.
The candidates will share their positions and views on the issues facing the 67th and the state of Virginia. And they'll answer questions from the audience via a moderator. Contact Dana Cimino, WHS PTSA president, at 703-266-8573 or at danacimino@aol.com.
<sh>Free Carseat Inspections
<bt>Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections, this Thursday, Oct. 13, and next Thursday, Oct. 20, from 5-9 p.m. each day, at the station at 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>All Local Fire Stations Will Hold Open Houses
<bt>All the local fire stations will host open houses, Saturday, Oct. 15, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Participating are both Centreville fire stations — Station 17 on Old Centreville Road and Station 38 on ODay Drive, off Stone Road — plus the Fair Oaks Station on Route 50, the Chantilly station off Walney Road and Station 16 in the Town of Clifton.
Lots of games and activities are planned for children, and there'll be many give-aways. Displays of fire safety in the home will provide education for both children and parents. In addition, fire engines and ambulances will be on display, and children will be able to have their photos taken inside a fire engine.
The event culminates National Fire Prevention Week and, since this year's theme is "Use Candles with Care," each station will have displays and activities emphasizing fire safety and burn prevention. Firefighters and paramedics will provide information on the dangers of leaving candles unattended, the proper way to burn candles safely and what to do should a fire occur in the home. Visitors may also learn about seasonal fire safety, emergency preparedness and burn prevention.
<sh>WFCCA Quarterly Meeting
<bt>The West Fairfax County Citizens Association (WFCCA) will hold its quarterly meeting, Monday, Oct. 17, at 7 p.m. in the Sully District Governmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly.
<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.