<sh>Cabbie Assaulted, Robbed
<bt>On Wednesday, Aug. 31, at approximately 4 a.m., a cab driver picked up a fare at Baltimore Washington Airport. He transported the man to the 10200 block of Roberts Common Lane in the Burke area. According to Fairfax County Police reports, the man left the car and told the cab driver that he would return with money from his mother. The man returned a short time later without any money and assaulted the driver, a 43-year-old Merrifield-area man. The suspect took the victim's cellular telephone and cash. He then fled the scene towards Scarborough Court. The victim suffered minor injuries and was not transported to the hospital. The suspect is described by police as black, approximately 6 feet tall, 170 pounds with short black hair. He was last seen wearing a white shirt and dark blue jeans.
<sh>Burke Church Turns 75
<bt>The Burke United Methodist Church celebrates its 75th anniversary with a picnic on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the church, 6200 Burke Centre Parkway.
"We want to invite the whole community," said anniversary coordinator Katie Buethe. The church started as a group of 35 people meeting in the old railroad station, previously used as a medical depot for soldiers during the Civil War, in 1929. The congregation is now about 2,000 people and growing, Buethe said, and wants its neighbors to share in the fun.
The celebration will include an antique car show, Civil War re-enactors, a craft fair, bake sale and displays of life in Burke in days gone by, Buethe said. Several merchants have donated goods as door prizes and local bands will be providing entertainment. The railroad station will also be open, offering a photo collection of the church's past, along with the station's original bell and the church's first hand-made cross. A complimentary lunch will be available from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
<sh>Clifton Dems To Discuss Education
The Democratic Women of Clifton will host a General Meeting on Sunday, Sept. 18, from 3-5 p.m. at the Clifton Community Hall, 12641 Chapel Road, Clifton. This month’s speaker will be Sen. Dick Saslaw (D-35) who will discuss Virginia's education issues, including No Child Left Behind, SOLs and education funding.
A portion of this meeting will be dedicated to members and guests who need to speak out about the events surrounding Hurricane Katrina.
For more, e-mail CliftonWomenDems@aol.com or call Kathy Kinter at 703-988-9565.
<sh>Correction
<bt>In the article "A Place To Go After School" [Connection, Sept. 2, 2005], an incorrect number was given for the amount of money that the Fairfax County School Board has invested in after-school programming a the middle school level. The correct amount is $950,000, which is approximately $30,000 for each of the county's 26 middle schools.
<sh>Checkpoint Results
<bt>Fairfax County Police officers from the West Springfield District Station conducted a sobriety checkpoint from Friday, Sept. 9, at 10 p.m. to Saturday, Sept. 10, at 1 a.m. All motorists were stopped, and the drivers were checked to assure their abilities to drive had not been impaired by alcohol or drugs. Approximately 510 cars passed through the checkpoint conducted on Burke Centre Parkway between Oak Leather Drive and Waters Edge Landing Lane. No motorists were arrested for driving while intoxicated, however six individuals were cited for other offenses.
<sh>Computer, Bicycling Recycling Day
<bt>Fairfax County Public Schools, the Fairfax County Government and Service Source are teaming up to host a Computer and Bicycle Recycling Day on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Edison High School, 5801 Franconia Road, Alexandria. All computer equipment, repairable and better condition bicycles will be accepted. To defray costs, residents are requested to provide a $10 donation with each monitor or bicycle brought to the event. Receipts for tax purposes will be provided. Call 703-324-5230.
<sh>Explorers Information Session
<bt>The Fairfax County Law Enforcement Explorer Post hosts its annual recruitment and informational meeting on Monday, Sept. 26, from 7-9 p.m. at Police Headquarters, 4100 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax.
The Fairfax County Law Enforcement Explorer Post 1742 is open to Fairfax County's young adults ages 14-20. The program is administered by Fairfax County Police as a service to the residents of Fairfax County. Members receive law enforcement training, citizenship education, and gain experience in leadership roles.
Many active Fairfax County Police Officers were once Explorer Scouts, while many former Explorers have gone on to other career fields building upon the skills provided through the Explorer program. Call 703-246-4311.
<sh>NVCC Accepts Displaced Students
<bt>Northern Virginia Community College is opening its doors to displaced students from the Gulf Coast states. Anyone enrolled at an institution of higher education for the fall 2005 term whose courses were interrupted by the hurricane are eligible for in-state tuition rates at the college.
In addition, NVCC offers faculty, staff, students and community members many other opportunities to assist, including job training for displaced workers and opportunities to volunteer. Visit www.nvcc.org.
<sh>Auxiliary Officers Sought
<bt>Fairfax County Police has had an established Auxiliary Police Officer (APO) program since 1983, and has a current strength of approximately 85 volunteers. The next Auxiliary Police Academy session is being planned for early 2006. APOs are trained to perform a variety of operational support and administrative duties, which include patrol, traffic control, security of prisoners, communications, desk assignments, fingerprinting, crime prevention and special events. Auxiliary officers undergo almost as much training as regular police officers, but because they offer their services on a volunteer basis, they provide a considerable savings to county taxpayers while allowing patrol officers to handle assignments that only they can perform. The police department provides uniforms, equipment and insurance. Auxiliary officers must perform an average of 24 hours of volunteer service a month to maintain their status in the unit.
To be considered, applicants must live in Northern Virginia and be at least 21 years of age. Applicants must be in good health and without a criminal record or history of drug use, and not be an applicant for police officer in any jurisdiction. To apply, obtain a brochure or additional information about the Fairfax County Auxiliary Police Unit, contact 2nd Lt. Ed O'Carroll at 703-280-0701 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ps/police/Volunteers.htm.