Virginia Indian Festival
<bt>The annual Virginia Indian Festival will be held Sept. 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Riverbend Park in Great Falls. Native American dancing, drumming and storytelling, demonstrations of life skills, crafts, native artwork and pottery will highlight the festival. Virginia tribes including the Mattaponi, Pamunkey, Chickahominy, Piscataway, Upper Mattaponi, Monachan Nation and the Piscataway Nation will join the celebration. Parking is located nearby with shuttle service. Call 703-759-9018 or visit www. fairfaxcounty.gov/parks.
<sh>McLean Commercial Building Catches Fire
<bt>Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units responded to a fire alarm activation at approximately 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 16, in the Tysons Corner area. The six-story commercial building is located at 7925 Jones Branch Drive. Firefighters arrived on the scene and reported a fire in the third floor electrical room. The fire was extinguished by the sprinkler system prior to units arriving. There were no reported injuries. Damage is estimated at $70,000. According to fire investigators, the fire was accidental. A battery pack being recharged in the third floor electrical room caused the fire.
<sh>Gas Station Attendant Robbed in McLean
<bt>On Monday, Aug.14, about 9:30 p.m. a 29-year-old Falls Church area woman employed as a gas station attendant was robbed by an armed man. The suspect entered the Sunoco gas station located at 8030 Lee Highway, approached the attendant, brandished a gun and demanded money. The suspect was given an undisclosed amount of money then fled the area. The victim was not injured. The suspect was described as a Hispanic male about 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 105 pounds. He wore blue jeans and a gray T-shirt with blue stripes. Anyone with information about this incident or this suspect is asked to call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or the police non-emergency number at 703-691-2131.
<sh>9-11 Ceremony at Great Falls Freedom Memorial
<bt>The Great Falls Freedom Memorial Committee invites all residents to the 9-11 Memorial Ceremony on Monday, Sept. 11, commemorating the lives of those who have died in defense of freedom. U.S. Rep. Don Young, a Great Falls resident who represents the state of Alaska in Congress, will be the keynote speaker. This year marks the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, which killed six Great Falls residents. The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. at the Great Falls Freedom Memorial on the grounds next to the Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike. The Great Falls Freedom Memorial Committee welcomes all who wish to participate in planning their ceremonies and help maintain the memorial. Call President Bob Pattavina at 703-759-7727.
<sh>Community Flea Market
<bt>Area residents can purchase second-hand, and some new, items at low prices at McLean Community Center’s (MCC) Fall Community Flea Market on Saturday, Sept. 9. The sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Business Bank parking garage, located at 1451 Dolly Madison Blvd., on Route 123 across from J. Gilbert’s Restaurant.
Professional flea market dealers and individuals selling household items both participate in this sale, offering shoppers a wide selection of goods. A limited number of selling spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis for $50 each. The deadline to register is Thursday, Sept. 7. Registration forms can be downloaded from MCC’s Web site: www.mcleancenter.org Call 703-790-0123/TTY: 703-827-8255.