<sh>Hugo Secures $25,000 for SYA
<bt>Last week, Del. Tim Hugo and the Virginia General Assembly voted on, and passed, a budget that included funds requested by Hugo that would send $25,000 to the Southwestern Youth Association. Those funds were not challenged and were upheld during the veto session.
"It is a pleasure to work with a group of individuals so dedicated to making our children a priority and improving our quality of life," said Hugo.
SYA offers more than 12 different sports including baseball, volleyball, basketball, rugby and soccer. The leadership and coaches strive to teach our children important life lessons such as sportsmanship, self discipline, and goal setting. Unfortunately, last year vandals caused thousands of dollars in damage to the fields. Upon hearing the news of this destruction, Hugo put in a budget amendment for SYA to help with the rebuilding of the fields.
"I know this money will be put to good use," said Hugo. "Organizations like these are what make Fairfax a special place to live and raise a family."
"We are very appreciative of this assistance and very excited to put these funds directly to our recovery efforts on the two fields we lost last October," said Gary Flather, president of SYA.
<sh>Grand Jury Indicts Choi
<bt>A Fairfax County grand jury last Monday, June 19, indicted a Centreville man accused of participating in a home-invasion robbery in McLean. He is Jong Kuk Choi, 37, of 13701 Winding Oak Circle. The incident occurred Feb. 14, around 9:45 a.m., when a couple answered a knock at their door. Police say two men brandishing handguns identified themselves as police officers, so the occupants let them in.
Then, say police, the men allegedly tied up the couple and ransacked the home, stealing jewelry and other items. Shortly afterward, authorities say the same two men were caught on a surveillance photo
at the Hecht's store at Landmark Mall in Alexandria — using a credit card taken from the victims to purchase clothing.
On March 20, police arrested a Los Angeles, Calif., man and a Burtonsville, Md., man in connection with the robbery. They apprehended Choi, April 12, at his home in Centreville. The grand jury last week indicted him on two counts each of robbery and abduction, plus one count of burglary. He's set to plea July 5 in Circuit court.
<sh>Free Carseat Inspections
<bt>Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections, Thursday, June 29, from 5-9 p.m., at the station, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. They’ll make sure the carseat is correct for the child’s age, height and weight, 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 times. For additional child seat inspection times throughout Fairfax County, call the Fairfax County Operations Support Bureau at 703-280-0559.
<sh>ExtravaCATza! Adoption Event
<bt>The Fairfax County Animal Shelter will host an ExtravaCATza — a cat and kitten adoption — throughout the month of July at its facility at 4500 West Ox Road in Fairfax.
Families interested in adopting a cat are encouraged to drop by the shelter to meet the available animals hoping for a loving, new home. The first 100 cats and kittens adopted in July will receive a spay or neuter free of charge.
As part of this event, the shelter is partnering with DC Metro No More Homeless Pets — a nonprofit, animal-welfare organization — to bring cats and kittens from nine different private animal rescue organizations to the shelter on Sundays (July 9, 16, 23 and 30). Two rescue groups will appear at the shelter each Sunday with additional cats and kittens available for adoption.
The shelter's normal hours are Tuesdays – Fridays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The special Sunday adoption hours are noon–4 p.m. See www.fairfaxpets.org.
<sh>Meals on Wheels Needs Drivers
<bt>The Fairfax Area Agency on Aging "Meals on Wheels" program is in immediate need of drivers to deliver meals, Monday through Friday, to senior adults living in Fairfax County. Volunteers who speak Vietnamese are also needed.
The job involves picking up meals at specified sites between 10:30 a.m.-noon and delivering them to seniors by 1 p.m. Drivers may choose to deliver meals on a daily, weekly, biweekly, monthly or substitute basis. Call the Fairfax AAA Volunteer Intake Line at 703-324-5406 or e-mail melanie.mitchell@fairfaxcounty.gov.
<sh>Don't Block the Box
<bt>Congestion worsens when intersections are blocked and traffic patterns become disrupted. Therefore, officers from the Sully District Station have begun a traffic initiative aimed at encouraging drivers not to “block the box.”
An electronic message board will be posted for several months at designated areas. It is intended to educate the public about their legal obligation to keep intersections clear of vehicles.
Officers will target their enforcement efforts at intersections with the most prevalent traffic violations. Police will ticket offenders at the intersections of Lee Highway and Pleasant Valley Road; New Braddock Road and Sully Road; Lee Jackson Memorial Highway and Airline Parkway Enforcement will continue for six months, primarily during morning and evening rush hours.
<sh>Role Models for Children
<bt>Volunteers are needed throughout Northern Virginia to be positive role models for children who currently have an incarcerated parent. Mentors meet with children two hours per week. Weekly meetings are supplemented by monthly group recreational activities. The only qualification required is a desire to help a child in need.
To sign up for the mentor training session at the Center for Multicultural Human Services in Falls Church, call Ellen Klene, volunteer program manager, at 703-533-3302, ext. 107, or see www.cmhs.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.