<sh>Guest Speaker at Pleasant Grove
<bt>The Friends of Pleasant Grove will present their third annual Black History Month program on Saturday, Feb. 17, at 12 p.m. Guest speaker Virginia Williams will discuss the "Hush Harbor Experience." Williams, a resident of Alexandria, is a renowned educator and life-long community service activist. Her presentation of the "Hush Harbor Experience" through selected readings and songs recaptures the vibrancy and meaning of a worship service practiced during the era of slavery in the United States. The Rev. Clyde T. Nelson, pastor of Galloway United Methodist Church in Fall Church, will be the pianist for the program. This free event is open to the public and will take place at Historic Pleasant Grove Church, located at 8641 Lewinsville Road in McLean. Parking will be available in the lot adjacent to the cemetery. For more information contact Garry Jewett at 703-893-9075.
<sh>MCC Seeking Board Candidates
<bt>The McLean Community Center is seeking three adult and two youth candidates for its upcoming Governing Board election. Nominating petitions will be available Monday, Feb. 26. The community center is encouraging district residents who have a proven record of leadership and community service to enter the race for a seat on the Center’s 2007-2008 Governing Board. The board sets policy and provides general oversight for MCC facilities and programs, which include the Robert Ames Alden Theatre and the Old Firehouse Teen Center on Chain Bridge Road. MCC is located at 1234 Ingleside Avenue. All residents of the Center’s tax district (Dranesville Small District No. 1A) are eligible to run for a seat on the 11-member board. Candidates are required to obtain the signatures of 10 McLean district residents in order to have their names placed on the election ballot. Nominating petitions forms will be available at the Center beginning at 9 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 26. The deadline for filing completed petitions is 5 p.m. on Friday, March 30. Three adult positions and two youth positions are open this year. Adult members serve three-year terms. Youth members serve one-year terms. Youth candidates must be 15, 16 or 17 years old. One youth member will be selected from the area served by McLean High School and one will represent the area served by Langley High School. Candidates do not have to attend these schools to serve on the board. Residents of Dranesville Small District No. 1 may cast their votes in the election between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 19, at the McLean Day 2007 festival. The festival will be held at Lewinsville Park, 1659 Chain Bridge Road. Adults vote for adults, and youth (ages 15, 16 and 17) vote for the youth candidate who resides within their high school district, Langley or McLean. Absentee voting also will be available starting Monday, April 16. For more information, call the Center at 703-790-0123/TTY: 703-827-8255, or visit: www.mcleancenter.org.
<sh>Human and Canine Blood Drive
<bt>Great Falls Animal Hospital will host a human and canine blood drive on Thursday, March 1. Great Falls Animal Hospital is located at 10125 Colvin Run Road. Appointments for human donors are available from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. To schedule an appointment, ask for Lisa or Karen at 703-759-2330. To schedule a canine donation, call 1-800-949-EVBB (3822).
<sh>CAT Team Operation Results
<bt>The Fairfax County Christmas Anti-Theft Teams arrested 285 people this holiday season and recovered over $232,000 worth of property. CAT Teams work in and around major shopping areas in Fairfax County to identify and arrest amateur and professional shoplifters.
This year the CAT teams in McLean, Franconia and Fair Oaks Districts were once again successful in stifling property crimes in the Tysons Corner Mall, Springfield Mall and Fair Oaks Mall areas. The teams were in place from Nov. 22 through Dec. 31. Officers from the McLean District Station CAT Team seized eight stolen vehicles, arrested 93 individuals, and reported 111 felonies and 75 misdemeanors for a total of 186 criminal charges. The total value of recovered stolen merchandise was $45,018, and the total value of seized vehicles was $71,980. In addition, McLean officers seized $3,579 in U.S. currency. The total amount of property that was either seized or recovered was $116,999.
<sh>Baby Chicks Class at Park
<bt>Registration is currently open for the Baby Chicks class at Riverbend Park 's Nature Center. The 8-week class is open to children ages 9 months to 2 years. Introduce children to the sights and sounds of nature with a stroller/backpack ride through the woods. Puppets, songs and live critters will delight your youngster. Hiking shoes and sturdy big-wheeled strollers are recommended. Indoor exploration will be planned in inclement weather. Supply fee of $5 payable to instructor at first class. The class fee is $57 and those who register before Feb. 16 will receive a $10 class discount. The Baby Chicks class runs on Mondays or Tuesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. The Monday class begins March 26 and the registration code is 3572659001. The Tuesday class begins March 27 and the registration code is 3572659002. To register, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes.htm or call 703-222-4664.
<sh>Bug Walks & Critter Talks Class
<bt>Registration is currently open for the Bug Walks & Critter Talks class at Riverbend Park 's Nature Center. The 8-week class is open to children ages 2 to 3 , plus their adult guardian. In this class, children and their parents get the opportunity to "stop and smell the roses" as they explore the outdoors and search for nature's fascinating creatures. Through forest walks, nature talks, stories, insect collections art, youngsters develop a better understanding of the natural world. There will be an additional supply fee of $5 payable to the instructor at the first class. The class fee is $57 and those who register before Feb. 16 will receive a $10 class discount. The class will run on Mondays or Tuesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., or on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. The Monday class begins on March 26 and the registration code is 3572664401. The Tuesday class begins on March 27 and the registration code is 3572664402. The Sunday class begins on March 25 and the registration code is 3572664403. To register, visit
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes.htm or call 703-222-4664.
<sh>Adventures in Gardening
<bt>Registration is currently open for the Adventures in Gardening class at Riverbend Park 's Nature Center. The 8-week class is open to children ages 3 to 5. Children will learn about basics in gardening, how to grow plants and discover the insects and animals that call a garden home. Classes include stories, activities and crafts. There will be an additional supply fee of $5 payable to the instructor at the first class. The class fee is $57 and those who register before Feb. 16 will receive a $10 class discount. The class runs on Tuesdays, beginning March 27, from 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. The registration code is 357265940. To register, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes.htm or call 703-222-4664.
<sh>Picnic with a Naturalist
<bt>Registration for Picnic in the Park with a Naturalist at Riverbend Park 's Visitor Center is now open. The 4-week program is open to children ages 1 to 6. Parents, pack a blanket and a picnic lunch and enjoy summer by the riverside. Listen to a summertime story and do a nature activity. If we're lucky, we may see herons, ducks, or other animals looking for lunch too. The class fee is $55 and those who register before Feb. 16 will receive a $10 class discount. The class runs on Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. , beginning June 7. The registration code is 3572660501. To register, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes.htm or call 703-222-4664.
<sh>Wild Science at Park
<bt>Registration for Wild Science at Riverbend Park's Nature Center is now open. The 8-week class is open to children ages 7 to 10. Work hands-on with wild salamanders, dragonflies, frogs, bluebirds, and more as you help with real scientific studies at the park. Record field data and handle wildlife as we work on a different research project each week. In inclement weather, we will learn about proper care for our exhibit animals. The class fee is $89 and those who register before Feb. 16 will receive a $10 class discount. The class runs on Mondays from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., beginning March 26. The registration code is 3572713501. To register, please visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes.htm or call 703-222-4664.