<sh>Neighbors Network Adds
Emergency Service Feature
<bt>The Neighbors network is now offering its members the option to receive emergency announcements via text messages on cell phones. These messages include police and safety alerts, which consist of amber alerts, crimes in progress and major events that directly impact the local community on an immediate basis. Also included in the messages are weather alerts, such as tornadoes, and some traffic alerts. These alerts are for emergencies only and are expected to happen less than four times a month.
"It's important that our community be aware of critical situations at all times, not just when one is sitting at their computer screen," said Neighbors president Sharon Rainey.
Members can activate this service by logging on to the Neighbors Web site.
The Neighbors community e-mail network was started in Great Falls and currently has networks in Ashburn, Reston, Alexandria, Herndon, Leesburg, Vienna and McLean. For more information, visit www.MyNeighborsNetwork.com.
<sh>Back-to-School
Volunteers Needed
<bt>The Safe Community Coalition is in need of student volunteers to help collate brochures for back-to-school packets. The coalition will hold a collating session on Aug. 2 from 1 to 3 p.m. at McLean Baptist Church, located at 1367 Chain Bridge Road. This is an easy job and no experience is necessary. Student volunteers will earn community service hour credits. Interested parties should contact Claire Dillon at claire.dillon@safecommunitycoalition.net.
<sh>River Oaks
Sewer Project
<bt>Arbor Lane will be closed to through traffic for two-and-a-half months to allow for the installation of a sanitary sewer main. Due to the location of the proposed sewer main, the location of existing utility lines and depth of the sanitary sewer main necessary to maintain gravity flow, this work cannot be constructed under traffic. A detour will be posted and the proper authorities — Fairfax County Police, Fire and Rescue, Fairfax County Public Schools and VDOT — are aware of the road closure and detour. It is expected that the road closure will start on, or around, July 30. The detour map is available online, and message board signs have been posted on-site to notify motorists of the road closure dates. In an effort to keep the community advised of the progress of this project, as well as outline the work planned for the months ahead, the contractor Anchor Construction Corp. will be issuing a monthly newsletter which will be posted online at www.anchorconst.com. Copies of this newsletter will also be made available at the contractor’s field trailer located at 6925 Georgetown Pike, near the Dead Run Pump Station.