Centreville — Free Carseat Inspections
Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections Thursday, Aug. 9 and 23, from 5-8:30 p.m., at the station, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. No appointment is necessary. But residents should install the child safety seats themselves so technicians may properly inspect and adjust them, as needed.
However, because of time constraints, only the first 35 vehicles arriving on each date will be inspected. That way, inspectors may have enough time to properly instruct the caregiver on the correct use of the child seat. Call 703-814-7000, ext. 5140, to confirm dates and times.
No I-66 Exit to Parkway South
Motorists, listen up: From this Friday, Aug. 10, at 10 p.m., through Monday, Aug. 13, at 4 a.m., the ramps from eastbound and westbound I-66 to southbound Fairfax County Parkway will be closed for paving. At the same time, the southbound parkway will be reduced to one lane.
The closures and paving are part of the work involved in the ongoing interchange project at Fair Lakes Parkway and Fairfax County Parkway. The following detour signs will direct drivers:
From westbound I-66: Take Route 29 (Exit 52) north to access the Fairfax County Parkway.
From eastbound I-66: Route 50 west (Exit 57B) to southbound West Ox Road (Route 608) to the Fairfax County Parkway.
Drivers may also take the northbound Fairfax County Parkway (Exit 55), turn right on Fair Lakes Parkway and right on West Ox Road to return to the Fairfax County Parkway.
Through the weekend, the Fairfax County Parkway will briefly be reduced to one lane southbound between Fair Lakes Circle and the Route 29 interchange (about 4300 feet). Drivers are asked to use alternate routes through this area to avoid delays.
The entire project is slated for completion in 2013. The $69.5 million interchange at Fairfax County Parkway and Fair Lakes Parkway will improve pedestrian and cyclist access, widen more than three miles of the Fairfax County Parkway, and improve traffic flow by separating local and parkway traffic through this busy area. For more details, see the VDOT project page: http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/northernvirginia/fairfax_county_parkway-fair_lakes.asp.
Help WFCM Collect Backpacks
Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) is collecting backpacks for students attending 23 elementary, middle and high schools in Centreville, Chantilly and Clifton. They go to children whose parents can’t afford to buy them and, this year, the schools need 1,550 backpacks. WFCM is collecting them through Aug. 17 and is counting on local residents to help meet the demand.
Elementary schools have requested midsize backpacks for grades K-three, and standard 17-inch backpacks for grades four, five and six. Middle-school students need the 17-inch or larger backpacks with compartments, and high- school students need the larger 18-inch backpacks, also with compartments. Backpacks should be new and without wheels.
They may be dropped off Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., and Wednesday, 5-8 p.m., at the WFCM food pantry/thrift store, 13981 Metrotech Drive in Chantilly (near Backyard Grill and Bar). Backpack donations are tax-deductible, and WFCM will give receipts to contributors. For more information, contact Bush at jbush@wfcmva.org.
Women's Self Defense Program
The Fairfax County Law Enforcement Foundation is partnering with the Fairfax County Police Department to offer the Women's Self Defense Training program. It’s based on the SAFE program formerly provided by the Police Department, but now being taught by C&J Security Corp.
The program is a two-day class that will meet on consecutive Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:15-9:30 p.m. It’s currently offered free and all class materials are included. Program funding is provided through the Fairfax County Law Enforcement Foundation.
The course is offered to females, age 13 and older. A female guardian must accompany girls 13-18. No men other than the instructors are permitted to be present during a class. For more information, call 703-246-7806, e-mail WSD@fairfaxfoundation.org or go to www.fairfaxfoundation.org.
WFCM Seeks Food, Volunteers
Western Fairfax Christian Ministries’ (WFCM) food pantry urgently needs donations of oil (48 oz. or smaller); flour (2-5 lb. bag); sugar (2-5 lb. bag); rice (2 lb. bags); canned meats; salad dressing, jelly; jam; peanut butter, spaghetti sauce, Ramen Noodles, canned fruit; canned peas, beets and mixed vegetables; canned soup and baked beans; dry pasta and beans; ketchup, mustard, pancake mix and syrup; hot and cold cereal and coffee. In addition, the Food Pantry would appreciate fresh produce from local gardens.
Also needed are laundry detergent, toothpaste, shampoo, toilet paper and baby wipes. WFCM clients are also in great need of gasoline cards.
Bring all items to WFCM’S food pantry at 13981 Metrotech Drive (near Backyard Grill and Bar) in Chantilly. Volunteers are also needed:
Thrift store: Volunteers are needed Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., to receive donations. Contact Volunteer Manager Annette Bosley at 703-988-9656.
Food pantry: Volunteers are needed Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., to bag/stock groceries. A regular, weekly volunteer is also needed on Wednesdays to pick up donations from Food Lion, from now through August.
Furniture ministry: One person is needed to help move furniture that will be given to clients in need.
Meals on Wheels Volunteers
Fairfax County needs Meals on Wheels drivers in Chantilly and group Meals on Wheels coordinators in both Chantilly and Fairfax. Contact Volunteer Solutions at 703-324-5406, TTY 711, VolunteerSolutions@fairfaxcounty.gov or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices/volunteer-solutions.htm.