VATF-1 Aids New Jersey
Virginia Task Force One (VATF-1), Fairfax County’s urban search and rescue team, was deployed Monday morning, Oct. 29, to Fort Dix, N.J., to aid in any way it could following Hurricane Sandy’s strike there.
The 80-person team was activated Sunday afternoon by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and staged at the VATF-1 headquarters and deployment center at 14725-H Flint Lee Road in Chantilly.
VATF-1 consists of firefighters, paramedics, search-and-rescue specialists, structural engineers, physicians, hazardous materials specialists, planning and logistical staff, plus canines and handlers. In addition to its regular complement of equipment, the team will also deploy with two inflatable boats, numerous personal floatation devices and water-rescue specialists.
The team is self-contained and is capable of deploying for up to 14 days without resupply or additional support. VATF-1 is funded by the federal government, which pays for all personnel, equipment and deployment costs.
Alliance Delays Show Opening
Since The Alliance Theatre is performing “Nunsense” at Mountain View, a Fairfax County Public School, and schools were closed Monday and Tuesday, the cast and crew was unable to get into Mountain View’s theater to complete preparations for the play’s opening. As a result, the Friday, Nov. 2, performance has been canceled. To see the other performance dates and times, go to boxoffice@thealliancetheatre.org.
Free Carseat Inspections
Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections Thursday, Nov. 1 and 15, 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.
Turn Back Those Clocks
Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday, Nov. 4, at 2 a.m. So when residents go to bed Saturday night, they’re reminded to turn back their clocks and watches one hour and set the correct times on their microwaves and various electronic devices.
Election Officers Urgently Needed
Anyone able to volunteer as an election officer on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 6, is asked to contact the Fairfax County Office of Elections as soon as possible. Paid positions are also available, $125 for a full day, $75 for a half day.
Help is needed with the election process at the polls, as well as at the Elections Office before and during Election Day. The first priority is ensuring that every eligible voter may vote, without excess waiting, and that every vote counts. But first, the Office of Elections must recruit more than 3,000 election officers to work at the polls this Election Day, and it’s currently several hundred short.
Volunteers need not live in Fairfax County, but must be Virginia registered voters and must attend a three-hour training class. For more information,
call: 703-324-4735 or e-mail: elect@fairfaxcounty.gov and write “election officer” on the subject line.
Boy Scout Food Drive
The annual, Boy Scout “Scouting for Food” Drive will be Saturday, Nov. 10. Residents are urged to fill the bags Scouts will leave outside their doors, this Saturday, Nov. 3, with nonperishable items. The Scouts will pick up the filled bags, the morning of Nov. 10, and bring them to a sorting area. They’ll then be delivered to WFCM (Western Fairfax Christian Ministries) for its food pantry which helps people in need in Centreville, Chantilly, Clifton, Fair Oaks and Fair Lakes.
In years past, more than 900 Scouts and adults from the Sully District – which includes Centreville, Clifton and portions of Chantilly and Fairfax – helped collect 56,968 pounds of food. With the current economic situation, the need is much greater now than in years past, so this year’s local goal is more than 60,000 pounds of food.
The food drive is orchestrated by Scouts of the National Capital Area Council. While nourishing hungry families in the local area, it also provides a community-service opportunity for youth and teaches them the value of helping others.
Sully District CSI
Anyone wondering what really goes on at a police crime scene will get a chance to find out at the next meeting of the Sully District Police Station’s Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC). It’s set for Wednesday, Nov. 14, at 7:30 p.m., in the station’s roll-call room. It’s open to the public, and concerns and questions are welcome.
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; canned meats; salad dressing, jelly; jam; peanut butter, spaghetti sauce, Ramen Noodles, canned fruit; canned beets and collard greens; canned soup and 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, such as tomatoes, from local gardens.
Also needed are laundry detergent, toothpaste, shampoo, toilet paper and diapers (sizes 4, 5 & 6). 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.-4 p.m., to receive donations. Contact Volunteer Manager Annette Bosley at 703-988-9656.
Food pantry: Regular volunteers are needed needed to pick up donated food from Costco on Thursday mornings and from Harris Teeter on Fridays between 9-10 a.m.
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.
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.