Parkway Overpass Now Open
As of Thursday, Nov. 15, VDOT shifted traffic onto the new Fairfax County Parkway bridge over the Fair Lakes Parkway and Monument Drive. The new bridge spans from south of Fair Lakes Parkway to north of Monument Drive. With the new overpass, motorists won’t encounter a traffic signal for the five-mile stretch between Popes Head Road and Route 50.
The work is part of a $69.7 million interchange project set for completion next spring. It’s being built to ease traffic congestion at the intersection of these two, heavily traveled thoroughfares.
Planned is a split-diamond, grade-separated interchange, with a free-flowing Fairfax County Parkway bridging over Fair Lakes Parkway and Monument Drive. Through traffic will be separated from local ramp traffic, with traffic signals on the ramps, not on the parkway.
The Fairfax County Parkway is being widened from four to six lanes for three miles, from south of I-66 to Rugby Road. Signals at Fair Lakes Parkway and Monument Drive will be eliminated. Long ramps will provide separate access to and from both parkways and Monument Drive.
Donate Blood, Save Lives
Total Framing, at 9528 Main St. in Fairfax, will hold its second annual blood drive in honor of Owen Wicks (the son of a Clifton Elementary alumnus) and Ryan Dillon (whose father was a former Clifton Elementary P.E. teacher). Both lost their battles with Osteosarcoma earlier this year, but this blood drive is to honor their memories and help others batting cancer and other diseases and conditions requiring transfusions.
The drive is set for Saturday, Nov. 24, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The Inova Bloodmobile will be in the parking lot of the turnpike Shopping Center in Fairfax. To register, visit www.inova.org/donateblood, click on “schedule a donation,” then click on “donate blood” and use sponsor code 7848. Or contact Terri Price at 703-426-0660 or at terri@totalframing.biz.
A photo ID is required, and all donors will receive a goodie bag full of surprises. Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome. Since blood donations drop dramatically during the holidays, the need is critical during this time of year.
Advanced Academics Meeting
Fairfax County Public Schools will hold community meetings next week to gather public input about the timing of expanding advanced academic services to all pyramids within the school system. The goal is to make sure all students have access to advanced academic programs (AAP). Locally, the meeting is slated for Tuesday, Nov. 27, from 7-9 p.m., in the Westfield High cafeteria for Clusters 6, 7 and 8.
Fair Oaks CAC to Meet
The Citizens Advisory Council of the Fair Oaks District Police Station will meet Tuesday, Nov. 27, at 7 p.m., in the roll-call room of the police station. It’s at 12300 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway in Chantilly.
Sully District Council Meeting
The Sully District Council of Citizens Associations and its Land-Use Committee will meet Wednesday, Nov. 28, at 7 p.m., in the Sully District Governmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. The topic is Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Services in the Sully District. Call Jeff Parnes, evenings, at 703-904-0131.
Free Carseat Inspections
Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections Thursday, Nov. 29, 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.
ONC Needs Community’s Help
Our Neighbor’s Child (ONC) is preparing for its 21st holiday season providing new toys and clothing for children of families in financial crisis in Centreville, Chantilly and Western Fairfax. But it’s a volunteer organization and it can only carry out its mission with the support of local churches, schools, businesses and individuals.
And this year, in the face of a difficult economy, ONC needs help more than ever from groups or individuals willing to furnish clothing for local children in need. The number of requests for winter coats, jackets and other warm clothing is high again this year. Specific information (sizes, etc.) will be available before Thanksgiving.
Anyone who’d like to help is urged to contact Stephanie Somers, ONC clothing coordinator, at somerss@cox.net. For other ONC volunteer opportunities or to make a monetary donation, visit www.ourneighborschild.org.
Centreville Elementary Seeks Grant
Centreville Elementary has been nominated by its PTA for a $50,000 Clorox Bright Futures Grant. If awarded, the grant will be used to support the school's healthy movement initiative. The school will install a running/walking track for the students and community. This is a nationwide competition, and the entity with the most votes will win.
Anyone from the community may vote twice a day (once online at https://powerabrightfuture.clorox.com/nominees/detail/?nid=2099 and once by texting 2099pbf to 95248). Anyone 13 and older may vote every day until Dec. 19. So Centreville counselor Lee Kaiser is asking residents to “please vote, and tell your friends and family to do it, too.”
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.