Centreville — Free Carseat Inspections
Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections Thursday, Oct. 4 and Oct. 18, 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.
Clifton Day is Oct. 7
The annual Clifton Day festival will be held Sunday, Oct. 7, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Rain date, Oct. 14). The family-friendly fun includes crafts, food, antiques, jugglers, bagpipe players, unicyclists, music, pony rides, civil war reenactments and children’s activities. For VRE train schedule plus parking information, go to www.cliftonday.com.
Bullying Awareness Day
Rocky Run Middle School will host the Chantilly High pyramid’s first Bullying Awareness Day on Friday, Oct. 12. The theme, “Stand by Me,” was chosen to support the countywide initiative to provide children with information and strategies about what bullying is and how to handle themselves if they’re ever faced with a bullying situation.
All students are encouraged to wear purple shirts on that day. During the event, students will learn the definition of bullying — which is when a person or group of people repeatedly use words or actions to intentionally cause physical or emotional harm to another person.
They’ll also be given the opportunity to take an anti-bullying pledge and receive a purple wristband with the words, “Stand by Me,” on it. The pledge is as follows: “Students in the Chantilly Pyramid are bully free; I will not bully others. I will stand up to help others who are being bullied. I will report bullying to an adult. If I see something, I will say something. I know sticking up for someone is the right thing to do. My name is and I will stand by you, in return, I hope you will stand by me.”
Alliance Book Fair Fundraiser
The Alliance Theatre is holding a Book Fair Fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 13, all day, at Barnes & Noble, 12193 Fair Lakes Promenade (off West Ox Road) in Fair Oaks. When customers mention “The Alliance Theatre” at check-out, a percentage of the purchase will go to Alliance. The same thing applies to online purchases made from Oct. 14 through Oct. 18. Go to http://www.bn.com/bookfairs and use Alliance’s special, book-fair number, 10807774.
Special activities from noon-4 p.m. will include face-painting, Clifford the Big Red Dog reading stories to children, and Alliance actors singing songs from their upcoming production of “Nunsense.” Also planned is a raffle for tickets to see “Nunsense” in November at Mountain View High School, plus information on Alliance’s 2013 season. Special in-store food discount vouchers are available by e-mailing contact_us@thealliancetheatre.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; 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.
Bike Summit Is Slated
The inaugural Fairfax Bike Summit will be held Saturday, Oct. 27, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., at George Mason University. The goal is to bring together current and future bicyclists, bicycle organizations, bike shops and transportation professionals to discuss how to make Fairfax County a better place to live by making bicycling a major component of the transportation system.
Nationally known speakers will include county resident Andy Clarke, president of the League of American Bicyclists, Chris Eatough of BikeArlington and Stewart Schwartz of the Coalition for Smarter Growth. And on display will be the latest transportation bikes and gear from local bike shops.
Register for free at http://ffxbikesummit.eventbrite.com; attendance is limited to 200 people. Display space is free and available for bicycle businesses and organizations. The event will be held at The HUB at GMU in the front-middle ballroom, 10423 Rivanna River Way in Fairfax. Further information is available at www.fabb-bikes.org and bikesummit@fabb-bikes.org.
Sponsoring the summit are Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling (FABB), GMU and Fairfax County.
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.