Centreville — Clarification
In the story, “Buying Pizza Can Help Fight Thyroid Cancer,” in the Sept. 20 Centre View, it should read that, from now until Nov. 13, Paisano’s will donate $2 to Bite Me Cancer from every large pizza sold on Tuesdays.
Learn about Police Careers
Teens and their parents are invited to an informational meeting Monday, Oct. 1, at 7 p.m., at the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy, 14601 Lee Road in Chantilly, to learn more about Fairfax County Police Explorer Post No. 1742.
The Explorers serve police departments and their communities across the country and provide young people with opportunities to learn and practice skills that police officers use on a daily basis. Explorers gain experience in fingerprinting, processing crime scenes, staffing special events and helping officers spread the word about safety and crime prevention.
Firefighters Going Pink
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department personnel will don pink shirts between Oct. 1-7 to heighten awareness of breast cancer. During that time, firefighters and staff will wear pink T-shirts as they respond to emergency and non-emergency calls.
This October is the 28th Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and many other organizations nationwide are joining the fight to eradicate this disease. Even the NFL has added a pink ribbon to its logo this month, and players are wearing pink cleats, wristbands, gloves, chin straps and other items showing their support of Breast Cancer Month.
Donations from local employee groups, Fairfax County Local 2068, Fairfax County Progressive Firefighters Inc., UnitedHealthcare and others funded the purchase of the T-shirts.
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.
Centreville Civil War Tour
John McAnaw of the Bull Run Civil War Round Table will lead a tour of Blackburn Battlefield, sections of the Confederate Military Railroad, historic Mount Gilead, the Stuart-Mosby Museum, St. John’s Episcopal Church and cemetery, plus Confederate earthworks in and around Centre-ville. The tour will be Saturday, Oct. 6, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; wear good walking shoes.
Transportation will be by caravan from the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum at 11200 Fairfax Station Road in Fairfax Station. Cost is $25 for Museum members; $30, nonmembers; $10, children up to 14. Make checks payable to the Friends of Fairfax Station and mail them to this organization at P.O. Box 7, Fairfax Station, VA 22039, no later than Oct. 1. People should include their phone number and email address.
For more information, contact McAnaw at 703-978-3371 or visit www.fairfax-station.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.