Dozens of Vehicles Vandalized
Fairfax County police are investigating reports of more than 40 cases of property destruction and larcenies that happened last Thursday, Jan. 10, between 1-5 a.m., in Centreville. Suspects smashed passenger-side windows of 44 vehicles and then rummaged through the glove boxes and stole items including GPS units, iPods, sunglasses and loose change.
The areas targeted were Bent Tree Circle, Little Rocky Run, Summer Tree Road, Glad Spring Drive and Cider Barrel Circle. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, e-mail www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org, text “TIP187” plus a message to CRIMES/274637 or call police at 703-691-2131.
National Day of Service
President Barack Obama has designated Saturday, Jan.19, as a national day of service. Volunteer Fairfax is partnering with Points of Light and Target to put on a signature, national-service project in Washington, D.C., linking the vision of Martin Luther King Jr. with inauguration events and engaging political leaders, celebrities, and the community in service and dialogue.
Some 10,000 volunteers will gather at the D.C. Armory and, throughout the course of the day, they’ll pack 100,000 toiletry care kits filled with necessities for deployed U.S. service members, wounded warriors, veterans and first responders. For more information, go to www.volunteerfairfax.org
Frey to Address WFCCA
Supervisor Michael R. Frey (R-Sully) will be the guest speaker at the quarterly meeting of the West Fairfax County Citizens Association (WFCCA). It’s slated for Monday, Jan. 21, at 7 p.m., in the Sully District Governmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd., in Chantilly.
Sully District Council Meeting
The Sully District Council of Citizens Associations and its Land-Use Committee will meet Wednesday, Jan. 23, at 7 p.m., in the Sully District Governmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. Call Jeff Parnes, evenings, at 703-904-0131.
On tap is a review of the FY 2014 Fairfax County Public Schools budget by Kristen Michael, the FCPS budget director. There’ll also be a status update on a proposal for independent-living and medical-care facilities on Centreville Road in Oak Hill.
Free Carseat Inspections
Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections Thursday, Jan. 24, 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.
Help Assemble Food Bags
Each week, more than 70 Centreville Elementary students who receive free and reduced-price lunches also receive food in their backpacks on Fridays so they won’t go hungry on the weekend. To help this program, Mount Olive Baptist Church has purchased and donated the foods needed to go into the backpacks.
But volunteers are needed Saturday, Jan. 26, starting at 9 a.m., to help assemble more than 1,200 food bags at the church at 6600 Old Centreville Road in Centreville. (A sign outside the church will identify which doors to use). These bags will then be driven to the school for distribution by the school counselors.
Improve Transportation for Elderly, Disabled
Local residents’ answers to a brief survey will help Fairfax County improve transportation services for older adults and people with disabilities in this county and the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church. The questionnaire consists of 27 mostly multiple-choice questions. It takes 5-10 minutes to complete. Take the survey online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/mobilityoptions. It’s sponsored by the Fairfax Area Mobility and Transportation Committee, which reports jointly to the Fairfax Area Disability Services Board and the Fairfax Area Long Term Care Coordinating Council. For an alternate format of the survey, contact Jill Clark at 703-324-5874, TTY 703-449-1186.
Advocates Needed for Elderly
The Northern Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program needs volunteer advocates for residents in assisted living and nursing facilities throughout the area. Training is provided in Spring 2013. Call 703-324-5861, TTY 711 or email Lisa.Callahan@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Give Caregivers a Break
Fairfax County needs Respite Care volunteers throughout the county to give family caregivers of a frail older adult a well-deserved break. Volunteers visit and oversee the safety of the older adult for a few hours each month. Volunteers are matched with families in or near their own neighborhoods. Support and training is provided. Contact Kristin Martin at 703-324-7577, TTY 711, or Kristin.Martin@fairfaxcounty.gov.
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.