Join the ‘Extravacatza’
Centreville — In hopes of encouraging people to adopt cats and kittens, the Fairfax County Animal Shelter has designated July as “Extravacatza.” Adoptive families will receive half-off adoption fees, plus free spay and neuter, on cats and kittens. Senior cat adopters will receive gift bags.
The shelter is at 4500 West Ox Road in Fairfax; on Wednesdays, it’s open until 9 p.m. for evening adoptions. People already owning cats may come and receive advice on Saturdays, July 6, 13, 20 and 27, from a shelter cat expert. They may also learn proper cat-handling techniques and, on July 18, there’s a social hour to talk about helping cats in Fairfax County.
For all July shelter events and classes, visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/calendar/ShowCalendar.aspx.
Help Plan Centreville Day
The public is invited to join the fun and help plan the annual Centreville Day celebration. The event is slated for Oct. 19 in Centreville’s Historic District and includes music, food, crafts vendors, children’s games and activities for all ages. The Centreville Day Planning Committee will meet Monday, July 1, at 7:30 p.m., at the Sully District Governmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd., in Chantilly, and all community members are welcome to attend and participate.
Free Carseat Inspections
Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections Tuesday, July 9, 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.
Countywide Transit Network Study
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation is conducting the Countywide Transit Network Study to determine the type of transit systems needed to accommodate forecasted growth throughout the county over the next several decades. The study has developed a proposed concept plan for where Metrorail should be extended, where light-rail systems are appropriate, and where dedicated lanes that allow buses to move faster could go. The study will also recommend how the system can be phased in and funded over time.
The public is invited to participate in the study’s third public meeting and workshop to discuss the proposed High Quality Transit Network (HQTN) concept. It’s slated for Wednesday, July 10, in rooms 4 and 5 of the Fairfax County Government Center. There’ll be an open-house format from 6-9 p.m., with a 20-minute presentation at 7 p.m.
The public meeting will present preliminary recommendations for the HQTN corridors and describe the network’s benefits for the county and its residents. For more information, see www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/2050transitstudy and join the conversation online via the IdeaScale discussion board at www.fairfaxcountydot.ideascale.com/. The next steps in the study will be to respond to the commentary received on the proposed concept, consider and incorporate potential revisions and develop final study recommendations this fall.
Summer Food Drives Needed
Summer is when WFCM is most in need of food donations. Children are home from school and need three meals a day, but many come from homes where both money and food are scarce. So WFCM is hoping local residents and businesses will hold summer food drives to help it restock its food pantry so it can provide food to local families in need. Anyone interested in doing so should contact Terry Kelly at tkelly@wfcmva.org.