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 throughout the county over the next several decades. It includes a preliminary recommendation for enhanced transit in the Dulles Suburban Center linking the future Silver Line's Innovation Center Metrorail Station to points throughout the Dulles Suburban Center and into Centreville.
A meeting on this topic will be held Thursday, Feb. 6, from 7-9 p.m., in the Sully District Governmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. There’s an open house, followed by staff presentations at 7:30 p.m. For more information or to comment, contact Clara Johnson or Tarek Bolden at 703-324-1380. Or go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpz/dullessuburbancenter/comments.htm.
Learn about Local CIS
The Fairfax County Police Criminal Investigations Section will take center stage at the next meeting of the Sully District Station’s Citizens Advisory Committee. It’s set for Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 7:30 p.m., in the Sully District Governmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly.
Explaining the type of work they do, CIS members will take the audience through a high-profile crime that happened in Chantilly – the costly and destructive vandalism of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s Mubarak Mosque.
The case detective will share intricate details of how he approached and solved this case using Facebook, fingerprints, DNA and more. It’s a chance for local residents to get an inside look at how the CIS section works and what types of cases it handles. They’ll also get to ask the detectives questions.
Free Carseat Inspections
Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections Thursday, Feb. 13, 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.
Food Donations for WFCM
Western Fairfax Christian Ministries’ food pantry urgently needs donations of spaghetti sauce, fruit juice, cooking oil; pancake mix and syrup, sugar, flour and canned fruit and meat. (Also needed are toothpaste, deodorant, baby wipes and shampoo).
Bring all items to WFCM’S new food-pantry location, weekdays, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at 13888 Metrotech Drive, near Papa John’s Pizza and Kumon Learning Center, in Chantilly’s Sully Place Shopping Center.
Thrift-store needs include coats, fall and winter clothing, like-new houseware, plus Bibles in English and Spanish. The store is at 13939 Metrotech Drive. In addition, Thrift Store volunteers are needed for two- to four-hour shifts Fridays, between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., and Saturdays, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
How to Hire CLRC Workers
The Centreville Labor Resource Center (CLRC) serves businesses and homeowners needing help with just about any home remodeling or maintenance project. And local residents who’d like to hire a worker from the CLRC may do so easily. Either call 703-543-6272 or go to www.centrevilleLRC.org and click on the “How to Hire” link. Tell what kind of work is required, how many workers are needed and when.
The CLRC will match the needs to its registered workers’ skills and set up the job. The price for work will be negotiated. After the job is completed, employers are encouraged to provide the CLRC with feedback to ensure that the work was done well and to their satisfaction and to make sure the workers are fairly paid.
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.
How to Help the CLRC
The Centreville Labor Resource Center (CLRC) needs volunteers to lead vocational training workshops to increase the workers’ job skills. A Wednesday morning ESOL instructor is also needed; contact Molly Maddra at coordinator@centrevilleLRC.org for more information.
In addition, end-of-year contributions to CLRC may be made at www.centrevilleimmigrationforum.org. The organization is supported totally by grants and donations; it receives no government funding.
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.
Join Citizens Police Academy
Area residents curious about law enforcement protocols, procedures, tools and training – and wanting a firsthand look into the inner-workings of Fairfax County’s Police Department may join the 26th Citizens Police Academy.
Slated to begin in March 2014, the 10-week course will offer special tours, lectures and hands-on activities. They’re designed to help residents walk in the shoes of police personnel, be better informed and have a better understanding about the person behind the badge. The academy is free and available to people living or working in this county.
Participants will complete approximately 40 hours of instruction on topics including the 9-1-1 call center, patrol issues and traffic stops, domestic violence, crime-scene and cold-case investigations and the K-9 program.
For more information, go to http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/services/citizens-police-academy.htm or e-mail cpa@fairfaxcounty.gov.
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.