Two School Buses Burn
The Fairfax County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the fire destruction of two county school buses at a bus-storage lot near Westfield High. Fire and Rescue Department units responded Dec. 18, around 12:30 a.m. to 4700 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly.
Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a bus fully involved in flames. They were able to bring the blaze under control in approximately 20 minutes. A second nearby school bus was also heavily damaged. There were no injuries, but damage is estimated at $160,000.
Learn about Unsolved Crimes
The Fairfax County Police Department’s Cold Case Unit will be the topic at the next meeting of the Sully District Station’s Citizens Advisory Committee. It’s set for Wednesday, Jan. 8, at 7:30 p.m., at the station, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly.
Attendees will get a look at the Cold Case Unit’s tools, techniques and investigative methods as its members pursue and resolve long-standing homicides, search for missing persons and handle other complex cases. The public is welcome.
Free Carseat Inspections
Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections Thursday, Jan. 2 and 16, 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.
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.
Food Donations for WFCM
Western Fairfax Christian Ministries’ food pantry urgently needs donations of cooking oil; sugar; flour; canned fruit, meat, tuna and greens (spinach, collards); fruit juice and cold cereal. (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, socks and underwear for adults and children, 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.
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.