Bulletin Board
Friday/Aug. 9 Shabbat Service. 7:30 p.m. at Temple Beth Torah, 4212 C-Technology Court, Chantilly. The service will be held in the new building. All community members are welcome. Call 703-217-8938 or visit www.BethTorah.net.
The Median Has No Message
Political signs banished from roadsides as campaign season heats up.
Some people call them flowers of democracy. Others call them weeds of political pollution. Whatever one thinks of the campaign signs and placards that appear along the roads of Fairfax County, expect to see a lot fewer of them. Last month, county officials launched a new program in which nonviolent inmates at the county jail hit the streets four days a week to remove illegal signs. With apologies to Marshall McLuhan, the message is no longer in the median. Anger and resentment has been rising over the issue of roadside political signs for years, and campaigns frequently go to war with each other to see which side can plant or steal or deface the largest number of placards. Unlike Prince William County, which had an agreement with the Virginia Department of Transportation that allows the local government to collect the signs and fine violators, Fairfax was caught in a bind. Part of the Virginia code made it illegal for the county to remove the signs in Fairfax County until after an election.
Creating Jobs, Helping Community
CLRC workers learn new skills building garden boxes for sale.
Guided by summer intern Tori Jameson, 13 workers at the Centreville Labor Resource Center have learned how to build raised, garden boxes. The project was part of their continual education learning new skills and is hoped to yield both funds and jobs for the center.
Fine Tuning Songwriting Skills
Chantilly teen attends Grammy Camp in California.
This fall, junior Jason Saitta will be one of the leads in Chantilly High’s musical, “Evita.” But his summer was also none too shabby.
‘Read – A Need You Can Feed’
Church members read with London Towne Elementary students.
London Towne Elementary’s summer reading program was called, “Read — A Need You Can Feed.” And that need was met in two ways. When children came to brush up their reading skills, they were fed literally, getting to enjoy treats such as pizza, hot dogs, chips, juice and pudding. Their minds were also fed, as volunteers from Centreville Presbyterian Church (CPC) came to school and read stories with them.
‘My Crew Chief and Medic Saved Lives’
Vietnam veterans also share their stories.
Each year, Rocky Run Middle School invites veterans to participate in its annual World War II day. This year, it extended an invitation to veterans of more recent wars, as well, and they, too, enjoyed imparting their knowledge and reminiscences to the students.
Veterans Share Their Stories
Rocky Run Middle holds annual WWII Day.
A veteran of three wars, Russell O’Connell helped protect Gen. George Patton. Elmer Smith flew President Roosevelt to the “Big Three” meeting with Stalin and Churchill. And Ruth Erno was a Navy communications officer. They were among the more than 80 veterans who participated in June in Rocky Run Middle School’s annual World War II Day. It’s hosted each year by the seventh-grade class and organized by history teacher Jamie Sawatzky.
Roundups
Free Carseat Inspections Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections Thursday, Aug. 15, 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.
Crime Report
INDECENT EXPOSURE, 5500 block of Sequoia Farms Drive, July 19, 6:40 p.m. Two girls, ages 12 and 15, were walking at approximately 8:20 in the morning when they saw a man sitting in a car. The man was exposing himself. BURGLARY, 5000 block of Oakcrest Drive, July 12, 5:30 p.m. A resident reported someone entered the home and stole several items to include jewelry. Forced entry was made through a rear door.
Candidates Agree on Amendment for Voting Rights, Disagree on Executive Order
Restoration of civil rights on the agenda for next governor.
Should nonviolent felons have their right to vote automatically restored? What exactly is a nonviolent felony? What kind of process can be considered automatic?
Local Youth Re-enact Historic Pioneer Trek
More than 200 teenagers and adult advisors from the Centreville Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — which includes Centreville, Manassas, Gainesville, Warrenton and surrounding areas — re-enacted the trek of 19th-century Mormon pioneers during a three-day youth conference, July 18-20, at the Marriott Ranch in Hume, Va.
Guarding Against Identity Theft and Fraud
Police advise residents how to protect themselves.
With identity theft and fraud being such a major concern these days, police Investigator Tom Polhemus and Det. Mike Deane recently presented some ways local residents can protect themselves from becoming victims.
Centre View Business Notes
Pennoni Associates elected President and CEO Tony Bartolomeo, PE, as a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Centre View Bulletin
Open House. 6 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Labor Resource Center, 5956 Centreville Crest Lane. See the raised garden-box project and speak with staff and interns about CLRC’s events and projects. Refreshments available in the mornings. Visit www.centrevillelrc.org.
Centre View Calendar
The Airbus IMAX Theater at National Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center, 14390 Air & Space Museum Parkway, is showing movies including “Hubble,” “Fighter Pilot,” “Space Junk,” “Air Racers”, “The Dream is Alive” and ”Star Trek: Into the Darkness”. Visit http://airandspace.si.edu/udvarhazy/ or call 703-572-4118 for the movie schedule.