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WFCM Seeks Food, Volunteers
Western Fairfax Christian Ministries’ (WFCM) food pantry urgently needs donations of oil (48 oz. or smaller); flour (2-5 lb. bag); sugar (2-5 lb. bag); rice (2 lb. bags); canned meats; salad dressing, jelly; jam; peanut butter, spaghetti sauce, Ramen Noodles, canned fruit; canned peas, beets and mixed vegetables; canned soup and baked beans; dry pasta and beans; ketchup, mustard, pancake mix and syrup; hot and cold cereal and coffee. In addition, the Food Pantry would appreciate fresh produce from local gardens. Also needed are laundry detergent, toothpaste, shampoo, toilet paper and baby wipes. WFCM clients are also in great need of gasoline cards. Bring all items to WFCM’S food pantry at 13981 Metrotech Drive (near Backyard Grill and Bar) in Chantilly. Volunteers are also needed:
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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.
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Recycle During Electric Sunday
Residents may recycle old TVs, computers, peripheral electronic devices – such as keyboards, speakers, printers and scanners, as well as household hazardous wastes – including fluorescent light bulbs and tubes, for free, during Fairfax County’s “Electric Sunday” events. The next one is slated for Sunday, Aug. 26, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at the I-66 Transfer Station, 4618 West Ox Road, in Fairfax. For more information, call 703-324-5052.
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Free Carseat Inspections
Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections Thursday, Aug. 23 and Sept. 6, 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.
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Help Plan Centreville Day
Centreville area residents, businesses, churches, schools, crafters, and non-profits and other groups are invited to celebrate the 220th anniversary of the chartering of town of Centreville this 20th annual Centreville Day on Saturday, Oct. 20. Proceeds from Centreville Day will help support Centreville Historic Park and the Centreville Historic District, where the town started 220 years ago in 1792. More information, sponsorship and marketplace applications are available at www.CentrevilleVA.org . Help plan this community event on Monday, Aug. 27 at 7:30 at the Frank Room in the Sully Government Center & Police Station at 4900 Stonecroft Blvd or contact Cheryl Repetti at ccf@centrevilleVa.org .
Supervisor Michael Frey’s View of Centreville
Frey Reflects on Sully District
Michael Frey has lived in Centreville’s London Commons community for more than 20 years and has been the Sully District supervisor since the district was created in 1992. So Centre View asked him to explain what he believes makes Centreville so special. “An awful lot of community life is built around the schools,” he said. “People love them and the PTAs have tremendous support.” He also praised the volunteers who put on Centreville Day and other community events at E.C. Lawrence Park and its mill and visitors center. But what especially left an indelible mark on him, said Frey, was “the way people came together after the May 8, 2006 shooting at the Sully District Police Station. That, to me, says as much about the character of the community as anything.”
Schools
School Notes
Centreville ES will host its Annual Welcome Back Picnic on Friday, Sept. 7, 5:30-8:30 p.m. The Flock (CES’s own staff band) will perform as students and family enjoy food from Chick-fil-a, Baja Fresh, Cici’s Pizza and Rita’s or their own family picnic. Community organizations including Southwestern Youth Association, Boy/Girl Scouts, FC Library, Police and Fire, Park Authority, CES Green Team and PTA will be sharing their information and services.
Centreville HS Cross Country News
CVHS XC Names Runners of the Week
The Wildcat Cross Country team began preparation for the upcoming season with a full slate of practices and an early season time trial. The first two “Runners of the Week” recipients have demonstrated the hard work they've already invested in the season, and have also displayed great team attitude. Sophomore Brady Madden is a returning veteran who has already made great improvements since last fall. Joining him is a rookie runner, freshman Hannah Huggins. Hannah has shown a “can do” spirit throughout the month and should bring that enthusiasm to the team's competitions.
What Makes Centreville Special
I have loved living in Centreville for 24 years, but my family’s history in the village goes back 150 years to the Civil War. In August 1862, my great, great grandfather McGraw marched with New York’s 157th Infantry to the tiny town. The Republican state senator and abolitionist had one goal: end slavery. When Lieutenant McGraw arrived, he found thousands of soldiers bivouacked in the desolate village where a second battle in Manassas had just tinted Bull Run’s water red with the shredded bodies of approximately 25,000 men in blue and gray. Little did he know that his new home — a tent — would transform into a peaceful house for his great, great granddaughter a century later.
Insider’s Perspective
Importance of Neighborhood Spirit
Sully Station II, Centreville, is a very active and friendly community with a lot of great events and programs for all ages. Being Neighborhood Watch Coordinators for Sully Station II and surrounding communities gives us a chance to work with community residents and businesses, the Sully District Police, and Fire Station 438. Crime is really, really low in Sully District thanks to the Fairfax County Police, and having a Neighborhood Watch program helps educate neighbors to be aware and look out for each other. Events like National Night Out, which we have been hosting since 2003, is a great opportunity to show neighborhood spirit and demonstrates our community’s commitment to fight crime.
Insiders’ Tips
Cherishing Franklin Glen
Franklin Glen has been a wonderful place to raise our family. We moved here in 1985 and our children are now grown. Many of the friendships they made here have continued into their adult lives. The swim team was perhaps the greatest "glue" of all. It was a wonderful experience for both children, especially our daughter Molly, who waxed philosophical at her final team cookout at age 18. She had compiled and read aloud numerous nuggets of wisdom entitled "Everything I Ever Needed to Know I Learned on the Franklin Glen Swim Team." My favorite from that list is "Winning doesn't always mean finishing first." Our children didn't always finish first, but that team was a huge part of the "village" that helped them and so many others to feel like winners.
Nearly 800 Jobs Added to the Local Economy
Information technology firms and professional service companies see growth.
Information technology firms continue to do well in a sluggish economy, according to a new report from the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA). During the second quarter of 2012, the FCEDA provided services and resources to 33 businesses that are adding almost 800 jobs in Fairfax County. Most of these businesses are in the information technology and professional services sectors and four are foreign-based firms using a Fairfax County location to expand in North America.
Minority-Owned Businesses Prosper in Fairfax County
Companies generate more than $1 billion in revenue and provide more than 1,000 jobs.
Businesses owned by Hispanics, African-Americans and women shine in Fairfax County, according to the latest national rankings for largest or fastest-growing companies. "Fairfax County is proud to be a community in which companies of all descriptions can and do succeed to a greater extent than in the rest of the region, the state or the country," said Gerald L. Gordon, president and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, which supports and monitors the growth of local businesses. Eleven Fairfax County-based companies are among the 500 largest Hispanic-owned businesses in the nation based on revenue — more than the total in 40 states, according to a recent report by HispanicBusiness.com. The Fairfax County companies are among 22 from Virginia on the 2012 Hispanic Business 500 list.
Food, Fun And Festivities
Neighbors, firefighters and police celebrate National Night Out.
It could have been just an ordinary Tuesday night — families eating quiet dinners in their homes, behind closed doors. But instead, last Tuesday, Aug. 7, residents of Centreville’s Sully Station II community joined together in four neighborhoods for outdoor block parties.
Centreville Roundups 8/16
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